US2757349A - Tube socket - Google Patents

Description

July 31, 1956 F. R. ERBAL 2,757,349

TUBE SOCKET Filed April 29, 1954 FRANK R ERBAL Wh aq United States Patent TUBE SOCKET Frank R. Erbal, Kensington, Md., assignor to A. C. F. Industries, Incorporated, a corporation of New Jersey Application April 29, 1954, Serial No. 426,478 '11 Claims. (Cl. 339-64) This invention relates to connectors, particularly sockets for thermionic or other tubes and devices having a number of mounting pins.

To compensate for misalignment of the tube pins, it is a present practice to fasten tube pin contacts in a tube socket in such a manner that the contacts may float some-- what, or evenfloat completely freely within structural limits. The result is that anything, such as a wire, connected to the contact must move with it and in some instances this is objectionable because the degree of freedom of the contacts depends on the unpredictable amount of motion allowed by the objects to which they are fastened. Moreover, it is sometimes desirable to secure the tube socket contact to an immovable object which renders that contact immobile. An example of such a circumstance is found in connecting a tube socket contact directly to processed circuitry as an etched circuit panel or a printed circuit panel. An object of this invention is'to provide an improved tube socket with pin contacts which are anchored at or near one end to parts of the tube socket body, and having twisted sections and/ or oifsets in their soldering tabs to form intersecting bending axis regions in the tab, whereby the tube pin receiving and gripping portion of the contact is capable ofrocking motion in all directions approximately in one plane while the anchored (usually soldered) end remains stationary. Inaddition, the described arrangement of twisted sections and offsets in the contact tabs allows the tube pin receiving portion of the contact to be axially displaced without disturbing the fixed end of the tab inasmuch as the twisted sections and oifsets yield a limited amount in the nature of a coil spring. Accordingly, ample motion of the pin receiving portion is provided for even with the lower end of the contact fixed, so that the lower end of the contact passage may be sealed to exclude dirt from the passage. Also, with the contact fixed to the tube socket, a source of possible noise is obviated.

Another object of the invention is to provide simplified and elfective means for connecting a tube pin contact to a processed circuit pattern on the socket and at the same time fixing the contact to the tube socket base. This is accomplished preferably, but not exclusively, by forming a solder well for each contact in the lower surface of the tube socketand in communication with the contact accommodating passage, forming the circuit pattern partly in the well, and at least partially filling the well with solder so that it adheres to the circuit pattern and part of the tab in or near the well and the walls of the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tube socket which may be mounted either upon a processed circuit panel and electrically as well as mechanically connected thereto, or mounted by its flanges, the socket being complete in itself and having a processed circuit on its bottom surface connected with the contacts of the socket. By having a circuit pattern directly upon the bottom of the tube socket, many advantages are realized. The contacts need not extend beyond the lowersurface of 2,757,349 Patented July 31, 1956 the tube body so that the usual contact and wire crowding, especially around the base of a miniature tube socket, is eliminated. Soldering wires to the contacts in the usually small, confining space available around a tube socket is avoided, because the contacts are soldered to the processed circuit on the tube socket before the socket is emplaced in the chassis, on the panel or other element in assembly.

Difiiculties have been experienced in trying to connect tube contacts to a processed circuit panel, and several solutions have been suggested. The invention makes it possible to avoid the problem entirely, by fixing the contacts beforehand to a circuit pattern on the tube socket, whereby that circuit pattern, not subject to the forces generated when tube pins are inserted or withdrawn from the socket, may be more easily connected to a processed circuit panel or ordinary wiring. Thus, the pattern on the tube socket is an intermediate element provided between the tube socket contacts and external wiring, regardless of the nature of that wiring. This prevails in instances where the sockets are mounted upon a processed circuit panel, in chassis apertures or other ways.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tube socket with means at its upper surface for guidingthe tube pins into the proper pin receiving passages, the same means forming a fulcrum about which to rock the tube tofacilitate separation of the tube from the socket.

Other objects and features of importance will become apparent in following the description of the illustrated forms of the invention in the drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a tube socket body madein accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 22 of Figure 1, tube pin contacts being shown in place.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the tube socket body of Figure 1. p

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a modification of the invention.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view of another modification, and

Figure 6 is a slightly modified form of the invention.

