Reed Devices, Inc.

Augat Inc.

Gregory J Smith

Herbert C Naylor

Wayne Stewart Alden, Iii

Mark E Lewis

Michael J Bellomo

Howard J Roeser, Jr

Deanna L Gross

The invention provides a socket for substrates such as single in-line memory modules, circuit boards, and similar components which are inserted into and rotated into fixed position on the socket. The socket housing includes end portions having improved structural integrity for externally mounting cooperative latch elements. The external mounting permits a greater variety of latch sizes and configurations to suit operational requirements. An exemplary latch is preferably metal and comprises a mounting collar having a compliant C-section which corresponds to a latch-receiving section or member on the socket housing, a detent for clasping a memory module, and a resilient section connected therebetween for biasing the detent so that it clasps the memory module in fixed position in the socket. The latch collar is mounted onto the cooperative section of the socket end portion, and the latch is thereby disposed exteriorly on the socket body.

Electronic component socket with external latch

A cam-operated screwless electrical terminal block is provided having a generally box-shaped housing with an open top and an aperture in its front side and containing a generally C-shaped electrical terminal having vertically disposed opposing gripping elements the ends of which are adjacent the front aperture of the housing. The top opening carries a cam-lever pivotally mounted such that when the lever arm of the cam-lever is raised the electrical terminal ends are separated, and when the lever arm of the cam-lever is depressed the upper gripping element of the electrical terminal is depressed toward the lower gripping element so that a wire inserted in the front aperture of the housing between the ends of the gripping elements of the electrical terminal is securely held. The electrical terminal within the housing is adapted to make electrical contact with a circuit board and the terminal block is configured in such a way that a wide range of wire sizes may be conveniently and securely held. The cam-lever is provided with a flattened area on the portion of its face which contacts the upper gripping element of the electrical contact when the cam-lever arm is in the depressed position, and the housing and cam-lever arm possess respectively latching detents so that the cam-lever arm is securely maintained in its depressed position after an electrical connection has been made.

Screwless type electrical terminal block

A low profile screw terminal block is provided with a split plastic barrel which serves to prevent screw stripout and to anchor the terminal screw when the terminal screw is pressed into the barrel and is advanced so as to form corresponding self-tapping threads in the smooth barrel, thereby to leave the terminal screw in a raised position ready for immediate wire insertion, to prevent the screw from vibrating loose during assembly and shipping and to securely hold the screw when the screw is tightened against a wire. The terminal block may be mounted to a fixed panel or like structure through the utilization of the split barrel at the end sections of the block by either a bolt running through the split channel and through the fixed panel or by a self-tapping machine screw inserted up through the fixed panel and into the split channel, with the split barrel design permitting overtightening without damage.

Low profile screw terminal block with split plastic barrel

Growing community of inventors

North Attleboro, MA, United States of America

Gregory J Smith