Progressive impedance connector

Abstract

A connector includes a base and a connector member with a first end connected to the base and a second end opposite the first end. A first region on the connector member, located adjacent the first end, has a first impedance. A second region on the connector member, located adjacent the second end, has a second impedance greater than the first impedance. When an electrostatically charged device is connected to the connector, the electrostatic charge is dissipated relatively slowly due to initial contact with the second region of increased impedance, lowering the voltage resulting from the connection in order to protect static sensitive circuits coupled to the connector.

1 . A connector comprising: 
 a base;    a connector member having a first end connected to the base;    the connector member terminating at a second end opposite the first end;    a first region located adjacent the first end, the first region having a first impedance; and    a second region located adjacent the second end, the second region having a second impedance that is greater than the first impedance.    
   
   
       2 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the first region includes a metal.  
   
   
       3 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the first region includes a metal alloy.  
   
   
       4 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the second region includes a polymer.  
   
   
       5 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the second region includes a resistive polymer  
   
   
       6 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the impedance varies from the first impedance to the second impedance between the first end and the second end.  
   
   
       7 . A connection device comprising: 
 a connector member having a varying mating surface contact with a charged connector;    the connector member including a first end and a second end opposite the first end; and    a region on the connector member located between the first end and the second end, whereby the connector member provides impedance which varies from a first impedance adjacent the first end to a second impedance, which is greater than the first impedance, adjacent the second end, the impedance varying in response to varying the mating surface contact between the connector member and the charged connector.    
   
   
       8 . The connection device of  claim 7  wherein the connector member is made of a first material, whereby the region of a first impedance is due to the first material and the region of a second impedance is due to the first material being coated with a second material.  
   
   
       9 . The connection device of  claim 8  wherein the first material includes a metal.  
   
   
       10 . The connection device of  claim 8  wherein the first material includes a metal alloy.  
   
   
       11 . The connection device of  claim 8  wherein the second material includes a polymer.  
   
   
       12 . The connection device of  claim 8  wherein the second material includes a resistive polymer.