Metal working – Means to assemble or disassemble – Means to disassemble electrical device
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-31
2001-06-26
Young, Lee (Department: 3729)
Metal working
Means to assemble or disassemble
Means to disassemble electrical device
C029S750000, C029S758000, C029S764000, C081S003550, C439S152000, C439S160000, C439S480000, C439S483000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06249960
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electrical connectors and more particularly to tools for manipulating electrical connectors.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
Various applications may present situations in which the disengagement of electrical headers and receptacles may be difficult. For example, it has been suggested that PCMCIA headers may be connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) by means of a flex cable having a terminal header which mates with a receptacle mounted on the PCB. The advantage to such an arrangement is that the PCMCIA assembly may be placed in a system essentially without regard to PCB location. At some locations on the PCB, however, the connector may be awkwardly positioned for the purpose of disengaging the header from the receptacle. Consequently, in such cases the disengagement of the header and receptacle may be accomplished only with difficulty. Furthermore, when attempts are made to disengage a combination receptacle and flex cable from a board mounted receptacle, it is found that the flex cable may be inadvertently torn or removed from the header.
A need, therefore, exists for means of quickly, easily and efficiently unmating an unshrouded header from a receptacle mounted on a PCB. A need also exists for a means for unmating a header which is attached to a flex cable from a receptacle so that neither the connector itself or the flex cable is likely to be damaged during the unmating procedure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes a tool for use in disengaging elements of an electrical connector. This tool includes an elongated axial handle having a griping end and a forward distal end. First and second opposed arms extend laterally from the elongated axial handle adjacent the forward distal end of the handle. Laterally spaced first and second fingers extend forward respectively from said first and second opposed arms to be engageable with the electrical connector.
The present invention also includes a combination of an electrical connector and a hand tool. The electrical connector includes an elongated receptacle having an insulative base with first and second ends and an insulative peripheral wall recessed from said first and second ends projecting from said insulative base to form a central opening. The connector also includes an elongated shroudless header having an insulative base with first and second ends. An insulative projection is spaced from said first and second ends and depends from the insulative base to engage the central opening of the receptacle. The first and second ends are therefore superimposed, respectively, over the first and second ends of the receptacle so as to form, respectively, first and second lateral recesses between said first and second ends of the insulative bases of the receptacle and the header. The tool described above is positioned relative to this connector so that the first and second fingers engage, respectively, the first and second lateral recesses of the connector.
Also encompassed within the invention is a method of disengaging a header from a receptacle in which, in the combination described above, the tool is pivoted on the longitudinal axis of its elongated handle. One of the fingers bears against the receptacle and easily lifts it from the header. Preferably, the finger will bear against a metallic hold down adjacent one of the ends of the header so that the danger of damaging the connector by using the tool on the insulation is avoided.
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Berg Technology Inc.
Chang Rick Kiltae
Perman & Green LLP
Young Lee
LandOfFree
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