Importance

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Abstract

A switching matrix includes at least two parallel circuit boards each having plural conductive traces and multiple matrix holes therethrough arranged to permit traces on one board to be connected to traces on the second board. Connection is achieved by means of a flexible non-conductive circuit jumper pin having a resilient conductive sleeve arranged to extend between an aligned pair of holes in the two boards. The holes are conductively plated to define female contacts to radially compress the conductive sleeve. Circuit jumper pins may be moved between different matrix positions manually or by a pick and place mechanism controlled from a remote location. In one embodiment, serving as a telephone cross-connect switch, connections are made in pairs, therebeing four circuit boards and two conductive sleeves on each pin, each sleeve interconnecting a pair of traces on a respective pair of boards. In this embodiment the pins are inserted to the first board and external connections to the matrix are made via plug-end connectors at the fourth board. Connections between the first and fourth boards are provided by jumper rods extending through aligned jumper holes defined in each board. Housekeeping holes are provided at the matrix periphery to jump signals between the first and second boards and between the third and fourth boards.

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First Claim