The invention relates to improvements in tube sockets capable of rapid manufacture, typical examples 'of which are illustrated. Thesocket body 10 is of insulating material, preferably ceramic, and is of monobloc construction. Although the embodiments shown accommodate seven pin tubes, the principles disclosed herein apply regardless of the number of pin accommodating passages involved.

There are the-seven passages, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and Z4respectively, and each passage opens through the upper surface 26 and lower surface 28 of the socket body 10. It is preferred at the present time to construct each passage asshown in Figure 2, that is, with a bore 30 and an aligned counterbore 32. This defines a shoulder 34 which separates the bore and counterbore, and provides a land or. seat on which a portion of each tube pin contact may be disposed.

The embodiments of Figures 4 and 6 differ from that of Figure 2 in the shapes of passages. In Figure 6 the bore 36 is separated from the counterbore 38 by means of a tapered shoulder 40. In Figures 4 and 5 the passages 42 consist of-a bore 44 aligned with a counterbore 46 and a slot 48. The counterbore opens through the upper surface of the tube socket body while the slot 48 opens through thelower surface of the same. The bore 44 is connected with the slot by the sloping wall section 49 which acts as a guide when inserting the tube pin con- 3 center of the body 10 to the edge thereof. Rib 51 is of such width that it may be straddled by the two tube pins that flank the pin void on the bottom of the tube. The raised boss and rib serves a dual function in that it also forms a fulcrum member on which to rock the tube when separating it from the base 10.

Four mounting flanges are integral with the body 10 and form a part thereof, although the usual dual flange construction may be used. The mounting flanges illustrated have notches 52 in the edges thereof to accommodate solder or semi-rigid conductors. The conductors may be used to support the tube socket, and are used to establish electrical circuit connections with the individual contacts in the socket passages. Processed, as printed, circuit paths 53 are formed on the bottom surface 28 of the tube socket extending from the passages to the notches 52. Additionally, the central bore 58 which in the prior art normally accommodates a rigid electrostatic shield, is the recipient of a processed circuit pattern 59, thereby eliminating the necessity of handling and fastening a rigid element. Processed circuit path 61 on surface 28 connects the shield pattern 59 with the wall of one of the notches 52 for connection to external circuitry.

It is preferred, but not essential, that tubular type pin receiving and gripping contacts be used in the various passages. Therefore, the tubular pin receiving contact 62 has been illustrated. Such a contact consists of a split sleeve from one end of which extends a soldering tab 64. The merit of having the tubular part of the contact 62 arranged to move laterally is well-known and need not be discussed in detail. The difficulty in obtaining freely floating contacts in a system where the socket is finally connected, has been mentioned. Such difiiculties are obviated by the illustrated arrangement of offsets and twists in the soldering tabs 64.

Attention is invited to Figures 4 and where the offsets and twists are best seen. The soldering tab 64 has a substantially right angle ofiset at its junction with the tubular portion and extending in a direction generally normal to the contact longitudinal axis. A second offset 68 bends in the opposite direction and proceeds from offset 66, extending generally parallel tothc contact axis. Connected to the offset 68 is a twisted section 70, this section having a twist of approximately 90 degrees about the longitudinal axis of the contact. By virtue of this construction two regions containing bending axes are established. The first region at and adjacent 74 includes portions of the offsets 66 and 68 while the second region 76 is in and at the lower part of the twist 70.

Assuming that the lower end of the tab 64 is anchored and assuming further that a lateral thrust is applied to the contact 62 in the X direction, the tab will bend along the axes of least resistance, that is in the region 74. If the thrust is in the Y direction (Figure 5), the bending will take place in the axes region 76. Combinations of thrusts including X and Y components will cause corresponding bending about axes in the regions 74 and 76 simultaneously. Force applied axially of the contact 62 and in the down direction is transmitted to the ofisets 66 and 68 which yield until the oifset 66 comes to rest upon the shoulder 34, the latter being a stop for the contact under these circumstances. Axial thrust in the opposite direction causes the tab to flex in the region 74 and in the twist 70. Accordingly, the tab acts in the nature of a spring due to its configuration and the inherent resilience of the metal of the tab.

