CA1110337A - Termination of flat flexible cables - Google Patents
Termination of flat flexible cablesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1110337A CA1110337A CA332,670A CA332670A CA1110337A CA 1110337 A CA1110337 A CA 1110337A CA 332670 A CA332670 A CA 332670A CA 1110337 A CA1110337 A CA 1110337A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrically conductive
- conductive means
- additional
- flat flexible
- receiving
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
- H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
- H01R12/50—Fixed connections
- H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
Landscapes
- Installation Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)
- Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
TERMINATION OF FLAT FLEXIBLE CABLES
Abstract of the Disclosure Techniques for terminating one or more flat flexible cables (38A,38B) are disclosed. A floor plate (21) used in such terminating is adapted to receive one or more insulation-piercing connectors (28) in one or more recesses (27) in an upstanding wall (26) along an edge of the floor plate. Each connector may alternatively receive, in independent manner and in electrical isolation from one another, either one or two flat flexible cables at the option of a user.
Suitable, temporary protective cover (61) and final housing (71) facilities are also disclosed.
Abstract of the Disclosure Techniques for terminating one or more flat flexible cables (38A,38B) are disclosed. A floor plate (21) used in such terminating is adapted to receive one or more insulation-piercing connectors (28) in one or more recesses (27) in an upstanding wall (26) along an edge of the floor plate. Each connector may alternatively receive, in independent manner and in electrical isolation from one another, either one or two flat flexible cables at the option of a user.
Suitable, temporary protective cover (61) and final housing (71) facilities are also disclosed.
Description
Back~round of ~he Invention l. Fiel of_th_ Invention The invention relates to terminating one or more flat flexible cables and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for terminating one or more flat flexible cables along a substanti.ally ~-flat surface, such as a floor, which terminating may take place prior to the layi.ng of carpeting over both the floor and the terminated, flat flexible cable or cables.
2. Descrl~tlon of the Prlor Art Flat flexible cable structures are known. A typical, flat flexi.ble cable includes a number of spaced, substantially parallel-extendi.ng conductors whi.ch run along the length of a flat, longitudinally extending, dielectric member, and which form, with the dielectric member, an elongated, ::
flexible article.
It is known also to employ flat flexible cables in various telephone wiring systems within buildings. One or more such cables may be -~
extended along a floor surface to an area at which .:~
telephone equipment is to be connected, with a suitable floor covering, typically carpeti.ng~ thereafter being laid over the cable in order to hide it from view.
Descriptions of such flat flexible cable usage, and of certain associated devices such as connectors, 30 housings, etc., may be found in U.S. Patents 3,934,072 and 4,030,801 to J. W. Balde and E. D. Bunnell, respectively.
33~
1 In the flat flexible cable termlnating system disclosed in J. W. Balde Patent 3,934,072, flat flexible cables are laid along a floor, under a flat peripheral flange at the bottom of a bracket, which bracket is then attached, e.g., by an adhesive material or by fasteners, to the floor. The flat flexible cables extend up through a central opening within the bracket, and into a central connection zone between two spaced, parallel-extending, raised flanges on the 10 bracket. The two raised flanges are adapted to receive opposite ends of up to five female telephone connectors bridging the space between the raised flanges, each connector serving to teeminate a different, associated one of the flat flexible cables along multiple pairs of conductors, e.g., up to twenty-five pairs of conductorsj in the associated, flat flexible cable.
The flat flexible cable terminating system of E. D. Bunnell Patent 4,030,801 employs a flat-bottomed base plate, which is attached to a floor 20 by fasteners. Two parallel-extending sidewalls stretch ;~
upwardly from the base plate and include lateraIly-projecting ears for receiving opposite ends of two connectors~ Each of the connectors is -~
associated with a different one of two multiple conductor, flat flexible cables which extend parallel to the sidewalls and toward the laterally-projecting ears from opposite ends of the base plate. The base plate, which is adapted to receive only the two multiple conductor, flat flexible cables, is covered, 30 after the termination of the cables and the laying of a carpet over the cables, by a screw-attached housing.
337' .` .
In both J. W. Balde Patent 3,934,072 and E. D.
Bunnell Patent 4,030,801, the termination of cables for large numbers of telephone lines is envisioned, requiring the use of large connectors for receiving multiple pairs of conductors, e.g~, up to twenty~five pairs of conductors, in each 1at flexible cable which is to be terminated.
Clearly, it would be desirable to provide relatively simple and ine~pensive equi.pments and techniques for terminating flat flexible cables where only a few pairs of -conductors, e.g., only two pairs of conductors, are included in each cable..
Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention .~
there is provided a method of terminating a pair of flat ~ .
flexible cables along a substantially flat surface, comprising the steps of: (a) terminating one of the flat ~
flexible cables in first electrically conductive, : ~.
receiving means mounted in a housi:ng composed of a dielectric materlal; (b) terminating the other flat :~
~flexible cable in second electrically conductive, .
receiving means mounted in said housing in electrical isolation from the first electrically conductive, :
receiving means; and then (c) inserting said housing into receiving and retaining means integral with a plate mounted on said substantially flat surfaceO ;~
A third and a fourth flexible cable may be similarly, terminated in an additional housing, and the additional housing may then be inserted into additional receiving and retaining means integral with the plate.
In accordance with anothe.r aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for terminating, along a , 33~7 substantially flat surface, a flat flexible cable which includes at least one insulated conductor, the apparatus comprising- a plate having a substantially flat, first face suitable for attachment to the substantially flat surface, said plate including a second face with upstanding wall means located along an edge of said second face; a connector including electrically conductive means for receiving the flat flexible cable and piercing through the insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with the at least one conductor; and means, defining a recess in said upstanding wall means of said plate, for receiving and retaining said connector within said recessO
Brief_Description of the Drawing FIG~ 1 of the drawing is an isometric view of a floor plate constructed in accordance with the principles `
of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, isometric view of a rear portion of the floor plate of FIG~ 1 with a connector retained in the floor plate;
FIGo 3 is an isometric view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, showing additional features o~ the connector and also illustrating a cover which is associated with the connector, the cover being shown removed from the connector;
FIG~ 4 is a plan view illustrating the manner in which two flat flexible cables may be received by the ~:~
connector of FIGS. 2 and 31 with the cover removed from the connector;
FIG~ 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector of FIGS~ 2 and 3, showing further features of the connector; ;
'
flexible article.
It is known also to employ flat flexible cables in various telephone wiring systems within buildings. One or more such cables may be -~
extended along a floor surface to an area at which .:~
telephone equipment is to be connected, with a suitable floor covering, typically carpeti.ng~ thereafter being laid over the cable in order to hide it from view.
Descriptions of such flat flexible cable usage, and of certain associated devices such as connectors, 30 housings, etc., may be found in U.S. Patents 3,934,072 and 4,030,801 to J. W. Balde and E. D. Bunnell, respectively.
33~
1 In the flat flexible cable termlnating system disclosed in J. W. Balde Patent 3,934,072, flat flexible cables are laid along a floor, under a flat peripheral flange at the bottom of a bracket, which bracket is then attached, e.g., by an adhesive material or by fasteners, to the floor. The flat flexible cables extend up through a central opening within the bracket, and into a central connection zone between two spaced, parallel-extending, raised flanges on the 10 bracket. The two raised flanges are adapted to receive opposite ends of up to five female telephone connectors bridging the space between the raised flanges, each connector serving to teeminate a different, associated one of the flat flexible cables along multiple pairs of conductors, e.g., up to twenty-five pairs of conductorsj in the associated, flat flexible cable.
The flat flexible cable terminating system of E. D. Bunnell Patent 4,030,801 employs a flat-bottomed base plate, which is attached to a floor 20 by fasteners. Two parallel-extending sidewalls stretch ;~
upwardly from the base plate and include lateraIly-projecting ears for receiving opposite ends of two connectors~ Each of the connectors is -~
associated with a different one of two multiple conductor, flat flexible cables which extend parallel to the sidewalls and toward the laterally-projecting ears from opposite ends of the base plate. The base plate, which is adapted to receive only the two multiple conductor, flat flexible cables, is covered, 30 after the termination of the cables and the laying of a carpet over the cables, by a screw-attached housing.
337' .` .
In both J. W. Balde Patent 3,934,072 and E. D.
Bunnell Patent 4,030,801, the termination of cables for large numbers of telephone lines is envisioned, requiring the use of large connectors for receiving multiple pairs of conductors, e.g~, up to twenty~five pairs of conductors, in each 1at flexible cable which is to be terminated.
Clearly, it would be desirable to provide relatively simple and ine~pensive equi.pments and techniques for terminating flat flexible cables where only a few pairs of -conductors, e.g., only two pairs of conductors, are included in each cable..
Summary of the Invention In accordance with one aspect of the invention .~
there is provided a method of terminating a pair of flat ~ .
flexible cables along a substantially flat surface, comprising the steps of: (a) terminating one of the flat ~
flexible cables in first electrically conductive, : ~.
receiving means mounted in a housi:ng composed of a dielectric materlal; (b) terminating the other flat :~
~flexible cable in second electrically conductive, .
receiving means mounted in said housing in electrical isolation from the first electrically conductive, :
receiving means; and then (c) inserting said housing into receiving and retaining means integral with a plate mounted on said substantially flat surfaceO ;~
A third and a fourth flexible cable may be similarly, terminated in an additional housing, and the additional housing may then be inserted into additional receiving and retaining means integral with the plate.
In accordance with anothe.r aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for terminating, along a , 33~7 substantially flat surface, a flat flexible cable which includes at least one insulated conductor, the apparatus comprising- a plate having a substantially flat, first face suitable for attachment to the substantially flat surface, said plate including a second face with upstanding wall means located along an edge of said second face; a connector including electrically conductive means for receiving the flat flexible cable and piercing through the insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with the at least one conductor; and means, defining a recess in said upstanding wall means of said plate, for receiving and retaining said connector within said recessO
Brief_Description of the Drawing FIG~ 1 of the drawing is an isometric view of a floor plate constructed in accordance with the principles `
of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged, isometric view of a rear portion of the floor plate of FIG~ 1 with a connector retained in the floor plate;
FIGo 3 is an isometric view of the connector depicted in FIG. 2, showing additional features o~ the connector and also illustrating a cover which is associated with the connector, the cover being shown removed from the connector;
FIG~ 4 is a plan view illustrating the manner in which two flat flexible cables may be received by the ~:~
connector of FIGS. 2 and 31 with the cover removed from the connector;
FIG~ 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connector of FIGS~ 2 and 3, showing further features of the connector; ;
'
3';' 1 FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a rear portion of an alternative floor plate adapted to receive and retain a plurality of connectors;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are isometric views of rear portions of two further, alternative floor plate structures;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a temporary, protective cover which may be utilized with -the various floor plate and connector structures 10 according to the invention; ~-FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a connector, floor plate and ~
housing arrangement; and ;
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a rear portion of the housing illustrated in FIG. 10, showing additional features of the housing.
Detailed Descr~tion ____ _ __ _ _ __ _ .
Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a floor plate 21 is sho~n. The floor plate 21 20 includes a substantially flat, first or bottom face 22 which may be attached, e.g~, by means of an adhesive medium or by mechanical fasteners (not shown) to a substan~ially flat, floor surface 23. The floor plate 21 also includes a second or upper face 24 and an upstanding wall 26 located along an edge, e.g., a rear edge, of the second face 24. A recess 27 for receiving a connector 28 is located in the upstanding wall 26 of the floor plate 21.
As may be seen in FIG5. 2-4 of the 30 drawing, the connector 28 includes a pair of opposed, recess areas 29,29 so as to define a necked region 31 1 of the connector 28, at opposite sides of which necked region 31, the connector 28 may be retained by insertion of the connector 28 into the recess 27 in the upstanding wall 26 of the floor plate 21. The connector 28 also includes, along an outwardly-facing, end wall 32 of the connector 28, a recess 33 for receiving a plug, e.g., a modular plug of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,761,869 to B. C. Hardesty et al. A number of electrically conductive, contact 10 elements 34,34 are located within the recess 33 in the end wall 32 of the connector 28, in position to be engaged by a set of electrical conductors in the plug.
The connector 28 preferably includes two sets of electrically conductive, insulation-piercing contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B (FIGS. ,r 3 and 4) along an upper surface 37 of the connector 28.
The contacts 36A,36A of the connector 28 are so disposed as to permit the termination of a first, four wire, flat flexible cable 38A at the contacts 36A,36A, 20 while the contacts 36B,36B of the connector 28 are so disposed as to permit the optional, additional, independent termination o~ a second, four wire, flat flexible cable 38B at the contacts 36B,36B. A body portion 39 of the connector 28, which is composed of a dielectric material, such as a polycarbonate material, constitutes a housing for the two sets of contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B, maintaining the various contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B in electrical isolation from one another. In another embodiment, the connector 28 might 30 include only one set of electrically conductive, insulation-piercing contacts 36A,36A, where only a ~ " ~
33~
1 sin~le, flat flexible cable 38A need ever be terminated in the connector 2~.
A top cover ~1 (FIG. 3) is adapted to be placed over the upper surface 37 of the connector 28 to aid in securing the flat flexible cable 38A or cables 38A and 38B. The top cover 41 includes two suitable sets of apertures 42A,42A and 42B,42B for receivi.ng the two sets of contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B, respectively.
Turning now also to FIG. 5 of the drawing, two representative contacts 36A,36A have been turned through 90 from their true ori.entation in order to show more clearly the general confi.gurati.ons of insulation-piercing facilities 43A,43A at the top ends of the contacts 36A,36A. Such con:Ei.gurations may be similar to those disclosed i.n U.S. Patent 4,~68,912 to W. J. Hudson, Jr. et al. The contacts 36A,36P~
preferably also have insulation-piercing facilities 44A,44A at their bottom ends. These additional, 20 insulation-piercing facilities 44A,44A are adapted to be wired, in any suitable pattern, to the electrically conductive, contact elements 34,34(FIG. 2) in the recess 33 in the end wall 32 oE the connector 28.
Similar sets of insulation-piercing facilities would, of course, be present at top and bottom ends of the other contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B. A bottom cover 46 (FIG. 5) functions in cooperation with the bottom ends of the contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B in similar manner to the functioning of the top cover 41 with respect to 30 the top ends of the contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B.
A rear portion of an alternative floor ~a3~
1 plate 47 i.s shown in FIG. 6. The floor plate 47 has an upstanding wall regi.on 48 located along a rear edge of the floor plate 47. The upstanding wall region 48 includes at least two, and preferably more than two, recesses 49,49 for each receivi.ng and retaining a connector, similar to the connector 28. Thus, any desired number of parallel-extending, flat flexible cables may be terminated at the floor plate 47, depending upon the number of available, 10 connector-receiving recesses 49,49 in the upstanding wall region 48.
Rear portions of two additional floor plates 51 and 52 are shown, respectively, in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawing. Each of these addi.ti.onal floor plates 51 and 52 i.ncludes a modified form of recess 53 or 54 for receiving and retai.ning a connector si.milar to the connector 28. Thus, the recess 53, which i.s located in an upstanding wall 56 along a rear edge of the floor plate 51, is bounded by a number of 20 connector-retaining, serrations 57,57 along opposite sides of the recess 53, whi.le the recess 54, which is located in an upstanding wall 58 along a rear edge of ;.:
the floor plate 52, has a pair of bent, connector-retaining tabs 59,59 located proximate to i.t.
Of course, either of the floor plates 51 and 52 miyht .
alternatively include two or more such recesses 53 or 54. ~
Referring next to FIG. 9 of the drawing, a temporary, protective cover 61 is shown.
30 The cover 61 includes a major portion 62, in the form of a box with an open bottom (not shown), for . .,, ;, 337 ~
1 enveloping a floor plate, such as the floor plate 21 of FIG. 1, and one or more connectors, such as the connector 28 of FIG. 2. The cover 61 (FIG. 9) also includes an outwardly-extending flange 63, located along a bottom edge of the box-shaped, ma~or portion 62 and so disposed as to stretch across one or more flat flexible cables 64,64, which cable or cables is or are terminated in the one or more connectors beneath the major portion 62. The cover 61 will function, during -~
10 the laying of carpeting over the flat flexible cable or cables 64,64 and connector or connectors, to protect the covered structures. The flange 63, in particular, will serve to protect each flat flexible cable 64 from severance during cutting of the carpeting along an outer edge 66 of the box-shaped, major portion 62 of the cover 61, adjacent to the flange 63. The cover 61 may be attached temporarily, e.g., loosely, to the floor plate 21 (FIG. 1) by means of a nut 67 which may be threaded onto a post 68 extending upwardly from the 20 floor plate 21, e.g., through suitable apertures 69 and 70 (FI~. 3) in the connector 28 and its top cover 41.
