GB2238181A - Socket for printed circuit board - Google Patents

Abstract

A socket includes a channel-shaped socket body (1) with a row of cavities (15) formed therein for receiving the conducting fingers of a printed circuit board. Two immobilizing pins (4) having bent ends (41) with hooking portions (42) formed integrally therewith are provided at one side of the row of cavities. The hooking portions project from one side of each respective bent portion in opposite directions relative to one another. The pins are laterally movable in all directions to facilitate disengagement of the hooking portions from the circuit board. <IMAGE>

Description

SOCKET FOR PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD This invention relates to a socket for a printed circuit board, and particularly to a socket which includes immobilizing pins for the circuit board.

Printed circuit boards which are commonly use in computers are usually connected electrically to each other by means of sockets whoh are elongated and sclude a row plug holes er cavt es. A typical socket use with the rinted circuir boards as shown in Figures 1 and 2.This socket includes a base 90 with a row of socket holes 91 for receiving fingers of a printed circuit boar i, as well as two guide plates 9 and two clamp blocks 93 for holding the circuit boar between them. The guide plates 91 are provide w;th engaging pins 99 to engage in holes 96, 97 of the circuit beard. Such a socket cannot immobilize the printed circuit board.Therefore, the boar is easilv loosened ano moved by an external force, adversely affecting the performance of a computer which includes such a socket. Moreover, it is inconvenIent for a person to attach a circuit board to this socket because an additional person is required to help him to push the guide plates 91 slightly away from the circuit board when the board is inserted to the socket.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved socket which can be conveniently attached to and effectively immobilize the circuit board.

According to the present invention, a socket for a printed circuit board comprises an elongated channel-shaped socket body having two opposite ends, and a base with a row of cavities for receiving one side of the circuit board which bears conductors for electrical connection; two immobilizing pins provied at one side of the row or cavities and arranged in positions substantially parallel to the printed circuit board, each of the pins having both a bent end to be inserred its a nole prov the printed circuit boar, ano a hocking element formed on the bent end, the pins also having a degree of resiliency so as to be movable in all lateral directions.

In one aspect of the invention, the bent ends of the pins extend along lines substantially normal to tne printed circuit board, and the hockIng elements project form one side of the bet enos In opposite directions relative to one another.

The immobiliing pins may either be substantially normal to the base cf the socket body or inclined to the base. In a case where the immobilizing pins are inclined, two guide plates are provided at the other side of the row of cavities at positions substantially parallel to the immobilizing pins.

The present exemplary preferred embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 and 2 show a conventional socket; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a socket incorporating the present invention; Fig. 4 shows the socket of Fig. 3 to which a printed circuit board is attached; and Figs. 5 and 6 show another socket incorporating the resent invention.

Referring @e laurels 3 and 4, a socket bod 1 is sown, including two insert legs 2, 3 to be attached to a printed circuit boar (set shown). The socket body 1 has a conventional channe) construction Including a channel 3 confined by two parallel panel members 11, 12. Two transverse end plates 13, 14 having an L-shaped crosssection, are provided at the two ends of the socket body.

In the channel 10 of the socket body are provided a plurality of cavities 15 and spring clamping elements ct shown) for receiving one side of a printed circuit board 7 whcse fingers (not shown) are threaded through holes 150 of the socket body.

The present invention is characterized in that two immobilizins pins 4 having a degree of resiliency are integrally formed with the socket body 1 near the ends of the socket body 1. Each immobilizing pin 4 is substantially normal to the base of the socket body 1 so as to be arranged substantially parallel to the printed circuit board 7, and has a bent end 41 to be inserted into a hole 70 of the circuit board 7. The bent end 41 of each pin 4 has a hook portion 42 thereon each having a shape of a truncated pyramid . The hook portions 42 of the pins 4 project from the bent ends of the pins in opposite directions relative to ine another.

When printed circuit board is to be inserted into the socket incorporating the present invention, the ser may insert the board into the socket body wit one of his honds and slightly pull the two pine 4 both outward and toward one another so as to prevent the pins form engaging the board. Then, the pins 4 are released and caused to engage i the holes 7 cf the board 7. It can be appreciated that it is convenient for one person to attach a printed circuit board to the socket incorporating the present invention without requiring the aid of another person.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention which includes a socket be 1 havIng two parallel plates 11 and 12 confining a channel. Two transverse plates 13 and 14 are provided at the ends of the socket body and project outwardly from the plate 12.

Two angled guide plates 16 and 17 are provided at one side of aligned cavities 15, and immobilizing pins 4 which are provided at the other side of the aligned cavities 15 form an angle with the base of the socket body. The guide plate 16 or 17 is substantially parallel to each pin 4.

The socket of this embodiment can be used for an inclined printed circuit board. In this case, the attaching operation of this embodiment is similar to that of the previous embodiment With the invention thus explained, it is apparent that various modifications ant variations can be made without departing from the scope cf the invention. It is therefore intended tat the invention be limited cll as indicated in the appended claims.

Claims (6)

CLAIMS:

1. A socket for a printed circuit board comprising: an elongated channel-shaped socket body having two opposite ends, a base with a row of cavities for receiving one side of the circuit board which bears conductors for electrical connection; and two immobilizing pins which are provided at one site of the ro@ of cavities adjacent to said ends of said socket body and are arranged in positions substantially parallel to the printed circuit board, each of said pins having both a bent end t be Inserted Into a hole provided in te printer circuit board, and a hooking element formed on said tent end, said pins having a substantial degree of resiliency so as to be movable in all lateral directions to facilitate engagement and disengagement with the printed circuit board.

2. A socket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said bent ends extend along lines substantially normal to the printed circuit board, and said hooking elements projecting from one side of said bent ends in opposite directions relative to one another, said hocking elements extending along a line substantially parallel to said base of said socket body.

3. A socket as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said immobilizing pins are substantially normal to said base.

4. A socket as Claimed in Claim 1, wherein said immobilizing pins extend along lines inclined to said base.

5. A socket as claimed in Claim 4, further comprising two guide plates provided at the other side of said row of cavities and substantially parallel to said immobilizing pins.

6. An electrical socket for receiving a printed circuit board sub stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, Figs. 3 and 4; or Figs. 5 and 6 of the accampanying drawings.