Thru-board released connector

Abstract

A coupling system connecting a plug of a device or printed wiring board to a receptacle on a motherboard within a chassis. A coupling screw is provided as part of the receptacle which passes through the receptacle and motherboard and extends towards the plug. By providing the coupling screw in the receptacle and an attachment structure in the plug, simple and convenient coupling of the device or printed wiring board to the motherboard is possible. Additionally, size and space restrictions on the device or printed wiring board and chassis near the plug are removed. The device or printed wiring board may be coupled or decoupled from the motherboard by operation of a head of the coupling screw either through a hole in an access plate or chassis wall in the chassis or by extending the coupling screw to the chassis outside surface of the plate or chassis wall. In a second embodiment, it is possible to use the improved coupling system to connect a cable within a chassis to a motherboard without unnecessary service loops or blindmate connectors within the chassis. Again, by providing coupling screws passing through the receptacle towards a plug on the cable and by operating the head of the coupling screw either through holes in the access plate or chassis wall, or by removing the access plate, the cable is simply and conveniently coupled and decoupled from the motherboard.