US2566805A

US2566805A - Multiple connector

Info

Publication number: US2566805A
Application number: US63543A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward J Lavander
Original assignee: HENRY POSNER; RICHARD P POSNER
Current assignee: HENRY POSNER; RICHARD P POSNER
Priority date: 1948-12-04
Filing date: 1948-12-04
Publication date: 1951-09-04
Anticipated expiration: 1968-09-04

Description

Sept. 4, 1951 E. J. LAVANDER 'MULTIPLE CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 INVENTIOR. BY Edward Jlauarz I" Sept. 4, 1951 E. J. LAVANDER MULTIPLE CONNECTOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 4, 1948 INVENTOR. Edward J. Laucmder BY.

flak 4 6223555.

Patented Sept. 4, 1951 2,566,805 MULTIPLE CONNECTOR Edward J. Lavander, Chicago, 111., assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, of one-half to Henry Posner and one-half to Richard P.

Posner Application December 4, 1948, Serial No. 63,543

6 Claims.

This invention relates to a multiple connector and has as an object the provision of a simple, inexpensive, improved device of that category.

According to this invention, contacts are mounted on sheets of insulating material, one or more of such contact-bearing sheets forming a jack assembly and an equal number of contactbearing sheets forming a plug assembly for in= sertion in the jack assembly. Preferably the contacts are in the form of a strip of conducting material and each is woven through a pair of slots in the insulating sheet. On one surface of the sheet there is thereby presented an uninterrupted portion of the conducting strip which forms the contact corresponding to that particular strip. since the strip will normally be somewhat rounded in contour where it passes through the two slits in the sheet, the contact surface will inherently be bowed resiliently outwardly from the surface of the sheet. This results in a good contact and greatly reduces the danger of failure of contact. In the multiple connectors constructed in accordance with the prior art, failure of contact is a common fault. This is a source of considerable inconvenience since the location of the faulty connection in an apparently completed circuit involves the application of testing apparatus to the various elements of the circuit. The virtual elimination of contact failure resulting from the use of multiple connectors constructed in accordance with this invention, accordingly represents a great saving in maintenance.

Two portions of each strip adjacent the contact surface appear on the opposite surface of the sheet; therefore, where a pair of contactbearing sheets are used in the plug assembly, it is desirable that a third, substantially uninterrupted sheet of insulating material be positioned between the two contact-bearing sheets in order to insulate the contacts on one sheet from the contacts on the other sheet.

Accordingly, it is another object of this invention to provide an improved multiple connector in which good electrical connection between contacts is reliably maintained.

It is another object of this invention to provide an improved multiple connector in which relatively thin and resilient contacts are adequately supported by sheets of insulating material both in the plug assembly and in the jack assembly.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved multiple connector in which the contacts are in such formas to be inherently resilient and in which at the same time the con- 2 tacts are so supported as to be well protected against permanent deformation.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved multiple connector having the advantages mentioned above while at thesame time containing a large number of well insulated contacts in a relatively small space.

This invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring more specifically to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a multiple connector constructed in accordance with this invention showing the plug assembly inserted in the jack assembly;

Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same connector but showing the plug assembly withdrawn from the jack assembly;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of another multiple connector constructed in accordance with this invention and showing the plug assembly inserted in the jack assembly;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the same connector showing the plug assembly withdrawn from the jack assembly; and i Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the connector taken along the line $-ii of Fig. 5.

The multiple connector shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 provides a double set of contacts. The plug assembly ll includes two sheets of insulating material 12 having pairs of longitudinally ex- "tending laterally spaced slots l3. Througheach pair of slots is woven a contact strip i i in such manner that an uninterrupted central portion it of the contact strip appears on the outer susface of the sheet [2.

The conducting strip resists bending where it passes through slots H with the result that the contact portion bows resiliently outwardly from sheet l2. This resiliency of the contact In is very desirable as it permits a pressure contact between corresponding contacts while permittingsome leeway in mechanical spacing of the contacts.

One end of each conducting strip i4 extends outwardly of the plug assembly and has :a small opening I6 for convenient connection of a conducting lead therewith.

As is best seen in Fig. 3 portionsof the con- 56 ductingstrip [4 appear on the inner faceo'f sheet.

3 12. Where two contact-bearing sheets are employed in the plug assembly, as in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a third sheet of insulating material [1 is inserted between sheets l2 in order to insure electrical insulation of the contacts mounted on one sheet from the contacts mounted on the other contact-bearing sheet. The three sheets are held together by rivets or screws [8 or any suitable fasteners and are mounted on posts l9 having feet l9a for convenient handling or support.

The jack assembly 2| includes a pair of sheets of insulating material 22 very similar to the sheets l2 in the plug assembly. Pairs of longitudinally extending slots 23are arranged transversely to each other so that conductor strips 24 can be woven through the slots and thereby secured to sheets 22.. tlons 25 of the strips are exposed on the inner faces of sheets 22 and form the contacts for the jack assembly. These contact portions 25 will be bowed resiliently inwardly fro-m plates 22 for the same reason and for the same purpose as stated above in the description of the plu assembly. Contacts 25 are, of course, spaced longitudinally so as to align with respective con-= tacts I5 01 plug member II.

One end of each conductor strip extends outwardly from the jack assembly and has a small opening 26 for convenient attachment of a conducting lead.

As in the case of the plug assembly, two end portions of the conducting strips 24 are exposed on the outer surfaces of sheets 22. In order to protect these portions of the strips from accidental contact with other apparatus, an insulating sheet 21 is arranged adjacent and outwardly of the sheets 22.

Sheets 22 and sheets 21 are fastened to each other and to end plates 28 by any suitable means.

In the embodiment shown, metal flanges 29 are fastened between

plates

22 and 21 by rivets or screws 29a, whereby

plates

22 and 21 and flanges 29 are secured together as a unit. Two tabs 29b, each forming a par-t of flange 29, extend through openings in end plate 28 and are twisted as plainly seen in Figs. 1 and 2 to secure flanges 29 and plates 22 and 2'! to end plate 28.

Bars 30 are arranged perpendicular to plates 21 and, therefore, serve as beams to support the sheets against lateral displacement. This is desirable, particularly when the connector is made of substantial length, in order to prevent bowing of sheets 22 and to insure good electrical contact between respective plug and jack contacts near the center of the connector. Bars 39 pass through openings in end plates 28 and are secured thereto by crimping the edge of the end plates to pinch bars 30 as seen in Figs. 1' and 2.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the spacing between the sheets 22 is designed to permit the insertion of the plug assembly ll therebetween and that contacts 25 are longitudinally spaced to correspond with contacts [5 when the plug assembly is inserted in the jack assembly. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, ten circuits are controlled by the one multiple connector. It is apparent that a larger number of circuits can be so controlled by lengthening the connector and adding contacts.

In Fig. 2 it will be seen that the post [9 at one end of the plug assembly is made to extend a substantial distance above the upper edges of sheets l2 and I1. This extension serves as a guide when slipping the jack assembly over the plus a sembly. w n inserting t Pl s Uninterrupted central por-.

sembly in the j ack assembly. The distance which the plug assembly can enter the jack assembly is limited by the engagement of the upper edge of plates I2 with the upper portion of flanges 29. The spacing is, of course, such that when this engagement is effected respective contacts 1 and 25 are in alignment.

The spacing between facing edges of flanges 29 at one end of the jack assembly (the right-hand end in Figs. 1 and 2) is such that the extended plug post l9 cannot pass therebetween. Accordingly, the plug and jack assemblies can be put into contacting or operative position only while in the proper end-to-end relationship: the flanges 29 cooperating with the elongated plug post l9 to index the two assemblies.

This multiple connector has numerous advantages over th'ose previously known in the art. In the case of either assembly, the only exposed portions of the conductors are the contacts and the connecting tabs. The contacts in both assemblies are inherently resiliently bowed with the result that good electrical contact can be obtained without resorting to meticulous spacing of the contacts. A good wiping contact is obtained as the plug is inserted in the jack and there are no square edges interfering with'the insertion or the withdrawal of the plug assembly. Because of the simplicity of the connectorand its relatively small number of parts, the connector is economical to manufacture and has an inherently durable design.

In Figs. 4, 5 and 6, a similar connector is shown which has only a single set of pairs of contacts. The parts of these connectors have been given the same number designations as corresponding parts in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 and; accordingly, it is believed to be unnecessary to discuss completely the construction of this connector. The only material difference, other than the fact that there is only one set of pairs of contacts, lies in the end structure. End plates 28 are bent over to form flanges 28a. These flanges form the rear side of the jack and hold the plug assembly in position.

The connector shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 is useful where space is limited in' one direction or where it is desired to mount the jack assembly against a flat surface such as a panel board.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown, it will be understood, of course, that the invention is not limited thereto since many modifications may be made, and it is, therefore, contemplated by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a1jack assembly, said jack assembly comprising .a receptacle for said plug assembly, each of said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material, a plurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings in said. sheet, said end portions of each of said members being bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and said intermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet, and a second sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to and closely spaced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lying alongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet to confine said end portions of said contact elements.

2. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly, said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly, each of said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material, a plurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings in said sheet, said end portions of each of said members being bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and said intermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet, and a second sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to and closely spaced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lying alongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet to confine said end portions of said contact elements, said intermediate portion of each said contact elements being spaced a short distance away from said opposite surface of said first-mentioned sheet.

3. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly, said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly, each of said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material. a plurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings in said sheet, said end portions of each of said members being bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and said intermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet. and a second sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to and closely s aced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lying alongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet to confine said end portions of said contact elements, said intermediate portion of each said contact elements being spaced a short distance away from said opposite surface of said first-mentioned sheet, and said elements being composed of resilient and flexible material.

4. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly, said plug assembly including a pair of substantially parallel and closely-spaced sheets of insulating material having facing surfaces, a plurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings in said sheets, said end portions of each of said elements being bent to extend along the facing surface of one of said sheets, and said intermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite or outer surface of said sheet, and a third substantially uninterrupted sheet of insulating material arranged between said two sheets, said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly and including electrical contacts spaced to engage said contact members of said plug assembly when said plug assembly is inserted in said jack assembly.

5. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly, said plug assembly including a pair of substantially parallel and closely-spaced sheets of insulating material having facing surfaces, a plurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pair of openings in said sheets, said end portions of each of said elements being bent to extend along the facing surface of one of said sheets, and said intermediate portion of each of said members extending alongside and approximately parallel to the opposite or outer surface of said sheet,andathird substantially uninterrupted sheet of insulating material arranged between said two sheets, said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly and including a pair of spaced, substantially parallel sheets of insulating material, a plurality of contact members each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings in said sheets, said intermediate portions of said members extending alongside and approximately parallel to the inner or facing surfaces of said jack assembly sheets, said end portions of said members being bent to extend along the opposite or outer surfaces of said jack assembly sheets, and a pair of substantially uninterrupted sheets of insulating material arranged substantially parallel to and closely spaced with respect to said first-mentioned jack assembly sheets and lying alongside said outer surfaces of said first-mentioned jack assembly sheets.

6. A multiple connector comprising a plug assembly and a jack assembly, said jack assembly comprising a receptacle for said plug assembly, each of said assemblies including a sheet of insulating material, and a plurality of elongated sheetlike contact members, each having an intermediate portion and end portions, said contact members extending through pairs of openings in said sheet, said end portions of each of said members being bent to extend along one surface of said sheet, and said intermediate portion of each of said members extending along side and approximately parallel to the opposite surface of said sheet, said plug assembly also including a second sheet of insulating material substantially parallel to and closely spaced with respect to said first-mentioned sheet and lying alongside one surface of said first-mentioned sheet, said jack assembly also including means for bracing said insulating sheet of said jack assembly, said means presenting a flat insulated surface arranged substantially parallel to and closely spaced with respect to said insulating sheet and lying alongside said one surface of said firstmentioned sheet.

EDWARD J. LAVANDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,718,529 Coldwell June 25, 1929 2,157,428 Obszarny May 9, 1939 2,261,979 Domizi Nov. 11, 1941