Plug-in Carrier Or Adapter For Removable Component (e.g., "hard Drive" For Computer) Patents (Class 439/928.1)
  • Patent number: 9013306
    Abstract: A security device for securing an item, the security device comprising a housing configured to house a circuit board comprising electronics configured to send a telecommunication signal to a receiver when the electronics is activated; a cable configured to establish a conductive path with the circuit board when the housing is closed, thereby activating the electronics; a lock assembly configured to be activated when the housing is closed; and a cover configured to close the housing, the cover having a first pin configured to engage a first end of the cable to prevent removal of a first end of the cable from the housing when housing is closed, and the cover having a second pin configured to activate the lock assembly to prevent removal of a second end of the cable from the housing when the housing is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Racer Technology Pte Ltd
    Inventors: Kee Joo Willy Koh, Chee Kean Lim, Kia Boon Chew
  • Patent number: 8920190
    Abstract: An electronic device movable in an insertion direction into a supporting member, in a state of being stacked on another electronic device, includes a first connector urged in a direction same as a removal direction in which the electronic device is removed from the supporting member, a housing that includes a connector housing and a guide for moving the first connector in the insertion direction or the removal direction, a second connector disposed at a position connectable to the first connector of the another electronic device, a holding member that causes the first connector to switch between a protruded and a retreated states with respect to the connector housing, and a guide rail that changes a position of the first connector in a placing direction in accordance with a position of the first connector in the insertion direction and the removal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Katsuhisa Katano
  • Patent number: 8821173
    Abstract: A docking station for a portable computer or other portable computing device. The docking station having a docking tray formed of a tray body formed with a bearing surface that is adapted for receiving thereon a body portion of the portable computing device. A device receiver structure is positioned adjacent to an edge of the bearing surface of the tray body, and a device clamping mechanism is coupled opposite from the receiver structure for cooperating therewith. At least one substantially resilient preload mechanism is positioned adjacent to bearing surface with at least a portion thereof being projected thereabove. A floating expansion connector that is connectable with the device I/O connector is projected from the bearing surface and is resiliently movable in three dimensions relative thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Carnevali
  • Patent number: 8670227
    Abstract: A signal transmission device is provided. The signal transmission device comprises a linked unit, a switch button, a data connector and a cover. The linked unit includes a first shaft, a second shaft, a first elastomer and a second elastomer. The switch button is attached/disposed on the linked unit. The data connector rotates and expands according to the first shaft and the first elastomer. The cover has a storage device to accommodate and cover the data connector. The cover rotates and expands according to the second shaft and the second elastomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Ability Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuan-Yu Lin, Wei Wang, Chen-Wang Chen
  • Patent number: 8289695
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a device having electrical terminals includes a bracket and a tray. The bracket has two first protruding portions and two pivoting mechanisms adapted to be connected to a base. The tray is positioned between the bracket and the base and adapted to carry the device having electrical terminals. The tray has a bottom surface and two first protrusions. When the bracket is pivotally connected to the base and when the bracket is rotated so that the first protruding portions slide on the first protrusions, the first protrusions are pushed to move toward the pivoting mechanisms and drive the bottom surface to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: HannStar Display Corp.
    Inventor: Tsung Yin Wu
  • Patent number: 8282404
    Abstract: A card connector includes a main housing having a base portion, a pair of side walls and a bottom wall connecting with the base portion and side walls thereby defining a receiving cavity. Multiple groups of contact sets comprise at least one grounding contact. The contact sets have contacting portions projecting into the receiving cavity. A metallic shell covers a top side of the main housing and defines an insertion opening together with the main housing. A pair of guiders are floatably assembled on opposite sides of the insertion opening for guiding different sized cards. A grounding plate which is attached to a bottom side of the main housing, comprises a pair of flexible tangs respectively pressing against a bottom side of the guiders. The grounding plate further comprises a grounding section electrically contacting with the at least one grounding contact so as to establish a grounding path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terrance F. Little, Tod M. Harlan, Kuo-Chun Hsu, Hsueh-Lung Hsiao, Hung-Yang Yeh
  • Patent number: 8109773
    Abstract: A card connector (100) includes an insulative housing defining a card receiving space; a plurality of contacts (2) supported by the insulative housing and accommodated in the card receiving space, said the plurality of contacts divided into two sets and arranged along a longitudinal direction, said contacts adapted for mating with a first type card and a second type card, respectively; and an ejecting mechanism (3) mounted to the insulative housing, the ejecting mechanism (3) including a first slider (31), a second slider (31?), a follower (32) and a spring (33), the first slider mounted to the second slider and capable of moving on the second slider to carry one of the two cards, and the first slider and the second slider together to carry the other of the two card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Terrance F. Little, Kuo-Chun Hsu, Hsueh-Lung Hsiao, Hung-Yang Yeh
  • Patent number: 8091838
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for assembling a storage device includes a fixing member, a rotary member rotatably connected to the fixing member, and a pair of brackets extending from the fixing member. A resisting face is formed at a lateral side of the rotary member for engaging with the storage device. The pair of brackets are parallel to each other. A space is defined between the brackets for accommodating the storage device. A sliding groove is defined in each of the brackets. The sliding groove includes a split and an opening intercommunicating the split and on a side. The opening is closer to the fixing member relative to the split.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zheng-Heng Sun
  • Patent number: 8031465
    Abstract: The invention discloses an electronic apparatus comprising a motherboard, a connector, a card member and a first holder. The connector is disposed on the motherboard and the card member is disposed on the connector. The motherboard comprises a first fixing portion and the card member comprises a second fixing portion. The first holder comprises a third fixing portion fixed to the first fixing portion of the motherboard and a fourth fixing portion fixed to the second fixing portion of the card member. Accordingly, once the motherboard or the card member is hit or pulled by an external force, since two ends of the first holder respectively fix the card member and the motherboard, the card member will not be detached from the connector, such that the card member can be connected to the connector well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Chien-Ying Chen, Chih-Wei Chou
  • Patent number: 7921439
    Abstract: Apparatus in accordance with at least one embodiment of the present invention includes a data storage cartridge and/or a receiver configured to receive the cartridge in facilitation of data transfer to and/or from the cartridge. The cartridge and the receiver each include respective connector portions configured to connect when the cartridge is inserted into the receiver. The cartridge and/or the receiver also include guide features configured to facilitate alignment of the connector portions for connection as the cartridge is inserted into the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Leslie G. Christie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7815446
    Abstract: A flash memory device (100) includes a movable housing (1) defining a receiving cavity (15), a control board (2) having a circuit board (21) and a plug (22) connecting with the circuit board (21), an outer shield defining an opening (64), and a sleeve (3) movably ringed on one side of the movable housing (1) and enclosing the plug (22). The circuit board (21) is retained in the receiving cavity (15). The plug (22) extends out of the receiving cavity (15). The movable housing (1) is movably mounted in the outer shield. The movable housing (1) has an elastic section (141) with a button (18) coupled thereon. The button (18) pushes the plug (22) moving in or out of the sleeve (3) and the outer shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jian-Bo Yang
  • Patent number: 7794232
    Abstract: A card connector where a connector main body is fixed inside an electronic device and a tray is disposed so as to slide relative to the connector main body in a longitudinal direction. The tray is movable between an advanced position at which the entirety of the tray has advanced into the connector main body and a pulled-out position at which a part of the tray has been pulled out from the connector main body. A tilt pawl is disposed on the tray, and a slide groove for guiding the tilt pawl in the longitudinal direction and a tilt groove for guiding the tilt pawl upward at the pulled-out position are formed in the connector main body. When in the pulled-out position, the tray is inclined so that a gap between a card mounting surface of the tray and an upper plate portion of the connector main body is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Toshinobu Ogatsu
  • Patent number: 7744423
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a connector converting device adapted for connecting a host unit having a plug to an external unit through a cable. The connector converting device is connected to the host unit having a first plug serving as data input/output interface to and from an external unit. The connector converting device comprises a first jack to which the first plug is connected, and a second jack to which a second plug of the cable of the external unit is connected, wherein the first jack and the second jack are electrically connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takeshi Funahashi
  • Patent number: 7708565
    Abstract: An arrangement for connecting an electronic subassembly and an optical subassembly in an electro-optical communication device such as an electro-optical transceiver. The arrangement includes a body of a rigid dielectric material for mounting e.g. on the optical subassembly. The body has electrically conductive pathways provided thereon and includes a shaped portion providing a socket-like formation. At least one electrical contact element is coupled with e.g. the electronic subassembly. The electrical contact element is pluggable into the socket-like formation of the body of rigid dielectric material and includes an elastic device adapted to elastically co-operate with the socket-like formation of the body of rigid dielectric material to retain the electrical contact element plugged in the socket-like formation to provide electrical contact with the electrically conductive pathways provide thereon, while permitting vibrational displacement of the electrical contact element within the socket-like formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Victor Bogdan Guja, Mauro Cerisola, Domenico Campi
  • Patent number: 7704085
    Abstract: A cover module of an electronic device and a control method thereof are provided. The cover module includes a body, a flexible connecting element, and a flip cover. The body has an opening exposing the connector. A sidewall of the opening has a first fixing structure. The flip cover is in the opening, and a sidewall of the flip cover has a second fixing structure locked with the first fixing structure. The flexible connecting element is connected between the body and the flip cover. When a force is applied to the flip cover, the flexible connecting element is deformed, the flip cover moves with the deformation of the flexible connecting element, and the locking between the first and the second fixing structures is released to cause the flip cover swinging open away from the body with a part of the flexible connecting element as an axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Chin-Hsien Chang
  • Patent number: 7637784
    Abstract: A disk drive interposer may include a component board assembly, and an interconnect board. The component board assembly may have a plurality of electrical components electrically connected by a first set of electrically conductive traces. The interconnect board may have a first plurality of electrically-conductive pads disposed along a disk drive mating edge of the interconnect board and a second plurality of electrically-conductive pads disposed along a backplane mating edge of the interconnect board. The first plurality of pads may be electrically connected to the second plurality of pads by a second set of electrically conductive traces. A mezzanine connector may electrically connect the first set of traces and the second set of traces. Such an interposer may physically and electrically mimic a disk drive from the frame of reference of a backplane, and physically and electrically mimic a backplane from the frame of reference of a disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: FCI Americas Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Franklin Evans
  • Patent number: 7636235
    Abstract: A portable media reproduction system preferably includes a housing with an attached docking component for receiving a portable media player, the docking component being recessed into the housing when in a closed position such that the first side forms a uniformly substantially flat surface. A latch is provided for holding the docking component in the closed position, and a connector connects to the portable media player. The connector is positioned on the docking component to receive the portable media player when the docking component is in an open position. A base component is recessed into the second side of the housing when in a closed position such that the second side of the housing forms a uniformly substantially flat surface. The base component is extendable into an open position such that the it supports the portable media reproduction system in a substantially upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: Plantronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Aaron Langberg, Richard Messerle
  • Patent number: 7547234
    Abstract: A small, flat rectangularly shaped electronic circuit card, such as one containing non-volatile memory, has a row of contacts mounted on bottom surfaces of a row of recesses extending along a short edge and an adjacent angled corner. At least one of the recesses opens to the angled corner and the remaining recesses open to the short edge. Two surface contacts are included in at least one of the recesses, while the remaining recesses each contain a single contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Wallace
  • Patent number: 7540748
    Abstract: A flexible input/output (I/O) connection system comprises an electronic device having a housing with at least one I/O window for receiving a connection to an external device, and a hub disposed in the housing and having a plurality of I/O connectors, the hub movable within the housing to position a select one of the plurality of I/O connectors in the I/O window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mark S. Tracy, Memphis-Zhihong Yin, Paul J. Doczy
  • Patent number: 7422460
    Abstract: An adjustable connection mechanism of an uninterruptible power supply apparatus includes a first connector, a second connector, a supporting member and a carrier plate. The first connector is arranged on a battery module and electrically connected to the battery module. The second connector is electrically connected to a power supply module and a control module of the uninterruptible power supply apparatus. The supporting member is disposed within a case for supporting the second connector. The carrier plate is coupled with the second connector, and selectively movable to a first position to have the second connector disconnect with the first connector or movable to a second position to have the second connector connect with the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Wen Cheng, Shih-Feng Lin
  • Patent number: 7408769
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a housing including a front opening and a rear opening. Pivotably mounted within the housing is a tray within the front opening, pivoting about a vertical axis located adjacent a first side of the housing. A cable path is defined along a bottom of the housing along the first side between the cable entry of the tray and the rear opening. A movable plate is positioned adjacent the first side and is movable between a first position defining an upper limit of the cable path when the tray is closed and a second position allowing access to the cable path when the tray is open. The movement of the plate between the first and second positions is actuated by the movement of the tray between the closed and open positions. The present invention further relates to a telecommunications termination panel with a housing including a front opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Ray Mertesdorf, Clinton M. Knudsen, Michael J. Follingstad, David Anthony Durand
  • Patent number: 7381099
    Abstract: A door penetrating connector assembly for providing electrical connectivity through a perforated equipment rack door includes a first connector that includes first electrical contacts configured and disposed to fit through corresponding holes in the equipment rack door, and a second connector that includes second electrical contacts configured and disposed to receive and make electrical contact with the first electrical contacts, where the connectors are configured to inhibit electrical connection through the holes provided by the door, of the first and second electrical contacts if the connectors are disposed with an undesirable alignment relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Rohr, Gary Ware
  • Patent number: 7359190
    Abstract: An expansion module including a housing having an interior, an end cap connected to the housing at one end, and an interface device positioned in the housing interior is described. The end cap includes at least two throughholes to the housing interior and at least two alignment receptacles. The interface device receives a) a standard data connector via a end cap throughhole and b) a power connector via another end cap throughhole. The interface device includes an expansion device connector internal to the housing interior for providing at least one of data and power to an expansion device. An expansion module bay including a module sleeve having an opening for receiving the expansion module is described. The expansion module bay further includes a connector connected to an end of the module sleeve for connecting to the received expansion module, and a door covering the module receiving opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas H. Szolyga
  • Patent number: 7322842
    Abstract: For a modular plug connector in which different, replaceable modules can be inserted in a hinged retaining frame of two halves, it is proposed to insert modules in the form of sealed enclosures. At least one module is provided with electronic, optoelectronic or pneumatic components for controlling signal functions or generating signal variation for further control tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Harting Electric GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jakob Dück, Martin Kleine, Andreas Nass, Dirk Schmieding
  • Patent number: 7322838
    Abstract: A memory card connector includes an insulating housing, an ejector, a plurality of first electric terminals, a plurality of second electric terminals, a detected apparatus and a cover. The insulating housing includes a base, a left wall, a right wall and a front wall. All the walls define an upper space and a down space. A glide notch is formed in the right wall. The first electric terminals and the second electric terminals are located in the insulating housing. The ejector is located in the glide notch. The memory card connector can accept a memory card. The detected apparatus determines the correctness of the way that inserting the memory card into the memory card connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chung-yu Chen, Yu-hung Su, Chung-hsin Huang, Mei-chuan Yang
  • Patent number: 7306491
    Abstract: A chip card retaining mechanism (200) used in an electronic device (100) includes a sliding seat (20) and a sliding member (30). The sliding seat includes a main body (22) and two vertical portions (242) extending, respectively, from two opposite sizes of the main body. Each vertical portion defines a guide slot (26). The main body defines an opening (222) for receiving a connector (104) of the electronic device. The sliding member includes a stopping portion (36) and a receiving groove (35) for receiving a chip card (102). The stopping portion is positioned on one end of the sliding member. A shaft (39) is mounted on another end of the sliding member, and the two respective ends thereof are inserted into a corresponding guide slot so that the sliding member is slidably attached to the sliding seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignees: ShenZhen FuTaiHong Precision Industry Co., Ltd., Sutech Trading Limited
    Inventor: Xiao-Liang Wei
  • Patent number: 7281940
    Abstract: A removable electrical interface device insertable into an electronic apparatus having a slot and two first coupling portions includes a body and a lid. The body is adapted to be inserted into the slot and electrically connected to the electronic apparatus. The lid is perpendicularly connected to a side of the body, connectable to a surface of the electronic apparatus, adapted to seal the slot, has two second coupling portions fastenable to the two first coupling portions respectively, and allows the removable electrical interface device to be installed and uninstalled by a single act. The present invention further provides an electronic apparatus having the removable electrical interface device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Chih-Peng Chuang
  • Patent number: 7258554
    Abstract: A foolproof structure for preventing incorrect insertion an interface module is a PCI-Express (PCI-E) interface structure having at least one module stand disposed in a casing and a corresponding fixing frame. The fixing frame includes a first structure corresponding to the module stand, and the module stand includes different interface cards for converting PCI-E signals into different telecommunication signals. A second structure is disposed in a connecting end of the motherboard in the casing. The first and second structures can be used for preventing a wrong connection between the interface card, module stand and motherboard, so as to avoid damages to the electronic components and assure the normal operation of the foregoing modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Portwell Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Wei Yang
  • Patent number: 7153144
    Abstract: A module connector has a simple module base connector capable of being used instead of a module socket, thereby allowing connection to wiring members such as an inexpensive flexible flat cable. The module base connector, formed as a thin plate, is interposed between a plurality of terminals of a small-sized module and a wiring member. This base connector includes a fitting frame and a connector housing which are formed integrally. A module fitting part of the fitting frame is provided with a terminal pattern electrically connected to the plurality of terminals of the module housing. The connector housing is provided with connection terminal pieces each having an elastic contact portion connected at one end to the wiring member of a flexible flat board, and a press contact portion connected at the other end to the terminal pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventors: Fumio Ohsawa, Masaki Hayashi, Kiyoshi Asai
  • Patent number: 7150644
    Abstract: A carrier and docking assembly in combination for removeably interconnecting a PC card device with a computer. The docking assembly is configured in size to be fixed in a memory storage device bay of a computer housing, or a memory storage device housing. The docking assembly includes a plug for the carrier, a power connector and an interface connector. The interface connector is adapted for connection with an IDE ribbon cable. The carrier includes a PC card device for receiving PC cards and a plug for interconnection with the docking assembly. The carrier plug removeably couples with the plug of the docking assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Sunny Behl
  • Patent number: 7137855
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a mechanical adapter may be used to couple a first circuit board (e.g., a motherboard) to a second circuit board (e.g., a daughtercard) in a module. The mechanical adapter may have a mounting portion and a configurable portion. In some embodiments, the mounting portion may be similar for multiple configurations of the mechanical adapter. In various embodiments, the motherboard may be similar for different modules. For example, the mechanical adapter may be configured to mount a specific type of daughtercard in the configurable portion, while the mounting portion may be similar to mounting portions on other mechanical adapters with different configurations for different daughtercards (e.g., the motherboard may be similar for each of the different configurations). Therefore, in various embodiments, a common mounting portion may mate to a common motherboard configuration for different products each configured to mount a different daughtercard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Koughan, Jason B. Habingreither, Darryl D. Daniel, Michel G. Haddad
  • Patent number: 7131871
    Abstract: A chip card retaining mechanism for retaining a chip card (30) mounted in an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing (10) having a battery compartment (12) defined therein. The chip card retaining mechanism includes a receiving cavity (14) formed on the housing for receiving the chip card therein, and a locking member (20). The receiving cavity has an opening facing the battery compartment of the electronic device. The locking member is movably received in the receiving cavity with a first end thereof extending out of the opening. The locking member includes a resisting portion. The resisting portion is configured for abutting a first end of the chip card. The locking member configured for locking the chip card in the receiving cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: FIH Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhou-Quan Zuo, Chia-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 7114994
    Abstract: A modular computer system includes at least one information processing module removably received at a first face of a housing, at least one computer support module removably received at a second face of the housing, at least one power supply module removably received at the second face of the housing, and a connections member. The connections member includes at least one connector at a first face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one information processing module. The connections member further includes at least one connector at a second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one computer support module. The connections member also includes at least one connector at the second face of the member arranged to connect to a connector of the at least one power supply module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J Garnett, Peter Heffernan
  • Patent number: 7113392
    Abstract: An integrated standoff and wall mount apparatus is disclosed. A standoff is formed in the inner surface of a chassis backplane of an electrical device and comprises a conical shape extending generally upward from the inner surface of the chassis backplane. The integrated standoff is used to secure a PCB to the chassis. A keyhole feature may be formed in the surface of both said standoff and said chassis backplane for wall mounting the device. The keyhole feature includes an opening and a groove. A tongue-shaped coverplate is provided that extends from the standoff and provides safety features by covering the keyhole feature. The integrated standoff may be used to wall mount the device using a wall mount fastener secured in the keyhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Torence Lu, George Youzhi Yi
  • Patent number: 6918177
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Patent number: 6882525
    Abstract: A universal receiving frame to be mounted in a drive bay of a chassis or storage enclosure that is interfaced with a host computer. The universal receiving frame is capable of interchangeably receiving different removable computer drive carriers having respective remote computer drives that are configured for parallel and serial operation. A printed circuit board is mounted on the back wall of the universal receiving frame in which an incoming removable drive carrier is slidably received. A suitable (e.g. a Serial ATA) interface and a serial-to-parallel bridge are located on the printed circuit board of the frame, whereby different removable carriers, regardless of drive configuration, can communicate with the chassis by way of the same receiving frame. In an alternate embodiment, which eliminates the universal receiving frame, the removable carriers are connected to one side of a backplane within the chassis and pull-out peripheral circuit boards are connected to the opposite side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: StorCase Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dieter G. Paul, Choon-Tak Tang
  • Patent number: 6856514
    Abstract: The present invention provides a mounting system for components in the housing of a computer server. The mounting system is preferably a height-adjustable thumb screw assembly, which allows for the components to be installed or removed without the use of tools. In a preferred embodiment, a thumb screw assembly capable of securing components to a chassis includes a screw and a gripping accessory. The screw preferably has a threaded portion, a shank portion, and a head portion, wherein a first groove extends along the shank portion and a second groove intersects the first groove under the head portion. The gripping accessory preferably has an outer gripping surface, a retaining socket, and a hub, wherein a grip is positioned inside the hub for matingly engaging the grooves of the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Kelly K. Smith
  • Patent number: 6840801
    Abstract: A carrier and docking assembly in combination for removeably interconnecting a PC card device with a computer. The docking assembly is configured in size to be fixed in a memory storage device bay of a computer housing, or a memory storage device housing. The docking assembly includes a plug for the carrier, a power connector and an interface connector. The interface connector is adapted for connection with an IDE ribbon cable. The carrier includes a PC card device for receiving PC cards and a plug for interconnection with the docking assembly. The carrier plug removeably couples with the plug of the docking assembly. The card device (62) includes slot (68) and slot (70) for receiving plural PC type cards, the slots (68) and (70) are offset to receive cards of different sizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Steinbeck Cannery, LLC
    Inventor: Sunny Behl
  • Patent number: 6831832
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa
  • Patent number: 6819567
    Abstract: The functionality of a blade is expanded by the installation of an expansion unit including expansion components. The blade and expansion unit are provided with connectors allowing the blade components to access and utilize the expansion components when the connectors are mated. The blade and expansion unit include elements ensuring that the connectors align properly as the expansion unit is installed onto the blade, making the installation simple and quick. The blade and expansion unit also include elements securing the connection between the two, once made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce E. Baker, Martin Joseph Crippen, Robert Mark Lindsay, Michael Sven Miller, Peter Andrew Smith, Brian Alan Trumbo
  • Patent number: 6813145
    Abstract: The present technique provides a multistage undocking mechanism for a system having a portable computing device dockable with a docking device. The multistage undocking mechanism may be disposed in either the portable computing device or the docking device. In a first stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a latch assembly to unlatch the portable computing device from the docking device. In a second stage, the multistage undocking mechanism engages a lifter assembly to separate the portable computing device from the docking device at least partially via a manual force applied by the user. The lifter assembly may have one or more spring-loaded lifter mechanisms, such as a spring-loaded lifter having sufficient force to support the portable computing device but insufficient to separate male/female connections between the portable computing device and the docking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ronald E. DeLuga
  • Patent number: 6798650
    Abstract: A bracket having two parallel sides and an interconnecting crosspiece is attached to a disk drive or similar peripheral with the sides of the bracket extending longitudinally of the sides of the drive and the crosspiece extending across the front of the drive. A chassis of a computer or the like has internal parallel sides formed with horizontal guides to receive the bracket, a substantially open front face and an internal connector engageable with a mating connector on the rear of the drive when the bracket is fully inserted in the chassis. The sides of the bracket have features to protect the drive from horizontal and vertical vibrations. A handle is pivoted to the crosspiece near one end moveable between at least three positions: a first or latched position parallel to the crosspiece, a second position swinging out at about a 15° angle and a third position at about a 45° angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Naum Reznikov, Michael F. McCormick, Jr., Ehsan Ettehadieh, Daniel Hruska, Anthony N. Eberhardt
  • Patent number: 6788532
    Abstract: An apparatus (e.g. a portable computer) is provided which includes a peripheral device (e.g. a hard disk) and a bracket. The bracket maybe configured to rigidly attach the peripheral device to the apparatus. Further, the bracket may be configured to guide the peripheral device into electrical contact with the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myeong Kyoo Yang, Joung Sea Park, Dong Joon Choi
  • Patent number: 6785141
    Abstract: A locking and ejecting device for removable module in a portable computer, wherein the removable module is insertable into and removable from an internal bay of the portable computer. The locking and ejecting device includes a latch mechanism, a hot-plug controller, and a remove mechanism. The latch mechanism coupled to the internal bay is for locking the removable module in an assembled position. The hot-plug controller formed on the latch mechanism is for switching off a power unit before removing the removable module. The remove mechanism coupled to the internal bay is for removing the removable module from the assembled position to a disassembled position after the latch mechanism unlocks the removable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Quanta Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Ming-Hsiung Fang
  • Patent number: 6781844
    Abstract: A modular computer system mechanical interconnection includes a primary chassis having a first opening and a secondary chassis attached to the primary chassis and having a second opening, wherein the first opening and the second opening are generally aligned. The apparatus further includes a backplate covering the aligned first opening and second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jimmy Clidaras, Kenneth Kitlas
  • Patent number: 6778385
    Abstract: A portable computer has pivotally connected base and display screen lid housings and is provided with a generally wedge-shaped auxiliary component housing which is releasably latchable to the bottom of the base housing and extends across only a rear underside portion of the base housing. The attached auxiliary housing representatively carries a CD/DVD media drive unit and a floppy disk drive unit, operatively couples them to various computer components in the base housing, and is configured to rearwardly and upwardly tilt he base housing keyboard at a predetermined comfortable typing angle when the base housing is placed atop a horizontal work surface such as a desktop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Daniel V. Forlenza, Jitender K. Kanjiram, Robert C. Frame, Michele Bovio
  • Patent number: 6758692
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a CPU mounted on a socket connector (1) and a retention module (5). The retention module comprises a pair of metal frames (50), a pair of retaining claps (56) and a pair of stop bars (54) assembled together with the metal frames. Each frame defines a bottom wall (51), a first side wall (52) and a pair of second side walls (54). Each retaining clip has a hook (56c) formed at a top of the retaining clip for hooking a corresponding stop bar, and a clamping portion (56e) formed at a bottom of the retaining clip. The clamping portion and a free end of the hook together clamp a side portion (41a) of a heat sink assembled to the socket connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: William B. Walkup, Hung-Chi Yu
  • Patent number: 6743054
    Abstract: An electrical adapter assembly (1) for electrically connecting an electrical connector (52) mounted a backplane (5) to an electrical component (62) of a hard disk drive (6) includes a first adapter subassembly (10) adjacent to and electrically connecting to the electrical connector (52). A second adapter subassembly (20) is placed next to and electrically connecting to the first adapter subassembly. Additionally, a pair of cable assemblies (30, 40) are placed between the second adapter subassembly and the hard disk drive and each has a pair of electrical sockets (34, 44) for electrically connecting a corresponding second receptacle connector (26, 28) of the second adapter subassembly to the electrical component of the hard disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LTD
    Inventor: Jerry Wu
  • Patent number: 6717802
    Abstract: A communication port device is mounted in a slot on the front side of computer for easily plugging/unplugging a peripheral device to the communication port device. The present device is in electrical connection with motherboard and includes various communication ports for selection. Thus, it is adaptable for user customization. Its assembly/disassembly of connection to peripherals is more convenient. Also, there is no need to alter the design of housing, motherboard, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Asustek Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Wei-Shi Sa, Tien-Wei Lin
  • Patent number: 6716035
    Abstract: A device to be detachably attached to a mechanical substructure includes rails on opposed sides joined at the front by a cross member. A pair of guides mounted on the substructure slidably receives and retains the rails upon attachment of the device. An alignment pin extending from a rail mates with a hole in one of the guides to insure alignment of an electrical connector of the device with an electrical connector mounted on the substructure. The cross member includes screws for securing the cross member to the substructure. A spring extending from a rail makes electrical contact with an adjacent guide and an electrostatic discharge contact plate to discharge any existing static charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Adtron Corporation
    Inventors: James A. Haager, Kevin L. Kilzer, Daniel P. Fogelson, Ronald E. Tupa