Patent US5373104A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5373104A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Control module with integral fastening/locking assembly
Assignee: Delphi Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1993-07-12
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Granted: 1994-12-13
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Expires: 2013-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A control module having an integral fastening and locking case assembly whereby a support spacer frame for circuit boards and case members are assembled to create a single unit without the use of conventional fasteners. The structure of the housing and the support spacer frame provides an arrangement whereby the sectional equipment may securely snapped together to form a single unit without the use of conventional fasteners.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric A. Brauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 08:35
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1417; H05K5/00; H05K5/10; H05K5/15
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
An electronic control module including at least one circuit board and first and second housing sections joined to encase the circuit board, the improvement wherein: the control module includes a spacer element having a planar region within the housing sections, the circuit board being parallel to such planar region and fastened thereto; the first housing section is secured to the spacer element by a first mechanical interlock between a first set of tangs integral with said first housing section and a first set of spacer surface features extending perpendicular to said planar region from a peripheral region of said spacer element; and the second housing section is secured to the spacer element by a second mechanical interlock between a second set of tangs integral with said second housing section and a second set of spacer surface features extending perpendicular to said planar region from said peripheral region of said spacer element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
An electronic control module including at least one circuit board and first and second housing sections joined to encase the circuit board, the improvement wherein: the control module includes a spacer element having a planar region within the housing sections, the circuit board being parallel to such planar region and fastened thereto; the first housing section is secured to the spacer element by a first mechanical interlock between a first set of tangs integral with said first housing section and a first set of spacer surface features extending perpendicular to said planar region from a peripheral region of said spacer element; and the second housing section is secured to the spacer element by a second mechanical interlock between a second set of tangs integral with said second housing section and a second set of spacer surface features extending perpendicular to said planar region from said peripheral region of said spacer element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The electronic control module of claim 1, wherein the circuit board is fastened to the spacer element by virtue of mechanical interference between a set of pins formed on said spacer element and a set of openings formed in said circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The electronic control module of claim 1, wherein said first set of spacer surface features are received within an accommodating section formed on said second housing section, and said second set of spacer surface features are received within an accommodating section formed on said first housing section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The electronic control module of claim 1, wherein the first set of surface features extend in a first direction away from said first housing section, and the second set of surface features extend in a second direction away from said second housing section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The electronic control module of claim 4, wherein the first set of surface features define a first set of openings which receive said first set of tangs to form said first mechanical interlock, and said second set of surface features define a second set of openings which receive said second set of tangs to form said second mechanical interlock.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-12-12 | 1998-06-13 | 1998-12-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-12-12 | 2002-06-13 | 2002-12-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-12-12 | 2006-06-13 | 2006-12-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |