Bottom entry interconnection element for connecting components to a circuit board

An interconnection element for coupling a component with a circuit board having a top side and a bottom side, the element comprising:

• a planar portion configured to be surface mounted on the top side of the circuit board to overlie an opening in the circuit board;
• an opening formed in the planar portion to coincide with the circuit board opening;
• opposing spring fingers coupled to the planar portion, each spring finger having a gripping leg extending down toward the planar portion and being positioned on opposite sides of the opening in the planar portion;
• the gripping legs extending through the opening in the planar portion to extend into the board opening to capture a component lead that extends in the board opening from the bottom side of the circuit board.

An interconnection element for coupling a component with a circuit board having a top side and a bottom side, the element comprising:

• a planar portion configured to be surface mounted on a flat surface of the top side of the circuit board, the planar portion including an opening formed therein;
• opposing spring fingers coupled to the planar portion, each spring finger having a gripping leg extending down toward the planar portion and being positioned on opposite sides of the planar portion;
• the gripping legs extending through the opening in the planar portion to extend into an opening formed in the circuit board to capture a component lead that extends in the circuit board opening from the bottom side of the circuit board;
• at least one through-hole appendage coupled with the planar portion of the element, the through-hole appendage configured to engage a through-hole formed in a circuit board when the planar portion is surface mounted to the top side of the board.

A method of coupling a component with a circuit board having a top side and a bottom side, the method comprising:

• mounting at least one component on the top side of a circuit board;
• the circuit board including at least one opening therein extending between the top side and bottom side;
• mounting an interconnection element to the top side of the board to overlie the opening in the circuit board, the interconnection element including a planar portion that is surface mounted on the top side of the circuit board and an opening formed in the planar portion to coincide with the circuit board opening;
• the interconnection element including opposing spring fingers coupled to the planar portion on opposite sides of the planar portion opening, each spring finger having a gripping leg extending through the opening in the planar portion;
• positioning the interconnection element so the gripping legs extend into the board opening from the top side of the board;
• mounting at least one component, having a lead, on the bottom side of the board and positioning the component lead to extend into the board opening from the bottom side so that it is captured by the gripping legs that extend into the board opening.

A method of coupling a component with a circuit board having a top side and a bottom side, the method comprising:

• mounting at least one component on the top side of a circuit board;
• the circuit board including at least one lead opening therein extending between the top side and bottom side and including a through-hole in the circuit board adjacent to the circuit board lead opening;
• mounting an interconnection element to the top side of the board to overlie the lead opening in the circuit board, the interconnection element including a planar portion and an opening formed in the planar portion;
• the interconnection element being surface mounted so the planar portion opening coincides with the circuit board lead opening;
• directing at least one through-hole appendage coupled to the planar portion into the through-hole in the circuit board and mounting the appendage in the through-hole when the planar portion is surface mounted to the top side of the board;
• the interconnection element including opposing spring fingers configured to grip a component lead, wherein the opposing spring fingers extend through the opening in the planar portion and extend into the circuit board lead opening from the top side of the board;
• mounting at least one component, having a lead, on the bottom side of the board and positioning the component lead to extend into the circuit board lead opening from the bottom side so that it is captured by the spring fingers.

A method of coupling a component with a circuit board having a top side and a bottom side, the method comprising:

• mounting at least one component on the top side of a circuit board;
• the circuit board including at least one lead opening therein extending between the top side and bottom side and including a through-hole in the circuit board adjacent to the circuit board lead opening;
• positioning a solder pattern around the lead opening and the through-hole in the circuit board;
• mounting an interconnection element to the top side of the board to overlie the lead opening in the circuit board, the interconnection element including a planar portion and an opening formed in the planar portion;
• the interconnection element being surface mounted to engage the solder pattern so the planar portion opening coincides with the circuit board lead opening;
• directing at least one through-hole appendage coupled to the planar portion into the through-hole in the circuit board and mounting the appendage in the through-hole when the planar portion is surface mounted to the top side of the board;
• the interconnection element including opposing spring fingers configured to grip a component lead;
• mounting at least one component, having a lead, on the bottom side of the board and positioning the component lead to extend into the circuit board lead opening from the bottom side so that it is captured by the spring fingers.