Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-06-12
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S747000, C361S759000, C361S807000, C024S548000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246589
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to retention clips, and, in particular, retention clips for retaining compact flash drives on a PC board, and allowing for relatively simple operation, including easy assembly and disassembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Retention clips are used to secure electronic devices to a PC board, in an effort to insure proper connection of the electronic devices in cases in which the devices sustain a decent amount of vibration. Additionally, such retention clips are used to provide protection during packaging drop tests and transportation of products. Such retention clips have been used in a number of situations, and are typically installed on the sockets used to couple the electronic devices to its proper connection within a PC board. Such items are commonplace in today's electronic society. However, most retention clips are not installed on the PC board itself, often referred to as “PCB harnessed”. Additionally, most retention clips do not provide for an easy method of assembly and disassembly. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a retention clip with the above properties that would resolve the above problems and still be simple and efficient to assemble and disassemble.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides a retention clip for retaining a compact flash drive on a PC board includes a flash drive contact portion. The compact flash drive is preferably inserted into a socket operably attached to the PC board. The flash drive contact portion includes first and second leg portions extending in an outward direction from the flash drive contact portion. The flash drive contact portion may include first and second arm portions. Preferably, the flash drive contact portion is U-shaped. The first leg portion includes a first foot portion extending at an angle from the first leg portion to allow the first foot portion to be inserted into a first, preferably circular, opening formed in the PC board. The first foot portion may extend rearward for 0.150 inches. Preferably, the first leg portion includes a first upper leg portion and a first lower leg portion. The depth of the first leg portion may be 0.250 inches. The second leg portion includes a second foot portion extending outward from and parallel to the second leg portion to allow the second foot portion to be inserted in a second, preferably ovular, opening formed in the PC board. The depth of the second foot portion may be 0.072 inches, and it may extend in an outward direction for 0.125 inches. Preferably, the second leg portion includes a second upper leg portion and a second lower leg portion. Preferably, both the first and second foot portions are L-shaped, as may be the first and second upper and lower leg portions. Preferably, both the first and second lower leg portions extend downward for 0.150 inches. The flash drive contact portion secures the compact flash drive in a fixed position. The total length of the flash drive contact portion and the first and second leg portions may be 1.500 inches.
A further aspect of the invention provides a method of operation of a retention clip for retaining a compact flash drive on a PC board. A flash drive contact portion is provided. The flash drive contact portion includes first and second leg portions. The first leg portion includes a first foot portion. The second leg portion includes a second foot portion. The compact flash drive is inserted into a socket operably attached to the PC board. The first foot portion is inserted into a first opening formed in the PC board. Pressure is applied to first and second arm portions of the flash drive contact portion such that the second foot may be inserted into the second opening. The second foot portion is inserted into the second opening. The pressure applied to the first and second arm portions is released. Pressure may be applied to the first and second arm portions of the flash drive contact portion such that the second foot portion may be removed from the second opening. The second foot portion may be removed from the second opening. The pressure applied to the upper regions of the flash drive portion may be released. The first foot portion may be removed from the first opening.
The invention provides the foregoing and other features, and the advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and the equivalents thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5174781 (1992-12-01), Muzslay
patent: 5251101 (1993-10-01), Liu
patent: 5323845 (1994-06-01), Kin-Shon
patent: 5448449 (1995-09-01), Bright et al.
patent: 5593313 (1997-01-01), Shibuya et al.
patent: 5734556 (1998-03-01), Saneinejad et al.
patent: 5761036 (1998-06-01), Hopfer et al.
patent: 6101091 (2000-08-01), Baik
A photocopy of a top and bottom view of a “Retention Harness Clip” (Author unknown, undated, 1 pg.).
August, Jr. Joseph M.
Laughlin Kenneth S.
3Com Corporation
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
Tran Thanh Y.
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