CA2110428C - Electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination - Google Patents
Electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2110428C CA2110428C CA002110428A CA2110428A CA2110428C CA 2110428 C CA2110428 C CA 2110428C CA 002110428 A CA002110428 A CA 002110428A CA 2110428 A CA2110428 A CA 2110428A CA 2110428 C CA2110428 C CA 2110428C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- connector
- circuit pack
- connector holder
- frame
- mating
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- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/02—Transmitters
- H04B1/03—Constructional details, e.g. casings, housings
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
- H04B1/06—Receivers
- H04B1/08—Constructional details, e.g. cabinet
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
Electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination in which a mating connector joined to conductors coming in for connection to the circuit pack, is held within a connector holder for protection and connection purposes. Straight line action of the connector holder is ensured to ensure proper alignment of the mating connector with the circuit pack connector. It is preferable for the connector holder to be permanently attached to the frame to support the weight of the holder and minimize strain upon the incoming conductors.
Description
2~.~~~~8 ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT PACK AND MOUNTING FRAME COMBINATION
This invention relates to electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combinations.
Electronic circuit packs are known which are receivable into receiving stations in shelves or frames of telecommunications or other electronic equipment. These packs are normally connected by connectors at the rears of the shelves to back planes. At the front ends of the circuit packs, it is not uncommon for connectors also to be io provided for connection by mating connectors to signal conductors extending to other circuit packs in the same frame or to other items of equipment exteriorly of the frame. In such cases, where there is more than one mating connector mounted on signal conductors for connection to a connector or connectors at the front end of a particular circuit pack, there is sometimes a problem in avoiding confusion as to mating connection positions during initial installation or during maintenance or repair. Furthermore, the mating connectors for connection to the front ends of 2o the circuit packs are vulnerable to damage either during use or during maintenance as in the latter circumstance, mating connectors tend to be left hanging loosely on their associated conductors.
The present invention seeks to minimize or avoid the above problems.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination comprising:- a circuit pack having a front end with at lea$t one telecommunications connector located at the front 3o end; a mounting frame having a receiving station opening at a front of the frame for receiving the circuit pack into the front of the frame with the front end of the circuit pack at the front of the frame; a mating connector for mating with the circuit pack connector, a connector holder carrying the mating connector; and means to control movement of the connector holder and to ensure straight _ 2~.~0~~8 line action of the mating connector when connecting it to and disconnecting it from the circuit pack connector.
With combinations according to the invention, with the electronic circuit pack disposed in its receiving station the mating connector is protected in use by the connector holder. In addition, this protection also applies when the connector holder is moved to the withdrawn position in which the connector holder would normally extend outwardly from the front of the frame. Furthermore, to in a situation where two or more mounting connectors are to be used with a circuit pack, then these mating connectors are assembled onto the connector holder in their appropriate relative locations and maintain these locations during connecting them to and disconnecting them from the circuit pack whereby no confusion may arise as to their connection positions upon the circuit pack. In constructions according to the invention, the mating connector and the connector holder may hang freely from the conductors which are connected to the mating connector, in 2o cases where the conductors are sufficiently robust to carry the weight. Alternatively, the connector holder is controlled in position by attachment to the frame. The attachment to the frame permits movement of the connector holder between a closed position in which the mating connector is mated with the circuit pack connector when the circuit pack is in the receiving station, and a withdrawn position with the connectors disconnected from one another, to permit freedom of movement of the circuit pack into and out from the receiving station. Hence, in the alternative 3o case, the weight of the mating connector is not taken upon the conductors when the mating connector is in the withdrawn position thereby avoiding resultant damage to the connection between connector and conductor. For this purpose, it is preferable for the connector holder to extend forwardly of the mating connector when in the mating position and is provided with control means for controlling 2Iifl428 the positions of signal conductors extending to the mating connector.
In one arrangement, the connector holder is pivotally connected to the frame to permit movement of the connector holder into and out of the withdrawn position.
For this purpose the connector holder may be pivotally connected to the frame by being mounted upon an elongate member which is slidable in the slot extending in a forward to rearward direction of the frame. Means to control 1o movement of the connector to ensure its straight line action may be provided by a coacting projection and projection receiving guide channel provided one upon the frame and the other upon the connector holder, the guide channel extending parallel to the slot to control the i5 connector holder movement towards the end of its travel into the mating position for the purpose of alignment of the terminals of the two connectors. Preferably, however, the means for ensuring straight line action of the mating connector for alignment purposes comprises cooperable 2o alignment elements provided upon the circuit pack connector and upon the mating connector. These alignment elements engage each other for terminal alignment before the connection between the terminals is actually made.
In another arrangement, the connector holder is 25 attached to the frame in some other fashion, e.g. by a flexible cable or linkage which relieves strain upon conductors extending to the mating connector.
It is also preferable that a latching means is provided and which is operable to detachably retain the 3o connector holder in the closed position. Conveniently, the etching means may be a cam latching means which is operable by caroming action to move the connector holder into its closed position and while the connectors are being interconnected. The cam latching means may also lever the 35 holder out of the closed position and into the open position.
2Ii~~~~
This invention relates to electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combinations.
Electronic circuit packs are known which are receivable into receiving stations in shelves or frames of telecommunications or other electronic equipment. These packs are normally connected by connectors at the rears of the shelves to back planes. At the front ends of the circuit packs, it is not uncommon for connectors also to be io provided for connection by mating connectors to signal conductors extending to other circuit packs in the same frame or to other items of equipment exteriorly of the frame. In such cases, where there is more than one mating connector mounted on signal conductors for connection to a connector or connectors at the front end of a particular circuit pack, there is sometimes a problem in avoiding confusion as to mating connection positions during initial installation or during maintenance or repair. Furthermore, the mating connectors for connection to the front ends of 2o the circuit packs are vulnerable to damage either during use or during maintenance as in the latter circumstance, mating connectors tend to be left hanging loosely on their associated conductors.
The present invention seeks to minimize or avoid the above problems.
Accordingly, the present invention provides an electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination comprising:- a circuit pack having a front end with at lea$t one telecommunications connector located at the front 3o end; a mounting frame having a receiving station opening at a front of the frame for receiving the circuit pack into the front of the frame with the front end of the circuit pack at the front of the frame; a mating connector for mating with the circuit pack connector, a connector holder carrying the mating connector; and means to control movement of the connector holder and to ensure straight _ 2~.~0~~8 line action of the mating connector when connecting it to and disconnecting it from the circuit pack connector.
With combinations according to the invention, with the electronic circuit pack disposed in its receiving station the mating connector is protected in use by the connector holder. In addition, this protection also applies when the connector holder is moved to the withdrawn position in which the connector holder would normally extend outwardly from the front of the frame. Furthermore, to in a situation where two or more mounting connectors are to be used with a circuit pack, then these mating connectors are assembled onto the connector holder in their appropriate relative locations and maintain these locations during connecting them to and disconnecting them from the circuit pack whereby no confusion may arise as to their connection positions upon the circuit pack. In constructions according to the invention, the mating connector and the connector holder may hang freely from the conductors which are connected to the mating connector, in 2o cases where the conductors are sufficiently robust to carry the weight. Alternatively, the connector holder is controlled in position by attachment to the frame. The attachment to the frame permits movement of the connector holder between a closed position in which the mating connector is mated with the circuit pack connector when the circuit pack is in the receiving station, and a withdrawn position with the connectors disconnected from one another, to permit freedom of movement of the circuit pack into and out from the receiving station. Hence, in the alternative 3o case, the weight of the mating connector is not taken upon the conductors when the mating connector is in the withdrawn position thereby avoiding resultant damage to the connection between connector and conductor. For this purpose, it is preferable for the connector holder to extend forwardly of the mating connector when in the mating position and is provided with control means for controlling 2Iifl428 the positions of signal conductors extending to the mating connector.
In one arrangement, the connector holder is pivotally connected to the frame to permit movement of the connector holder into and out of the withdrawn position.
For this purpose the connector holder may be pivotally connected to the frame by being mounted upon an elongate member which is slidable in the slot extending in a forward to rearward direction of the frame. Means to control 1o movement of the connector to ensure its straight line action may be provided by a coacting projection and projection receiving guide channel provided one upon the frame and the other upon the connector holder, the guide channel extending parallel to the slot to control the i5 connector holder movement towards the end of its travel into the mating position for the purpose of alignment of the terminals of the two connectors. Preferably, however, the means for ensuring straight line action of the mating connector for alignment purposes comprises cooperable 2o alignment elements provided upon the circuit pack connector and upon the mating connector. These alignment elements engage each other for terminal alignment before the connection between the terminals is actually made.
In another arrangement, the connector holder is 25 attached to the frame in some other fashion, e.g. by a flexible cable or linkage which relieves strain upon conductors extending to the mating connector.
It is also preferable that a latching means is provided and which is operable to detachably retain the 3o connector holder in the closed position. Conveniently, the etching means may be a cam latching means which is operable by caroming action to move the connector holder into its closed position and while the connectors are being interconnected. The cam latching means may also lever the 35 holder out of the closed position and into the open position.
2Ii~~~~
Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is an exploded isometric view of a combination of an electronic circuit pack mounted in a shelf and having an associated connector holder;
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the combination and shows the connector holder in a withdrawn position to allow for movement of the circuit pack into and out of a receiving station in the shelf;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing movement of the connector holder towards a closed position;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with parts removed to show a cam latching action during movement of the connector holder into the closed position;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the cam latching action with the connector holder in the closed position;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of part of the front 2o end of the circuit pack to show a cam used in the cam latching action;
Figure 7 is an isometric view taken from the front and showing the connector holder in the closed position;
Figure 8 is a front isometric view showing a plurality of electronic pack and mounting frame combinations according to a second embodiment;
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of one combination and showing the connector holder in a withdrawn position;
3o Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the connector holder as it is being moved into a closed position upon the circuit pack; and Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 and showing the connector holder in the fully closed position.
In a first embodiment as shown in Figure 1, in an electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination, the mounting frame comprises a shelf 10 for receiving _ 2~~.~428 electronic circuit packs 14 (one only being shown) through a front of the shelf into a plurality of side-by-side receiving stations 16 of the shelf. The shelf has a rear in which a back plane 12 is provided in conventional fashion. As shown in Figure 1 the circuit pack 14 comprises a connector 18 at its rear end for connection into a mating connector (not shown) in the back plane 12 in conventional manner. At the front end of the circuit pack 12 there is provided a forwardly facing connector 20 (Figures 2 and 3) having terminals (not shown).
The combination also comprises a connector holder 22 carry ing a mating connector 24 for mating with the connector 20 at the front end of the circuit pack. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the connector holder 22 provides a housing 23 of a width no greater than the width of the circuit pack 14, the housing enshrouding a part of the mating connector 24 and also enshrouding terminal end portions of signal conductors 26 which extend to the connector 24. The conductors 26 extend from a rear of the 2o frame and are held in position onto a flange 27 forming a top of the receiving station, the conductors then issuing from the front of the frame and passing into a guidance slot 28 in the housing 23 before continuing into the inside of the housing and to the terminals of the connector 24.
The connector holder 22 is attached to the frame at the top of the receiving station by a pin 30 slidably received for longitudinal front and rear movement of the shelf within a bracket 32 on the shelf. The forward end of the pin is received within the connector holder with the shaft of the 3o bolt passing through a slot 34 which extends from a rear to a top surface of the housing 23 (Figures 1, 2 and 7). This allows for movement of the connector holder in a front or rear direction of the shelf and also provides for a pivoting movement of the holder to allow for withdrawal of the connector holder to a withdrawn position (Figure 2) as will be described.
. , The connector holder is also movable into a closed position (see Figure 7) in which the mating connector 24 is connected to the connector 20 of the circuit pack 14.
Means is provided to control movement of the connector holder to ensure straight line action of the mating connector when connecting it to and disconnecting from the circuit pack connector. This means is provided by alignment elements provided upon the two connectors themselves. In this embodiment these alignment elements 1o are provided by alignment pins 36 disposed one at each end of the connector 24 and complementary pin receiving bores formed by extensions 38 of the connector 20 extending from end regions of the connector 20 rearwardly of the circuit pack 14.
