The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 05, 2003
Filed:
Sep. 12, 2001
Lewis B. Sheen, Shirley, MA (US);
Arthur S. Rousmaniere, Andover, MA (US);
Sun Microsystems, Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A capture device for use with circuit boards of varying thicknesses prevents the spacing between the boards from increasing and has a unitary body including a flexible arm, a clip cavity and multiple living hinges that enable the device to be pivotally self-locked between the circuit boards. The capture device can be engaged and disengaged in poor visibility and limited access areas densely packed with circuit boards. The capture device may be made of a semi-rigid material that provides enough flexibility for the living hinges, yet is rigid enough to exert pressure on the boards and prevent the spacing between the boards from increasing. In alternative embodiments, more than two circuit boards may be secured using alternative configurations of the capture device with either multiple arms or multiple clip cavities.