Printed circuit card guide

Claim 1

An improved card rack/circuit card assembly allowing easy insertion and removal of individual circuit cards, comprising (a) a frame including first and second parallel spaced-apart members; (b) a circuit card having a connector end carrying a plurality of spaced-apart electrical contacts, and side edges intersecting the leading edge and spaced from each other a distance less than that separating the frame's parallel spaced-apart members; (c) a connector block adapted to mate with the card's electrical contacts and form electrical connection with the contacts; (d) first and second card guides each having first and second ends and a slot adapted to receive a card edge, and at least one guide having a guide surface adjacent the second end and facing the direction of the adjacent slot, said first and second card guides attached at their first ends respectively to the first and second parallel spaced-apart members and each attached to an end of the connector block at their second end in facing slot relationship in a precise preselected position and spaced to allow the card to enter both slots and slide connector end first into mating position with the connector block, said guide surface positioned to engage a portion of the card connector end prior to initial engagement of the contacts in the connector block and the circuit card connector end, and constrain the connector end of the card to a precise predetermined path during a portion of its travel preceding its arrival at its final mating position, said guide further including a ramp surface faired into the guide surface end nearer the first end of said guide, said ramp surface sloping generally away from the opposing guide and toward the first end of said guide.