In addition to this, the structure is provided with latching means which are operable during movement of the connector holder into the closed position upon a circuit pack. This latching means comprises a U-shaped latching arm 42 which straddles the housing 23 and the two 2o free ends of which are pivoted at positions 44 at each side of the housing. This provides a long outwardly extending lever 46 for manual operation. At each free end the latching arm is provided with a latch 48 which operates as a cam latch. As shown in greater detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6, together with Figure 1, the front end of the circuit pack is provided with a rectangular shroud 50 for receiving the rearward end of the connector holder 22 when this is moved into the closed position. The shroud 50 has on opposing inner surfaces 52, two recesses 54 which open 3o forwardly, each for receiving a latch 48. At a forward upper end of each recess 54 a latch retaining element 56 of tapering construction extends downwards. The rear facing surface 57 of the element 56 serves as a cam which cooperates with the latch 48. The latch 48 is so shaped that upon its rotation in an anticlockwise direction as shown in Figure 4 with it received within the recess 54, it engages the rear surface 57 of the projection 56 and, _ ~ ~~(~~~' during anticlockwise movement, effectively draws the connector holder 22 into its closed position to mate the two connectors.
In use, as may be seen from Figure 2, to insert the circuit pack, the connector holder 22 is moved about the pin 30 to a withdrawn position. The pack 14 is then inserted into its receiving station and once in position, the connector holder is pivoted downwardly to make a connection with the connector 20. Towards the end of the 1o movement from the withdrawn position towards the closed position, the connector holder is first approximately aligned manually with the circuit pack by insertion of the connector holder into the rectangular shroud 50. As the connector holder is urged towards the circuit pack, the alignment pins 36 become located within the bores of extensions 38 so as to align the two connectors 24, 20 accurately as rearward movement of the connector holder continues. With the lever 46 raised above the position shown in Figure 3, each latch 48 becomes inserted into its 2o recess 54 and then by downward movement of the lever is moved manually anticlockwise so that the latch 48 acts upon the cam surface 57 at the rear of the projection 56. This effectively draws the connector holder into the fully closed position in which the two connectors are mated together and the connector holder is held securely. In this position the latch member 42 extending vertically downwards from its pivot as shown in Figures 5 and 7. To remove the mating connector 22, it is simply necessary to rotate the lever 46 in a clockwise direction so as to lift 3o it from the Figure 7 position beyond the Figure 3 position to release the latch 48 from behind the projection 56. The connector holder 22 may then be drawn forwardly and returned to its withdrawn position shown in Figure 2 for circuit pack removal.
As may be seen from the above embodiment, the connector holder completely protects both the mating connector 24 and the connector 20 in the circuit pack during use. Further to this, the connector holder at least partially protects the mating connector when the connector holder is in the withdrawn position as shown in Figure 2.
Apart from this, as may be seen from the disclosure, the weight of the mating connector 24 is not supported by the signal conductors 26 when removed from the circuit pack so that the connection between the conductors and the mating connector does not suffer. Any damage is avoided by having both the mating connector and the conductors held securely 1o by the connector holder which holds them in their relative positions. One further advantage is that the provision of the connector holder 22 mounted upon the frame conveniently enables the conductors 26 to be positioned within the frame in such a way as to be led away from the front of the frame while being easily connected into the connector holder 22 and to the mating connector 24. This thus avoids the unsightly appearance of the conductors at the front of the frame together with any potential accidental damage.
In a second embodiment as shown in Figure 8, a 2o frame comprises a shelf 60 (shown only in part) in which are disposed a plurality of detachable electronic circuit packs 62 received in side-by-side receiving stations. Each circuit pack 62 in its receiving station is connected by a connector 64 into a back plane 66 in conventional manner.
Each circuit pack 62 is provided with its own connector holder 68 for carrying a mating connector 70 of a forward facing connector 72 passing forwardly from a front edge region of the pack 62.
The connector holder 68 is received in a closed 3o position in a lower front recess 74 of the circuit pack 62 and in this position a forward edge 76 of the connector holder lies substantially in alignment with a forward edge 78 of the circuit pack 62 which is also substantially coincident with the front edge 80 of the shelf as shown by chain-dotted outline in Figure 11. Hence, when in the closed position not only are the connectors 70 and 72 completely protected, but also the connector holder itself _ 9 ~~~.p4~~
is also protected from any activity taking place outwardly from the front of the shelf.
The connector holder 68 is pivotally connected to the shelf at a corner which lies at the lower front of the holder in the closed position, to an elongate member in the form of a pin 82 of rectangular cross-section. This pin is movable in a slot 84 in the shelf for longitudinal movement, i.e. in a forward and rearward direction of the shelf. The pin 82 is movable between the rear position 1o shown in Figure 11 within the shelf and a forward position shown in Figure 10 in which a projection 86 at a rear end of a flexible leg 88 of the pin engages within a corresponding projection receiving recess 90 in the structure of the shelf.
In use, to insert the circuit pack 62 into its receiving station, the connector holder 68 is moved into its withdrawn position. In this position the pin 82 is forwardly as shown in Figure 9 and the connector holder 68 extends downwardly away from the path of movement of the 2o circuit pack. Signal conductors 92 extend from the connector 70 through a guide channel 94 and laterally across the front of the shelf, as shown particularly in Figure 8, and thence along a side of the frame which forms the shelves. After insertion of the circuit pack 62 from its chain dotted position, through the full outline intermediate position in Figure 9, and into the final position in Figures 10 and 11, the connector holder is then pivoted upwards so that it moves into the recess 74 in the circuit pack through the position shown in Figure 10 and 3o into the Figure 11 position. As may be seen, upon reaching the position of Figure 10, the connector holder engages the bottom of the shelf and then is moved rearwardly by movement of the pin 82 towards its rearward position shown in Figure 11. This carries the connector holder into its closed position with no further pivotal movement and in doing so the connectors 70 and 72 become aligned so as to provide for the straight line action required for 21~~4~8 connection and disconnection of the two connectors. In fact, the connectors 70 and 72 may be similar in construction to the connectors 20 and 24 in the first embodiment whereby the means to control the straight line movement is in fact provided by these two connectors.
In the finished assembly, there is no tendency for the connector holder to move out from its closed position because of the interengagement of the two connectors 70 and 72. As discussed above, not only are the two connectors 1o protected from the outside environment but also the connector holder 68 itself is protected with only a front face showing from the front of the shelf. The connector holder also provides the advantages discussed above with regard to the first embodiment.
For removal of the circuit pack 62, the connector holder 68 is withdrawn by forward movement to disconnect the connectors 70 and 72 whereby it may then be pivoted downwardly to the position shown in Figure 9 out of the path of the forward movement of the circuit pack.
Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the combination and shows the connector holder in a withdrawn position to allow for movement of the circuit pack into and out of a receiving station in the shelf;
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing movement of the connector holder towards a closed position;
Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 with parts removed to show a cam latching action during movement of the connector holder into the closed position;
Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 showing the cam latching action with the connector holder in the closed position;
Figure 6 is an isometric view of part of the front 2o end of the circuit pack to show a cam used in the cam latching action;
Figure 7 is an isometric view taken from the front and showing the connector holder in the closed position;
Figure 8 is a front isometric view showing a plurality of electronic pack and mounting frame combinations according to a second embodiment;
Figure 9 is a side elevational view of one combination and showing the connector holder in a withdrawn position;
3o Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 9 showing the connector holder as it is being moved into a closed position upon the circuit pack; and Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 9 and showing the connector holder in the fully closed position.
In a first embodiment as shown in Figure 1, in an electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination, the mounting frame comprises a shelf 10 for receiving _ 2~~.~428 electronic circuit packs 14 (one only being shown) through a front of the shelf into a plurality of side-by-side receiving stations 16 of the shelf. The shelf has a rear in which a back plane 12 is provided in conventional fashion. As shown in Figure 1 the circuit pack 14 comprises a connector 18 at its rear end for connection into a mating connector (not shown) in the back plane 12 in conventional manner. At the front end of the circuit pack 12 there is provided a forwardly facing connector 20 (Figures 2 and 3) having terminals (not shown).
The combination also comprises a connector holder 22 carry ing a mating connector 24 for mating with the connector 20 at the front end of the circuit pack. As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the connector holder 22 provides a housing 23 of a width no greater than the width of the circuit pack 14, the housing enshrouding a part of the mating connector 24 and also enshrouding terminal end portions of signal conductors 26 which extend to the connector 24. The conductors 26 extend from a rear of the 2o frame and are held in position onto a flange 27 forming a top of the receiving station, the conductors then issuing from the front of the frame and passing into a guidance slot 28 in the housing 23 before continuing into the inside of the housing and to the terminals of the connector 24.
The connector holder 22 is attached to the frame at the top of the receiving station by a pin 30 slidably received for longitudinal front and rear movement of the shelf within a bracket 32 on the shelf. The forward end of the pin is received within the connector holder with the shaft of the 3o bolt passing through a slot 34 which extends from a rear to a top surface of the housing 23 (Figures 1, 2 and 7). This allows for movement of the connector holder in a front or rear direction of the shelf and also provides for a pivoting movement of the holder to allow for withdrawal of the connector holder to a withdrawn position (Figure 2) as will be described.
. , The connector holder is also movable into a closed position (see Figure 7) in which the mating connector 24 is connected to the connector 20 of the circuit pack 14.
Means is provided to control movement of the connector holder to ensure straight line action of the mating connector when connecting it to and disconnecting from the circuit pack connector. This means is provided by alignment elements provided upon the two connectors themselves. In this embodiment these alignment elements 1o are provided by alignment pins 36 disposed one at each end of the connector 24 and complementary pin receiving bores formed by extensions 38 of the connector 20 extending from end regions of the connector 20 rearwardly of the circuit pack 14.
In addition to this, the structure is provided with latching means which are operable during movement of the connector holder into the closed position upon a circuit pack. This latching means comprises a U-shaped latching arm 42 which straddles the housing 23 and the two 2o free ends of which are pivoted at positions 44 at each side of the housing. This provides a long outwardly extending lever 46 for manual operation. At each free end the latching arm is provided with a latch 48 which operates as a cam latch. As shown in greater detail in Figures 4, 5 and 6, together with Figure 1, the front end of the circuit pack is provided with a rectangular shroud 50 for receiving the rearward end of the connector holder 22 when this is moved into the closed position. The shroud 50 has on opposing inner surfaces 52, two recesses 54 which open 3o forwardly, each for receiving a latch 48. At a forward upper end of each recess 54 a latch retaining element 56 of tapering construction extends downwards. The rear facing surface 57 of the element 56 serves as a cam which cooperates with the latch 48. The latch 48 is so shaped that upon its rotation in an anticlockwise direction as shown in Figure 4 with it received within the recess 54, it engages the rear surface 57 of the projection 56 and, _ ~ ~~(~~~' during anticlockwise movement, effectively draws the connector holder 22 into its closed position to mate the two connectors.
In use, as may be seen from Figure 2, to insert the circuit pack, the connector holder 22 is moved about the pin 30 to a withdrawn position. The pack 14 is then inserted into its receiving station and once in position, the connector holder is pivoted downwardly to make a connection with the connector 20. Towards the end of the 1o movement from the withdrawn position towards the closed position, the connector holder is first approximately aligned manually with the circuit pack by insertion of the connector holder into the rectangular shroud 50. As the connector holder is urged towards the circuit pack, the alignment pins 36 become located within the bores of extensions 38 so as to align the two connectors 24, 20 accurately as rearward movement of the connector holder continues. With the lever 46 raised above the position shown in Figure 3, each latch 48 becomes inserted into its 2o recess 54 and then by downward movement of the lever is moved manually anticlockwise so that the latch 48 acts upon the cam surface 57 at the rear of the projection 56. This effectively draws the connector holder into the fully closed position in which the two connectors are mated together and the connector holder is held securely. In this position the latch member 42 extending vertically downwards from its pivot as shown in Figures 5 and 7. To remove the mating connector 22, it is simply necessary to rotate the lever 46 in a clockwise direction so as to lift 3o it from the Figure 7 position beyond the Figure 3 position to release the latch 48 from behind the projection 56. The connector holder 22 may then be drawn forwardly and returned to its withdrawn position shown in Figure 2 for circuit pack removal.
As may be seen from the above embodiment, the connector holder completely protects both the mating connector 24 and the connector 20 in the circuit pack during use. Further to this, the connector holder at least partially protects the mating connector when the connector holder is in the withdrawn position as shown in Figure 2.
Apart from this, as may be seen from the disclosure, the weight of the mating connector 24 is not supported by the signal conductors 26 when removed from the circuit pack so that the connection between the conductors and the mating connector does not suffer. Any damage is avoided by having both the mating connector and the conductors held securely 1o by the connector holder which holds them in their relative positions. One further advantage is that the provision of the connector holder 22 mounted upon the frame conveniently enables the conductors 26 to be positioned within the frame in such a way as to be led away from the front of the frame while being easily connected into the connector holder 22 and to the mating connector 24. This thus avoids the unsightly appearance of the conductors at the front of the frame together with any potential accidental damage.
In a second embodiment as shown in Figure 8, a 2o frame comprises a shelf 60 (shown only in part) in which are disposed a plurality of detachable electronic circuit packs 62 received in side-by-side receiving stations. Each circuit pack 62 in its receiving station is connected by a connector 64 into a back plane 66 in conventional manner.
Each circuit pack 62 is provided with its own connector holder 68 for carrying a mating connector 70 of a forward facing connector 72 passing forwardly from a front edge region of the pack 62.
The connector holder 68 is received in a closed 3o position in a lower front recess 74 of the circuit pack 62 and in this position a forward edge 76 of the connector holder lies substantially in alignment with a forward edge 78 of the circuit pack 62 which is also substantially coincident with the front edge 80 of the shelf as shown by chain-dotted outline in Figure 11. Hence, when in the closed position not only are the connectors 70 and 72 completely protected, but also the connector holder itself _ 9 ~~~.p4~~
is also protected from any activity taking place outwardly from the front of the shelf.
The connector holder 68 is pivotally connected to the shelf at a corner which lies at the lower front of the holder in the closed position, to an elongate member in the form of a pin 82 of rectangular cross-section. This pin is movable in a slot 84 in the shelf for longitudinal movement, i.e. in a forward and rearward direction of the shelf. The pin 82 is movable between the rear position 1o shown in Figure 11 within the shelf and a forward position shown in Figure 10 in which a projection 86 at a rear end of a flexible leg 88 of the pin engages within a corresponding projection receiving recess 90 in the structure of the shelf.
In use, to insert the circuit pack 62 into its receiving station, the connector holder 68 is moved into its withdrawn position. In this position the pin 82 is forwardly as shown in Figure 9 and the connector holder 68 extends downwardly away from the path of movement of the 2o circuit pack. Signal conductors 92 extend from the connector 70 through a guide channel 94 and laterally across the front of the shelf, as shown particularly in Figure 8, and thence along a side of the frame which forms the shelves. After insertion of the circuit pack 62 from its chain dotted position, through the full outline intermediate position in Figure 9, and into the final position in Figures 10 and 11, the connector holder is then pivoted upwards so that it moves into the recess 74 in the circuit pack through the position shown in Figure 10 and 3o into the Figure 11 position. As may be seen, upon reaching the position of Figure 10, the connector holder engages the bottom of the shelf and then is moved rearwardly by movement of the pin 82 towards its rearward position shown in Figure 11. This carries the connector holder into its closed position with no further pivotal movement and in doing so the connectors 70 and 72 become aligned so as to provide for the straight line action required for 21~~4~8 connection and disconnection of the two connectors. In fact, the connectors 70 and 72 may be similar in construction to the connectors 20 and 24 in the first embodiment whereby the means to control the straight line movement is in fact provided by these two connectors.
In the finished assembly, there is no tendency for the connector holder to move out from its closed position because of the interengagement of the two connectors 70 and 72. As discussed above, not only are the two connectors 1o protected from the outside environment but also the connector holder 68 itself is protected with only a front face showing from the front of the shelf. The connector holder also provides the advantages discussed above with regard to the first embodiment.
For removal of the circuit pack 62, the connector holder 68 is withdrawn by forward movement to disconnect the connectors 70 and 72 whereby it may then be pivoted downwardly to the position shown in Figure 9 out of the path of the forward movement of the circuit pack.
