Title:
CORNER EDGE CONNECTOR FOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS
United States Patent 3567998
Abstract:
Disclosed is an L-shaped edge connector for the use with circuit modules such as printed circuit boards. The inner L-shaped surface of the connector is formed with a slotted channel adapted to receive the leading edge of the board in its base portion. The base of the connector is further fitted with spring contacts for securing and making electrical contact with the leading edge of the board. The slotted channel within the upright portion of the connector is adapted to receive an adjacent edge of the board and provide lateral support thereto. -
US Patent References:
Holder for electronic components
Frank - October 1964 - 3154281
Mechanical apparatus
Fricker, Jr. - September 1965 - 3216580
Electrical socket connector for printed circuit boards
Badders - August 1957 - 2802188
Polarized connector for printed circuit cards
Wirth, Jr. - July 1960 - 2946033
Edge connectors for printed circuit panels
Clews - April 1964 - 3131016
Holder for electronic components
Frank - October 1964 - 3154281
Mechanical apparatus
Fricker, Jr. - September 1965 - 3216580
Electrical socket connector for printed circuit boards
Badders - August 1957 - 2802188
Polarized connector for printed circuit cards
Wirth, Jr. - July 1960 - 2946033
Edge connectors for printed circuit panels
Clews - April 1964 - 3131016
Application Number:
04/728406
Publication Date:
03/02/1971
Filing Date:
05/13/1968
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
361/802, 439/64, 439/59
International Classes:
H02B1/00; H02B1/02
Field of Search:
317/101 (DH)/ 317/101 (CC)/ 317/17,176 (MP)/ 339/17,17 (LM)/ 339/176 (MP)/ 211/26,41,473 174/138.5 248/201
US Patent References:
Other References:
ELECTRONICS, April 1956, page 63 (copy 339-17L).
Primary Examiner:
Smith Jr., David
Claims:
I claim
1. An edge connector formed of dielectric material for use with a printed circuit board comprising:
2. An edge connector as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for securing said connector to a supporting structure, said securing means formed as an integral part of said body.
3. An edge connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said side member includes a channel disposed therein substantially coplanar with said base member channel and in communication therewith for receiving only portions of the corresponding edges of said printed circuit board therein, said edges being disposed at said angle to each other.
4. A multicontact edge connector for securing a printed circuit board to a supporting structure, comprising:
1. An edge connector formed of dielectric material for use with a printed circuit board comprising:
2. An edge connector as defined in claim 1 further comprising means for securing said connector to a supporting structure, said securing means formed as an integral part of said body.
3. An edge connector as defined in claim 1 wherein said side member includes a channel disposed therein substantially coplanar with said base member channel and in communication therewith for receiving only portions of the corresponding edges of said printed circuit board therein, said edges being disposed at said angle to each other.
4. A multicontact edge connector for securing a printed circuit board to a supporting structure, comprising:
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The function of edge connectors for use with circuit modules, such as printed circuit boards, is well known to those skilled in the electronic art. They provide the capability of rapid replacement thereby enhancing the serviceability and utility of the particular equipment of which the module is a part. One type of edge connector which has enjoyed a successful degree of acceptance has a plurality of electrical spring contacts arranged in linear fashion at predetermined intervals. These contacts are adapted to receive the leading edge of a circuit board inserted therein and to register with the conductive circuit paths upon the board which emanate therefrom. The connector is generally formed with a slotted channel, having closed ends, into which the contacts are fitted. The leading edge of the circuit board is maintained at a length which will enter the enclosed channel with a minimum amount of clearance, thereby providing indexing with the contacts.
In many types of electrical equipment it is convenient to subdivide the requisite circuitry into functional units, each unit being fabricated as a module contained on a separate circuit board. These modules may therefore, vary geometrically in accordance with the characteristics of the particular circuit subdivision and the board upon which the circuitry is mounted may vary in dimension.
To avoid the necessity of accommodating circuit boards of varying lengths with a corresponding connector, the practice has developed of shaping the leading edge of the board with a projecting tongue which is maintained at a width compatible with the standard widths of connector channels. This practice has proven to result in numerable drawbacks. For example, the shape of the card, by virtue of having a projecting tongue, does not provide for the most economical use of card material. In addition, the card must be provided with some means of support since the depth of the connector channel is not sufficient to support the cantilevered mass of the card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to edge connectors for use with circuit boards and, more particularly, to an L-shaped edge connector defined by a base member and a side member, the base member formed with a slotted channel for receiving a portion of the leading edge of the circuit board, the side member providing lateral support to the board via an edge of the board adjacent said leading edge. By combining two such L-shaped connectors with a circuit board having emanating conductive paths along a predetermined length measured from either end of its leading edge, it is possible to accommodate boards of varying width while at the same time providing lateral support thereto.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an edge connector which is adapted for use with circuit boards of varying width.
A further object is to provide an edge connector for use with printed circuit boards of varying width which in addition provides lateral support to the board.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an edge connection termination for circuit boards of varying connection edge widths, while at the same time providing indexing, lateral support, and card retention.
These as well as additional object and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circuit board assembly in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is illustrative of a circuit assembly secured to a supporting structure; and
FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views of edge connectors in accordance with the present invention, adapted for use with single-sided and double-sided circuit boards respectively.
Referring now in more detail to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1, which is illustrative of a circuit board assembly in accordance with the present invention, comprises a circuit board 10 formed with printed circuitry 11 and having circuit elements 12 mounted thereon. The printed circuitry 11 is formed by any of the conventional techniques well-known to those skilled in the art and is configured so as to terminate at the outer portions of the leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, two L-shaped connectors 15 are provided and disposed so as to be adapted to receive the circuit board 10. The connectors 15 are formed of a dielectric material and are defined by a base portion 16 and a side portion 17. The inner L-shaped surface of the connectors are formed with a slotted channel 18 open at either end 19 thereof. The leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10 is received by the slotted channel 18 within the base portion 16 of the connector 15 while the slotted channel 18 within the side portion 17 provides lateral support to the circuit board 10 via the edges 20 of the board adjacent said leading edge 13. The side portions 17 of the connectors 15 are formed with detent means 21 adapted to mate with corresponding detent means situated upon the circuit board 10. FIG. 2 represents the detent means 21 as a projection into the slotted channel 18 within the side portion 17 of the connector. In this embodiment the circuit board would be formed with a corresponding notch (not shown) such that the two would mate when the board and connector were properly aligned. Although this technique of providing alignment has proven particularly effective, other modifications may be readily incorporated without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As an example of one such modification, the projection may be provided upon the circuit board and the notch within the connector. Furthermore, although a single detent means positioned at the top of the connector has been illustrated, the number or position of such means is not controlling.
Continuing with the description of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the connector elements 15 is formed with fastening means 22 adapted to releasably engage corresponding means 23 formed within the supporting structure 24. As illustrated, the releasably engageable fingers 22 are formed as an integral part of the base portion of the connector 15. FIG. 3 depicts the manner in which the fingers 22 engage the supporting structure 24.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate sectional views of edge connectors adapted for use with either single or double sided circuit boards. As shown therein, the base portions 16 of the connectors are fitted with a plurality of electrical spring contacts 25 arranged in linear fashion at predetermined intervals within the slotted channel 18. The base portion of the connector is formed with a series of holes 26 adapted to receive these contacts 25 and to permit the lower portions 27 thereof to project beneath the connector. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the supporting structure 24 is provided with a like series of holes 28 adapted to receive these protruding portions 27 of the electrical contacts. These protruding portions thereafter serve as rigid posts to which wire terminals may be secured, as by wire wrapping, and further provide a means by which connection may be made to circuit paths 29 formed upon the supporting structure. FIG. 3 is illustrative of the latter where the assembly has been passed through a solder wave and solder connections 30 established between the protruding contacts and the conductive circuit paths 29 formed on the underside of the supporting structure 24.
To complete the assembly the leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10 is inserted into the base portions 16 of the connectors 15 with the terminating portions of the printed circuit paths 11 being engaged by, and making electrical contact with, the spring contacts 25. In light of the fact that the various types of spring contacts available are well known to those skilled in the art, and are not deemed a critical part of the present invention, a detailed description of the contacts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is not felt to be warranted. However, the contacts 25 must be arranged so as to provide proper registration with the terminating circuit paths 11 at the leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10. Accordingly, it may contain contacts 25 on only one side of the slotted channel 18, as in the case of FIG. 4, or it may be fitted with contacts 25 on both sides of the channel 18, as in FIG. 5, so as to accommodate a circuit board 10 having conductive paths 11 on both sides thereof.
The function of edge connectors for use with circuit modules, such as printed circuit boards, is well known to those skilled in the electronic art. They provide the capability of rapid replacement thereby enhancing the serviceability and utility of the particular equipment of which the module is a part. One type of edge connector which has enjoyed a successful degree of acceptance has a plurality of electrical spring contacts arranged in linear fashion at predetermined intervals. These contacts are adapted to receive the leading edge of a circuit board inserted therein and to register with the conductive circuit paths upon the board which emanate therefrom. The connector is generally formed with a slotted channel, having closed ends, into which the contacts are fitted. The leading edge of the circuit board is maintained at a length which will enter the enclosed channel with a minimum amount of clearance, thereby providing indexing with the contacts.
In many types of electrical equipment it is convenient to subdivide the requisite circuitry into functional units, each unit being fabricated as a module contained on a separate circuit board. These modules may therefore, vary geometrically in accordance with the characteristics of the particular circuit subdivision and the board upon which the circuitry is mounted may vary in dimension.
To avoid the necessity of accommodating circuit boards of varying lengths with a corresponding connector, the practice has developed of shaping the leading edge of the board with a projecting tongue which is maintained at a width compatible with the standard widths of connector channels. This practice has proven to result in numerable drawbacks. For example, the shape of the card, by virtue of having a projecting tongue, does not provide for the most economical use of card material. In addition, the card must be provided with some means of support since the depth of the connector channel is not sufficient to support the cantilevered mass of the card.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to edge connectors for use with circuit boards and, more particularly, to an L-shaped edge connector defined by a base member and a side member, the base member formed with a slotted channel for receiving a portion of the leading edge of the circuit board, the side member providing lateral support to the board via an edge of the board adjacent said leading edge. By combining two such L-shaped connectors with a circuit board having emanating conductive paths along a predetermined length measured from either end of its leading edge, it is possible to accommodate boards of varying width while at the same time providing lateral support thereto.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an edge connector which is adapted for use with circuit boards of varying width.
A further object is to provide an edge connector for use with printed circuit boards of varying width which in addition provides lateral support to the board.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an edge connection termination for circuit boards of varying connection edge widths, while at the same time providing indexing, lateral support, and card retention.
These as well as additional object and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a circuit board assembly in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is illustrative of a circuit assembly secured to a supporting structure; and
FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views of edge connectors in accordance with the present invention, adapted for use with single-sided and double-sided circuit boards respectively.
Referring now in more detail to the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1, which is illustrative of a circuit board assembly in accordance with the present invention, comprises a circuit board 10 formed with printed circuitry 11 and having circuit elements 12 mounted thereon. The printed circuitry 11 is formed by any of the conventional techniques well-known to those skilled in the art and is configured so as to terminate at the outer portions of the leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10.
As shown in FIG. 1, two L-shaped connectors 15 are provided and disposed so as to be adapted to receive the circuit board 10. The connectors 15 are formed of a dielectric material and are defined by a base portion 16 and a side portion 17. The inner L-shaped surface of the connectors are formed with a slotted channel 18 open at either end 19 thereof. The leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10 is received by the slotted channel 18 within the base portion 16 of the connector 15 while the slotted channel 18 within the side portion 17 provides lateral support to the circuit board 10 via the edges 20 of the board adjacent said leading edge 13. The side portions 17 of the connectors 15 are formed with detent means 21 adapted to mate with corresponding detent means situated upon the circuit board 10. FIG. 2 represents the detent means 21 as a projection into the slotted channel 18 within the side portion 17 of the connector. In this embodiment the circuit board would be formed with a corresponding notch (not shown) such that the two would mate when the board and connector were properly aligned. Although this technique of providing alignment has proven particularly effective, other modifications may be readily incorporated without departing from the spirit of the present invention. As an example of one such modification, the projection may be provided upon the circuit board and the notch within the connector. Furthermore, although a single detent means positioned at the top of the connector has been illustrated, the number or position of such means is not controlling.
Continuing with the description of the assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, each of the connector elements 15 is formed with fastening means 22 adapted to releasably engage corresponding means 23 formed within the supporting structure 24. As illustrated, the releasably engageable fingers 22 are formed as an integral part of the base portion of the connector 15. FIG. 3 depicts the manner in which the fingers 22 engage the supporting structure 24.
FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate sectional views of edge connectors adapted for use with either single or double sided circuit boards. As shown therein, the base portions 16 of the connectors are fitted with a plurality of electrical spring contacts 25 arranged in linear fashion at predetermined intervals within the slotted channel 18. The base portion of the connector is formed with a series of holes 26 adapted to receive these contacts 25 and to permit the lower portions 27 thereof to project beneath the connector. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 the supporting structure 24 is provided with a like series of holes 28 adapted to receive these protruding portions 27 of the electrical contacts. These protruding portions thereafter serve as rigid posts to which wire terminals may be secured, as by wire wrapping, and further provide a means by which connection may be made to circuit paths 29 formed upon the supporting structure. FIG. 3 is illustrative of the latter where the assembly has been passed through a solder wave and solder connections 30 established between the protruding contacts and the conductive circuit paths 29 formed on the underside of the supporting structure 24.
To complete the assembly the leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10 is inserted into the base portions 16 of the connectors 15 with the terminating portions of the printed circuit paths 11 being engaged by, and making electrical contact with, the spring contacts 25. In light of the fact that the various types of spring contacts available are well known to those skilled in the art, and are not deemed a critical part of the present invention, a detailed description of the contacts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is not felt to be warranted. However, the contacts 25 must be arranged so as to provide proper registration with the terminating circuit paths 11 at the leading edge 13 of the circuit board 10. Accordingly, it may contain contacts 25 on only one side of the slotted channel 18, as in the case of FIG. 4, or it may be fitted with contacts 25 on both sides of the channel 18, as in FIG. 5, so as to accommodate a circuit board 10 having conductive paths 11 on both sides thereof.