Gasket retainer

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention generally relates to holding devices, and more particularly, to an improved holder or retainer for a gasket to more precisely and securely hold gaskets in place on a connector body to ensure proper alignment and insertion in a bezel or the like on an electronic, electrical, or fiber optic devices.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] It is well known that when connecting components of electronic, electrical or fiber optic devices together, conducting gaskets must be used to ensure a secure and tight seal, to form a proper conductive connection. Furthermore, it is well known to use non-conducting gaskets to fluidly seal together many other types of components so as to provide leak proof seals. Additionally, since gaskets have a tendency to lose their shape or to wear out during handling and usage, and it is expensive and time consuming to replace such gaskets. Therefore, there is a need for a fence or holding means to retain the shape of such gaskets and to aid in keeping them flush against connector bodies during compression.

[0005] Known devices for keeping gaskets in position during compression, such as in the coupling of conduits, or the like, usually include some type of compression fitting that forces the gasket inwardly as the conduits are being secured together. Such compression fittings usually include threaded portions and/or tapered portions on the inside of the conduits that force or urge the gasket against an inside diameter or wall when the conduits are screwed or otherwise secured together. Additionally, when fibre channel SFP transceivers are being connected flat washer-type devices are used to hold conductive gaskets in place.

[0006] The known compression fittings are useful in many situations and the flat washer-type devices are useful in some situations, however, they do not act to properly hold round or semi-circular conductive gaskets in a position flush against a connector body when securing components together in electronic, electrical or fiber optic devices, and particularly in the case of connecting fibre channel SFP transceivers, wherein the shielding effectiveness and the electromagnetic compatibility may be compromise if the gaskets bow or are otherwise pushed outwardly, away from the connector body.

[0007] Furthermore, known compression fittings use compressive forces that would over-stress or wear-out conducting gaskets or a conducting surface applied to such conducting gaskets. Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a holding or retaining device that is easy to use and which more accurately and securely holds or retains in place a conducting gasket used when connecting components of electronic, electrical or fiber optic devices, without unduly stressing or compressing such conducting gaskets.

[0008] Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket retainer. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket retainer for use with conducting gaskets. It is a further particular object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket retainer having a upstanding edge portions or fingers to more accurately align and hold a conducting gasket to a connector body when securing the connector body to a further component. It is a yet another particular object of the present invention to provide an improved gasket retainer having a stainless steel body with a plurality of recessed areas and a plurality of fingers formed extending from the body to keep a conducting gasket flush to a connector body when securing the connector body to a further component, such as in a bezel in an electronic, electrical or fiber optic device and to more precisely fill a gap or opening between the bezel and the connector body inserted therein so as to improve the shielding effectiveness.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gasket retainer comprising a substantially elongated body having upper and lower surfaces with a central open portion connecting the upper and lower surfaces so as to form an outer peripheral portion having two side edges and two end walls. An upstanding gasket retaining portion is formed on or secured to the two side edges for more securely holding or retaining a gasket in position. Each of the two end walls have at least one indentation or recess connected to the central open portion and adapted to be held on a connector body for holding the gasket retainer to the connector body.

[0010] The gasket retainer of the present invention is preferably used with a connector body having a plurality of holding and securing portions to accurately hold and support the gasket retainer and a round gasket in position on the connector body adjacent an open connecting end.

[0017] The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated by the inventors of carrying out their invention. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in the art, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein specifically to provide for an improved gasket retainer or holding device to be used in precisely aligning and securing gaskets to connector bodies. The gasket retainers of the present invention may be used to hold any gasket in position, but are particularly useful in holding conductive gaskets flush to a connector body for insertion into bezels on faceplates on electronic, electrical or fiber optic devices, such holding round or circular, silver coated EMI gaskets on 1×4 or 1×5 Molex SFP connector bodies (from Molex, Inc. of Lislie, Ill.) to fill in gaps on bezels held on components or devices to which the connector bodies are attached. By the use of the gasket retainers of the present invention, a surprising and substantial improvement in shielding effectiveness in fibre channel SFP transceiver electromagnetic compatibility is obtained.

[0018] A currently preferred embodiment of a gasket holder or retainer of the present invention for use on connector bodies is shown at 10 in the drawings. The holder or retainer 10 is placed on and secured in place on a first end 12 of a connector body 14 and held in position thereon by holding or securing elements 16 and tabs or portions 18, extending from opposed side walls of the connector body, to align the holder or retainer and a gasket 20 at the first end 12, adjacent to and around an opening or throat 22. The end 12 and throat 22 are adapted to be inserted in and electrically connected to a further opening, such as a bezel (not shown), on a further component of an electronic, electrical or fiber optic device.

[0019] As best shown in FIGS. 2–4, the holder or retainer 10 includes a substantially elongated body 24 having a central aperture, open portion or opening 26 extending between an upper surface 28 and a lower surface 30. An outer peripheral edge comprised of two parallel side portions 32, 34 and two end walls 36, 38, surrounds and encloses the central opening 26. A gasket retaining portion 40 comprised of a plurality of arms or fingers is attached to or formed integrally with each of the two parallel side portions 32, 34, along an outside edge. These gasket retaining portions 40 may take any desired form, such as the three fingers shown in the drawings extending upwardly, away from the top surface 28 of each side portion 32, 34. The three fingers 40, shown for purposes of illustration only and not by way of illustration, are evenly spaced apart along each side portion and face a complementary finger across from it on the opposite side portion, to securely hold or retain the gasket 20 in position, flush against opposed sides of the connector body 14. However, the number of fingers 40 on each side could range from 3 to 10 and in some instances could be replaced by an upstanding lip, strip or wall on each side portions 32, 34. The gasket retaining portions 40 may be formed substantially perpendicular to the side portions 32, 34, angled slightly away from the central opening 26, or may be outwardly curved, away from the central opening, so that they cup or support the rounded exterior of the gasket 20, without marking or marring the conductive coating on the gasket. Whether or not fingers or a single strip is used, as well as the number of fingers used on each side portion may vary, as needed, depending on the size of the connector body 14 and the gasket 20.

[0020] The connector body 14 includes a second or closed end 42, and may have a plurality of pins or the like 44 for insertion in openings or apertures formed in a board or plate 46 (see FIG. 5).

[0021] As is best shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5 the holding or securing elements 16 on end walls 48 of the connector body 14 include holding or locking portions 50 which fit or snap over the end walls 36, 38 of the holder or retainer 10. These holding or locking portions 50 are held in indentations or recesses 52 formed in the end walls 36, 38, facing away from the central opening 26, to cooperate with and hold the end walls and, therefore, the holder or retainer 10, in position against the tabs 18 on the opposed side walls at the open end 12 of the connector body 14 with the fingers 40 retaining the gasket 20, flush against the walls of the connector body.

[0022] In a currently preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder or retainer 10 and connector body 14 are made from a conductive metal, with the holder or retainer 10 being made from a stainless steel for strength and durability.

[0023] There has thus been described a gasket holder or retainer that is adapted to be mounted on a connector body. The gasket holder or retainer is adapted to hold a rounded conductive gasket in position, flush against the connector body, around an open end by means of gasket retaining portions, such as a plurality of holding fingers or opposed strips. The open end of the connector body and the gasket held in the retainer are accurately inserted in a bezel or the like on a further component so as to make a positive and enhanced connection between the connected components.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described preferred embodiments may be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than is specifically described herein.