US5218518A — Rack mountable box shaped module with conical pos…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 285 words

A box-shaped module for connecting to a mounting rack, which has plug and socket connections and a recess located at a predetermined position relative to the plug and socket connections, comprising: a) a cover; b) a housing shell having a terminal side, a base and two narrow sides, said housing shell being attached to said cover; c) a printed circuit board having plug and socket connections connectable with the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack, said printed circuit board being disposed between said cover and said housing shell and said printed circuit board including positioning holes; d) a plurality of first conical elements, said plurality of first conical elements engaging said positioning holes of said printed circuit board thereby automatically self-centering said printed circuit board such that said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board are accurately positioned within said housing shell; e) a plurality of second conical elements; f) a ground terminal disposed on said housing shell, said ground terminal having a positioning hole, whereby one of said plurality of second conical elements engages said positioning hole of said ground terminal such that said ground terminal is accurately positioned within said housing shell; g) means for securing said ground terminal to said housing shell, said means for securing being disposed on said housing shell; and a bearing element matching the recess on the mounting rack, and being disposed on said base of said housing shell, whereby said bearing element fits into the recess when said box-shaped module is tilted during insertion into the mounting rack thus accurately positioning said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board with respect to the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 285 words

A box-shaped module for connecting to a mounting rack, which has plug and socket connections and a recess located at a predetermined position relative to the plug and socket connections, comprising: a) a cover; b) a housing shell having a terminal side, a base and two narrow sides, said housing shell being attached to said cover; c) a printed circuit board having plug and socket connections connectable with the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack, said printed circuit board being disposed between said cover and said housing shell and said printed circuit board including positioning holes; d) a plurality of first conical elements, said plurality of first conical elements engaging said positioning holes of said printed circuit board thereby automatically self-centering said printed circuit board such that said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board are accurately positioned within said housing shell; e) a plurality of second conical elements; f) a ground terminal disposed on said housing shell, said ground terminal having a positioning hole, whereby one of said plurality of second conical elements engages said positioning hole of said ground terminal such that said ground terminal is accurately positioned within said housing shell; g) means for securing said ground terminal to said housing shell, said means for securing being disposed on said housing shell; and a bearing element matching the recess on the mounting rack, and being disposed on said base of said housing shell, whereby said bearing element fits into the recess when said box-shaped module is tilted during insertion into the mounting rack thus accurately positioning said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board with respect to the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 279 words

A box-shaped module for connecting to a mounting rack, which has plug and socket connections and a recess located at a predetermined position relative to the plug and socket connections, comprising: a) a cover; b) a housing shell having a terminal side, a base and two narrow sides, said housing shell being attached to said cover; c) a printed circuit board having plug and socket connections connectable with the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack, said printed circuit board being disposed between said cover and said housing shell and said printed circuit board including positioning holes; d) a plurality of first conical elements, said plurality of first conical elements engaging said positioning holes of said printed circuit board thereby automatically self-centering said printed circuit board such that said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board are accurately positioned within said housing shell; e) a ground terminal disposed on said housing shell, said ground terminal having a positioning hole, whereby one of said plurality of first conical elements engages said positioning hole of said ground terminal such that said ground terminal is accurately positioned within said housing shell; f) means for securing said ground terminal to said housing shell, said means for securing being disposed on said housing shell; and g) a bearing element matching the recess on the mounting rack, and being disposed on said base of said housing shell, whereby said bearing element fits into the recess when said box-shaped module is tilted during insertion into the mounting rack thus accurately positioning said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board with respect to the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 279 words

A box-shaped module for connecting to a mounting rack, which has plug and socket connections and a recess located at a predetermined position relative to the plug and socket connections, comprising: a) a cover; b) a housing shell having a terminal side, a base and two narrow sides, said housing shell being attached to said cover; c) a printed circuit board having plug and socket connections connectable with the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack, said printed circuit board being disposed between said cover and said housing shell and said printed circuit board including positioning holes; d) a plurality of first conical elements, said plurality of first conical elements engaging said positioning holes of said printed circuit board thereby automatically self-centering said printed circuit board such that said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board are accurately positioned within said housing shell; e) a ground terminal disposed on said housing shell, said ground terminal having a positioning hole, whereby one of said plurality of first conical elements engages said positioning hole of said ground terminal such that said ground terminal is accurately positioned within said housing shell; f) means for securing said ground terminal to said housing shell, said means for securing being disposed on said housing shell; and g) a bearing element matching the recess on the mounting rack, and being disposed on said base of said housing shell, whereby said bearing element fits into the recess when said box-shaped module is tilted during insertion into the mounting rack thus accurately positioning said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board with respect to the plug and socket connections of the mounting rack.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 64 words

The module according to claim 2 further comprising: h) first means for shielding said printed circuit board, said first means for shielding including positioning holes, wherein said housing shell includes a second plurality of conical elements, said second plurality of conical elements engaging the positioning holes of said first means for shielding whereby said first means for shielding is centered on said housing shell.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 16 words

The module according to claim 3, wherein said bearing element is integral with said housing shell.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 16 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said bearing element is integral with said housing shell.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 26 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said first plurality of conical elements comprises a plurality of printed circuit board centering spigots disposed on said base.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said ground terminal includes a projection, and said means for securing forms a a depression into which said projection fits such that said projection locks into said depression.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 14 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said bearing element comprises a whistle-shaped offset.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 43 words

The module according to claim 8, wherein said housing shell further comprises a protrusion being disposed on said terminal side of the module, said protrusion being disposed at a predetermined lateral spacing from said plug and socket connections of said printed circuit board.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 45 words

The module according to claim 2, further comprising a metal sheet being disposed between said housing shell and said printed circuit board, said metal sheet being coupled to said ground terminal, wherein said printed circuit board further comprises a ground coupled to said ground terminal.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 77 words

The module according to claim 2, further comprising a means for shielding said printed circuit board, said first means for shielding being disposed between said housing shell and said printed circuit board and having a plurality of positioning holes, wherein said housing shell further comprises a plurality of pressable spigots being disposed on said base, said plurality of pressable spigots engaging said positioning holes of said first means for shielding thereby positioning said first means for shielding.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 90 words

The module according to claim 11, further comprising a second means for shielding said printed circuit board, said second means for shielding being disposed between said cover and said printed circuit board, and having a first bent-down surface opposite said terminal side of said housing shell, wherein: a) said first means for shielding further comprises a second bent-down surface partially overlapping said first bent-down surface; and b) said printed circuit board further comprises a component side, which faces away from said second shield when said box-shaped module is completely assembled.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 99 words

The module according to claim 12, wherein: a) said second means for shielding further comprises a knockout and a plurality of plug holes, said plurality of plug holes being disposed in said second bent-down surface, and said knockout having a predetermined dimension; b) said printed circuit board further comprises a front side opposite said terminal side, and a plug connector having a metal collar mounted and soldered onto said front side; c) said predetermined dimension corresponds to said metal collar; and d) said second means for shielding is bolted onto said metal collar via said plurality of plug holes.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 75 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said ground terminal comprises a hook-shaped ground clip, said hook-shaped ground clip having two threaded holes and a projection, said projection being disposed on said hook-shaped ground clip, said means for securing forming a depression which accepts said projection such that said projection locks into said depression, and said two threaded holes allow fastening of a first and a second means for shielding to said hook-shaped ground clip.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said housing shell further comprises an open side opposing said terminal side.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

The module according to claim 15, further comprising a front shrouded cover, wherein said front shrouded cover is attached to said open side.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 50 words

The module according to claim 16, wherein: a) said housing shell further comprises a first plurality of recesses; b) said cover further comprises a second plurality of recesses; and c) said front shrouded cover further comprises a plurality of flat teeth which engages said first and second plurality of recesses.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 34 words

The module according to claim 17, wherein said first and second plurality of teeth gradually increase in length from a center of said front shrouded cover to an outside of said front shrouded cover.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 48 words

The module according to claim 17, further comprising a plug connector soldered onto said printed circuit board, wherein said front shrouded cover further comprises a notched space and a recessed front portion, said recessed front portion having a cut-away portion allowing access for contact to said plug connector.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 17 words

The module according to claim 19, further comprising an outer casing having dimensions matching the notched space.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 42 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said housing shell further comprises a first projecting surface and said cover further comprises a second projecting surface wherein said first projecting surface and said second projecting surface form a hood towards said terminal side.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 34 words

The module according to claim 2, further comprising a coding element being disposed on said terminal side, said coding element for matching a second counterpart located at an appropriate spot on the mounting rack.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 19 words

The module according to claim 2, further comprising a threaded bolt for anchoring the module to the mounting rack.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 69 words

The module according to claim 2, wherein said housing shell further comprises a first supporting surface being disposed at a predetermined height from an outside surface of said base, said cover further comprises a second supporting surface resting on said first supporting surface, said second supporting surface being disposed at a second predetermined height from an outside surface of said cover, such that said module has a predetermined width.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 67 words

The module according to claim 24, wherein said housing shell further comprises a supporting point supporting said printed circuit board, said supporting point having a defined spacing to said base, so that said plug and socket connections of the printed circuit board are located at a precise distance from said base and cover, and said module has said predetermined width independent of any printed circuit board tolerances.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1996-06-07	1996-12-07	1997-06-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2000-06-07	2000-12-07	2001-06-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2004-06-07	2004-12-07	2005-06-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Rack mountable box shaped module with conical positioning elements

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