Device and method for protecting pins of an electrical component

An apparatus, comprising:

• a frame adapted to engage and retain an electrical component having contact pins;
• a guide member mounted to and extending from the frame;
• a plate mounted to the guide member and having a set of pin holes which are adapted to align with and receive the contact pins of the component;
• wherein
• the plate has an extended position spaced apart from the frame such that the plate and the guide member protect the contact pins from incidental contact, and a retracted position wherein the plate is adjacent to the frame such that the contact pins are exposed;
• and wherein
• the retention member extends from a first surface of the frame and the guide member extends from a second surface of the frame and faces opposite the first surface.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a frame adapted to engage and retain an electrical component having contact pins, wherein the frame has a pair of rails located on opposite side edges of the frame, the frame being flexible to insert the component between the rails;
• a guide member mounted to and extending from the frame;
• a plate mounted to the guide member and having a set of pin holes which are adapted to align with and receive the contact pins of the component;
• and wherein
• the plate has an extended position spaced apart from the frame such that the plate and the guide member protect the contact pins from incidental contact and a retracted position wherein the plate is adjacent to the frame such that the contact pins are exposed.

An apparatus, comprising in combination:

• an electrical component having contact pins;
• a PCB having a set of pin holes which receive the contact pins;
• a frame which retains the component and has an opening for accommodating the contact pins;
• a guide post mounted to and extending from the frame into a mating hole in the PCB;
• a plate mounted to the guide post and having a set of pin holes which align with and receive the contact pins of the component;
• and wherein
• the plate has an extended position spaced apart from the frame such that the plate and the guide post protect the contact pins from incidental contact prior to their insertion into the pin holes of the PCB, and, after installation, a retracted position wherein the contact pins protrude from the pin holes in the plate into the pin holes of the PCB.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a platform adapted to engage an electrical component having contact pins, the platform having a central opening for allowing the contact pins to extend therethrough;
• a retention member mounted to the platform and adapted to retain the component on the platform;
• a plurality of guide members mounted to and extending from the platform;
• a plate mounted to the guide members and having a set of pin holes which are adapted to align with and receive the contact pins of the component, the plate being substantially parallel to the platform;
• a spring mounted to each guide member for biasing the plate to an extended position away from the platform;
• and wherein
• when the plate is in the extended position, the plate and no more than tips of the contact pins protrude through the pin holes of the plate, and when the plate is in a retracted position, the contact pins protrude further through the pin holes of the plate.