CA1061914A - Fixing device for printed circuit board - Google Patents
Fixing device for printed circuit boardInfo
- Publication number
- CA1061914A CA1061914A CA249,530A CA249530A CA1061914A CA 1061914 A CA1061914 A CA 1061914A CA 249530 A CA249530 A CA 249530A CA 1061914 A CA1061914 A CA 1061914A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- plates
- fixing device
- printed circuit
- circuit board
- pair
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Mounting Of Printed Circuit Boards And The Like (AREA)
Abstract
FIXING DEVICE FOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD
Abstract of the Disclosure:
A fixing device for printed circuit board formed integrally of plastic, comprising a pair of plates freely bendably connected to each other through a hinge portion, one of the plates having on one surface thereof a fastener member for fixing said one plate to a chassis and the other of the plates having on one surface thereof a fastener member for fixing said other plate to a printed board. The opposing surfaces of said plates are respectively provided with releasably engagable projected male and female engaging portions which engage when said plates are bent about said hinge portion to fix said plates at a prescribed angle.
Abstract of the Disclosure:
A fixing device for printed circuit board formed integrally of plastic, comprising a pair of plates freely bendably connected to each other through a hinge portion, one of the plates having on one surface thereof a fastener member for fixing said one plate to a chassis and the other of the plates having on one surface thereof a fastener member for fixing said other plate to a printed board. The opposing surfaces of said plates are respectively provided with releasably engagable projected male and female engaging portions which engage when said plates are bent about said hinge portion to fix said plates at a prescribed angle.
Description
This invention relates to a fixing device formed integ-rally of plastic for fixing a plate such as a printed circuit board to a base board or chassis in an electric apparatus.
~ s is well known, there is generally a shorta~e of room in the interior of an electric apparatus so that the space taken up by printed circuit boards must be minimized. Further, because of the lack of space, it is necessary in servicing a once mounted printed circuit board either to release its fasteners and take the board completely out of the apparatus or to release some of its fasteners and then move the board into an exposed position. As a practical matter, it is inconvenient to take the printed circuit board out of the apparatus because of its fixed lead wires. For this reason, generally the latter method is used. However, when the lS printed circui-t board is brought into an exposed state with one or more points still fixed to the chassis/ the parts attached to the printed circuit board often contact or collide with other parts of the apparatus and sometimes cause additio-nal trouble. There is also the problem that the servicing work sometimes cannot be performed smoothly since the exposed ! printed circuit board itself is supported in an unstable state.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a fixing device for a printed circuit board which generally allows the tight fixing of the printed circuit board to a chassis, and also allows the printed circuit board to be ex-posed for servicing by making it possible to swing the board to a prescribed angle with respect to the chassis without its -- contacting the chassis or other parts and to maintain the board at the prescribed angle until the servicing wor]c has been completed.
To achieve the above mentioned object, the fixing device
~ s is well known, there is generally a shorta~e of room in the interior of an electric apparatus so that the space taken up by printed circuit boards must be minimized. Further, because of the lack of space, it is necessary in servicing a once mounted printed circuit board either to release its fasteners and take the board completely out of the apparatus or to release some of its fasteners and then move the board into an exposed position. As a practical matter, it is inconvenient to take the printed circuit board out of the apparatus because of its fixed lead wires. For this reason, generally the latter method is used. However, when the lS printed circui-t board is brought into an exposed state with one or more points still fixed to the chassis/ the parts attached to the printed circuit board often contact or collide with other parts of the apparatus and sometimes cause additio-nal trouble. There is also the problem that the servicing work sometimes cannot be performed smoothly since the exposed ! printed circuit board itself is supported in an unstable state.
Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide a fixing device for a printed circuit board which generally allows the tight fixing of the printed circuit board to a chassis, and also allows the printed circuit board to be ex-posed for servicing by making it possible to swing the board to a prescribed angle with respect to the chassis without its -- contacting the chassis or other parts and to maintain the board at the prescribed angle until the servicing wor]c has been completed.
To achieve the above mentioned object, the fixing device
- 2 ~
of the invention contemplates a printed circuit board formed '~ntegrally of synthetic resin. The boaxd comprises a pair of plates freely bendably connected to each other through a hinge portion formed by reducing the thickness of the joined edges of the palr of plates, releasably engaging male and female portions provided on opposing surfaces of the pair of plates, and fixing portions provided on the surfaces of the pair of plates opposite the surfaces on Which the male and female portions are provided, for fixedly engaging a chassis and the printed circuit board. ~hus, the male and female~portions engage to fix the pair of plates at a prescribed angle when the pair of plates are bent about the hinge portion.
When maintenance or servicing of the printed circuit board is required, the printed circuit board swings about the hinge portion until the male projection and female recess come into engagement so that the printed circuit board is exposed at a fixed angle to allow servicing of the normally unexposed portion thereof.
At this time, as the pair of plates composing the fixing devicé, are connected to each other through the hinge portion, the printed circuit board does not slide transversely and as the exposed printed circuit board is held in a stable state, the servicing may be accomplished smoothly. Moreover, as the above mentioned fixing device is integrally formed, it may b~
produced easily by conventional plastic molding techniques.
Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodi-ments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the engaged state of the male projection `~6~L9~
-~and female recess, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device illus-trated in Fig. 3 showing the engaged state of the male pro~ection and female recess, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention, Fig. 6(A~ is a perspective view of the fixing device of Fig. 5, and Figs. 6(B~ and 6(C) are perspective views of the devices in use.
Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention, in which a pair of plates 1 and 2 are bendably connected by means of a hinge portion 3 which is formed by reducing the thickness of the joined edges of the plates 1 and 2. The underside of the plate 1 is provided with a fastener member 6 which engages a hole 5 of a chassls 4, while the other plate 2 is provided with a fastener member 9 which engages an opening 8 in a printed circuit board 7.
Fastener member 6 in this embodiment is anchor-shaped and when pressed through the hole 5 of the chassis 4, wing members 6' of the anchor expand on the underside thereof and engage with the edges of the hole 5 to prevent it from returning up-wardly. Thus the plate 1 is fixed to the chassis 4. Fastener member 9 is hollow and bulb-shaped so that when pressed into the opening 8 of the board 7 from one side thereof it first shrinks as it passes through the opening 8 and then expands on the other side of the board 7 to fix the plate 2 thereto.
On the other hand, the plates 1 and 2 having said fastener
of the invention contemplates a printed circuit board formed '~ntegrally of synthetic resin. The boaxd comprises a pair of plates freely bendably connected to each other through a hinge portion formed by reducing the thickness of the joined edges of the palr of plates, releasably engaging male and female portions provided on opposing surfaces of the pair of plates, and fixing portions provided on the surfaces of the pair of plates opposite the surfaces on Which the male and female portions are provided, for fixedly engaging a chassis and the printed circuit board. ~hus, the male and female~portions engage to fix the pair of plates at a prescribed angle when the pair of plates are bent about the hinge portion.
When maintenance or servicing of the printed circuit board is required, the printed circuit board swings about the hinge portion until the male projection and female recess come into engagement so that the printed circuit board is exposed at a fixed angle to allow servicing of the normally unexposed portion thereof.
At this time, as the pair of plates composing the fixing devicé, are connected to each other through the hinge portion, the printed circuit board does not slide transversely and as the exposed printed circuit board is held in a stable state, the servicing may be accomplished smoothly. Moreover, as the above mentioned fixing device is integrally formed, it may b~
produced easily by conventional plastic molding techniques.
Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of preferred embodi-ments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device illustrated in Fig. 1 showing the engaged state of the male projection `~6~L9~
-~and female recess, Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a second embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention, Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the device illus-trated in Fig. 3 showing the engaged state of the male pro~ection and female recess, Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a third embodiment of the fixing device of the present invention, Fig. 6(A~ is a perspective view of the fixing device of Fig. 5, and Figs. 6(B~ and 6(C) are perspective views of the devices in use.
Figs. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention, in which a pair of plates 1 and 2 are bendably connected by means of a hinge portion 3 which is formed by reducing the thickness of the joined edges of the plates 1 and 2. The underside of the plate 1 is provided with a fastener member 6 which engages a hole 5 of a chassls 4, while the other plate 2 is provided with a fastener member 9 which engages an opening 8 in a printed circuit board 7.
Fastener member 6 in this embodiment is anchor-shaped and when pressed through the hole 5 of the chassis 4, wing members 6' of the anchor expand on the underside thereof and engage with the edges of the hole 5 to prevent it from returning up-wardly. Thus the plate 1 is fixed to the chassis 4. Fastener member 9 is hollow and bulb-shaped so that when pressed into the opening 8 of the board 7 from one side thereof it first shrinks as it passes through the opening 8 and then expands on the other side of the board 7 to fix the plate 2 thereto.
On the other hand, the plates 1 and 2 having said fastener
3~
`members 6 and 9 respectively have on their opposite sides a male projection 10 and a female member 11 positioned so as to engage with each other when they are bent about the hinge portion 3.
Female member 11 of the plate 1 is a plate having the shape of a right triangle and having on the middle portion of its oblique side 11' a female recess 12 formed as a groove with an expanded bottom. While the male proj~ction 10 projects from a corresponding position of the plate 2 to engage the female recess 12 so that the rounded tip 13 of the pro~ection 10 is clamped into the expanded part of the female recess 12 when bent about the hinge portion 3.
The fixing device of the present inventlon wi-th the described construction is integrally formed of plastic of suitable rigidity and elasticity, and upon practical use, as described previously, the body of the fixing device is fixed to the chassis by inserting the fastener member 6 provided on the plate 1 in the hole 5 of the chassis, and then attach-ing the other plate 2 to the board 7 by inserting the fastener member 9 into the opening 8 thereof. Although in the drawing only one fixing device is shown, in practical use the board 7 should have two or more openings along its one edge portion to fix it to the chassis by means of the fixing device of this invention. The other edge of the board 7 may beifixed with conventional fixing devices or the fixing devices of this invention to the chassis or other printed circuit boards in parallel relation, vertically or horizontally.
As described previously, the fixing device of the present invention facilitates the fixing of the printed circuit board to the chassis by inserting the fastener members 6 and 9 of the plates 1 and 2 into the holes or openings in the chassis ~~~and printed circuit board. ~lso as already mentioned, the plates 1 and 2 can be bent about the hinge portion 3 so that the male pro~ection 10 which is provided on the surface of the plate 2 opposite to the female member 11 on the plate 1 engages the female member to support the board at tha-t height. When the male pro~ection 10 is pushed into the female recess 12, engagement is also established between the inside of the plate 2 and the side 11' of the female member 11. Thus the printed circuit board which is fixed to the plate 2 can be swung to the angle of said oblique side o~ the female member and is tightly held in this position when the fixing devices (not shown) at the edge opposite that held by the fixing device of this invention are released.
When maintenance and servicing are required in an appara-tus having conventional fixing devices for the printed circuit boards, the boards have to be released before the work is begun, but by utilizing the fixing device of this invention, the work can be done with the circuit board fully exposed and with one edge thereof fixed to the chassis simply by releasing the fixing devices at one edge thereof, and as the printed circuit board will be held at the particular angle by the abutting engaging portions, there is an advantage that the work can be done safely without the circuit board or parts mounted thereon contacting the chassis or other parts. Also there is another advantage that the whole work can be done in shoxt time, and that the chassis and the printed circuit board are not completely released from the fixing devices.
.. ~
On completion of work, it is possible to return the plate : supported by the said fixing device to the right position without extra alignment work. In the above mentioned embodi-ment, the plates 1 and 2 are provided with the female member . ~
1~36~9~L
`~11 and the male projection 10 respectively, but the position of the female member 11 and male projection 10 may be re-versed.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention in which the Eemale member 14 of the plate l which is attached to the chassis 4, is formed substantially in U-shape, having an elastic jaw 14a, while the male projectlon 15 of the plate 2 is elastically enclosed by the jaw 14a thus enabling easy engagement or re-lease. Further, by providing the hinge portion 16 in themiddle portion of the plate 2, the bending axis is elevated so that the printed circuit board may be raised to a high angle. Consequently, a sufficient distance is maintained between the chassis 4 and the board 7.
Figs. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention in which an improvement is made in the male projection and female member of the first and second embodiments. As a result of this improvement, the engaging position of the male projection and female recess can be selectively changed to determine the desired angle !
between the two plates 17 and 18. The female member 19 of the plate 17 is formed in plate shape and has a longitudinal slot 20 provided in the middle portion thereof and further has rounded grooves 20a and 20b provided at the upper and lower ; 25 portions of the slot 20. And the male projection 21 of the plate 18 projects transversely across said female member 19, and is provided with a rounded tip 22 of circular cross section at its end. When the plates 17 and 18 are bent about a hinge portion 23 which connects the two plates 17 and 18, the male projection 21 breaks into the slot 20 of the female member 19 and the rounded tip 22 engages with either the :
.
.. ..
~Vt~
~upper groove 20a or lower groove 20b so that the angle oP
the two plates 17 and 18 can be changed at will. ~see Figs.
6(A)-(C)) ~lso, in this embodiment, although the slot 20 is provided with two grooves, more than two grooves may be provided to make multiple changes in the angle between the two plates.
The shapes of the anchors of the plates 1 and 2 are not limited to the ones that have been heretofor described and other means of push-in engaging type may be used. Also, the male and female engaging portions provided on opposite sides of the plates, may be provided in heights to maintain the printed circuit board exposed at the desired angle when these portions are engaged. In this case, the male projection and female member are not required to project equally and it will lS be sufficient to prevent the two plates from substantially parallel overlapping when the two plates are bent about the hinge portion.
' ~. .
, .
`members 6 and 9 respectively have on their opposite sides a male projection 10 and a female member 11 positioned so as to engage with each other when they are bent about the hinge portion 3.
Female member 11 of the plate 1 is a plate having the shape of a right triangle and having on the middle portion of its oblique side 11' a female recess 12 formed as a groove with an expanded bottom. While the male proj~ction 10 projects from a corresponding position of the plate 2 to engage the female recess 12 so that the rounded tip 13 of the pro~ection 10 is clamped into the expanded part of the female recess 12 when bent about the hinge portion 3.
The fixing device of the present inventlon wi-th the described construction is integrally formed of plastic of suitable rigidity and elasticity, and upon practical use, as described previously, the body of the fixing device is fixed to the chassis by inserting the fastener member 6 provided on the plate 1 in the hole 5 of the chassis, and then attach-ing the other plate 2 to the board 7 by inserting the fastener member 9 into the opening 8 thereof. Although in the drawing only one fixing device is shown, in practical use the board 7 should have two or more openings along its one edge portion to fix it to the chassis by means of the fixing device of this invention. The other edge of the board 7 may beifixed with conventional fixing devices or the fixing devices of this invention to the chassis or other printed circuit boards in parallel relation, vertically or horizontally.
As described previously, the fixing device of the present invention facilitates the fixing of the printed circuit board to the chassis by inserting the fastener members 6 and 9 of the plates 1 and 2 into the holes or openings in the chassis ~~~and printed circuit board. ~lso as already mentioned, the plates 1 and 2 can be bent about the hinge portion 3 so that the male pro~ection 10 which is provided on the surface of the plate 2 opposite to the female member 11 on the plate 1 engages the female member to support the board at tha-t height. When the male pro~ection 10 is pushed into the female recess 12, engagement is also established between the inside of the plate 2 and the side 11' of the female member 11. Thus the printed circuit board which is fixed to the plate 2 can be swung to the angle of said oblique side o~ the female member and is tightly held in this position when the fixing devices (not shown) at the edge opposite that held by the fixing device of this invention are released.
When maintenance and servicing are required in an appara-tus having conventional fixing devices for the printed circuit boards, the boards have to be released before the work is begun, but by utilizing the fixing device of this invention, the work can be done with the circuit board fully exposed and with one edge thereof fixed to the chassis simply by releasing the fixing devices at one edge thereof, and as the printed circuit board will be held at the particular angle by the abutting engaging portions, there is an advantage that the work can be done safely without the circuit board or parts mounted thereon contacting the chassis or other parts. Also there is another advantage that the whole work can be done in shoxt time, and that the chassis and the printed circuit board are not completely released from the fixing devices.
.. ~
On completion of work, it is possible to return the plate : supported by the said fixing device to the right position without extra alignment work. In the above mentioned embodi-ment, the plates 1 and 2 are provided with the female member . ~
1~36~9~L
`~11 and the male projection 10 respectively, but the position of the female member 11 and male projection 10 may be re-versed.
