The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 15, 2008
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2006
Roger Sinsheimer, Petaluma, CA (US);
D. Evan Williams, Petaluma, CA (US);
Roger Sinsheimer, Petaluma, CA (US);
D. Evan Williams, Petaluma, CA (US);
Xandex, Inc., Petaluma, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus are described for connecting a first plurality of signal lines to a second plurality of signal lines. A first assembly includes a plurality of first contact arrays. Each of the contacts in each of the first contact arrays is in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the first plurality of signal lines. Each of the first contact arrays has a first mechanical alignment feature associated therewith. A second assembly includes a plurality of contact assemblies. Each of the contact assemblies is suspended within the second assembly such that each contact assembly is operable to move independently in at least four degrees of freedom relative to the second assembly. Each contact assembly has a second contact array associated therewith. Each of the contacts in each of the second contact arrays is in electrical contact with a corresponding one of the second plurality of signal lines. Each of the contact assemblies has a second mechanical alignment feature associated therewith. The second contact array of each contact assembly is operable to align with a corresponding one of the first contact arrays through interaction of the first and second mechanical alignment features and movement of the corresponding contact assembly in at least some of the degrees of freedom.