Electrical connectors – Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move... – Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-16
2001-03-27
Donovan, Lincoln (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...
Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...
C439S571000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206713
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to circuit board connectors and, more specifically, to a PCB zero-insertion-force connector with a housing and two connector halves accommodated in the housing which are swivelable toward each other and away from each other. In a mounting position, in which they are swiveled away from each other, the connector halves allow the insertion of one of the PCBs to be brought into contact with each other. In a connecting position, in which they are swiveled towards each other, they establish a contact with the inserted PCB.
Such PCB zero-insertion-force connectors are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,351 to George Giel. The connectors serve the purpose of connecting two PCBs electrically and mechanically to each other essentially without any force. The connectors are generally used, inter alia, to connect a first PCB simply and without any danger of force damage essentially perpendicularly onto a second PCB (for example a so-called backplane or motherboard). The resulting electrical and mechanical connection is secure and reliable.
The number of contacts which are to be connected with one another when connecting PCBs differs from case to case and may vary considerably. Accordingly, the PCB zero-insertion-force connectors connecting the PCBs are also to be designed for different numbers of contacts.
For this reason, the PCB zero-insertion-force connectors are to be offered in different lengths, the various lengths preferably corresponding to an integral multiple of a basic length (for example 25 mm).
However, the manufacture of PCB zero-insertion-force connectors of different lengths involves relatively high expenditure, because individual parts of different sizes have to be produced and assembled (preferably on one and the same apparatuses).
This problem could be obviated if only PCB zero-insertion-force connectors of the basic length were manufactured and these were constructed in such a way that they can be combined to give any overall length by fitting them next to one another. However, such PCB zero-insertion-force connectors are difficult to process, at least whenever a number of them are to be combined to give a larger PCB zero-insertion-force connector. Processing requires an increased number of working steps and an extreme degree of precision.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a PCB zero-insertion force plug connector, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods of this general type and which allows the connector to be both manufactured in a simple manner and processed in a simple manner, and that this is so even if the PCB zero-insertion-force connector is to be variable in its dimensions.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a PCB zero-insertion-force connector, comprising:
a housing;
two connector halves accommodated in the housing and being selectively swivelable toward each other into a connecting position and away from each other into a mounting position;
the connector halves, in the mounting position thereof, being adapted to receive therebetween a PCB and, in the connecting position thereof, contacting and mechanically retaining the PCB;
each of the connector halves comprising a plurality of connector-half modules disposed in series alongside one another.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the connector-half modules of the connector halves are identical modules.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, a length of each of the connector-half modules defines a unit length increment within which a length of the PCB zero-insertion-force connector is variable.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the housing is formed with intermediate walls subdividing the housing along a length thereof into chambers, the chambers being shaped and dimensioned for receiving two connector-half modules in mutually opposite alignment, whereby one of the two connector-half modules is a connector-half module of the first connector half and the other connector-half module is a connector-half module of the second connector half.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the connector-half modules and/or the housing are designed such that individual the connector-half modules can be brought into engagement with the housing during an assembly operation allowing mutually opposite the connector-half modules to be selectively swiveled toward each other and away from each other.
In accordance with again a further feature of the invention, there is provided a swivel mechanism actuatable externally of the housing, and two rod-like elements extending from the swivel mechanism into an interior of the housing and extending through the housing over an entire length thereof in direct vicinity of each of the connector halves.
In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the rod-like elements are formed and disposed such that they are capable of coming into contact with the connector-half modules in such a way that the connector-half modules are forced to swivel upon a pivoting movement of the rod-like elements.
If the connector-half modules are identically configured, irrespective of their position within the PCB zero-insertion-force connector, then the PCB zero-insertion-force connector can be constructed from a minimal number of different types of components. Specifically, there is required a variable number of identical connector-half modules, the housing and a swivel mechanism for the swiveling (apart and together) of the connector halves. It is therefore only the relatively simple (variable length) housing that is adapted to any appreciable extent to the respective length of the PCB zero-insertion-force connector. The PCB zero-insertion-force connector according to the invention can therefore be manufactured extremely simply, even with variable dimensions of the connector.
Furthermore, the connector can also be processed in a very simple manner. This is because the PCB zero-insertion-force connector according to the invention is a contiguous unit which can be assembled in a minimal number of operations and without increased requirements for precision with respect to one of the PCBs to be connected.
Consequently, the invention provides for a PCB zero-insertion-force connector which can be both manufactured in a simple manner and processed in a simple manner, even though it is variable in its dimensions.
Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a PCB zero-insertion-force connector, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3130351 (1964-04-01), Giel
patent: 3665370 (1972-05-01), Hartmann
patent: 4556268 (1985-12-01), Noschese
Baertsoen Peter
Longueville Jacques
Byrd Eugene G.
Donovan Lincoln
Greenbe Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Stemer Verner H.
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