Robert M Renn

US Patent:

50983091, Mar 24, 1992

Filed:

Apr 15, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/686223

Inventors:

Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC
David J. Goetzinger - Winston-Salem NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC

Assignee:

AMP Incorporated - Harrisburg PA

International Classification:

H01R 1315

US Classification:

439260

Abstract:

A high density electrical connector (10) includes a flexible circuit (28) carrying circuit traces (32, 34) mounted on rod elements (38) driven by a cam means (60) to provide wipe and backwipe interconnections between board circuit traces (14, 18). A shape memory alloy (84) is employed to effect cam drive in one embodiment and an operating arm is utilized to effect cam drive in another embodiment.

US Patent:

53781694, Jan 3, 1995

Filed:

Sep 24, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/126848

Inventors:

Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Robert D. Irlbeck - Greensboro NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC
David C. Johnson - Winston-Salem NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 2368

US Classification:

439376

Abstract:

This invention is directed to an electrical connector for sequentially connecting plural contacts provided along the respective mating surfaces of a pair of planar electronic devices, where the devices are joined to or mounted within a pair of pivotally arranged housing members. The connector comprises a first housing mounted to one of the planar devices, such as a mother board, where first housing includes an open end and a closed end, and a second housing mounting the other planar electronic device, such as a daughter board, second housing includes an open end and a closed end, and that the respective closed ends include cooperative means for hingely engaging each other. By this arrangement, as the planar electronic devices are pivotally moved about the cooperative means from a nonparallel position to a parallel position of electrical engagement, the respective plural contacts between the planar electronic devices enter into engagement in a sequentially predetermined order.

US Patent:

52979687, Mar 29, 1994

Filed:

Jan 12, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/003161

Inventors:

David C. Johnson - Winston Salem NC
Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Warren A. Bates - Winston Salem NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 909

US Classification:

439 67

Abstract:

A pluggable connector system (10) has a male housing (11, 11', 11", 11"') snapped together with a female housing (12, 12', 12", 12"') thereby providing a quick-disconnect feature. One of the housings, or both, carries a flexible etched circuit (16). The flexible etched circuit (16) may engage another flexible etched circuit (16) or, via a suitable interface, may engage a printed circuit board (17) having at least one circuit pad (19) thereon. One embodiment of a suitable interface is a flexible electrical connector (21) having a plurality of circuit traces on an elastomeric core. In another embodiment, the flexible etched circuit (16) is backed up by resilient means (33, 35) and engages the circuit pad (19) directly. The means for releasably retaining the housings (11, 11', 11", 11"' and 12, 12', 12", 12"') comprises a pair of spring-loaded manually-releasable latches (24, 24', 25) or a pair of bifurcated latching ears (43, 44).

US Patent:

53103580, May 10, 1994

Filed:

Dec 22, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/995615

Inventors:

David C. Johnson - Winston Salem NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC
Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 13627

US Classification:

439358

Abstract:

A computer docking system (10, 10') has a computer (11, 11') provided with a guide housing (12, 12') within which a device (13, 13') is slidably inserted. In one embodiment, the device (13) carries a pair of manually-releasable spring-loaded latches (24, 25) pivotally mounted thereon about respective axes which are substantially perpendicular to the direction which the device (13) is slidably inserted into the guide housing (12) for engagement with respective hooks (36) on the computer (11). In another embodiment, the latches (51, 52) are pivotably mounted on the guide housing (12') about respective axes which are substantially parallel to the direction in which the device (13') is slidably inserted into the guide housing (12'). The guide housing (12') includes a fixed bottom portion (44) on which the latches (51, 52) are pivotably mounted, and further includes a spring-loaded movable top portion (45) receiving the device (13') and ultimately nested telescopically within the fixed bottom portion (44). In each embodiment, a substantially zero insertion force ("ZIF") is achieved between at least one flexible electrical connector (41, 57, 58) and a circuit pad (43, 60, 61) as the device (13, 13') is inserted into the guide housing (12, 12').

US Patent:

54867711, Jan 23, 1996

Filed:

Dec 23, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/363559

Inventors:

Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC
Robert D. Irlbeck - Greensboro NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC
David C. Johnson - Winston-Salem NC

Assignee:

Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01R 3102
H05K 102

US Classification:

324755

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a mechanical, robotically operated burn-in socket testing apparatus for integrated circuit "chips", where such chips, as known in the art, are typically planar electronic devices. The apparatus, operationally mounted to a planar electronic board, such as a mother board, comprises a first frame member for mounting to the mother board, where the first frame member includes electrical means for engaging chip leads and applying electrical current thereto during the burn-in testing. A second frame member is disposed in sliding engagement with the first frame member, where the second frame member is movable from a first position to a second position. Finally, cooperative latching and camming means are provided between the first and second frame members to effect the movement between the first and second positions, and to securely hold the chip during burn-in, where the camming means includes a pivotal member movable from a remote position free of the chip to a position engaging the chip.

US Patent:

53061616, Apr 26, 1994

Filed:

Dec 22, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/994862

Inventors:

Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC
David C. Johnson - Winston Salem NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 909

US Classification:

439 66

Abstract:

A pair of printed circuit boards (11, 12) angularly converge towards each other about a pivot axis (13). Each of the boards (11, 12) carries a connector housing (16). The connector housings (16) are identical, but are inverted end-to-end with respect to each other, such that a plurality of hermaphroditic guide fingers (19) on one of the connector housings (16) will mesh with a complementary plurality of guide fingers (19) on the other connector housing (16). The meshing engagement of the guide fingers (19) provides a guide means and a stop means between the connector housings (16) and hence between the printed circuit boards (11, 12). Each of the identical connector housings (16) further has a flexible electrical connector (17), and the flexible electrical connectors (17) engage each other when the printed circuit boards (11, 12) are fully converged. Inclined surfaces (21, 22) on the meshing guide fingers (19) provide a self-alignment feature as the printed circuit boards (11, 12) and the connector housings (16) thereon are angularly converged. Preferably, each connector housing (16) has spaced-apart pairs of bifurcated latching fingers (23) such that the connector housing (16) is "snapped" on to its respective printed circuit board (11, 12).

US Patent:

54932378, Feb 20, 1996

Filed:

May 27, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/250267

Inventors:

Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC
Robert D. Irlbeck - Greensboro NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01R 3100

US Classification:

324754

Abstract:

This disclosure relates to testing apparatus (10), preferably an LGA burn-in test socket, for an integrated chip (28). The apparatus (10), arranged for mounting on a planar electronic device (46), such as a printed circuit board, includes a frame member (12) for mounting to the planar electronic device (46), where the frame member (12) includes a central opening (22) extending between first and second surfaces, and dimensionally sized to receive the chip (28). Recesses (35) are provided for receiving an electronic interface member (18) mounting plural flexible electrical connectors (106), such as an elastomeric connector, as known in the art, for engaging the traces or pads of the chip to the planar device during testing. Further, plural recesses (40) extend from at least the first surface, where each recess includes a compression spring (41). Positioned over and for engagement with the frame member is a floatably mounted force applying member (14) having first and second parallel surfaces.

US Patent:

55847072, Dec 17, 1996

Filed:

Mar 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/218549

Inventors:

Keith L. Volz - Jamestown NC
Robert M. Renn - Pfafftown NC
Robert D. Irlbeck - Greensboro NC
Frederick R. Deak - Kernersville NC

Assignee:

The Whitaker Corporation - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

H01R 909

US Classification:

439 72

Abstract:

This invention is directed to a socket system for the receipt of an integrated circuit "chip", where such a chip, as known in the art, typically is a planar electronic device having plural leads extending from the periphery thereof. The system, operatively mounted to a planar electronic device, such as a motherboard, comprises a frame having a central recess defined by converging side walls and terminating in a floor, and plural slots about the periphery of the floor for receiving elastomeric connectors for electrically interconnecting the chip leads to the mother board. Overriding the frame, for mechanical engagement therewith, is a force applying member, where such member includes plural ribs extending downwardly from the member and positioned to initially contact the respective converging side walls when the force applying member is caused to mechanically engage the frame. In the engaging mode, the ribs are caused to ride along the converging walls and flex inwardly towards the floor slots into which the chip leads lie. By this action the ribs apply a lateral force to and wipe the leads, while applying a vertical force to the ends of the chip leads overlying the elastomeric connector.