US4597626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Key block arrangement
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1984-09-27
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Granted: 1986-07-01
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Expires: 2004-09-27
Abstract
Abstract The subject key block arrangement eliminates the need for modifying connectors or circuit boards and functions to prevent a connector having a width greater than a predetermined size from being inserted into certain positions in the circuit pack carrier. This is accomplished by an L-shaped key block which is attached to the backplane of the carrier. The upright portion of the key block in combination with the existing card guides on the carrier present a predefined aperture into which only connectors of a matching size will fit. Connectors of greater width are blocked from being inserted into connector positions equipped with the key block. Thus, standard connectors, circuit boards and carriers can be used without modification. The key block is inexpensive to manufacture and requires only minimum labor to install in an existing carrier.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry J. Gabbard
- 👤 Henry J. Gorenz, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 23:14
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/7005; H01R13/00; H01R13/64
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
in a circuit pack carrier having a back side which consists of backplane wiring having protruding therefrom to the front side a plurality of sets of pins which are the pin elements of pin-in-hole connectors and having top and bottom sides each of which are equipped with a plurality of card guides for aligning with said plurality of sets of pins circuit boards each of which are equipped with a connector body which is the mating segment to one of said sets of pins, a key block apparatus for preventing the insertion of any of said circuit boards equipped with a connector body of greater than a predetermined width onto a designated one of said plurality of sets of pins comprising: base means attachable to said front side of said backplane for securing said key block to said front side of said backplane in close proximity to said designated set of pins; block means protruding from said base means in said frontwise direction a distance greater than or equal to the height of said pin elements above said backplane for providing a predetermined aperture between said block means and said designated set of pins for only a connector body of less than said predetermined width to pass through before contacting said designated set of pins; and wherein said base means includes tab means having one or more slots included therein for aligning said key block apparatus on said backplane by inserting associated pins of said connector pins into said slots.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
in a circuit pack carrier having a back side which consists of backplane wiring having protruding therefrom to the front side a plurality of sets of pins which are the pin elements of pin-in-hole connectors and having top and bottom sides each of which are equipped with a plurality of card guides for aligning with said plurality of sets of pins circuit boards each of which are equipped with a connector body which is the mating segment to one of said sets of pins, a key block apparatus for preventing the insertion of any of said circuit boards equipped with a connector body of greater than a predetermined width onto a designated one of said plurality of sets of pins comprising: base means attachable to said front side of said backplane for securing said key block to said front side of said backplane in close proximity to said designated set of pins; block means protruding from said base means in said frontwise direction a distance greater than or equal to the height of said pin elements above said backplane for providing a predetermined aperture between said block means and said designated set of pins for only a connector body of less than said predetermined width to pass through before contacting said designated set of pins; and wherein said base means includes tab means having one or more slots included therein for aligning said key block apparatus on said backplane by inserting associated pins of said connector pins into said slots.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
220 words
In a circuit pack carrier having a back side comprising backplane wiring and having protruding from the surface therefrom in a frontwise direction a plurality of sets of pins which comprise the pin elements of pin-in-hole connectors and having top and bottom sides which are equipped with a plurality of circuit board guides for guiding circuit boards into mating orientation with said sets of pins wherein each of said circuit boards contain a connector body which mates to said pin elements, a key block apparatus for preventing the engagement of any connector bodies which exceed a predetermined width with a designated one of said sets of pins comprising: base means having an adhesive coated flat surface for attaching said key block to the front side of said backplane in close proximity to said designated set of pins; block means connected to said base means and protruding a distance greater than or equal to the height of said pins above said front side of said backplane for blocking the insertion of a connector block of greater than a predetermined width onto said designated set of pins; and wherein said base means includes tab means having one or more slots included therein for aligning said key block apparatus on said backplane by inserting associated pins of said connector pins into said slots.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
220 words
In a circuit pack carrier having a back side comprising backplane wiring and having protruding from the surface therefrom in a frontwise direction a plurality of sets of pins which comprise the pin elements of pin-in-hole connectors and having top and bottom sides which are equipped with a plurality of circuit board guides for guiding circuit boards into mating orientation with said sets of pins wherein each of said circuit boards contain a connector body which mates to said pin elements, a key block apparatus for preventing the engagement of any connector bodies which exceed a predetermined width with a designated one of said sets of pins comprising: base means having an adhesive coated flat surface for attaching said key block to the front side of said backplane in close proximity to said designated set of pins; block means connected to said base means and protruding a distance greater than or equal to the height of said pins above said front side of said backplane for blocking the insertion of a connector block of greater than a predetermined width onto said designated set of pins; and wherein said base means includes tab means having one or more slots included therein for aligning said key block apparatus on said backplane by inserting associated pins of said connector pins into said slots.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claims 1 or 2 wherein said block means includes vertical member means having at least one flat face which is aligned in parallel orientation with said rows of pins for enabling the unobstructed insertion of only a connector block of said predetermined width onto said designated set of pins.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said block means includes: support means comprising a plurality of parallel ribs attached to the side of said vertical member means opposite of said one flat face for providing structural strength to said vertical member means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said rib means are attached to said vertical member means from said base means along said opposite side in a frontwise direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
246 words
In a circuit pack carrier having a back side which consists of backplane wiring having protruding therefrom to the front side a plurality of sets of pins which are the pin elements of pin-in-hole connectors and having top and bottom sides each of which are equipped with a plurality of card guides for aligning with said plurality of sets of pins circuit boards each of which is equipped with a connector body which is the mating segment to one of said sets of pins, a key block apparatus for preventing the insertion of any of said circuit boards equipped with a connector body of greater than a predetermined width onto a designated one of said plurality of sets of pins comprising: base means having at least one flat face which has an adhesive substance applied thereto for attaching said key block apparatus to said backplane in close proximity to said designated set of pins; block means connected to said base means and having at least one flat face extending perpendicular to said base means in a frontwise direction, said one face of which is parallel to said designated set of pins for blocking the engagement of all connector bodies of greater than said predetermined width with said designated set of pins; and wherein said base means includes tab means having one or more slots included therein for aligning said key block apparatus on said backplane by inserting associated pins of said connector pins into said slots.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
246 words
In a circuit pack carrier having a back side which consists of backplane wiring having protruding therefrom to the front side a plurality of sets of pins which are the pin elements of pin-in-hole connectors and having top and bottom sides each of which are equipped with a plurality of card guides for aligning with said plurality of sets of pins circuit boards each of which is equipped with a connector body which is the mating segment to one of said sets of pins, a key block apparatus for preventing the insertion of any of said circuit boards equipped with a connector body of greater than a predetermined width onto a designated one of said plurality of sets of pins comprising: base means having at least one flat face which has an adhesive substance applied thereto for attaching said key block apparatus to said backplane in close proximity to said designated set of pins; block means connected to said base means and having at least one flat face extending perpendicular to said base means in a frontwise direction, said one face of which is parallel to said designated set of pins for blocking the engagement of all connector bodies of greater than said predetermined width with said designated set of pins; and wherein said base means includes tab means having one or more slots included therein for aligning said key block apparatus on said backplane by inserting associated pins of said connector pins into said slots.
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) | 1989-06-30 | 1989-12-30 | 1990-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-06-30 | 1993-12-30 | 1994-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-06-30 | 1997-12-30 | 1998-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |