Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
los~ t3so
The invention relates to an electrical connection de-
vice, comprising a first rigid insulating support relative
to which there can be guided, parallel to a direction of intro-
duction and extraction, a second rigid insulating support
provided with conducting connection tracks, and which caTries,
on the one hand, resilient contact members each having one end
fixed relative to the first support and adapted to engage re-
siliently, through an active region of the contact member, with
a suitable resilient force, a respective one of the conducting
connection tracks on the second support when one of the two
supports has been introduced inside the other, and on the
other hand a control mechanism operable to act on the resil-
ient contact members alternately in a sense causing opening
of the contacts and a sense causing closing of the contacts.
The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusi~ely,
to connection devices for printed circuit boards, the first
support then consisting of a frame in which there can be guid-
ed a printed circuit board forming the second support. In
order to simplify the description, the invention will be de-
scribed hereinafter essentially in this mode of application.
The above-mentioned mechanism provides a solution to
the problem of "opening" the contact members just before and
during the introduction of any board into the connection de-
vice and just before and during the extraction of such a board
from the device, that is to say in removing the active regions
of the contact members from the volume then swept by this
board, in such a manner as to make substantially zero the
force necessary for the introduction or the extraction of the
board and to relieve from all wear by friction the protective
coverings both of the contact members and of the conducting
connection trscks of the boards. Of course, once the board has
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Ieached its working position, the mechanism in question
"closes" the contact members, that is to say causes them to
bear resiliently through their active regions against the
corresponding connecting tracks of the board, which tracks
are generally provided on both faces of the board.
Connection devices of the type defined above have al-
ready been described in the United States journal "IBM
Technical Disclosure Bulletin" volume 10, No. 11, April 19~8,
page 1656 and in United States Patent No. 3 744 005. In both
cases, each resilient contact member is grasped with play by
a push-rod movable in translation. In view of the fact that
the direction of action of this push-rod is perpendicular to
the mean plane of the frame, that is to say to the mean plane
of the board when this is in the working position, the active
region of the contact member (consisting of its free end
according to the first document and of an intermediate portion
according to the second document) comes to bear against the
connecting track of the board without brushing this track
locally, that is to say without being able to dislodge, by a
relative movement, the insulating dust which may have been
able to settle on this track and/or on the active region of
the contact member. Now such dust is liable to prevent the
passage of currents of low intensity. This is why these known
connection devices do not meet the present requirements of
printed circuit boards because they do not ensure self-clean-
ing of the contact regions. Moreover, the play to which the
contact members are subjected in the push-rod may cause diffi-
culties in operation if the connection device is exposed to
vibrations which, being transmitted to the contact members,
risk removing these momentarily from the connecting tracks
which they should bear against permanently through their
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active Tegion with a constant resilient force.
An object of this invention is to eliminate the disad-
vantages of the known devices.
According to this invention there is provided an
electrical connection device comprising a first rigid in-
sulating support relative towhich there can be guided, para-
llel to a direction of introduction and extraction, a second
rigid insulating support provided with conducting connection
tracks, and which carries, on the one hand, resilient con-
tact members each having one end fixed in relation to the
first support and adapted to engage resiliently, through an
active region of the contact member, a respective one of the
conducting connection tracks on the second support respect-
ively when one of the two supports has been introduced inside
the other and, on the other hand, a control mechanism opera-
ble to act on the resilient contact members alternately in a
sense causing opening of the contacts and a sense causing
closing of the contacts, in which the control mechanism com-
prises at least one movable slide and each contact member
comprises, between a portion forming a hinge and a movable
end embedded in the slide, two substantially rectilinear
branches which are inclined to one another and to the direc-
tion of translation of the slide and which are guided trans-
versely by the slide, the junction of the two branches consti-
tuting the active region of the contact member.
Preferably, the movable end of the contact member is
held engaged in an embedding seating, provided for this pur-
pose in the s~ide, unde~ the effect of a prestressing force
stored in the portion o~ said member forming a hinge. This
~ portion forming a hinge may consist of a loop or a single
turn.
