EP1315244A1 - Douilles à profil mince et haute densité et sa methode de fabrication - Google Patents

Douilles à profil mince et haute densité et sa methode de fabrication Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1315244A1
EP1315244A1 EP03001369A EP03001369A EP1315244A1 EP 1315244 A1 EP1315244 A1 EP 1315244A1 EP 03001369 A EP03001369 A EP 03001369A EP 03001369 A EP03001369 A EP 03001369A EP 1315244 A1 EP1315244 A1 EP 1315244A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
spacer
bar
spacer bar
connector
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.)
Granted
Application number
EP03001369A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1315244B1 (fr
Inventor
Yakov Belopolsky
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.)
FCI SA
Original Assignee
FCI SA
Framatome Connectors International SAS
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 FCI SA, Framatome Connectors International SAS filed Critical FCI SA
Publication of EP1315244A1 publication Critical patent/EP1315244A1/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1315244B1 publication Critical patent/EP1315244B1/fr
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
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/22—Contacts for co-operating by abutting
    • H01R13/24—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted
    • H01R13/2407—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the resilient means
    • H01R13/2414—Contacts for co-operating by abutting resilient; resiliently-mounted characterized by the resilient means conductive elastomers
    • 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
    • H01R12/7082—Coupling device supported only by cooperation with PCB
    • 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
    • H01R12/51—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H01R12/52—Fixed connections for rigid printed circuits or like structures connecting to other rigid printed circuits or like structures

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to electrical connectors and relates more particularly to high density electrical connectors used to interconnect electrical components such as land grid array (LGA) packages, ball grid array (BGA) packages, single in-line type modules, or other possible configurations.
  • LGA land grid array
  • BGA ball grid array
  • High density electrical connectors adapted to be disposed for example, intermediate a pair of parallel circuit board units for establishing electrical connections therebetween, are old. Examples of such devices are as follows:
  • U.S. Patent N°. 3,638,163, issued on 1/25/72 to Loosme discloses a connector made from a N°nconductive resilient tube and contacts which are equally spaced longitudinally along the cylindrical surface of the tube.
  • U.S. Patent N°. 3,795,884, issued on 3/5/74 to Kotaka discloses an electrical connector having a coil spring, the turns of which serve as conductors extending between terminal pads on PC boards.
  • U.S. Patent N°. 3,818,414, issued on 6/18/74 to Davies et al. discloses electrical connectors which have support members having a spiral groove into which C-shaped conductive members are formed by wire wrapping and gluing.
  • U.S. Patent N°. 3, 858, 958, issued on 1/07/75 to Davies discloses electrical connectors in which a solid cylinder of elastomer provides a common support for rings contacts. Contacts are formed by etching of a phosphor bronze tube and secured to the elastomer.
  • U.S. Patent N°. 3,951,493, issued on 4/20/76 to Kozel et al. discloses a connector in which an elongated non-conductive tubular-like member of resilient material is provided and about which is wound and secured a continuous strip of conductive material.
  • U.S. Patent N°. 4,421,370, issued on 12/20/83 to Treakle et al. discloses cylindrical contacts which have a hole for receiving a supporting thread and a plastic boat for supporting the contacts.
  • U.S. Patent N°. 4,952,156, issued on 8/28/90 to Schmedding discloses a connector having a plurality of contact terminals wherein the contact terminals are each crimped onto a continuous length of electrically insulating material.
  • Still a further objection of the invention is to provide a device and method of the aforementioned type wherein such a device is capable of being fabricated with ease of manufacture and relatively little additional labor costs.
  • the invention relates to a method and related assembly for fabricating a connector with plural contacts arranged in an array which can readily be varied in row position from row to row depending on the arrangement of contacts on opposed contact plate surfaces between which the connector is inserted.
  • the invention involves an electrical connector for connecting contacts disposed between two spaced apart contact surfaces and comprises a frame having at least two opposed portions to define a space therebetween and at least one spacer bar supported on the frame within the space.
  • the spacer bar has at least one separate contact element disposed in spatial arrangement therealong and has at least two non-conductive spacer elements disposed on either side of the contact element for positioning the at least one contact element in a given location along the spacer bar.
  • the at least one spacer bar has a non conductive surface.
  • the spacers are separate elements mountable on the spacer bar
  • the spacer bar is an elongated length of elastomeric material having portions of narrowed diameter followed by larger diameter portions to define a series of bosses and gaps thereon and wherein the contact elements are disposed on the spacer bar between the bosses.
  • the contact elements have an inner opening having a diameter which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the spacer bar.
  • the contact elements may be formed as split spiral rings each having a first and second free end which are laterally offset from one another allowing the rings to be radially compliant and the rings have an inner opening of a diameter which is slightly greater than the outer diameter of the spacer bar.
  • the frame is a closed shape having opposed pairs of openings formed therein for receiving the at least one spacer bar therein and a retainer is associated with each of the opposed pairs of openings in the frame for securing a corresponding one of the spacer bars within the opening, and wherein the connector has a plurality of spacer bars supported on the frame.
  • the invention also resides in a connector with a frame and a plurality of bars supported on the frame.
  • a retainer is associated with the frame for holding each of the spacer bars on the frame against movement.
  • Each of the spacer bars includes a plurality of contact elements slidingly disposed thereon and a plurality of spacer members disposed on opposite sides of each contact element locating each contact element in a position relative to the frame.
  • the spacer members and the spacer bars are formed from a nonconductive material and the spacer members and the contact elements are movably disposed on the bars. Desirably, the contact elements are radially yieldably supported on the spacer bar.
  • the invention further resides in a method of assembling an electrical connector for use in an array type contact grid comprising the steps of providing at least one elongate bar having a given outer diameter; providing a plurality of contact elements each having a hole formed therein defined generally by an inner diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the spacer bar; providing a plurality of spacer members; placing a contact element onto the bar and spacing one contact element from another on the bar by placing one or more of the spacers therebetween and securing the at least one spacer bar with the contact elements and spacers thereon to the frame to hold the at least one spacer bar in place on the frame.
  • the method further comprises providing each of the contact elements as a split ring capable of radially yielding inwardly and inserting the connector into a gap between two spaced apart contact plates and forming the gap such that upon insertion of the connector into the gap the contact elements are compressed.
  • the invention further resides in a method of forming a spacer bar useable as a connection between circuit substrates comprising steps of providing a spacer bar made from an elastomeric material; stretching the spacer bar such that the bar becomes elongated and of a reduced diameter; and placing a contact member on the spacer bar.
  • the method of forming a spacer bar further includes forming the spacer bar with a plurality of bosses separated from one another by gaps into which gaps, a contact member is placed.
  • the invention also resides in a spacer bar made from an elastomeric material whereinthe spacer bar can be stretched such that the bar becomes elongated and of a reduced diameter so that a contact member can be placed on the stretched bar.
  • the spacer bar is formed with a plurality of bosses separated from one another by gaps into which gaps, a contact member is placed.
  • the array connector illustrated generally as 2 embodies the present invention.
  • the connector array 2 is comprised of a frame 10, which has a generally closed shape but can incorporate any geometric shape.
  • the frame is shown as a square, but could take the form for example, of a rectangle or circle.
  • the array connector 2 could be inserted between two spaced apart electrical components 5, 5 having a plurality of conductive elements 7, 7' disposed on surfaces 9, 9' thereof for contact engagement with the contact elements on the connector 2.
  • Conductive elements 7, 7' could be lands on a circuit substrate, solder masses on a BGA package or any other suitable arrangement.
  • the connector array 2 further includes a plurality of contact elements 12,12 which are disposed along an elongated spacer bar 14,14 which at each end thereof is secured to the frame.
  • Contacts 12, 12 are preferably stamped and formed from a sheet of suitably conductive material, such as cooper alloy.
  • Disposed between each of the contact elements 12,12 is one or more of a plurality of spacers 16,16 which are made from an insulative material interposed between contact elements 12,12 to position each of the contact elements 12,12 in alignment with a juxtaposed one the surface contacts 7,7' disposed on corresponding ones of the contact plates 5,5'.
  • the components 5, 5' engage opposite sides of connector 2. Any known clamping mechanism (not shown) can retain components 5, 5' in suitable electrical connection with connector 2.
  • the frame 10 has a plurality of aligned holes 20, 20' which are aligned with each other along opposite frame members so as to be able to receive one of the plurality of connecting rods 16,16 therein.
  • each spacer bar 14,14 is of a length such that each end thereof is journalled within one of the openings 20,20' to hold it in alignment within the frame 10 so that registration between the contact elements 12,12 of the connector 2 and the corresponding surface contacts 7,7 can be effected.
  • each spacer bar 14,14 is made from a non-conductive material, such as, plastic or an anodized metal.
  • These spacer bars can be generally of a uniform circular diameter and are rigid in character.
  • a typical spacer bar of the invention is seen in Figures 8A-8C.
  • each contact element 12 has a generally annular shape which is capable of compressing radially about the spacer bar 14.
  • the spacer bar contact elements 12,12 are metal spring rings with an interior opening 30 having a diameter D1 which can be somewhat greater in diameter than the outer diameter OD (see Fig. 4) of the spacer bar 14.
  • the spring contact elements 12,12 can take many different designs, but in the preferred embodiments they are split lock washers.
  • the contact element 12' has N° offset, yet has an interrupted perimeter 19 making it radially yieldable.
  • the contact element 12" has a continuous annulus, yet is wider and has a thinner gauge thereby making it yieldable.
  • the contact element 12"' has a pleat 23 formed in its perimeter thereby allowing it to be yieldable.
  • the contact element 12"" is a standard rigid washer and the diameter of its inner opening is such that the washer can tilt on the bar 14, e.g. yield, between fixed spacers 27,27 secured to the bar 14 from an unloaded condition (Fig. 3g) to a loaded condition (Fig. 3h).
  • each contact element 12,12 has open ends 32,34, which are disposed in a side-by-side manner so as to be offset from one another in a non-engaging manner. Since the outer diameter OD of the spacer bar 14 is preferably smaller than the inner diameter D1 of the opening 30 of the contact element 12, the lateral offset OF between the ends 32 and 34 of the contact spring allows each contact spring when engaged by the parallel spaced apart contact plates 5,5' to be compressed radially about the corresponding one of the spacer bars 14,14 to which it is mounted to effect positive contact between one contact element 7 on one plate 5 and the corresponding contact element 7 on the opposite plate 5'.
  • each spacer element is preferably made from an insulative material so as to electrically isolate adjacent contact elements from one another on the common spacer bar.
  • Spacer 16 could be made, for example, from plastic or an elastomer. Since each spacer bar 14,14 is also made from a non-conductive material, each contact element 12,12 is positioned on each spacer bar 14 such that each is electrically isolated from the other contact elements 12 on the same bar.
  • spacer elements 16,16' as shown in the embodiment of these figures, have a longitudinally extending slit 36 enabling it to be snap fitted over bar 14 and to be more versatile to adapt to varying and different diameters of the spacer bars and to accommodate manufacturing variation.
  • spacer elements as shown in Figures 6 and 7 which have a complete and uninterrupted annulus, and thus have N° such longitudinal slot formed therein.
  • the spacers of Fig. 6 and 7 have lengths L1 and L2, respectively, which could be different. Such differing lengths allow almost infinite combinations of spacings to be made between connector contact elements 12,12 to position each connector contact element 12 in registration with the corresponding pair (upper and lower ones of the conductive elements 7,7) on each of the oppositely disposed components 5,5'. Thus, by varying combinations of the spacers 16 and 16' positioning of the connector contact elements 12 can be infinitely effected. It should be further understood that each of the spacers 16,16' can be freely slidable along the spacer bar 14 about which it is disposed.
  • Each opposed pair of openings 20,20 formed in the frame 10 of the array 2 slidably receives a spacer bar 14 therein.
  • Each spacer bar 14 has a length L which is longer than the width dimension W of the frame 10 defined between opposed inner side faces of the frame 10.
  • each spacer bar 14,14 can be inserted through one of the openings 20,20 in each opposed opening pair, and thereafter fed through the interior confine 13 of the frame. While each spacer bar is being pushed into the interior confine 13 of the frame, alternating contact elements 12,12 and spacers 16,16' are inserted over the fed length of the spacer bar in accordance with the specifications of the job. Once this is complete, the spacer bar assembly 25 provides the ends of the spacer bar 14 with a small uncovered length.
  • the uncovered length remains within the corresponding one of the openings pairs in the frame.
  • the outer faces 40,40 of the frame 10 in which the openings 20,20 are formed are capped by dowels or other like structure so as to secure the spacer rod against movement relative to the frame and within the confines 13.
  • retention structure such as a cotter pin, could secure rod 16 in frame 10 as a suitable retainer.
  • frame 10 could be formed from several components that are built up around rods 16.
  • the assembly illustrated includes a spacer bar referenced generally as 50 and is formed from an elastometic material, such as rubber.
  • Each such spacer bar 50 has integrally formed with it a plurality of spacer bosses 42,42 located along the length thereof.
  • these bosses are of an outer diameter which is slightly larger than the inner diameters D1 of the contact elements 12,12, yet are smaller in diameter than the outer diameter circumference of each of the contact elements 12,12.
  • the bosses 42,42 act to capture the contact element 12 disposed therebetween from unwanted axial movement within the gap between each boss.
  • the assembly is fabricated by pulling the free ends 60,62 of the bar in the directions shown by the arrows to elongate it, and thereby reduce the outer diameter of the bosses. In so doing, one or more contact elements can be slid over the bosses until located in the designated gap defined by two consecutively spaced boss elements. Thereafter, the ends of the spacer bar can be released and the contact rims will be held in place thereon.
  • Fig. 11 displays an alternative arrangement of the present invention.
  • the frame 10 is used as a connection between two perpendicularly oriented circuit boards, namely, board PCB1 and PCB2. That is, the frame 10 is located relative to boards PCB1 and PCB2 such that PCB2 is received within gap 70 disposed between opposed rows of contact elements 12,12, while simultaneously, these contact elements are also in contact with corresponding contact surfaces 74 and 76 on board PCB1.

Landscapes

  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Manufacturing Of Electrical Connectors (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
EP03001369A 1999-10-20 2000-10-17 Douilles à profil mince et haute densité et sa methode de fabrication Expired - Lifetime EP1315244B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US42171699A 1999-10-20 1999-10-20
US421716 1999-10-20
EP20000122236 EP1094556B1 (fr) 1999-10-20 2000-10-17 Douilles à profil mince et à haute densité

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20000122236 Division EP1094556B1 (fr) 1999-10-20 2000-10-17 Douilles à profil mince et à haute densité

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1315244A1 true EP1315244A1 (fr) 2003-05-28
EP1315244B1 EP1315244B1 (fr) 2004-12-22

Family

ID=23671739

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20000122236 Expired - Lifetime EP1094556B1 (fr) 1999-10-20 2000-10-17 Douilles à profil mince et à haute densité
EP03001369A Expired - Lifetime EP1315244B1 (fr) 1999-10-20 2000-10-17 Douilles à profil mince et haute densité et sa methode de fabrication

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20000122236 Expired - Lifetime EP1094556B1 (fr) 1999-10-20 2000-10-17 Douilles à profil mince et à haute densité

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (2) EP1094556B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2001155804A (fr)
DE (2) DE60002412T2 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005119849A1 (fr) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-15 Molex Incorporated Contact par anneau de frottage flexible
WO2005119848A1 (fr) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-15 Molex Incorporated Systeme d'interconnexion a bagues flexibles

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2006066407A (ja) * 2005-11-21 2006-03-09 Micro Precision Kk シリコン製ばね電極および異方性導電シート

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5030109A (en) * 1990-08-24 1991-07-09 Amp Incorporated Area array connector for substrates
US5061191A (en) * 1990-12-21 1991-10-29 Amp Incorporated Canted coil spring interposing connector
US5232372A (en) * 1992-05-11 1993-08-03 Amp Incorporated Land grid array connector and method of manufacture
US5273438A (en) * 1992-08-19 1993-12-28 The Whitaker Corporation Canted coil spring array and method for producing the same
US5397240A (en) * 1993-10-26 1995-03-14 International Business Machines Corporation Electrical connector

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3638163A (en) * 1970-07-20 1972-01-25 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Connector for electrically interconnecting two parallel surfaces
GB1431185A (en) * 1972-10-31 1976-04-07 Int Computers Ltd Electrical connectors and to methods for making electrical connec tors
US4142780A (en) * 1974-03-29 1979-03-06 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Exchangeable liquid crystal panel
GB1536589A (en) * 1976-05-15 1978-12-20 Int Computers Ltd Electrical connectors and to methods for making electrical connectors

