US3638033A

US3638033A - Display device and electrical conductors therefor

Info

Publication number: US3638033A
Application number: US36183A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard E Johnson; Paul R Natale
Original assignee: Sylvania Electric Products Inc
Current assignee: GTE Sylvania Inc
Priority date: 1970-05-11
Filing date: 1970-05-11
Publication date: 1972-01-25
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-25

Abstract

A compact visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flush mounting comprising a display assembly having a first light-transmitting grid structure and a second grid structure with an electrically luminescent medium therebetween, each grid structure having a base of electrically insulative material and a conductive side of the base containing two sets of parallel, elongated, electrical-conductive, electrical-individual elements, each set extending partially across the conductive side from opposing sides of said conductive side, the first and second grid structures are disposed such that the sets of elongated elements in the first grid structure is normal to the sets of elongated elements in said second grid structure, the electrical connection for the display device is provided by an electrical connector for each set of conductors that comprises a body of electrically insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of the contact surface and in an opposite direction thereto. U-shaped clamps hold the connectors, grid members and the electrically luminescent medium in a fixed relationship wherein edges of the grid members are in abutment with the appropriate bearing surface of the connector. The electrical connection is established by a resilient electrically conductive contact member bearing against each elongated member in said grid structures. The electrical connectors have a dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of each grid structure and the luminescent medium therebetween.

Description

United States Patent Johnson et al.

[54] DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS THEREFOR [721' Inventors: Richard E. Johnson, Sugar Grove; Paul R.

Natale, Warren, both of Pa.

[ 73] 'Assignee: Sylvania Electric Products Inc. [22] Filed: May 11,1970

[21] Appl. No.: 36,183

[52] US. Cl. ..3l3/108B, 339/17 LM, 339/75 MP,

339/176 MP [51] Int. Cl ..I-I0lj l/62, HOlj 63/04, H0514 1/02 [58] Field ofSearch ..313/51, 108 R, 108 A, 108 B,

313/108 C, 318, 109.5; 339/17 R, 17 L, 17 F, 17 LC, l7'LM, 17 M, 75 MP, 176 MP, 176 MP, 241, 217, 218,99, 174,59 M; 317/10] R, 101 D, 101 DH, 101 F; 174/685 Primary Examiner-Stephen J. Novosad Assistant Examiner-Terrell {Lewis 1151 3 ,638,033 Jan. 25, 1972 Attorney-Norman J. OMalley, Donald R. Castle and William H. McNeill [5 7] ABSTRACT A compact visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flush mounting comprising a display assembly having a first light-transmitting grid structure and a second grid structure with an electrically luminescent medium therebetwecn, each grid structure having a base of electrically insulative material and a conductive side of the base containing two sets of parallel, elongated, electrical-conductive, electrical-individual elements, each set extending partially across the conductive side from opposing sides of said conductive side, the first and second grid structures are disposed such that the sets of elongated elements in the first grid structure is normal to the sets of elongated elements in said second grid structure, the electrical connection for the display device is provided by an electrical connector for each set of conductors that comprises a body of electrically insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of the contact surface and in an opposite direction thereto. U-shaped clamps hold the connectors, grid members and the electrically luminescent medium in a fixed relationship wherein edges of the grid members are in abutment with the appropriate bearing surface of the connector. The electrical connection is established by a resilient electrically conductive contact member bearing against each elongated member in said grid structures. The electrical connectors have a dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of each grid structure and the luminescent medium therebetween.

10 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJANZSIWZ 3,638,033

sum 1 BF 2 INVENTORS. KICHARD E. JOHNSON &

PAUL R. NATALIE Da-v- ATTOR N EY M'HiMIFUJmmmurz 3.638.033

sum 2 or 2 qr; 74 79 :l

76 i ZM BG:

INVENTORS. RICHARD E.JOHN5ON &

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a compact display device and to electrical connectors for the display device.

Various forms of crossed arrays are known. In general, these devices utilize crossed electrical conductive members by energizing two particular conductors the point at which the conductors cross a luminescent media is subjected to the desired excitation thereby causing luminescence at that point. By the proper sequence of energizing the conductors a display appears to the eye in the form of pictures, numbers, etc. Numerous cathode ray-type devices supply the same type of display, however, these are generally rather bulky and require panels that have considerable depth. As can be appreciated the display devices having cross-electrical conductors occupy less space, however, the devices have heretofore generally had problems with the electrical connectors. Connectors heretofore used have had one or more disadvantages such as the connector had a dimension greater than the device thus preventing flush mounting. Also, some of the electrical connectors had contacts that established electrical contact by sliding over OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to play device having crossed arrays.

It is an additional object of this invention to provide a compact display device that can be flush mounted in a supporting panel.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an electrical connection for a display device having crossed arrays.