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It is then possible to construct on the constant member
of the device of this invention a deformable triangle, two
sides of which are constituted by its two substantially rec-
tilinear branches and the third side of which, which is imag-
inary, connects the portion forming a hinge to the embedded
end. The first two sides have a length which is substantial-
ly constant while the third or imaginary side has a variable
length depending on the position of the slide. In the open-
ing conditions, the slide occupies such a position that the
imaginary side of the triangle has its maximum length and
that, in consequence, the height of the triangle based on
this imaginary side is minimum. In other words, the apex of
the triangle opposite to this imaginary side (that is to say
the active region of the contact member) is relatively close
to the slide, that is to say relatively far away from the
printed circuit board. If the slide is now displaced in the
required direction, it pushes against the embedded end of the
contact member, which shortens the imaginary side of the tri-
angle and lengthens the height dropped on this imaginary side.
The active region of the contact member then progressively
approaches the board to come first into contact with the
corresponding connecting track, then to spread out while sli-
ding on this track, which ensures the self-cleaning of the
contact regions~ In embodiments of the invention in which
the portion forming the hinge consists of a loop or turn,
this self-cleaning effect, due to the displacement of the
active region of the contact member, is encouraged by the pre-
sence of the loop or turn, which increases in diameter. The
branch of the contact member adjacent to the loop coils sli-
ghtly in said loop, which'shortens its free length and there-
fore 'encourages the'displacement of the active region of the
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contact member. At the end of the movement of the slide, the
active region of the contact member is bearing against the
connecting track with a force which depends, inter alia, on
the amplitude of the displacement of the slide. If the slide
is now displaced in the opposite direction, it pulls on the
embedded end of the contact member, which simultaneously
causes the branch adjacent to the loop to resume its initial
length twhich loop diminishes in diameter on account, on the
one hand of the energy stored in this loop in the course of
the previous closing operation, and, on the other hand, of
the action of the slide which tends to close this loop fur-
ther), enlarges the imaginary side of the triangle and sets
back the active region of the contact member in relation to
the connecting track. It should be noted that the deforma-
tion of the contact member is caused solely by the displace-
ment of the slide without involving the resilience of the
metal of the contact member. In the course of the movements
of the slide, the loop or turn tightens the hinge against the
adjacent branch of the contact member.
It may be noted that the United States Patent No.
3 329 926 describes a connection device, for printed circuit
boards, the contact members of which comprise a slightly
curved portion between a fold serving as a fixed support and
a free end on which a slide acts solely by thrust. The
displacement of this slide in one direction increases the
curvature of said portion and therefore causes the centre of
this portion to project to bear against the corresponding
connecting track. Although this Patent does not make any
Teference to the manner in which the contact members open,
it may be assumed that it is under the effect of their own
resilience since the slide can only act by thrust. In such
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a connection device, it is difficult to master the deforma-
tions-othe contact member in view, in particular, of the
low value of the initial curvatuTe and the absence of a
loop or turn forming a hinge. Moreover, since the opening of
each contact member is apparently only due to its own Tesil-
ience, this limits considerably the amplitude of the deform-
ation to which such a member can be subjected; consequently,
this limits to the same extent the resilient application
force of its active region on the connecting track and, what
is even more important, the self-cleaning action which can
be expected of it. In contrast, according to the invention,
the amplitude of deformation can be much greater and may even
exceed the limit of permanent deformation because the slide
acts in both directions on the embedded end of the contact
member, the resilience of which is utilized essentially to
exert the resilience contact force on the active region.
A preferred feature of the invention enables an improve-
ment in the self-cleaning capacity of the contact members.
For this purpose, the slide and the contact member are
adapted in such a manner that, when the slide executes a
displacement in the direction tending to Glose the contact
members, it grasps, in the course of this displacement, a por-
tion of the contact member and entrains it with it during the
end of this displacement. Preferably, the two inclined bran-
ches of each contact member are connected by a si~gle turn
which forms both the active region and a supporting surface
for a shouider carried by the slide to enable it to grasp
and entrain this turn. According to a modification, the con-
tact member comprises successively, between its fixed end and
the portion forming a hinge, a flexibility fold and a portion
embeddea in a support which is guided in translation parallel
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to the slide and which is urged towards a stop in the direc-
tion of the opening movement of the slide, the whole being
such that, during the closing movement of the slide, the
support first rests on its stop until the active region of
- the contact member touehes the connecting track of the board,
after which the slide entrains the insulating support by
thrust while retaining the relative position of the two in-
clined branches in relation to the slide.
As is apparent from the above, the invention renders it
possible to produce not only connectors for printed circuit
boards, but also cylindrical or rectangular plug-in connec-
tors, with similar advantages.
The invention will now be described, by way of example,
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a connection device construc-
ted according to the invention, showing a printed circuit
board postioned in the device,
Figure 2 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 1,
Figure 3 shows, in perspective, with parts broken away,
the portion of the connection device of Figure 1 which is
framed at III in Figure 1,
Figure 4 shows, on a larger scale, with parts in sec-
tion, the upper portion of the left-hand sliding strip of
Figure 1, but in its other postion,
Figure S shows, in cross section, the essential elements
of Figure 3, in two different positions of operation, the
upper half of Figure.5 corresponding to the closing of the
contact members and the lower half to their opening,
Figures 6a and 6b show diagrammatically, in cross sec-
tion, a connector constructed substantially in accordance with
Figure 5, in two different positions of operation,
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Figures 7, 8 and 9 show in perspectiYe, partly in sec-
tion, three connec*ors constructed in accordance with three
fuTther embodiments of the invention,
Figures lOa and lOb illustrate, in diagrammatic cross
section, in two different positions of operation, the defor-
mation of the contact member of the connector of Figurè 7.
Figures lla and llb show, in diagr a atic cross section,
a connector constructed in accordance with a fifth embodiment
of the invention, in two different positions of operation,
Figures 12a, 12b and 12c show, in diagrammatic cross sec-
tion, a connector constructed in accordance with a sixth
embodiment of the invention, in three different positions of
operation,
Figures 13a and 13b show, in diagrammatic cross section,
a connector constructed in accordance with a seventh embodiment
of the invention, in two different positions of operation.
The connection device, which is illustrated as a whole
in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a rectangular frame 1, the
only part of which illustrated, at the top of Figure 1, is
the side opposite to the side for the introduction of the
printed circuit boards such as the board 2.
The direction of introduction and extraction of these
boards is indicated diagrammatically by the double arrow A in
Figure 1. ApaTt from the introduction side, the frame has
three sides, at least one of which carries at least one con-
nector equipped with resilient contact members 3 ~see Figures
3 and 5) orientated transversely with respect to the side of
the frame in question. According to the form of embodiment
in Figure l, the two sides of the frame parallel to the direc-
tion A each carry two connectors 6, 7, on the one hand and
8, 9 on the other hand. The contact members 3 are adapted to
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touch, through an sctive region 4, conducting connection
tracks S leading transversely to the adjacent side of the
board, when the board occupies its working position shown in
Figure 1 and at the top of Figure 5.
Associated with each connector are two slides 10 and
11 of insulating material, which are symmetrical in relation
to the mean plane of the frame, which plane is designated
by P-P in Figures 2 and 5. These slides each have two dove-
tail tenons 12 (only one of which is visible in Figure 3)
which can slide ln mortises l3 of corresponding shape formed
in a U-shaped case 14, made of insulating material. This
case is made in one piece for each of the connectors 6 to
9. Because of the dovetail shape of the tenons 12 and mor-
tises 13, these slides 10, 11 are held automatically in the
case 14 and cannot, in any circumstances fall inside this.
The contact members 3 therefore have no influence on the
holding of the slides 10 and 11.
Provided on each of the upper and lower faces of each
case 14 is a longitudinal groove 15 in which there can
slide a sliding strip 16 or 17, generally of metal. As
Pigure 1 shows, each sliding strip is common to the connec-
tors 7, 6 or 8, 9 situated at one and the same side of the
frame. As can be seen from Figures 3 and 5, at the level
of their tenons 12, the slides 10, 11 are in direct contact
with the sliding strip lS or 17 whereas elsewhere they are
in contact with the bottom of the groove 15. At the level
of each connector 6 to 9, each sliding strip 16 or 17 com-
prises two guide grooves 18 adapted for the displacement of
the slides 10, 11 and two guide grooves 19 adapted for the
displacement of end lates 20 which frame each connector 6 to
9. As Pigure 4 shows, each groove 18 and 19 has an inclined
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por~ion 18a or l9a in relation to the longitudinal direc-
tion of-the sliding strip 16 or 17, which portion extends
away from the interioT of the frame.l, and a portion 18_
or l9b parallel to this direction. Engaged in each groove
18 is a pin 21 which is rigidly connected to a slide 10 or
11 and carries a roller 22. Similarly, engaged in each
groove 19 is a pin 23 rigidly connected to an end-plate 20,
which may be of metal, and carrying a roller 24. Each end-
plate 20 is equipped with a pin 23 at each side of the mean
plane P. The whole is adapted in such a manner that, depen-
ding on the position of each sliding strip 16 or 17, either
(as shown in Figure 1) all the pins 21 are in an inclined
portion 18a of the groove 18 of the sliding strip in question
while all the pins 23 are in a parallel portion l9b of the
groove 19 of this sliding strip, or (as shown in Figure 4)
all the pins 21 are in a parallel portion 18b of the groove
18 while all the pins 23 are in an inclined portion l9a of
the groove 19. The end-plate 20 co-operate with guide means
which enable them to be displaced in translation in a direc-
tion orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the sliding
strips 16, 17 and parallel to the mean plane P. Moreover,
each pair of sliding strips 16, 17 is equipped with a manipu-
lating member, illustrated diagrammatically by a lever 25 in
Figure 1, which enables the operator to displace it longitu-
dinally with a view to displacing the slides 10, 11 and the
end-plates 20 transversely, as will be explained in detail
hereinafter.
At each side, the sliding strips 16, 17 of the connect-
ors 6, 7 and 8, 9 are held by a pair of metal plates 26 (not
shown in Figure 1 b~t visible in Pigure 5, as in Figure 3
for one o them). Between the flanges of the two plates 26
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there is a gap, the height of which is greater than the
thicknesscof the thickest printed circuit board 2, the lat-
ter being able to carry on each-edge two gripping plates 27
which respectively have flanges 27a adapted to penetrate into
said gap with a view to guiding the board 2. Figures 1 to 3
and 5 also illustrate an insulated plate 28, called a "mother
board", on which there emerge the tails 3a of the contact
members 3.
According to the form of embodiment in Figures 3 and
5, each contàct member 3 is made of wire of spring metal,
generally round in section.
By a rectilinear portion 3b belonging to the tail 3a,
each member 3 is fixed to the case 14 through which it passes
and ends against the plane bottom 29a of a notch of rectang-
ular section 29 which is formed in the slide 10 or 11. The
bottoms 29a of the slides 10 and those of the slides 11 are
situated respectively in planes parallel to the mean plane P
of the frame 1. The rectilinear portion 3b is adapted so that
the bottom 29a can slide against it during the displacements
of the slides. Associated with each member 3 is a notch 29
which is orientated orthogonally in relation to the longitu-
dinal direction of the sliding strips 16, 17 and the width
of which is only slightly greater than the width of the con-
tact member 3, at least close to the active region 4. Each
notch 29 is limited by the lateral faces of two teeth 30 of
rectangular section, clearly visible in Figure 3. Between
the teeth 30 of the slides 10 and those of the slides 11,
there is a gap sufficient to receive the edges of the board
2. The rectilinear portion 3b terminates in a loop or single
turn 3c, after which the member 3 leaves the bo~tom 29a of
the notch 29 by an oblique portion 3d which forms an obtuse
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angle with'the' rectilinear portion '3b. The oblique portion
'3d is -followed by a rounded portion which constitutes the
active'region 4, then by an oblique portion 3e substantially
symmetrical with the oblique portion 3d in relation to a
perpendicular on the bottom 29a. Finally, this oblique por-
tion 3e ends with a short portion 3f substantially perpendic-
ular to the bottom 29a. The terminal portion 3f is engaged
in a blind hole 31 which is formed in this bottom 29a. Be-
cause of the prssence of its loop 3d in particular, the
contact member 3 has a resilient prestress, so that its term-
inal portion '3f is constantly urged towards the bottom of the
hole 31, whatever~the displacements which are imposed there-
on by the slide 10, 11. According to whether the slide 10
or 11 occupies its opening position (bottom of Figure 5) or
closing position (top of Figure 5), the active region 4 is
set back or projects in relation to the apex of the teeth
30, by reason of the greater or lesser spacing existing be-
tween the loop 3c (fixed) and the terminal portion 3f (mova-
ble with the slide 10 or 11).
As Figure 3 shows, each end-plate 20 has an opening 32
orientated twoards the centre of the frame l. The outer
edge 32a of each opening 32, as well as its upper 32b and
lower 32c edges are chamfered or rounded at the side where
the board 2 is introduced (lower side according to Figure 1)
with a view to facilitating the introduction and centring of
the board 2. In each pair of end-plates 20 situated in the
same vertical plane (plane perpendicular to the direction A
of Figure 1), the distance between the outer edges 32a is
greater or less than the width of the board depending on the
position imposed on the end-plates' 20 by the sliding strips
16, 17.
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105'~880
Thus a connection device is obtained, the operation of
which is as follows. Let it be assumed first of all that
the sliding strips 16, 17 occupy the position shown in Fig-
ure l foT whichj on the one hand the pins 21 are at the bot-
tom of the oblique portions 18a of the grooves 18 associated
with the slides 10, ll and on the other hand the pins 23 are
- at the bottom of the parallel portions l9b of the grooves 19
associated with the end-plates 20. Let it be assumed, like-
wise, that contrary to what is illustrated in Figure 1, no
board has been introduced into the connection device. The
pins 21 and consequently the slides 10, ll are therefore in
theiT position furthest away from the inside of the frame
1, as illustrated in the upper portion of Figure 5. In other
words, for each contact member 3, the distance between the
loop 3c and the terminal portion 3f is minimum; the active
regien 4 is therefore at the maximum distance from the bot-
- tom 29a of the notch 29 and it projects in relation to the
teeth 30 of the slides. For the reasons explained above, it
is therefore dangerous, for the maintenance of the contact
members 3 and of the tracks 5 of the board 2, to introduce
this into the connection device. But, at the same time,
the end-plates 20 are in their position closest to the inter-
ior of the frame. Between the outer edges 32a of the openings
32, considered in pairs, there is a gap which is smaller
than the width of the board 2, which it is therefore impossi-
ble for the operator to introduce by mistake.
By displacing the levers 25 in the direction of the ar-
rows in Figure 1, or by actuating any other similar control
member, the operator therefore first has to displace the
sliding strips 16, 17 upwards in Figure 1, into the position
illust~ated in Pigure 4. In the course of the first part of
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this movement, the pins 23 travel through the parallel por-
tions l9b of the grooves 19 so that the end-plates 20 remain
immobile. At the same time, the pins 21 travel through the
inclined portions 18a of the grooves 18, which displaces the
slides 10 and 11 towards the interior of the frame; thus the
slides 10, 11 pass from the position at the top of Figure S
to that at the bottom of the same Figure, for which the dis-
tance between ioop 3c and terminal portion 3f is maximum,
which retracts the active region 4 completely inside the
notches 29. The contact members 3 are necessarily all open.
In the course of the second part of said movement, the pins
21 travel through the parallel portions 18b of the grooves
18 so-that the slides 10, 11 remain immobile. At the same
time, the pins 23 travel through the oblique portions l9a
of the grooves 19, which causes the end-plates 20 to occupy
their position furthest away from the centre of the frame.
The operator can therefore introduce the board 2, which is
facilitated by the chamfered or rounded shape of the edge
32 a, 32b, 32c of the openings 32 in the end-plates 20 (see
Figure 3). Once the board has arrived in the working posi-
tion illustrated in Figure 1, the operator displaces the
levers 25 in the opposite direction to that of the arrows in
Figure 1. The result is the same movements as th~se descri-
bed above but in the reverse order and direction. In other
words, the end-plates 20 are first brought towards one anoth-
er in such a manner as to loclc the board which has notches
39 for this purpose CFigure 1) into which the end-plates 20
can penetrate, then the slides 10, 11 are moved away from
the centre of the frame in such a manner as to close the con-
tact members 3 ~s shown at the top of Figure 5). These con-
tact members are therefore all forcibly closed with a resil- -
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ient.force wh'ich is determined in advance by their geometri-
cal and resilient chaTacteristics and by the amplitude of the
travel' of the slides 10, 11 r
Needless to say, in order to extract the board 2 later,
at least the first part of the manoeuvres which have just been
described is effected; opening of the contacts 3, then unlock-
ing by moving apart of the end-plates 20.
The self-cleaning action obtained according to the inven-
tion is illustTated in Figures 6a and 6_. Figure 6a represents
the contact member 3 in the open position and Pigure 6b in the
closed position.
If a triangle.is imagined, two sides of which are consti-
tuted by the branches or oblique portions 3d and 3e, it will
be found that the displacement of the slide such as 10, from
the position of FiguTe 6a to that of Figure 6_, shortens the
length of the third side (call fictitious side in the pTe-
amble) from the value "L" to the value 1, and at the same
time lengthens the height dropped on this third side from the
value h to the value H. This lengthening of the height first
20. causes the active region 4 to be brought into conta~t with the
corresponding conducting connection track (position in chain
line in Figure 6b), then a slight displacement of this active
region 4 in relation to the track in question, accompanied by
an increase in the contact pressure (up to the position ~n
full lines in Figure 6_). This is explained by the fact that
the turn 3c, under the effect of the thrust which is tTansmit-
ted thereto by the branch 3d, moves closer to the illustrated
portion of the case 14 in passing from the open position (Fig-
ure'6~ to the closed position ~Figure 6_~, and.at the same
time increases in diameter. The branch '3d theTefoTe becomes
shorter, which enables the branch 3e,' terminated by the actiYe
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region, to be displaced substantially without being teformed,
from the position represented in chain line to that represen-
ted in full lines in Figure 6b, that is to say, enables the
active region 4 to brush the conducting track of the board 2
over the distance a separating these last two positions. In
order to facilitate the deformation of the turn 3c, it is
preferable, contrary to the illustration of Figures 3 and 5,
for it not to bear against the slide 10.
Figures 7, 8 and 9 represent three forms of embodiment
which are different from one another and from that of the
preceding figures. In Figures 7 to 9, the elements or por-
tions similar to those which are designated by 3, 3a, 3b,
3c, 3d, 3e, 3f and 4 in Figures 3, 5, 6a and 6b are designated
by the same reference numerals increased respectively by 40,
50 and 60.
Contrary to the various preceding forms of embodiment,
the contact members 43, 53 and 63 do not have loops or turns
such as 3c, which may have disadvantages when the electric
currents which traverse the contact members are of very high
freqency, but what it is agreed to call "flexibility folds"
43c, 53c and 63c each consisting of the succession of at least
two arcs of opposite curvature. Such flexibility folds, which
are "portions forming a hinge" according to the teTminology
adopted in the-preamble, have, among other advantages, that
of a narrower width than the loops or turns. At the level of
the flexibility folds 43c, 53c and 63c the case 14 may be
equipped ~ith a channel 14a, perpendicular to the mortises 13,
to preYent these flexibility folds from touching the case and
thus. losing their deformation freedom. For the same reason,
3~ the assembly of thé slide 10 and of the contact member is
adaptea in such a manner that the bottom 29a of the grooves
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29 remains spaceaapart from the 'adjacent branch 43d, 53d,
63d of the contact member.
According to the form of embodiment of Figure 7, the
contact member 43 is formed by a round wire (single of twist-
ed), the end 43f of which is embedded in a blind hole 31
formed in the slide, in the same manner as in Figures 3, 5,
`6a and'6b. According to a modification (not illustrated) re-
lsting to the case 'wheTe no provision is made for possible
dismounting and remounting of the contact member 43, the end
.
43f may be fixed either by soldering, using holes 31 which
have previously been metallized for this purpose, or by
crimping the end 43f over the edge of the slide 10.
According to the form of embodiment of Figure 8, the
contact member 53 is likewise formed by a round wire, but its
end is embedded in a different manner. For this purpose it
has, at its free end, two tightened turns 55 forming two lat-
eral pTojections which frame a rib 56 projecting inside the
groove 29, perpendicular to the bottom 29a of this. In a
similar manner to the preceding case, the prestressing to
which the contact member 53 is subjected tends to hold its
tightened tuTns 55 against the bottom 29a of the groove 29.
According to the foTm of embodiment of Figure 9, the
contact member 63 is formed by a metal strip. At its embedded
end, this contact member has a lateral opening 64a into which
there penetrates a rib 65 similar to the rib 56 of Figure 6.
The metal strip forming the contact member 63 pTeferably has
a plurality of continuous~longitudinal slits 66 at the level
of the active region 64 and of a portion of the oblique branch-
es 6'3d and 6'3e, in such a manner as to afford, with the con-
ducting track of the board 2, as many contact regions as there
are 'l'aminations bounded by these 'slits 66
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105'~880
As in the''case 'of Figures '6a and'6b, the contact member
43, 53 OT 63 of Figures 7,'8 and 9 is subjected to a prestres-
sing in such a manner that its embedded end is always under
pressure against the bottom 29a of the groove 29 belonging to
the slide 10. This, on the one hand,prevents this end from
escaping from its embedding seating and, on the other hand,
facilitates the placing ini.position or the replacement of the
contact members in the connector. In spite of the absence of
the turn'3c of Figures 3, 5, 6a and 6b, self=cleaning is en-
sured in the connector of each of the Figures 7, 8 and 9, as
will be explained with reference to Pigures lOa and lOb. It
is simply to simplify the description that only the references
of Figure 7 have been included in Figures lOa and lOb. When
the slide 10 is displaced from the position of Figure lOa to
that of Figure lOb, a raising of the active region 44 is
first caused, as already explained with reference to Figures 6a
and 6b, until it touches the conducting track of the board 2
(as shown in chain line in Figure lOb), after which the con-
tact member 43 is deformed essentially at the level of the
20. flexibility fold 43c, which enables the bIanch 43e, term-
inated by the active region 44, to be displaced in translation,
ensuring the self-cleaning of the contact surfaces.
With reference to Figures lla and llb on the one hand
and 12a, 12b and 12c, on the other hand, improvements will
now be described, according to which, when the slide such as
lO..executes a displacement .in '.ithe. direction tending t;o close
the. contact members, it grasps a portion of the contact member
in the course of.this displacement and entrains it with it
during the end.of this displacement.
Pigures' l'la and l'lb 'illustrate 'an embodiment of these
improvements wh'ich is applied, by way of example, to a connec-
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. . .
105'~880
tor which, otherwise, is identical to that of Figures 7,
l'Oa and lOb. According to this embodiment, the two inclined
branches 43d and 43e of the contact member 43 aTe connected
by a tuTn 46 which simultaneously forms the active region 44
and a bearing surface for a shoulder 47 carried by the slide
10 to enable it to gTasp and entrain this turn 46. The
shoulder 47 is preferably inclined in such a manner as to
form an angle of the order of 90 with the bottom 29a. The
positions of Figures l'la and l`lb correspond respectively
to those of Figures lOa and lOb. In the course of its dis-
placement in the closing direction (from the position of
Pigure lla to that of Figure llb), the shoulder 47 automatic-
ally entTains the turn 46, the active region 44 of which
sweeps the connecting tTack of the board 2 with an increasing
pressuTe. The tuTn 46, the advantage of which is to ensure
a double contact with the connecting tTack, may be replaced
by another deformation or any other system adapted to co-
operate with the shoulder 47. The inclination of the latteT
increases the thTust of the turn 46 towards the connecting
track.
Figures 12a, 1'2b and 12c illustrate a modification of
the preceding Figures. The elements similar to those of
Figures lOa and lOb aTe there designated by the same refer-
ence numerals increased by 30. In addition to the flexibili-
ty fold 73c, the contact member 73 of Figures 12a, 12b, 12c
has a flexibility fold 73h, the originality of which is to
be situatéd between the case 14 and an insulating SUppoTt 5
75, guided in translation, parallel to the path of the slide
10. Betwee'n the fold .73h and the b~anch 73d, the contact
member'.73 has a portion 73~ embedded in the insulating sup-
port .75. The latter is urge*, eithe.r by the resilience of
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!
lOS'~880
the'fold 73h, or by external resilient means, towards a
stop 76, in the opening direction of movement of slide 10.
The'insulating support 75 is situated in the path of the
slide 10 in such a manner as to be entrained by this during
its closing movement.
