US3853379A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printed circuit board connector assembly
Assignee: TDK Micronas GmbH
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Filing: 1973-07-20
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Granted: 1974-12-10
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Expires: 1993-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An assembly is provided in which a printed circuit board is inserted into a supporting frame for engagement with an electrical connector with zero insertion force. After the printed circuit board is mounted on the frame, electrical contacts in the connector are cam actuated to make electrical engagement with associated contacts on the printed circuit board. A card guide is slidably mounted on the frame for guiding the printed circuit board contacts into juxtaposition with the connector contacts on the frame. A cam for actuating the contacts is carried by the card guide. A lever mounted on the frame shifts the card guide to cam actuate the contacts. The lever latches the printed circuit board in the frame. Lifting the lever releases the cam actuated contacts and the latching arrangement, thus allowing the printed circuit board to be removed from the frame.
Inventors
- 👤 D Goodman
- 👤 J Langenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:25
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/82; H01R12/85; H01R12/89; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1401; H05K7/1402; H05K7/1409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
306 words
A printed circuit board connector assembly comprising: a supporting frame including at least one pair of fixed tracks; a card guide member slidably mounted on one of said tracks, said card guide member being formed with a slot therein facing a slot formed in the other track; a printed circuit board slidably mounted in said slots, said printed circuit board having conductive layers thereon and a first connector member mounted on one end thereof; a second connector member fixedly mounted adjacent to one end of said tracks; said first connector member having a first set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said first set of contacts having a contacting surface; said second connector member having a second set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said second set of contacts having a contacting surface; the contacting surfaces of the contacts of one of said sets of contacts extending outwardly from the opening in their respective connector member in the direction toward the other connector member; said first set of contacts being electrically connected to said conductive layers on said printed circuit board; each of said contacts of said second set of contacts being associated with a contact of said first set of contacts and being spaced from said associated contact when said connector members are mated; means for moving the contacts in one of said connector members in tandem causing said contacting surfaces of said first and second sets of contacts to engage after said first connector member is mated with said second connector member; means carried by said slidable card guide member for actuating said moving means; and latching means on said frame engageable with the other end of said printed circuit board for retaining said board in said slots with said first and second connector members mated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
306 words
A printed circuit board connector assembly comprising: a supporting frame including at least one pair of fixed tracks; a card guide member slidably mounted on one of said tracks, said card guide member being formed with a slot therein facing a slot formed in the other track; a printed circuit board slidably mounted in said slots, said printed circuit board having conductive layers thereon and a first connector member mounted on one end thereof; a second connector member fixedly mounted adjacent to one end of said tracks; said first connector member having a first set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said first set of contacts having a contacting surface; said second connector member having a second set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said second set of contacts having a contacting surface; the contacting surfaces of the contacts of one of said sets of contacts extending outwardly from the opening in their respective connector member in the direction toward the other connector member; said first set of contacts being electrically connected to said conductive layers on said printed circuit board; each of said contacts of said second set of contacts being associated with a contact of said first set of contacts and being spaced from said associated contact when said connector members are mated; means for moving the contacts in one of said connector members in tandem causing said contacting surfaces of said first and second sets of contacts to engage after said first connector member is mated with said second connector member; means carried by said slidable card guide member for actuating said moving means; and latching means on said frame engageable with the other end of said printed circuit board for retaining said board in said slots with said first and second connector members mated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
306 words
A printed circuit board connector assembly comprising: a supporting frame including at least one pair of fixed tracks; a card guide member slidably mounted on one of said tracks, said card guide member being formed with a slot therein facing a slot formed in the other track; a printed circuit board slidably mounted in said slots, said printed circuit board having conductive layers thereon and a first connector member mounted on one end thereof; a second connector member fixedly mounted adjacent to one end of said tracks; said first connector member having a first set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said first set of contacts having a contacting surface; said second connector member having a second set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said second set of contacts having a contacting surface; the contacting surfaces of the contacts of one of said sets of contacts extending outwardly from the opening in their respective connector member in the direction toward the other connector member; said first set of contacts being electrically connected to said conductive layers on said printed circuit board; each of said contacts of said second set of contacts being associated with a contact of said first set of contacts and being spaced from said associated contact when said connector members are mated; means for moving the contacts in one of said connector members in tandem causing said contacting surfaces of said first and second sets of contacts to engage after said first connector member is mated with said second connector member; means carried by said slidable card guide member for actuating said moving means; and latching means on said frame engageable with the other end of said printed circuit board for retaining said board in said slots with said first and second connector members mated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
306 words
A printed circuit board connector assembly comprising: a supporting frame including at least one pair of fixed tracks; a card guide member slidably mounted on one of said tracks, said card guide member being formed with a slot therein facing a slot formed in the other track; a printed circuit board slidably mounted in said slots, said printed circuit board having conductive layers thereon and a first connector member mounted on one end thereof; a second connector member fixedly mounted adjacent to one end of said tracks; said first connector member having a first set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said first set of contacts having a contacting surface; said second connector member having a second set of contacts secured in individual openings therein, each contact of said second set of contacts having a contacting surface; the contacting surfaces of the contacts of one of said sets of contacts extending outwardly from the opening in their respective connector member in the direction toward the other connector member; said first set of contacts being electrically connected to said conductive layers on said printed circuit board; each of said contacts of said second set of contacts being associated with a contact of said first set of contacts and being spaced from said associated contact when said connector members are mated; means for moving the contacts in one of said connector members in tandem causing said contacting surfaces of said first and second sets of contacts to engage after said first connector member is mated with said second connector member; means carried by said slidable card guide member for actuating said moving means; and latching means on said frame engageable with the other end of said printed circuit board for retaining said board in said slots with said first and second connector members mated.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein: said latching means is operable to activate said actuating means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein: said actuating means is fixed to said card guide member adjaceNt one end thereof; said latching means is pivotally connected to both said frame and the other end card guide member, shifting of said latching means in one direction effecting sliding movement of said card guide member on said track and, hence, movement of said actuating means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein: said contact moving means comprises an insulator plate slidably mounted in said one connector member; and said actuating means comprises a cam operatively engageable with said plate, shifting of said latching means in said one direction moving said cam to shift said plate in one direction to being said first and second connector member contacting surfaces of said first and second sets of contacts into engagement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
As assembly as set forth in claim 4 including: spring means biasing said plate in the opposite direction into engagement with said cam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein: said cam is movable in a plane perpendicular to the path of movement of said plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 7 including: lever means mounted on said frame operable to activate said actuating means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 including: pawl means carried by said lever means insertable into a notch formed in said board only when ssid first and second sets of contacts are in juxtaposition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein: said lever means is pivotally connected to both said frame and said card guide member, shifting of said lever means in one direction effecting sliding movement of said card guide member on said track and, hence, movement of said actuating means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
73 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein: said contact moving means comprises an insulator plate slidably mounted for movement in a plane perpendicular to said card guide member; and said actuating means comprises a cam operatively engageable with said plate, and shifting of said lever means in said one direction moving said cam to shift said plate in one direction to bring said first and second sets of contacts into engagement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 11 including: spring means biasing said plate in the opposite direction into engagement with said cam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
As assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein: said first and second sets of contacts are housed in first and second mateable connector members, respectively; and said lever means is operable to activate said actuating means only when said first and second connector members are mated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
293 words
A connector assembly for a printed circuit board having a first connector member mounted thereon, a plurality of contacts secured in individual openings in said connector member with each said contact having a contacting surface comprising: a support frame including at least one pair of fixed tracks; a card guide member slidably mounted on one of said tracks, said card guide member being formed with a slot therein facing a slot formed in the other track, said slots being adapted to slidably recEive said printed circuit board; a second connector member fixedly mounted adjacent to one end of said tracks, said second connector member having a plurality of contacts received in individual openings therein, each said second connector member contact having a contacting surface; the contacting surfaces of one of said connector members extending outwardly from their respective openings in the direction toward the other connector member; each of said contacts in said second connector member being associated with a contact in said first connector member and being spaced from said associated contact when said connector members are mated; an insulator plate mounted for sliding movement in said second connector member in a plane perpendicular to said card guide member, said plate having surfaces thereon engageable with individual contacts in said second connector member, movement of said plate in one direction causing said contacts in said second connector member to shift in tandem thereby bringing said first and second connector member contacting surfaces into engagement after said first connector member is mated with said second connector member; and cam means carried by said card guide member operatively engageable with said plate, said cam means moving said plate in said one direction upon sliding movement of said card guide member in a predetermined direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
293 words
A connector assembly for a printed circuit board having a first connector member mounted thereon, a plurality of contacts secured in individual openings in said connector member with each said contact having a contacting surface comprising: a support frame including at least one pair of fixed tracks; a card guide member slidably mounted on one of said tracks, said card guide member being formed with a slot therein facing a slot formed in the other track, said slots being adapted to slidably recEive said printed circuit board; a second connector member fixedly mounted adjacent to one end of said tracks, said second connector member having a plurality of contacts received in individual openings therein, each said second connector member contact having a contacting surface; the contacting surfaces of one of said connector members extending outwardly from their respective openings in the direction toward the other connector member; each of said contacts in said second connector member being associated with a contact in said first connector member and being spaced from said associated contact when said connector members are mated; an insulator plate mounted for sliding movement in said second connector member in a plane perpendicular to said card guide member, said plate having surfaces thereon engageable with individual contacts in said second connector member, movement of said plate in one direction causing said contacts in said second connector member to shift in tandem thereby bringing said first and second connector member contacting surfaces into engagement after said first connector member is mated with said second connector member; and cam means carried by said card guide member operatively engageable with said plate, said cam means moving said plate in said one direction upon sliding movement of said card guide member in a predetermined direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 including: spring means biasing said plate in the opposite direction into engagement with said cam means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 14 including: lever means on said frame operable to slide said card guide member is said predetermined direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 16 including: pawl means carried by said lever means insertable into a notch formed in said printed circuit board only when said connector members are mated.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
160 words
A connector assembly comprising: a connector member having a plurality of contacts therein; an insulator plate mounted for sliding movement in said connector member, said plate having surfaces engageable with said contacts, sliding movement of said plate in one direction shifting said contacts in tanedm in said direction. support means extending generally perpendicular from said connector member adjacent the opposite ends thereof defining facing slots adapted to slidably receive a printed circuit board having a plurality of contacts thereon for engaging said first-mentioned contacts after said plate is moved in said one direction; and cam means mounted on said support means for sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to the path of movement of said plate, said cam means being operatively engageable with said plate, sliding movement of said cam means in a predetermined direction moving said plate in said one direction to thereby shift said first-mentioned contacts in tandem, for engagement with said contacts on said printed circuit board.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
160 words
A connector assembly comprising: a connector member having a plurality of contacts therein; an insulator plate mounted for sliding movement in said connector member, said plate having surfaces engageable with said contacts, sliding movement of said plate in one direction shifting said contacts in tanedm in said direction. support means extending generally perpendicular from said connector member adjacent the opposite ends thereof defining facing slots adapted to slidably receive a printed circuit board having a plurality of contacts thereon for engaging said first-mentioned contacts after said plate is moved in said one direction; and cam means mounted on said support means for sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to the path of movement of said plate, said cam means being operatively engageable with said plate, sliding movement of said cam means in a predetermined direction moving said plate in said one direction to thereby shift said first-mentioned contacts in tandem, for engagement with said contacts on said printed circuit board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein: said supporting means includes a card guide member formed with one of said slots and slidably mounted for movement in a direction perpendicular to said path of movement of said plate, said cam means being carried by said card guide member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 19 including: lever means on said support means for moving said card guide member in said predetermined direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
74 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 18 including: lever means on said support means movable between first and second positions movement of said lever means from said first to said second position causing said cam means to move in said predetermined direction; and said lever means being formed with blocking, means, in said second position of said lever means said blocking means preventing insertion of said printed circuit board into said support means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
37 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 21 including: pawl means carried by said lever means, saiD pawl means being insertably into a notch in said printed circuit board when said lever means is in said position.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
126 words
A printed circuit board connector assembly comprising: a printed circuit board having conductive layers thereon and a first set of contacts associated with said layers; a frame having means thereon defining a slot for slidably receiving said board; a second set of contacts fixidly mounted adjacent one end of said frame and spaced from said first set of contacts when said board is mounted in said frame. means for moving one of said sets of contacts in tandem causing said two sets of contacts to engage; cam means reciprocally movably in a path extending in the same direction as said slot, movement of said cam means in a predetermined direction actuating said moving means; and lever means on said frame for reciprocally moving said cam means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
126 words
A printed circuit board connector assembly comprising: a printed circuit board having conductive layers thereon and a first set of contacts associated with said layers; a frame having means thereon defining a slot for slidably receiving said board; a second set of contacts fixidly mounted adjacent one end of said frame and spaced from said first set of contacts when said board is mounted in said frame. means for moving one of said sets of contacts in tandem causing said two sets of contacts to engage; cam means reciprocally movably in a path extending in the same direction as said slot, movement of said cam means in a predetermined direction actuating said moving means; and lever means on said frame for reciprocally moving said cam means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
43 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein: said lever means is pivotally movable between first and second positions, movement of said lever means from said first position to said second position causing said cam means to move in said predetermined direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
36 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein: said lever means is formed with blocking means, in said second position of said lever means said blocking means preventing insertion of said board into said frame.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
58 words
An assembly as set forth in claim 24 including: a notch formed in said board; and pawl means carried by said lever means insertable into said notch when said lever means is in said second position, one side of said pawl means engaging with one side of said notch to prevent withdrawal of said board from said frame.
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) | 1977-12-09 | 1978-06-10 | 1978-12-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-09 | 1982-06-10 | 1982-12-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-09 | 1986-06-10 | 1986-12-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |