EP0381380B1 - Zugentlastung für Bandkabelverbinder - Google Patents

Zugentlastung für Bandkabelverbinder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0381380B1
EP0381380B1 EP90300792A EP90300792A EP0381380B1 EP 0381380 B1 EP0381380 B1 EP 0381380B1 EP 90300792 A EP90300792 A EP 90300792A EP 90300792 A EP90300792 A EP 90300792A EP 0381380 B1 EP0381380 B1 EP 0381380B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
terminating
cable
cover
face
housing
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP90300792A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0381380A1 (de
Inventor
Wayne Samuel Davis
Robert Neil Whiteman, Jr.
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whitaker LLC
Original Assignee
Whitaker LLC
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Whitaker LLC filed Critical Whitaker LLC
Publication of EP0381380A1 publication Critical patent/EP0381380A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0381380B1 publication Critical patent/EP0381380B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

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
    • 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
    • H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
    • H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
    • H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
    • 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
    • H01R12/70—Coupling devices
    • H01R12/77—Coupling devices for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/771—Details
    • H01R12/775—Ground or shield arrangements

Definitions

  • This invention relates to high density connectors for terminating ribbon cable and, in particular, to a ribbon cable terminating connector housing that cooperates with a terminating cover to provide strain relief to a ribbon cable terminated thereto.
  • US-A- 4,212,507 discloses a strain relief wherein off-set structure on the connector housing and terminating cover provide strain relief to conductors terminated therein. Fluting on the inside cover of such a prior art device would be ineffective to align the conductors of a ribbon cable terminated therein to the insulation displacement contacts as the raised structure along the major edges of the cover would prevent the cable from engaging fluting on the recessed inner surface of the cover until after the insulation displacement termination process has begun. Furthermore, the ribbon cable would be bending at the time insulation displacement termination would be starting.
  • Prior art ribbon cable connectors for terminating ribbon cable are shown in US-A- 3,434,093; 4,062,616; 4,068,912; 4,160,574; 4,190,952; 4,410,229; 4,621,885; 4,668,039; and 4,693,533.
  • These connectors typically provide strain relief such that forces acting on the ribbon cable are not transmitted to and do not stress the insulation displacement electrical connection by clamping the ribbon cable between a flat or fluted surface on the terminating cover and the conductor receiving face from which insulation piercing contacts extend.
  • the clamping is achieved within the profile of the mating face of the connector so as to minimize the width of the connector.
  • ribbon cable conductor centerline spacing As ribbon cable conductor centerline spacing is decreased, ribbon cable becomes more fragile and it becomes more desirable to provide strain relief at a location spaced from the insulation displacement terminations. This is particularly important when it is recognized that connectors terminated to a ribbon cable are often unmated from a complementary connector by pulling on the ribbon cable.
  • the present invention consists in an electrical connector as defined in claim 1.
  • US-A- 4 668 039 discloses a connector according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • Connector 10 may take many forms, including being shielded or unshielded or being adaptable for panel mounting.
  • Connector 10 includes housing 12 and terminating cover 14.
  • Housing 12 has a forward mating face 16, an opposed conductor receiving face 18, opposing side walls 20,22 and opposing end walls 24,26.
  • Contact receiving passages 28 extend between mating face 16 and conductor receiving face 18, with contacts 30 secured therein.
  • Contacts 30 are stamped from strip stock, each contact having a mating portion 32 at one end proximate the mating face, an insulation displacement plate 34 having conductor receiving slot 36 at the other end that extend beyond conductor receiving face 18.
  • Securing means such as barbs 38 ( Figures 3 and 5), are provided along contact 30 to secure contacts 30 in respective passages 28, such as by an interference fit.
  • contacts 30 are positioned in housing 12, with mating portion 32 in two rows extending substantially between end walls 24 and 26, with centerlines spaced 2.54 mm (0.100 inch) apart; the mating portion of adjacent contacts in each row are spaced 1.27 mm (0.050 inch) apart.
  • the insulation displacement plates 34 form four rows extending substantially between end walls 24 and 26, with the plates 34 positioned to be terminated to conductors of a ribbon cable having a conductor centerline spacing of 0.635 mm (0.025 inch). Each of four adjacent conductors in a ribbon cable are terminated.
  • Conductor receiving face 18 has lateral extensions 40,42 that extend laterally beyond the profile of mating face 16 in that side walls 20 and 22 extend outwardly from the axis of the mating portion 32 of contacts 30, as secured in housing 12. Upstanding from conductor receiving face 18 on lateral extensions 40,42 and extending along at least a portion of side walls 20,22 are strain relief ribs 44,46 defining spaced inner edge surfaces 47.
  • End walls 24,26 have terminating cover alignment ribs 48,50 extending therefrom, respectively.
  • Ribs 48,50 may be chamfered proximate conductor receiving face 18 to facilitate receiving terminating cover 14 thereover.
  • Rib 48 has guide walls 52 and rib 50 has guide walls 54 which parallel insulation displacement plates 34.
  • Guide walls 52 and 54 may be spaced differently to provide a polarization feature such that housing 12 and terminating cover 14 are polarized relative to each other, and the terminating cover can only be received on the housing in a predetermined orientation.
  • Protrusions 56 along guide walls 52,54 provide an interference fit between ribs 48,50 and terminating cover 14, and absorb any tolerance buildup.
  • Latch means are provided on ribs 48,50 to cooperate with complementary latch means on terminating cover 14 to secure the terminating cover to housing 12.
  • latching protrusions 58,60 displaced along each of ribs 48,50.
  • Each latching protrusion has a tapered surface 62 facing conductor receiving face 18 and a latching shoulder 64 facing mating face 16.
  • Guards 66 extend outwardly from end walls 24,26 to prevent accidental unlatching of terminating cover 14.
  • Terminating cover 14 is elongate having opposed side walls 70,72, opposed end walls 74,76, outer surface 78 and opposed inner surface 80, a portion of which forms fluted surfaces 82,84 having the same pitch as a cable adapted to be terminated to connector 10.
  • Latch arms 86,88 extend to distal ends 90,92 and are adapted to cooperate with and engage latch means on the housing to secure terminating cover 14 to housing 12.
  • Inner surfaces 80 along side walls 70,72 have surfaces 94,96 recessed from the general plane of the central region of surface 80. Recessed surfaces 94,96 are adapted to be substantially opposed to ribs 44,46 when cover 14 is secured to housing 12 and defines spaced outer edge surfaces 98. Outer edge surfaces 98 are spaced more narrowly than inner edge surfaces 47 on housing 12.
  • Strain relief ribs 42,44 on housing 12 cooperate with recessed surface 94,96 on terminating cover 14 to provide strain relief to a ribbon cable 100 having spaced conductors 102, when the conductors 102 of cable 100 are terminated to respective insulation displacement plates 34.
  • the cable 100 covers the ribs, and surface 80 at the offset and the corners dig into the insulation surrounding conductors 102.
  • cable 100 takes a circuitous path and is clamped in the space between ribs 44,46 and recessed surfaces 94,96, as well as spaced inner edge surfaces 47 and spaced outer edge surfaces 98, with the corners digging into the insulation to enhance the strain relief.
  • strain relief is provided at a location spaced from the insulation displacement terminations of the individual conductors in respective plates 34.
  • Latch arms 86,88 have a channel 108,110 on an inner wall 112,114 thereof that is complementary to respective terminating cover alignment rib 48,50.
  • Channels 108,110 may be of differing widths to provide a polarizing feature, as described above.
  • the channels 108,110 cooperate during movement of the termination cover relative to the housing while initially installing the termination cover to a pretermination position, but more critically during termination of a cable 100 to connector 10 as the termination cover moves from a pretermination position to a termination position, to guide the termination cover parallel to the insulation displacement plates of the contacts.
  • Each cross bar has a latch shoulder 120 facing inner surface 80 and a tapered surface 122 facing the distal end.
  • the tapered surface facilitates cross bars 116,118 riding up over latching protrusions 58,60.
  • Latch shoulders 120 engage latch shoulder 64 of protrusion 58 with latch cover 14 in the pretermination position to accurately position latch cover 14 in the pretermination position
  • tapered surface 122 also engages tapered surface 62 of latch protrusion 60.
  • latch shoulder 120 engages latch shoulder 64 of latch protrusion 60 to secure terminating covering 14 to housing 12 and maintain cable 100 clamped therebetween to provide strain relief.
  • Connector 10 is typically supplied with the termination cover secured to the housing in the pretermination position shown in Figure 2 (without a cable 100).
  • Connector 10 is positioned in recess 128 of the base 130 of a tool, the upper surface 132 of which is substantially coplanar with inside surface 80.
  • Upper surface 132 may be fluted to assist in aligning conductors 102 with slots 36 in plates 34.
  • the edge of cable 100 also extends along edge 136 of inner surface 80 to assist aligning conductors 102 opposite respective slots in insulation displacement plates 34. In this manner, skewing of the cable due to decreased width of the connector is minimized.
  • cable 100 is slid into and through the space between plates 34 and inside surface 80, with cable 100 engaging fluted surfaces 82,84 to position conductors 102 opposite slots 36 for termination.
  • Cable 102 may be clamped (not shown) against surface 132 to maintain the relative positions so achieved.
  • Housing 12 is moved in the direction of arrow 134, such as by a press (not shown) to cause conductors 102 to terminate to plates 34 in a known manner and to cause terminating cover 14 to move from a pretermination position to a termination position with respect to latch protrusions 58,60.
  • latch arms retain termination cover 14 in the latched position which retains cable 100 in the circuitous configuration which provides strain relief.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)
  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Elektrischer Verbinder (10) zum Anschließen eines Mehrleiterkabels (100), mit einem Gehäuse (12), das eine Kabelanschlußfläche (18), eine gegenüberliegende Fügefläche (16) und entgegengesetzte Endwände (24, 26) hat, die Verriegelungsmittel (58, 60) tragen, mit einer Vielzahl von Kontakten (30) in dem Gehäuse (12), wobei die Kontakte (30) entsprechende Leiteraufnahmeabschnitte (34) haben, die sich von der Kabelanschlußfläche (18) erstrecken, und wobei eine Anschlußabdeckung (14) eine innere Oberfläche (80) und größere Seitenkanten bildet und Verriegelungsarme (86, 88) an ihren entgegengesetzten Enden hat, die sich zu entsprechenden distalen Enden hin erstrecken, wobei die Verriegelungsarme (86, 88) so ausgebildet sind, daß sie an den Verriegelungsmitteln (56, 60) angreifen, um die Abdeckung (14) an dem Gehäuse (12) zu halten, wobei die Kabelanschlußfläche (18) des Gehäuses (12) größere Kanten und kleinere Kanten hat, wobei die kleineren Kanten der Anschlußfläche (18) benachbart zu den Endwänden (24, 26) sind, wobei die Kabelanschlußfläche (18) eine Rippe (44, 46) trägt, die sich längs wenigstens einer der größeren Kanten der Anschlußfläche (18) erstreckt, wobei die Rippe (44, 46) von der Kabelanschlußfläche (18) vorsteht, wobei die Anschlußabdeckung (14) eine abgesetzte Oberfläche (94, 96) längs wenigstens einer ihrer größeren Seitenkanten hat, wobei die abgesetzte Oberfläche (94, 96) mit der Rippe (44, 46) zusammenwirken kann, um einen Raum zwischen der abgesetzten Oberfläche (94, 96) und der Rippe (44, 46) für den Durchgang eines Kabels zu bilden, das an dem Verbinder (10) angeschlossen ist und um das Kabel (100) zu ergreifen, um es mit einer Zugentlastung zu versehen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die wenigstens eine der größeren Kanten der Anschlußfläche (18) sich über das Profil der Fügefläche (16) hinaus erstreckt, und daß die abgesetzte Oberfläche (94, 96) der Abdeckung (14) gegenüber deren innerer Oberfläche (80) zurückgesetzt ist.
  2. Elektrischer Verbinder (10) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die innere Oberfläche (80) der Anschlußabdeckung (14) mit Rillen (82, 84) versehen ist.
  3. Elektrischer Verbinder (10) nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, gekennzeichnet durch eine Ausrichtrippe (48, 50) für die Anschlußabdeckung an jeder Gehäuseendwand (24, 26) parallel zu den Leiteraufnahmeabschnitten (34) der Kontakte (30) und durch einen komplementären Kanal (108, 110) an einer inneren Wand jedes Verriegelungsarms (86, 88), wodurch die Ausrichtrippen (48, 50) der Anschlußabdeckung und die Kanäle (108, 110) während einer Bewegung der Anschlußabdeckung (14) von einer Voranschlußstellung zu einer Anschlußstellung zusammenwirken, so daß während des Anschließens eines Flachkabels (100) an den Verbinder die Anschlußabdeckung (14) parallel zu den Leiteraufnahmeabschnitten der Kontakte geführt wird.
  4. Elektrischer Verbinder (10) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß eine Ausrichtrippe (50) der Anschlußabdeckung und ein damit zusammenwirkender komplementärer Kanal (110) breiter sind als die andere Ausrichtrippe (48) der Anschlußabdeckung und der Kanal (108), wodurch die Anschlußabdeckung (14) und das Gehäuse (12) relativ zueinander polarisiert sind, so daß die Anschlußabdeckung (14) auf dem Gehäuse (12) nur in einer vorbestimmten Orientierung aufgenommen werden kann.
  5. Elektrischer Verbinder (10) nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß sich quer über die Kanäle (108, 110) der Anschlußabdeckung nahe deren distalem Ende ein Quersteg (116, 118) erstreckt, der eine Verriegelungsschulter (120) hat, daß sich von jeder Ausrichtrippe (48, 50) der Anschlußabdeckung nach außen wenigstens zwei voneinander beabstandete Verriegelungsvorsprünge (58, 60) erstrecken, die mit dem Quersteg (116, 118) zusammenwirken können, um die Anschlußabdeckung (14) an dem Gehäuse (12) in ersten und zweiten Verriegelungsstellungen zu befestigen, wobei in der ersten Verriegelungsstellung die innere Oberfläche (80) der Anschlußabdeckung (14) von den Leiteraufnahmeabschnitten (34) der Kontakte (30) beabstandet ist, um ein Einsetzen und Ausrichten eines Kabels (100) zum Anschließen zu gestatten, wobei der Quersteg (116, 118) zwischen den wenigstens zwei Verriegelungsvorsprüngen (58, 60) angeordnet ist und an diesen angreift, wobei die Anschlußabdeckung (14) von der ersten Stellung auf die Kabelanschlußfläche (18) zu bewegbar ist, um ein Kabel (100) anzuschließen, wobei die Kabelanschlußabdeckung (14) das Kabel (100) in einer Anschlußstellung in der zweiten Verriegelungsstellung befestigt, wobei der Quersteg (116, 118) an einem der wenigstens zwei beabstandeten Verriegelungsvorsprünge (58, 60) angreift.
  6. Elektrischer Verbinder (10) nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Kabelanschlußfläche (18) eine Rippe (44, 46) hat, die sich längs jeder größeren Kante erstreckt, daß jede der Rippen (44, 46) von der Kabelanschlußfläche (18) vorsteht, daß die Anschlußabdeckung (14) versetzte Oberflächen (94, 96) hat, die von der inneren Oberfläche (80) längs jeder von deren größeren Seitenkanten zurückgesetzt sind, und daß die versetzten Oberflächen (94, 96) mit entsprechenden Rippen (44, 46) zusammenwirken können, um dazwischen einen Raum für den Durchgang eines Kabels (100) zu schaffen, das an dem Verbinder (10) angeschlossen ist, und um an dem Kabel (100) anzugreifen, um dieses mit einer Zugentlastung zu versehen.
EP90300792A 1989-01-30 1990-01-25 Zugentlastung für Bandkabelverbinder Expired - Lifetime EP0381380B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US30404689A 1989-01-30 1989-01-30
US304046 1989-01-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0381380A1 EP0381380A1 (de) 1990-08-08
EP0381380B1 true EP0381380B1 (de) 1994-11-30

Family

ID=23174815

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP90300792A Expired - Lifetime EP0381380B1 (de) 1989-01-30 1990-01-25 Zugentlastung für Bandkabelverbinder

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0381380B1 (de)
CA (1) CA1310086C (de)
DE (1) DE69014327T2 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2001351711A (ja) 2000-06-07 2001-12-21 Sumitomo Wiring Syst Ltd フラットケーブル用コネクタ
JP2004127597A (ja) 2002-09-30 2004-04-22 Yazaki Corp ブラケット
JP2005093216A (ja) 2003-09-17 2005-04-07 Yazaki Corp 圧接端子の配列構造とそれを備えたコネクタ及び電気接続箱
JP7051248B2 (ja) * 2019-10-16 2022-04-11 矢崎総業株式会社 コネクタ
CN117199866B (zh) * 2023-11-08 2024-01-30 陕西星环聚能科技有限公司 电路连接组件、电路连接结构及电子装置

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1171043B (de) * 1961-08-02 1964-05-27 Siemens Ag Zugsicherung fuer Apparateschnuere
AU3453178A (en) * 1977-04-11 1979-10-04 Bunker Ramo Connector for flat wire cables
US4437723A (en) * 1980-12-30 1984-03-20 Thomas & Betts Corporation Three-row connector for mass terminating flat cable
DE8109999U1 (de) * 1981-04-02 1981-12-10 Thomas & Betts Corp., 08869 Raritan, N.J. Adapter für Flachleiter-Flachkabel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1310086C (en) 1992-11-10
DE69014327D1 (de) 1995-01-12
DE69014327T2 (de) 1995-06-29
EP0381380A1 (de) 1990-08-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0388902B1 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder mit Kabelanschluss- und Deckelrückhaltesystem und Zugentlastung
EP0408736B1 (de) Flachkabelverbinder hoher dichte mit kontakten mit zweifachem übergang
US4668039A (en) Connector for flat cable
US6638100B2 (en) Ribbon cable connector with ground bus
US4938711A (en) Strain relief for ribbon cable connectors
US5161996A (en) Header assembly and alignment assist shroud therefor
EP0561288B1 (de) Leiterplatten-Klemmverbinder
US4159158A (en) Displation connector having improved terminal supporting means
EP0600602B1 (de) Elektrischer Verbinder für einen Kartenleser
US4789346A (en) Solder post alignment and retention system
KR0159828B1 (ko) 인쇄 회로 기판용 전기 커넥터
EP0602539B1 (de) Elektrische Verbinderanordnung mit Anschlussausrichtungssystem
US5501610A (en) Flexible cable connector
EP0488298B1 (de) Verbinder mit Kontaktdistanzierplatte mit gleichförmiger seitlicher Kraft
US5100342A (en) High density flat cable connector
CA2111352C (en) Electrical connectors
US4160573A (en) Flat cable connector
US4475786A (en) T Bar cover latch
CA1190295A (en) Electrical termination system and connector member
US4718860A (en) Tapered strain relief electrical interconnection system
EP0381380B1 (de) Zugentlastung für Bandkabelverbinder
EP0488349B1 (de) Verbinder mit Kontaktabstandsplatte mit keilförmigen Kanälen
US6158111A (en) Wire harness connector installation clip
US5114362A (en) High density electrical connector and method of making a high density electrical connector
US5893773A (en) Electrical connector having a cover with pre-stage positioning

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19901227

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: THE WHITAKER CORPORATION

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930712

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT NL

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 69014327

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19950112

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: PROROGA CONCESSA IN DATA: 31.03.95;GUZZI E RAVIZZ

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 19981222

Year of fee payment: 10

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 19991217

Year of fee payment: 11

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20000801

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20000801

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20010928

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES;WARNING: LAPSES OF ITALIAN PATENTS WITH EFFECTIVE DATE BEFORE 2007 MAY HAVE OCCURRED AT ANY TIME BEFORE 2007. THE CORRECT EFFECTIVE DATE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM THE ONE RECORDED.

Effective date: 20050125

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20090302

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20090129

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20100124

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20100124

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20100125