US 3,950,603 AGranted

Enclosure case for potless immobilization of circuit components

AssigneeAnalog Devices, Inc.

InventorPaul C. Brefka

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Abstract

An enclosed modular circuit component is immobilized against deleterious movement due to high impact, shock and vibration movement. A two-piece enclosure case for securely immobilizing a wide variety of readily available modular circuit components is easy to fabricate and utilize with the components. The enclosure case comprises two halves each of which has a top and a bottom, respectively, with two oppositely disposed side walls projecting therefrom. At least one half of the case has a ledge upon which the circuit component header, such as an element support board or a printed circuit board, may be supported. The other half of the case is then provided with means to urge the board against the ledge so that when the two halves are placed together the component is sandwiched between them in a secured immobile relationship. The component elements may be maintained spaced from contact with the enclosure interior surfaces. The side walls contain interlock means which cooperate with complementary interlock means on the respective top or bottom of the other half to form a tight fitting interlock engagement. The interlock is under tension since each half has only two opposite walls which can thus be flexed. In this manner, the entire assembly unit has a continuous interlock around its periphery. Openings for the board lead pins are provided.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An enclosed modular circuit component substantially immobilized for resistance to potentially harmful effects due to impact, shock and vibration movements without encapsulation in potting material comprising:

a first case-half means having a support means and two oppositely disposed side wall means projecting from the support means,
a second case-half means having support means and two oppositely disposed side wall means projecting from the support means,
the side wall means of at least one of the case halves having mechanical interlock means,
the other of the case halves having mechanical interlock means on its support means,
a modular circuit component positioned between the case halves,
the case halves being assembled together juxtaposed with the side wall means of one case half perpendicular to the side wall means of the other case half to form a complete enclosure,
the interlock means on the side wall means and on the support means cooperating with one another forming the tight fitting secure engagement,
at least one case half side wall means being sufficiently flexible in a spring-like manner relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the other case half support means so that the secure engagement is aided by tension forces,
ledge means formed on the interior of the side wall means of at least one of the case halves supporting at least part of the component thereon,
the case half not having the ledge means including interior projection means contacting at least a part of the component therein,
the ledge means and projection means forming clamp-like surfaces securely contacting the component therebetween
holding the circuit component immobilized therein essentially free from movement due to impact, shock, vibration and the like under use.

9 more elements

A case enclosing modular circuit components to reduce the likelihood of harmful effects due to impact, shock and vibration movements without the need for potting thereof comprising:

a first case-half means and a second case-half means assembled together,
the first case-half means having a support means and two oppositely disposed side wall means projecting from the support means,
the second case-half means having a support means and two oppositely disposed side wall means projecting from the support means,
the side walls of at least one of the case halves having mechanical interlock means,
the other of the case halves having mechanical interlock means on its support means,
the interlock means on the side wall means and on the support means cooperating with one another in tight fitting secure engagement
when the case halves are assembled juxtaposed with the side wall means of one case half perpendicular to the side wall means of the other case half to form a complete enclosure,
at least one case half side wall means being sufficiently flexible in a spring-like manner relative to a plane substantially perpendicular to the other case half support means so that secure engagement is aided by tension forces,
ledge means formed on the interior of the side wall means of at least one of the case halves supporting at least part of the component thereon,
the case half not having the ledge means including interior projection means contacting at least part of the component,
the ledge means and projection means forming clamp-like surfaces securely contacting the component therebetween
securely holding the component immobilized essentially free from movement due to impact, shock, vibration and the like under use.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.