Patent ID: 6814607
Filing Date: 2004-11-09
Classification: H01R

Abstract:
Apparatus for controlling the guiding and alignment of circuit board assemblies with sockets of a backplane, said apparatus comprising;a vertically oriented backplane having a plurality of sockets; a vertical guide plate positioned perpendicular to said backplane; a plurality of horizontal guide slots in said guide plate; a front guide post and a rear guide post affixed to a vertical side wall of a circuit board assembly; an open front portion of each said guide slot adapted to slidably receive said guide posts; said guide posts and said guide slots cooperate to align and guide said circuit board assembly towards one of said sockets when said guide posts are moved from a front end portion of said guide slot towards said backplane; a rear portion of said circuit board assembly adapted to engage one of said sockets; a void that disengages said rear guide post from said guide slot when said circuit board assembly is moved towards said backplane to a position in which said rear portion of said circuit board assembly is proximate side walls of said one socket; and contacts on said rear portion of said circuit board assembly adapted to electrically mate with contacts on said one socket when said circuit board assembly is moved further towards said backplane so that said rear portion of said circuit board assembly fully engages said one socket.