Mounting means for diode matrix

Claim 2

Mounting means for mounting a plurality of diodes upon a substrate comprising the combination of: a plurality of apertures formed in said substrate; a plurality of female contact receptacles individually positioned in each of said apertures; an elongated channel-shaped element having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration formed by side walls and a transverse section and positioned over said apertures in an inverted manner, with at least portions of the open edges of said side walls of said channel resting upon the surface of said substrate and electrically insulated from said female contact receptacles at all points; a plurality of second apertures formed in the transverse section of said channel, with each of said second apertures being substantially concentric with respect to one of said first apertures; said female receptacles each being constructed to receive a first terminal of a diode inserted in the associated concentric aperture in said channel element; and said associated concentric aperture being of a size to receive and make physical contact with the diode inserted therethrough to both mechanically support said diode and also to make electrical contact with the second terminal of said diode.

Claim 3

Mounting means in accordance with claim 1 in which said inverted channel-shaped element comprises spring members formed in at least one side thereof with at least one of said spring members being adjacent at least one diode inserted in said channel-shaped element and being bent inwardly to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 4

Mounting means in accordance with claim 1 in which said inverted channel-shaped element comprises spring cantilever members formed in the sides thereof, with a pair of said spring cantilever members being adjacent opposite sides of each diode inserted in said channel-shaped element and with each spring cantilever member being bent to press against said diode to provide mechanical support of, and electrical contact with, said diode.

Claim 5

Mounting means in accordance with claim 1 in which said inverted channel-shaped element comprises diode supporting elements formed in at least one side thereof to provide mechanical support for said diodes.

Claim 6

Mounting means in accordance with claim 1 in which said inverted channel-shaped element comprises concave portions formed in said sides thereof with said concave portions being formed between adjacent diodes and in both side walls of said U-shaped channel to form a quasi-cylindrical supporting section around a portion of each diode inserted in the holes in said channel-shaped element to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 7

Mounting means for mounting a plurality of diodes upon a substrate comprising the combination of: a plurality of female contact receptacles individually mounted in said substrate; an elongated channel-shaped element having a pair of side walls and a transverse section joining together said side walls to form a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; said elongated channel-shaped element being secured on said substrate over said apertures in an inverted manner with at least a portion of the open edges of the side walls of said channel making contact with the surface of said substrate and electrically insulated from said female contact receptacles; and a plurality of apertures formed in the transverse section of said channel-shaped element, with each of said apertures being positioned over one of said female contact receptacles; said female receptacles each being constructed to receive a first terminal of a diode inserted in the aperture positioned thereover; each of said apertures being of a size to receive and make physical contact with the diode inserted therethrough to both mechanically support said diode and also to make electrical contact with the second terminal of said diode.

Claim 8

Mounting means for mounting a plurality of diodes upon a substrate comprising the combination of: a plurality of female contact receptacles individually mounted in said substrate; an elongated channel-shaped element having a pair of side walls and a transverse section joining together said side walls to form a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration; said elongated channel-shaped element being secured on said substrate over said apertures in an inverted manner with at least a portion of the open edges of the side walls of said channel making contact with the surface of said substrate and electrically insulated from said female contact receptacles; and a plurality of apertures formed in the transverse section of said channel-shaped element, with each of said apertures being positioned over one of said female contact receptacles; said female receptacles each being constructed to receive a first terminal of a diode inserted in the aperture positioned thereover; each of said apertures being of a size to receive and make physical contact with the diode inserted therethrough to both mechanically support said diode and also to make electrical contact with the second terminal of said diode.

Claim 9

Mounting means in accordance with claim 6 in which said channel-shaped element comprises spring members formed in at least one side thereof and positioned to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 10

Mounting means in accordance with claim 6 in which said channel-shaped element comprises spring cantilever members formed in the sides thereof with a pair of said spring members being adjacent opposite sides of each diode inserted in said channel-shaped element and with each spring member being bent inwardly to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 11

Mounting means in accordance with claim 6 in which said channel-shaped element comprises concave portions formed in at least one side thereof and with at least one of said concave portions being positioned between adjacent diodes inserted in said channel-shaped element to provide a quasi-cylindrical supporting section around a portion of each diode which presses against said each diode to provide mechanical support of, and electrical contact with, said diode.

Claim 12

Mounting means in accordance with claim 6 in which said channel-shaped element comprises concave portions formed in both sides thereof between adjacent diodes to form a quasi-cylindrical supporting section around each diode inserted in the holes in said U-shaped channel to provide mechanical support of, and electrical contact with, said diode.

