Printed circuit card latching and stiffening assembly

• US 5,398,164 A
• Filed: 02/24/1993
• Issued: 03/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Ott, William F. III, Goodman, Walter A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEDYNH, BOT L
• Application Number:
  US08/021,931
• Time in Patent Office: 748 Days
• Field of Search: 361/752, 361/760, 361/761, 361/796, 361/756, 361/759, 361/798, 361/825, 174/50.51, 174/50.54, 439/152, 439/153
• US Class Current: 361/752
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1409 by lever-type mechanisms

Abstract

This invention is a printed circuit card latching and stiffening assembly with an elongated stiffener member located on the top edge of the printed circuit card. A latch is pivotally attached to the stiffener member. At least one compliant clip is mounted on the stiffener member so that the clip may be slid to engage the pivotal latch in a locked position. The latch also includes a slot for engaging an electronic enclosure structure, such as a card cage. The slot enables the card to be cammed into the base of the card cage when the pivotal latch engages the sliding compliant clip. The latching and stiffening assembly further includes at least one pivotal member which may pivot from the stiffener member to engage a side of the printed circuit card further stiffening the card.

Claims

1. A latching and stiffening assembly for a printed circuit card having a top edge, said latching and stiffening assembly comprising:

an elongated stiffener member adapted for being located on said top edge of said printed circuit card;

at least one pivotal latch which pivots from said elongated stiffener member between a locked and unlocked position;

at least one clip including at least one compliant arm, said clip being slidably mounted on said stiffener member to engage said pivotal latch when said latch is in said locked position to lock said clip in said locked position; and

means for securing said latching and stiffening assembly to said card.

2. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 1 wherein said elongated stiffener member and said pivotal latch are comprised of plastic material.

3. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 2 wherein said plastic material comprises a polycarbonate compound, said compound including glass fiber and carbon fiber.

4. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 1 wherein said compliant clip is metal.

5. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 4 wherein said compliant clip is stainless steel.

6. A latching and stiffening assembly for a printed circuit card which can be contained and supported in an enclosure structure, said card having a top edge, said latching and stiffening assembly comprising:

an elongated stiffener member adapted for being located on said top edge of said printed circuit card;

at least one pivotal latch which pivots from said elongated stiffener member between a locked and unlocked position, said latch having a slot disposed at a first end for engaging said enclosure structure;

at least one clip including at least one compliant arm, said clip being slidably mounted on said stiffener member to engage said pivotal latch at an end opposite to said first end of said pivotal latch, thereby locking said clip and said latch in said locked position; and

means for securing said latching and stiffening assembly to said card.

7. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 6 wherein said elongated stiffener member and said pivotal latch are comprised of plastic material.

8. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 7 wherein said plastic material comprises a polycarbonate compound, said compound including glass fiber and carbon fiber.

9. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 6 wherein said compliant clip is metal.

10. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 9 wherein said compliant clip is stainless steel.

11. A latching and stiffening assembly for a printed circuit card which can be contained and supported in an enclosure structure, said card having a top edge, and at least two side edges disposed substantially orthogonally to said top edge, said latching and stiffening assembly comprising:

an elongated stiffener member located on said top edge of said printed circuit card;

at least one pivotal latch which pivots from said stiffener member, between a locked and unlocked position, said latch having a slot disposed at a first end for engaging said enclosure structure;

at least one clip including at least one compliant arm, said clip being slidably mounted on said stiffener member to engage said pivotal latch at an end opposite to said first end of said pivotal latch, thereby locking said clip and said latch in said locked position;

at least one pivotal member which pivots from said stiffener member such that said pivotal member engages one of said side edges of said card; and

means for securing said latching and stiffening assembly to said card.

12. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 11 wherein said elongated stiffener member, pivotal latch, and said pivotal member are comprised of plastic material.

13. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 12 wherein said plastic material comprises a polycarbonate compound, said compound including glass fiber and carbon fiber.

14. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 11 wherein said compliant clip is comprised of metal.

15. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 14 wherein said metal is stainless steel.

16. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 11 wherein said pivotal member includes guidance slots for aligning with said enclosure structure.

17. A latching and stiffening assembly as in claim 11 wherein said pivotal member pivots from said card.