Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the servicing of a printed circuit board which is removed from a support structure. An extender board is inserted into the space from which the board to be serviced is removed, and the extender board has zero-insertion-force connectors thereon to provide electrical connections to the board to be serviced. A collapsible support is used to support the board being serviced, and additional power connections are supplied to enable the board being serviced to maintain normal board-to-board signal flow while being examined outside of the support structure.

Abstract: A connector comprising a female member having a slot therein to receive a complementary member such as a male connector or a printed circuit board. First and second groups of contacts are located in the female member to engage the complementary member. An actuating structure including an actuating member is used for sequentially moving the contacts of the first and second groups between a first or "restored" position and a second or "expanded" position when the actuating member is moved in a first direction, whereby the contacts of the first group are first moved to the expanded position, and thereafter, the contacts of the second group are moved to the expanded position upon further movement of said actuating member in said first direction. When the contacts of the first and second groups are moved to the expanded positions, the complementary member may then be inserted into the female member with zero-insertion force.