Patent Publication Number: US-6033252-A

Title: Component retaining device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention generally relates to a device for retaining an electrical component in a preselected orientation relative to a circuit. 
     Modern vehicles include an increasingly large number of electrical and electronic components. While the introduction of these various components make vehicles more efficient and introduce the possibility for a more versatile driving experience, they introduce the problem of providing sufficient electrical connections throughout the vehicle. One aspect of the challenge to provide sufficient wiring in a vehicle is arranging the circuitry. Another is handling components such as fuses that are selectively inserted into and removed from connection with the circuitry. Complex assembly and repair operations can require handling many components such as fuses and often becomes cumbersome. 
     This invention provides a component retainer device that maintains the component in a selected orientation relative to the circuitry. More specifically, this invention provides a retainer that holds a fuse in a position where it is aligned with a circuit connection even though it is disconnected from the circuitry. This invention prevents the loss and mishandling of fuses especially in complex arrangements such as in an automotive vehicle. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In general terms, this invention is a device for positioning a component such as a fuse relative to a circuit. A device designed according to this invention holds a component in a selected orientation and position relative to the circuitry so that the component is easily and accurately inserted into an electrical connection terminal and disconnected without getting lost. 
     This invention includes several basic parts. A housing is adapted to house at least a portion of the circuit including a terminal connection for connecting a component such as a fuse to the circuit. A component receiver is adapted to receive and support the component. The component receiver is movably supported on a guide member that is, in turn, supported on the housing. The guide member guides the component receiver so that it can be moved between a first position where the component engages the connection terminal and a second position where the component is spaced from the connection terminal. The component receiver includes structure that maintains the component in the second position so that the component is disconnected from the electrical connection terminal and not removable from the housing, which prevents the component from being lost and facilitates reinserting the component into the circuit. 
     The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective illustration of an assembly designed according to this invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a cross sectional illustration of the component retainer portion of the embodiment of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 in an assembled first position. 
     FIG. 4 shows the embodiment of FIG. 3 in a second position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a component retainer device assembly 20 that is useful for handling an electrical component and maintaining it in a selected orientation and position relative to a circuit. A housing 22, which is adapted to house at least part of the circuitry, includes an opening 24 through an exterior surface of the housing. A mounting member 26 is supported on the housing 22 at the opening 24. A guide member 28 extends generally away from the housing. 
     A component receiver 30 includes a receiver body portion 32, a set of support arms 34 and a cover 36. The illustrated component receiver is adapted to support and retain a fuse 40 in position relative to a circuit. As best seen in FIG. 2, the receiver body 32 includes a pair of slots 42, each of which are adapted to support a separate fuse. Once the fuses 40 are placed in position within the slots 42, the cover 36 is closed by manipulating it about the pivot axis and a living hinge 44 that connects the cover to the receiver body 32. In the preferred embodiment, the cover 36 includes two recessed portions 46 that nestingly receive an outer edge of each fuse 40. A set of tabs 48 interact with engagement surfaces 50 to maintain the cover in a closed position. 
     The receiver body portion 32 includes a central slot 52 that is aligned with a central slot 54 in the cover 36 when the cover is placed in a closed position. The receiver 30 can then be placed over the guide member 28 so that the guide member extends through the central slots 52 and 54 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The dimensions of the central slots 52 and 54 and the exterior surface on the guide member 28 ensure that the receiver 30 is maintained in a specific alignment relative to the housing 22. 
     Importantly, the guide member 28 includes a stop member 60, which preferably comprises a tab. The stop member 60 preferably includes a ramped surface that allows the receiver 30 to be placed over the guide member 28. Once the receiver body portion 32 and the cover 36 pass beyond the stop member 60, the stop member prevents the receiver 30 from being removed from the guide member under normal circumstances. Since the various pieces of the device 20 are made of plastic, it is possible to later remove the receiver from the guide member as necessary, however, for practical purposes the retainer is maintained on the guide member 28 by the stop member 60. 
     The mounting member 26 includes a pair of wing portions 62 along which inner surfaces of the support arms 34 are received. The mounting member also includes slots 64 that are positioned to receive prongs 66 on the fuses 40 so that the fuses can be inserted into a connection terminal in the circuit (not illustrated). The interaction between the guide member 28 and the central slots 52 and 54 and the interaction between the winged portions 62 and the support arms 34 ensures that the component receiver will move in a specific direction and maintain a preferred alignment relative to the circuit and the housing 22. Perpendicular travel and alignment of the fuses relative to the housing is most preferred. 
     The receiver 30 can be moved between a first position shown in FIG. 4 where the component (in this instance the fuses 40) engage a connection terminal on the circuit and a second position shown in FIG. 3 where the component is disconnected from the circuit. The support arms 34 include stop members 68 that are biased positioned to automatically engage the winged portions 62 on the mounting member 26 when the receiver 30 is place d in the second position. The stop members 68 ensure that the component will not be inadvertently or accidentally connected with the circuit but will be maintained in the second position. In the preferred embodiment, the support arms 34 are connected with the receiver body 32 so that a technician can manipulate an extension 70 on the end of each support arm 34. By moving the extensions 70 toward each other the stop members 68 are moved out of engagement with the winged portions 62 and the entire receiver 30 can be moved into the first position so that the component can be connected to the terminal in the circuit. 
     This invention provides several important advantages. First, an electrical component is maintained in a disconnected positioned without being completely separated from the housing. Further, the component cannot be moved back into a connected position without specifically operating the retainer device. The arrangement keeps the component in a specific alignment with the connection terminals of the circuit. Maintaining proper alignment is important to ensure that the component is properly connected to the connection terminal. 
     The description of the preferred embodiment given above is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the purview and spirit and of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.