IE42522L - Electrical connection device - Google Patents

Abstract

1480721 Electrical connectors F R BONHOMME 12 March 1976 [20 March 1975 6 Feb 1976] 10053/76 Heading H2E An electrical connection device comprises resilient contact members 3 fixed at one end to a first rigid insulating support, e.g. frame 1, which in use resiliently contact at an active region 4 of each member 3 a respective conducting track of a second insulating board, e.g. printed circuit board 2. The device further includes at least one slide 10, 11, a movable end 3f of each member 3 being embedded in the, or a respective, slide, movement of the slide causing opening of the contacts in one sense and closing in a second sense. The contact members each comprise two substantially rectilinear portions 3d, 3e situated between movable end 3f and a hinge portion 3c, the junction of portions 3d, 3e constituting the active regions 4. As described, slides 10, 11 are provided with pins 21 having rollers 22, thereon which engage in curved slots 18 in metal slides 16, 17. Thus movement of the slides 16, 17 effected by a lever 25 causes pins 21 to move along the slots 18 and hence open or close the contacts depending upon the direction of slide 16, 17 movement. Further, pins 23 engaging in slots 19 of the slides 16, 17 are fixed to end plates 20 defining a chamfered entry aperture 32 for the second insulating board. The directions of curvature of the slots 18, 19 is such that the board 2 cannot enter aperture 32 if the contacts are in their closed position and is locked in position upon contact closing, a recess 39 in the board 2 being engaged by a respective end plate 20. The hinge portion 3c may comprise a single turn as shown or two arcs of opposite curvature, the hinge portion 3c producing a prestressing force that maintains the movable end 3f engaged in position. The end portion 3f may be soldered in a hole or crimped around the edge of the slide. The contact members may be of round wire as shown or of metal strip (Fig. 9, not shown). During closing of the contacts, the active region 4 slides along its respective conducting track with increasing pressure. A plurality of active regions 4 may be produced by forming undulation in the wire of the members 4 or by twisting wires together &c. [GB1480721A]