GB2149233A

GB2149233A - Kit of connectors for building electronic circuits

Info

Publication number: GB2149233A
Application number: GB08427360A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Bradley
Original assignee: Lock & Co Ltd A M
Current assignee: Lock & Co Ltd A M
Priority date: 1983-11-03
Filing date: 1984-10-30
Publication date: 1985-06-05
Also published as: GB8427360D0; GB8329354D0

Abstract

Apparatus for building electronic circuits for teaching, research or hobby purposes comprises a kit of parts consisting of male electrically conductive connectors 20 in the form of pins or pillars and electronic components 20, conductors, I.Cs. and printed circuit boards to each of which is electrically connected an electrically conductive planar female connector 27, 39, 40 having at least two opposed contact points. A pin or pillar 20 can be releasably inserted through two or more female connectors so that the connections at the pin or pillar lie in parallel flat planes spaced along the length of the pin or pillar to provide a clear visual presentation (Figs. 10, 11 not shown) of the interrelationship of the various parts of the circuit. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Apparatus for building electronic circuit arrangements This invention relates to apparatus for building electronic circuit arrangements, and relates more particularly to such apparatus to be used in teaching electronic theory and circuitry or in electronic circuity research and development.

The invention is particularly concerned to provide, for such apparatus, a connective system for quick and easy assembly and disassembly of electronic circuitry including electronic components, conductors, and microelectronic circuits (the latter for convenience being simply referred to hereinafter and in the claims as While electronic circuitry building apparatus is presently widely used for education, training and hobby purposes the use of l.Cs. in such apparatus often, due to their multiplicity of connections, produces a meaningless jumble of wires with little or no obvious visual relationship to the theoretical electronic circuit diagram from reference to which the learner, researcher of hobbyist to building his circuit from the apparatus.

Such an unintelligible and confusing jumble of wires is often colloquially referred to as "spaghetti" or "bird-nesting" and it is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic circuitry building apparatus which obviates or mitigates such jumble.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for building electronic circuit arrangements comprising male and female electrically-conductive connectors adapted for disconnectible electrical connection to form an electronic circuit with the connections lying in parallel flat planes.

Preferably, the or each male connector is an electrically-conductive pin or pillar adapted releasably in spaced parallel planes along its length.

Preferably, the or each female connector comprises a planar configuration or formation adapted resiliently to engage a pin or pillar to make a good electrical connection under tension.

The present invention also provides a kit of parts for building electronic circuit arrangements comprising electrically-conductive pins or pillars, and electronic components, conductors and or l.Cs. to which are electrically connected electrically-conductive female connectors of planar construction, the female connectors, when connected to the pins or pillars, making parallel flat connections with same.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a male pin or pillar employed in the apparatus; Figure 2 is a perspective view of one form of female connector employed in the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the female connector of Fig. 2. with an electronic component attached thereto; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second form of female connector employed in the apparatus; Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a printed circuit board employed in the apparatus; Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the female connector of Fig. 4 and the printed circuit board of Fig. 5 combined for use in the apparatus; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a third form of female connector with combined electronic component employed in the apparatus; Figure 8 is a perspective view showing three separate variations of the female connector of Fig. 7; Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating multi-connection of female conectors with a male pin or pillar;; Figures 10 and 11 are, respectively, diagrammatic views of an electronic circuit built from the apparatus of the present invention and the theoretical circuit diagram from which the circuit has been built; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fourth form of female connector employed in the apparatus.

The electronic circuit building apparatus comprises a multiplicity of electrically conductive male pins or pillars 20 which may be loose as indicated in Fig. 1, or be temporarily interconnected by being plugged into apertures in a perforated insulating assembly or mounting board as generally indicated at 21 in Fig. 10.

Each male pin or pillar 20 has a reduced end 22 to facilitate its connection with a female connector to be described shortly, and an enlarged head or cap 23 to prevent inadvertent or undesirable dis-connection of a female connector therefrom. Such head or cap 23 is, however, not essential and may be omitted.

The male pin or pillar 20 is made from electrically conductive metal. Alternatively, it is made from a non-conductive material plated with electrically-conductive metal.

One form of female connector 24 (Fig. 2) is formed from an electrically conductive resilient element, for example a metal spring wire.

The spring connector 24 is configured to provide two different-length limbs 25, 26 joined by a circular formation 27. The latter is dimensioned resiliently to embrace the main body 28 of the male pin or pillar 20 after the latter has been inserted reduced end 22 first into the circular formation i.e. the inner diameter of the circular formation 27 is slightly less than the diameter of the main body 28.

Thus, there is a good electrical connection, under tension, between the pin or pillar 20 and the female connector 24.

Like the pin or pillar 20, the female can be formed of non-conductive material plated with electrically conductive metal.

To the female connector 24 is electrically connected an electronic component, conductor, l.Cs. or printed circuit tracks. This female connector 24 is suitable for connection to discrete electronic component terminations or terminals or conductors.

In Fig. 3 there is shown electrically connected to a female connector 24 an electronic component 29, whereof its termination or terminal 30 is soldered as indicated at 31 to the longer limb 25 of the female connector 24. The connection may alternatively be made by crimping termination 30 to the limb 25 or by any other method producing a good electrically conductive connection.

If desired, after connection, a resilient (rubber or plastics) insulating sleeve 32 may be slid over the limbs 25, 26 to assist the normal gripping action of the spring connector 24.

A second form of electrically-conductive female connector 34 is shown in Fig. 4 which is suitable for connection to printed circuit tracks 35 (see Figs. 5 and 6) of a printed circuit board 36. This female connector 34 is particularly suitable for connection to the pins of l.Cs. by means of connections to the tracks 35 to which they are connected or are to be connected.

The prir.ted circuit board 36 has a circular aperture 37 which extends through the track 35, to which an l.Cs. pin will be connected, the aperture 37 being of a diameter through which a male pin or pillar 20 can freely pass.

Adjacent the circular apertures 37 is a pair of small side-by-side holes 38 spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between two parallel limbs 39, 40 of the female connector 34. These linbs 39, 40 are connected by a Uformation 41 at right angles to the limbs 39, 40.

The female connector 34 is joined to the printed circuit board 36 by inserting the free ends of its limbs 39, 40 into the holes 38 and pushing the female connector into the position where its limbs 39, 40 lie in electrically-conductive contact with the track 35 bridging the aperture 37 and the Formation 41 lies normal to and extending through the printed circuit board 36. After insertion, the limbs 39, 40 are soldered to, or otherwise electrically conductively joined to the printed circuit track 35.

The spacing between the limbs 39, 40 is slightly less than the diameter of a male pin or pillar 20 so that when the latter is inserted between the limbs 39, 40 there is a good electrical connection under tension.

Alternative electrically-conductive female connectors for joining to discrete component terminations or conductors are illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8.

In this example the female connector is an electrically conductive spring element 42 (e.g.

a spring wire) of U-configuration with a long limb 43 and a short limb 44, a discrete electronic component 45 being suitably connected, as aforesaid, to the long limb 43.

The spacing between the limbs 43, 44 is less than the diameter of the main body 28 of a male pin or pillar 20. To assist good electrical contact, under tension, between a female connector 42 and a male pin or pillar there is preferably additionally provided to connect the limbs 43, 44 either a resilient (rubber or plastics) insulating sleeve 45 diametrically apertured as indicated at 46 to permit pin or pillar insertion, or a pair of resilient insulating rings 47, 48 which may be separate or joined by bridge pieces 49, or a simple insulating block 50 with a bore 51 therethrough for pin or pillar insertion.

Reference is now made to Fig. 9.

Here there is shown a single male pin or pillar 20 electrically connected via two female connectors 24 and one female connector 34 two discrete electronic components 29 and the printed circuit track 35 of a printed circuit board 36.

The male pin or pillar 20 is simply inserted through the two circular formations 27 and between the limbs 39, 40 to make the electrical connection. The arrows indicating the limbs 39, 40 being spread slightly apart as the pin or pillar 20 enters therebetween. It will be manifest that withdrawal of the pin or pillar 20 breaks the electrical connection between the various circuit components.

It is important to note that the female connectors at the male pin or pillar lie in parallel, flat planes which ensures an excellent visual relationship with the theoretical circuit diagram being buit.

Thus there is no presence of "spaghetti" or "bird-nesting" at the connections.

The female connectors, at the male pin or pillar can, moreover, be in close proximity to each other thus permitting a substantial number of connections, if required, at a single location without any loss of the aforesaid visual relationship.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate respectively an electronic circuit built from electronic components, conductors, l.Cs. and printed circuit boards all connected together without the presence of "spaghetti" or "bird-nesting" employing the connective system of the present invention (male pins or pillars 20 and female connectors 24, 34 and 42 for example), and the theoretical circuit (Fig. 11) from which the actual working circuit (Fig.

10) is created.

Finally referring to Fig. 1 2 there is shown a fourth electrically-conductive female connector 53 resiliently mounted with an insulating housing 54 with a central bore or ring 55 bridged by a pair of parallel limbs 56, 57 of the female connector 53. The spacing between the limbs 56, 57 is slightly less than the diameter of the main body 28 of a male pin or pillar 20.

A discrete electronic component or conductor (not shown) is suitably soldered crimped or otherwise connected to the female connector 53.

It will be understood that the length of the male pins or pillars will be determined by the number of female connectors through which it is to be inserted.

If a number of pins or pillars are to be inserted into a number of female connectors in close proximity, for example on a printed circuit board, then the pins or pillars may be interconnected by, for example, being moulded in insulating material so that they can be inserted or withdrawn together in a single movement.

Claims

1. Apparatus for building electronic circuit arrangements comprising male and female electrically-conductive connectors adapted for disconnectible electrical connection to form an electronic circuit with the connections lying in parallel flat planes.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the or each male connector is an electrically-conductive pin or pillar adapted releasably to receive a plurality of female connectors in spaced parallel planes along its length.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the or each pin or pillar has a smaller dimensioned end to facilitate insertion of the pin or pillar into a female connector.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, in which the pin or pillar has at its other end an enlargement or cap to prevent inadvertent disconnection of a connected female connector.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, in which the or each female connector comprises a planar configuration or formation adapted resiliently to engage a pin or pillar to make a good electrical connection under tension.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, in which the or each female connector resiliently grips a pin or pillar at at least a pair of opposed points disposed in a single plane.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the female connector has a circular formation adapted closely to embrace a pin or pillar with two limbs extending from the circular formation and to one of which a discrete electronic component or conductor is electrically connected, the circular formation and limbs lying in a single plane.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 in which the component or conductor connecting limb is longer than the other.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8, comprising an insulating ring or sleeve resiliently surrounding the limbs.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the female connector has a U-formation adapted closely to embrace the pin or pillar with one limb being longer than the other and the longer limb having electrically thereto a discrete electronic component or conductor, the limbs of the U lying in a single plane.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the limbs are resiliently connected by an insulating sleeve apertured at right angles to its bore for insertion of the pin or pillar.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the limbs are accommodated in a resilient insulating block with a bore therethrough normal to the plane of the limbs for pin or pillar insertion.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, in which the limbs are resliently connected by a pair of spaced insulating rings.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 13, in which the pair of rings are interconnected.

1 5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 in which there or each female connector comprises a pair of parallel limbs disposed in a single plane joined by a Formation disposed in a plane at right angles to the plane containing the limbs and adapted for connection to the printed circuit track of a printed circuit board.

1 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15, comprising a printed circuit board having a printed circuit track apertured freely to receive a male pin or pillar with the female connector limbs electrically connected to the track and bridging the aperture resiliently and electrically to engage a pin or pillar and the Uformation disposed normal to and traversing the printed circuit board and track.

1 7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which the printed circuit board and track adjacent the aperture are traversed by a pair of holes through which the female connector limbs pass to lie in contact with the printed circuit track.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, in which the female connector comprises an insulating body with a central bore or ring across which extend in a single plane a pair of parallel electrically-conductive limbs adapted to make electrical connection with a pin or pillar.

1 9. Apparatus for building electronic circuit arrangements substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

20. A kit of parts for building electronic circuit arrangements comprising electricallyconductive pins or pillars, and electronic components, conductors and/or l.Cs. to which are electrically connected electrically-conductive female connectors of planar construction, the female connectors, when connected to the pins or pillars, making parallel flat connections with same.

21. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 20 including male and female connectors as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 1 9.