West, R. L.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

I(1PLY 10 
A I I N  OF G p  
TO: 
FROM: 
SUBJECT: 
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20546 
USI/Scientific & Technical Information Division 
Attentions Mibe Winnie M. M o r g a n  
G P / O f f i c e  of AssistaQt General Counsel for  
Patent  Matters 
Announcement of NASA-Owned U. S. Patents  i n  STAR 
, 
I n  accordance w i t h  the procedures agreed upon by Code GP 
and C o d e  USI, the attached NASA-owned U. S. Patent  is being 
forwarded f.or abs t rac t ing  and announcement i n  NASA STAR. 
The follawing information is provided: 
U. S. Patent  No. 
Government or  
Corporate Employee 
Supplementary Corporate 
Source (if appl icable)  t 
NASA Patent  Case No. 
NOTE - If this paten t  covers an invention made by a corporate 
employee of a NASA Contractor,  the following is applicable: 
Pursuant to Sect ion 305(a) of the National Aeronautics and 
Space A c t ,  the  name o f  the  Administrator of NASA appears on 
the f i r s t  page of the patent:  however, the name of the ac tua l  
inventor (author) appears a t  the heading of Column No. 1 of 
the Specif icat ion,  follawing the words b with respect to  
Yes No 0 
Enclosure 
copy of Patent  oi ted abwi ,$ 
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https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19710019657 2020-03-17T03:10:30+00:00Z
United States Patent [Ill 3.583.744 
172) Inventors T. 0. Pahe 
Administrator of tbc National Aeronautics 
md Space Adminlstntioa witb respect to 
an invention of, 
Ronald L. west, Huntsvilk, Ma. 
(21 J Appl. No. 885,594 
$221 Filed k . 1 6 , 1 % 9  
[45] Patented juw8,1971 
[54] DEVICE FOR HANDLING PRINTED CIRCUIT 
CARDS 
9 Claims, 9 Draw9 Figs. 
[52] US.CI. ....................................................... 294115, 
29/278R, 8 1/3R, 339/17R 
[SI] 1at.CI. ........................................................ B65g 7/12 
[SO] Field of Search ............................................ 294/1, 16, 
IS. 27; 291270,278,283; 81/3 
f561 References Cited 
UNITED STATES PATENTS 
2,893,777 711959 O'Neill et al .................. 294113 
15 
2,976,510 3/1961 Blain ............................ 339/17LM 
3,178,214 4/1965 Tinkelenberg ............... 2941 1 5 
3,180,670 4/1965 Pryde ........................... 294/ 1 X 
3,181,906 5/1965 De Rose et al ................ 29/278X 
3,484,129 12/1969 Askren ......................... 294/ 1 5 
Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk 
Assistant Examiner-Alfred N. Goodman 
Attorneys-L. D. Wofford. Jr., W. H. Riggins and G. T. 
McCoy 
ABSTRACT: A device for removing printed circuit cards from 
a container, such as a computer control box, comprising a tool 
having an end mechanism for engaging an adapter provided 
on the end of each printed circuit card. The tool firmly inter- 
locks with the card adapter while simultaneously unlatching a 
spring loaded latch that secures the card in the container. Use 
of the tool permits removal, handling and replacement of 
printed circuit cards with the use of one hand. 
-I 5 
PATENTED JUN 8 1971 3,583,744 
SHEET 1 OF 3 
8 1  
87 95 
/ 
7 7 
L z 
FIG. 6 
91 
89 75 93 
77 
FIG. 7 
FIG. 8 
FIG. I 
INVENTOR 
RONALD L WEST 
SHEET 2 OF 3 
3; 5 83; 744 
FIG. 2 
L13 
"Y IIN 2 5  
A 25 
FIG. 3 
FIG. 4 FIG. 5 
INVENTOR 
RONALD L. WEST 
U * H . V b j p %  
ATTOR YS 
SHEET 3 OF 3 
3,583,744 
15- 
FIG. 9 
IN V E N  TOR 
RONALD L. WEST 
>+- 
3,583,744 
1 2 
Another object of the invention is to provide a device for 
handling printed circuit cards including moving the cards in 
and out o f a  container without the need for touching the cards 
with the hand. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a convenient 
and highly reliable means for the handling of printed circuit 
cards by an astronaut during extravehicular activity of a space 
flight* 
These and other objects of the invention will become ap- 
lo parent upon reference to the following specification, atten- 
EWCE FOR P AND^^^^ P INTED CIRCUIT CARDS 
ORIGIN OF THE lNVENTlON 
, The invention described herein was made in the per- 5 
fomance ofwork under a NASA contract and is subject to the 
of Section 304 of the National Aeronautics and 
Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-568 (72 Stat. 435; 42 
U.S.C. 2457). 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to handling devices and 
more particularly to a device for removing printed circuit 
cards from a FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a container for printed 
replacing said cards in the container. circuit cards such tis may be used in an electronic apparatus; 
Modern electronic equipment often incorporates cabinet- FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 
like 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing a printed circuit card positioned in the 
ranged one above the other and which slide in and out of the container; 
FIG. 3 is a crow-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 
tions. The frequent removal and replacement of printed cir- 2 showing an adapter installed on the end of the printed circuit 
cuit cards in the operation and maintenance of electronic card; 
equipment, such as computers, creates a need for a con- FIG. 4 is a side view of the principal frame element of the 
venient and efficient means for handling of these cards. It is card adapter shown i’ 
preferable that such a means eliminate any need for touching 25 Of the latch ‘Iement Of the card 
the cards with the hands to thus avoid contamination and adapter; 
possible damage to circuitry of the FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a handling tool for engag- 
cards. Moreover, for optimum convenience it is desirable that ing the card adapter; 
handling of the printed circuit require the use of only FIG. 7 is a view of the lower end of the handling tool taken 
one hand. It is anticipated that in future space flights of long 30 
duration astronauts ,,,ill be petforming various tasks, during FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the handling tool taken 
extravehicular activity, including the operation and inspection 
of electronic equipment. Therefore, a convenient and highly FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the handling tool inter- 
reliable device will be required for handling printed circuit 35 locked with the card adapter of a printed circuit card with the 
cards by astronauts. 
dant claims and drawing. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
such as a computer control box, and 15 
which hold numerous printed circuit cards 
for ofinspection, repair and control 20 
and 3; 
is a 
on the 
linb 7-7 Of 
line &8 OF 
card partially withdrawn from its container. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION DESCRlPTlON OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring to FIG. E, therein is shown a front elevational 
Cplit cards from a container, such 89 may & incotporated in a 40 view Of a container 11 that contains in drawerlike fashion a 
computer control unit, and replacing the cards in the con- plurality Of vertically aligned printed circuit cards 13. The 
tainer. The cards are typically slid in and out of the container, container may represent a comPrlent Par* of an electronic 
being guided and held by tracks that frictionatly engage the apparatus such a% a control Unit Of a computer system. Corner 
opposite side edges of the cards. According to the invention, . - frame ~ ~ ~ m b e r s  15 ofthe container 11 have vertically spaced 
The invention comprises a device for removing printed eir- 
the front end of each printed circuit card i; provided with an 
adapter secured to the end of the card. A handling tool for 
withdrawing the card from the container engages and inter- 
locks with the adapter while simultaneously releasing a latch 
that secures the card in the container. 
The tool comprises two rotatable interlocking elements in 
the form of cam blades that enter a slot in the card adapter 
and the rotation of the cam blades is accomplished by rotating 
a handle provided on the handling sooE. To withdraw a printed 
circuit card from the container the card adapter is engaged by 
the handiing tool and subsequently the handle of the tool is 
rotated whereupon the two cam blades enter the slot in the 
adapter. This establishes a firm interlocking between the han- 
dling tool and the adapter. After tfte card is withdrawn it may 
be replaced in the container by simply pushing the card into its 
place with the handling tool and rotating the tool handle to its 
original position thus permitting the latch of the card adapter 
to move to the latched position and releasing the interlock 
between the cam lobes and the cafd adapter. 
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention 
to provide a means for conveniently and reliably handling arti- 
cles with the use of one hand. 
A more specific object of the invention is to provide a 
device for removing printed circuit cards from a cohtainer and 
replacing the cards in the container. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool for en- 
gaging a printed circuit card slideably disposed in a container 
and simultaneously unlatching a card latch 50 that the card 
may be withdrawn from the container and held ruhd replaced 
in the container by the tool. 
45 slots 17 therein that receive the opposite side edges of the 
respective printed circuit cards 13. Slanted guide surfaces 19 
guide the printed circuit cards into the slots 17. As shown in 
FIG. 2, guide tracks 21 are attached to sidewalls 23 of the con- 
tainer 11 and frictionally engage the side edge portions of the 
printed circuit cards 13 50 that the cards are slid in and out of 
the container 11, being guided and stabiiized by the slots 17 
and the guide tracks 21. 
Referring particularly to FIGS. 3 and 3, each of the printed 
55 circuit cards 13 is equipped at its front end with a card adapter 
assembly 25 the putpose of which is to provide a means for 
latching the cards in the container 11 and to provide a portion 
that attaches to a card handling tool for unlatching the card 
and withdrawing it from the container and replacing it in the 
6o container. The card adapter 25 comprises an integral substan- 
tially cross-shaped member 27 extending along the end edge 
of the printed circuit cards 13, being joined to the cards 
through an attaching leg 29 fitted against the surface of the 
printed circuit card with rivets 38 extending through the card 
Also attached to the printed circuit cards 13 by rivets 31 are 
a pair of angle elements 33 that form with the cross-shaped 
member 27 a slot 35 that holds a sliding latch member 37. As 
ahown in FIG. 5, the latch member 37 has a centrally located 
70 longitudinal slot 39 that merges into a slightly wider slot 41. At 
the slotted end of the latch member 37 is an integral projec- 
tion 43 having a slanted surface 45. On the side of the latch 37 
opposite the projection 43 and on the opposite side of the slot 
39 is an integral projection 47. The function of the projections 
65 and the leg 29. 
75 43 and 47 will be explained hereinafter. 
3,583,744 
The attaching leg 29 of the ross-shaped member 27 has a is positioned over the outwa y projecting leg of the cross- 
slot 49 (FIG. 4) at one end thereof. A slot 51 is formed in the shaped member 27 of the card adapter, being fitted between 
central region of the front leg of the member 27. Extensions the extensions 53. When this is done the slot 51 in the leg of 
53 on the front leg of the member 27 form a recessed section the cross-shaped member 27 coincides with the recesses 89 in 
55 the purpose of which will be subsequently explained. As 5 the legs of the channel member 79. The handle 63 of the han- 
shown in FIG. 1, each of the cross-shaped members 27 has a dling tool is then rotated approximately 90' whereupon the 
further slot 57 through which extends the projection 43 of the cam blades 73 and 75 rotate 90" and extend through the slot 
latch member 37. 51 as shown in FIG. 9. 
As indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the latch 37 is assembled on Simultaneous with the rotation of the cam blades 73 and 75 
the cross-shaped member 27 with the attaching leg 29 of the l o  one of the cam blades engages the slanted surface 45 on the 
member 27 occupying the slot 39 of the latch and with the cam follower projection 43 of the latch 37 to retract the latch 
wider slot 41 coinciding lengthwise with the slot 49 in the and thereby release the printed circuit card for removal from 
crossmember 27. The space formed by these coinciding slots the container. Whether the cam blade 73 or 75 engages the 
is occupied by a spring 59 one end of which bears on the cam follower projection 43 depends on which way the han- 
closed end of the slot 41 and the other end of which bears on l 5  dling tool is turned when it engages the leg of the cross-shaped 
the closed end of the slot 49. Thus the latc 37 is slideable member. Since the cam blades and the channel member 79 
transversely of the container 11 and cards 3 and is spring are completely symmetrical it makes no difference which way 
loaded toward the right in FIG. 2. the channel member is applied to the card adapter. 
The projection 47 acts as a stop for the sliding motion of the While the card is removed from the container 11, it is ap- 
latch 37 toward the right by bearing on the end of one of the 2o parent that the card adapter i5 firmly interlocked with the han- 
angle elements 33 (FIG. 2). The integral projection 43 of the dling tool and the card may be maneuvered by the handling 
latch 37 projecting through the slot 99 provides a cam fol- tool as desired for the purposes required. It is also apparent 
lower portion by which the latch may be slid from the latched that the printed circuit card may be quickly and easily 
to unlatched position by a card handling tool in a manner to be 25 replaced in the container I1 with the handling tool by merely 
explained hereinafter. It is apparent from FIG. 2 that when the reversing the steps followed in removing the printed circuit 
latch 37 is spring biased to the right while the printed circuit card, When the printed circuit card has been replaced and the 
card is in place in the container 11 the end of the latch 37 is handle is turned counterclockwise the cam blades 73 and 75 
behind the corner member 15 of the container 11 and thus will rotate out of the slot 51 and the spring loaded latch 37 will 
locks the printed circuit card in the container. Movement of 30 extend and latch the card in the container. 
the latch leftward moves the end of the latch clear of the I claim: 
comer member 19 and permits withdrawal of the card from 1. A tool for engaging and handling an article bearing a pro- 
the container. jecting, slotted flange and bearing a latch for latching said arti- 
The tool for removing the printed circuit cards from the cle in a container comprising: 
container 111 and for handling the cards and replacing them in 35 a. a flange receiving element having a channel therein 
the container is illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9. The tool com- adapted for receiving the projecting flange of said article; 
prises a handle 63 welded to a vertical tube 65. The lower end b. an interlocking portion adapted to interlock with the pro- 
0 integral circular flange 67. jecting flange of said article rotatably mounted on said 
S 69 is a substantially square tool and disposed along said flange receiving element; 
P of interlocking elements in 40 c. said interlocking portion having a length exceeding the 
the form of cam blades 73 and 75. Each of the cam blades 73 width of said channel of said flange receiving element; 
and 75 comprises a camming surface 77. The cam blades and d. means for turning said interlocking portion either across 
the plate 71, as disclosed, comprise an integral element. The said channel or longitudinally of said channel; 
cam blades 93 and 75 are spaced apart as shown in FIGS. 7 e. said interlocking poetion being clear of said channel when 
and 8. said interlocking portion is turned longitudinally of said 
Disposed between the cam blades 73 and 75 is a longitu- channel. 
dinal channel member 79 that is welded to a vertical shaft 81 2. The invention as defined in claim B wherein said flange 
located within the tube 65 (FIG. ). The upper end of the receiving element has an elongated opening formed on both 
shaft 81 is pivotally connected to the handle 63 by a screw 83 5o sides of said channel, said openings adapted to correspond 
and an associated metal washer 85 positioned in a recess 87 in with the slot in the projecting flange carried by said article, 
the handle. A second washer 9 is provided and is made of a said interlocking portion being coplanar with said openings 
phenolic material, such as Teflon, to reduce friction during whereby said portion extends into said openings when turned 
rotation of the handle 63 relative to the washer 85. It is ap- transversely of said channel. 
parent that the cam blades 73 and 75 are rotatable relative to 3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said means 
the channel member 79 by rotating the handle 63. 55  for turning said interlocking portion comprises a handle hav- 
rally of the channel member 79 is a longitu- ing a tube projecting therefrom and extending to said flange 
in both legs of the channel member which receiving element, said tube being connected to said inter- 
recess is of a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the locking portion, said connection comprising a connecting por- 
cam blades 73. The length of the recesses 89 somewhat ex- 60 tion extending between said tube and said interlocking por- 
ceeds the length of the cam blades. The lower edges of the tion. 
channel legs on either side of the recesses 89 are provided 4. The invention as defined in claim 3 including a pair of 
with slanted surfaces 91 for guiding the channel member on said interlocking portions carried by said tool, one of said por- 
the portion 55 of the cross-shaped member 27 of the card tions being on each side of said flange receiving element, said 
adapter assembly 25 between the extensions 53. Applied to 65 interlocking portions being identical but oppositely directed. 
the lower surface of the plate 71 is a thin layer of friction 5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said tube is 
reducing material 93 which contacts the upper surface of the rotatable relative to said flange receiving element. 
channel member 79 for the purpose of reducing friction dur- 6. The invention as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said 
ing rotational motion between the channel member 79 and the interlocking portions has a cam surface on the edge thereof 
plate 71. 
The manner in which the card handling tool of FIGS. 6 7. The invention as defined in claim 6 wherein said tool is 
through 8 is used to remove the cards 13 from the container combined with said article, said interlocking portions extend- 
11 and replace the cards therein will be explained with ing transversely of said channel and of said slot in said flange 
reference to FIG. 9. To remove a printed circuit card 13 from of said article. said article having a latch engaging projection 
the container 81 the channel member 79 of the handling tool 75 adjacent said flange, said cam surface of one of said inter- 
45 
70 remote from said channel. 
3,583,744 
5 6 
locking portions slidably contacting said projection whereby 
said latch is actuated by turning of said interlocking portions. 
8. The invention a defined in claim 7 wherein said article 
comp~ses a 
and out of a container. 
9. The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said flange 
has a recess in the projecting edge thereof, said recess being of 
a length corresponding to the length of said flange receiving 
element, said flange receiving element fitting in said recess. circuit card, said card being slidable in 
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Device for handling printed circuit cards Patent

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