Title of Invention

"AN APPARATUS FOR ELECTRICALLY AND MECHANICALLY CONNECTING A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD TO A SOCKET"

Abstract An apparatus for electrically and mechanically connecting a printed circuit board (251) to a socket, characterized in that the apparatus comprises: a connector member comprising a shell (212, 214) and an insert (215) disposed interiorly of said shell (212, 214), wherein said insert (215) has at least one longitudinally extending through hole (216); at least one electrical contact (230) disposed interiorly through said through hole (216), said electrical contact comprising a tail portion (310) adjacent the distal end of said electrical contact (230) and wherein said tail (310) comprises an undercut (402) formed circumferentially around said distal end of said tail (310); and a printed circuit board (251) comprising at least one contact receptacle (252), wherein said contact receptacle (252) comprises a resilient conductive member and a longitudinally extending conducting through hole, wherein said conducting through hole is axially aligned with said through hole (216) in said insert (215), wherein the other end of said resilient member engages a shoulder of said undercut (402) on said tail (310).
Full Text The present invention relates to an apparatus for electrically and mechanically connecting a printed circuit board to a socket.
The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of and system for interconnecting a printed circuit board to the rear of an electrical socket or plug.
Description of the Prior Art
Present methods of and systems for terminating a printed circuit board to the rear of an electrical socket or plug connector include soldering the connector contact tails to the board. The purpose of the soldering operation is to provide electrical and mechanical connection. In some instances, the heat generated by the soldering process can adversely effect the connector and printed circuit board. As a result, the electrical performance of the interconnect can be irreparably destroyed or, at the least, significantly degraded. Performance degradation, of course, must be avoided in electronics devices that are used in avionics and other sensitive systems, especially where rigid specifications must be met.
Moreover, soldering can create a rigid connection between me components. When a member soldered to a printed circuit board is deformed due to tensile, compressive or torque forces acting on the member, those forces can be propagated or transferred into the substrate of the printed circuit board causing internal stress. The stress can then damage the substrate or the crystal lattice structure associated with the circuits on the printed circuit board resulting in damage to the device.
The present method solves the problems associated with soldering and rigid connections by providing an interconnect between a socket and a printed circuit board whereby the means for attaching the two components together is made without soldering or using other methods involving heat. Moreover, the present invention solves that problem without introducing new problems, such as causing internal stresses in the printed circuit board that can also result in performance degradation.



Solderless interconnects are not new. U.S. Patent
example, discloses a cylindrical connector contact for an electrical socket that can be mated
to a printed circuit board. The contact, like in the present invention, provides the means for
attaching the socket to the printed circuit board. The contact is made of a conducting
material so that there is electrical continuity between an electrical conductor inserted in the
front end of the contact and the circuits on the printed circuit board. In Sutfliffe, the contact
has a plurality of axially spaced "barbs" arranged in a purely circumferential direction on the
distal or "tail" portion of the contact. Those barbs engage rings on the wall of a circuit board
through hole thereby retaining the contact within the hole. The larger the diameter of the
hole, the greater the number of rings and barbs that are needed to ensure adequate mechanical
attachment. Sutdiffe teaches that at least two barbs and rings are required to achieve a stable
electrical contact. To allow for dimensional tolerances to be relaxed, the tail includes an
axial cut so that the tail portion becomes flexible, which could reduce internal stresses on the
printed circuit board at the connection point.
There are several problems associated with the contact disclosed in Sutdiffe. First, it
is difficult and expensive to manufacture barbs and rings with tolerances in the order of a few
hundredths of an inch. Moreover, if the contact is inserted in the printed circuit board
through hole too far, only one barb and ring may make contact, reducing the electrical
continuity between the two components and also lowering the mechanical forces retaining the
contact in the hole. Further, only a portion of barb actually makes contact with a ring inside
the hole, which limits the amount of electricity that can be conducted between the two parts.
U.S. Patent No, 4,374,607 to Bright et al. also discloses an interconnect that does not
require soldering but, unlike Sutdiffe, uses axially spaced "undercuts" or teeth on the distal or
tail portion of a pin contact to mate with corresponding axially spaced grooves on a socket.
When inserted, the undercuts engage and retain the contact in the socket.
The problem with the pin contact disclosed in Bright et al. is that electrical
conductivity is made at the very distal end of the contact, which would not be feasible if it
were used to conduct electricity to a printed circuit board. Pin contacts used for printed
circuit boards generally require electrical contact at or near the same point where mechanical
attachment occurs. That type of connection is preferred in many cases because the tensile
and compressive forces transmitted through the contact to the printed circuit board must be
minimized, as noted above, to reduce internal stresses on the board. Internal stresses can
damage the crystal structure of, for example, the logic circui
failure.
U.S..Patent No. 4,701,004 to Yohn discloses a solderless cylindrical retention clip for
receiving an electrical contact pin of an electrical connector. The clip is inserted inside a bore
hole. One end of the clip includes two'cantilevered springs or lances projecting radially
inward toward the longitudinal axis of the clip. The ends of the springs engage a shoulder or
groove formed on a pin. The shoulder extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
pin (i.e., radially).
One obvious problem with the retention clip disclosed in Yohn. is that it is not
designed to conduct electricity. So while a contact inserted in the clip is retained and
prevented from moving in a direction longitudinal to the contact axis, no electrical signals are
conducted through the clip to another system.
U.S. Patent No. 4,050,772 to Birnholz et al. discloses a contact pin and printed.circuit
board through hole receptacle for receiving the contact and conducting electricity. The
through hole receptacle includes a rectangular lip around the opening of the hole and an
annular electrical contact surrounding the opening of the hole. Together, those components
engage the rear shoulder of a flange at the top of a contact pin as it is inserted in the hole.
Another portion of the through hole inside the hole engages a radially-extending shoulder of
a barb on the shank of the contact.
The problem with the contact pin disclosed in Birntwlz et al. is that the rigid metal
barb of the contact forces the plastic hole apart during insertion of the contact. That can
cause internal stresses within the printed circuit board in the vicinity of the through hole that
can damage the performance of the device. Also, the contact through hole receptacle forms a
rigid connection with the contact, which is disadvantageous in some applications as noted
previously.
The various approaches described in the above-cited patents for making solderless
interconnects have not been found to be totally satisfactory solutions. This is especially true
in the context of electrical interconnects used in highly demanding applications like aircraft
connectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENT
In View of the foregoing, it should be apparent that there still exits a need in the art for
a method and apparatus for electrically interconnecting an electrical socket and a printed
circuit board in which there is good conductivity and retention between those components
and wherein the means for interconnecting does not degrade the electrical performance of the
device. It is, therefore, a primary object of this invention to provide a method and apparatus
for interconnecting a printed circuit board to the rear of an electrical socket that does not
require soldering or other methods involving heat.
More particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a conducting contact or
pin associated with an electrical socket that extends into and engages a conducting through
hole on a printed circuit board without the need for soldering.
Still more particularly, it is an object of this invention to provide a conducting contact
or pin associated with an electrical socket that extends into and engages a conducting through
hole on a printed circuit board so that external forces acting on the socket or plug are not
transferred through the contact point to the printed circuit board or vice versa and thereby
cause damage to the device.
Another object of this invention to provide a contact receptacle in a printed circuit
board through hole that has springs or flanges for engaging an undercut on a contact when the
contact is inserted in the contact receptacle.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a contact insertable in a contact
receptacle in a printed circuit board in which the point where those components touch
provides longitudinal retention of the contact in the receptacle and also provides electrical
continuity between the components.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a contact and contact
receptacle in a printed circuit board in which the contact minimizes the transfer of internal
stresses between the electrical socket and the printed circuit board.
Briefly described, these and other objects of the invention are accomplished in
accordance with its apparatus aspects by providing a contact associated with an electrical
socket receptacle or plug assembly and a contact receptacle associated with a through hole on
a printed circuit board assembly. Thus, the contact can be associated with either a plug or a
socket. In either case, the contact has a proximate or front end with a cavity for receiving an
electrical conductor of a plug, and a distal or rear end, al
circumferentially arranged undercut that engages the ends of one or more electrically
conducting flanges that extend radially inward in the contact receptacle. The receptacle
assembly can be any receptacle, including one adaptable for receiving a round, 14-conductor
plug, and includes a front and rear shell and an insert slidably engaged inside the rear shell.
The printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board with one or more contact
receptacles, rear insert, retainer spring, and chip capacitor board.
With these and other objects, advantages and features of the invention that may
become hereinafter apparent, the nature of the invention may be more clearly understood by
reference to the following detailed description of the invention, the appended claims and to
the several drawings attached herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DR,
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connector of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the connector of the present invention
showing its individual assembly components;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector of the present invention taken at line
3-3 shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of the contact component of the
present invention shown partially inserted in the contact receptacle component of the
invention; and
FIG. 5 is another enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of the present invention
showing multiple contacts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE I
Referring now in detail to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like
reference numerals throughout,, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a perspective view of the
electrical connector 100 of the present invention having receptacle assembly 110 and printed
circuit board assembly 120 in mating contact. The connector 100 in FIG. 1 illustrates how a
socket and printed circuit board embodiment of the invention could be used in a typical
application. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention
pertains, however, that any connector involving the interconnection of a socket receptacle,
pin receptacle or a plug and a printed circuit board is contemplated by the present disclosure
and the invention can be used in many environments benign or severe as in aircraft. For
example, the socket receptacle embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 can be adaptable to receive a
plug of any shape, not just round ones.
In the context of the present invention, the word "socket" can be interchanged with
"adapter" or "receptacle." Those terms, and others commonly used in the art, refer generally
to the female portion of an electrical interconnect. The word "plug" generally refers to the
male portion of an electrical interconnect, although other terms are often used, including the
general term "connector." However, "connector" also refers generally to a physical
connection or mating of electrical components. It is important to note that a receptacle or a
plug can contain pin or socket contacts. The embodiment of the connector 100 illustrated in
FIG. 1 has a socket contact in a receptacle connector.
In FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exploded perspective view of the electrical connector
100 of FIG. 1 showing the individual assembly components of the receptacle assembly 110
and printed circuit board assembly 120. The receptacle assembly 110 includes a receptacle
210 and a contact 230. The printed circuit board assembly 120 includes a printed circuit
board 251 and, in the embodiment shown, a printed circuit board plug receptacle 259. In
FIG. 2, the assembly of components shown forms an electrical filter connector having a total
capacitance of up to about 100,000 picofarads.
The components of the receptacle 210 include the following. First, the receptacle 210
has an opening 211 at a front end that is substantially cylindrical. In the embodiment shown
in FIG. 2, the cylindrical opening 211 is designed to receive a plug size 20 in accordance
military specification standard MTL-C-5015. However, the
size and shape in accordance with other standards.
Next, the receptacle 210 includes a cylindrical, threaded front shell 212 that forms the
opening 211. Obviously, the front shell 212 does not have to be threaded, as any method of
attaching a plug to the shell 212 is contemplated, including, but not limited to, the use of a
clamp ring (not shown). The front shell 212 is axially-aligned with a rear shell 214. The
.front shell 212 and rear shell 214 are axially separated by a flange 213 interposed between
those components. In FIG. 2, the flange is rectangular; however, a different shaped flange
could also be used, depending on the specific application in which the connector 100 .is used
(in some cases, no flange may be required). Preferably, the front shell 212, flange 213 and
rear shell 214 are made of one piece nickel plated aluminum alloy.
Next, the receptacle 210 includes a socket insert 215, which in FIG. 2 is shown as a
cylinder with at least one longitudinally-extending contact hole 216 (only the rear opening of
the hole 216 is shown). The socket insert 215 is slidable inside the front and rear shells 212,
214 and aligned axially in the shells 212,214 by an insert retainer shoulder 217 located at the
distal or rear end of the socket insert 215. The retainer shoulder 217 has a slightly larger
diameter than the socket insert 215 and includes an alignment groove 218 that engages an
axially-extending flange (not shown) on the top inside surface of the rear shell 214. Thus
engaged, the alignment grove 218 prevents the socket insert 215 from rotating in a
circumferential direction inside the shells 212, 214. As described in more detail below, a heat
activated adhesive is applied to shoulder 217 and cured in an oven to stabilize and fix the
socket insert 215 in place preventing rearward movement. A rear insert seal 254 (discussed
below) prevents the socket insert 215 from backing out of the rear shell 214 after assembly.
As noted above, socket insert 215 includes at least one contact hole 216 (described
below), for receiving a contact. The socket insert 215 will have one contact hole 216 for each
electrical conductor associated with a mating plug (not shown). In FIG. 2, only one contact
hole 216 is shown for clarity.
Next, the receptacle 210 includes a chip capacitor board 257. A retainer spring 256 is
axially-aligned with and secures the chip capacitor board 257 to the rear of the socket insert
215. The retainer spring 256 also grounds the chip capacitor board 257 to the rear shell 215,
which is preferably made of metal or metal allow so as to be electrically conductive. As
shown in FIG. 2, the chip capacitor board 257 includes one or more apertures 258. There
will be one aperture 258 axially-aligned with each contact hi
Furthermore, each aperture 258 will contain a spring 308 (FIG. 3) that makes contact with the
contact 230 and the conductive surface in the aperture 258. Selected holes in the chip
capacitor board 257 will have a chip capacitor attached between each aperture 258 and the
printed circuit board ground. Some apertures 258 may be in direct contact with a printed
circuit board ground or have no plating in aperture 258 with no connection to the printed
circuit board. These will be feed-through circuits.
Next, the receptacle 210 includes a rear insert seal 254 with at least one
longitudinally-extending insert hole 255 (only the rear opening of the hole 255 is shown). In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the outside diameter of the rear insert seal 254 is the same
as the outside diameter of the rear shell 215 (as best seen in FIG. 3) and forms a seal for the
opening at the rear of the rear shell 215. The rear insert seal 254 will have one insert hole .
255 axially-aligned with each contact hole 216 and aperture 258. In FIG. 2, only one insert
hole 255 is shown for clarity. The rear insert seal 254 is preferably made of rubber, silicon
rubber or similar material that is compressible and resilient.
Also shown in FIG. 2 is a contact 230. The contact 230 provides the iriterconnectivity
function between the receptacle 210 and the printed circuit board assembly 120, both in terms
of mechanical retention and electrical continuity. Specifically, the contact 230 provides the
means for conducting electrical signals from the electrical conductors associated with the
mating plug (not shown) to the electrical circuit traces associated with the printed circuit
board assembly 120. The contact 230 also, by connection to the chip capacitor board 257 and
-through the retainer spring 256 provide selective filtering with various capacitors between pin
and connector shell. It also provides the means for attaching and retaining the receptacle
assembly 110 to the printed circuit board assembly 120 (described below). The contact 230
is preferably secured inside the contact hole 216 by heat-activated adhesive and/or
interference friction contact with the wall of the contact hole 216.
The components of the printed circuit board assembly 120 include the following.
First, the printed circuit board assembly 120 includes a printed circuit board 251. Integral to
the printed circuit board 251 are one or more contact receptacles 252 and conductors 253. In.
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the number of contact receptacles 252 and conductors 253
is fourteen, which is the number specified for filter connectors according to MIL-C-5015,
size 20, and are fully mateable with, for example, plugs made in accordance with MEL-C-
5015. Of course, other plugs and sockets having different siz
contemplated without deviating from the nature and scope of the invention.
The contact receptacles 252 are electrically conducting through holes electrically
connected to circuits integral to the printed circuit board 251. There will be one contact
receptacle 252 axially-aligned with a corresponding contact hole 216, aperture 258 and insert
hole 255. The contact receptacles 252 can be conventional through holes well known in the
art. However, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the contact receptacles 252 are pin
receptacles made by Mill-Max, Oyster Bay, NY. The circuits of the printed circuit board 251
are electrically connected to a female plug receptacle 259 mat is mateable with the plug or
connector of, for example, a ribbon cable.
Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a cross-sectional view of the connector 100
taken along cross-sectional line 3-3 shown in FIG. 1 (for clarity, only one contact 230 is
shown in cross-section). Shown in FIG. 3 is contact hole front opening 302, which provides
access to the contact cavity 304. As described above, the contact cavity 304 receives an
electrical conductor associated with a plug (not shown). The conductor, when inserted,
maintains conductivity in the contact cavity 304 by a cavity spring 306. The cavity spring
306 longitudinally extends from a forward edge of the contact cavity 304 radially inward
toward the center of the cavity 304. Cavity spring 306 may be a cantilevered spring or other
device that provides an interference fit connection with the conductors from the mating plug.
FIG. 3 also shows chip capacitor board spring 308 that aligns and provides electrical
connection for the contact 230 in the chip capacitor board aperture 258 (as best seen in FIG.
2). FIG. 3 also shows a contact tail 310 of the contact 230 that longitudinally extends from
the chip capacitor board aperture 258 to the contact receptacle 252.
In FIG. 4 there is illustrated an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of the contact
tail 310 of the contact 230 partially inserted in the contact receptacle 252. The contact
receptacle 252 is soldered to the printed circuit board 251 and consists of two basic parts.
First, the contact receptacle 252 is formed from a cylindrical contact receptacle housing 410,
which has a uniform diameter through hole into which the contact tail 310 is inserted. The
front half of the contact receptacle housing 410 includes a flange 412 that extends
perpendicular relative to the axis of the through hole and'forms a shoulder 414 that mates
with the top surface of the printed circuit board 251. The rear half of the contact receptacle
housing 410 forms a neck or bore with an inside diameter lar
the contact tail 310.
The contact tail 310 shown in FIG. 4 has an undercut 402. The undercut is machine
milled to form a tapered portion of reduced diameter compared to the diameter of the contact
tail 310. At the very tip of the contact tail 310 is a tapered contact guide section 406, which
provides the function of guiding the contact 230 into the contact receptacle housing 410
during insertion of the contact tail 310.
As shown in FIG. 4, the contact tail 310 is partially inserted into the receptacle
housing 410. At the point of insertion shown, the contact tail 310 contacts conductive
receptacle springs 408 (only one shown). The contact receptacle springs 408 provide the
electrical conductivity from the contact tail 310 to the contact receptacle housing 410 and
then to the electrical circuit traces (not shown) in the printed circuit board 251. The
receptacle springs 408 may be made of a resilient material and are attached to the contact
receptacle housing 410 formed in a cantilevered manner as shown in FIG. 4. The ends of the
receptacle springs 408 will drop into the undercut 402 when the contact tail 310 is inserted to
a point where the undercut 402 passes the ends of the springs 408 in the contact receptacle
housing 410 as shown in FIG. 5. In this position, the ends of the receptacle spring 408 abut
the undercut 402 on the contact tail 310 to lock the contact tail 310 in place and prevent
longitudinal movement opposite the direction of insertion. Since the compressible and
resilient rear insert seal 254 abuts the back of the rear shell 214 and the back of the chip
capacitor board 257, and the chip capacitor board 257 abuts against the back of the socket
insert 215, and because the socket insert 215 securely holds the contact 230, the rear insert
254 thus acts to prevent further insertion of the contact tail 310 in the contact receptacle 252.
Therefore, the springs 408 fitted into the undercut 402 and rear insert 254 perform the
function of preventing the contact tail 310 from longitudinal movement relative to the contact
receptacle 252.
In FIG. 5 there is illustrated another enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of the
present invention taken along line 5,5 of FIG. l^showing multiple contacts. In the
embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, and as described above, there are
fourteen contacts 230 arranged in rows in a circular pattern as best seen in FIG. 2. In the
partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the fourteen contacts 502a, 502b, 502c,...502n are
shown arranged in five rows.
As shown in FIG. 5, the rear insert seal 254 is betw
and the rear shell 214. The flexibility of the rear insert seal 254 material (i.e., rubber, or the
like), helps to alleviate propagation of vibrational forces from the receptacle assembly 110 to
the printed circuit board assembly 120 and vice versa. This is important to ameliorate
stresses imparted on the components that could cause failure or performance degradation
over time. The rear insert seal 254 also seals the opening of the rear shell 214.
The method of assembling the above components involves the following steps. First,
an appropriate amount of heat-activated adhesive is applied to the shaft of the contact 230
and inner surface of the rear shell 214 and allowed to dry. The alignment groove 218 on the
retainer ring 217 is lined up with the alignment flange (not shown) on the rear shell 214 and
then the socket insert 215 is slid inside the receptacle 210 until the forward edge of the socket
insert 215 is aligned approximately with the forward edge of the front shell 212. The
contacts 230 are then assembled in the socket insert 215 by inserting the contacts 230 through
the contact holes 216. The adhesive is then heat cured for an appropriate amount of time.
After curing, the chip capacitor board 257 is slid over the contact tails 310 of the contacts 230
until it bottoms on the socket insert 215. Then the retainer spring 256 is assembled around
the chip capacitor board 257 until it bottoms on the rear of the socket insert 215. Next, the
rear insert 254 is slid over the contact tails 310 of the contacts 230 until the shoulder bottoms
on the rear face of the rear shell 214. Finally, the printed circuit board assembly 120 is
attached by lining up the contact receptacles 252 with the contact tails 310 of the contacts
230 and applying pressure until the receptacle springs 408 click into the contact tail undercuts
402 and the printed circuit board assembly 120 is secured.
Although certain presently preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
specifically described and shown herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which
the invention pertains that many variations and modifications of the various embodiments
shown and described herein may be made in light of the above teachings without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be
limited only to the extent required by the appended claims and the applicable rules of law.


WE CLAIM:
1. An apparatus for electrically and mechanically connecting a
printed circuit board (251) to a socket, characterized in that the
apparatus comprises:
a connector member comprising a shell (212, 214) and an insert (215) disposed interiorly of said shell (212, 214), wherein said insert (215) has at least one longitudinally extending through hole (216);
at least one electrical contact (230) disposed interiorly through said through hole (216), said electrical contact comprising a tail portion (310) adjacent the distal end of said electrical contact (230) and wherein said tail (310) comprises an undercut (402) formed circumferentially around said distal end of said tail (310); and
a printed circuit board (251) comprising at least one contact receptacle (252), wherein said contact receptacle (252) comprises a resilient conductive member and a longitudinally extending conducting through hole, wherein said conducting through hole is axially aligned with said through hole (216) in said insert (215), and wherein a first end of said resilient member is attached to and longitudinally extends from a front edge of said contact receptacle inwardly and rearwardly toward the longitudinal axis of said contact receptacle and wherein the other end of said resilient member engages a shoulder of said undercut (402) on said tail (310).
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said resilient
member is one of a cantilevered spring (408) and lance.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a seal (254) covering the rear edge of said shell (214) and the rear face of said insert (215).
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a chip capacitor board (257) electrically connected to said electrical contact (220).
5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus has a filtering capacitance greater than 10 picofarads and a working voltage ranging up to 225 volts.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a spring (256) for securing said insert (215) inside said plug socket.
7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, comprising a flange (213)
extending from said shell.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plug socket is adaptable for receiving a size 20, fourteen-conductor plug associated with an electrical cable.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board (251) comprises a socket for receiving a ribbon cable.
10. An apparatus for electrically and mechanically connecting a printed circuit board (251) to a socket as claimed in claim 1, the apparatus comprising:

a plug socket comprising a shell and an insert (215) disposed interiorly of said shell, wherein said insert (215) has at least one longitudinally extending through hole (216);
at least one electrical contact (230) disposed interiorly through said through hole (216), said electrical contact (230) comprising an undercut (402) formed circumferentially around said electrical contact adjacent the distal end of said electrical contact, wherein said electrical contact is adaptable to receive an electrical conductor of a plug on one end;
a chip capacitor board (257) electrically connected to said electrical contact (230);
a seal (254) covering the rear edge of said shell (214) and the rear face of said insert (215);
a printed circuit board (251) comprising at least one contact receptacle, wherein said contact receptacle (252) comprises a resilient member and a longitudinally extending conducting through hole formed by the interior wall of said contact receptacle, wherein said conducting through hole is axially aligned with said through hole in said insert, and wherein a first end of said resilient member is attached to and longitudinally extends from a front edge of said contact receptacle (252) inwardly and rearwardly toward the longitudinal axis of said contact receptacle.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the other end of said resilient member engages the shoulder of said undercut (402) on said-electrical contact, and whereby said resilient member and said

seal (254) restrict longitudinal displacement of said contact (230) in said conducting through hole.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said resilient member is one of a cantilevered spring (408) or lance.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said apparatus has a filtering capacitance greater than about 10 picofarads and a working voltage ranging up to about 225 volts.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said plug socket is adaptable for receiving a size 20, fourteen-conductor plug associated with an electrical cable.
15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein a spring (256) for securing said shell insert (215) inside said plug socket and a flange extending from the outside surface of said shell.
16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an electrical
connector for connecting a printed circuit board to a socket, the said
connector comprising:
a plug socket comprising a shell and an insert (215) disposed inside said shell, wherein said insert (215) has at least one longitudinally extending through hole (216);
at least one electrical contact (230) disposed inside said through hole (216);
a printed circuit board (251) comprising at least one contact receptacle (252), wherein said contact receptacle (252) comprises a

longitudinally extending conducting through hole formed by the interior walls of said contact receptacle, wherein said conducting through hole is axially aligned with said through hole (216) in said insert (215); and
retaining means for securing said electrical contact (230) to said printed circuit board (251).
17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said retaining means is one of a resilient spring (408) or lance longitudinally extending from a front edge of said contact receptacle inwardly toward the longitudinal axis of said contact receptacle (252) in a cantilevered manner, and an undercut (402) formed substantially circumferentially around said electrical contact adjacent the distal end of said electrical contact.
18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein said electrical contact comprises a head, a longitudinally-extending first shaft portion adjacent said head, an axially-extending cavity inside said first shaft portion, a longitudinally-extending second shaft portion adjacent said first shaft portion, a tail portion adjacent said second shaft portion, and an undercut (402) disposed substantially circumferentially around said distal end of said tail portion.

Documents:

3696-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(11-09-2008).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Abstract-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Claims-(11-09-2008).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Claims-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-claims.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-complete specification (granted).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(04-08-2008).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(13-08-2008).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-correspondence-others.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Description (Complete)-(11-09-2008).pdf

3696-delnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Drawings-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-drawings.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Form-1-(11-09-2008).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Form-1-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-form-18.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Form-2-(11-09-2008).pdf

3696-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Form-3-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-GPA-(13-08-2008).pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-GPA-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-gpa.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-pct-301.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-pct-304.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-pct-308.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-pct-311.pdf

3696-DELNP-2005-Petition-137-18-03-2008.pdf

3696-delnp-2005-petition-138.pdf


Patent Number 223605
Indian Patent Application Number 3696/DELNP/2005
PG Journal Number 40/2008
Publication Date 03-Oct-2008
Grant Date 17-Sep-2008
Date of Filing 22-Aug-2005
Name of Patentee AMPHENOL CORPORATION
Applicant Address 358 HALL AVENUE, WALLINGFORD, CT 06492, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 LEONARD A. KRANTZ, JR. 922 GREENFIELD DRIVE, GIRARD, PA 16417, USA
2 JOSEPH D. MAGNAM P.O. BOX 135, SOUTH KORTRIGHT, NY 13842, USA
PCT International Classification Number H05K
PCT International Application Number PCT/US2004/004185
PCT International Filing date 2004-02-12
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 10/364,556 2003-02-12 U.S.A.