Figure 12a Tepresents the connector in its open position,
the active region 74 being consequently spaced apart from the
board 2. If the slide 10 is displaced from left to right,
the support 75 remains at first held resiliently against the
stop 76 and the portion of the member 73 which comprises the
branches 73d and 73e therefore begins to be deformed in the
same manner as in~Figures lOa and lOb, until the position of
Figure 12b where the active region 74 has first come to touch
resiliently the connecting track of the board 2 with an ini-
tial self-cleaning, then where the slide 10 has come to touch
the support 75. In continuing its movement, the slide 10
reaches the position of Figure 12c. Between Figures 12b and
12c, the assembly of the branches 73d and 73e is not subjec-
ted to any deformation, the active region 74 therefore remain-
ing bearing with the same resilient force against the connec-
tion track. At the same time, the insulating support 75 is
entrained towards the right by the slide 10, slightly flat-
tening the flexibility fold 73h, and enabling the active
region 74 to be displaced by the same distance, the~efore
ensuring the self-cleaning.
In the above, the portions fo~ming 'hinges have been
described in the form of loops or turns '3c or of flexibility
folds 43c, 5'3c, 6'3c or 73c. Another embodiment of these
portions forming a hinge is illustrated by way of example in
Figures' 1'3a and 1'3b. In thes'e Figures', the elements similar
to thosff of Figures''6a'and'6b hive been designated by the
~ 21 ~
105'~880
same refeTence numerals, increased by 80. In this case, the
branch''~3d, adjacent to the' case 14, is given a greater
length combined with a certain initial curvature ~see Figure
13a), hence 'a greater flexibility than the branch 83e adja-
cent to the embedded end 83f, which is originally Tectilinear.
In this manner, when the slide 10 is displaced from the posi-
tion of Figure 13a to that ~f Figure 13b, the active region
84 first comes into contsct with the connection track of the
boaTd 2, then slides against this, increasing the curvature
of-the-branch 83d of which the origin 83c--thus constitutes
a portion forming a hinge.
In short, as stated in the preamble, in all the forms
of embodiment described above with reference to the accomp-
anying drawings, the connectors have been designed to connect
the conducting tracks of a printed circuit board 2 to resil-
ient contact members such as 3, 43, 63, 53, 73, 83 carried
by a frame rigidly connected to the case 14 and adapted to
guide said board. The frame and the board 2 may be replaced
respectively by two rigid insulating supports, one of which
2Q carries the resilient contact members and the other of which
carries the connecting tracks, these supports being adapted
to fit one into the other parallel to a direction of intro-
duction and extraction. Thus cylindrical or rectangular plug-
in connectors can be realized. Since these latter connectors
are of known type, the application of the contact members
according to the invention to such connectors does not involve
any difficulty to those skilled in the art; it has therefore
not been considered necessary to illustrate the connectors
thu5 improved in the accompanying drawings.
The' invention is not restricted to the forms of embodi-
mont de'scribed and illustrated. Thus, for example, it would
22 -
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105;~8B0
be possible'to have a number of connec*ors different from
two on at least one of the sides of the frame parallel to
the'direction of Figure 1. Moreover, conventional connec-
toTs or those according to the `invention could be mounted on
the side of the frame opposite the introduction side, that
is to say the side situated at the top of Figure 1.
Finally, the gap between the flanges of the two plates
26 could h~ve a height not only greater than the thickness
of the thickest board 2 tas explained above), but sufficently
..... . . .. . .. .
great to peTmit the passage of the contact members 3 with a
view to their replacement.
According to~the majority of forms of embodiment describ-
ed above, the active region (contact region) 4 is single for
each contact member 3. It would however, be possible to
multiply these contact regions by one of the following means:
- either by a wire, the curvature of which is such that
in the course of placing in position, this curvature tends
to become a straight line over a certain length, thus lead-
ing to linear contact;
- or by a wire comprising undulations, the crests of
which would each come to touch the track 5;
- or by such an embodiment of these undulations that,
after placing in position, a linear contact can develop
between the two crests of the undulations;
- or by a twisted wire, the genera~ proile of-which
remains constant, this wire being of round, rectangular,
s~uare section etc.;
or by using two or more wires, twisted or not, and
~ways having'the same general profile;
, . , ~, . . . .
' - or in accordance-with'one of the'solutions illustrated
.,, ~ s s ~ ¢ . ~ ,,
ti in Figur~s'9 and l'la, Ilb.
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s' ~,
,- ,
