Abstract: A card edge connector comprising a housing, electrical contacts, and ejectors. The housing has a middle section with a card edge receiving area, two guide projections at opposite ends of the middle section, and a keeper section. The electrical contacts extend from the middle section, through the keeper, to a bottom of the housing. The housing is suitably configured to receive a daughter printed circuit board at an angle of about 30.degree. relative to a mother printed circuit board. The ejectors are adapted to lock the daughter board to the connector and, eject the daughter board from the connector.

Abstract: A portable carrier module having a safety interconnect latch mechanism for securing the portable carrier module to a portable product. The portable carrier has a rail on one of its outer walls for engaging with a track on the portable product and for aligning the portable product to the portable carrier.

Abstract: An IC card data processing device, insertable into a standard memory expansion card slot of a computer, includes an outer main frame and an inner main frame to which the inner main frame is fixed. Within the inner main frame, first and second aligning mechanisms are provided respectively near an entrance and at a distal end of an IC card insertion path for aligning IC card inserted into the path. A slider, urged by springs toward the entrance end of the IC card insertion path, is moved toward the distal end by the inserted IC card. A link is connected between the slider and a card release button so that when the release button is pressed, the slider moves toward the entrance of the IC card insertion path to eject the card. A contact holder is fitted within an opening of the slider. The contact holder holds contacts for making an electrical connection with the IC card.

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: An apparatus for docking a data processing unit in which a guide plate extends over a portion of the floor of a housing for receiving the bottom of the unit. Two guide members are disposed at the respective ends of the guide plate for receiving corresponding surfaces formed on said unit. Each of the guide members defines a guide surface that increases in size in a direction toward the rear wall for engagement by the corresponding surfaces of the unit to gradually center and lock the unit in the housing as the unit is inserted into the housing.

Abstract: A structure for detachably supporting a vehicle-data recorder has (a) a station attachable to a vehicle and including a first port for communicating with a data-detecting device for a vehicle employing the vehicle-data recorder and an opening and (b) a cassette insertable in the station through the opening and comprising a second port for communicating with the port of the station. The station has (a) a top, (b) a bottom, (c) a front wall in which the opening is formed, (d) a rear wall on which the first port is mounted, (e) two lateral walls comprising two positioning blocks facing each other, each of the positioning blocks having a front wedge surface and a recess behind the wedge surface, and (f) a bearing plate mounted opposite the top and comprising two leave springs supporting two casters.

Abstract: A computer system is provided that may be easily and relatively quickly converted between a stand-alone desktop configuration and a docking station configuration. The system includes a desktop computer housing having an external opening formed therein, and a plurality of associated computer peripheral devices such as a monitor and keyboard. A first electrical connector is supported within the computer and is electrically coupled to the peripheral devices. The system also includes a first motherboard having a second electrical connector supported thereon and electrically coupled thereto, and a notebook computer having a second motherboard therein and a third electrical connector supported thereon and electrically coupled thereto. Support rail structures are removably secured within the computer housing and extend inwardly from its external opening.

Abstract: A base cabinet system is provided for a laptop computer, on which the laptop can be placed for expanded home-based use. A reinforced removable cover arches over the top of the base cabinet so that the laptop can be slid into position on top of the base cabinet and beneath the cover, and the monitor rested on the top of the cover; when one wishes to use the laptop display, the monitor and cover are easily removed to permit tilt-up of the laptop display. Special retaining devices are provided to assure that the cover seats itself and remains in its proper installed position, and special guides are provided to assure that when the laptop is slid into position the connector on its rear side will mate properly with the corresponding connector on the base cabinet.

Abstract: A connector assembly for interconnecting optical and/or electrical conductors comprises a first connector part with a first guiding plate with one or more guiding channels for first conductors and a second connector part to be coupled with the first connector part and having a second guiding plate with one or more guiding channels provided in a corresponding manner for second conductors to be connected with the first conductors. The guiding plates comprise positioning means for mutually positioning the guiding plates in the coupled position of the connector parts, said positioning means comprising a first lug and a first slot with cooperating straight reference surfaces extending in x-direction and a second lug and second slot with cooperating straight reference surfaces extending in y-direction. All said reference surfaces are located at a predetermined location with respect to the guiding channels.

Abstract: A backplane connector (12) has a mother board (10) provided with a connector housing (13) receiving a daughter board (11) perpendicularly thereof. A cam bump (19) on the daughter board (11) engages an inclined camming surface (20) on the connector housing (13) on the mother board (10), thereby deflecting the daughter board (11) laterally away from a flexible electrical connector (14) in the connector housing (13) on the mother board (10). When the daughter board (11) is fully seated within the connector housing (13) on the mother board (10), the cam bump (19) is received in a cam bump recess (21) on the connector housing (13) on the mother board (10). A spring (18) on the connector housing (13) biases the daughter board (11) towards the mother board (10), thereby providing a detent action therebetween. A second embodiment applies the invention to a device (23) insertable into a computer (25).

Abstract: An equipment rack assembly comprising a rack adapted to accommodate a plurality of electrical/electronic modules is characterised in that sliding followed by pivotal movement of the module on insertion into the rack brings electrical contacts on the module into mating engagement with electrical contacts carried on a bus mounted in the rack.

Abstract: A pair of disk drives are mounted in a compact side-by-side relationship in two adjacent bays of an internal sheet metal computer housing chassis using a snap-in mounting system including two opposing pairs of parallel sheet metal guide channel members snapped into place within specially configured openings in parallel bay walls of the chassis, and pairs of elongated plastic retainer members secured to and longitudinally extending along opposite sides of the disk drives. To quickly mount the disk drives within their chassis bays, each retainer member pair is simply pushed rearwardly into and longitudinally through an associated opposing pair of the guide channel members until the disk drive reaches its operating position within its chassis bay.

Abstract: In order to transmit easily the information in a hard disk of a first computer to that of a second computer having a different system from the first computer, a hard disk compatible system is provided for directly moving a hard disk for notebook computer to a desk top computer or from a desk top computer to a notebook computer by means of a holder without the use of floppy disks. The system includes a body wherein guide rails are formed to be fitted on a desk top computer, and, corresponding to this, a bracket having bracket guides is fixed on it. Attaching a hard disk guide and an interface board thereto, an inserting portion suitable for the size of a hard disk of the notebook computer is fitted on the front surface of the bracket in such a manner that the hard disk can be easily and snugly inserted and removed to facilitate the interchange of the information, in accordance with this invention.

Abstract: A mounting structure includes a mounting unit, a plurality of first connectors arrayed on the mounting unit, a plurality of pairs of guide rails attached to the mounting unit, and a plurality of packages having electronic circuit components mounted thereon. Each of the packages has at least one second connector at one edge thereof which is engaged with at least one of the first connectors when the package is inserted into the mounting unit along an associated pair of the guide rails. The mounting structure further includes a rod and a plurality of arms. A first end of each of the arms is attached to the rod so as to be able to pivot or rotate around the rod. A second end of each of the arms is engaged with an edge of one of the packages opposite to the one edge having the at least one second connector when the arms are pivoted or rotated toward the packages, so that the packages inserted in the mounting unit are prevented from coming out of the mounting unit.

Abstract: A connector apparatus has a housing and a container inserted into, and withdrawn from, the housing. The memory card is stored in a storage space of the container. With the container fully inserted into the housing with no memory card placed therein, the insertion inlet of the housing is closed by the front wall of the container, preventing the intrusion of the foreign small particles and dirt into the housing.

Abstract: Assembling a circuit card to a straddle mount connector with improved alignment. A holder using a parallel linkage holds the card parallel to the connector despite thickness variations, during solder bonding.

Abstract: A device for associative coding of printed circuit boards comprises a coding member comprising a central longitudinal member, attachment arms and a series of appendages the spacing between which is equal to the spacing between two board guide slideways. The front panel of each board incorporates a coding slot enabling an appendage to pass through it when the latter is aligned with the slot. The position of the coding slot is a characteristic common to all boards of a given family. After a first board is fitted into the subrack only other boards of the same family can be connected into the part of the subrack fitted with the coding member. This prevents the insertion into the same subrack or subrack compartment of boards from different and incompatible families although for a same product type and having the same functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fastening elements for guide rails at the support rails of a component carrier which is provided to accommodate printed circuit boards equipped with electrical components. The fastening elements are configured as U-shaped spring bars and include a fixed U leg attached to the underside of the guide rails and a free, resilient U leg which is oriented toward the longitudinal web of the support rails. The resilient U leg permits easy insertion of the guide rails into the support rails. The dimensions are such that, after insertion of the guide rails, the resilient U leg stands on the longitudinal web and thus the guide rails are tightly locked against being pulled out.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a bracket assembly for installing and removing an electrical device into and out of electrical equipment. The bracket assembly includes a slide and a mating carrier. The slide is semi-permanently mounted in electrical equipment, such as a computer work station or a shoe box or a personal computer. A compatible carrier includes the electrical device mounted thereon and engages and mates with the semi-permanently mounted slide. The slide is electrically connected to the electrical equipment and the carrier is electrically connected to the slide. In addition to being physically connected to the electrical device, the carrier is electrically connected to the electrical device by means of an electrical interconnect. Additionally, the carrier includes a configuration identification switch which allows the user to assign a device identification number while the electrical device is mounted on the carrier. The device identification number is visible to the user.

Abstract: An electrical connector (1) comprises; a housing (2), a card receiving mouth (3), electrical contacts (4), prong receiving sockets (26) on the housing (2) card guide arms (5, 6), a prong (25) on each of the guide arms (5, 6) for locking engagement with any one of the sockets (26), and each of the sockets (26) lockingly engage one of the guide arms (5, 6) only with a card receiving groove (22) of one guide arm (5, 6) being oriented to face toward another guide arm (5, 6).

Abstract: An electrical connector (1) comprises; a housing (2), a card receiving mouth (3), electrical contacts (4), prong receiving sockets (26) on the housing (2) card guide arms (5, 6), a prong (25) on each of the guide arms (5, 6) for locking engagement with any one of the sockets (26), and each of the sockets (26) lockingly engage one of the guide arms (5, 6) only with a card receiving groove (22) of one guide arm (5, 6) being oriented to face toward another guide arm (5, 6).

Abstract: A series of hard disk drives are secured atop molded plastic support trays slidably and removably received in opposing guide channel member pairs snap-fitted into opposite side walls of a sheet metal cage structure externally used in conjunction with a file server or other computer device. Snap-fitted into rear end portions of the trays are small printed circuit boards that are insertable into hot plug sockets at the rear of the cage. Forwardly projecting guard plates on the rear end of the cage block manual access to the board/socket interface, and the surface mounted grounding leads on the board extend rearwardly beyond its signal leads to enhance grounding safety during disk drive installation and removal. At the front end of each tray is a vertical support plate upon which LED indicating lights are conveniently mounted for the associated disk drive.

Abstract: A device adapted for attachment to the side of a disc drive for mounting the disc drive into a computer consists of a rectangular body having a connector member on one end. The connector member is bent to enable it to resiliently move relative to the body. Grounding tabs disposed on the body are bent up from the body to enable them to resiliently move relative thereto, and their tips are bent down to facilitate smooth installation and removal of the disc drive. A protruding latch member and stopping flap are disposed on the connector end. A secondary stop is disposed on the end of the body opposite the connector member.

Abstract: In a printed circuit board assembly comprising vertical printed circuit boards, perpendicular printed circuit boards, which are perpendicular to the vertical printed circuit boards, are disposed horizontally. A vertical back-board module is used. A vertical front board is arranged parallel in front of the vertical back-board module and has a front surface and a back surface. A connector group attaches the vertical back-board module to the back surface. With vertical attaching and receiving connectors, the vertical printed circuit boards are attached perpendicularly to the vertical front board. Similarly, the perpendicular printed circuit boards are attached perpendicularly to the back board module with perpendicular attaching and receiving connectors.

Abstract: A system for installing a circuit board edge connector into a motherboard connector from the side to accommodate high density card arrangements that obstruct overhead clearance. In one embodiment, the system utilizes an insertion tool which conveys the circuit board across the motherboard and positions it with the pins of both boards aligned. The tool locates the board adjacent the motherboard with the aligned connectors just touching and blocked against withdrawal. The cooperation between ramps and pins associated with the tool and circuit board applies a force, upon the withdrawal of the tool from the motherboard, to engage fully the pins of the circuit board with the pins of the motherboard. The extraction of the circuit board from the motherboard uses the tool in a reverse sequence.

Abstract: A connector for a card containing an electronic circuit comprises a frame comprising an arrangement for locating the card in an insertion position and an arrangement for holding the card in a reading position parallel to a median plane of the connector in contact with contact members which electrically connect the circuit of the card to a device in which the connector is installed. The insertion position is inclined relative to the reading position. The locating arrangement comprises a groove adapted to receive a first side of the card, formed by at least one fixed part and at least one mobile part respectively adapted to contact a first side and a second side of the card. The mobile part is adapted to press the card against the fixed part to hold the card in the inclined insertion position. The arrangement for holding the card in the reading position is disposed in contact with the first edge and with a second edge opposite the first edge.

Abstract: A plug-in multiple-pin connector has a plug mounted on the backboard of a bookshelf-type unit and a socket mounted on the rear end of a package insertable into the bookshelf-type unit. The plug includes arrays of pins fixed to the bottom of a box-shaped insulative casing and an aligning plate having through holes through which the pins extend. The aligning plate is held in sliding contact with the inner wall surfaces of the plug. The socket has arrays of contact insertion holes defined therein and arrays of socket elements having ends each disposed in the contact insertion holes. When the socket is inserted into the plug, the socket pushes the aligning plate over the pins toward the casing bottom until the aligning plate is held against the casing bottom whereupon engaging prongs on the aligning plate are each forcibly fitted in engaging prongs in the aligning plate. When the socket is pulled out of the plug, the aligning plate is stopped against dislodgement by stoppers of the casing.

Abstract: A package holding structure comprises a pair of linear guide members (11), secured on the package (2) along the respective edges thereof opposite to each other, and a pair of support members (10) for receiving the respective guide members (11), secured at one end thereof on the backboard (3) in a cantilever manner while projected vertically therefrom and having a connector housing (15) at the base end thereof for receiving a connector (14) on the package. The housing (15) has positioning apertures (13) to be fitted to contact pins (12) projected from the backboard (3).

Abstract: A docking assembly including a guide housing (2) and camming assembly (38, 54 and 40) for mechanically interfacing a modular component (46) with a circuit board to thereby complete and protect multiple electrical connections therebetween. An interfacing connector (80) is also disclosed for providing an electrical and mechanical interface between a circuit board and a disk drive (82). The interfacing connector (80) allows high-density multiple electrical interconnections to the circuit board by the use of canted coil springs (100) for direct electrical contact with individual traces and/or contact pads on the circuit board. The interfacing connector (80) may also include a docking assembly (130) with guide channels (136) for guiding insertion of a circuit board to thereby insure the integrity of the electrical interconnections therebetween.

Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for mounting on a surface of a printed circuit board wherein the connector includes a dielectric housing having a bottom mounting face, a forward mating face and a rearward terminating face. A plurality of contact passages are provided in the housing and extending between the forward mating face and the rearward terminating face and defining top and bottom rows and vertical columns of passages, with at least a pair of passages in each column. A plurality of contacts are secured in the passages and have contact sections projecting from the forward mating face and terminating sections projecting from the rearward terminating face connectable to corresponding circuit traces on the printed circuit board.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing valve having an exterior housing consisting of a main housing cover and an access plate slideably engageable therewith. The access plate houses electronics for controlling the operation of the valve wherein the electronic control is electrically connected to a power source and an operating solenoid through a plug connection. The plug connection provides for complete removal of the access plate from the remainder of the valve.

Abstract: The card guide with hook/card lock as disclosed is designed to prevent a printed circuit board (PCB) from being disengaged without first moving the mechanical card locking hook an adequate distance. When the mechanical card locking hook is flexed to disengage a PCB, the card lock will move only enough to allow the PCB to be disengaged and removed. The card guide has a built in fixed stop to prevent the extended card lock from deforming or breaking during disengagement of a PCB.

Abstract: For the purposes of connecting and joining conductive traces on printed circuit boards, the stripped ends of a flexible multi-conductor flat cable are inserted into metallized openings in the printed circuit boards. The cables are cut to length and their ends are stripped of insulation and supported in an injection molded bar member. Those ends are desirably not to be bent in storage and transportation. In order to protect them, a U-shaped device is pushed onto the bar member over the cable ends. The bottom plate portion of the device has holes of a conical configuration. In a transportation position the ends are disposed within the walls of those holes and are held therein. The device latches in the transportation position. For the ends to be inserted into the holes in the printed circuit board the device is pushed further onto the cable ends in an operative position. As such, the ends pass in a guided fashion through the holes in the bottom plate portion and into the holes in the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A combined electrical connector and connector nesting assembly has a frame with a first section adapted to receive an edge of a printed circuit board and a second section adapted to receive a connector of a cable assembly. The first section has a card edge receiving slot and spring contacts can be inserted thereinto. The second section is located parallel to, but offset from the first section such that when a printed circuit board is inserted into the assembly, a connector located in the second section can receive contact pins projecting from the printed circuit board. The assembly frame can be snap-locked into an electronic component chassis and the connector can be snap-locked into the second section of the frame.

Abstract: A stackable memory card connector assembly (20) for use with multiple memory cards (15, 15') includes a first memory card connector (22) which comprises a side guide arm (32), a second side guide arm (32a) and a housing (24) interconnecting the first and second side guide arms (32, 32a). Further, a top guide (34) extends between the respective first and second side guide arms (32, 32a). The housing (24) defines a plurality of passageways (30, 31) in which a plurality of conductive members (54, 55) are dimensioned to be positioned therethrough. Moreover, respective first and second bottom alignment mechanisms are (56, 56a) disposed on a bottom surface of the respective first and second side guide arms (32, 32a). Similarly, first and second top alignment mechanisms (57, 57a) are disposed on a top surface of the respective first and second side guide arms (32, 32a) opposite the respective first and second bottom alignment mechanisms (56, 56a).

Abstract: A substrate mounting device for installing an electrical substrate to a carrier substrate. The substrate mounting device includes a plurality of tabs extending from the perimeter edges of the electrical substrate. First and second substrate guides are mounted to the carrier substrate and each include a lower shelf and a channel extending longitudinally along a substrate guide inner side, from an open end to a top guide. The channel is further defined by a top surface and a plurality of drop guides which in turn form a plurality of slots. Also included are a plurality of flaps formed by molded spring back hinges to facilitate insertion from an upward direction. The electrical substrate is installed by manually placing the electrical substrate onto the flapped areas and then depressing in a downward and forward direction, causing the flaps to move in a downward direction allowing the electrical substrate to encounter top guides which act to urge the electrical substrate downward toward the carrier substrate.

Abstract: An improved board-to-board electrical connector includes opposite guide posts whose height can be reduced before the connector is placed into an automated soldering apparatus for soldering the connector terminals to selected conductors of a printed circuit board. Each guide post includes an upper and a lower section and the height adjustment of the guide posts is effected by pivotally mounting the upper sections of the guide posts such that they can be rotated into a vertical or horizontal position.

Abstract: A substrate connector guide for installing and electrically connecting an electrical substrate to a carrier substrate. The substrate connector guide includes guide rails mounted on the perimeter edge of the carrier substrate and electrical connectors mounted transversely between the guide rails. First and second substrate guides mounted to the carrier substrate. Each include a channel extending longitudinally along a substrate guide inner side, from an open end. A retention guide assists in maintaining the electrical substrate in proper position after insertion into the carrier substrate guide rails. Electrical connectors are also mounted and electrically connected to the electrical substrate. The electrical substrate is installed by manually inserting the electrical substrate into respective substrate guide open ends and pushing the electrical substrate along the channels. The electrical substrate rests on the carrier substrate and aligns the electrical susbstrate connectors to carrier electrical connectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electrical computer connection system suitable for computer manufacture of all types, from work stations to specialized computers such as those containing PABXs. According to the invention, a cartridge (2) contains the integratable peripheral (1). A main connector (9) is fixedly disposed in accordance with the connection standard of the system, and the three secondary (3, 4, 5) connectors being arranged to distribute the connections in accordance with the type of peripheral.

Abstract: A card guide for positioning a circuit card relative to a backplane is disclosed. The card guide provides electrical contacts to a ground plane on the circuit card in addition to positioning the card. The card guide utilizes two types of protuberances to reduce the force needed when the card is inserted or removed from the card guide, while providing accurate mating of paired connectors.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed to provide electrical interconnections between a first electronic device (such as printer) having a plurality of external electrical connectors, and a second electronic device (such as an electronics PCB package) having an electrical connector (such as a mass pin connector) mounted on its housing. The apparatus has an interconnection assembly with a set of electrical connectors adapted to mate with the electrical connectors of the printer, and a mass pin connector along its bottom edge to mate with the corresponding mass pin connector on the PCB package. A predefined set of electrical connections exist between the printer connectors and the mass pin connector on the interconnection assembly.

Abstract: The electrical connector in accordance with the present invention may be used for signal transmission/reception between a card and a circuit of a machine concerned, for example. The electrical connector has a frame to which attached are a rear structure having a card inserting/pulling port and a connector body having a contact group. Also attached to the frame are a longitudinally movable slider and a shaft having a swing fulcrum. The slider has engagement pawls adapted to be engaged with a card, and the shaft has an operating knob having a card holding portion. When the slider advances with the insertion of a card, the shaft is swung so that the operating knob is pushed out and the holding portion comes in contact with the rear end surface of the card, thereby to prevent the card from being erroneously pulled out.

Abstract: A module is proposed for a control system comprising several modules juxtaposed on a carrier, particularly an analog input/output module for receiving inputs and/or outputs. The circuit parts common to all the inputs and/or outputs are located on circuit board, whilst the specific circuit for each input and/or output is in each case provided on a separate circuit board. The circuit boards are received in sliding blocks, which can be inserted in the module casing from the front. For this purpose the casing contains several superimposed guides. The electrical connection is formed when the sliding blocks are inserted by means of plug connections which are located on the circuit board with the common circuit and the circuit boards with the specific circuits.

Abstract: This invention relates to personal computers, and more particularly to personal computers having a connector assembly with an integral retainer enabling resistance to disconnection which would interfere with continued operation of the computer. A particular configuration of card edge connector is provided, and a mating cable end connector is provided with latches which engage and grip undercut portions of recesses adjacent the card edge connector.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for a removable information storage device in an information storage and retrieval system or control system. There is a mounting bracket permanently installed in a half-height space and hooked up to the wires already provided for in the system. A separate box-like cartridge component permanently houses the information storage device. The cartridge has electrical connections for connecting the information storage device to a mateable connector mounted on the back face of the cartridge. The mounting bracket likewise has a complementary mateable connector mounted on it so that both connectors will plug together whenever the cartridge is fully inserted into the bracket. This completes the electrical connections and power supply between the information storage device and the system allowing the information storage device to be used as if it were permanently installed in the system.

Abstract: A system is provided wherein a circuit module moves along an insertion path into a rack, and jackscrews are used to advance the module and mate multiple contacts on it and on the rack, which provides secure installation in a minimum of space. A jackscrew (46, FIG. 3) is rotatably mounted at the rear of a long module, and is coupled through a long torque member (60) to a drive member at the front of the module. The jackscrew member has a shoulder (106) that engages a shoulder (80) at the rear of the module, so insulation forces are applied to the rear of the module. The jackscrew member threadably connects to an internally-threaded jacksocket (52) on the rack which has an external precision guide surface (100) concentric with its internal threading. The module has a precision internal guide surface (94) that mates with the external guide surface on the rack before the jackscrews engage.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for computer modules or the like includes a pair of generally L-shaped slide members having defined therein internal grooves for receiving the edge portions of the printed circuit boards of the computer modules. Overlapping tabs secure the slide members upon the edge portions of the circuit board and a pair of opposed springs are compressively captivated between the slide members and the circuit board to urge the slide members outwardly. Each slide member defines a tapered lock tab which cooperates with corresponding recesses within the slide connectors receiving the computer module and providing a locking or latch mechanism.

Abstract: An interconnect module for supporting one or more terminal blocks which include a bank of electrical connectors and electrical conductors secured to the connectors. The module interfaces the bank of connectors with electrical leads on a printed circuit card at the opening of a mainframe card cage. The module includes a frame for supporting a terminal block so that the electrical connectors are accessible at the front face of the frame, and further includes a mechanism for retaining the terminal block in the frame.

Abstract: A channelized jackfield comprising a housing having therein a linear array of juxtaposed channels wherein respective assemblies of aligned printed circuit boards and connecting slab-like modules are slidably inserted edgewise from the front of the housing. Each of the assemblies includes an inverted L-shaped bracket of dielectric material having a vertical leg latchingly secured to a front edge portion of the printed circuit board and provided with a plurality of spaced notches through which respective terminal lugs extend insulatingly from the printed circuit board and externally of the housing. Also, each of the L-shaped brackets has a leg disposed substantially orthogonal to the vertical leg and carries on its upper surface a guide groove for slidably receiving the connecting module and guiding it into mating engagement with an aligned connector attached to the front edge portion of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An adapter is provided for a removable information storage device in an information storage and retrieval system or control system. There is a mounting bracket permanently installed in a half-height space and hooked up to the wires already provided for in the system. A separate box-like cartridge component permanently houses the information storage device. The cartridge has electrical connections for connecting the information storage device to a mateable connector mounted on the back face of the cartridge. The mounting bracket likewise has a complementary mateable connector mounted on it so that both connectors will plug together whenever the cartridge is fully inserted into the bracket. This completes the electrical connections and power supply between the information storage device and the system allowing the information storage device to be used as if it were permanently installed in the system.