Low labor enclosure assembly

• US 7,855,548 B2
• Filed: 12/29/2006
• Issued: 12/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Leviton Manufacturing Company Incorporated
• Inventors: Engel, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): LeDynh; Bot L
• Application Number:
  US11/618,357
• Publication Number:
  US 20070230144A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 324/156, 361/679.01, 361/728, 361/736, 361/740, 361/742, 361/747, 361/748, 361/752, 361758-761, 361/783
• US Class Current: 324/156
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/245 Housings for sensors

Abstract

There is disclosed a base member for holding, without screws, a printed circuit board having conductive traces and electronic components and which can fit into an electric outlet box. The base member has walls which define a cavity where at least one wall of the cavity has a rib, the top of which functions as a stop for the printed circuit board. A cap having snap features adapted to engage the walls of the cavity restricts removal of the printed circuit board when snapped into position on top of the printed circuit board. The cap conceals the electronics on the printed circuit board and has at least one rib on its bottom surface to apply pressure to the printed circuit board assembly to help hold it in place. An aperture in the cap provides access to a pin header which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board. A screw terminal block is provided to connect the terminals on the pin header to a sensor. The printed circuit board has one edge an open side hour glass shape aperture which provides strain relief for wires from the printed circuit board. Opposite ends of the aperture hold two wires captive and the space between the two wires holds captive a third wire.

Claims

1. An assemblage comprising:

a base member having a cavity with walls for receiving a printed circuit board;

a printed circuit board sized to fit within said cavity;

a cap member sized to fit within said cavity; and

a pin header coupled to said printed circuit board for connecting a sensor to said printed circuit board;

wherein said cap member when positioned in said cavity over said printed circuit board engages at least one side wall of said cavity to hold said printed circuit board in said cavity without screws;

wherein the cavity is sized to fit within a standard electrical box;

wherein said base member has a stop member which limits the distance that the printed circuit board can move into said cavity; and

wherein said cap member has at least one clip positioned to engage a wall of said cavity to restrict removal of the printed circuit board from said cavity.

2. An assemblage comprising:

a base member having a cavity with walls for receiving a printed circuit board;

a printed circuit board sized to fit within said cavity;

a cap member sized to fit within said cavity; and

a pin header coupled to said printed circuit board and projecting through said cap member to connect a sensor to said printed circuit board;

wherein said cap member when positioned in said cavity over said printed circuit board engages at least one side wall of said cavity to hold said printed circuit board in said cavity without screws;

wherein the cavity is sized to fit within a standard electrical box;

wherein said base member has a stop member which limits the distance that the printed circuit board can move into said cavity; and

wherein said cap member has at least one clip positioned to engage a wall of said cavity to restrict removal of the printed circuit board from said cavity;

wherein said cap member, when placed over said printed circuit board, covers said board.

3. The assemblage of claim 2 wherein said pin header is slidably coupled to a terminal block.

4. An assemblage comprising:

a base member having a cavity with walls for receiving a printed circuit board;

a printed circuit board sized to fit within said cavity; and

a cap member sized to fit within said cavity;

wherein said cap member when positioned in said cavity over said printed circuit board engages at least one side wall of said cavity to hold said printed circuit board in said cavity without screws;

wherein the cavity is sized to fit within a standard electrical box;

wherein the cap member includes a recessed portion; and

wherein the recessed portion is sized to receive a terminal block to couple the assemblage to a sensor.