Pylon actuated locking eyelet
AssigneeAMP Incorporated
InventorsShane D. Northcraft, John A. Pastor, Mark R. Thumma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Improved locking eyelets (2) for securing electrical components to a circuit board by support pylons. A surface-mount electrical connector (40) is anchored to a circuit board (60) by pylons (20) and eyelets (2) mounted at the tip of each pylon (20). Each eyelet (2) is provided with a number of elongate members (8) to allow one-way insertion of a pylon (20) therein. When an eyelet (2) is mounted on a pylon (20), and the pylon (20) is inserted through the circuit board, the pylon (20) causes eyelet (2) to expand at one end, thereby locking both eyelet (2) and pylon (20) within the circuit board.
Claims20
A locking eyelet for securing an electrical component to a circuit board, the eyelet comprising an annular member having an open first end for insertion of a pylon, a second end for insertion through said circuit board, means for anchoring said eyelet in said circuit board, said anchoring means being actuated by insertion of said pylon within said eyelet, and means for inhibiting extraction of said pylon.
A connector assembly, comprising:
- a connector housing;
- at least one pylon extending from beneath said housing for mounting said connector on a first circuit board;
- a plurality of terminal members arranged within said connector housing for establishing an electrical contact with said first circuit board;
- and
- at least one locking eyelet for securing said electrical connector to said first circuit board by a pylon, said eyelet comprising an annular member having an open first end for insertion of a pylon, a second end for insertion through said first circuit board, and means for anchoring said eyelet in said first circuit board, said anchoring means being actuated by insertion of said pylon through said eyelet.
A method for securing an electrical component to a circuit board by a support pylon using an annular eyelet, comprising the steps of:
- inserting a support pylon of said component into an open upper end of said eyelet;
- inserting a lower end of said eyelet through a circuit board;
- and
- driving said pylon against said lower end to expand said lower end, thereby locking said eyelet within said circuit board.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.