Technique for inserting connector leads into a circuit board
AssigneeAT&T Technologies, Inc.
InventorWillard E. Rapp
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of rows of leads (6,7) extending from a connector (5) are inserted into vias (32--32) in a circuit board (24) having components thereon. A plurality of slots (84--84) in a comb (60) are aligned with the vias (32--32) and the connector (5) moved towards the comb to position the leads (6,7) therein. A downward force is applied to the connector (5) causing the leads (6,7) to slide along the slots (84--84) and into the vias (32--32). The comb (60) is arcuately moved a short distance to disengage the leads (6,7) therefrom and then moved upward, away from the board (24). The board (24) with the connector (5) thereon is removed. The comb (60) is then moved back to the vertical position to receive the leads of the next connector (5) to be inserted in the vias (32--32).
Claims8
A method of mounting a connector, having a plurality of parallel rows of leads extending from one side thereof, onto a circuit board having components thereon and a plurality of parallel rows of vias therethrough, the method comprising the steps of:
- placing the circuit board on a support member;
- positioning a comb, having parallel rows of slots therein corresponding to the spatial orientation of the parallel rows of vias, proximate the components and spaced from the circuit board with the slots aligned with the respective vias;
- urging the connector towards the comb, in a direction parallel to the surface of the circuit board, to engage the leads in the respective slots therein;
- moving the comb connector in concert towards the circuit board until the comb contacts the board;
- applying a force to the connector to urge the leads along the slots into the respective vias;
- arcuately moving the comb, through a small angle, towards the components to disengage the leads therefrom;
- and
- moving the comb away from the circuit board in a direction normal to permit removal of the board, with the connector mounted thereon, from the support member.
An apparatus for mounting a connector, having a plurality of parallel rows of leads extending from one side thereof, onto a circuit board having components thereon and a plurality of vias therethrough, comprising:
- a base;
- means, mounted on the base, for supporting the circuit board;
- a comb, having individual slots therein corresponding to the spatial orientation of the individual vias;
- means, mounted on the base, for arcuately moving the comb to and from a position spaced from the circuit board with the slots aligned with the respective vias;
- means, mounted on the base, for urging the connector towards the comb to engage the leads in the respective slots therein;
- means, mounted on the base, for moving the comb and connector in concert towards the board until the comb contacts the board;
- and
- means, associated with the moving means, for applying a force to the connector to urge the leads along the slots into the respective vias.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.