Abstract: An apparatus for inserting and/or removing a connector with a remote connector agent are disclosed. Embodiments may include a remote connector agent apparatus having a main body forming a connector cavity and one or more insertion snap pushers each having a lower surface. The insertion snap pushers may move outward during insertion of a connector into the connector cavity and move inward after insertion of the connector so that the snap pusher lower surfaces rest on a lip of the connector after insertion. Embodiments may also include a retraction holder ledge to support the lip of the inserted connector during retraction and a connector snap release actuator to pivot a snap of the inserted connector in response to a pulling force on the remote connector agent. The insertion snap pushers and the retraction holder ledge may have a float distance between them larger than the lip height.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever, which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Abstract: An apparatus to align and dock or undock a first electronic circuit board with a first connector with a second electronic circuit board with a second connector. The apparatus comprises a guide plate with a linkage to connect to a mounting plate. The first electronic circuit board is secured to the mounting plate. The guide plate is inserted into a chassis comprising a guide to receive the guide plate. The guide aligns the first connector to be received in the second connector. The linkage is actuated by displacing a positioning handle. The linkage translates the motion in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the positioning handle. The mounting plate is translated in the generally perpendicular direction, and the first connector is received into the second connector. The operation may be reversed to remove the first connector from the second connector.

Abstract: An apparatus and system are disclosed for cooling of heat producing components. The apparatus may include a mounting plate rigidly connected with a top surface of a circuit board, the mounting plate positioned above a heat producing circuit board component, and a heat sink having first and second ends. The heat sink is configured to interface with the mounting plate in order to provide a downward force on the heat producing circuit board component. The apparatus also includes at least one bellows device coupling a heat transfer tip with the first end of the heat sink, wherein the bellows device is configured to transfer the downward force from the mounting plate to a top surface of the heat producing component and maintain the heat transfer tip in compliance with the plane of the top surface of the heat producing component. The system includes a circuit board, a plurality of heat producing circuit board components, and the described apparatus.

Abstract: A low overhead hinge assembly comprising a stationary hinge plate and a rotating hinge plate. The stationary hinge plate having a stationary hinge plate body portion and a plurality of stationary hinge plate digits coupled to the stationary hinge plate body portion, each of the stationary hinge plate digits having an opening therein. The rotating hinge plate having a rotating hinge plate body portion and a plurality of pins coupled to the rotating hinge plate body portion, wherein the stationary hinge plate digits are configured to be engaged with the rotating hinge plate pins so that each of a plurality of the rotating hinge plate pins is inserted into an opening in one of the stationary hinge plate digits so as to pivotally couple the rotating hinge plate to the stationary hinge plate.

Abstract: An apparatus to align and dock or undock a first electronic circuit board with a first connector with a second electronic circuit board with a second connector. The apparatus comprises a guide plate with a linkage to connect to a mounting plate. The first electronic circuit board is secured to the mounting plate. The guide plate is inserted into a chassis comprising a guide to receive the guide plate. The guide aligns the first connector to be received in the second connector. The linkage is actuated by displacing a positioning handle. The linkage translates the motion in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the positioning handle. The mounting plate is translated in the generally perpendicular direction, and the first connector is received into the second connector. The operation may be reversed to remove the first connector from the second connector.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever, which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for securing a heat sink to a heat-generating device on a circuit board. The apparatus clamps onto the heating-generating device and the circuit board in a manner that avoids bending of the circuit board. The apparatus includes a retention module having a plurality of retention features that extend through openings in the circuit board disposed about the perimeter of the heat-generating device, such as a processor. The apparatus also includes a heat sink having a heat sink base for contacting the heat-generating device in order to dissipate heat produced by the device. The heat sink is selectively securable to the retention features of the retention module using levers, such as a wire module, having a spring clip to engage the retention features and clamp the heat sink and retention module together.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Abstract: An apparatus for latching, aligning, and connecting a first connector located in a chassis with a second connector on a cable. The invention comprises a plurality of trough segments coupled in series. The trough segments include a distal trough segment having a retainer for securing and axially orienting a cable connector, a proximal trough segment having a latch element selectively secureable to a guide passage, and one or more intermediate trough segments coupled between the distal trough segment and the proximal trough segment. Each individual trough segment is pivotally coupled to any adjacent trough segment to allow bending of the cable trough. The cable trough formed by the collective trough segments may be directed into the guide passage for coupling of the cable connector to an internal chassis connector and latching of the cable trough in position within the guide passage.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Abstract: An apparatus to align and dock or undock a first electronic circuit board with a first connector with a second electronic circuit board with a second connector. The apparatus comprises a guide plate with a linkage to connect to a mounting plate. The first electronic circuit board is secured to the mounting plate. The guide plate is inserted into a chassis comprising a guide to receive the guide plate. The guide aligns the first connector to be received in the second connector. The linkage is actuated by displacing a positioning handle. The linkage translates the motion in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of displacement of the positioning handle. The mounting plate is translated in the generally perpendicular direction, and the first connector is received into the second connector. The operation may be reversed to remove the first connector from the second connector.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for connecting and disconnecting daughter cards. A handle urges a locking member toward a base comprising a stop and a channel. The channel may direct the locking member to a specified position. The locking member biases the catch and the biased catch engages with the stop. The stop and the channel of the base secure the locking member to the base. In addition, the handle urges the locking member away from the base. The handle also urges an actuator to unbias the catch. The handle further disconnects the locking member from the base as the unbiased catch does not engage the stop.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multi-directional signaling interface connection of a printed circuit card within a computer chassis. In one embodiment, a blind swap cartridge carries a circuit card that includes a first signaling interface connector in the form of a PCI edge connector. The edge connector is movable via a pivot point on the cartridge in a substantially transverse direction with respect to an insertion direction of said blind swap cartridge. In accordance with the present invention, a second signaling interface connector, such as a SCSI connector, is rigidly affixed to the exterior of the blind swap cartridge. The second signaling interface connector is preferably disposed on the cartridge in an orientation such that its connection direction is substantially aligned with the blind swap cartridge insertion direction. A flexible interconnect member is preferably utilized to couple the second signaling interface connector to the circuit card.

Abstract: A printed circuit board is configured as a daughterboard to include at least one lever pivotable between open and closed positions. The lever applies leverage to a card guide structure to selectively urge the daughterboard into or out of engagement with a connector of a motherboard. A manually operable pivotable latch member is mounted on the daughterboard for selectively retaining the lever(s) in a closed position. The latch member may be spring biased so that it maintains the lever(s) in the closed position and returns to a latch position after being manually pivoted to release the lever(s). The lever(s) may be spring biased toward the open position. An optical switch may be provided on the daughterboard to sense whether the lever is in a closed position, and to responsively interrupt power and/or bus signals to the daughterboard when the lever is not sensed in the closed position.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multi-directional signaling interface connection of a printed circuit card within a computer chassis. In one embodiment, a blind swap cartridge carries a circuit card that includes a first signaling interface connector in the form of a PCI edge connector. The edge connector is movable via a pivot point on the cartridge in a substantially transverse direction with respect to an insertion direction of said blind swap cartridge. In accordance with the present invention, a second signaling interface connector, such as a SCSI connector, is rigidly affixed to the exterior of the blind swap cartridge. The second signaling interface connector is preferably disposed on the cartridge in an orientation such that its connection direction is substantially aligned with the blind swap cartridge insertion direction. A flexible interconnect member is preferably utilized to couple the second signaling interface connector to the circuit card.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for supporting an electronic device within a rack including a fixed rail, a sliding rail, and a latch. The sliding rail is adjustably receivable within the fixed rail. The latch maintains the relative positions of the sliding and fixed rails to define a length of the apparatus that accommodates a dimension of the rack. The fixed rail may be an L-shaped bracket including a plurality of locating points which interact with the latch to maintain the position of the fixed and sliding rails, a plurality of tabs suitable for receiving the sliding rail; and at least one mounting feature suitable for attaching to the rack. The sliding rail may include a mounting feature suitable for attaching to the rack, ribs that interact with the latch, and an attachment point. The latch typically includes a lever body and a tension member to which the attachment point attaches.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to mount devices to a rack is disclosed. Embodiments may comprise mounting hardware configured to adaptively accommodate attachment features of a rack to mount devices such as servers to the rack. A device attachment member may couple with the device, and some of these device attachment members may comprise a bent portion to facilitate coupling the device to vertical members of a rack. Many device attachment members may have in place of or in addition to the bent portion, a slide attachment member and rack attachment slidably coupled with the device attachment member to provide tool-less attachment of the device to the rack via pins. These rack attachments may also adaptively accommodate attachment features such as round openings, square openings, and/or threaded openings of a vertical member of the rack and may advantageously provide a threaded member to secure the device attachment member to vertical members.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to couple a bracket member with a receiver member is disclosed. Embodiments may couple bracket members with receiver members, such as brackets to rails of racks, via a flexible member. The flexible member may secure a bracket member to a receiver member by fastening the bracket member to a corresponding extension or tab of the receiver member. Some embodiments may load a second portion of the flexible member such that pressure applied to the second portion can transfer the load to a first portion of the flexible member to facilitate coupling the bracket member with or decoupling the bracket member from the receiver member. In many of these embodiments, the load may transfer as a waveform along the flexible member. Further embodiments provide a lever for the second portion of the flexible member to facilitate transferring a load to the first portion.

Abstract: An assembly for dissipating heat generated by electronic components, the assembly designed to include a computer chassis dimensioned to substantially enclose the electronic components. The assembly is further designed so that the chassis includes a panel having a substantially flat portion and a non-flat portion with the non-flat portion including a plurality of vent holes and having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of a flat portion with corresponding outer dimensions so as to permit an increase in the number of vent holes and improvement in the air flow within the computer chassis while at the same time maintaining the structural integrity of the computer chassis and minimizing electromagnetic interference resulting from the percentage of open area to closed area within the venting surface.