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5030109A (en) * 1990-08-24 1991-07-09 Amp Incorporated Area array connector for substrates
US5061191A (en) * 1990-12-21 1991-10-29 Amp Incorporated Canted coil spring interposing connector
US5232372A (en) * 1992-05-11 1993-08-03 Amp Incorporated Land grid array connector and method of manufacture
US5273438A (en) * 1992-08-19 1993-12-28 The Whitaker Corporation Canted coil spring array and method for producing the same
US5397240A (en) * 1993-10-26 1995-03-14 International Business Machines Corporation Electrical connector

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005119849A1 (fr) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-15 Molex Incorporated Contact par anneau de frottage flexible
WO2005119848A1 (fr) * 2004-05-28 2005-12-15 Molex Incorporated Systeme d'interconnexion a bagues flexibles
US7189079B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2007-03-13 Molex Incorporated Electro-formed ring interconnection system
US7229291B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2007-06-12 Molex Incorporated Flexible ring interconnection system
US7273380B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2007-09-25 Molex Incorporated Flexible ring interconnection system
US7284991B2 (en) 2004-05-28 2007-10-23 Molex Incorporated Flexible scrub ring contact
KR100883455B1 (ko) 2004-05-28 2009-02-16 몰렉스 인코포레이티드 가요성의 문지름 링 접촉부

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE60002412D1 (de) 2003-06-05
DE60016982T2 (de) 2005-12-29
EP1094556A3 (fr) 2001-10-24
EP1094556B1 (fr) 2003-05-02
DE60002412T2 (de) 2004-03-11
EP1094556A2 (fr) 2001-04-25
JP2001155804A (ja) 2001-06-08
DE60016982D1 (de) 2005-01-27
EP1315244B1 (fr) 2004-12-22

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4593463A (en) Method of making a contact assembly
US8367942B2 (en) Low profile electrical interposer of woven structure and method of making same
US8118604B2 (en) Socket connector having electrical element supported by insulated elastomer
US7029288B2 (en) Electrical contact and connector and method of manufacture
US7572131B2 (en) Electrical interconnect system utilizing non-conductive elastomeric elements
US20080003844A1 (en) Pressure contact connector
WO1994023475A1 (fr) Element de contact conique pousse par un ressort
US7833020B1 (en) Electrical connector with low profile terminal
CN101373866B (zh) 带有弹性元件的电连接器
CN101494330B (zh) 堆叠电接触片
US9077127B2 (en) Connector assembly
EP0437606A1 (fr) Connecteurs electriques.
US8172615B2 (en) Electrical connector for an electronic module
JP4036376B2 (ja) コネクタ
EP1120870A2 (fr) Adaptateur de terminaison pour plaque de circuit imprimé
EP1094556B1 (fr) Douilles à profil mince et à haute densité
KR101852862B1 (ko) 반도체 테스트용 양방향 컨텍트 모듈 및 이를 이용한 반도체 테스트 소켓
US6989994B2 (en) Circuit board sub-assemblies, methods for manufacturing same, electronic signal filters including same, and methods, for manufacturing electronic signal filters including same
NZ202553A (en) Socket interfacing chip carrier with p.c.b.
US7168958B1 (en) Wadded-wire LGA contact with parallel solid conductor
US20070054531A1 (en) Land grid array electrical connector
US5823792A (en) Wire-wrap connector
US6142794A (en) Low cost pin retention socket
CN102655307A (zh) 用于电子模块的电连接器
JP4550564B2 (ja) 電気部品用ソケット

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

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 1094556

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20030929

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20031119

AKX Designation fees paid

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

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

Owner name: FCI

AC Divisional application: reference to earlier application

Ref document number: 1094556

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: P

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): DE FR GB IT

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 FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT;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: 20041222

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 60016982

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 20050127

Kind code of ref document: P

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

Effective date: 20050923

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

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20070918

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20071031

Year of fee payment: 8

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

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20071004

Year of fee payment: 8

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20081017

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20090630

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20090501

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: 20081031

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 NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20081017