Electrical connectors – With coupling separator – Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-26
2001-02-20
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling separator
Nonconducting pusher
Reexamination Certificate
active
06190188
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of mechanical fasteners and in particular, to a circuit board ejector used for mounting a circuit board to an electronic chassis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
An electronic chassis which houses electronic components for high speed telecommunication and networking applications typically includes a plurality of vertically oriented circuit board assemblies that are inserted into the chassis. Each circuit board assembly is typically comprised of a circuit board attached to a U-shaped channel member that serves as a front faceplate of the assembly. When the assembly is fully inserted, the circuit board is connected to a backplane printed circuit located along the backside of the chassis. The insertion force required to connect the circuit board to the backplane may make it difficult, if not impossible, for a user to make the connection by manually forcing the channel member in a direction towards the backplane.
In order to facilitate the connection of the circuit board to the backplane, attempts have been made to provide a mechanical connector at each end of the channel member, each mechanical connector having a handle portion and a hook portion. The mechanical connectors are typically rotatably attached to each end of the channel member and are able to rotate freely about a pin that is attached to the channel member. When installing the circuit board assembly, a user typically orients each hook portion to allow each hook portion to engage a flange portion of the chassis. After each hook portion engages the flange portion, the handle portion of each mechanical connector is then manually rotated about the pin, which forces the circuit board into the backplane. The handle portion typically has a generally rectangular-shape having a smooth surface along its outer surface. In order to rotate the handle portion, a user applies a load to the smooth outer surface of the handle portion. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that the smooth surface may cause the user's fingers to slip off the handle portion during actuation of the handle portion. Moreover, the handle portion typically does not have a designated area along its outer surface to provide the optimum location for the user's fingers to make contact with handle portion. As a result, a user may apply a load to the handle portion at a location that is closer to the pivot point of the mechanical connector. This in turn may result in greater loads having to be applied to the handle portion making insertion of the circuit board assembly into the chassis more difficult, if not impossible.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a circuit board ejector that overcomes the disadvantages described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides a circuit board ejector including a handle portion and a hook portion. The handle portion includes a manually operable portion. The manually operable portion includes a plurality of ridge portions and a raised lip portion to allow a user to apply a load to the manually operable portion which is at an optimum location along the handle portion to position the circuit board ejector into a locked position. The plurality of ridge portions and the raised lip portion may preferably extend outward from an outer surface of the handle portion. The plurality of ridge portions may preferably extend outward varying distances from the outer surface of the handle portion. The plurality of ridge portions may preferably include outer ridge portions and inner ridge portions, the outer ridge portions extending outward from an outer surface of the handle portion a greater distance than the inner ridge portions. The plurality of ridge portions may preferably each have an arcuate surface. The raised lip portion may preferably be located adjacent an end of the handle portion and may preferably extend outward from the outer surface of the handle portion a greater distance than the plurality of ridge portions. An outer side of the lip portion may preferably define a recess to receive a locking spring. The handle portion may preferably be comprised of aluminum.
Another aspect of the invention provides a circuit board ejector including a handle portion and a hook portion. The handle portion includes a manually operable portion located adjacent an end of the handle portion. The manually operable portion includes a plurality of integrally formed ridge portions and an integrally formed raised lip portion to allow a user to apply a load to the manually operable portion which is at an optimum location along the handle portion to position the circuit board ejector into a locked position.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of operating a circuit board ejector. A circuit board ejector including a handle portion and a hook portion is provided. The handle portion includes a manually operable portion. The manually operable portion includes a plurality of ridge portions and a raised lip portion. A load is applied to the manually operable portion, and the circuit board ejector is positioned into a locked position.
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 equivalents thereof.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5380213 (1995-01-01), Piorunneck et al.
patent: 5662485 (1997-09-01), Yip et al.
Koradia Amir
Pogatetz Douglas J.
Ravlin Philip A.
3Com Corporation
Abrams Neil
Baniak Nicholas Pine & Gannon
Nasri Javaid
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