US3801953A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mounting structure for a connector housing
Assignee: TE Connectivity Corp
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Filing: 1971-11-12
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Granted: 1974-04-02
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Expires: 1991-11-12
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a method and apparatus for mounting a connector housing to a substrate with a mounting bracket and for providing a card guide for a printed circuit board or card which is removably received by electrical contacts within the housing. The mounting structure for the housing is of one-piece, resiliently deformable construction having a pair of opposed jaws which grip an end portion of the connector housing. The jaws are connected by a resiliently deformable neck portion having a projection for aligning the jaws in position on the connector end portions and cooperating with the jaws to prevent accidental removal of the mounting bracket. A card guide channel is optionally provided on the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is removably attached to the connector housing end portion without a need for separate fasteners.
Inventors
- 👤 J Lynch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:24
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7082; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H01R12/73; H01R12/735; H01R12/737
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
In the combination of an electrical connector housing for receiving a card and removable brackets mounted on opposed end portions of the connector housing, wherein the connector housing is of dielectric material and is provided with a card receiving opening and a plurality of spaced elongated electrical contacts within the opening for mechanical and electrical engagement on a card received in said dielectric housing opening, the improvement comprising: each end portion of said connector housing having a first recessed portion provided in a first surface of said connector housing, each end portion of said connector housing having a second recessed portion provided in a second surface of said connector housing, each of said brackets having a neck portion provided with integral opposed jaw portions in registration within a corresponding first or second recessed portion of said connector housing, thereby restraining said connector housing from motion in a first orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket, said brackets being fabricated from a dielectric mateRial which is resiliently deformable to permit relative separation of corresponding jaw portions upon resilient flexing of said neck portions of said brackets in order to receive removably said connector housing between said corresponding jaw portions, each end portion of said connector housing having a third recessed portion provided in an end wall of said connector housing, each of said brackets being provided with an integral projection in registration within a corresponding third recessed portion, thereby restraining said connector housing from motion in a second orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket, and card guide means on each said brackets projecting outwardly of said connector housing and projecting outwardly of said card receiving opening of said connector housing externally of said connector housing to provide a card support which projects outwardly of said connector housing opening.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
298 words
In the combination of an electrical connector housing for receiving a card and removable brackets mounted on opposed end portions of the connector housing, wherein the connector housing is of dielectric material and is provided with a card receiving opening and a plurality of spaced elongated electrical contacts within the opening for mechanical and electrical engagement on a card received in said dielectric housing opening, the improvement comprising: each end portion of said connector housing having a first recessed portion provided in a first surface of said connector housing, each end portion of said connector housing having a second recessed portion provided in a second surface of said connector housing, each of said brackets having a neck portion provided with integral opposed jaw portions in registration within a corresponding first or second recessed portion of said connector housing, thereby restraining said connector housing from motion in a first orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket, said brackets being fabricated from a dielectric mateRial which is resiliently deformable to permit relative separation of corresponding jaw portions upon resilient flexing of said neck portions of said brackets in order to receive removably said connector housing between said corresponding jaw portions, each end portion of said connector housing having a third recessed portion provided in an end wall of said connector housing, each of said brackets being provided with an integral projection in registration within a corresponding third recessed portion, thereby restraining said connector housing from motion in a second orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket, and card guide means on each said brackets projecting outwardly of said connector housing and projecting outwardly of said card receiving opening of said connector housing externally of said connector housing to provide a card support which projects outwardly of said connector housing opening.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said card guide means includes a projecting portion on each said bracket, said projecting portion on each said bracket having a bearing surface thereon to provide a card support which projects outwardly of said connector housing opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, each bracket has said integral projection thereon elongated along said neck portion and in a direction extending generally between said corresponding jaw portions, said integral projection being flexibly deformable together with said neck portion to permit said separation of said corresponding jaw portions of each bracket.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
71 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said first surface is a first rim encircling said connector housing opening, said second surface is an outside surface of said connector housing, each end wall of said connector housing extending between said first surface and said second surface, and said third recessed portion in each end wall being elongated in a direction generally extending between said first surface and said second surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein, said integral projection of each said bracket is elongated in a direction extending generally between said opposed jaws of a corresponding bracket, at least one of said jaws on a corresponding bracket being offset with respect to the integral projection and at least a portion of the other of said jaws.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein, said second surface includes a recessed rim portion provided with said second recessed portion therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
61 words
The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein, each said card guide means includes a channel means projecting from said connector housing, each said channel means having a slot therein in alignment with said connector housing opening whereby a card may be received in the slot of a corresponding channel means upon receipt of the card within the connector housing opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, each of said brackets has one jaw portion offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of a corresponding neck portion, said one jaw portion of each bracket having a planar bearing surface defining the offset jaw portion of each bracket and providing a card guide support adjacent said connector housing opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as recited in claim 8, wherein, said one jaw portion of each bracket which is offset from the longitudinal axis of said neck portion is in registration with only a portion of said first recessed portion provided in said connector housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure as recited in claim 4, wherein, each of said brackets has one jaw portion offset with respect to the longitudinal axis of a corresponding neck portion, said one jaw portion of each bracket having a planar bearing surface defining the offset jaw portion of each bracket and providing a card guide support adjacent said connector housing opening.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
The structure as recited in claim 10, wherein, said one jaw portion of each bracket which is offset from the longituDinal axis of said neck portion is in registration with only a portion of said first recessed portion provided in said connector housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, each said card guide means includes a channel portion projecting outwardly of said card guide means and being in alignment with said connector housing opening, whereby a card may be received in each said channel portion when received in said connector housing opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The structure as recited in claim 12, wherein, each said channel portion is integral with and also bifurcates one of said jaw portions of a corresponding mounting bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
46 words
The structure as recited in claim 12, wherein, each said channel portion is integral with one of said jaw portions of a corresponding bracket and is also offset from one of said jaw portions, thereby rendering one of said jaw portions with a generally L-shaped configuration.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The structure as recited in claim 1, wherein, said first and said second surfaces are sidewalls of said connector housing, and said integral projection on each said neck portions is located outwardly of rather than between said jaw portions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
210 words
In the combination of a connector housing having an opening within which is received a plurality of electrical contacts for electrically engaging selected conductor paths provided on a card for receipt in the connector housing, and a pair of mounting brackets removably secured to said connector housing to support a card received in the connector housing, the improvemnt comprising: a rim on said connector housing encircling said opening in said connector housing, each said brackets having a pair of opposed jaws, a resilient neck portion connecting said jaws and being resiliently deformable to permit relative separation of said jaws to receive therebetween a corresponding end portion of said connector housing, said jaws of each bracket engaging a corresponding end portion of said connector housing and restraining said connector housing from movement in one orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket, a card guide portion integral with each bracket, each card guide portion having an end engageable on said rim, and a projection on each of said jaw portions, said connector housing being received between an end of a card guide portion and said projections on the jaw portions of a corresponding mounting bracket to restrain said connector housing from motion in a second orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
210 words
In the combination of a connector housing having an opening within which is received a plurality of electrical contacts for electrically engaging selected conductor paths provided on a card for receipt in the connector housing, and a pair of mounting brackets removably secured to said connector housing to support a card received in the connector housing, the improvemnt comprising: a rim on said connector housing encircling said opening in said connector housing, each said brackets having a pair of opposed jaws, a resilient neck portion connecting said jaws and being resiliently deformable to permit relative separation of said jaws to receive therebetween a corresponding end portion of said connector housing, said jaws of each bracket engaging a corresponding end portion of said connector housing and restraining said connector housing from movement in one orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket, a card guide portion integral with each bracket, each card guide portion having an end engageable on said rim, and a projection on each of said jaw portions, said connector housing being received between an end of a card guide portion and said projections on the jaw portions of a corresponding mounting bracket to restrain said connector housing from motion in a second orthogonal direction relative to a corresponding bracket.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The structure as recited in claim 16, wherein, a slot is provided in each said card guide portion which bifurcates the card guide end which is engageable on said connector housing rim.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-04-01 | 1977-10-01 | 1978-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-04-01 | 1981-10-01 | 1982-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-04-01 | 1985-10-01 | 1986-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |