Patent ID: 6385053
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: H01R,H05K

Abstract:
Apparatus for providing component alignment during circuit board installation comprising:a chassis; a circuit board having first and second major surfaces and at least a first edge, and second and third edges adjacent to said first edge, with a first cutout region formed in said first edge and a plurality of pins extending outward from said first edge, said cutout region defining at least a first cutout leading edge; a pin block having a plurality of pin-receiving sockets positioned to receive said plurality of pins when said circuit board is located in a first aligned position, wherein, when said circuit board is in said first aligned position, said first and second major surfaces are substantially horizontal; a guidance device including a first web defining a web leading edge spaced a first distance from said pin block, at least a portion of said first web sized and shaped to be received within said circuit board cutout region, said first web defining a web plane; wherein said guidance device is positioned such that said first web is located within said first cutout region of said circuit board when said circuit board is in said first aligned location wherein at least a first surface of said web adjacent said web leading edge is chamfered to provide a width of said leading edge of said web which is less than the maximum width of said web, wherein bearing of at least said first leading edge of said cutout region against said chamfered surface of said web when said circuit board is moved substantially horizontally towards said first aligned position imparts a force at a location spaced from said second and third edges, tending to align said circuit board such that said plurality of pins are aligned with said pin-receiving sockets.