Electrical Connector Assembly

Abstract

An assembly to hold a strip of fuses in contact with two sets of spaced conductors in two different flat cables.

Parent Case Text

This is a division of application Ser. No. 291,973, filed Sept. 25, 1972, now abandoned.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the electrical connector art and, more particularly, to an assembly for connecting two different flat cables.

In the past, it has been difficult and expensive to connect two pieces of flat cable together.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the device of the present invention, the above-described and other disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by providing a connecting strip of conductors which are held in contact with corresponding conductive strips of two different flat cables.

The above-described and other advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mounting board with two connecting strips thereon;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two flat cables assembled for connection;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 3--3 shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another connecting strip mounting board;

FIG. 5 is perspective view similar to that shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 6--6 of the structures shown in FIG. 5.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the drawings in FIG. 1, a mounting board is indicated at 10 having connecting strips 11 and 12 fixed thereto between corresponding shoulders 13 and 14 of clips 15 and 16. Clips 15 and 16 are removably mounted to the board 10 and strips 11 and 12 but clip the strips 11 and 12 tightly enough to hold them in place as shown in FIG. 1. That is, all the structures shown in FIG. 1 will stay together without assistance.

Strip 12 may be identical to strip 11 is desired. Strip 11 includes a layer 17 of an insulating material having conductive strips 18 thereon. Strips 18 have fuse portions 19.

The assembly of FIG. 1 may be employed with the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 including a base 20 that has four posts 21 fixed thereto. Posts 21 support base 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, base 20 includes a channel-shaped member 22 and a flat plate or platform 23 covering the upper opening thereof. Springs 24 normally urge platform 23 to a position spaced from the upper edges of base 20.

As shown in FIG. 3, flat cables 25 and 26 terminate at 27 and 28 respectively on top of platform 23. Board 10 is mounted over cables 25 and 26 as shown in FIG. 3. One end of each of the conductive strips 18 lies in contact, for example, with one end of a corresponding conductor in cable 15. Layer 17 is so indicated in FIG. 3. The same is true of connecting strip 12. Clip 15 is also shown in FIG. 3.

In addition to the foregoing, the other end of each strip 18 lies in pressure and electrical contact, as before, with a corresponding conductor in cable 26.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that either connecting strip 11 or connecting strip 12 may be placed in engagement with cables 25 and 26.

In FIG. 2, cables 25 and 26 are shown with conductive strips 29 and 30 fixed to insulation layers 31 and 32 respectively. End portions A and B of the conductors 30 and 29 are those portions which may be engaged by corresponding end portions of strips 18.

In FIG. 1, note will be taken that clips 15 and 16 have projections 33 and 34 which can snap under a shoulder 35 at each end of base 20, as shown in FIG. 2.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. In FIG. 4, a mounting board is shown at 36. A board 37 integral with clips 38 and 39 hold a connecting strip 40 on board 36. Thus, board 37 and clips 38 and 39 are demountable from board 36. Board 36 may be assembled to the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 in a manner similar to the manner in which board 10 is assembled to the apparatus shown in FIG. 2. As before, clips 38 and 39 have projections 41 and 42, respectively, which can snap under a ledge 43 of a base 44.

As shown in FIG. 6, base 44 includes a channel-shaped housing 45 having projections 46 and 47 therein. A cable 48 is threaded over channel 45 into the space between projection 46 and a channel side panel 49. Similarly, a cable 50 is threaded over the channel 45 into the space between projection 47 and a channel side panel 51. A spring 52 is located between cable 50 and channel side panel 51.

As shown in FIG. 4, strip 40 has holes 53 therethrough. Board 36 then has recesses 54 that lie in registration with holes 53. The recesses 54 are provided to accommodate dowels 55 fixed to the bottom panel 56 of channel 45 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

As shown in FIG. 4, strip 40 includes a layer of insulation 57 with conductive strips 58 thereon including fuse portions 59. One end of each of the conductive strips 58 lie in engagement with a corresponding one conductor in cable 48. The other end of each of the conductive strips 58 lies in engagement with a corresponding conductor in cable 50.

If desired, bases 20 and 44 and other structures disclosed herein may be made out of insulating material such as a molded plastic. If desired, the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 may have posts 21' identical to the posts 20 shown in FIG. 2. In both cases, if desired, each of the posts 21 and 21' may be provided with a slot, particularly if it is desired that the same accommodate platform 23.

If desired, cables 25 and 26 may be fitted into the slots of posts 21 as shown in FIG. 2.

If desired, the cables 25 and 26 may be secured to platform 23 by glue.

Note will be taken that board 10, if desired, may be substantially more rigid than cables 25 or 26 or substantially more rigid than connecting strips 11 or 12.

If springs 24 are employed, they may be used to insure adequate contact pressure.

When one or more fuses blow, board 10 may be removed, the fault cleared and the board replaced inverted, if desired. After two fuses have blown, the board 10 may be discarded. This is true because the complete assembly of FIG. 1 may be made very inexpensively.

In the FIG. 4, a one-sided arrangement has been disclosed. However, this also could be a two-sided arrangement.

In accordance with the present invention, it is also shown that the strips 18 and 58 can be replaceable on the corresponding insulating layers 17 and 57 if desired. In this case, the replacements of the entire assembly of FIGS. 1 and 4 need not be made.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical fusing arrangement comprising a first member formed of an electrically insulating material to which may be secured the ends of two flat cables with the conductive tracks on one of said cables being aligned with the conductive tracks on the other of said cables, a second generally flat member of insulating material having on at least one of its faces electrically conductive fuse tracks each having a reduced width region functioning as a fuse, said fuse tracks extending in parallel relationship between opposite sides of said second member and being electrically isolated from each other, said second member being fitted to said first member such that each of said fuse tracks bridges the gap between the conductive tracks on said flat cables, and latch means for rapidly, releasably fastening said first and said second members together.

2. An arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said first member has a flat rectangular surface with an upstanding pillar at each corner, each said pillar having a slot at its base where it meets said flat surface, and said flat cables being adapted to be each secured to said first member by having their edges held in said slots.

3. An arrangement as recited in claim 2 wherein said second member is a board of insulating material carrying said fuse tracks supported by a backing strip, and said second member is formed with hook-ended latches at two opposed edges thereof normal to said opposite sides and forming said latch means, said hook-ended latches, when said second member is positioned on said first member, each passing between two of said pillars and engaging the surface of said first member opposite to said flat rectangular surface.

4. An arrangement as recited in claim 3 wherein a fuse track-carrying backinng strip is mounted on each face of said board, and two pairs of said hook-ended latches are formed on said second member.

5. An arrangement as recited in claim 1 including spring means on said first member for urging said flat cable ends on said first member into engagement with said fuse tracks.

6. An arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said first member is channel shaped providing a pair of side walls each adapted to have a flat cable extending thereover, and said second member has curved sides over which said fuse tracks extend, said second member being insertable into said channel.

7. An arrangement as recited in claim 1 wherein said fuse tracks are provided on opposite faces of said second member.