← Back to Patent Explorer
US5016142A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Printed circuit board guide apparatus for a limited access area

Assignee: Sundstrand Corp
•
Filing: 1990-07-27
•
Granted: 1991-05-14
•
Expires: 2010-07-27
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position in an area of limited access including a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of the printed circuit board and a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of the printed circuit board. The second edge of the printed circuit board is directly opposite to the first edge of the printed circuit board. The present invention also includes first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface and a ledge extending from a bottom surface parallel to the guide tabs. The guide tabs and the ledge form a channel which extends from a first end of the guide unit to a second end of the guide unit. The first and second tabs of the printed circuit board and the guide tabs of the first and second guide units are arranged for permitting the printed circuit board to be dropped into the first and second guide units and pushed along the channels riding on the ledges to the mounted position within the area of limited access.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert C. White

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-01 18:39
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1417; H05K7/1418; H05K7/1438; H05K7/1439

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim 202 words
A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position, comprising: a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of said printed circuit board; a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of said printed circuit board, said second edge being directly opposite to said first edge; first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface of said each guide unit and a ledge extending from a bottom surface of said each guide unit parallel to said guide tabs, said guide tabs and said ledge of said each guide unit forming a channel which extends from a first end of said each guide unit to a second end of said each guide unit; and said plurality of first and said plurality of second tabs of said printed circuit board and said guide tabs of said first and second guide units being arranged for permitting said printed circuit board to be dropped into said first and second guide units and pushed along said channels riding on said ledges to said mounted position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 202 words
A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position, comprising: a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of said printed circuit board; a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of said printed circuit board, said second edge being directly opposite to said first edge; first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface of said each guide unit and a ledge extending from a bottom surface of said each guide unit parallel to said guide tabs, said guide tabs and said ledge of said each guide unit forming a channel which extends from a first end of said each guide unit to a second end of said each guide unit; and said plurality of first and said plurality of second tabs of said printed circuit board and said guide tabs of said first and second guide units being arranged for permitting said printed circuit board to be dropped into said first and second guide units and pushed along said channels riding on said ledges to said mounted position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 23 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said guide units are disposed on inner sides of an electronic enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said electronic enclosure closes electronic devices for use in aerospace applications.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 25 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said mounted position is in an area of limited access within said electronic enclosure.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first and second tabs and said guide tabs are of a rectangular shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 27 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said mounted position is accomplished by inserting said printed circuit board in a an edge connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 20 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said edge connector is positioned on a mother board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 231 words
A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position within an area of limited access of an electronic enclosure, comprising: a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of said printed circuit board; a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of said printed circuit board, said second edge being directly opposite to said first edge; first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface of said each guide unit and a ledge extending from a bottom surface of said each guide unit parallel to said guide tabs, said guide tabs and said ledge of said each guide unit forming a channel which extends from a first end of said each guide unit to a second end of said each guide unit: and said plurality of first and said plurality of second tabs of said printed circuit board and said guide tabs of said first and second guide units being arranged for permitting said printed circuit board to be dropped into said first and second guide units and pushed along said channels riding on said ledges to said mounted position, thereby causing said printed circuit board to be mounted in said area of limited access of said electronic enclosure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 231 words
A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position within an area of limited access of an electronic enclosure, comprising: a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of said printed circuit board; a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of said printed circuit board, said second edge being directly opposite to said first edge; first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface of said each guide unit and a ledge extending from a bottom surface of said each guide unit parallel to said guide tabs, said guide tabs and said ledge of said each guide unit forming a channel which extends from a first end of said each guide unit to a second end of said each guide unit: and said plurality of first and said plurality of second tabs of said printed circuit board and said guide tabs of said first and second guide units being arranged for permitting said printed circuit board to be dropped into said first and second guide units and pushed along said channels riding on said ledges to said mounted position, thereby causing said printed circuit board to be mounted in said area of limited access of said electronic enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 23 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said guide units are disposed on inner sides of said electronic enclosure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 31 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said first plurality of tabs and said second plurality of tabs and said guide tabs are of a rectangular shape.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 26 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said mounted position is accomplished by inserting said printed circuit board in an edge connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 20 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said edge connector is positioned on a mother board.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 250 words
A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position within an area of limited access of an electronic enclosure directly behind a flange surrounding an opening of said electronic enclosure, comprising: a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of said printed circuit boards; a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of said printed circuit board, said second edge being directly opposite to said first edge; first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface of said each guide unit and a ledge extending from a bottom surface of said each guide unit parallel to said guide tabs, said guide tabs and said ledge of said each guide unit forming a channel which extends from a first end of said each guide unit to a second end of said each guide unit; and said plurality of first and said plurality of second tabs of said printed circuit board and said guide tabs of said first and second guide units being arranged for permitting said printed circuit board to be dropped into said first and second guide units and pushed along said channels riding on said ledges to said mounted position, thereby causing said printed circuit board to be mounted in said area of limited access of said electronic enclosure directly behind said flange of said electronic enclosure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 250 words
A printed circuit board guide apparatus for guiding a printed circuit board to a mounted position within an area of limited access of an electronic enclosure directly behind a flange surrounding an opening of said electronic enclosure, comprising: a plurality of first tabs extending from a first edge of said printed circuit boards; a plurality of second tabs extending from a second edge of said printed circuit board, said second edge being directly opposite to said first edge; first and second guide units disposed in a spaced apart parallel relationship to each other and each guide unit including a plurality of guide tabs extending from a top surface of said each guide unit and a ledge extending from a bottom surface of said each guide unit parallel to said guide tabs, said guide tabs and said ledge of said each guide unit forming a channel which extends from a first end of said each guide unit to a second end of said each guide unit; and said plurality of first and said plurality of second tabs of said printed circuit board and said guide tabs of said first and second guide units being arranged for permitting said printed circuit board to be dropped into said first and second guide units and pushed along said channels riding on said ledges to said mounted position, thereby causing said printed circuit board to be mounted in said area of limited access of said electronic enclosure directly behind said flange of said electronic enclosure.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 24 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said guide units are disposed on a inner sides of said electronic enclosure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 30 words
The printed circuit guide apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said first plurality of tabs and said second plurality of tabs and said guide tabs are of a rectangular shape.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 26 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said mounted position is accomplished by inserting said printed circuit board in an edge connector.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 20 words
The printed circuit board guide apparatus according to claim 16, wherein said edge connector is positioned on a mother board.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

DE1082958B Cited
DE2243263A1 Cited
US4779744A Cited
US4821149A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-05-13 1994-11-12 1995-05-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-05-13 1998-11-12 1999-05-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-05-13 2002-11-12 2003-05-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag