Integral storage container, shipping carton and extraction/insertion mechanism for multi-chip circuit modules

Claim 2

An integral device useful as a storage container and manipulative tool for handling extraction, storage and insertion of plug-in type electronic circuit modules, while isolating delicate sub-structures on each stored module from physical contact to which the same otherwise would be susceptible in consequence of such handling comprising: means forming a protective enclosure for securely retaining and housing a said module in a position of storage in which said delicate sub-structures of said module are isolated from physical contact; said means having an opening for receiving and dispensing a module; means tranlatably secured to said enclosure forming means and forming therewith a plural pivot linkage manipulatively operative without physical contact with said module substructures to: a. maneuver a said module between said position of storage and an external position of loose abutment in which terminal eLements of the module are situated adjacent corresponding connector elements of an electronic assembly of modules; and b. forcibly maneuver a said module between a said position of loose abutment and a position of tight fitting plug-in engagement relative to said assembly connector elements.

Claim 3

A container and manipulative device according to claim 1 wherein said enclosure forming means includes a longitudinal slot and said translatably secured means is slidably retained in said slot.

Claim 4

A device according to claim 2 wherein said enclosure forming means includes means for impeding sliding of said translatably secured means in said slot as a said circuit module is maneuvered into said storage position.

Claim 5

A device according to claim 3 wherein said enclosure forming means has a longitudinal retention embossment adjacent to the outer surface of said slot, said embossment having an outward taper in the longitudinal direction by which it presents increasing sliding impedance to said translatably secured means as the latter is drawn along the slot away from the opening in said enclosure forming means.

Claim 6

A device according to claim 3 wherein said enclosure forming means contains internal guide channels for slidably receiving and longitudinally guiding side edges of a card module; said guide channels having a longitudinally tapered construction forming said sliding impeding means, said construction tpaering gradually from a loose fit about said module edges to a snug fit as said module is drawn through said opening into the closure space formed by said closure forming means.

Claim 7

A device according to claim 3 wherein said sliding impeding means comprises a detent in said enclosure forming means and a counterpart projection on said translatably secured means.

Claim 8

An integral ''''hands-off'''' circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter for circuit cards having an engageable head section and fragile body section comprising: a case having a transverse card receiving/dispensing opening, a removable cover for said opening and a longitudinal slot; a card transport member slidably disposed in said slot; said member having a manually graspable element extending outwardly of said slot; said member having an actuator element pivotally secured to said grasping element and extending inwardly of said slot; said actuator element including means for pivotally engaging a said head section of a circuit card; said case and transport member being adapted for pivotal and linear displacement relative to each other to secure forcible extraction of a said engaged circuit card relative to a plug-in connection in an electronic system assembly of mated cards and connectors; said transport member and case being further adapted for further relative pivotal and translational displacement in order to translate a said engaged card between a home storage position in said case and a said plug-in connection in an electronic assembly while maintaining protective isolation of said card body section relative to said case; said case including retention means for securing retention of said transport member and engaged card in said home storage position in order to prevent accidental ejection of said card from said case whilst said opening is uncovered.

Claim 9

An integral ''''hands-off'''' circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter for circuit cards having an engageable head section and fragile body section comprising: a case having a transverse card receiving/dispensing opening, a removable cover for said opening and a longitudinal slot; a card transport member slidably disposed in said slot; said member having a manually graspable element extending outwardly of said slot; said member having an actuator element pivotally secured to said grasping element and extending inwardly of said slot; said actuator element including means for pivotally engaging a said head section of a circuit card; said case and transport member being adapted for pivotal and linear displacement relative to each other to secure forcible extraction of a said engaged circuit card relative to a plug-in connection in an electronic system assembly of mated cards and connectors; said transport member and case being further adapted for further relative pivotal and translational displacement in order to translate a said engaged card between a home storage position in said case and a said plug-in connection in an electronic assembly while maintaining protective isolation of said card body section relative to said case; said case including retention means for securing retention of said transport member and engaged card in said home storage position in order to prevent accidental ejection of said card from said case whilst said opening is uncovered.

Claim 10

An integral circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter according to claim 7 wherein said retention means includes a longitudinally tapered embossment adjacent said slot adapted to engage and thereby restrain said transport member.

Claim 11

An integral circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter according to claim 7 wherein said retention means comprises a detent in said case interactive with a corresponding projection of said transport member in said home storage position thereof.

Claim 12

An integral circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter according to claim 7 wherein said retention means comprises a detent in said transport member interactive in said home position with a corresponding projection of said case.

Claim 13

An integral circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter according to claim 7 wherein said retention means comprises a longitudinally tapered construction along interior edges of said channel adapted to closely fit corresponding edges of a said card in said home position.

Claim 14

An integral circuit card extractor-storage unit-inserter according to claim 7 wherein said translational adaptation of said case includes longitudinal guide channel constructions along interior edges of said case, said channels serving as guide rails for edges of a said engaged card by which said body section of the same card is transported in protected isolation relative to said case.

Claim 15

An extraction and protective handling system for plug-in circuit modules comprising: an element adapted for pivotal engagement integral with each module and situated along an upper edge thereof remote from the respective connection elements by which plug-in connection is made; a case member containing a said circuit module storage compartment, an opening for inserting a module into said compartment, internal guide channels for guiding a said inserted module into said compartment with sensitive surface areas of said module isolated from contact and a cover for said opening; and an actuator mechanism linked to said case member; said mechanism including: means for pivotally engaging an engagement element of a said module; means linked to said last mentioned means and said case for forcibly releasing a module from a plug-in connection in an electronic equipment frame by manipulation of said case relative to said frame; and means for displacing the said actuator mechanism and module as an assembly relative to said compartment to secure ''''hands-off'''' storage of a said released module nested in and protectively guided by said channels in said case member.

Claim 16

An extraction and protective handling system for plug-in circuit modules comprising: an element adapted for pivotal engagement integral with each module and situated along an upper edge thereof remote from the respective connection elements by which plug-in connection is made; a case member containing a said circuit module storage compartment, an opening for inserting a module into said compartment, internal guide channels for guiding a said inserted module into said compartment with sensitive surface areas of said module isolated from contact and a cover for said opening; and an actuator mechanism linked to said case member; said mechanism including: means for pivotally engaging an engagement element of a said module; means linked to said last mentioned means and said case for forcibly releasing a module from a plug-in connection in an electronic equipment frame by manipulation of said case relative to said frame; and means for displacing the said actuator mechanism and module as an assembly relative to said compartment to secure ''''hands-off'''' storage of a said released module nested in and protectively guided by said channels in said case member.

Claim 17

A system according to claim 13 wherein said actuator mechanism is operated to effect extraction and protective storage of a said module by a series of discrete pivotal movements of said case member relative to the said equipment frame; said pivotal movements including a first movement to effect forcible release of said module from said plug-in connection and a second movement to align said case guide channels with edges of said released module.