In accordance with one aspect of this invention there is provided an improved visual display device having crossed arrays that comprises first and second grid structures and a luminescent medium therebetween, said structures comprising a base of electrically insulative material and a first and a second set of parallel elongated electrical-conductive, electrical-individual elements on a conductive side of the base. The first and second sets extend from opposing edges and partially across the conductive side, the first structure is light transmitting and has a viewing side opposite to the conductive side and is oriented so that the sets of elongated elements are normal to the elements in the second grid structure and positioned in opposing relation thereto but spaced therefrom and electrically luminescent medium positioned between the first and second grid structures. Electrical connection is established to each elongated member by electrical connectors that each comprise a body of electrical insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearing surfaces each at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite directions thereto. The contact surface has two spaced pads of compressible pads and a plurality of resilient contact members between the pads for providing electrical connection to each of the individual elongated elements. The body of the connector is adapted for frictionally engaging a U-shaped clamp that frictionally engages the body of said connector and one of the grid structures and holds these structures in a fixed relationship and in electrical contact with the corresponding connector and the surfaces of the structure are in an abutting relationship to the bearing surfaces in each connector. The electrical connector has the dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of the first and second grid structures and the luminescent medium therebetween thereby providing a flush-type mounting. Addiprovide an improved distionally in a preferred embodiment the connector is adapted with channels for electrical leads that enable all of the leads to extend in a direction opposite to the viewing side of the display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of the display device of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of an assembled display device of this invention; 7

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector of this invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the display device of this invention illustrating the relationship of the grid structures, connector and U-shaped clamp.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages, and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following disclosure and appended claims in connection with the above-described drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In particular reference to FIG. 1, there is shown the display device 10 unassembled. A first grid structure 12 comprises a base 14 of an electrically insulative material, such as a transparent glass, plastic or the like, a first set of parallel elongated, electrically conductive elements 16, such as wires, strips or the like, extending from one edge 18 of the conductive side partially across and from opposing edges of the base 14. A preferred material is gold strips upon a glass base. A second set of similar elongated elements 20 extend from edge 22 of the base 14. A second grid structure 24 also comprising a base 26, a first set of elongated members 28 that extend from one edge 30 partially across the base 26. The first grid structure 12 is light transmitting and the second grid structure 24 can be either light transmitting, translucent or opaque. A second set of elongated members 32 extend from the opposite edge 34 of the base 26 partially across the base 26. A luminescent medium 36 can be either a phosphor or a plasma-containing media and is of the same general shape as the two

grid structures

12 and 24. The first and

second grid structures

12 and 24 are provided electrical connections by

identical connectors

38, 40, 42 and 44. Connector 42 best illustrates each of the connectors. The connectors comprise a rectangular contact surface 46, bearing surfaces 48 and 49 (better illustrated as 50 and 51 on connector 40) that are at right angles to the contact surface and extend in from opposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite direction thereto. Resilient contact members 52 extend from the contact surface 46 providing electrical connection to each elongated member 20 when the display device 10 is assembled. Two compressible pads 53 and 54 are spaced apart on contact surface 46. If desired, the compressible pads 53 and 54 can also have a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof to further insure proper retention of the device when assembled.

Referring now in particular to FIG. 2, the first and

second grid structures

12 and 24 are shown in assembled position. The

connectors

38, 40, 42, and 44 provide electrical contact. U-shaped

clamps

56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 and 70, hold the

connectors

38, 40, 42, and 44 in fixed position and in electrical connection with

grid structures

12 and 24. The dimension A" of the connector that is normal to the contact surface 46 is equal to the sum of the thickness of each of the grid structures l2 and 24 and the electrical luminescent medium (not shown). The external surfaces of the

connectors

38, 40, 42, and 44 when the device is assembled are essentially in the same plane as the external surfaces of the

grid structures

12 and 24 thereby enabling flush mounting of the display device 10 in a supporting panel (not shown).

Referring now in particular to FIG. 3, that shows a cross section of a typical electrical connector 38 of this invention. The body 74 of insulative material has a contact surface 76 and a first bearing surface 78 and a second bearing surface 79 that are at right angles to the contact surface 76, and extend from opposite directions and from opposite edges. A resilient contact member 80 is adapted at one end 82 for contact with an electrical conductor (not shown) and at the other end 84 is connected to an electrical lead 86. The lead 86 can extend in either of two directions depending upon the desired mounting in a finished display device. Although the connector has been described in relation to a particular crossed array display device, its use is not so limited. The connector of this invention can be used in any application where flush mounting of an electrical connector is desired and edge contact is suitable.

Referring in greater particularlity to H0. 4, there is shown a cross section of a portion of the assembled display device 10. The connector 38 is held in fixed position with relationship to the second grid structure 24 by the U-shaped clamp 62. A second U-shaped clamp 60, not shown, but previously described is also used in conjunction with the clamp 62 shown. The resilient contact member 80 is held in an upward position and bears upon and is in electrical contact with one of the elongated members 32 of the grid structure 24. The U-shaped clamp 62 is in frictional engagement with the body of the connector 74 and the second grid structure 24. The first and

second grid structures

12 and 24 bear against the first and second bearing surfaces 78 and 79 of the connector 38 thus providing a compact and flush assembly device, since the dimension B which is normal to the contact surface 76 is equal to the thickness of first and

second grid members

12 and 24 and the luminescent medium 36.

While there have been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector suitable for flush mounting on a circuit-containing device comprising a body of electrical-insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and first and second rectangular bearing surfaces each at right angles to and extending from opposite edges from said contact surface and in opposite directions thereto, said contact surface having at least two spaced-apart compressible pads and a plurality of resilient contact members between said pad and said body is adapted for frictionally engaging at least two U-shaped clamps that are adapted for holding said connector in electrical connection with said device and wherein surfaces of said device are in abutment with said first and second bearing surfaces.

2. An electrical connector according to claim 1 wherein said body of said connector has channels for electrical leads to enable said leads to extend in a direction away from a viewing surface on an assembly display device.

3. An electrical connector according to claim 2 wherein said body is an elongated L-shaped block of electrically insulative material.

4. An electrical connector according to claim 3 wherein said pads have a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof.

5. A visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flush mounting said device comprising:

a. a display assembly comprising first and second grid structures that each comprise a base of an electrically insulative material and a first and a second set of parallel elongated, electrical-conductive, electrical-individual elements on a conductive side of said base, said first and second sets extending partially across said conductive side from opposing edges of said side, said first grid structure being light transmitting and having a viewing side opposite to said conductive side and having said sets of elongated elements oriented normal to the elements of said second grid structure and positioned in opposing relation thereto but spaced therefrom and an electrically lummescent medium positioned between said first and second grid structures,

b. a pair of electrical connectors for each of said first and second grid structures, each connector comprising a body of electrical-insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite directions thereto, said contact surface having two spaced-apart, compressible pads and a plurality of resilient electrical-conductive members positioned between said pads, in individual contact with the individual elongated elements in said grid structures, and

c. at least two U-shapcd clamps for said electrical connector in frictional engagement with said body of said connector and with one of said grid structures whereby an electrical connection between said resilient contact and said elongated elements are maintained and surfaces of said grid structures are maintained in an abutting relationship to said bearing surfaces in each connector, said connector having the dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of the first and second grid structures and the luminescent medium therebetween to provide surfaces of said connector that are flush with said viewing side of said first grid structure.

6. A display device according to claim 5 wherein said grid structure bases are transparent glass.

7. A display device according to claim 6 wherein said connector has channels for electrical leads to enable said leads to extend in a direction away from a viewing surface on an assembly display device.

8. A display device according to claim 7 wherein said connector said body is an elongated L-shaped block of electrically insulative material.

9. A display device according to claim 8 wherein said connector said pads have a pressure sensitive adhesive on the surface thereof.

10. A display device according to claim 9 wherein said parallel elongated elements are gold strips.

Claims

1. An electrical connector suitable for flush mounting on a circuit-containing device comprising a body of electrical insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and first and second rectangular bearing surfaces each at right angles to and extending from opposite edges from said contact surface and in opposite directions thereto, said contact surface having at least two spaced apart compressible pads and a plurality of resilient contact members between said pads and said body is adapted for frictionally engaging at least two U-shaped clamps that are adapted for holding said connector in electrical connection with said device and wherein surfaces of said device are in abutment with said first- and second-bearing surfaces.

5. A visual display device having crossed arrays suitable for flush mounting said device comprising: a. a display assembly comprising first and second grid structures that each comprise a base of an electrically insulative material and a first and a second set of parallel elongated, electrical conductive, electrical-individual elements on a conductive side of said base, said first and second sets extending partially across said conductive side from opposing edges of said side, said first grid structure being light-transmitting and having a viewing side opposite to said conductive side and having said sets of elongated elements oriented normal to the elements of said second grid structure and positioned in opposing relation thereto but spaced therefrom and an electrically luminescent medium positioned between said first and second grid structures, b. a pair of electrical connectors for each of said first and second grid structures, each connector comprising a body of electrical-insulative material having a rectangular contact surface and two rectangular bearing surfaces at right angles to and extending from opposite edges of the contact surface and in opposite directions thereto, said contact surface having two spaced apart, compressible pads and a plurality of resilient electrical conductive members positioned between said pads, in individual contact with the individual elongated elements in said grid structures, and c. at least two U-shaped clamps for said electrical connector in frictional engagement with said body of said connector and with one of said grid structures whereby an electrical connection between said resilient contact and said elongated elements are maintained and surfaces of said grid structures are maintained in an abutting relationship to said bearing surfaces in each connector, said connector having the dimension that is normal to the contact surface that is equal to the sum of the thickness of the first and second grid structures and the luminescent medium therebetween to provide surfaces of said connector that are flush with said viEwing side of said first grid structure.