Claims (11)
1. An electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination comprising:
a circuit pack having a front end with at least one telecommunications connector located at the front end;
a mounting frame having a receiving station with an opening at a front of the frame for receiving the circuit pack into the front of the frame with the front end of the circuit pack at the front of the frame;
a mating connector for mating with the circuit pack connector, and a connector holder carrying the mating connector;
and means to control movement of the connector holder and to ensure straight line action of the mating connector when connecting it to and disconnecting it from the circuit pack connector;
the connector holder being pivotally mounted to the frame to permit movement of the connector holder between a closed position in which the mating connector is mated with the circuit pack connector when the circuit pack is in the receiving station, and a withdrawn position with the connectors disconnected from one another, the withdrawn position permitting freedom of movement of the circuit pack into and out from the receiving station.
a circuit pack having a front end with at least one telecommunications connector located at the front end;
a mounting frame having a receiving station with an opening at a front of the frame for receiving the circuit pack into the front of the frame with the front end of the circuit pack at the front of the frame;
a mating connector for mating with the circuit pack connector, and a connector holder carrying the mating connector;
and means to control movement of the connector holder and to ensure straight line action of the mating connector when connecting it to and disconnecting it from the circuit pack connector;
the connector holder being pivotally mounted to the frame to permit movement of the connector holder between a closed position in which the mating connector is mated with the circuit pack connector when the circuit pack is in the receiving station, and a withdrawn position with the connectors disconnected from one another, the withdrawn position permitting freedom of movement of the circuit pack into and out from the receiving station.
2. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the circuit pack connector and the mating connector have cooperable alignment elements to align terminals of the connectors before connection of the terminals, the alignment elements providing the means to ensure straight line action of the mating connector.
3. A combination according to claim 2 provided with latching means operable to retain the connector holder in the closed position.
4. A combination according to claim 3 wherein the latching means is a cam latching means operable to control movement of the connector holder into the closed position and during interconnection of the connectors.
5. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the connector holder extends forwardly of the mating connector when in the mating position and controls the positions of signal conductors extending to the mating connector.
6. A combination according to claim 4 wherein the cam latching means comprises a manually operable lever provided upon the connector holder, the lever having a latch having one end engageable with a cam surface at the front of the circuit pack to control movement of the connector holder into a closed position during pivoting of the lever in one direction, and in the closed position the mating connector is mated with the circuit pack connector when the circuit pack is in the receiving station.
7. A combination according to claim 6 wherein the front of the circuit pack provides a shroud for surrounding a part of the connector holder, the cam surface formed on an inside surface of the shroud, and the latch is locatable within the shroud to engage it with the cam surface.
8. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the connector holder is pivotally mounted to the frame by an elongate member slidably movable in a forward and rearward direction of the frame, the elongate member being in a forward position with the pivotal axis of the connecting member disposed forwardly of the front of the frame in the withdrawn position of the connector holder, and in a rearward position with the connector holder in the closed position.
9. A combination according to claim 8 wherein with the connector holder in the closed position, the circuit pack connector and the mating connector are disposed rearwardly of the front of the frame.
10. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the means to control movement of the connector holder to ensure straight line action of the mating connector comprises guide means to ensure straight line action of the connector holder relative to the frame.
11. A combination according to claim 1 wherein the connector holder is pivotally connected to the frame by a pin which is slidably mounted in a slot extending in a forward and rearward direction and the means to control straight line movement of the mating connector comprises a guide means comprising a coacting projection and projection receiving guide channel provided one upon the frame and the other upon the connector holder, the guide channel extending parallel to the slot to control the connector holder movement towards the end of its travel into the closed position.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002110428A CA2110428C (en) | 1993-12-01 | 1993-12-01 | Electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002110428A CA2110428C (en) | 1993-12-01 | 1993-12-01 | Electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2110428A1 CA2110428A1 (en) | 1995-06-02 |
| CA2110428C true CA2110428C (en) | 2000-02-15 |
Family
ID=4152557
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002110428A Expired - Fee Related CA2110428C (en) | 1993-12-01 | 1993-12-01 | Electronic circuit pack and mounting frame combination |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2110428C (en) |
-
1993
- 1993-12-01 CA CA002110428A patent/CA2110428C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2110428A1 (en) | 1995-06-02 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |