Rexnord Gmbh

Frank C Read

Albert K Yamamoto

Retainer apparatus that functions not only to retain a PC board into a channel in a housing, but also to simultaneously guide the board downwardly into a predetermined installation position in which an electrical connector carried by the board is properly coupled to a mating connector carried by the housing. The retaining apparatus includes a rod assembly mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis, along one side edge of the PC board. The rod assembly's lower end engages a helical guide receptacle secured to the housing, to guide the rod assembly, and thus the PC board, downwardly into the desired installation position, in response to a controlled rotation of the rod assembly. When the rod assembly has been controllably rotated to the point where the board has been drawn fully into its installation position, a series of spring-biased balls carried along the length of the rod assembly will project outwardly from the PC board and thus increase the combined effective thickness of the board and rod assembly, to retain the board and rod assembly within the housing channel.

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Frank C Read