GB1190444A - Improvements in Racks for Accommodating Circuit Cards or Module Frames - Google Patents

Abstract

1,190,444. Rack mounted electrical equipment. VERO ELECTRONICS Ltd. 15 May, 1968 [15 May, 1967], No. 22451/67. Heading H1R. In a rack for accommodating circuit cards 10 or module frames grooved 9 guide members 8 extending between front and rear longitudinal members 6, 7 connecting end plates, Fig. 1 (not shown), are provided with tongues 13 which co-operate with corresponding grooves 13A in the members 6, 7. The assembly of the rack is effected by first attaching longitudinal members 6, 7 to one of the end plates 5 by screws. The guide members 8 can then be slid into engagement with corresponding grooves 13A in the members 6, 7 after which the other end plate is screwed into position. The guide members 8 may form an integral structure extending the length of the rack or they may be in single units, each being provided with one groove and being separated by spacers in grooves 13A. The rack may be constructed to have a greater depth from front to rear by including a pair of central longitudinal members attached to the end plates, Fig. 6 (not shown), so as to permit the fitting of two rows of guide members 8 extending end to end. In order to cover the top and bottom of the rack to exclude dust or provide electrical screening longitudinal grooves can be provided in the members 6, 7 into which cover-plates are slid. The printed circuit cards 10 are held in position by a member 30, Fig. 7, which fits into a corresponding groove 31 in the members 6 and is biased by a spring 32 to the position shown in which projection 33 on member 30 abuts a circuit card 10. When the member 30 is depressed and pivoted a card can be removed. A panel 35 carrying electrical equipment may be retained by recess 36 in member 30. The cards co-operate with edge connectors 11 which are retained in the rack by ears 17 which fit into recesses between flexible projections 14 at the rear of guide members 8 and by retaining strips 16. In an alternative arrangement shown at the top of Fig. 3 the projections 14 on members 8 are shorter and the strip 16 is replaced by a rigid bar 18A held in position by screws 27. In the arrangement of Fig. 8 (not shown), the ears of the edge connectors are attached by screws to a plate which covers the whole of the rear of the rack and is attached to the members 7 by nuts and screws similar to Fig. 3. The circuit cards 10 may be replaced by a drawer module unit, Fig. 9 (not shown), which carries at its inner end plug-type connectors which co-operate with a socket-type connector mounted on the rack.