Board extractor catch for a card module

Details Board extractor catch for a card module Board extractor catch for a card module

1999-03-31

2001-10-09

Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S740000, C361S752000, C361S759000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06301123

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to outdoor cabinets for telecommunications switching equipment, and more particularly, to a card module for a telecommunications switching cabinet having means to extract the card module.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Telecommunications equipment is typically designed for indoor temperature controlled environments, but is now frequently deployed in outdoor locations. When telecommunications equipment is deployed in outdoor locations, a cabinet is used to provide environmental protection and to control thermal conditions within the cabinet. The electronic equipment is generally contained in one or more removable card modules that plug into a backplane in the cabinet. The card modules are supported in the cabinet by a subrack and include connectors that mate with corresponding connectors on the backplane. Air flows through the subrack between the card modules to heat and/or cool the electronics on the card modules.
Card modules are usually installed and removed by using) a board extraction tool. The board extraction tool fits into a keyhole in the face panel of the card module and is rotated to engage the card. Once the card is engaged, the card can be pulled from its slot in the subrack without damaging adjacent card modules.
The presence of the keyhole in the card module presents a problem when the switching cabinet is deployed in an outdoor location. Air flow through the subrack leaks through the keyhole into the interior of the cabinet thereby reducing heating and cooling efficiency. The keyhole also allows ambient air to enter the protected space inside the subrack. The ambient air may carry contaminants that could be harmful to the equipment within the cabinet.
Previous solutions to this problem include covering or filling the keyhole with tape or fillers. These solutions are not adequate because they do not allow for a board extracting tool to be inserted into the keyhole for removing the PC board. Replaceable fillers or plugs have also been used which cover the hole and may be removed to insert the board extracting tool. When the filler is removed from the keyhole, the replaceable fillers or plugs are sometimes lost or damaged and, therefore, not placed back into the keyhole. Another drawback of keyhole plugs is they are expensive to manufacture or time consuming to install and remove. Both of these criteria result in the keyhole being left open as the user will chance damage to the PC board because the solution is too expensive or creates too much work and is too aggravating for use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A card module for a telecommunication switching cabinet includes a circuit board with a front panel secured along one edge, and a board extractor catch mounted to the front panel. The front panel includes a keyhole. The board extractor catch mounts in the keyhole so that the board extractor catch completely covers the keyhole to prevent air flow through the keyhole. The board extractor catch includes a first end that butts against the front panel to cover the keyhole and a second end with a tool-receiving opening to engage a board extracting tool. The tool-receiving opening includes a central bore that extends generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the board extractor catch, and a pair of L-shaped slots disposed on opposing sides of the central bore. The central bore extends through the catch element from the second end to the first end. A portion of the central bore adjacent the first end is internally threaded to engage with a threaded fastener.
The L-shaped slots include an insertion channel extending from the end of the catch element approximately one-half the distance of the catch element and a catch area. The board extracting tool is inserted into the tool-receiving opening with the pins on the tool aligned with the insertion channels and then rotated to engage the pins in the catch area.
The catch element also preferably includes one or more keys that engage with the keyhole to prevent the catch element from rotating. The catch element is held in place by a threaded fastener that extends through the front panel from the back and threads into the central bore of the catch element.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3180670 (1965-04-01), Pryde
patent: 3583744 (1971-06-01), Paine
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patent: 4096548 (1978-06-01), Misono et al.
patent: 4547835 (1985-10-01), Pansaert et al.
patent: 5457607 (1995-10-01), Carvalho
patent: 04158599 (1992-06-01), None
patent: 1056276 (1998-02-01), None
patent: 2234766A (1991-02-01), None

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