Device and method for circuit board insertion and removal
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorBrandon A. Rubenstein
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a device for insertion and removal of a circuit board into a mating connector positioned within a housing, the device having a first end for pivotal engagement with the circuit board and adapted to mate with a front surface of the housing when the circuit board to which the device is pivotally engaged begins to engage the connector, and a second end disposed longitudinally from the first end and adapted with a latch for releasably mating with a protrusion on the board such that when the board is engaged with the connector the second end becomes releasably mated to the protrusion thereby latching the board to the connector.
Claims24
A device for insertion and removal of a circuit board into a mating connector, said connector positioned within a housing, said device comprising:
- a first end for pivotal engagement with said circuit board, said first end also adapted to mate with a front surface of said housing when said circuit board to which said device is pivotally engaged begins to engage said connector;
- and
- a second end disposed longitudinally from said first end, said second end adapted with a latch for releasably mating with a protrusion on said circuit board such that when said board is engaged with said connector said second end becomes releasably mated to said protrusion thereby latching said board to said connector.
A method of locking a printed wiring board into a connector, said connector mounted to a housing, said housing having at least one guide for positioning said board with respect to said connector, said method comprising:
- placing a board within said guide in a direction such that said board will, upon the application of insertion force thereupon, move into mated relationship with said connector;
- applying said insertion force to said board to move said board toward said connector until a first end of a device which is pivotally mounted to said board engages with an edge of said housing;
- rotating said device so that a longitudinal portion of said device engages on a portion of said board;
- continuing to apply force to said device so as to move said board and said connector into said mated relationship;
- and
- retaining said device in an engaged position on said portion of said board, even after said external insertion force has been removed, said engaged position preventing said board from becoming disconnected from said connector at least in part by said first and of said device engaging said edge of said housing.
A device for locking a printed wiring board (PWB) into a connector, said connector mounted to a housing, said housing having at least one guide for positioning said board with respect to said connector, said device comprising:
- means for applying an external insertion force to said PWB to move said PWB toward said connector along said guide, said means having a first end pivotally attached to said PWB board, said first end having a portion for engaging with a portion of said housing;
- means for contacting a front edge of said PWB along a longitudinal portion of said device;
- and
- means for maintaining at least a portion of said insertion force after said external insertion force has been removed.
A latching device for use with housing accepting a plurality of electronic boards into mating relationship with a plurality of connectors affixed to said housing, said housing having at least one locking portion for mating with said latching device pivotally mounted on at least one electronic board, said latching device comprising:
- means for applying an external insertion force to an electronic board of said plurality of electronic boards to move said electronic board toward a corresponding connector of said plurality of connectors along a guide, said means having a first end pivotally attached to said board, said first end having a portion for engaging with a portion of said housing;
- means for contacting a front edge of said PWB along a longitudinal portion of said device;
- and
- means for maintaining at least a portion of said insertion force after said external insertion force has been removed.
A latching device for use with an electronic circuit board mating with a connector within a housing, said housing having at least one locking portion for mating with said latching device pivotally mounted to said board, said latching device comprising:
- means for applying an external insertion force to said electronic circuit board to move said electronic circuit board toward said connector along a guide, said means having a first end pivotally attached to said electronic circuit board, said first end having a portion for engaging with a portion of said housing;
- means for contacting a front edge of said electronic circuit board along a longitudinal portion of said device;
- means for maintaining at least a portion of said insertion force after said external insertion force has been removed;
- and
- wherein said board contains a protrusion for operation in conjunction with said maintaining means.
A printed wiring board (PWB) adapted for latching into a mated relationship with a housing mounted connector, said PWB comprising:
- a protrusion for releasable accepting a latching mechanism, said latching mechanism operable, in conjunction with said protrusion, and with an outer portion of said housing, for maintaining positive force between said PWB and said connector after externally applied insertion force has been removed.
A device for aiding in latching an electronic circuit board in a mated relationship with an electrical connector, said connector located at a back end of a housing, said device comprising:
- a first end for engaging a front surface of said housing;
- means for pivoting said first end around an outer corner of a circuit board to be latched;
- a second end disposed laterally from said first end said second end comprising a latch mechanism for releasably latching to a pin mounted on said board;
- and
- a body extending between said ends, said body having upper and lower portions separated by a distance to allow at least a portion of said board to fit between said portions when said latch mechanism is latched to said pin.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.