Leader board

Abstract

Methods and apparatus are provided in which a circuit board is mounted in a leader board via retaining elements that are coupled to a base, and wherein one or more support elements further support the circuit board.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A leader board comprising: 
 a base configured to cooperate with an actuating mechanism in a conveyor system;    a plurality of retaining elements coupled to the base and configured to at least temporarily retain a circuit board; and    a support element coupled to the base and located between at least two of the plurality of retaining elements.    
     
     
         2 . The leader board of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a top element and a bottom element.  
     
     
         3 . The leader board of  claim 2  wherein the top element comprises a lever and the bottom element comprises a fulcrum for the lever.  
     
     
         4 . The leader board of  claim 3  wherein the bottom element comprises a cutout that at least partially defines the fulcrum.  
     
     
         5 . The leader board of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the top element and the bottom element comprises an FR-4 glass epoxy layer.  
     
     
         6 . The leader board of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the retaining element is formed at least in part by the lever and the cutout, and wherein the retaining element further comprises a finger coupled to at least one of the top and bottom elements.  
     
     
         7 . The leader board of  claim 6  wherein the finger further comprises a metal point.  
     
     
         8 . The leader board of  claim 2  further comprising a separating layer between the top element and the bottom element.  
     
     
         9 . The leader board of  claim 8  wherein the separating layer comprises a prepreg.  
     
     
         10 . A chain comprising a plurality of leader boards according to  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the plurality of leader boards are movably coupled to each other.  
     
     
         11 . The chain of  claim 10  wherein at least part of the plurality of leader boards are configured in a roll.  
     
     
         12 . A leader board system comprising a leader board according to  claim 1 , wherein the leader board is further coupled to at least one of a printed wiring board and a printed circuit board.  
     
     
         13 . A method of retaining a circuit board, comprising: 
 providing a leader board comprising a base configured to cooperate with an actuating mechanism in a conveyor system, a plurality of retaining elements coupled to the base and configured to at least temporarily retain the circuit board, and a support element coupled to the base and located between the plurality of retaining elements; and    inserting the circuit board into at least some of the plurality of retaining elements such that the circuit board further contacts the support element.    
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the base comprises a top element and a bottom element, and wherein the top element comprises a lever and the bottom element comprises a fulcrum for the lever.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the bottom element further has a cutout that at least partially defines the fulcrum.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising providing a second leader board and inserting the circuit board into at least some of the plurality of retaining elements of the second leader board such that the circuit board further contacts the support element of the second leader board.