Low insertion force electrical retainer

• US 4,252,390 A
• Filed: 04/09/1979
• Issued: 02/24/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: William M. Bowling
• Original Assignee: William M. Bowling
• Inventors: Bowling, William M.
• Primary Examiner(s): McQuade, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, John S.
• Application Number:
  US06/028,257
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 339/17 CF, 339/176 MP, 339/19, 339/174, 339/17 M, 339/147 R, 339/91 R, 174/52 FP, 361/212, 361/310, 361/384-389, 206/328, 206/331
• US Class Current: 439/73
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/18 Printed circuits structurally associated with non-printed electric components H05K1/0201, H05K1/023, H05K1/0243, and H05K1/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/301 by means of a mounting structure H05K3/325 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/103 co-operating by sliding, e.g. DIP carriers

Abstract

A retainer for securing electrical components such as IC'"'"'s to a PCB requiring low or zero insertion force formed having spring biasing locking means for applying retaining contact pressure between the leads or contacts of the IC and a connector. In the preferred embodiment the retainer is in the form of a channel having a plurality of depending legs, each of which is adapted to engage the contacts in an operative position. In other embodiments, the spring retainer may be an elastomeric pad. In still another embodiment the retainer includes a lip or flange engageable with one portion of the component and the spring by contacts associated with the connector which apply an opposite biasing force. In still other embodiments the spring retainer is integrally formed in the depending contact lead, the IC or component.

Claims

1. A retainer for mounting an electrical device having a body having depending spaced-apart contact leads to an electrical module at a connector having a body with spaced-apart contact pins with the device body in juxtaposition with the said connector body and with the contact leads and pins in engagement, said retainer comprising:

an elongate body member, a series of spaced-apart discrete deflectable leg members oppositely extending from said body member and each adapted to engage at least one of said contact leads and pins urging said contact leads and pins into conductive engagement, the lower distal end of sad leg members being reversely bent forming an elongate channel for reception of a tool to separate the leg members to assist in inserting the leg members over the contact leads and pins, guide tab extending from said body member adapted to engage a portion of the device at a predetermined location, said retainer being formed of a nonconductive material.

2. The retainer of claim 1 wherein said retainer includes an elastomeric material at the inner surface of said leg members.