Diagnostic device with display module and leveraged component connections

Abstract

The present invention provides an innovative means for efficient and secure component assembly and for ensuring secure electrical connections in a small diagnostics device where available space for fasteners is limited. In one embodiment, principles of leverage are employed to produce a force at a location where space is available. The force is transferred to a different location of the assembly where it is used to maintain secure connections between components.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A diagnostic device, comprising:
 a housing having an upper housing part and a lower housing part; 
 a display module mounted in the housing and comprising a fulcrum connected to the lower housing part; 
 a circuit board positioned between the display module and the lower housing part; and 
 a cantilever arm extending from a first section of the display module in a direction away from the fulcrum and away from a periphery of the display module, a contact portion of the cantilever arm being biased against the circuit board or the lower housing part; 
 wherein the bias of the cantilever arm produces a force that is transferred to a second section of the display module remote from the first section. 
 
     
     
       2. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener securing the display module to the housing, the fastener positioned remote from the second section of the display module. 
     
     
       3. The diagnostic device of  claim 2 , wherein the fastener comprises a pair of fasteners positioned near the first section of the display module. 
     
     
       4. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the lever arm comprises a pair of lever arms. 
     
     
       5. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises a first electrical connector and the circuit board comprises a second electrical connector, wherein the force produced by the lever arm biases the first connector and the second connector together. 
     
     
       6. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises a substantially planar display screen and the circuit board is positioned substantially parallel to the display screen. 
     
     
       7. The diagnostic device of  claim 6 , wherein the lever arm has a first portion that extends substantially parallel to the display screen, the contact portion extending toward the circuit board. 
     
     
       8. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the contact portion contacts the circuit board. 
     
     
       9. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein one of the upper housing part and the lever arm comprises a clip extending therefrom, the clip connecting the lever arm to the upper housing part and biasing the upper housing part closed. 
     
     
       10. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises an LCD display module. 
     
     
       11. The diagnostic device of  claim 1 , wherein the display module comprises a frame, the lever arm being integrally formed with the frame. 
     
     
       12. The diagnostic device of  claim 11 , wherein the frame comprises an opening through which a fastener extends. 
     
     
       13. The diagnostic device of  claim 11 , wherein the display module is slidably mountable in the frame. 
     
     
       14. A diagnostic device, comprising:
 a housing having an upper housing part and a lower housing part; 
 a display module mounted in the housing and having a first end and a first electrical connector remote from the first end; 
 a lever arm extending from the first end and producing a force remote from the first electrical connector; 
 a circuit board positioned between the display module and the lower housing part and having a second electrical connector connected to the first electrical connector; and 
 a fulcrum connected to the display module and located remote from the first end, wherein the force is transferred from the lever arm through the fulcrum to the first and second electrical connectors to bias the first and second electrical connectors together. 
 
     
     
       15. The diagnostic device of  claim 14 , wherein the lever arm has a contact portion biased against the circuit board. 
     
     
       16. The diagnostic device of  claim 15 , wherein the lever arm comprises a pair of lever arms. 
     
     
       17. The diagnostic device of  claim 14 , further comprising a fastener securing the display module to the housing, the fastener positioned near the first end. 
     
     
       18. A method of assembling a diagnostic device having upper and lower housing parts, a display module, and a circuit board, the method comprising:
 (a) inserting the circuit board into the lower housing part; 
 (b) placing the display module over the circuit board, such that a lever arm extending from a first section of the display module is biased against the circuit board or the lower housing part; 
 (c) fastening the circuit board to the lower housing part and thereby creating a fulcrum, wherein a force is transferred from the lever arm through the fulcrum to a second section of the display module that is remote from the first section, the force biasing the second section of the display module against the circuit board or the lower housing part; and 
 (d) securing the upper housing part to the lower housing part. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising fastening the upper housing part to the lever arm. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 18 , wherein substantially all movement of the circuit board and display module relative to the lower housing part during steps (a) and (b) is substantially in a single direction. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18 , wherein step (c) comprises inserting a fastener through a bore in the frame and into the lower housing part, the fastener being located remote from the second section of the display module. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising sliding a display assembly of the display module into a frame of the display module before step (b). 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 18 , further comprising using the force to bias an electrical connector of the display module to an electrical connector of the circuit board. 
     
     
       24. A diagnostic device, comprising:
 a housing having an upper housing part and a lower housing part;   a module mounted in the housing and connected at a connection point to the lower housing part;   a circuit board positioned between the module and the lower housing part; and   a lever arm configured to pivot about the connection point and having a first end extending from a first section of the module in a direction away from the connection point and away from a periphery of the module, the first end of the cantilever arm being biased against either the circuit board or the lower housing part such that the bias of the lever arm produces a force that is transferred to a second section of the module remote from the first section.    
     
     
       25. The diagnostic device of claim 24 wherein the module includes a first electrical connector and the circuit board includes a second electrical connector, such that the force produced by the biasing of the lever arm biases the first connector and the second connector together.  
     
     
       26. The diagnostic device of claim 24 wherein the module is substantially planar and the circuit board is positioned substantially parallel to the module.