Modular electronic device

• US 4,942,356 A
• Filed: 06/26/1989
• Issued: 07/17/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Tools Company LLC (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Michalski, Steven E., Ellingen, David R., Mieczkowski, Daniel, Pacetti, Larry D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Regan, Maura K.
• Application Number:
  US07/372,228
• Time in Patent Office: 386 Days
• Field of Search: 324/156, 324/157, 324/115, 361/392, 361/393, 361/394, 361/415, 439/357, 439/358, 439/361, 439/362
• US Class Current: 324/156
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/04 Housings; Supporting members; Arrangements of terminals

Abstract

The modular electronic device includes a main unit and at least one plug-in module adapted to be removably slid on to and mounted on the main unit. There are first and second interfitting connectors respectively on the main unit and the module which automatically interfit when the module is mounted. First and second interfitting track structure are respectively on the module and main unit to facilitate sliding the module onto the main unit. Finally, there is first and second interfitting latching elements respectively on the main unit and the module to hold the module latched in place.

Claims

1. A modular electronic device comprising a main unit, at least one plug-in module adapted to be removably slid on to and mounted on said main unit, first and second interfitting electrical connectors respectively on said main unit and said module and automatically interfitting when said module is mounted on said main unit, said main unit being open at one end thereof such that said module is slid through said one end in a longitudinal direction, and first and second interfitting track structure respectively on said main unit and said module for guiding said module on and off of said main unit, said first and second interfitting track structure being constructed and arranged to prevent said module from being moved in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, said interfitting track structure including a groove.

2. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said main unit and said module are elongated.

3. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said main unit is generally L-shaped in elevation and has a head portion and a foot portion, said foot portion being shallower than said head portion.

4. The modular electronic device of claim 3, wherein said head portion and said foot portion are generally the same length.

5. The modular electronic device of claim 3, wherein said main unit includes display means and switch means on said head portion.

6. The modular electronic device of claim 3, wherein said foot portion has a rear wall and a pair of side walls, said module having a portion of substantial length that resides between said walls, and a portion of substantially lesser length extending beyond said open end of said main unit.

7. The modular electronic device of claim 6, wherein said first track structure is on the interior of said side walls, said second track structure being on said module.

8. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said main unit includes display means and switch means.

9. The modular electronic device of claim 1, and further comprising first switch means and display means on said main unit, second switch means on said module, and inputs on said module.

10. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said module has a portion of substantial length that does not extend beyond the end of said main unit, and an end portion of substantially lesser length extending beyond the end of said main unit.

11. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said main unit has a compartment for a battery.

12. The modular electronic device of claim 1, and further comprising a printed circuit board mounted in the main unit generally parallel to the direction of movement of said module, said first connector being mounted on one side of said printed circuit board and further comprising a battery compartment on the other side thereof.

13. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said main unit has a rear face and a front face, said main unit further having a wedge-shaped stand which protrudes from said rear face and is integral therewith, whereby when said device is placed on a support surface, one end thereof is continually elevated with respect to the other end.

14. The modular electronic device of claim 13, wherein said stand is hollow, defining a compartment for a battery.

15. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein the main unit and the module are ribbed to facilitate holding of the electronic device.

16. The modular electronic device of claim 1, wherein said module includes a nose protruding therefrom, said second connector being in said nose.

17. The modular electronic device of claim 1, and further comprising guide structure on said connectors to guide said connectors into place.

18. A modular electronic device comprising a main unit, at least one plug-in module adapted to be removably slid on to and mounted on said main unit, first and second interfitting electrical connectors respectively on said main unit and said module and automatically interfitting when said module is mounted on said main unit, said main unit being open at one end thereof for receiving said module through said one end in a given direction, and first and second interfitting track structure respectively on said main unit and said module for guiding said module on to and off of said main unit, said first and second interfitting track structure being constructed and arranged to prevent said module from being moved transversely to said given direction, said main unit being T shaped in plan and having a head portion and a foot portion, said head portion having a wide section and a narrow section, said foot portion having a width substantially matching the width of said narrow section and being a continuation thereof.

19. The modular electronic device of claim 18, wherein said first connector is in said narrow section.

20. The modular electronic device of claim 18, and further comprising display means in said wide section and switch means in said narrow section.

21. A modular electronic device comprising a main unit, at least one plug-in module adapted to be removably slid on to and mounted on said main unit, first and second interfitting electrical connectors respectively on said main unit and said module and automatically interfitting when said module is mounted on said main unit, said main unit being open at one end thereof such that said module is slid through said one end in a longitudinal direction, first and second interfitting track structure respectively on said main unit and said module for guiding said module on to and off said main unit, said first and second interfitting track structure being constructed and arranged to prevent said module from being moved in a direction transverse to said longitudinal direction, and first and second interfitting latch elements respectively on said main unit and said module and having a latching condition and an unlatching condition, said interfitting track structure including a groove.

22. The modular electronic device of claim 21, wherein said first latching element is fixed and said second latching element is movable between the latching and unlatching condition, said second latching element being biased to the latching condition, said second latching element having a camming surface adapted to be engaged by the main unit as said module is slid on to said main unit, said second latching element snapping to the latching condition upon passing said first latching element.

23. The modular electronic device of claim 22, wherein said second latching element has finger engaging means to be used to move said second latching element to the unlatching condition to enable withdrawal of said module from said main unit.