US4039236A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modular breadboard
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-16
•
Granted: 1977-08-02
•
Expires: 1996-04-16
Abstract
Abstract An improved modular breadboard for temporarily mounting and interconnecting electrical components to form an electronic circuit. The breadboard includes two panel assemblies which are mounted on leg brackets to extend parallel and spaced apart. Modules mounting preselected circuit components or circuit subassemblies are releasably locked between the panel assemblies with spring loaded fingers on one or both of the panel assemblies. The modules and the panel assemblies are provided with a plurality of solderless spring terminals and binding posts for temporarily connecting wires and circuit components to form the experimental circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Kent L. Schepler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:44
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R9/00; H01R9/22; H01R9/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
176 words
A modular breadboard assembly on which electrical circuits are constructed comprising, in combination, a pair of panel assemblies each having an edge, support means rigidly mounting said panel assemblies with said edges extending parallel and spaced apart to define a first pair of edges, at least one module means for mounting thereon at least one preselected component for an electrical circuit, said module means having a second pair of edges spaced apart further than said first pair of edges, means for releasably attaching each said module means between said panel assemblies including grooves in the edges of one of said first and second pairs of edges, said grooves having a spacing for receiving the other of said first and second edges whereby said module means is positionable between said panel assemblies and spring means in at least one of said grooves for biasing said module means towards one of said panel assemblies, and a plurality of terminal means mounted on each of said panel assemblies for releasably receiving and electrically contacting wires for constructing electrical circuits.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
176 words
A modular breadboard assembly on which electrical circuits are constructed comprising, in combination, a pair of panel assemblies each having an edge, support means rigidly mounting said panel assemblies with said edges extending parallel and spaced apart to define a first pair of edges, at least one module means for mounting thereon at least one preselected component for an electrical circuit, said module means having a second pair of edges spaced apart further than said first pair of edges, means for releasably attaching each said module means between said panel assemblies including grooves in the edges of one of said first and second pairs of edges, said grooves having a spacing for receiving the other of said first and second edges whereby said module means is positionable between said panel assemblies and spring means in at least one of said grooves for biasing said module means towards one of said panel assemblies, and a plurality of terminal means mounted on each of said panel assemblies for releasably receiving and electrically contacting wires for constructing electrical circuits.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A modular breadboard assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of said terminal means are mounted on each of said at least one module means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
A modular breadboard assembly on which electrical circuits are constructed comprising, in combination, a pair of panel assemblies, said panel assemblies each having a fixed module receiving groove extending along an edge, means rigidly mounting said panel assemblies with said grooves extending parallel, spaced apart and directed towards each other, at least one module means for attachment between said panel assemblies to extend between and be releasably received by said grooves, said module means including means for mounting thereon at least one preselected component for an electrical circuit, biasing means in at least one of said grooves for biasing said module means towards the groove on the other panel assembly, and a plurality of terminal means mounted on each of said panel assemblies for releasably receiving and electrically connecting wires for constructing electrical circuits.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
A modular breadboard assembly on which electrical circuits are constructed comprising, in combination, a pair of panel assemblies, said panel assemblies each having a fixed module receiving groove extending along an edge, means rigidly mounting said panel assemblies with said grooves extending parallel, spaced apart and directed towards each other, at least one module means for attachment between said panel assemblies to extend between and be releasably received by said grooves, said module means including means for mounting thereon at least one preselected component for an electrical circuit, biasing means in at least one of said grooves for biasing said module means towards the groove on the other panel assembly, and a plurality of terminal means mounted on each of said panel assemblies for releasably receiving and electrically connecting wires for constructing electrical circuits.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
A modular breadboard assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein said mounting means includes two elongated leg brackets each having first and second ends, means attaching the first ends of said leg brackets to one of said panel assemblies with said leg brackets extending parallel from such one panel assembly, and means attaching the second ends of said leg brackets to the other of said panel assemblies.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular breadboard assembly, as set forth in claim 4, wherein said leg brackets include means for stacking a plurality of said breadboard assemblies.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A modular breadboard assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein a plurality of said terminal means are also mounted on said module means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
A modular breadboard assembly, as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said panel assemblies includes first and second rectangular boards formed from a rigid, electrically insulating synthetic resinous material, said boards each having generally flat sides, means attaching said first and second boards together to form a generally flat rectangular shaped panel assembly, said module receiving groove extending along an edge of said panel assembly between said first and second boards, means for forming a plurality of passages in said panel assembly to extend between said first and second boards and perpendicular to said module receiving groove, and wherein said biasing means includes a plurality of finger means mounted in said passages for limited movement perpendicular toward and away from said module receiving groove, and spring means for biasing each of said finger means toward said module receiving groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A modular breadboard assembly, as set forth in claim 7, and further including electrically conductive means positioned between said first and second boards on each panel assembly for electrically shielding one side of a circuit constructed on said modular breadboard assembly.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-01 | 1981-01-31 | 1981-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-01 | 1985-01-31 | 1985-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-01 | 1989-01-31 | 1989-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |