Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-30
2001-10-23
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S807000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307752
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a shearable rib or support in a housing for an electrical device. More specifically, the invention supports and retains a circuit board, and prevents sheared plastic shavings, formed when the circuit board is inserted into the housing and scrapes along the ribs, from interfering with proper seating of the circuit board during assembly. This interference is avoided by use of a relief or recess in the rib that collects the shavings.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A need exists for a means to prevent sheared plastic shavings or scrapings from interfering with the proper seating of a circuit board in the housing of an electrical device.
One common way to retain a circuit board in an electrical device is to attach the circuit board to the housing using screws or clips. A screw is typically passed through a hole in the circuit board and received in the housing. Circuit board size and shape is generally optimized in order for the circuit board to fit within the dimensions of the housing for the electrical device. Supports or ribs for the circuit board are variously located throughout the housing, and can be located along the side walls. Uses for the supports include cooling for the device, as well as for the prevention of undesirable contact between components mounted on the circuit board and other components, wires and the like located near the circuit board.
When the supports are located along the side walls of the housing, sides of the circuit board scrape along the sides of the supports during assembly. When the supports are made of plastic, shavings or scrapings may be generated during the installation of the circuit board. By the time the circuit board reaches the resting destination on the supports, sheared plastic shavings may have accumulated between the supports and the circuit board. These plastic shavings can interfere with the proper and full seating and retention of the circuit board within the housing, and cause misalignment of critically located components and parts to be snap fitted together.
Consequently, there is a need for a circuit board support rib that can accommodate the shavings, resulting in proper seating of the circuit board within the housing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a support for a circuit board in an electrical device capable of both retaining the circuit board and collecting scrapings caused by insertion of the circuit board in the electrical device.
Another object of the invention is to provide a means for frictionally retaining a circuit board and collecting scrapings that can interfere with the proper seating of the circuit board.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a housing for an electrical device, the housing supporting a board having first and second sides separated by a width “a”, having a housing body; a first board support attached to the housing body having a first side surface, a first support surface substantially perpendicular to the first side surface for supporting the board, and a first recess in the first support surface; a second board support attached to the housing body having a second side surface, a second support surface substantially perpendicular to the second side surface for supporting the board, and a second recess in the second support surface, a distance “b” separating the second side surface and the first side surface being less than the width “a” of the board; wherein the board is inserted into the housing body, the first side of the board scrapes along the first side surface, and the second side scrapes along the second side surface resulting in scrapings that can collect in the first and second recesses, and wherein the board is frictionally retained between the first and second board supports.
The foregoing objects are also attained by providing a housing for an electrical device, the housing supporting a board having first and second sides, the combination comprising means, coupled to the housing, for frictionally retaining the board in the housing; means for collecting scraped material, the scraped material resulting when the board is inserted into the housing and the first and second sides scrape along the means for frictionally retaining; wherein some of the scraped material is collected in the means for collecting so as not to interfere with the seating of the circuit board on the means for frictionally retaining.
Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4585122 (1986-04-01), Stegenga
patent: 4652969 (1987-03-01), Stegenga
patent: 4918572 (1990-04-01), Tarver et al.
patent: 4958259 (1990-09-01), Berg et al.
patent: 5111362 (1992-05-01), Flamm et al.
patent: 5217389 (1993-06-01), MacKay et al.
patent: 6239986 (2001-05-01), Otsuka
Howard Carol A.
Strang Ward E.
'Hubbell Incorporated
Gaffin Jeffrey
Phan Thanh
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