IP Library Granted Patent US 12,484,206
Granted Patent B1
US 12,484,206 · App. 18/466,260 · Granted Nov 25, 2025

Removing a first board coupled to a second board

Inventor: Dave Mullert (Norton, MA)
H05K13/0491B25B27/04G06F1/184
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,484,206
App. No.
18/466,260
Granted
Nov 25, 2025
Kind
B1
Abstract

A method and apparatus for removing a first board from a second board.

Claims (42)

1 . A method of removing a first board coupled to a second board, the method

comprising:

positioning an apparatus, on the first board, the apparatus comprising a shaft having a first end and a second end and an external thread defined on a portion of the shaft, wherein the external thread spirals between at least a portion of the first end and the second end, wherein the apparatus is arranged to enable application of torque to turn the external thread, wherein

positioning the apparatus comprises positioning the first end of the shaft on the first board;

positioning the external thread defined on the portion of the shaft below the second board and between the first board and the second board; and

applying a rotational torque to the apparatus to create an upward force on the second board by the external thread defined on the portion of the shaft.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the positioning the apparatus comprises:

inserting a key portion extruding from the first end of the shaft in a hole defined in the first board, wherein the key portion fixes the apparatus across a horizontal plane of the first board.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus has a crossbar perpendicular to the shaft,

the method further comprising turning the crossbar to apply the rotational torque.

4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising inserting a portion of the apparatus into an insert portion of the first board.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising attaching a torque apparatus to the apparatus to apply the rotational torque.

6 . The method of claim 5 , where the torque apparatus is a ratchet.

7 . The method of claim 5 , where the torque apparatus is a screw driver.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the rotational torque is applied using a lever.

9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the rotational torque is applied using a drill.

10 . A method of removing a first circuit board connected to a second circuit board, the method comprising:

positioning an apparatus on a surface of the first circuit board, wherein the apparatus comprises:

a shaft having a first end and a second end; and

a ramped portion comprising:

a beginning portion at a first height from the first end; and

an end portion at a second height from the first end, wherein the second height is greater than the first height;

wherein positioning comprises positioning the first end of the shaft on the surface of the first circuit board;

positioning the beginning portion of the ramped portion of the apparatus beneath the second circuit board; and

rotating the apparatus from the beginning portion toward the end portion to contact the second circuit board and exert an upward force on the second circuit board.

11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

inserting an insert portion of the apparatus into an aperture defined in the first circuit board to fix the apparatus to the first circuit board.

12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein rotating the apparatus comprises applying a rotational torque to the apparatus.

13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising inserting a lever device into the apparatus, wherein the lever device applies the rotational torque.

14 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising separating the second circuit board and the first circuit board.

15 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising increasing a distance between the first circuit board and an end of the second circuit board proximate to the apparatus.

16 . A method of removing a first circuit board connected to a second circuit board, the method comprising:

rotating an apparatus positioned on a surface of the first circuit board, wherein the apparatus comprises a ramped portion;

contacting, by the ramped portion, the second circuit board; and

exerting, by the ramped portion, an upward force on the second circuit board.

17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the ramped portion comprises a first end at a first height and a second end at a second height greater than the first height.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

positioning the first end of the ramped portion beneath the second circuit board;

wherein rotating the apparatus comprises rotating from the first end toward the second end.

19 . The method of claim 18 , further comprising separating the second circuit board from the first circuit board.

20 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

inserting an insert portion of the apparatus into an aperture defined in the first circuit board to fix the apparatus to the first circuit board.

Continuity (2)
Division 16135755 · Sep 19, 2018
Provisional Application 62561094 · Sep 20, 2017
References Cited (5)
US 5152052A · Rantala · 1992 [cited by examiner]
US 6108901A · Kossor · 2000 [cited by examiner]
US 8522412B1 · Walker · 2013 [cited by examiner]
US 9782239B2 · Hansson · 2017 [cited by examiner]
US 20100156123A1 · Walker · 2010 [cited by applicant]