The Whitaker Corporation

Tyco Electronics Corporation

Michael Deen Bowers

Mark R Thumma

Donald J Summers

Robert Thomas Hirsbrunner

Albert Washington Frantum, Jr

David P Wike

Oliver Patrick Bartholomew

Robert E Klinger

A latch for use in an electrical connector which controls the movement of the circuit board in directions parallel and perpendicular to the path of insertion of the circuit board. The electrical connector has a dielectric housing with an elongated slot which is dimensioned to receive an edge of a circuit card therein. At least one latch receiving recess is positioned proximate an end of the elongated slot. In many applications, a latch receiving recess is provided at either end of the elongated slot. A first wall of the latch receiving recess is provided adjacent the elongated slot. The first wall has angled surfaces provided thereon. A latch is positioned in the respective latch receiving recess and is pivotally retained therein. Each latch has a pair of legs spaced from each other by a board receiving slot. The legs have a respective tapered surface which extends from a front surface of each leg to a respective side surface. The angle which the tapered surfaces project from the front surface is similar to the angle of the angled surfaces. Whereby when the latch is positioned in locking engagement with the circuit card, the tapered surfaces and angled surfaces cooperate with each other to prevent the movement of the latch and the circuit card in a direction perpendicular to the plane of insertion of the circuit card.

Latch for card edge socket

A retention member ( ) for a card edge connector ( ) is provided for securing a printed circuit card ( ) in the connector. The retention member is formed as a spring clip having free ends ( ) secured to releasably attached to ends of the electrical connector. Tabs ( ) are received in notches ( ) to further secure the assembly. Slots ( ) are formed in the spring clip to receive corners of the printed circuit card. The spring clip may have bowed portions to further strengthen the retention of the printed circuit card. The spring clip is released from the connector by inserting a tool into lateral tool slots ( ).

Retention member for card edge connector

The invention herein disclosed is directed to a latch (1) for securing in place a printed circuit board (8) plugged into a connector (3). The latch (1) at one end is designed to grip the connector (3) in a connector retainer (2) and at the other end is designed to releasably grip the printed circuit board (8) in a retainer (6). The latch (1) is made to grip or release by actuating a tab (9) on the printed circuit board retainer (6) of the latch (1).

Printed circuit board retaining latch

A panel mount connector (10) has a housing (20) with a first mounting surface or shoulder (42) and a mounting post (30) extending therefrom. The mounting post (30) has a deformable web (50) which is deformed as the housing (20) is inserted onto the panel (12), so that the deformable web (50) and first mounting surface (42) cooperate to maintain the connector (10) in position on the panel (12).

Growing community of inventors

Harrisburg, PA, United States of America

Michael Deen Bowers