Patents Assigned to EG&G Birtcher, Inc.
  • Patent number: 5485353
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for uniformly applying pressure to a selected portion of a circuit board mounted between spaced surfaces. The assembly includes a retainer for selectively applying pressure to a proximal surface of the circuit board and a stiff U-shaped bar having a channel in which the retainer is mounted, the bar thus being interposed between the retainer and the circuit board. Preferably, the retainer includes at least one member that is attached to the bar by a snap-in fit. When the retainer is actuated, the bar is pressed against the circuit board, thereby causing the opposite surface of the circuit board to uniformly press against a housing slot wall. A side wall of the bar preferably contacts a wall of a slot in which the assembly is mounted to enhance heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Eg&G Birtcher, Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Hayes, John P. Dreher
  • Patent number: 5407297
    Abstract: A retainer for holding a circuit board between spaced surfaces comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped members slideably mounted end-to-end on a rod. At least one member is designed and constructed to receive and retain the rod. In a preferred embodiment, the one member includes a pair of opposing walls defining a longitudinal entrance through which the rod is inserted. The opposing walls are constructed to permit movement of the rod through the longitudinal entrance only when a force in a proper direction above a predetermined threshold is applied to the rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: EG&G Birtcher, Inc.
    Inventors: Conrad Hulme, Raymond G. Bond
  • Patent number: 5404274
    Abstract: An assembly for mounting a circuit board between spaced surfaces is disclosed. The assembly includes a housing and a circuit board retainer including a protrusion. The housing is designed and constructed to receive and retain a fully assembled circuit board retainer. The housing includes at least one pair of channel walls defining a channel for receiving an end of the protrusion. The channel walls are constructed to permit movement of the protrusion into and out of the housing when a force in a proper direction above a predetermined threshold is applied to the protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: EG&G Birtcher, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond G. Bond, Conrad Hulme
  • Patent number: 5309325
    Abstract: An injector/extractor for circuit boards is disclosed. The device includes a slideably engagable locking member adapted to engage a locking pin mounted on a circuit board to prevent accidental release of a circuit board from a chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: EG&G Birtcher, Inc.
    Inventors: John P. Dreher, Raymond G. Bond
  • Patent number: 5290122
    Abstract: A retainer for holding a printed circuit card in a card rack or the like is disclosed. The retainer comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped members slideably mounted end-to-end on a rod, with at least one of those members being moveable in a transverse direction relative to the rod and to its respective adjacent members upon effective shortening of the rod to thereby bring a clamping surface of the transversely moveable member into contact with a printed circuit board and to apply a clamping force thereto. The rod is formed of an alkaline metal alloy that has been tempered to provide the rod with sufficient strength and decreased weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: EG&G Birtcher, Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad Hulme
  • Patent number: 5036428
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for holding a printed circuit board between spaced surfaces. The assembly comprises a plurality of wedge-shaped members slidably mounted end-to-end on a rod, with at least one of those members being movable in a transverse direction relative to the rod and to its respective adjacent members upon effective shortening of the rod to thereby bring a clamping surface of the transversely movable member into contact with a printed circuit board and to apply a clamping force thereto. The retainer is disposed in a recess of a base structure which includes an abutment formed at one end of the recess. The retainer is activated by rotating the rod thereby urging the slidably mounted members towards one another. Bevelled washers are disposed on the rod between the abutment and one of the end-most members which, when compressed upon tightening of the retainer, provide a force tending to urge the members away from the abutment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: EG&G Birtcher, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Brownhill, Martin D. Husted