' There is a well 80 formed at the lower end of each passage, and the wells accommodate solder and a pair of the terminal of tabs 64. In applying the processed circuitry on the lower surface 28 of the tube body, it is extended into each well 80. Accordingly, after the contacts 62 are located in their passages, they may be soldered in place by having a quantity of solder flow into the wells 80. Not only are the contacts 62 anchored in this manner but also, the contacts are electrically connected with the long enough so that when the contacts are in processed circuit patterns 53 on the lower surface 28. The patterns 53 and 61 are in turn, walls of the edge notches 52, these walls having been made conductive by conductive paint or other suitable means, whereby external connections to circuitry may be made easily.

In instances where the tubev socket is mounted on a panel, the facility with which the contacts are connected to the external circuit is manifest. Lower surface 28 of the tube body has its patterns 53 and 61 on it and these patterns are connected to the external circuit by merely being placed thereon and soldered either at the notches 52 or by sweating the solder on the paths 53; and corresponding paths on the panel. This avoids the difficulty encountered in connecting the tube contacts to the processed circuitry on an external panel. However, it is to be understood that the illustrated tube socket is complete of itself and need not be associated with a printed circuit panel. Conventional wiring may be soldered or otherwise connected with the pattern on the bottom surface 28 of the tube body or may be attached to the walls of the notches 52. Moreover, the tab 64 may be place, parts 88 of the tabs lie below the bottom surface 28 for accepting wiring in the conventional way. However, it is noted that if the contact part 88 is anchored, the ability ofthe upper part of the contact to yield to thrusts is in no way impaired. Such movement is always predictable and is independent of the use of tab part 88.

In manufacture, the body 10 may be moulded or made by other known methods, and then the processed circuitry applied thereto by any known technique such as stencil or screen printing, painting or etching to mention a few. Next, the contacts are either dropped or inserted in the passages and are soldered in place. The length of contact tab and dimensions of passages will determine where the terminus of each tab will be with respect to surface 28, that is, below it, flush with it or above it in which case the terminal part of each tab will be in its passage.

It is understood that various departures may be made from the socket shown in the drawing from the protection of the claims. Initially, the principles involved in the contact configuration and method of fastening it to the socket body may be practiced with a body other than that illustrated. Conversely, the features of the socket body are useful in the absence of the contact configuration claimed herein. Therefore, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a tube socket, a body of rigid insulating material, said body having an annular series of passages extending through the upper and lower surfaces thereof, tube pin contacts loosely disposed in said passages, each contact including a generally tubular pin accommodating portion and a tab extending therefrom, said tab being generally flat in cross section and having a twist therein intermediate its ends to provide bending axes for Said tubular portion, the lower surface of said body having conductors thereon, and means connecting said tab to said body and one of the conductors on the lower surface thereof.

2. In a tube socket having apertures to receive tube pins, a contact disposed in one of said apertures and comprising a metal tubular portion open at each end, a tab extending from one end of said tubular portion and including a flat section which is connected to said tubular portion, a longitudinally twisted section connected to said flat section, and a substantially fiat soldering section connected to said twisted section and forming the terminus of said tab, said tubular portion, tab and all of its foregoing said sections being longitudinally aligned.

3. The combination of a tube socket body with a tube pin contact, said body having a passage to contain said contact and a shoulder in said passage intermediate its connected with the without deviating ends, the contact comprising a tubular pin receiving portion disposed in said passage with clearance between its outer surface and said passage to allow said tubular portion to be rocked laterally in said passage, a resilient fiat tab extending longitudinally beyond one end of said pin receiving portion, said tab having an offset extending toward the central longitudinal axis of said portion and a second ofiset extending generally parallel to said axis, a portion of said tab at said oflfsets being seated upon said shoulder thereby providing a fulcrum about which said pin receiving portion may rock and 'a stop for said contact to limit its longitudinal movement in said passage in one direction, and means connected to said tab remote from said offsets securing said contact to said socket body.

4. The combination of a tube socket body with a tube pin contact, said body having a passage tocontain said contact and a shoulder in said passage intermediate its ends, the contact comprising a tubular pin receiving portion, a resilient fiat tab extending longitudinally beyond one end of said pin receiving portion, said tab having on offset extending toward the central longitudinal axis of said portion and a second oifset extending generally parallel to said axis, a portion of said tabs at said offsets being seated upon said shoulder thereby providing a fulcrum about which said pin receiving portion may rock and a stop for said contact to limit its longitudinal movement in said passage in one direction, a longitudinally twisted section in said tab extending from said second offset providing a bending axis for movement of said contact tubular portion in its passage, and means spaced from said twisted section for securing said tab to said socket body.

5. The combination of claim 4 and said socket body having a well located at one end of said passage wherein said tab securing means are located.

6. In a tube socket, an insulating body having a passage extending therethrough, a shoulder in said passage between its ends, a tube pin receiving contact disposed in said passage and including a tubular portion with a tab extending therefrom, said tubular portion having a diameter smaller than the portion of said passage which it occupies so that said portion is capable of lateral motion in said passage, an offset in said tab adjacent to said tubular portion providing a bending axis for said tubular portion in response to deflection of said portion in one direction, a section of said tab having a twist arranged generally perpendicular to said oifset to provide a bending axis substantially normal to said offset for yielding during motion of said portion in a direction normal to the said one direction, said offset and said twist in said tab combining to form a section which yields in response to an axial force applied to said contact, and said shoulder being located in the path of travel of a part of said tab near said oflset thereby constituting a stop for said pin receiving portion when it is moved in one axial direction.

7. The tube socket of claim 6 wherein the lower surface of said insulating body has a well which is in communication with said passage, a circuit pattern on said lower surface and partly in said well, and means in said Well for both securing said contact to said body and connecting said contact tab to said circuit pattern for electrical conduction.

8. In a tube socket body having a plurality of passages therein, a tube pin receiving contact in each passage, each contact including a tubular portion having cross sectional dimensions smaller than the part of the passage which it occupies so that said portion may be laterally displaced in its passage, a tab extending from said tubular portion, an oifset in said tab adjacent to said tubular portion providing a bending axis for said tubular portion in response to deflection of said portion in one direction, a section of said tab having a twist arranged generally normal to said offset to provide a bending axis substantially normal to said offset for yielding during motion of said portion in a direction perpendicular to the said one direction, and said offset and said twist in said tab combining to form a section which yields in response to an axial force applied to said tubular portion of the contact.

9. In a tube socket body a passage, a contact in said passage and comprising a split tubular member to receive a tube pin insertable from one end of the passage, a fiat elongated element secured to said member and extending to the other end of the passage, means to secure said element to the body at the said other passage end, respective sections of said element formed to lie in mutually perpendicular planes, and a portion of said element adjacent said member bent to lie in a third plane normal to the said mutually perpendicular planes whereby said member may yield laterally within said passage during insertion of a tube pin.

10. In a tube socket assembly a body of insulating material, a plurality of passages annularly arranged in said body, an assemblage of conductive paths on the lower surface of the body and terminating at selected passages, a contact in each respective passage comprising a split tubular member to receive a tube pin insertable from the upper surface of the body, a fiat elongated element secured to said member extending to the lower end of the passage, means to secure said element to the body and interconnect with a respective conductive path, respective sections of said element formed to lie in mutually perpendicular planes, and a portion of said element adjacent said member bent to lie in a third plane normal to the said mutually perpendicular planes whereby said member may yield laterally within said passage during insertion of a tube pin.

11. For use in a tube socket body passage a contact comprising a split tubular member to receive a tube pin insertable from one end of the body passage, a flat elongated element extending from said member to the other end of the body passage, respective sections of said element formed to lie in mutually perpendicular planes, :and a portion of said element bent to lie in a third plane normal to the axis of said tubular member and to said mutually perpendicular planes whereby said contact may yield laterally within the said passage responsive to thrust incident to tube pin insertion and removal.

References Cited in the fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,819,835 Campbell Aug. 18, 1931 2,291,001 Smith July 28, 1942 2,294,880 Alden Sept. 8, 1942 2,444,048 Keller June 29, 1948 2,569,550 Barton Oct. 2, 1951 2,603,681 Salisbury July 15, 1952 2,638,573 Glickman May 12, 1953 FOREIGN PATENTS 581,225 Great Britain Oct. 4, 1946

Images