GB1389545A - Display panel electrode termination - Google Patents

Abstract

1389545 Alpha numeric displays BURROUGHS CORP 13 Nov 1972 [24 Nov 1971] 52256/72 Heading G5C [Also in Divisions H1 and H2] Electrodes seated on the opposed inner surfaces of spaced insulating plates 20 and 100 of a display device 10 are connected to terminals 35 and 140 also disposed on said inner surfaces and accessible to connecting means 228 inverted between the plates. The display device shown is a gas-filled panel in which groups of cathode segments are deposited on the base plate 20 and corresponding segments in the groups are connected in common to a terminal 35. An anode for each group of cathodes is deposited on the face plate 100 and has a connecting tab 140. The insulating spacer 110 is a frame with ribs separating the groups of cathode segments and may incorporate a metal layer (Fig. 1, not shown), the connectors 225 comprise spaced resilient strip portions 226 and 227 so that each connector can engage either an anode tab 140 or a cathode terminal 35. Tails 220 of the connectors may be bent and inserted into apertures 310 in a printed circuit board 300 and soldered to conductive runs 320. The device 10 may thus be supported at any desired angle. Bending stress on the connectors may be relieved by a housing 260. An alternative housing (Fig. 6, not shown), providing an alternative means of supporting the display device has a lug with a hole for a bolt. This housing also has slots in which tabs projecting from the metal layer of the spacer 110 are secured by set screws thus securing the connectors to the display device and providing a connection to the metal layer, e.g. for applying a bias potential. The gas filling may be neon, argon and/or zenon with mercury vapour, the pressure being from 20 to 250 torr with 70 to 120 torr preferred. The display device may alternatively utilize liquid crystal material, various suspensions or emulsions, or semi-conductor or luminescent material between energizing electrodes.