US4058890A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for mounting printed circuit boards
Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1975-10-15
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Granted: 1977-11-22
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Expires: 1995-10-15
Abstract
Abstract Interlocking hinges are attached to printed circuit boards and coupled together to form a stack of printed circuit boards. Access to each board is possible by rotating the stack at a selected hinge to expose a selected board. A projection and an opening on each hinge mate with openings and projections on other hinges to allow easy removal or addition of a board from the stack when the hinges are in one relative position, but to create an interference fit in a second relative position, thereby causing the hinges to lock together and form a rigid structure.
Inventors
- 👤 Perry H. Pierce
- 👤 Dan L. Prendergast
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 23:41
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/16; H05K7/1417; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of mounting a plurality of printed circuit boards, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one slot in each of said printed circuit boards; providing hinges having two lateral extensions which are essentially parallel planar structures having force-fitting means therebetween, said force-fitting means comprising an essentially arrow-shaped structure for force-fitting into said slot in one of said printed circuit boards; attaching said hinges to said plurality of printed circuit boards; and interlocking the hinges together to form a stack of printed circuit boards.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
87 words
A method of mounting a plurality of printed circuit boards, the method comprising the steps of: providing at least one slot in each of said printed circuit boards; providing hinges having two lateral extensions which are essentially parallel planar structures having force-fitting means therebetween, said force-fitting means comprising an essentially arrow-shaped structure for force-fitting into said slot in one of said printed circuit boards; attaching said hinges to said plurality of printed circuit boards; and interlocking the hinges together to form a stack of printed circuit boards.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of interlocking the hinges includes the steps of positioning a projection from one hinge into an opening having a similar shape and rotating the hinges to form an interference fit between the projection and the opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 2, further comprising the step of installing a flexible cable assembly coupling the plurality of printed circuit boards.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method as in claim 3 further comprising the steps of: connecting one or more interlocking hinges to a support structure; and interlocking the hinges attached to the printed circuit boards with the hinges connected to the support structure.
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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) | 1980-11-21 | 1981-05-23 | 1981-11-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-11-21 | 1985-05-23 | 1985-11-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-11-21 | 1989-05-23 | 1989-11-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |