Retention clip for card edge connector

Details Retention clip for card edge connector Retention clip for card edge connector

2000-12-21

2001-11-20

Sircus, Brian (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Coupling part for receiving edge of planar board moving...

C361S801000, C361S807000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06319037

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a retention means for a card edge connector, and particularly to a retention clip for a card edge connector for releasably retaining a card in a central slot of the card edge connector.
2. Description of Prior Art
A retention means is commonly used for retaining an inserted card in a central slot of a card edge connector, thereby interconnecting the inserted card with a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) on which the card edge connector is mounted. Conventional retention means typically takes the form of a pair of rotatable latches disposed on opposite longitudinal ends of an insulative housing of the card edge connector.
FIG. 4
shows a card edge connector
5
having a pair of conventional rotatable latches
52
disposed on opposite longitudinal ends thereof. An elongated central slot
53
is defined in an insulative housing
51
of the connector
5
for receiving a card
6
therein. When each latch
52
moves to its vertical fixed position, a locking peg
521
formed thereon engages with a corresponding notch
61
in the inserted card
6
, thereby retaining the card
6
in the central slot
53
of the connector
5
.
However, if the inserted card
6
has a high profile or the connector
5
is mounted on a PCB which stands vertically in a computer case and then the card
6
, which is inserted into the connector
5
, is in a horizontal state in the computer case, the latches
52
may not reliably retain the card
6
in position, especially when the computer case is subject to significant vibration. As a result, the inserted card
6
may tilt toward one side wall of the insulative housing
51
, whereby a reliable connection between the terminals received in another side wall of the insulative housing
51
and corresponding gold fingers (not shown) printed on a bottom edge portion of the card
6
may not be obtained
In addition, special structures must be provided on the latch
52
and the insulative housing
51
to achieve a rotatable engagement therebetween, thereby complicating manufacturing and increasing production cost. Further, since the card
6
is retained in the central slot
53
of the connector
5
via engagement between the notch
61
and the locking peg
521
of the latch
52
, an accurate alignment between the notch
61
and the locking peg
521
is required, which also complicates manufacturing.
Hence, an improved card retention means for a card edge connector is desired to overcome the above-mentioned deficiencies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide a retention clip for a card edge connector which is easy to manufacture, thereby significantly reducing production cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a retention clip for a card edge connector which can securely retain an inserted card in the card edge connector in all directions.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a retention clip for a card edge connector which has a simple structure and which is easy to assemble and disassemble.
In order to achieve the objects set forth, a retention clip in accordance with the present invention comprises a pair of substantially vertical spring arms and a horizontal bridge connecting the spring arms. Each spring arm forms a retention section at a free end thereof for engaging with a corresponding engaging section formed on each opposite longitudinal end of an insulative housing of a card edge connector. Each retention section includes a pair of longitudinally extending wings for engaging with a corresponding peg downwardly extending from an upper ledge of the insulative housing of the card edge connector, and a pair of flanges laterally and outwardly extending from respective free ends of the wings for engaging with corresponding recesses each defined at the junction between the corresponding peg and the body of the insulative housing of the card edge connector. The bridge forms a pair of opposite large-dimensioned end sections each with a groove defined therein for receiving a top edge portion of a card inserted into a central slot of the insulative housing of the card edge connector, whereby lateral movements of the inserted card relative to the insulative housing of the card edge connector is prevented.
The retention clip further comprises a pair of spring tongues downwardly projecting beyond a lower surface of the bridge for retaining the card in position in a vertical direction. Each spring tongue may be formed by downwardly bending a horizontal free end of the spring arm which extends through the bridge. Alternatively, the spring tongues may be formed by integrally stamping them from the bridge.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5423691 (1995-06-01), Pickles
patent: 5483422 (1996-01-01), Bowen et al.
patent: 5943218 (1999-08-01), Liu
patent: 6007357 (1999-12-01), Perino et al.
patent: 6056579 (2000-05-01), Richards, III et al.
patent: 6176727 (2001-01-01), Liu et al.
patent: 6236573 (2001-05-01), Gundlach et al.

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