Retention mechanism

Details Retention mechanism Retention mechanism

1999-10-25

2001-02-06

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

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

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

C439S567000, C439S573000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183285

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a retention mechanism, and particularly to a retention mechanism having a simple fixing structure for securely fixing the retention mechanism to a circuit board.
Conventionally, a CPU package connects with a circuit board through a connector, wherein the CPU package and the connector are horizontally oriented on the circuit board. Such a configuration has a disadvantage that a large amount of the circuit board space is occupied by the connector and the CPU package. Recently, a new type of connector which vertically connects a CPU package to a circuit board was developed. This type of connector requires a vertical retention mechanism for securing the CPU package to the connector. Furthermore, a fixing device is needed for mounting the retention mechanism on the circuit board.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, a conventional retention mechanism comprises a pair of leading arms
52
attached at lateral sides of a base frame
51
. The base frame
51
forms a pair of bases
53
at lateral sides thereof, each base
53
forming a pair of receiving holes
531
for receiving corresponding engaging members
61
therein. A plurality of screws
62
attaches a pair of locking pads
63
to a circuit board
7
. The screws
62
extend through holes
631
in the pads
63
, and then locking holes
71
formed in the circuit board
7
to engage with corresponding engaging members
61
for fixing the base frame
51
to the circuit board
7
.
However, the assembly process is complicated, and is not well suited for mass production. Furthermore, the screws
62
are made of metal which requires expensive machining.
Thus, there is a need for an improved fixing device with fewer, more reliable locking elements for simplifying the manufacturing process.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a retention mechanism having a fixing device with improved locking elements for facilitating the assembly process.
To fulfill the above-mentioned object, a fixing device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pair of locking screws and an engaging member. Each locking screw comprises a circular head and a post. The engaging member comprises a base pad and a pair of locking silos formed on lateral sides of the base pad.
The locking silo extends through a hole of a circuit board and a receiving hole of a retention mechanism, and the locking screw is inserted into a hole of the locking silo. Thus, the locking silo is expanded by the post and an engaging force is provided between the locking silo and the circuit board. Therefore the retention mechanism is securely fixed to the circuit board. For facilitating insertion of the locking screw, the end of the locking screw is formed with a subulate shape and the cap forms a central slot.
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: 4363530 (1982-12-01), Verhoeven
patent: 5254016 (1993-10-01), Ganthier
patent: 5993252 (1999-11-01), Laurx
patent: 6000960 (1999-12-01), Wang et al.
patent: 6027372 (2000-02-01), Lai et al.
patent: 6030251 (2000-02-01), STark et al.
patent: 6031725 (2000-02-01), Scholder et al.

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