IP Library Granted Patent US 11,051,436
Granted Patent B2
US 11,051,436 · App. 16/728,732 · Granted Jun 29, 2021

Modular printed circuit board separation tool

Inventors: George H. Daskalakis (Forest Grove, OR); Reed D. Vilhauer (Portland, OR)
Assignee: Intel Corporation
H05K13/0007B25B27/04H01R12/7023H05K2201/09063
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,051,436
App. No.
16/728,732
Granted
Jun 29, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Particular embodiments described herein provide for an electronic device that can be configured to enable a modular printed circuit board separation tool. The separation tool can include a main body and a plurality of separation blades that extend from the main body. Each of the plurality of separation blades can be tapered and configured to fit between connections of a testing housing and a power and signal supply housing and when pressure is applied to the main body, the separation blades slide between the connections of the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing and separate the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing.

Claims (28)

1. A separation tool for separating a testing housing from a power and signal supply housing, the separation tool comprising:

a main body, wherein the main body is modular and includes a plurality of blade segments and a plurality of blank segments; and

a plurality of separation blades that extend from the plurality of blade segments, wherein the separation blades are configured to fit between connections of the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing.

2. The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of separation blades are tapered.

3. The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of separation blades can be removed from the main body.

4. The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein the separation tool includes a second separate main body and a second plurality of separation blades that extend from the second separate main body.

5. The separation tool of claim 1 , wherein the connections of the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing include power supply blades coupled with power receiving slots.

6. A method comprising:

coupling a testing housing to a power and signal supply housing, wherein connections of the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing include power supply blades coupled with power receiving slots; and

separating the testing housing from the power and signal supply housing using a separation tool, wherein the separation tool includes:

a main body; and

a plurality of separation blades that extend from the main body, wherein the separation blades are configured to fit between the connections of the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the testing housing includes one or more testing components and the power and signal supply housing supplies power and signals to the testing components.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein each of the plurality of separation blades are tapered.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the plurality of separation blades can be removed from the main body.

10. The method of claim 6 , wherein the separation tool includes a second separate main body and a second plurality of separation blades that extend from the second separate main body.

11. The method of claim 6 , wherein the main body is modular and includes a plurality of blade segments and a plurality of blank segments.

12. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

recoupling the power and signal supply housing to a second testing housing.

13. A modular system for testing components, the modular system comprising:

a testing housing, wherein the testing housing includes one or more testing components;

a power and signal supply housing, wherein the power and signal supply housing is configured to couple to the testing housing and supply power and signals to the one or more testing components; and

a separation tool, wherein the separation tool is configured to separate the testing housing from the power and signal supply housing, wherein the separation tool includes:

a main body; and

a plurality of separation blades that extend from the main body, wherein the separation blades are configured to fit between connections of the testing housing and the power and signal supply housing, wherein the one or more testing components can be removed and replaced with a different testing component and the power and signal supply housing can be recoupled to a new testing housing with the different testing component.

14. The modular system for testing components of claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of separation blades are tapered.

15. The modular system for testing components of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of separation blades can be removed from the main body.

16. The modular system for testing components of claim 15 , wherein the main body is modular and includes a plurality of blade segments and a plurality of blank segments.

Assignments (3)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 12, 2025
From: ALTERA CORPORATION
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 073431/0309 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 19, 2024
From: INTEL CORPORATION
To: ALTERA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 066353/0886 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2019
From: DASKALAKIS, GEORGE H.; VILHAUER, REED D.
To: INTEL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 051378/0281 →