IP Library Granted Patent US 7,180,750
Granted Patent B2
US 7,180,750 · App. 11/227,135 · Granted Feb 20, 2007

Structure for preventing stacking connectors on boards from coming apart and electronic device

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,180,750
App. No.
11/227,135
Granted
Feb 20, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A structure is disclosed for preventing stacking connectors on a first and a second boards from coming apart that are fitted to each other. The first and second boards connected by said stacking connectors being fitted to each other are clamped by a clamping member. The clamping member is connected to surfaces on the first and second boards that connect to ground.

Claims (31)

1. A structure for preventing stacking connectors on a first and a second board from coming apart once they have been fitted to each other, each of said first and second boards having a first surface with a respective stacking connector positioned thereon and a second surface opposite said first surface, said stacking connector of said first board being fitted into said stacking connector of said second board, each of said second surfaces of said first and second boards having a first region that connects to ground, said structure comprising:

a clamping member for clamping said first and second boards, said clamping member being connected to said first regions of said second surfaces of said first and second boards that connect to ground; and

a stop member for deterring said clamping member from dropping;

wherein a gap of a predetermined width is provided between said stop member and said clamping member;

wherein said clamping member is composed of a resilient material in a U-shaped, said clamping member comprising an upper clamping portion, a lower clamping portion substantially parallel to said upper clamping portion, and a connecting portion connecting a first end of said upper clamping portion to a first end of said lower clamping portion;

wherein said upper clamping portion comprises a second end distal to the first end, said second end comprising a winged tip curving away from the lower clamping portion;

wherein said lower clamping portion comprises a second end distal to the first end, said second end comprising a winged tip curving away from the upper clamping portion; and,

wherein said upper clamping portion and lower clamping portion of the clamping member clamp the first and second boards together using a bias afforded by the resiliency of the resilient material.

2. The structure according to claim 1 , wherein said clamping member is a clip member made of a metal.

3. The structure according to claim 1 , wherein said stop member is held by a stationary frame member which retains a third board.

4. The structure according to claim 3 , wherein a particular gap of a particular predetermined width is provided between said frame member and said clamping member.

5. The structure according to claim 3 , further comprising a spacer member disposed between said stop member and said frame member and said clamping member.

6. An electronic device, comprising:

a first board having a first surface with a respective stacking connector positioned thereon and a second surface opposite said first surface, a first region of said second surface of said first board being connected to ground;

a second board having a first surface with a respective stacking connector positioned thereon and a second surface opposite said first surface, a first region of said second surface of said second board being connected to ground, said stacking connector of said first board being fitted into said stacking connector of said second board;

a clamping member for clamping said first board and said second board, said clamping member in contact with said first region of said second surface of said first board and in contact with said first region of said second surface of said second board; and

a frame having a stop member;

wherein said clamping member is a clip;

wherein said clip is U-shaped with an upper clamping portion in contact with said first region of said second surface of said first board, a lower clamping portion in contact with said first region of said second surface of said second board, and a connecting portion that connects said upper clamping portion and said lower clamping portion;

wherein said clip is composed of a resilient material and said upper clamping portion and said lower clamping portion of the clip clamp the first and second boards together using a bias afforded by the resiliency of said resilient material;

wherein the frame is positioned such that, if said clip slides toward said stop member, said connecting portion of said clip abuts against said stop member so that said clip is prevented from popping out; and

wherein said frame is further positioned such that a gap of a predetermined width is provided between said frame and said clip.

7. The electronic device according to claim 6 , wherein said second board is a board for a main body of the electronic device, and said first board is a flexible board for electrically connecting said second board with a board for a liquid crystal display device, said liquid crystal display device being pivotally mounted via a hinge structure.

8. The electronic device of claim 6 ,

wherein said clamping member prevents said stacking connector of said first board from coming apart from said stacking connector of said second board.

9. The electronic device of claim 6 , further comprising:

a deformable spacer member positioned between said frame and said clip.

10. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the clamping member comprises metal.

11. The electronic device of claim 6 , further comprising:

an antenna for performing radio communication.

12. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the electronic device is a foldable portable telephone.

Assignments (5)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE SECOND CONVEYING PARTY NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037209 FRAME: 0592. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Dec 14, 2015
From: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION; COMMIX SYSTEMS, LLC
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037279/0685 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Dec 4, 2015
From: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION; COMMIX SYSTEMS, LCC
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 037209/0592 →
NOTICE OF TERMINATION Recorded Nov 14, 2014
From: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 034244/0623 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 31, 2012
From: NEC CORPORATION
To: WARREN & LEWIS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 029216/0855 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 25, 2005
From: SHIMIZU, MASAHITO
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 016939/0931 →