After carpet-laying, the nut 67 may be removed and the cover 61 may readily be withdrawn upwardly and rearwardly from the slit carpet.
A permanent housing 71, for enclosing the floor plate 21 of FIG. 1 and the connector 28 of FIG. ~, is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawing.
The housing 71 includes a slight recess 72 (FIG. 11) along the bottom of a rear wall 73 of the housing 71 to 30 provide clearance for a rearwardly-extending, flat flexible cable 74 associated with a plug 76 (FIG. 10) _g_ .
33~
1 inserted into the recess 33 (FIG. 2) in the end wall 32 of the connector 28. A bolt or other fastener 77 tFIG.
10) may be tightened onto the post 68 (FIG. 1) of the floor plate 21. Tightening of the fastener 77 causes the rear wall 73 of the housing 71 to clamp the flat flexible cable 74 onto a carpet 79 at the recess 72.
Tightening of the fastener 77 also causes a forward wall 81 of the housing 71 and a forward portion 82 of : the floor plate 21 to cooperate to clamp a cut portion 10 of the carpet 79 to the fixed floor plate 21.
"
FIGS. 7 and 8 are isometric views of rear portions of two further, alternative floor plate structures;
FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a temporary, protective cover which may be utilized with -the various floor plate and connector structures 10 according to the invention; ~-FIG. 10 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of a connector, floor plate and ~
housing arrangement; and ;
FIG. 11 is an isometric view of a rear portion of the housing illustrated in FIG. 10, showing additional features of the housing.
Detailed Descr~tion ____ _ __ _ _ __ _ .
Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawing, a floor plate 21 is sho~n. The floor plate 21 20 includes a substantially flat, first or bottom face 22 which may be attached, e.g~, by means of an adhesive medium or by mechanical fasteners (not shown) to a substan~ially flat, floor surface 23. The floor plate 21 also includes a second or upper face 24 and an upstanding wall 26 located along an edge, e.g., a rear edge, of the second face 24. A recess 27 for receiving a connector 28 is located in the upstanding wall 26 of the floor plate 21.
As may be seen in FIG5. 2-4 of the 30 drawing, the connector 28 includes a pair of opposed, recess areas 29,29 so as to define a necked region 31 1 of the connector 28, at opposite sides of which necked region 31, the connector 28 may be retained by insertion of the connector 28 into the recess 27 in the upstanding wall 26 of the floor plate 21. The connector 28 also includes, along an outwardly-facing, end wall 32 of the connector 28, a recess 33 for receiving a plug, e.g., a modular plug of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,761,869 to B. C. Hardesty et al. A number of electrically conductive, contact 10 elements 34,34 are located within the recess 33 in the end wall 32 of the connector 28, in position to be engaged by a set of electrical conductors in the plug.
The connector 28 preferably includes two sets of electrically conductive, insulation-piercing contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B (FIGS. ,r 3 and 4) along an upper surface 37 of the connector 28.
The contacts 36A,36A of the connector 28 are so disposed as to permit the termination of a first, four wire, flat flexible cable 38A at the contacts 36A,36A, 20 while the contacts 36B,36B of the connector 28 are so disposed as to permit the optional, additional, independent termination o~ a second, four wire, flat flexible cable 38B at the contacts 36B,36B. A body portion 39 of the connector 28, which is composed of a dielectric material, such as a polycarbonate material, constitutes a housing for the two sets of contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B, maintaining the various contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B in electrical isolation from one another. In another embodiment, the connector 28 might 30 include only one set of electrically conductive, insulation-piercing contacts 36A,36A, where only a ~ " ~
33~
1 sin~le, flat flexible cable 38A need ever be terminated in the connector 2~.
A top cover ~1 (FIG. 3) is adapted to be placed over the upper surface 37 of the connector 28 to aid in securing the flat flexible cable 38A or cables 38A and 38B. The top cover 41 includes two suitable sets of apertures 42A,42A and 42B,42B for receivi.ng the two sets of contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B, respectively.
Turning now also to FIG. 5 of the drawing, two representative contacts 36A,36A have been turned through 90 from their true ori.entation in order to show more clearly the general confi.gurati.ons of insulation-piercing facilities 43A,43A at the top ends of the contacts 36A,36A. Such con:Ei.gurations may be similar to those disclosed i.n U.S. Patent 4,~68,912 to W. J. Hudson, Jr. et al. The contacts 36A,36P~
preferably also have insulation-piercing facilities 44A,44A at their bottom ends. These additional, 20 insulation-piercing facilities 44A,44A are adapted to be wired, in any suitable pattern, to the electrically conductive, contact elements 34,34(FIG. 2) in the recess 33 in the end wall 32 oE the connector 28.
Similar sets of insulation-piercing facilities would, of course, be present at top and bottom ends of the other contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B. A bottom cover 46 (FIG. 5) functions in cooperation with the bottom ends of the contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B in similar manner to the functioning of the top cover 41 with respect to 30 the top ends of the contacts 36A,36A and 36B,36B.
A rear portion of an alternative floor ~a3~
1 plate 47 i.s shown in FIG. 6. The floor plate 47 has an upstanding wall regi.on 48 located along a rear edge of the floor plate 47. The upstanding wall region 48 includes at least two, and preferably more than two, recesses 49,49 for each receivi.ng and retaining a connector, similar to the connector 28. Thus, any desired number of parallel-extending, flat flexible cables may be terminated at the floor plate 47, depending upon the number of available, 10 connector-receiving recesses 49,49 in the upstanding wall region 48.
Rear portions of two additional floor plates 51 and 52 are shown, respectively, in FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawing. Each of these addi.ti.onal floor plates 51 and 52 i.ncludes a modified form of recess 53 or 54 for receiving and retai.ning a connector si.milar to the connector 28. Thus, the recess 53, which i.s located in an upstanding wall 56 along a rear edge of the floor plate 51, is bounded by a number of 20 connector-retaining, serrations 57,57 along opposite sides of the recess 53, whi.le the recess 54, which is located in an upstanding wall 58 along a rear edge of ;.:
the floor plate 52, has a pair of bent, connector-retaining tabs 59,59 located proximate to i.t.
Of course, either of the floor plates 51 and 52 miyht .
alternatively include two or more such recesses 53 or 54. ~
Referring next to FIG. 9 of the drawing, a temporary, protective cover 61 is shown.
30 The cover 61 includes a major portion 62, in the form of a box with an open bottom (not shown), for . .,, ;, 337 ~
1 enveloping a floor plate, such as the floor plate 21 of FIG. 1, and one or more connectors, such as the connector 28 of FIG. 2. The cover 61 (FIG. 9) also includes an outwardly-extending flange 63, located along a bottom edge of the box-shaped, ma~or portion 62 and so disposed as to stretch across one or more flat flexible cables 64,64, which cable or cables is or are terminated in the one or more connectors beneath the major portion 62. The cover 61 will function, during -~
10 the laying of carpeting over the flat flexible cable or cables 64,64 and connector or connectors, to protect the covered structures. The flange 63, in particular, will serve to protect each flat flexible cable 64 from severance during cutting of the carpeting along an outer edge 66 of the box-shaped, major portion 62 of the cover 61, adjacent to the flange 63. The cover 61 may be attached temporarily, e.g., loosely, to the floor plate 21 (FIG. 1) by means of a nut 67 which may be threaded onto a post 68 extending upwardly from the 20 floor plate 21, e.g., through suitable apertures 69 and 70 (FI~. 3) in the connector 28 and its top cover 41.
After carpet-laying, the nut 67 may be removed and the cover 61 may readily be withdrawn upwardly and rearwardly from the slit carpet.
A permanent housing 71, for enclosing the floor plate 21 of FIG. 1 and the connector 28 of FIG. ~, is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawing.
The housing 71 includes a slight recess 72 (FIG. 11) along the bottom of a rear wall 73 of the housing 71 to 30 provide clearance for a rearwardly-extending, flat flexible cable 74 associated with a plug 76 (FIG. 10) _g_ .
33~
1 inserted into the recess 33 (FIG. 2) in the end wall 32 of the connector 28. A bolt or other fastener 77 tFIG.
10) may be tightened onto the post 68 (FIG. 1) of the floor plate 21. Tightening of the fastener 77 causes the rear wall 73 of the housing 71 to clamp the flat flexible cable 74 onto a carpet 79 at the recess 72.
Tightening of the fastener 77 also causes a forward wall 81 of the housing 71 and a forward portion 82 of : the floor plate 21 to cooperate to clamp a cut portion 10 of the carpet 79 to the fixed floor plate 21.
"
Claims (12)
1. A method of terminating a pair of flat flexible cables along a substantially flat surface, comprising the steps of:
(a) terminating one of the flat flexible cables in first electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in a housing composed of a dielectric material;
(b) terminating the other flat flexible cable in second electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in said housing in electrical isolation from the first electrically conductive, receiving means; and then (c) inserting said housing into receiving and retaining means integral with a plate mounted on said substantially flat surface.
(a) terminating one of the flat flexible cables in first electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in a housing composed of a dielectric material;
(b) terminating the other flat flexible cable in second electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in said housing in electrical isolation from the first electrically conductive, receiving means; and then (c) inserting said housing into receiving and retaining means integral with a plate mounted on said substantially flat surface.
2. A method as set forth in claim 1, step (c) comprising:
(d) emplacing said housing in a recess in upstanding wall means integral with said plate.
(d) emplacing said housing in a recess in upstanding wall means integral with said plate.
3. A method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:
(d) terminating a third flat flexible cable in first additional, electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in an additional housing composed of a dielectric material;
(e) terminating a fourth flat flexible cable in second additional, electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in said additional housing in electrical isolation from the first additional, electrically conductive, receiving means; and then (f) inserting said additional housing into additional receiving and retaining means integral with said plate.
(d) terminating a third flat flexible cable in first additional, electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in an additional housing composed of a dielectric material;
(e) terminating a fourth flat flexible cable in second additional, electrically conductive, receiving means mounted in said additional housing in electrical isolation from the first additional, electrically conductive, receiving means; and then (f) inserting said additional housing into additional receiving and retaining means integral with said plate.
4. A method as set forth in claim 3, steps (c) and (f) comprising, respectively:
(g) emplacing said first-mentioned housing in a recess in upstanding wall means integral with said plate; and (h) emplacing said additional housing in an additional recess in said upstanding wall means.
(g) emplacing said first-mentioned housing in a recess in upstanding wall means integral with said plate; and (h) emplacing said additional housing in an additional recess in said upstanding wall means.
5. Apparatus for terminating, along a substantially flat surface, a flat flexible cable which includes at least one insulated conductor, the apparatus comprising:
a plate having a substantially flat, first face suitable for attachment to the substantially flat surface, said plate including a second face with upstanding wall means located along an edge of said second face;
a connector including electrically conductive means for receiving the flat flexible cable and piercing through the insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with the at least one conductor; and means, defining a recess in said upstanding wall means of said plate, for receiving and retaining said connector within said recess.
a plate having a substantially flat, first face suitable for attachment to the substantially flat surface, said plate including a second face with upstanding wall means located along an edge of said second face;
a connector including electrically conductive means for receiving the flat flexible cable and piercing through the insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with the at least one conductor; and means, defining a recess in said upstanding wall means of said plate, for receiving and retaining said connector within said recess.
6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 5, adapted to receive either one or two flat flexible cables at the option of a user, each of which flat flexible cables includes at least one insulated conductor, said connector comprising:
first electrically conductive means for receiving a first flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
second electrically conductive means for receiving a second flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
first additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said first electrically conductive means to a first conductor of a connector element;
second additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said second electrically conductive means and electrically isolated from said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said second electrically conductive means to a second conductor of the connector element; and a single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including said first electrically conductive means, said second electrically conductive means, said first additional electrically conductive means and said second additional electrically conductive means, all in electrical isolation from one another.
first electrically conductive means for receiving a first flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
second electrically conductive means for receiving a second flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
first additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said first electrically conductive means to a first conductor of a connector element;
second additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said second electrically conductive means and electrically isolated from said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said second electrically conductive means to a second conductor of the connector element; and a single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including said first electrically conductive means, said second electrically conductive means, said first additional electrically conductive means and said second additional electrically conductive means, all in electrical isolation from one another.
7. Apparatus for terminating, along a substantially flat surface, either one or two flat flexible cables at the option of a user, each of which flat flexible cables includes at least one insulated conductor, the apparatus comprising:
first electrically conductive means for receiving a first flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
second electrically conductive means for receiving a second flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
first additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said first electrically conductive means to a first conductor of a connector element;
second additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said second electrically conductive means and electrically isolated from said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said second electrically conductive means to a second conductor of the connector element;
a single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including said first electrically conductive means, said second electrically conductive means, said first additional electrically conductive means and said second additional electrically conductive means, all in electrical isolation from one another;
a plate having a substantially flat face for attachment to the substantially flat surface; and means, integral with said plate, for receiving and retaining therein said housing.
first electrically conductive means for receiving a first flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
second electrically conductive means for receiving a second flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
first additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said first electrically conductive means to a first conductor of a connector element;
second additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said second electrically conductive means and electrically isolated from said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said second electrically conductive means to a second conductor of the connector element;
a single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including said first electrically conductive means, said second electrically conductive means, said first additional electrically conductive means and said second additional electrically conductive means, all in electrical isolation from one another;
a plate having a substantially flat face for attachment to the substantially flat surface; and means, integral with said plate, for receiving and retaining therein said housing.
8. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein said receiving and retaining means comprise:
means defining a recess in an upstanding wall of said plate.
means defining a recess in an upstanding wall of said plate.
9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, adapted to receive up to three flat flexible cables at the option of a user, each of which flat flexible cables includes at least one insulated conductor, said apparatus further comprising:
a connector including third electrically conductive means for receiving a third flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein; and additional means, integral with said plate, for receiving and retaining therein said connector.
a connector including third electrically conductive means for receiving a third flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein; and additional means, integral with said plate, for receiving and retaining therein said connector.
10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 7, adapted to receive up to four flat flexible cables at the option of a user, each of which flat flexible cables includes at least one insulated conductor, said apparatus further comprising:
third electrically conductive means for receiving a third flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
fourth electrically conductive means for receiving a fourth flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
an additional, single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including both said third electrically conductive means and said fourth electrically conductive means in electrical isolation from one another; and additional means, integral with said plate, for receiving and retaining therein said additional housing.
third electrically conductive means for receiving a third flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
fourth electrically conductive means for receiving a fourth flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
an additional, single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including both said third electrically conductive means and said fourth electrically conductive means in electrical isolation from one another; and additional means, integral with said plate, for receiving and retaining therein said additional housing.
11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 10, wherein said first-mentioned receiving and retaining means and said additional receiving and retaining means comprise, respectively:
means defining a first recess in upstanding wall means integral with said plate; and additional means defining a second recess in said upstanding wall means.
means defining a first recess in upstanding wall means integral with said plate; and additional means defining a second recess in said upstanding wall means.
12. A connector adapted to receive either one or two flat flexible cables at the option of a user, each of which flat flexible cables includes at least one insulated conductor, the connector comprising:
first electrically conductive means for receiving a first flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
second electrically conductive means for receiving a second flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
first additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said first electrically conductive means to a first conductor of a connector element;
second additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said second electrically conductive means and electrically isolated from said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said second electrically conductive means to a second conductor of the connector element; and a single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including said first electrically conductive means, said second electrically conductive means, said first additional electrically conductive means and said second additional electrically conductive means, all in electrical isolation from one another.
first electrically conductive means for receiving a first flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
second electrically conductive means for receiving a second flat flexible cable and piercing through insulation thereon so as to make electrical contact with at least one conductor therein;
first additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said first electrically conductive means to a first conductor of a connector element;
second additional electrically conductive means, electrically connected to said second electrically conductive means and electrically isolated from said first electrically conductive means, for coupling said second electrically conductive means to a second conductor of the connector element; and a single, integral housing, composed of a dielectric material, including said first electrically conductive means, said second electrically conductive means, said first additional electrically conductive means and said second additional electrically conductive means, all in electrical isolation from one another.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US92893078A | 1978-07-28 | 1978-07-28 | |
| US928,930 | 1978-07-28 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1110337A true CA1110337A (en) | 1981-10-06 |
Family
ID=25457026
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA332,670A Expired CA1110337A (en) | 1978-07-28 | 1979-07-27 | Termination of flat flexible cables |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1110337A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE7921470U1 (en) |
-
1979
- 1979-07-27 DE DE19797921470 patent/DE7921470U1/en not_active Expired
- 1979-07-27 CA CA332,670A patent/CA1110337A/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE7921470U1 (en) | 1979-10-31 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |