Electrical connectors – With guiding means for mating of coupling part – Rodlike guide member extending in coupling direction or...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-03-20
Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
With guiding means for mating of coupling part
Rodlike guide member extending in coupling direction or...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06203356
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to electrical components with pin contacts and in particular to a device and method for protecting the pin contacts of an electrical component.
BACKGROUND ART
Electrical components such as modules with pin-in-hole (PIH) packaging, typically have a module body with a plurality of straight, electrical contact pins extending from its lower surface. During the handling and installation of the module in a mating socket, the pins can be bent or otherwise damaged by incidental contact or by mishandling by unskilled persons. In such instances, the module is often permanently damaged and must be discarded. This source of waste can significantly increase manufacturing costs as the module typically represents a relatively expensive portion of the final product. A simple, inexpensive device and/or method for preventing damage to the contact pins of an electrical component is needed for reducing manufacturing costs.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus having a thin metal frame has an opening and a protective rail on each end. Four guide posts extend from the lower surface of the frame to a plate which is retained on their ends. Each guide post has a spring to bias the plate away from the frame. The plate has a large number of pin holes in a custom pattern for a particular electrical component having straight, electrical contact pins.
The component is loaded into the apparatus by extending the pins through the opening and into the pin holes in the plate. The rails may be flexibly depressed or flexed outward to accommodate the component before snapping onto and around the ends of the component to fix it from movement relative to the apparatus. The guide posts extend beyond the tips of the pins to provide stand-off protection. The tips of the guide posts are placed in a socket and the assembly is pressed into the socket until the pins seat in it. As the pins are inserted into the socket, the plate is pressed toward the frame to collapse the springs. The apparatus is left permanently installed with the component in the module.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5348488 (1994-09-01), Green et al.
patent: 5466164 (1995-11-01), Miyazaki et al.
Felsman, Bradley, Vaden, Gunter & Dillon, LLP.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Paumen Gary F.
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