US3777299A

US3777299A - Wiring adapter

Info

Publication number: US3777299A
Authority: US
Inventors: E Nickerson; J Cole
Original assignee: Thomas and Betts Corp
Current assignee: ABB Installation Products Inc
Priority date: 1972-10-06
Filing date: 1972-10-06
Publication date: 1973-12-04
Anticipated expiration: 1990-12-04

Abstract

A wiring adapter for disposition intermediate a plurality of first conductors having a first predetermined spacing and a plurality of second conductors having a second predetermined spacing different than the spacing between the first conductors to permit a convenient, simple, and rapid interconnection therebetween. The device comprises a generally elongate base member formed preferably of electrically insulating material and having a series of generally parallel transverse first recesses disposed in one surface thereof and two further series of recesses each series extending down a respective surface on either side of the base member, the series of recesses on one side communicating with the even ones of the first series of recesses and the recesses extending down the other side of the base member communicating with the odd ones of the first series of recesses. The side recesses extend at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base member, each pair of alternated, opposed side recesses generally defining a Vee, the apex of which is arranged to engage a respective pair of aligned parallel conductors in a socket member or the like, wherein the pitch of the parallel conductors may be selectively altered to conform to that defined by the series of first recesses.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Nickerson et al.

[ 51 Dec. 4, 1973 1' WIRING ADAPTER [75] Inventors: Earl F. Nickerson, Langhorne; John M. Cole, New Hope, both of Pa.

[73] Assignee: Thomas & Betts Corporation,

Elizabeth, NJ. 1

[22] Filed: Oct. 6, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 295,605

52 u.s.c| 339/17 L, 339/176 MP [51] H05k H04 [58] Field of Search 339/17, 18, 176,

[5 6] References. Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,702,982 1 H1972 Kelly et al 339/99 R 3,539,975 11/1970 Donna .(339/17 R 3,391,382 7/1968 Leibovitz... 339/174 3,539,974 11/1970 Berg 339/1 7 L 3,548,365 12/1970 Barker 339/176 MP Primary Examiner-Marvin A. Champion Assistant Examiner-Terrell P. Lewis Att0rneyDavid Teschner etal.

. [57] ABSTRACT A wiring adapter for disposition intermediate a plurality of first conductors having a first predetermined spacing and a plurality of second conductors having a second predetermined spacing different than the spacing between the first conductors to permit a convenient, simple, and rapid interconnection therebetween. The device comprises a generally elongate base member formed preferably of electrically insulating material and having a series of generally parallel transverse first recesses disposed in one surface thereof and two further series of recesses each series extending down a respective surface on either side of the base member, the series of recesses on one side communicating with the even ones of the first series of recesses and the recesses extending down the other side of the base member communicating with the odd ones of the first series of recesses. The side recesses extend at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base member, each pair of alternated, opposed side recesses generally defining a Vee, the apex of which is arranged to engage a respective pair .of aligned parallel conductors in a socket member or the like, wherein the pitchof the parallel conductors may be selectively altered to conform to. that defined by the series of first recesses.

l9-Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEU HEB. 41975 SHEET 1 BF 3 FIG. 3

FIG. [2

sum 3 OF 3 FIG. .9

PATENTEU 4W5 WIRING ADAPTER;

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIQN 1. Field of thelnvention The inventionisdirected to wiring devices andtprinr- 5 cipally to a means for interconnecting differently pitched conductive elements.

2. Description of the PriorArt- Prior art devices for interconnecting, for example the,-

conductors of a flat cable-to a printed circuit board or. the: like generally included-a.multi-contact connector, arranged, for example, to bedisposed .overzthe. edge of a printed circuit board forengagement withzthe individ tween suchconductors andthe printed-circuit board connector it is, of course, necessary thatthespacing between the associatedcontacts in the connector mustbe formed on similar centers whereby, dueto the closeness of the spacing of such contacts, the soldering .of;

individual conductors of the flatcableto suchicontacts becomes a tedious-, time-consuming, and. laborious, operation, andzwherein .the probability-of; shorts devehoping 1 between. thecontacts .due to, heat W of. solder.

therebetween during the solderingoperation is, highly increased. The manufacture oftsuchgconnectors isfurther complicated: by the; fact: that extremely narrow. contacts must beemployedinrorde rto-providethe necessarycenter tocenter spacing andrclearance. Accordingly, the contacts-are;susceptible-to,inadvertant deformation and breakage, and, are also vrestrictively limited;

intheir current: carryingcapacity-dueto the, extremely small cross sectional"areathereof.The. extensive use.o.-

flat cable presently manufactured; in a wide range of conductor spacings, in conjunction with printedwiring devices andthe-like also availablein a. multiplicity, of ranges of contact spacingsand the resulting need for establishing a simple, low. cost, rapid interconnection therebetween has engendered a greatneed for means. for overcoming the above-noted difficulties and-limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION- The invention overcomes the difficulties and limitations noted above with respect-to priorartwiring methods by providin-ga. selectively recessed novel wiring adapter arranged-to provide a'simple, rapid means for interconnecting differently pitched conductorarrays. In one embodiment, the device comprises a generally elongate base member formed'preferablyfrom dielectric material and having an: essentially T-shaped cross section, wherein the upper part of the T comprises a: first surface having afirst series ofrselectively, spaced, generally parallel, transversely extending recessesidisposedtherein. A second anda third series of recesses extend, respectively, obliquely down opposite sides of the base member in converging relationship, the terminating ends of the recesses onone sidev of thebase member being-axially aligned with the terminating ends of the recesses extending down the opposing side of. the base member. The'device may-thus be disposed adjacent two rows of parallel contact longitudinally spaced 2* one fromanother a first predetermined.amount andthe contacts thereafter guided alongthe ,oppo'singsidei recesses for placement within an, associated one. of the first. seriesof recesses whereby the original-pitchof the contacts is altered in conformity with the pitch of said first recesses..Thus, a ,seriesof parallel .contacts disposed on for example, 0.085 centers may be altered to provide, an alternate array. of contacts disposed on 0.0425 centers. Althoughthe T shapedcross section of. 10 the base member may befound. convenient in many ap;

plications,, other suitable; configurations, readily adapt: able. for useintypical wiring applications are disclosed.

It is thereforeanobjectof this inyentionto providea novelwiring adapter.

5 It-.is.;a furthenobject of .this, invention to. provide a means.forselectivelyfaltering the pitch of a plurality of aligned, conductive elements.

It .is,anot he,r,, object. of. this. invention. to provide, a

rapid, convenientand economical means for intercon; nectinga conductorarray having a givenpitchto a further conductorarrayhaving a different pitch.

Itisstillanother object of this invention to provide meansfor selectively terminating and altering the origi- 25 nalpitch .of thecontacts ofaconnecting device.

It-.is .still a further. object, of this invention to provide a means forconnectinga narrowly pitched array of ,flat cable conductors to a .widerpitched arrayof connector contacts.

Other objects andfeatures .willbev pointed out in .the followingdescription and claims and. illustrated in the a :co.mpanying drawings whichldisclose by wayof example theprincipal ,ofthe invention .andthebest modes contemplated .for. carrying. it out.

BRIEF DESGRIP IKION OE THE DRAWINGS In the, Drawings FIG. 1. is aperspective view of awiring adapter constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. f

FIG. 2 is a. fragmentary side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1. as seen from the left side of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3'is a perspective, view of the device of FIG. I illustratinga manner of use thereof.

FIG. 4,. is a fragmentary top elevational view showing the membersof FIG. 3 in a further state of assembly.

FIG Sis a fragmentary top elevational view showing one manner. of. preparing the conductors of a typical flatcable for. attachment to the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is-atop elevational view showingv the assembly of a flat cable to asocketmeans and incorporating the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 isa fragmentary side elevational view, partially insection, of the assembly of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8'is afrontelevational view, in section, of an assembly of the members shown in.FIG. 3.

FIG. 9.is a-fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of awiring adapter. constructed in accordance withthe concepts of the, invention.

FIG. l0-is a perspective view. of' still another embodiment of a. wiring adapter. constructed in accordance with the concepts of; the invention, and'a'terminated printed circuitiboardmateable therewith.

FIG. 11. is a fragmentary perspective view of yet another embodiment of awiring adapter constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 there is shown a wiring adapter constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. Wiring adapter 20 comprises a base member 22 having a generally T-shaped cross sectional configuration substantially as shown. A first or upper surface 24 of base member 22 is provided with a series of selectively spaced, parallel first recesses 26 of surface 24. The depth and width of the first recesses 26 may be selectively choosen so as to permit a conductor or contact extension to be suitably disposed therein while the top most part of such conductor (not shown) protrudes slightly above the first surface 24. A

v second surface 32 and a third surface 34 define, respectively, the opposing sides of the enlarged portion of the T-shaped base member 22. A second series of recesses 36 extend from even ones of the first recesses 26 along the second surface 32 and a third series of recesses 38 extend from odd ones of the first recesses 26 along the third surface 34 as is more clearly seen in FIG. 2. Recesses 36 and 38 extend obliquely across surfaces 32 and 34, respectively, in generally equal but opposing angular orientation with respect to the longitudinal axis of base member 22, converging along an axis remote from the first surface 24, the axis of conversion being oriented substantially normal to the longitudinal axis of base member 22. Although the recesses 26, 36, and 38 are illustrated as being generally rectangularly contoured, the arrangement may be readily modified where necessary or desirable to provide a semicircular, elliptical, or V-shaped cross sections without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the concepts herein disclosed. Thearrangement thus described defines essentially two sets of preferably contiguous recesses, one set comprising the odd ones of the recesses 26 and the recesses 36 communicating therewith, and the other set comprising the even ones of recesses 26 and the recesses 38 communicating therewith. The T- shaped cross sectional configuration of the wiring adapter 20 shown in FIG. 1, although generally suitable for many applications, may be appropriately modified, to define a generally tapered or rectangular crosssection, as shown for example, in FIGS.9 and 11, at 40 and 42 respectively. It will of course be readily appreciated that in each of the configurations shown in FIGS. 1, 9, and 11, any one or more of the generally planar surfaces may be arcuately formed, where necessary or desirable, without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the conceptsherein disclosed. The number of recesses provided in the base member 22 should of course be choosen to provide a number sufficient to provide at least one recess therein for each of the terminal ends to be engaged therewith. With reference specifically to FIG. 3, a wiring adapter such as 20 may be coupled to a further device such as a socket means 44. As illustrated, socket means 44 may comprise a given number of parallel pairs of contacts 46 (See FIG. 8) each having an extending portion 48 protruding a given length from a rear surface 50 of socket extending between a first edge 28 and a second edge p means 44. In the arrangement shown, each laterally disposed pair of contact extending portions 48 is longitudinally spaced a given distance S, from an adjacent pair, the distance S, generally being choosen to provide mating cooperable relationship with oneform or another of receiving member (not shown) which com prise a mating plug or a plurality of conductive strips or contacts disposed on either one or both surfaces of a printed circuit board 76 such as shown, for example, in FIG. 10. The respective pairs of extending portions 48 may be separated one from anotherby divider portions 52 molded into or otherwise formed adjacent the surface 50 of socket means 44. To effect the alteration of the relative spacing and disposition of the extending portions 48, the wiring adapter20 is positioned intermediate the two rows of contact extending portions 48 and each of the portions 48 selectively guided within an associated one of the second and third series of recesses 36 and 38, respectively. Due to the oblique angular orientation of each of the recesses 36 and 38, each of the upstanding portions 48 will be required to be slightly reoriented to seat appropriately in its respective recess. As further illustratedin FIG. 3 the lower portion of the wiring adapter base member 22 may be castellated, as at 54, to provide a series of slots 56 selectively spaced and suitably proportioned to accommodate a respective one of the dividers 52. The remaining length of portions 48 extending beyond the first surface 24 of base member 22 is further displaced to lie within a re spective one of the recesses 26, as shown in greater de tail in FIGS. 4 and 8. Thus the original spacing S, be

tween adjacent pairs of contact extending portions 48 is effectively altered to provide a series of extending portions 48 disposed in an alternate array having a spacing S between adjacent ones thereof (see FIG. 4). Where the extending portions 48 and the recesses 26, 36 and 38 of base member 22 are arranged in a symmetrical pattern of equally spaced elements, the spacing S between adjacent portions 48 will be essentially equal to one half the original spacing S,. It will of course be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various selective patterns or arrays may be obtained merely by altering the symmetry and spacing of the respective first, second, and third series of recesses 26, 36, and 38. For example, in the embodiment illus' trated in FIG. 12, a base member 78 is provided with a series of first recesses 80, a series of second recesses 82, and a series of third recesses 84. The first recesses 80 are dispositionally arranged to provide a pattern consisting of pairs of relatively closely spaced recesses spaced a distance S, from one another each pair being relatively widely spaced a distance greater than S, from an adjacentpair. The second-and thirs series of recesses, 82 and 84, respectively, convergingly extend from respective odd and even ones of recesses 80 in a manner essentially equivalent to that described above with respect to recesses 36 and 38 shown in FIG. 2, the con verging recesses 82, 84 having a pitch or spacing 8,. However, in this case, because of the unequal spacing between recesses 80, the spacing S; will be somewhat less than one-half of the spacing S Thus, it is readily apparent that almost any desired pitch alteration may be accomplished in a similar manner merely by selectively varying the spacing between adjacent pairs of first recesses 80 and the spacing between the recesses 80 forming each such pair.

- centers and the individual conductors 60 of cable 58 are disposed on 0.0425 centers. It should, of course, be readily understood that these dimensions are not critical but are illustrative merely of configurations in common use at present. In the event it is desired to connect the flat cable 58 to the socket means 44 at a given area intermediate the ends of the cable 58, a selective portion of the insulation adjacent such area is removed from either one or both surfaces of the cable, as at 62, to at least partially bare a selective length, of the conductors 60 substantially as shown (see FIG. The bared portions of conductors 60 are then placed over the first surface 24 of wiring adapter 20, as illustrated in FIG. 6, and the'assembly joined together by solder,- ing, welding, or any other commonly employed means for joining conductive elements. Thus, as may be more clearly seen in FIG. 7, the contact extending portions 48 having a pitch S have been selectively interconnected to a plurality of conductors 60-having a pitch S different than 5,. Although the wiring adapter 20 is shown as an element separate and apart from the socket means 44, it may be formed or molded integrally therewith to provide a composite assembly for convenient employment in a particular application. The device may also be provided in discrete, predetermined sections or lengths for selective pitch alterations of a selected portion of a particular array of contacts or conductors.

Although recesses 26 of wiring adapter 20 may extend completely across the firstsurface 24in direct communication with both the first and second edges 28 and 30 of base member'22 as illustrated for example, in FIG. 1, such arrangement may be modified as shown for example in FIG. 11 wherein there is illustrated a plurality of first recesses 64 extending partially across an upper first surface 66 of a base member 42, each of the recesses 64 being separated from an adjacent recess and one of the edges of member 42 by raisedportions 68. This arrangement may be found particularly advantageous where it is desired to prevent the inadvertent flow of solder or other bonding material between adjacent recesses during the bonding operation.

Referring now to FIG. there is shown a further embodiment of a wiring adapter 70 constructed in accordance with the concepts of the invention. In the example illustrated the adapter 70 may be employed to alterthe predetermined pitch of a series of contacts 72 disposed in parallel-pairs along one edge 74 of a printed circuit board 76. To effect the alteration of the existing pitch of contacts 72 it ismerely necessary'to position the-wiring adapter 70 intermediate the two rows of contacts 72 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 3. The disposition of the contacts 72 within the recesses provided in the wiring adapter 70 is also accomplished in a manner similar-to that described above with respect to'the arrangement'of FlG. 3, whereby the originalpitch or spacing of the contacts'72 is thus selectively altered according to the pre-arranged'disposition of the recesses in wiring adapter to permit their cooperative interengagement with, for example, a further series of conductors having a pitch different than that of the contacts 72.

The. instant adapter, although illustrated as comprising an essentially straight elongate member, may of course, be'selectively formed in various curved or arcuate configurations, for example, for mating engagement with a complementarily formed further member with which such adapter is to be employed.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A wiring adapter comprising: a generally elongate v basemember having a first surface having first and second longitudinally disposed edges in selectively'spaced parallel relationship, a second surface adjacent said first surface and'communicating therewith along said first surface first edge, and a third surface adjacent said first surface and communicating therewith along said first surface second edge, therewith along said first surface second-edge, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel'first recesses extending generally transversely across said first surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel, second recesses extending from even ones of said series of first recesses across said second surface in oblique angular relationship with the longitudinal'axis of said second surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel, third recesses extending from odd ones of said series of first recesses across said third surface in oblique angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of said third surface, said series of second recesses and said series of thirdrecesses being so oriented with respect to each other as to be substantially equally but oppositely angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis of said base member.

2. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said base member is formed from electrically insulating. material. v

. 3. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second and said third surfaces are planarly oriented generally normal to the plane of said first surface.

4. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second and said third surfaces are planarly oriented in generally oblique angular relationship with the plane of said first surface.

5. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said base member further comprises means for selectively positioning said base member adjacent a plurality of terminals for attachment thereto.

6. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said firstrecesses are equally spaced one from another.

7. A wiring adapter as defined in claim '1 wherein said series of second recesses and series of third recesses are angularly oriented todefine a plurality of paired sets, each set comprising one recess from said series of second recesses and one recess from said series of third recesses, theends of eachtof said paired sets remote from their communication with respective ones of said series of first recesses being axiallyaligned generally normal to the longitudinal axis of said base member.

'8. A wiring adapter as definedin claim 7 whereinsaid second and said third surfaces are planarly oriented generally normal to the plane of said firstsurface.

9. A wiring adapteras defined in claim 7 wherein said second andsaid third surfaces are planarly oriented in generally oblique angular relationship with the plane of said first surface.

10. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said base member further comprises means for. selectively positioning said base member adjacent a plurality of parallel pairs of terminals for attachment thereto.

11. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said first recesses are equally spaced one from another.

12. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said base member is formed from electrically insulating material.

13. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 12 wherein said second and third surfaces are planarly oriented generally perpendicular to the plane of said first surface.

14. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 further comprising socket means coupled to said base member.

15. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 14 wherein said socket means further comprises a plurality of parallel pairs of contacts, each of said contacts having an extending portion selectively disposed in an adjacent one of said series of second and third recesses and overlying an associated one of said series of first recesses.

16. A wiring adapter comprising: a generally elongate base member having a first surface having first and second longitudinally disposed edges in selectively spaced parallel relationship, a second surface adjacent said first surface and communicating therewith along said first surface first edge, and a third surface adjacent said first surface and communicating therewith along said first surface second edge, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel first recesses extending generally transversely across said first surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel first recesses extending generally transversely across said first surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel second recesses extending from even ones of said series of first recesses across said second surface in oblique angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of said second surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel third recesses extending from odd ones of said series of first recesses across said third surface in oblique angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of said third surface, said first series of recesses being arranged in selective groups, said groups being spaced one from another a first predetermined distance, the recesses comprising each of said groups being spaced one from another a second predetermined distance, each of said groups comprising an even member of said first recesses, said first predetermined distance being at least equal to said second predetermined distance, said series of second recesses and said series of third recesses being so oriented with respect to each other as to be substantially equally but oppositely angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis of said base member.

17. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 15 wherein each of said groups comprises a pair of said first recesses.

18. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 15 wherein each of said groups comprises at least two pair of said first recesses. a

19. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 15 wherein said first predetermined distance is a predetermined multiple of said second predetermined distance.

' UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Petent No. 3,777 ,299 Dated 12/04/73 lnven fl Earl E, Nigkgraon and John M. Cole It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 19, "0.0425" should be .0425

Column 1, line 67 contact" should be contacts Column 2, l,ine '7, "@1085" should be .085" Column 2, line 9, "0.0425" should be .0425" Column 4, line 54 'th irs' shoulcl be t hJ:. 1 f i l n columns, line a, 70.085" should'be .085

Column 5, use 10, "0.0425" should be .0425" Signed and sealed this 17th day of September 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

McCOY M. GIBSON JR. c; MARSHALL- DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents F 311 Po-1050 (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 w U,S, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I969 O366-334

Claims

1. A wiring adapter comprising: a generally elongate base member having a first surface having first and second longitudinally disposed edges in selectively spaced parallel relationship, a second surface adjacent said first surface anD communicating therewith along said first surface first edge, and a third surface adjacent said first surface and communicating therewith along said first surface second edge, therewith along said first surface second edge, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel first recesses extending generally transversely across said first surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel, second recesses extending from even ones of said series of first recesses across said second surface in oblique angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of said second surface, there being a series of selectively spaced, generally parallel, third recesses extending from odd ones of said series of first recesses across said third surface in oblique angular relationship with the longitudinal axis of said third surface, said series of second recesses and said series of third recesses being so oriented with respect to each other as to be substantially equally but oppositely angularly displaced from the longitudinal axis of said base member.

2. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said base member is formed from electrically insulating material.

3. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said second and said third surfaces are planarly oriented generally normal to the plane of said first surface.

6. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said first recesses are equally spaced one from another.

7. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 1 wherein said series of second recesses and series of third recesses are angularly oriented to define a plurality of paired sets, each set comprising one recess from said series of second recesses and one recess from said series of third recesses, the ends of each of said paired sets remote from their communication with respective ones of said series of first recesses being axially aligned generally normal to the longitudinal axis of said base member.

8. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said second and said third surfaces are planarly oriented generally normal to the plane of said first surface.

9. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said second and said third surfaces are planarly oriented in generally oblique angular relationship with the plane of said first surface.

10. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 7 wherein said base member further comprises means for selectively positioning said base member adjacent a plurality of parallel pairs of terminals for attachment thereto.

18. A wiring adapter as defined in claim 15 wherein each of said groups comprises at least two pair of said first recesses.