Printed circuit board retaining device

• US 7,405,944 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2007
• Issued: 07/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Current Lighting Solutions, LLC (f/k/a GE Lighting Solutions, LLC) (American Industrial Partners)
• Original Assignee: Lumination LLC
• Inventors: Mayer, Mark J., Toot, Alan B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Ishwar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aychillhum; Andargie M
• Application Number:
  US11/621,830
• Publication Number:
  US 20070109751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 361/720, 361/704, 361/752, 361/719, 361/759, 219/443.1, 315/194, 298/29, 298/30, 297/58, 297/61
• US Class Current: 361/759
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 19/0045 by tongue and groove connections, e.g. dovetail interlocking means fixed by sliding
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/75 with fins or blades having different shapes, thicknesses or spacing
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/767 the planes containing the fins or blades having directions perpendicular to the light emitting axis
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/85 characterised by the material liquid coolants F21V29/56
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 29/89 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 27/00 Lighting arrangements in general F21
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/2049 Pressing means used to urge contact, e.g. springs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53257 Means comprising hand-manipulatable implement

Abstract

A retaining device holds a printed circuit board to a structure that has channels for receiving the retaining device. The retaining device includes a body having portions configured for receipt into the channels of the structure, flexible portions and protuberances protruding away from a first surface adjacent each flexible portion. A method for holding the PCB to the heat sink is disclosed. A lighting assembly that includes the retaining device is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A device for retaining a printed circuit board to a structure that has channels for receiving the device, the device comprising a body having portions configured for receipt into a channel of a structure and a protuberance extending away from a first surface of the body;

wherein the body further includes a flexible tab and the protuberance is located on the flexible tab.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the body is symmetric.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising an additional protuberance extending away from a first surface of the body.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising a ridge formed on a second surface of the body adjacent a peripheral edge of the body.

5. The device of claim 1, further comprising a first ridge formed on a second surface of the body and a second ridge formed on a second surface of the body, wherein the first ridge extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to a direction in which the second ridge extends.

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a recess configured to receive a screwdriver.

7. The device of claim 1, further comprising a locating post extending from the first surface of the body.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the locating post is aligned with an axis of rotational symmetry for the device.

9. A method for holding a printed circuit board against a structure comprising:

facing a first surface of a printed circuit board toward a first surface of a structure;

placing a protuberance of a retaining device in contact with a second surface of the printed circuit board, the second surface being opposite the first surface;

applying a force on the retaining device in a direction towards the printed circuit board resulting in a portion of the retaining device flexing;

moving the retaining device such that a portion of the retaining device is received into a channel of the structure and the portion of the retaining device remains flexed; and

removing the force from the retaining device, whereby the flexed portion of the retaining device exerts a force on the printed circuit board.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

placing a thermally conductive compressible material between the first surface of the printed circuit board and the first surface of the structure.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the moving the retaining device step further comprises rotating the retaining device.

12. A light assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board;

an LED mounted to the printed circuit board;

a structure having a mounting surface contacting the printed circuit board and a first channel spaced from the mounting surface;

a cam including a first flexible portion and a protuberance disposed on or adjacent the first flexible portion, the protuberance contacting the printed circuit board, the cam having a portion configured for receipt in the first channel of the structure.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the cam includes a ridge disposed on a side of the cam opposite the protuberance.

14. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the cam comprises a substantially planar body having a height that is about equal to a distance that the first channel is spaced from the mounting surface.

16. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the first flexible portion is defined by a curved cut-out through the cam.

17. The assembly of claim 12, wherein the cam has a substantially S-shaped configuration in plan view.

18. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the ridge is generally parallel to an adjacent peripheral edge of the cam.

19. The assembly of claim 13, wherein the structure includes a mating groove that receives the ridge.

15. The assembly of 12, wherein the cam has a height that is less than a height of the LED.