Claim 13

Mounting means for mounting a plurality of diodes upon a substrate comprising the combination of: a plurality of female contact receptacles individually mounted in said substrate; an elongated channel-shaped element comprising a pair of sides and a transverse section joining said sides together to provide a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration which is positioned over said apertures in an inverted manner, with the open side of said channel facing the surface of said substrate and electrically insulated from said female contact receptacles; a plurality of apertures formed in the transverse section of said channel with each of said apertures being positioned substantially directly over one of said female contact receptacles; said female contact receptacles each being constructed to receive a first terminal of a diode inserted through the aperture positioned directly thereover; and securing means attached to the open edges of the side walls of said channel-shaped element and constructed to engage said substrate to retain said channel-shaped element thereon; said apertures being of a size to receive and make physical contact with the diode inserted therethrough to mechanically support said diode and to make electrical contact with the second terminal of said diode.

Claim 14

Mounting means for mounting a plurality of diodes upon a substrate comprising the combination of: a plurality of female contact receptacles individually mounted in said substrate; an elongated channel-shaped element comprising a pair of sides and a transverse section joining said sides together to provide a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration which is positioned over said apertures in an inverted manner, with the open side of said channel facing the surface of said substrate and electrically insulated from said female contact receptacles; a plurality of apertures formed in the transverse section of said channel with each of said apertures being positioned substantially directly over one of said female contact receptacles; said female contact receptacles each being constructed to receive a first terminal of a diode inserted through the aperture positioned directly thereover; and securing means attached to the open edges of the side walls of said channel-shaped element and constructed to engage said substrate to retain said channel-shaped element thereon; said apertures being of a size to receive and make physical contact with the diode inserted therethrough to mechanically support said diode and to make electrical contact with the second terminal of said diode.

Claim 15

Mounting means in accordAnce with claim 11 in which said inverted U-shaped channel comprises spring members formed in at least one side thereof with at least one of said spring members being adjacent at least one diode inserted in said U-shaped channel and being bent inwardly to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 16

Mounting means in accordance with claim 11 in which said inverted U-shaped channel comprises spring cantilever members formed in the sides thereof with a pair of said spring members being adjacent opposite sides of each diode inserted in said U-shaped channel and with each spring member formed to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 17

Mounting means in accordance with claim 11 in which said inverted U-shaped channel comprises concave portions formed in at least one side thereof with at least one of said concave portions being positioned between adjacent diodes inserted in said U-shaped channel to provide a quasi-cylindrical supporting section around a portion of said adjacent diodes which presses against said adjacent diode to provide mechanical support for said adjacent diodes.

Claim 18

Mounting means in accordance with claim 11 in which said inverted U-shaped channel comprises concave portions formed in both side walls thereof between adjacent diodes and to form a quasi-cylindrical supporting sections around a portion of said adjacent diodes inserted in the holes in said U-shaped channel to provide mechanical support for said adjacent diodes.

Claim 19

In combination with a circuit board: a plurality of diodes having first and second terminals; a plurality of female connectors mounted on receptacles formed on said circuit board for individually receiving a first terminal of one of said plurality of diodes; an elongated inverted channel member of conductive material and having a pair of side walls and a transverse wall joining together said side walls; and a plurality of holes formed in said transverse wall with each hole being positioned over one of said female receptacles and having a size constructed to grip and hold a diode inserted therein with said first diode terminal being inserted in said female receptacle positioned below said hole; said inverted channel being insulated from the said female receptacles positioned therebelow.

Claim 20

In combination with a circuit board: a plurality of diodes having first and second terminals; a plurality of female connectors mounted on receptacles formed on said circuit board for individually receiving a first terminal of one of said plurality of diodes; an elongated inverted channel member of conductive material and having a pair of side walls and a transverse wall joining together said side walls; and a plurality of holes formed in said transverse wall with each hole being positioned over one of said female receptacles and having a size constructed to grip and hold a diode inserted therein with said first diode terminal being inserted in said female receptacle positioned below said hole; said inverted channel being insulated from the said female receptacles positioned therebelow.

Claim 21

Mounting means in accordance with claim 16 in which said inverted channel comprises spring members formed in at least one side wall thereof and with at least one of said spring members being adjacent at least one diode inserted in said inverted channel and being formed to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 22

Mounting means in accordance with claim 16 in which said inverted channel comprises spring cantilever members formed in both side walls thereof with one pair of said spring members being adjacent opposite sides of each diode and with each spring member being formed to press against said diode to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 23

Mounting means in accordance with claim 16 in which said inverted channel comprises concave portions formed in at least one side wall between adjacent diodes to provide a supporting means which presses against said adjacent diodes to provide mechanical support for said diode.

Claim 24

Mounting means in accordance with claim 16 in which said inverted channel comprises diode supporting elements formed in the side walls thereof to provide mechanical support for said diodes.