Harris Data Communications, Inc.

Gerald J Goldberg

A printed circuit board connecting and locking assembly, particularly for use in conjunction with zero entry force connectors, is designed to prevent insertion of a printed circuit board into a closed zero entry force connector, to ensure that the printed circuit board is properly seated into the connector before it can be closed, enable a keying of the printed circuit boards so that only the printed circuit board having the proper key can be inserted, and ensure that the printed circuit board, once inserted, is securely locked in place. To this end, according to a preferred embodiment, at least one circuit board locking key is carried by a support for movement between a first, open position located outside of an insertion and removal path of a printed circuit board into and out of an electrical connector and a second, closed position located within the path of the printed circuit board, an actuator rod being mounted for reciprocation parallel to the path of the circuit board so that a camming surface thereof will displace the locking key transversely of the circuit board path from the first, open position into the second, closed position. Either a spring or a further camming action can be utilized for retraction of the locking key.

Growing community of inventors

Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United States of America

Gerald J Goldberg