Figs. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention in which the Eemale member 14 of the plate l which is attached to the chassis 4, is formed substantially in U-shape, having an elastic jaw 14a, while the male projectlon 15 of the plate 2 is elastically enclosed by the jaw 14a thus enabling easy engagement or re-lease. Further, by providing the hinge portion 16 in themiddle portion of the plate 2, the bending axis is elevated so that the printed circuit board may be raised to a high angle. Consequently, a sufficient distance is maintained between the chassis 4 and the board 7.
Figs. 5 and 6 show a third embodiment of a fixing device according to the present invention in which an improvement is made in the male projection and female member of the first and second embodiments. As a result of this improvement, the engaging position of the male projection and female recess can be selectively changed to determine the desired angle !
between the two plates 17 and 18. The female member 19 of the plate 17 is formed in plate shape and has a longitudinal slot 20 provided in the middle portion thereof and further has rounded grooves 20a and 20b provided at the upper and lower ; 25 portions of the slot 20. And the male projection 21 of the plate 18 projects transversely across said female member 19, and is provided with a rounded tip 22 of circular cross section at its end. When the plates 17 and 18 are bent about a hinge portion 23 which connects the two plates 17 and 18, the male projection 21 breaks into the slot 20 of the female member 19 and the rounded tip 22 engages with either the :
.
.. ..
~Vt~
~upper groove 20a or lower groove 20b so that the angle oP
the two plates 17 and 18 can be changed at will. ~see Figs.
6(A)-(C)) ~lso, in this embodiment, although the slot 20 is provided with two grooves, more than two grooves may be provided to make multiple changes in the angle between the two plates.
The shapes of the anchors of the plates 1 and 2 are not limited to the ones that have been heretofor described and other means of push-in engaging type may be used. Also, the male and female engaging portions provided on opposite sides of the plates, may be provided in heights to maintain the printed circuit board exposed at the desired angle when these portions are engaged. In this case, the male projection and female member are not required to project equally and it will lS be sufficient to prevent the two plates from substantially parallel overlapping when the two plates are bent about the hinge portion.
' ~. .
, .
Claims (5)
1. A fixing device for a printed circuit board formed integrally of synthetic resin comprising:
a pair of plates freely bendably connected to each other through a hinge portion formed by reducing the thickness of the joined edges of said pair of plates, releasably engaging male and female portions provided on opposing surfaces of said pair of plates, and fixing portions provided on the surfaces of said pair of plates opposite the surfaces on which said male and female portions are provided, for fixedly engaging a chassis and said printed circuit board, whereby said male and female portions engage to fix said pair of plates at a prescribed angle when said pair of plates are bent about said hinge portion.
a pair of plates freely bendably connected to each other through a hinge portion formed by reducing the thickness of the joined edges of said pair of plates, releasably engaging male and female portions provided on opposing surfaces of said pair of plates, and fixing portions provided on the surfaces of said pair of plates opposite the surfaces on which said male and female portions are provided, for fixedly engaging a chassis and said printed circuit board, whereby said male and female portions engage to fix said pair of plates at a prescribed angle when said pair of plates are bent about said hinge portion.
2. The fixing device according to claim 1 wherein said two plates are connected in L-shape through said hinge portion.
3. The fixing device according to claim 1 wherein one of said two plates is L-shaped and a hinge portion is provided at the end of said L-shaped plate to form said two plates in U-shape.
4. The fixing device according to claim 1 wherein said male engaging portion is a rounded edge and said female engaging portion is a circular groove with a slot.
5. The fixing device according to claim 4 wherein said female engaging portion is provided with two steps.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP50046932A JPS50152668A (en) | 1974-04-30 | 1975-04-16 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1061914A true CA1061914A (en) | 1979-09-04 |
Family
ID=12761085
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA249,530A Expired CA1061914A (en) | 1975-04-16 | 1976-04-05 | Fixing device for printed circuit board |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1061914A (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4635325A (en) * | 1984-10-03 | 1987-01-13 | Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd. | Substrate fastener |
| US4635326A (en) * | 1984-09-12 | 1987-01-13 | Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd. | Substrate fastener |
-
1976
- 1976-04-05 CA CA249,530A patent/CA1061914A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4635326A (en) * | 1984-09-12 | 1987-01-13 | Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd. | Substrate fastener |
| US4635325A (en) * | 1984-10-03 | 1987-01-13 | Kitagawa Industries Co., Ltd. | Substrate fastener |
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