Quick Exchange Docking Connector

Abstract

A docking connector having a first frame portion comprising a first elongated bar and a side extending perpendicular from each end of the first portion, wherein the first elongated bar has a plurality of spaced grooves perpendicular to the first bar, each groove being configured to receive an end of a module spaced along its length and a second frame portion comprising a second elongated bar, the second having a groove along its length for receiving a plurality of modules. The second frame portion is removably secured to the first frame portion with a screw at each end to form a frame having two pairs of opposing sides with the spaced grooves on the first bar and the groove on the second elongated bar facing an interior of the frame.

Claims

1. A docking connector comprising: a first frame portion comprising: a first elongated bar having a first end, a second end, and a plurality of grooves perpendicular to and spaced along a length said first elongated bar, each said groove being configured to receive an end of a module spaced along the length of the first elongated bar; a first side bar extending from said first end of the first elongated bar perpendicular to said first elongated bar; and a second side bar extending from said second end of the first elongated bar perpendicular to said first elongated bar wherein said first and second side bars each have at an end away from said first elongated bar a first mounting member; and a second frame portion comprising a second elongated bar having a first end and a second end and a second mounting member at each of first and second ends, said second elongated bar having a plurality of grooves perpendicular to and spaced along a length said second elongated bar, each groove being configured to receive an end of said module connected to said first elongated bar; wherein said second frame portion is removably secured to said first frame portion by connecting said first mounting member of said first side bar to said second mounting member on said first end of said second elongated bar and connecting said first mounting member on said second side bar to said second mounting member on said second end of said second elongated bar to form a frame having two pairs of opposing sides with said spaced grooves on said first elongated bar and said grooves on said second elongated bar facing an interior of said frame.

2. A docking connector according to claim 1 wherein first mounting members are secured to said second mounting members with screws.

3. A docking connector according to claim 1 further comprising: a module having a first end in one of said grooves in said first elongated bar and a second end in said groove in said second elongated bar; and a retaining bar secured to said first elongated bar to hold said module in said groove in said first elongated bar.

4. A docking connector according to claim 3 wherein said retaining bar is secured to said first elongated bar with screws.

5. A docking connector according to claim 3 further comprising: a plurality of contact pins mounted in said module.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIGS. 1A-1D are perspective view of prior art docking connectors.

[0014] FIG. 2 is perspective assembly view of an interface system employing a secondary docking connector.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of PCB's in an enclosure or fixture having a secondary docking connector.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a quick exchange docking connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a quick exchange docking connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a module and PCB.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a partial close-up perspective view of a quick exchange docking connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a module. The bottom bar of the docking connector is transparent to provide a view of the module in the docking connector.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of a quick exchange docking connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a module. The top bar of the docking connector is transparent to provide a view of the module in the docking connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An application for a docking connector in accordance with the present invention may be referred to as a secondary docking connector. An example of such a system employing a secondary docking connector is shown in FIG. 3. The interface system 100 has a plurality of printed circuit boards (PCB's) 310 mounted in a fixture 300. The system has a standard interface comprising a receiver or receivers 210 mounted to test equipment (not shown) and a fixture or enclosure 300 having one or more interchangeable test adapters (ITA) 220 that each mate with the receiver 210. The test adapter 220 has a first plurality of modules 222 mounted in the test adapter 220, a plurality of PCB's 310 each having a first end connected to the first plurality of modules 222 and a secondary docking connector 380 having a second plurality of modules 350 connected to second ends of the plurality of PCB's. The modules 222 typically are each mounted to the test adapter frame with a screw at each end of the module. The enclosure or fixture 300 further has a cover 320 and supporting structure 330, 340.

[0021] In FIG. 2, one of the PCB's 310 is shown in a position in which it appears to have been pulled out through the front of the text adapter 220. With a conventional docking connector, however, even if the screws mounting the module 222 are removed and the module is removed the PCB 310 cannot be removed through the face of the test adapter 220 because movement of the second plurality of modules 350 in that direction is blocked by the secondary docking connector 380. The present invention solves this shortcoming by providing a quick exchange docking connector that allows the bottom bar of the docking connector to be quickly removed to allow the PCB's to slide directly out of the face of the test adapter 220. The term bottom bar here is used to refer to the side of the docking connector frame that is closest to the test adapter 220. The opposing side of the docking connector that is furthest form the test adapter 220 is referred to herein at the top bar.

[0022] A quick exchange docking connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 4-7. The quick exchange docking connector 400 has a top bar 412 having an elongated portion and a perpendicular side portion 413 extending from each end of the elongated portion. Each side portion 413 has a mounting member 416 adapted to engage with a mounting member on a second elongated bar 430. A removable bottom bar 420 is connected to the top bar 412 via screws 440 placed through thru-hole 442 in a mounting member 423 on the bottom bar 420 and thru-hole 418 in the top bar and secured in threaded holes 444. When connected the top bar and the bottom bar form a rectangular frame in which modules may be mounted. The elongated portion of the top bar 412 has on its side facing the interior of the docking connector frame has a plurality of horseshoe-shaped grooves 414 each for receiving an end of a module 350. The bottom bar 420 has a groove along is length facing the interior of the frame for receiving a second end of each module. Once modules are placed into the docking connector frame, a retaining bar 430 is secured to the top bar 412 to hold the modules 350 in place. The retaining bar 430 is secured to the top bar 412 via screws 450 placed through thru-holes 432 and into threaded holes 411. Contact pins (not shown) can be placed in the modules and patchcords (not shown) can be connected to the pins.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, to remove the PCB's through the front of the test adapter 220, the two screws 440 are removed from the docking connector thereby freeing the bottom bar 420 to be moved in Direction A away from the top bar and then in direction B to be removed altogether. If the screws securing the modules 222 o the test adapter 220 are removed (either before or after removing the bottom bar o the docking connector, once the bottom bar 420 is removed the PCB's can slide directly out of the front of the test adapter.

[0024] This quick exchange docking connector design provides for each removal of the PCB's from a fixture or enclosure for replacing, repairing, or otherwise servicing the PCB's.

[0025] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents. The entirety of each of the aforementioned documents is incorporated by reference herein.