US3396358A

US3396358A - Connecting matrix structure

Info

Publication number: US3396358A
Application number: US590590A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ballard Bruce; Pizer Ron
Original assignee: ELPAC Inc
Current assignee: ELPAC Inc
Priority date: 1966-10-31
Filing date: 1966-10-31
Publication date: 1968-08-06
Anticipated expiration: 1985-08-06

Description

Aug. 6, 1968 B, BALLARD ET AL 3,396,358

CONNECTING MATRX STRUCTURE Po/v INVENTOR;

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed OCT.. 31. 1966 #Trata/fr;

Aug. 6, 1968 BI BALLARD ET AL 3,396,358

CONNECTING MATRIX STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Shee 2 Filed Oct, 3l, 1966 #rra/@yam United States Patent O 3,396,358 CONNECTING MATRIX STRUCTURE Bruce Ballard, Costa Mesa, and Ron Pizer, Palos Verdesv Estates, Calif., assignors to Elpac, Inc., a company of California Filed Oct. 31, 1966, Ser. No. 590,590 9 Claims. (Cl. 339-18) ABSTRACT vF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a terminal connection structure and more particularly to a terminal matrix for variously interconnecting electrical circuit paths in accordance with pre-arranged patterns.

Various electrical computers, automatic control systems, data-processing machines and related apparatus commonly employed electrical signals representative of numerical values and other data. In one form of such apparatus, the representative signals are made up by binary digital indications each of which manifests one of two binary states. These signals are variously combined and manipulated within the system by various logic elements, e.g., and gates etc., to accomplish ythe desired data-processing or computation operations. As examples, the signals might be manipulated within a system to accomplish an arthimetic combination, to simultate various processes, or to provide current inventories of stock items.

In using certain forms of apparatus employing digital signals, as well as in other electrical apparatus, it frequently becomes desirable, or necessary, to electrically interconnect component portions of a total system. In many prior structures terminal panels are provided, not only for connecting one component to another but also to programs or interconnect various internal circuits within a component, in accordance with a specic scheme of operation. A variety of different terminal-interconnect apparatus has been available in the past; however, in general, such structures have had attendant disadvantages. As a result considerable need exists at present for a compact, economical terminal structure which may be emlployed to accomplish dilferent electrical connections and which may be readily altered or changed with speed and ease, and also which may be designed to have a prolonged life, relativley free of required maintenance. Accordingly, it is an object hereof to provide an improved structure which obviates certain difliculties and disadvantages of prior apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved terminal board or interconnect matrix, which may be economically manufactured in a compact form, and which is reliable, convenient to use and flexible to accomplish different predetermined electrical-connection patterns and which can incorporate circuit elements.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical contact pin jack or plug, incorporating an elongate shaft, and at least one pivot mount aixed to extend transversly from said shaft so as to support an electrical contact which may be -pivotally moved between two positions of alignment with the shaft, where- 3,395,358 Patented Aug. 6, 1968 ICC by to acocomlish predetermined electrical connections when mated with contacts of a receptacle structure.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical contact pin incorporating a plurality of individual contacts, which contact pin incorporates a removal cap that may be conveniently and easily employed to withdraw the pin from a mating receptacle.

Still one other object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical circuit interconnection apparatus incorporating a contact pin and a mating receptacle structure for receiving the pin, both of which elements can be simply and easily manufactured in an economical `form that is reliable, relatively maintenance free and which pin contains electrical circuit comp-onen-ts for cooperative operation therewith.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following, taken in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein:

FIGURE l is a perspective view of a terminal matrix structure incorporating the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE l with displacement to illustrate the withdrawal of a contact -pin from a receptacle;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3 3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE -4 is a fragmentary perspective view of a single contact pin of the structure of FIGURE l;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating various interconnect patterns which can be accomplished with the structure of FIGURE 1.

Referring initially to FIGURE 1, there is shown a matrix frame or body 12 from which a number of connection terminals or lugs 14 extend in vertical rows to receive wires (not shown) or other electrical connections. Inside the body 12, the lugs 14 are variously interconnected by elongate contact pins 16 (heads only shown in FIG- URE 1) which pins are inserted into mating recesses in the body 12. The pins 16 include a cap or head 18 'as shown in FIGURE l, and an elongate shank which fits inside the body 12 when the pin 16 is in an operative connecting position. Two of the Shanks 20 are shown in FIGURE l (one in section) and each carries a plurality of leaf-spring contacts 22 which are individually aflixed to the pin shank 20 by pivot mounts 24. As a result, each of the contacts 22 may be pivotally moved to extend away from its pivot mount 24 in either direction of alignment with the elongate shank 20. This capability enables the contacts 22 to be set in accordance with a pre-established program to obtain a desired interconnection arrangement between the lugs 14 (FIGURE 1). The pins may also incorporate electrical components as considered in detail below, to accomplish various logic functions in cooperation with the contacts 22.

The caps or lheads 18 on the pins 16, are variously identiiied by number labels 26, to indicate the positions of the contacts 22 which will in turn accomplish associated binary code representations. The heads 18 also facilitate manually gripping the pins 16 for withdrawal from the matrix body 12 as will be considered below.

Considering the structure in greater detail, and particularly that of the similar individual pins 16, reference will now be made to FIGURE 2. The shank 20 of the pins comprises an elongate parallelepiped one external Wall 28 of which bears the pivot mounts 24 carrying the contacts 22. Of course, the pins could be made of a wide variety of other shapes, e.g., cylindrical, semi-cylindrical, and so on. Considering one of the contacts 22, in the shank 28 reference will be made now to FIGURE 5. The wall 28 is formed of electrically insulating material, eg., phenolic, and receives a ferrule 30 through a transverse bore 31. The ferrule 30 may be formed of resiliently-deformable material such as rubber and incorporates annular end flanges 33 to define shoulders 32 which hold the ferrule fixed in the bore 31. Inside the wall 28, the internal fiange 33 abuts an annular rim 34 extending from a hollow cylindrical stud 36 which is concentrically received through the ferrule 30, extending through the wall 28. Outside the wall 28, the hollow stud 36 passes through an interior washer 40, a mounting ring 42 (integral with the contact 22) and an external contact washer 44. The external end 46 of the stud 36 is outwardly flanged to lock the stud 36 into the bore 31 with the elements as'described fixed thereon. Thus, the contact 22 extending from the mounting ring 42, as shown in FIGURE 5, is freely rotatable on the stud 36 between the

contact washers

46 and 44. In this regard it is to be noted that small detents 48 in the mounting ring 42. tend transversely to assure electrical engagement.

The actual shape of the contacts 22 may vary considerably; however, it has been determined to be advantageous to employ a somewhat arcuate shape incorporating a curve 29 in the leaf-spring contacts. This structure in cooperation with the resiliently-deformable nature of the contacts 22 assures good electrical connection to the mating electrical surfaces.

The individual studs 36 in the pins are all similar to that described with reference to FIGURE and are mounted in plurality as shown in FIGURE 2 to receive electrical conductors 56 which may be soldered in position and are connected through electrical components 52 to a junction stud 54 (shown in phantom) that is in turn connected through an electrical component 56 (shown in phantom) to a common contact 22a.

The placement of the individual contacts 22 in cooperation with the various electrical components 52 and 56 permits the contact pin to be selectively programed to accomplish logical functions in addition to interconnecting electrical current paths. Foiexample, the contact pin can readily function as for example, the contact pin or a coded signal generator. Exemplary of such capability, the pin can lreadily provide the combination of the circuit diagram as shown in FIGURE 7 representing a socalled and logic gate. Referring to that figure, an input terminal 58, adapted to receive positive potential is connected through a resistor 60 to a junction conductor 61 and a terminal 62 from which three

diodes

64, 66 and 68 are individually connected to the movable contacts of single-pole double-

throw switches

70, 72 and 74 respectively. The stationary contacts of these switches are connected to a series of output terminals designated by true and false (actual and negation) numerals indicative of digits in a conventional binary code symbolic representation. That is, the terminals from the switch 70 manifest either the existence or the absence of a binary one while the terminals from the switch 72 represent the presence or the absence of a binary two, and finally the terminals from the switc-h 74 manifest the presence or absence of a binary four.

In considering the circuit representation of FIGURE 7, the application of a positive potential at the terminal 58 provides an and logic gate from inputs at the binary code fixed contacts of the

switches

70, 72 and 74 to an output a't the terminal 62. That is, unless all of the

switches

70, 72 and 74 receive a high-state binary signal, the potential at the terminal 62 is dissipated through one or more of the diodes to a source of low-state signals. However, if all the binary inputs are positive (high-state) then the diodes are cut off and a high-state signal appears at the terminal 62. This functional structure is widely employed 'in data-processing systems and its incorporation in a connection apparatus will provide considerable convenience in many situations. Furthermore, the structure hereof may also afford other functional circuits in addition to logic gates. Specifically as another example, a binary signal generator may be provided to accomplish any desired set of binary signals at the binary-code terminals. That is, with the

switches

70, 72 and 74 set as shown, a binary value representative of decimal five is provided at the binary terminals (1 E and 4). The

diodes

64, 66 and 68, in such an application inhibit feedback or cross-coupling. Of course, various other numerical representations can be provided in binary-coded form by selectively positioning the

switches

70, 72 and 74. Furthermore, by increasing the number of switch circuits the numerical capability of the unit is increased so that increasingly higher values can be presented.

Referring back now to the structure of FIGURE 2, the physical manifestation of the circuit of FIGURE 7 may be seen to be presented in the contact pin 20a. In this regard, the contact te-rminal 58 is afforded by the contact 22a; the movable element of the switch 74 is afforded by the contact 22b; and the movable element of the

switches

72 and 70 are provided respectively by the

contacts

22e and 22d respectively. The terminal 62 is provided by lthe contact junction stud 54. The resistor 60 is physically embodied .in the electrical component 56 while the

diodes

64, 66 and 68 are physically presented in the electrical components 52 as shown. The stationary contacts of the switches '70, 72 and 74 (FIGURE 7) are defined within the receptacle in which the contact pin 20a dwells. Specifically, the contacts 22, as shown in FIGURE 2 face a wall or board 76 bearing parallel conductive strips 78, certain of which receivably engage the contacts 22. The strips 78 (FIGURE 3) are adhesively secured to the board 76, and are electrically connected to individual connection lugs 14 by :rivets 80 fixed along the edge of the board 76. In one specific exemplary form, the board 76 may comprise a phenolic printed circuit board on which the strips 78 are formed by printed-circuit techniques. A plurality of the boards 76 are employed in the matrix body 12 as shown in FIGURE 1 to provide an array of receptacles for the individual connector pins 20.

The boards 76 in the body 12 are held spaced apart by yoke frames 82 which are generally of rectangular configuration and contain the boards 76 in indented spaces. The frames 82 are also provided with transverse channels 84 which afford three sides of the rectangular receptacle for the connection pins. Of course, the other side of the receptacle is defined by a section of the boards 76. The frames 82, with the boards 76 therebetween are held in alignment by bolts 86 extending through the sandwiched structure to fix the defined receptacles closed for holding the pins 20. As indicated above, the pins 20 may be coded to provide various numerical values by selectively setting the contacts 22. To visibly manifest the particular numerical setting of a pin 20, appropriate numeral labels 26 (FIGURES 2) are placed in the heads 18. Specifically, the exterior faces of the pin heads 18 define a dove-tail slot 92 into which the labels 26 may be fitted by slight fiexure to provide retaining forces.

The pin head 18 is slidably affixed to the shank 20 by telescopically receiving an end section 94 of the shank which section is of reduced sectional size. A transverse pin 96, held in the head 18 then passes through a transverse slot 98 in the end section 94 of the shank 20 and is drawn in by an afiixed coil spring 100 (shown forceelongated in FIGURE 2) that is contained within the hollow section 94 of the shank 2t). Thus, the head 18 can be lifted a limited distance from the shank 20, to afford a better grip for withdrawing the pin from an engaging position. Yet when the pin is fully inserted in the body 12, the cap or head 18 lies drawn into the body 12, so that a closure tab 102 seals the channel 104 in which the contacts 22 lie. As a result, the internal contacts are closed to dust and foreign particles.

Considering the manufacture of the illustrative embodiment described herein, the -frames 82 may be simply and easily formed of sections of a plastic extrusion. That is, plastic material may be extruded in the sectional form of the frames 82 and thereafter severed into lengths yas desired and drilled to receive the bolts 86. The boards 76 which are sandwiched between the frames 82 may also be formed of production techniques utilizing printed circuit methods as previously suggested. In this regard, the boards 76 may be formed from copper-clad sheets which have been etched to leave the strips 78. Thereafter, the lugs 14 may be riveted by the rivets 80 along one edge of the boards 76.

The manufacture of the contact pin may also be accomplished economically by forming the basic pin body of extruded plastic channel 88 (FIGIURE 4). That is, a section of channel 88 is cut to the desired length then shaved to provide the section 90 of reduced thickness, which is then bored to provide traverse elongate slots 92 and the bores which receive the pivot mounts 24 and the slot 98. Next, the pivot mounts are set as described with reference `to FIGURE 5 yand the cap or head 18 is assembled on the section 90. In this regard, the head 18 may comprise simply a plastic molding which receives a transverse pin extending through the slots 92 to provide the desired sliding relationship between the head 18 and the shank 20.

On completion of the pin structu-re as described the electrical components 52 and 56 can be mounted with their associated circuitry as shown in FIGURE 2. Thereafter, the open channel 107 (FIGURE 4) may be iilled with epoxy for example, potting the electrical components and solidifying the pin and as a final step the identification label slipped into the head 18 to provide an indication of the setting. Thereafter, the contact pin may be easily fitted into a mating receptacle or socket to provide the desired electrical interconnection. If, at a latter time it is desired to remove the pin, the edges of the cap 18 may be lightly grasped withdrawing the pin against the bias of the spring so that the cap or head will slide outwardly enabling the person withdrawing the pin to firmly clasp the pin as shown in FIGURE 2 for conlvenient withdrawal.

It is therefore apparent, that the structure hereof may be economically manufactured and effectively employed not only to accomplish desired electrical connections, but furthermore, each specic pin can be altered to vary the particular electrical connections accomplished. This alteration is possible with ease, simply by rotating the contacts, and requires no special tools or other equipment. Furthermore, the provisions of the plurality of contacts along the generally-rectangular section of the connector pin provides an effective housing for electrical components which enable the structure to serve in an active capacity as for example to perform the .function of a logical gate.

Of course, various alternate embodiments of the structure will occur to those skilled in the art, therefore, the scope hereof is not to be interpreted in accordance with the illustrative example, but rather shall be defined by the claims as set forth below.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical contact pin for selectively engaging various mating contacts spaced on another member to accomplish signal coding, comprising:

an elongate shaft;

pivot mount means affixed to one side of said elongate shaft intermediate the ends thereof;

at least one electrical contact member having one end pivoted on said pivot mount means and the other end pivotable, toward either end of said elongate shaft to permit selectively displacement of said other end along said shaft and thereby selectively engage said various mating contacts.

2. An electrical contact pin according to claim 1 wherein said elongate shaft comprises an insulating material and furthermore said pivot mount means comprise conductive studs transversely affixed in said shaft.

3. An electrical contact pin according to claim 1 further comprising:

non-linear circuit elements fixed in said elongate shaft and connected to said electrical Contact.

4. An electrical contact pin according to claim 1 further comprising:

a head member slidably aixed and biased on to said elongate shaft.

5. An electrical contact pin according to claim 4 wherein said head member comprises means defining a space to receive an identification tag.

6. An electrical structure according to claim 1 further comprising receptacle means dening at least one socket to receive said elongate shaft and further including conductive means for matingly engaging said electrical contact member.

7. electrical structure according to claim 6 wherein said receptacle means includes a wall common to plural of said sockets and wherein said conductive means comprises plu'ral conductors supported on said wall whereas to be -exposed in said sockets.

8. An electrical contact pin according to claim 1 wherein said elongate shaft comprises a length of rectangularsection insulating material; wherein said pivot mount 4means comprise studs transversely extending from said shaft; and wherein said electrical contact member is in plurality and comprises a metal leaf spring of somewhat arched configuration having one end coupled to one of said studs.

9. An electrical pin according to claim 8 further comprising a plurality of diodes said diodes individually coupled from each of said contact members to a common point.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,223,956 12/1965 Dufendach et al. 339-18 X MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner.

I. R. MOSES, Assistant Examiner.