Electrical connectors – Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move... – Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-04
2001-01-23
Bradley, Paula (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Coupling part with actuating means urging contact to move...
Having open slot for receiving preformed panel circuit...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06176722
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to zero-force plug connector for a printed circuit board. The system includes a mechanism by means of which the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector can be changed from a fitting position, which allows the insertion or removal of a printed circuit board to a connected position, which makes contact correctly with the printed circuit boards, and vice versa.
Printed circuit board zero-force plug connectors are used to connect two printed circuit boards to one another electrically and mechanically substantially without the application of any force. They are used, inter alia, in order to allow a first printed circuit boards to be plugged easily and safely, and essentially at right angles, onto a second printed circuit boards (for example a so-called backplane motherboard) and, in the process to connect the first printed circuit boards electrically and mechanically to the second printed circuit boards, firmly and reliably.
Printed circuit board zero-force plug connectors have been known for quite some long time and have become known in a wide range of embodiments. A printed circuit board zero-force plug connector of the above-mentioned type is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,351 to Giel.
The printed circuit board zero-force plug connector described in that prior art document is permanently mounted on one of the printed circuit boards which are to be connected to one another. The other of the printed circuit boards which are to be connected to one another can be inserted into the connector. It is constructed such that, by pulling on an operating member which is provided on the printed circuit board to be inserted and is designed essentially in the form of a rod, it can be changed to a fitting position which allows the insertion or removal of a printed circuit board, and can be moved into the connected position by the insertion of a printed circuit board.
The use of such and other printed circuit board zero-force plug connectors requires that they be handled carefully and exactly in accordance with the instructions. If, for example, an attempt is made to insert a printed circuit board into a printed circuit board zero-force plug connector which is in the connected position, or an attempt is made to remove such a printed circuit board from the connector when it is in this position, then this can easily lead to damage to the printed circuit board and/or to the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector. If, on the other hand, the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector is changed to the connected position when a printed circuit board has not been inserted in accordance with the instructions, then it is possible that no correct contact will be made between the printed circuit boards which are to be connected. Both of these situations are, of course, undesirable.
A further disadvantage of printed circuit board zero-force plug connectors of that type and similar devices is that they can be operated and used correctly only when the operating members provided on the printed circuit board are arranged and dimensioned exactly in accordance with the instructions (in a relative position with respect to the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector in accordance with the instructions). Discrepancies lead virtually inevitably to the operating member (for example the operating rod in the Giel patent) and the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector not engaging correctly when the printed circuit board is in the correct position, and/or to the operating element or the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector making it harder for the printed circuit board to assume the correct position, or making this impossible.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a printed circuit board zero-force plug connector, which overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages of the heretoforeknown devices and methods of this general type and which reliably avoids and reduces to a minimum the risk of serious damage to the printed circuit board and/or to the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector and/or the risk of incorrect connection of the printed circuit boards which are to be connected.
With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a printed circuit board zero-force plug connector assembly, comprising:
a printed circuit board zero-force plug connector adapted to assume a fitting position allowing selective insertion and removal of a printed circuit board and a connected position making contact with the printed circuit board;
a mechanism operatively connected to the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector for selectively moving the circuit board zero-force plug connector into the fitting position and the connected position; and
an operating member rotatably disposed for operating the mechanism with a rotary movement.
The printed circuit board zero-force plug connector makes it possible for the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector to be operated and used correctly even if the operating member (for example an operating rod) which is provided on the printed circuit board is not arranged and dimensioned exactly in accordance with exact specifications (in a relative position with respect to the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector in accordance with the instructions); thus, for example, if the length of an operating rod which is provided on the printed circuit board is incorrect, this does not necessary result in the operating rod and the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector not engaging correctly when the printed circuit board is in the correct position, and/or the operating rod or the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector making it harder for the printed circuit board to assume the correct position, or making this impossible.
Alternatively, the mechanism being adapted to start to move the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector into the connected position only after having locked the printed circuit board in a correctly aligned position, and to release the locking of the printed circuit board only after having moved the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector to the fitting position.
The alternative embodiment of the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector ensures that:
the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector can be changed to the connected position only when a printed circuit board which has been inserted into the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector is inserted correctly; and
a printed circuit board can be inserted into the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector, and can be removed from it, only when the connector is in the fitting position.
Printed circuit board zero-force plug connectors of the type summarized above make it possible to reduce to a minimum the risk of serious damage to the printed circuit board and/or to the printed circuit board zero-plug connector and/or the risk of incorrect connection of the printed circuit boards which are to be connected.
In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the operating member is a rod rotatably supported about a longitudinal axis thereof on the printed circuit board.
In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the mechanism includes a screw rotatably mounted about a longitudinal axis thereof and substantially stationary in a longitudinal direction.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, the rod and the screw engage one another to lock against relative rotation when the printed circuit board is inserted correctly into the printed circuit board zero-plug connector.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the rod has an end facing the mechanism and the screw has an end facing the rod, the end of the rod and the end of the screw being inserted one into the other when the printed circuit board is correctly inserted into the printed circuit board zero-force plug connector.
In acc
Bradley Paula
Greenberg Laurence A.
Lerner Herbert L.
Nguyen Phuongchi
Stemer Werner H.
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