Method of mounting removable modules

• US 4,916,577 A
• Filed: 12/20/1988
• Issued: 04/10/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation So Oyster Bay Road Bethpage New York 11714
• Original Assignee: Grumman Aerospace Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Dawkins, Bertram H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Application Number:
  US07/286,833
• Time in Patent Office: 476 Days
• Field of Search: 343/850, 343/848, 343/829, 343/846, 361/417, 361/419, 361/420
• US Class Current: 361/807
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/087 Extensible roll- up aerials
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/12 Resilient or clamping means for holding component to structure

Abstract

Electronic modules may be retained within a thin flexible support member by forming a peripheral groove within the module. A cutout is formed within the support member so that resulting edge flanges snap into the groove. A thin continuous spring retainer, having a sinusoidal length, is pushed over the module and likewise snaps into the groove so that the flanges of the support member become rigidified and secure the module thereto.

Claims

1. A system for mounting a module to a support member comprising:

a groove formed along the periphery of the module;

a flexible flange forming a boundary of a cutout in the support member for engaging the groove when the module is pushed into the cutout; and

continuous spring retainer means having undulating sides which expand when pushed over the module for allowing snap insertion of the retainer into the groove for overlying abutment with the flange;

thereby rigidifying the flange and securing the module to the support member.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the support member is an antenna ground plane.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the retainer means comprises a single spring retainer for overlying abutment of a first surface of the flange.

4. The structure set forth in claim 1 wherein the retainer means comprises first and second spring retainers for abutment of opposite surfaces of the flange.

5. A system for mounting a module to a support member comprising:

a continuous groove formed along the periphery of the module;

a cutout formed in the support member and having rectilinear edges;

flexible flange sections extending inwardly from the edges;

slots formed in the corners of the flange sections to allow independent movement of the flange sections sufficient for engaging the groove when the module is pushed into the cutout; and

continuous spring retainer means having the substantially same shape as the cutout including undulating sides and curved corners for facilitating expansion of the retainer means when it is pushed over the module;

thereby rigidifying the flange for securing the module to the support member.

6. The structure set forth in claim 5 wherein the support member is an antenna ground plane.

7. A method for mounting electronic modules to a flexible support member of an antenna comprising the steps:

forming a continuous groove along the periphery of the module;

forming a cutout in the support member having rectilinear sides;

forming flexible flange sections along each cutout side which extend inwardly of the cutout, the flange sections being separated by slots formed in the corners of the flange sections;

pushing a retainer means having substantially the same shape as the groove over the module whereby undulating sides of the retainer means expand until it snaps into the groove for overlying abutment with the flange;

thereby rigidifying the flange for securement of the module to the support member.

8. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein the retainer means comprises a single spring retainer for overlying abutment of a first surface of the flange sections.

9. The method set forth in claim 7 wherein the retainer means comprises first and second spring retainers for abutment of opposite surfaces of the flange sections.