Abstract:
The present invention is directed to a bracket for holding a printed circuit board in relation to a connector for wave solder application comprising a mounting element for attaching the bracket to the connector, a shelf for supporting at least a portion of the printed circuit board at a predetermined height above the connector and a latch for retaining the printed circuit board on the shelf.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a bracket for holding a printed circuit board on a connector for wave solder application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Connectors, such as type 66 connectors, are insulation displacement connectors used where wire enters buildings as a termination for telephone cables. The connectors designed for use on wave solder machines are normally designed with short pins (approximately 0.125″). Connectors designed for use through an automatic wire wrap machine are normally designed with long pins (approximately 0.375″) for use with a single wire wrap. 
     However, manufacturing two different types of connectors with different size pins is costly. Not only are costs increased in having to change manufacture procedures for the different size pins but also in the inventory, stock, ordering, etc., for different component parts as well as different finished products. 
     Additionally, applications for using a printed circuit board in conjunction with wire wrap application are possible but have not been utilized. This is primarily due to difficulty in soldering the printed circuit board to the wire wrap pins of the connector. In this regard, the use of a printed circuit board may be an alternative in applications where two or more wire wraps cannot be used on a pin. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a bracket for holding a printed circuit board in relation to a connector for wave solder application comprising a mounting element for attaching the bracket to the connector, a shelf for supporting at least a portion of the printed circuit board at a predetermined height above the connector and a latch for retaining the printed circuit board on the shelf. 
     The mounting element is preferably a hole through which a screw passes to an existing mounting screwhole on the connector. 
     The latch is preferably associated with a flexible arm to allow the latch to snap over the printed circuit board when pushed into place without additional mechanical elements or manipulation. 
     The shelf is provided at a predetermined height from the connector so that a plurality of brackets can be attached to the connector to hold the printed circuit board uniformly above the connector. The uniform retention of the board above the connector provides a basis for a quality wave solder application. 
     The material of the bracket is preferably a high temperature material to withstand the heat of the wave solder application. 
     The bracket also preferably includes additional mounting means, such as screwholes and screws, to compensate for the mounting holes used in the attachment of the bracket to the connector. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The following drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like parts, are presented merely to illustrate the preferred embodiment of the invention without limiting the invention in any manner whatsoever. 
     FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional elevation of a connector having the preferred bracket of the present invention mounted thereon, holding a printed circuit board. 
     FIG. 1B is a plan view of a connector having the preferred bracket of the present invention mounted thereon, holding a printed circuit board. 
     FIG. 2A is a side elevation of the preferred bracket of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2B is a front elevation of the preferred bracket of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2C is a plan view of the preferred bracket of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The bracket  2  of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, is attached to a standard type 66 connector  4  for wave solder application. The connector  4  generally comprises a block  6  with a plurality of wire wrap pins  8  at the top thereof and mounting screws  14  as a means to mount the connector  4 . The pins  8  can be wire wrapped  10  for electrical connections and/or can have a printed circuit board  12  mounted on the pins  8  through use of the present invention. 
     The bracket  2  of the present invention, as best seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, is preferably mounted to the connector  4  through the use of existing connector mounting screwholes on the connector  4  to which connector mounting screws  14  are fastened. Bracket mounting screws  16 , which pass through an opening  18  in the base  24  of the bracket  2 , engage the existing connector mounting screwholes in the connector  4 . 
     The most preferred bracket  2  also has alternative connector mounting means such as a screwhole  20  in the base  24  of the bracket  2  having a screw  22  therein for mounting the connector  4  when the bracket  2  is attached to the connector  4 . 
     Of course, the particular means for mounting the bracket  2  to the connector is not essential to the invention, the above method merely being most preferred. Any known or later developed method or means is contemplated as long as a solid attachment is made. In this respect, removable attachment is preferred but not required for practicing the present invention. Suitable attachment means may include snaps, clips, rivets, dogs, pins, adhesives, epoxies, cements, solder, detents, or any such means. 
     Use of the existing mounting screwhole on the connector  4  is most preferred, however, because it is a consistent attachment point which limits human error to provide proper placement of the bracket  2  on the connector  4 . This is especially true wherein the distance from the existing sheet metal mounting screwhole on known connectors  4  to the first pin  8  is a constant value in all type 66 connectors. 
     Extending upwardly from the base  24  of the preferred bracket  2  is a retention member  26  for securing the printed circuit board  12  to the connector  4 . The retention member  26  preferably comprises a shelf  28  for providing support to the bottom of the printed circuit board  12  at a consistent height above the connector  4 , and a latch  30  for contacting the top of the board  12  and holding the board  12  securely on the shelf  28 . 
     Although the shelf  28  is preferably on a substantially rigid post  32 , the latch  30  is preferably at the end of a substantially flexible arm  34 . Additionally, the top surface of latch  30  is preferably a cammed member  36  so that the printed circuit board  12  can be snapped into place without additional tools. In this regard, the board  12  is pushed down on the cammed member  36 , thereby moving the flexible arm  34  outwardly until the board  12  passes the latch  30  and the flexible arm  34  snaps back for the latch  30  to secure the board  12 . 
     To facilitate the substantially flexible characteristic of the arm  34  on which the latch  30  is located, it is preferred that the retention member  26  includes a slot  38  between the flexible arm  34  and the rigid post  32 . Additionally, the thickness of the flexible arm  34  is preferably less than the thickness of the rigid post  32  to further facilitate flexibility of the arm  34 , so that the board  12  can be snapped into place. 
     It is also preferred that the printed circuit board  12  designed for use with the present bracket  2  have notches in the area of the brackets  2 , corresponding generally to the width of the flexible arm  34 , to limit lateral movement of the board  12  mounted on the brackets  2 . 
     The preferred bracket  2  is made of unitary construction of a material designed to withstand the high temperatures of wave solder applications. Although high melting point polymers can be injection molded for use in the present invention, brackets  2  made of a unitary metal structure is suitable, with aluminum being most preferred. 
     In its most preferred embodiment, the shelf  28  on the rigid post  32  extends about 0.25″ off of the connector  4  having 0.375″ pins thereon. The latch  30  is located about 0.07″ above the shelf  28 , corresponding to the thickness of a printed circuit board  12 . The flexible arm  34  and rigid post  32  in the most preferred embodiment are about 0.5″ wide for securely engaging the printed circuit board  12  in a level configuration above the connector  4 . To allow for flexibility of the arm  34 , the flexible arm  34  is about 0.04″ thick and the flexible arm  34  extends upwardly about 0.3″ from the bottom of the slot  38 . The rigid post  32  is preferably about 0.05″ thick. 
     In practice it is preferred that four (4) brackets  2  are used, one generally corresponding to each corner of the board, to provide sufficient support and level mounting of the printed circuit board  12  for wave solder application. The notches in the preferred printed circuit board conform generally to the width of the flexible arm  34 , 0.5″ in the most preferred embodiment described immediately above. 
     Variations and modifications to the invention described herein will make themselves apparent to a person skilled in the art reviewing this disclosure. All such variations and modifications are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, limited only by the following claims.