US4077693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Panel-mountable connector block assembly
Assignee: AT&T Inc
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Filing: 1976-12-08
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Granted: 1978-03-07
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Expires: 1996-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A printed circuit board connector block is inserted partly through a cutout in a panel, and then locked to the panel in its inserted position. The depth to which the connector block is inserted through the cutout is determined by protrusions extending laterally from the block into interfering relationship with the panel. A sliding movement of the block in a direction parallel to the panel translates lugs which were previously inserted through the cutout into vertically interfering relationship with the panel to lock the connector block to the panels. A key is inserted into a gap between the connector block and the panel to eliminate the possibility of a sliding movement of the connector block in a direction opposite to that of the locking movement. The insertion of the key thereby latches the connector block in its mounted position. Since the key is not subjected to vertical forces which may be transmitted through the block to the panel, the key may be of a flexible, thermoplastic material, while the connector block may be formed of a stronger and less heat sensitive thermosetting material. However, the key may be attached to, or guided by, the connector block to facilitate alignment of the key with the gap prior to its insertion therein.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Christian Briel, Jr.
- 👤 Julius Alan Sabo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 14:47
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/73; H01R13/74; H01R13/741; H01R13/745
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
A connector block assembly comprising: a connector block capable of being inserted through a cutout in a panel having an upper and a lower surface to locate portions of the block on both surfaces of the panel; protrusions extending from the block into interfering relationship with the panel to limit insertion of the block through the cutout to a predetermined depth; lugs extending from the block, the lugs being spaced in conforming relationship with notches in the panel along the periphery of the cutout to permit the lugs to be inserted through the panel, the inserted portion of the block having a length in the plane of the panel which is less than that of the cutout to permit a movement of the block in the direction of the length of the cutout upon the block being inserted therethrough, the lugs upon such movement being located in interfering relationship with the panel to prevent extraction of the block from the panel; and a key capable of being inserted into a space in the plane of the panel between an end of the cutout and an end of the block to prevent a return movement of the block and a movement of the lugs into conforming position with the notches, the key including a base having a predetermined thickness to fill the space between the end of the cutout and the end of the block, and a resiliently deformable center section including two cam members slopingly extending from opposite edges of the base in an increasing height about and toward the center of the base, the two cam members terminating in detenting surfaces facing each other and being spaced from each other by an amount equal to the thickness of the panel, the cam members being interconnected by a bridging link located within the space defined by the thickness of the base, the link being flexible to permit at least one of the cam members to be resiliently depressed into the space defined by the thickness of the base.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
338 words
A connector block assembly comprising: a connector block capable of being inserted through a cutout in a panel having an upper and a lower surface to locate portions of the block on both surfaces of the panel; protrusions extending from the block into interfering relationship with the panel to limit insertion of the block through the cutout to a predetermined depth; lugs extending from the block, the lugs being spaced in conforming relationship with notches in the panel along the periphery of the cutout to permit the lugs to be inserted through the panel, the inserted portion of the block having a length in the plane of the panel which is less than that of the cutout to permit a movement of the block in the direction of the length of the cutout upon the block being inserted therethrough, the lugs upon such movement being located in interfering relationship with the panel to prevent extraction of the block from the panel; and a key capable of being inserted into a space in the plane of the panel between an end of the cutout and an end of the block to prevent a return movement of the block and a movement of the lugs into conforming position with the notches, the key including a base having a predetermined thickness to fill the space between the end of the cutout and the end of the block, and a resiliently deformable center section including two cam members slopingly extending from opposite edges of the base in an increasing height about and toward the center of the base, the two cam members terminating in detenting surfaces facing each other and being spaced from each other by an amount equal to the thickness of the panel, the cam members being interconnected by a bridging link located within the space defined by the thickness of the base, the link being flexible to permit at least one of the cam members to be resiliently depressed into the space defined by the thickness of the base.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
116 words
A connector block assembly according to claim 1 wherein: a first pair of the lugs extending from the block is located at a first distance from one end of the length of the block and a second pair of the lugs is located at a second distance less than the first distance from the other end of the length of the block, and the notches are similarly offset with respect to the length of the cutout to require the block to be oriented in a polarized direction in which both the position of the lugs conforms with that of the notches in the panel and the length of the cutout accepts the length of the block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A connector block assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the connector block comprises at least one molded component the composition of which is a thermosetting glass-filled phenolic material; and the key is formed of a thermoplastic material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A connector block assembly according to claim 3, wherein the key is held in contact with the block by the confines of the cutout in the panel after the block and the key have been inserted into the cutout of the panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-03-06 | 1981-09-05 | 1982-03-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-03-06 | 1985-09-05 | 1986-03-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-03-06 | 1989-09-05 | 1990-03-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |