Abstract: Interior circuit card supports and a method that facilitate fast and simple Assembly and disassembly of the circuit cards, and provide both interior and peripheral card support, are disclosed. A plurality of circuit cards 32a-32n, each having at least one interior hole 36, are positioned substantially parallel to each other with the holes of the various cards collinear. A plurality of grommets 38 are secured in the holes, with each grommet providing a first coupling. A rod 42 having a plurality of second couplings 44 is inserted through the grommets such that the second couplings mate with the grommets' first couplings to provide an interior support that maintains the spacing between the circuit cards. In the preferred embodiment the grommets are internally threaded with a groove that extends their entire length, and the rod has deformable inserts that form an interference fit with the grommets' threads. The rod is inserted and then rotated, causing the inserts to deform and grip the threads.

Abstract: An enclosure for electronic instrument panel circuitry including a circuit board, a front housing with rear lower and upper locking flanges, and a two part case, preferably articulated at the rear for clamshell operation. The case has flanges on each part for interlocking with the housing, without separate fasteners. The circuit board is located in the case and connected to the housing before the case is closed. Support members molded in the case hold the circuit board in place and a single screw further secures the circuit board. A second circuit board on the rear of the housing is trapped by its margin between the housing and case, and held without screws.

Abstract: A supportive guide for circuit-card grounding comprises a conductive strip (40) attached to a base of an elongated track (50) that has a U-shaped cross-section defining a longitudinal slot (52) and staggered protrusions (68,70) located at the proximal end of the trak. The strip contains a plurality of spring contacts (42) protruding into the slot via a plurality of openings (60), formed in the base of the track. Snap-in posts anchor the base of the track to a chassis (84) such that the conductive strip is sandwiched therebetween.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounting apparatus for securing a printed circuit board within a chassis includes a track affixable to the chassis and a locking mechanism affixable to the printed circuit board. The track, which includes a plurality of locking points, is slidably received within the locking mechanism, which engages the track at any of the several locking points to secure the track within the locking mechanism. The mounting apparatus described herein enables the chassis to accommodate printed circuit boards of different sizes without mechanical modification of the chassis.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for portable interchangeable data terminals and peripherals includes a terminal adapted to receive information from a pen inputing device and a docking mechanism having a terminal receiver for selectively receiving the terminal. The terminal receiver includes a handle extending upwardly therefrom, a base extending laterally across the docking mechanism, and open channel members extending upwardly from each side of the base. A rear portion of each of the channel members may carry at least one roller guide and/or a central portion of each of the channel members may carry at least one roller guide disposed to contact a respective lateral edge of the terminal as the terminal is received by the docking mechanism. The base has a guide and a receiver connector configured to operably and respectively connect to a tab and a terminal connector of the terminal, as the terminal is received by the terminal receiver such that information is processable from the terminal to peripherals.

Abstract: In order to provide a small-sized card and a connector device therefor having no fear of damages and stains of terminals, the card according to the invention has a structure comprising a casing with an opening, and a double-faced substrate on which electronic parts are provided and a plurality of terminals are attached in the vicinity of one end of the substrate, in which the terminals are provided on both the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, the lower surface of the substrate is disposed in contact with the inner surface of the casing, the terminals on the lower surface of the substrate are covered with a cover which is swung or slid to be opened/closed freely, so that when the card is inserted in a connector device, the cover is opened to expose the lower-surface terminals and to fit them closely in a connector of the connector device.

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.

Abstract: An avionics line replaceable unit (LRU), of the type having numerous electronic circuit cards disposed therein in a parallel fashion. The cards being securely held in place when the cover of the LRU is screwed on thereby actuating a spring which transfers force to the circuit cards.

Abstract: In a computer system requiring the CPU board to be installed and removed from the top of the chassis, there is included a CPU board installation and maintaining lever supported for movement from the base of the chassis and perpendicularly to the board when the board is installed. The board has an opening of a dimension to allow the board on installation and removal to passed over the lever into a position where contact with the lever will move the board into and out of its operative position without the need to use hardware on its installation and removal. Also included is a bracket having holding surfaces securing a speaker to the bracket and the bracket to the chassis, the latter holding surfaces allowing the bracket to assume a first position in the chassis and a second position away from the base of the chassis to create a suitable space for the installation and removal of the board to and from the chassis.

Abstract: A stiffening device for an electronic assembly which engages each circuit card assembly (CCA) in approximately its center of area. Each CCA which is positioned within an electronic enclosure has a collar which surrounds a hole through its center of area. A shaft is passed through the electronic enclosure and pins engage each of the collars. The shaft and pin assembly rigidly connects each of the CCA's to the body of the electronic enclosure. This has the effect of reducing the vibrational deflection and potential damage to each CCA, allowing the electronic enclosure to survive a much higher vibrational and shock environment.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounting box includes a casing covered with a top cover, and two reversible end plates vertically disposed at two opposite ends between the top cover and casing thereof, wherein each end plate has parallel rows of horizontal T-rods at one side at different elevations for mounting printed circuit boards inside the rectangular casing horizontally; each T-rod has two grooves for mounting printed circuit boards inside the casing vertically.

Abstract: Disclosed is a chip carrier including a base having terminal slots along the four sides thereof, and terminals each of which having a mounting contact inserted in either terminal slot and a connecting leg disposed out of the respective terminal contact for fastening to a printed circuit board, wherein the base comprises four straight ribs horizontally disposed along the terminal slots at an inner side to keep the connecting leg of every terminal at the same elevation. Each straight rib has grooves spaced corresponding to the terminals slots on tile same side to hold the connecting legs of the terminals in position.

Abstract: A grounding spring is provided for discharging static electricity on a card as the card is inserted into an electronic device and for thereafter grounding the card, which minimizes electromagnetic radiation during electrostatic discharge in a simple and easily mounted construction. The grounding spring (60, FIG. 3) is formed of sheet metal and has a card-engaging part 64 lying within a recess of a card-guiding track (72). The grounding spring has a downwardly extending leg (90) that extends down into a hole (92) of a circuit board lying under the card-receiving mechanism, and has a substantially 180.degree. loop (112) connecting the card-engaging part to the downward leg.

Abstract: A low-profile, clip-on heat sink for computer chip packages that releasably engages the side of the package and method for cooling computer chips is disclosed. The sink comprises a contact pad attached to a set of beams. Flanges extend down from the outer edges of the beams. The sink is engaged to the package by the flanges which attach to the sides of the package. When the sink is engaged to the package, the contact pad contacts the computer chip. When the chip is operating, heat flows from the chip to the contact pad. Heat then flows from the contact pad to the beams where it dissipates into the ambient surroundings. The sink may be released from engagement by deforming the flanges.

Abstract: A portable apparatus comprising a base unit and a display unit rotatably connected to the base unit. The base unit has a recess, and the display unit has a first leg portion mounted in the recess. The first leg portion comprises a rear leg segment conjoining a base unit. The first leg portion has a front leg segment fastened to the rear leg segment, defining a guide path between the front leg segment and the rear leg segment. The leg segments, fastened together, form a shaft having a guide path communicating with the guide path. An opening is formed in one of the side walls defining the sides of the recess and also in the wall defining the bottom of the recess, thus allowing access into the base unit. A support segment is removably fitted in this opening, supporting the shaft such that the shaft can rotate. The portable apparatus further comprises a flexible cable which extends from the base unit into the display unit, guided through the opening, the guide path.