With Ejector Means Patents (Class 361/754)
  • Patent number: 6829150
    Abstract: An ejector latch indicator light assembly for reducing the interference by a bulkhead of light emitted from an indicator light is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of an ejector latch. The present embodiment is further comprised of an indicator light integrated with the ejector latch. The indicator light adapted to emit light from the ejector latch such that interference by the bulkhead of the light emitted from the indicator light is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Thane M. Larson
  • Patent number: 6819568
    Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a pivotable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes a slide member, actuator means, and spring means. The rotation of the actuator causes the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: Optical Communication Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Chi Hung Cao
  • Patent number: 6816388
    Abstract: An information handling system includes a chassis having a guide slot and a printed circuit board placed in guide slot of the chassis. The guide slot includes at least two opposing channels aligned adjacent the printed circuit board with a guide tab formed in one of the opposing channels. A daughter card electrically couples to the printed circuit board when placed in an attached position. The daughter card includes a first edge and a second edge that slides between the opposing channels of the guide slot such that the card aligns to couple to the printed circuit board. The card also includes a first detent formed in either the first edge or the second edge. The first detent releaseably interacts with the guide tab formed in the opposing channels such that the guide tab contacts the first detent when the card is placed in an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew T. Junkins, Brently L. Cooper
  • Patent number: 6813160
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a handle to insert and eject a circuit board and a signal-carrying conductor routing mechanism formed by the handle to group and route a plurality of signal-carrying conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Mahi Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce Lee, Jeffrey R. Lau, Randy Beck, Hong Li
  • Patent number: 6807067
    Abstract: A battery-locking mechanism for securing a battery (60) having an upper end in a portable electronic device (1) includes a plurality of spring members (50) which are received in a plurality of receptacles (28) defined by a plurality of partition walls. A battery-receiving compartment (24) is defined by an upper wall (242), a lower wall (246), and a bottom (248). A plurality of apertures (2422) is defined through the upper wall. Each receptacle is located adjacent to the upper wall and is in communication with the aperture. Each spring member includes a base portion (52) and an elastic portion (54). A free end of the elastic portion extends to the aperture. A tab protrudes from the upper end of the battery, extending into the aperture when the battery is arranged into the battery-receiving compartment, and the spring element then presses against the tab of the battery. The battery is thus secured in the battery-receiving compartment of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: YongHeng Zhou
  • Patent number: 6805574
    Abstract: A structure for the connection between a hub and its transceivers for installing a transceiver in a connection port of the hub is provided. The connection structure includes a fastener installed in a transceiver, a stopper installed in the hub for coupling with the fastener, and a releaser for separating the fastener and stopper. There is a button-style releaser with an applied end that reaches the front of the hub for separating the transceiver from the hub when the applied end is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lung-Hua Huang
  • Patent number: 6802117
    Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the insertion and extraction of a PC board into and from a card cage, comprising a mounting body, an engager, and an actuator. In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus has a ring-shaped mounting body having a clearance hole therethrough. The apparatus is slidably and rotatably mounted on a cylindrical rod through the clearance hole such that the apparatus is slidably rotatable along the length of the cylindrical rod. In operation, the engager is positioned in physical contact with the PC board in a notch in the board such that when a force is applied to the actuator, the engager is effected to urge the board to move in the direction of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Inventor: George Dalisay
  • Patent number: 6791843
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a first system component having a first connector and a second system component having a second connector. One of the first system component having the second system component pivots between a first position in which the first connector and the second connector are disconnected and a second position in which the first connector and the second connector are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert W. Dobbs, Stephan K. Barsun, Andrew H. Barr
  • Patent number: 6788529
    Abstract: A portable computer having an external bay with a multiport connector. The portable computer comprises a base coupled to a display module. The display module has a backcover with a bay area for receiving a variety of electronic device modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Steven S. Homer, Ronald E. DeLuga, Michele Bovio, Mark Ruch, Phillip Prestigomo
  • Patent number: 6781830
    Abstract: An electronics enclosure is provided. The enclosure includes a modular card cage adapted to receive one or more electronic circuit cards and a heat sink adapted to protrude through an opening of an enclosure and couple to the modular card cage. The modular card cage and the heat sink provide an isolated heat transfer path for heat, produced by each of the one or more electronic circuit cards, to be removed from the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: ADC DSL Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Barth, Charles G. Ham, Gene Tennis, Matthew Kusz, Chad J. Sjodin, Matthew Ferris, Cyle D. Petersen
  • Patent number: 6778408
    Abstract: A computer includes a main casing having an opening to accommodate a plurality of hardware components, a movable casing rotatably combined to the main casing to cover and uncover the opening of the main casing, and a stopper located on one of the main casing and the movable casing. The stopper rotates between a stop position, at which the stopper prevents the movable casing from closing the opening at a predetermined angle, and a withdrawal position at which the stopper allows the movable casing to close the opening. Thus, the movable casing rotatably combined to the main casing, is stopped from closing the opening of the main casing while a casing of the computer is opened to replace or repair hardware components, thereby preventing accidents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chang-hwan Yang
  • Patent number: 6771511
    Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a pivotable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage is provided. The actuator assembly includes a pivotable lever arm and a slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. Force is first applied to the actuator lever so that it pivots and rotates to a different position. Then, as force is applied to the pivoted actuator lever, the slide member slides rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2004
    Assignee: Optical Communication Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Hy Bui
  • Patent number: 6762941
    Abstract: A latching apparatus has a guide member, a circuit board attachment member which is configured to attach to a circuit board, and a control assembly. The control assembly is configured to (i) retain the circuit board attachment member within a retaining range of the guide member when the guide member is unlocked from a receptacle member, and (ii) un-restrict the circuit board attachment member such that the circuit board attachment member is movable outside of the retaining range of the guide member when the guide member is locked with the receptacle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Teradyne, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard F. Roth
  • Patent number: 6762940
    Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a slidable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator collar and slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. As force is exerted on the actuator collar, the actuator and slide member slide rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Optical Communications Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Zaremba
  • Patent number: 6754074
    Abstract: A server, or other electronic device, includes a handle mated with the server. The server slides into and mates with a chassis. The handle is formed to provide a central opening through which visual and physical access is provided to a portion of the server, and preferably a portion of the server on which user interactive components are provided. Such components may one or more include status indicators, one or more user activated controls and one or more connectors. The opening permits the user to see the status indicators, which may comprise LEDs, activate the controls and connect an external cable to the server. The handle also is mated to the server via a hinge and a locking mechanism. With the locking mechanism is disengaged, the handle pivots away from the server. The user can then grip and further pivot the handle and pull the server out of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Belgie B. McClelland, II, Scott R. Gant, Daniel T. Thompson, Erik R. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6735089
    Abstract: An ejector handle mounted to an electronic circuit card provides leverage to assist in engaging and disengaging the electronic circuit card from engagement with an electronic shelf. The ejector handle transmits light, such as by using light pipes, from an end of the handle adjacent to the faceplate of the electronic circuit card to a distal end of the handle where the transmitted light exits for viewing by maintenance personnel. A visual indicator assembly on the electronic circuit card supplies the sources of light that are coupled to and transmitted through the ejector handle. Indicia on the surface of the ejector handle identifies the corresponding function of the lights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Calvin Byers, Todd Keaffaber, Andrew F. Scott
  • Patent number: 6731510
    Abstract: A small form factor pluggable transceiver module (100) comprises an RJ connector (1), a printed circuit board assembly (2), an engaging clamp (3), a cage (4), a frame (5) and a latching mechanism (6). The RJ connector attaches to the printed circuit board assembly. The engaging clamp engages both with the RJ connector and the printed circuit board assembly to strengthen the connection between the RJ connector and the printed circuit board assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jenq-Yih Hwang, Wayne Huang, Eddy Wong, Hung Tieu
  • Publication number: 20040047128
    Abstract: A server, or other electronic device, includes a handle mated with the server. The server slides into and mates with a chassis. The handle is formed to provide a central opening through which visual and physical access is provided to a portion of the server, and preferably a portion of the server on which user interactive components are provided. Such components may one or more include status indicators, one or more user activated controls and one or more connectors. The opening permits the user to see the status indicators, which may comprise LEDs, activate the controls and connect an external cable to the server. The handle also is mated to the server via a hinge and a locking mechanism. With the locking mechanism is disengaged, the handle pivots away from the server. The user can then grip and further pivot the handle and pull the server out of the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Applicant: Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
    Inventors: Belgie B. McClelland, Scott R. Gant, Daniel T. Thompson, Erik R. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6700785
    Abstract: A computer system is described of the kind having a frame and a plurality of server unit subassemblies that are insertable into the frame. Each server unit subassembly has a chassis component which engages with a frame component on the frame. Heat can transfer from the chassis component to the frame component, but the server unit subassembly can still be moved out of the frame. In one embodiment, an air duct is located over a plurality of the frame components. Heat transfers from the frame components to air flowing through the duct. A modified capillary pumped loop is used to transfer heat from a processor of the server unit subassembly to thermal components on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Berry, David S. De Lorenzo, Stephen W. Montgomery, Barrett M. Faneuf
  • Patent number: 6693798
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an enclosure for mounting one or more electronic units to a substrate, such as a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, LP.
    Inventors: Kevin D. Conn, Daniel T. Thompson, Kelly K. Smith, Karl J. Dobler
  • Patent number: 6687134
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating and extracting printed circuit boards in a computer system. More specifically, a basket assembly is provided through which a number of printed circuit boards may be attached to a motherboard. A card divider and extractor assembly including a card divider and card extractor is coupled to the basket assembly between each of the printed circuit boards. The card dividers provide structural and electrical isolation between the printed circuit boards. The card extractors provide a mechanism whereby printed circuit boards can be easily removed from the system while the system is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Wade D. Vinson, Daniel T. Thompson, Paul E. Westphall
  • Patent number: 6680850
    Abstract: An electronics assembly comprises a frame (1) that contains a motherboard (8) and a plurality of daughterboards (10). The frame has an opening opposite the motherboard to allow insertion of the daughterboards into the frame or removal of the daughterboards from the frame. The frame also has an injector/ejector mechanism (16, 18) for each daughterboard that is located on the daughterboard or the frame and a flange (28) that extends adjacent to the opening and on which the injector/ejector mechanism of each daughterboard is attached or engages at different locations along the length thereof. The flange (28) is divided into separate sections (30) that correspond to the different locations to allow the flange to flex at any adjacent location during insertion of a daughterboard without the flexing affecting the position of any adjacent location of the flange with respect to the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Kevin Osborn, Sean Conor Wrycraft
  • Patent number: 6678165
    Abstract: Electronic equipment comprises a main body, a front panel and a recording medium receiving unit. The front panel is provided movably between an opened position and a closed position on a front side of the main body. A card-type recording medium is to be loaded or unloaded into or from the recording medium receiving unit. The recording medium receiving unit is concealed and inaccessible in case where the front panel is in the closed position. The recording medium receiving unit is displaced along with movement of the front panel so as to be exposed and accessible when the front panel moves from the closed position to the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Kawada, Katsushi Kawasaki, Ken Igarashi, Nobumitsu Kasahara
  • Patent number: 6671184
    Abstract: A handle having a handle body, a latching arm, and a pivot block is provided. The handle body has a release finger and a pivot leg. The latching arm is slideably secured to the handle body. The pivot block is connectable to a device having at least one movable component. The pivot block is also connected to a first portion of the pivot leg so as to allow the handle body to rotate in the pivot block about the first portion between a first position and a second position. The first position is a locked position and the second position is a latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Barringer, John C. Hilburn, Gregory H. Richardson, Harold M. Toffler
  • Patent number: 6661652
    Abstract: A disk system includes a disk cage having a spring and an interior wall that forms a disk drive chamber. The disk system also includes a disk drive removably coupled within the disk drive chamber. The spring in the disk cage preferably is coupled with the interior wall and extends into the disk drive chamber to form a receiving chamber. The spring contacts the disk drive to dampen disk drive vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Intergraph Hardware Technologies Company
    Inventors: Curtis W. Worden, Michael Enright
  • Patent number: 6646883
    Abstract: The invention relates to an insertion latch for an ejectable pull handle system for installation of electronic devices into rack mounted computer systems. In particular, the invention comprises an insertion latch that has a compression member and a tension member that are compressed and placed in tension respectively when a latching head of the insertion latch is displaced. The latching head moves to its rest or latched position by a combination of forces supplied by the compression member and attention member. The insertion latch also has a leaf spring mounted through a channel of a mounting portion of the insertion latch. The leaf spring contacts a force application surface on the ejectable pull handle and biases that ejectable pull handle toward an intermediate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Everett R. Salinas
  • Patent number: 6587348
    Abstract: A container case for a card type memory comprises a storage space having an inserting entrance for inserting the card type memory, a resilient engaging pawl provided inside of the storage space for engaging with the card type memory, a leaf spring for ejecting the card type memory out of the storage space by resilient power, and a rotation supporting projection provided inside of the storage space for rotating the card type memory at said rotation supporting projection in the storage space to be easily ejected from the storage space with a comfortable mechanical feeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kondo
  • Patent number: 6587350
    Abstract: An ejection mechanism for modular electronic elements is used for ejecting a modular electronic element housed in a housing chamber of an electronic device. The ejection mechanism is located in the housing chamber. By moving only one driving member, the latching relationship of the modular electronic element may be released and the modular electronic element may be ejected out of the housing chamber to facilitate replacement of various types of modular electronic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Jin Jen Lin, Sung Ming Song
  • Patent number: 6577507
    Abstract: A circuit board plug-in system includes a frame, a mother board mounted on the frame and including a mother board connector, and a circuit board including a circuit board connector capable of mating with the mother board connector. Guide rails are mounted on the frame, and each is formed with a channel for the insertion of the circuit board. An actuator moves, under the control of a plug-in controller, the circuit board inserted into the guide rails to thereby selectively connect or disconnect the circuit board connector to or from the mother board connector. The actuator is arranged partly on the circuit board and partly on the guide rails. The plug-in controller is mounted on the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kentaro Yamaguchi, Hiroshi Suzuki, Makoto Kabe
  • Patent number: 6556436
    Abstract: An information processing system having a function extending apparatus including at least one first connector provided on a surface of the function extending apparatus for mounting the information processing device, and connected with at least one corresponding second connector provided on a lower surface of the information processing device, when the information processing device is mounted on the function extending apparatus. The function extending apparatus includes a pushing member moved in an upper direction so as to push the information processing device up from the function extending apparatus, a rotatable operation member, and a push-up mechanism which moves the pushing member in the upper direction, when the operation member is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Masuo Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 6556450
    Abstract: A docking mechanism for releasably interconnecting an electronics subassembly and a game interface board in a gaming machine. The electronics subassembly includes a housing enclosing a gaming control board. The docking mechanism includes an operating lever which is moveable between a docked position and an undocked position. Two latches are rotatably mounted to the operating lever and engage or disengage the electronics subassembly from the game interface board when the operating lever is moved from the docked or undocked positions, respectively. An optional housing door may be locked to prevent unauthorized access to the gaming control board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: WMS Gaming Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Rasmussen, Gregory J. Tastad, Norman R. Wurz, Derek S. Curran
  • Patent number: 6556449
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a network chassis having a system backplane board, a subassembly backplane board, and at least one connector disposed on each of the system backplane board and subassembly backplane board for electrically connecting the system backplane board to the subassembly backplane board. The chassis includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably coupling the system backplane board to the chassis and defining a path of rotation therefor, and an ejection mechanism mounted to the system backplane board to unseat the connector of the system backplane board from the connector of the subassembly backplane board. The ejection mechanism selectively exerts a force against the chassis that is directed linearly outwardly from and perpendicularly to the system backplane board. The ejection mechanism further comprises a fastener for releasably engaging the system backplane board to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brandon A Rubenstein, Wallace K Johnson, Bradley E. Clements
  • Patent number: 6538897
    Abstract: A USB removable mechanism is built into a recess in a computer. The recess is sized to conform to a 3.5-inch floppy disk drive. An electronic device for I/O control or analog/digital conversion is detachably mounted in the mechanism. The electronic device comprises two rear USB connectors coupled to and secured to rear USB sockets in the recess for signal communication. A number of advantages are obtained such as easy assembly of one of a variety of electronic devices in the recess, easy replacement of the mounted electronic device, Plug and Play, portable, modular, mountable in an existing 3.5-inch floppy disk drive compartment of the computer without modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: Aaeon Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Yung-Shun Chuang
  • Patent number: 6529383
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided for the insertion and removal of printed circuit cards from a printed circuit board. The cartridges are self-contained and employ board level guides for establishing a position from which the force of card insertion can be withstood. The cartridges include an external actuating lever which also preferably operates a portion of an EMI shield system which is integrated with the circuit board. The cartridge tops also interlock to provide additional overall structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Barringer, Edward J. Seminaro, Harold M. Toffler
  • Patent number: 6519160
    Abstract: A latch is controlled to latch and unlatch a device by using a portion of the insertion and extraction movement of the device being latched. The latch incorporates a pair of tongs. The ends or latching extensions of the tongs are positionable behind a latch bar, preventing the extraction of the latched device. The tongs are positioned under the control of an actuator or latch control member which is moved to latch or unlatch the latch. The actuator member is pushed into the host device once the device being latched is positioned in the desired position. The tongs respond to the pushing of the actuator member by spreading the input ends under the influence of connecting input links moreover, the latching extensions are pivoted toward each other, positioning the latching extensions in a latched position. The latch extensions are spread to release the latch and the latched device by pulling the actuator member, pulling the input links as well as the input ends of the tongs, and thereby pivoting the tongs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Branch, David P. Gaio, Michael F. Hanley, William K. Hogan
  • Publication number: 20030026080
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a network chassis having a system backplane board, a subassembly backplane board, and at least one connector disposed on each of the system backplane board and subassembly backplane board for electrically connecting the system backplane board to the subassembly backplane board. The chassis includes a mounting mechanism for rotatably coupling the system backplane board to the chassis and defining a path of rotation therefor, and an ejection mechanism mounted to the system backplane board to unseat the connector of the system backplane board from the connector of the subassembly backplane board. The ejection mechanism selectively exerts a force against the chassis that is directed linearly outwardly from and perpendicularly to the system backplane board. The ejection mechanism further comprises a fastener for releasably engaging the system backplane board to the chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Brandon A. Rubenstein, Wallace K. Johnson, Bradley E. Clements
  • Patent number: 6498729
    Abstract: A computing device with an expansion module that may be removed and replaced in an expansion slot is disclosed. The computing device includes computer circuitry to which the expansion module may be electrically connected by means of electrical connectors. The expansion module is coupled to a removable portion of the housing so that when said portion is swung open with assistance of mechanical force, the expansion module is simultaneously disengaged from the computer circuitry. Thereafter, the expansion module can be further removed from said portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Foo Luen Wong, Ting Yeow Hoong
  • Patent number: 6496379
    Abstract: A PC board ejector assembly is provided for disengaging a first PC board from a second PC board in a computer chassis. The PC boards each includes at least one connector for connecting the first PC board to the second PC board. The chassis includes a divider wall. The PC board ejector assembly includes a mounting bracket positioned on at least one of the first and the second PC boards, and a disengagement member coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is positioned on the PC board such that movement of the disengagement member engages the member against the divider wall to disengage the PC board connectors from one another and permit removal of at least one of the PC boards. A method for disengaging a PC board including a PC board ejector assembly from a chassis is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems
    Inventors: Yvetta D. Pols Sandhu, Robert S. Antonuccio
  • Patent number: 6496385
    Abstract: A printed circuit card carrier permits exchange of a card during continuous operation of electronic equipment, and thus without the need to remove an upper part of the enclosure to gain access to the card for upward removal from a motherboard connector. The carrier includes a movable printed circuit card holder that slides along the carrier, perpendicularly towards and away from the motherboard. An actuator accessible from outside the equipment and the holder are coupled together such that motion of the actuator is directed into perpendicular sliding motion of the holder. This either removes the printed circuit card from the motherboard connector or installs it into connector, depending on the direction of motion of the actuator. The carrier is particularly adapted for cards meeting the PCI standard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Silicon Graphics, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen D. Smithson, Bruce Garrett, Roger Ramseier, Steve J. Dean, Paul Wiley
  • Patent number: 6493236
    Abstract: An electronic equipment enclosure has a lower housing part and a main board fixed relative thereto. A main board connector is fixed to the main board and faces the lower housing part. A sub board is inserted to a temporary attachment position within the lower housing part and faces the main board at the temporary attachment position. A sub board connector is fixed relative to the sub board and mates and connects with the main board connector. A guide rail is movable freely between a lower position and an upper position within the lower housing part. At the lower position the guide rail guides the sub board toward the temporary attachment position. By the guide rail moving from the lower position to the upper position, the sub board is caused to move from the temporary attachment position to the fully attached position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Momiyama, Takao Mokutani
  • Patent number: 6473299
    Abstract: A disk system includes a disk cage having a spring and an interior wall that forms a disk drive chamber. The disk system also includes a disk drive removably coupled within the disk drive chamber. The spring in the disk cage preferably is coupled with the interior wall and extends into the disk drive chamber to form a receiving chamber. The spring contacts the disk drive to dampen disk drive vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Intergraph Corporation
    Inventors: Curtis W. Worden, Michael Enright
  • Publication number: 20020122303
    Abstract: A PC board ejector assembly is provided for disengaging a first PC board from a second PC board in a computer chassis. The PC boards each includes at least one connector for connecting the first PC board to the second PC board. The chassis includes a divider wall. The PC board ejector assembly includes a mounting bracket positioned on at least one of the first and the second PC boards, and a disengagement member coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is positioned on the PC board such that movement of the disengagement member engages the member against the divider wall to disengage the PC board connectors from one another and permit removal of at least one of the PC boards. A method for disengaging a PC board including a PC board ejector assembly from a chassis is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Publication date: September 5, 2002
    Inventors: Yvetta D. Pols Sandhu, Robert S. Antonuccio
  • Patent number: 6445572
    Abstract: A card insertable keypad includes a housing and a card inserting mechanism installed within the housing. When a memory card is inserted by the card inserting mechanism into the keypad, the data in the memory card can be sent to a computer for processing or data in the computer can be stored in the memory card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Shin-Jiuh Corporation
    Inventor: Chin-Wen Chou
  • Patent number: 6445579
    Abstract: A removable internal peripheral unit includes an externally exposed cover which is translatable, self-actuating, rotatable and self-centering. The cover serves as a handle for removing and installing the peripheral device. The cover is unsnapped and translated by the operator. It then self-actuates into a rotatable position. As the operator continues to pull on the cover, the cover rotates into a position from which the operator has improved leverage for disconnecting and removing the peripheral device. During installation, the cover moves within a defined track which self centers the cover relative to the internal compartment opening, fitting the cover to the surrounding computer case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Charles W Singleton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6442034
    Abstract: In this front face of an electronics card designed to be inserted into a housing through an opening, at least one of the edges of which opening is provided with a notched bar, that portion of said front face which is to be disposed in the vicinity of said bar is provided with at least one abutment surface for abutting against a drive member engaged through the notch when inserting said card into the housing or when extracting it therefrom. The method consists in inserting a drive member through one of the notches in said bar, in causing said member to bear against an abutment surface, and in exerting a pivot force on said drive member to pivot it about the zone via which it bears against an edge of the notch, so that a force is transmitted to the front face, at the abutment surface, in a direction corresponding to inserting the card or to extracting the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Christian Ruque
  • Patent number: 6434015
    Abstract: An SFP module includes a housing (1) and an ejector (70). An ejector seat (111) is formed in the housing for receiving the ejector. A triangular latch (114) is formed on the housing behind the ejector seat. The ejector includes a push bar (79) exposed forward of a front end (17) of the housing, and a tongue board (74). Two ejecting protrusions (741) are formed at a rear end of the tongue board, corresponding to a spring tab (611) of an SFP cage (6). The spring tab defines a retaining hole (613) for retaining the latch of the housing. When the SFP module is withdrawn from the cage, the push bar is pressed until the protrusions of the ejector have released the spring tab from the latch of the housing. The SFP module is then ejected from the cage by conventional spring means located in a rear of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeng-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 6430053
    Abstract: A pluggable transceiver module having a housing with a first side and a face perpendicular to the first side, and a tab extending beyond the surface of the first side, and the tab sized to mate with a slot in a receptacle of a host device for receiving the pluggable transceiver module housing, an elongated member slidably mounted to the first side of the housing and having an internal end and an external end, a wedge on the internal end of the elongated member, wherein sliding the elongated member inward causes the wedge to slide between the tab and the slot on the receptacle and remove the tab from within the slot, thereby releasing the pluggable transceiver module from the receptacle, and a lever rotatably mounted via an axle proximate the face of the pluggable transceiver module, said axle being connected to the external end of the elongated member such that rotating the lever away from the face of the pluggable transceiver cause the rotating axle to push the elongated member inward and drive the wedge bet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Stratos Lightwave
    Inventors: Bruce A. Peterson, Raul Medina, Frank J. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6406312
    Abstract: A removable apparatus for carrying a circuit board includes a carrying plate having a notch to receive a stationary pin of an enclosure and a faceplate connected to one end of the carrying plate. A rotating cam connects to the carrying plate and acts on the pin to move the apparatus relative to the pin during insertion into and removal from the enclosure. The cam includes two different surfaces, each of which acts to move the apparatus either into or out of the enclosure. A linkage is connected to the cam and extends through the faceplate, connecting to a lever on the exterior of the faceplate. The lever is used to rotate the cam, which in conjunction with the pin provides translational motion either to mate a connector on the circuit board with a corresponding connector in the enclosure or to separate the mated connectors, depending on the direction of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Ross Suydam Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 6396704
    Abstract: An ejector latch mechanism is used to detachably mount a printed circuit board in a bus on the chassis of an active system. The ejector latch mechanism includes a switch component proximate an edge of the printed circuit board, and a latch pin mounted on the printed circuit board in a position that is removed from the corner and proximate the edge. A pivotable latch body is hingedly mounted to the printed circuit board for selective movement into open and closed positions. A hook is pivotally mounted to the latch body for selective engagement against the latch pin when the latch body is in the closed position. A signal provided by the switch component is used to notify the active system of pivotal movement in the latch body so that the active system can save electronic states of the printed circuit board and implement a graceful shutdown as appropriate for replacement of the printed circuit board without disruption of other system operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Joseph M White
  • Patent number: 6396703
    Abstract: A ejection mechanism is provided for disengaging a riser card from a backplane board of a computer system. The mechanism includes an elongate lever having an upper manipulation region, a lower abutting region and a pivot point located between the upper and lower regions. The elongate lever is mounted on a riser card at the pivot and generally extends downward a sufficient distance as to contact the backplane board upon rotation of the lever, and extends upward a sufficient distance to create sufficient leverage for disengaging the riser card. The lever is configured to have a more narrow cross-section at the lower abutting region to facilitate movement of the lower region along the backplane board towards the riser card. To operate the ejection mechanism, the user will apply a pulling force to the upper manipulation arm in a direction away from the riser card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Joseph M White