Abstract: A gasket (10) comprises a first sealing member (12) and a second sealing member (14) both made of springy metal, and a clamping member (16) which holds the first and the second sealing members in an overlying relationship. The first sealing member (12) has an arm portion (12a) projecting from the clamping member (16), the arm portion being adapted to resiliently form a seal with a first body. The second sealing member (14) has an arm portion projecting from the clamping member (16), the arm portion being adapted to resiliently form a seal with a second body. A compression limiting stop (16e) is provided.

Abstract: This is a system and method for automatically identifying a customer when accessing an online service. The system and method includes: providing general HTML content with tokens for the computer system; providing system information specific to the computer system to a database accessible by the online service; and providing an identification program for the computer system to provide a system ID that uniquely identifies the system information. The system and method also includes loading HTML content on the computer system. The system ID can include a system express service code, a service tag number, or a unique ID from a microprocessor. The system and method also includes displaying computer-specific information on a web page of the online service.

Abstract: An automated consolidation station for the assembly of computer systems includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor. A first code reader reads a label on a chassis on the first conveyor. A second code reader reads a label on a tote carrying computer components on the second conveyor. A first signal generated by the first reader is compared with a second signal generated from the second reader to determine if the signals are matched. A device receives an output when the signals are matched and another device senses the position of the tote and the chassis. The output energizes a system to position the chassis and the tote adjacent each other on a single one of the conveyors.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a component in a computer includes a computer chassis and a mounting bracket assembly attached to the computer chassis. The mounting bracket assembly includes a first structural layer, a second structural layer spaced apart from the first structural layer wherein a gap is defined therebetween, and a layer of damping material disposed in at least a portion of the gap. The mounting bracket assembly is useful in space-sensitive applications while still providing vibration and acoustical noise attenuation. Furthermore, the mounting bracket assembly provides a nominal degree of impact damping during installation of a system component, reducing the potential for impact related failures.

Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: An apparatus to allow a computer system board to automatically identify the chassis in which the system board is installed. The apparatus includes a) at least one conducting pad on the system board, b) at least one spring action grounding clip on the chassis, and in contact with the at least one conducting pad, and c) a logic circuit connected to the at least one conducting pad.

Abstract: An infrared food warming device is provided with one or more compartments having one or more food shelves. Food may be placed through an opening on such a food shelf in the compartment. An infrared energy generating sheet is positioned in the compartment on or adjacent to the food shelf. The infrared energy sheet includes a fiberglass support grid, a layer formed on support grid from a mixture of carbon and polymeric materials capable of producing infrared radiation in response to electrical current passed there through. A pair of electrical conduction power strips are attached along opposite sides of the layer and are attached to input power terminals to provide the required current. A polymeric laminate encloses the support grid, the layer and the electrical conduction power strips. The polymeric laminate is substantially transparent to infrared radiation so that it does not become excessively heated.

Abstract: A computer system includes at least one processor and at least one computer-readable drive. The at least one computer-readable drive includes at least one partition. The computer system further includes manufacturing process code having instructions for causing the processor to build prescribed internal data structures necessary to support the at least one partition subsequent an initial preparation of the at least one computer-readable drive, further without requiring a system reboot to have access to the at least one computer-readable drive.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a plurality of dielectric substrates. Each of the dielectric substrates includes a first and a second surface and has a first conductive layer formed on the first surface of the respective dielectric substrate. A first pattern of lands is formed in the conductive layer of at least two of the dielectric substrates. The pattern of lands of each dielectric substrate is substantially the same. An opening is formed through each of the lands to expose the respective dielectric substrate. Each of the openings in a respective pattern of lands has a diameter different than at least a portion of the other openings in the same pattern. The plurality of dielectric substrates are laminated in stacked relationship.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base substrate including a reference voltage plane. A plurality of spaced apart printed circuit substrates are attached to the base substrate. Each one of the printed circuit substrates includes a reference voltage plane attached to the reference voltage plane of the base substrate. A system component is removably attached to a first side of at least one of the printed circuit substrates. The system component is electrically connected to the reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate. A support member is attached to a second side of each printed circuit substrate. Each support member is electrically coupled to the reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate. The support members are electrically connected to a reference voltage plane of the printed circuit substrate to provide a low impedance return current path for the electrical portion of the electromagnetic emissions, thereby reducing the magnitude of electromagnetic emissions.

Abstract: A method and system for supplying a software image to a computer system utilize a custom-programmed compact disk (CD) ROM that is configured for a specified individual computer system and constrained to be downloaded to and operable on only the specified individual computer system. The method and system further utilize an installation procedure for restoring the specified computer system to the software state that the computer was in at the time the computer left the factory after initial configuration and downloading. The custom-programmed CD ROM 106 is delivered to a customer in combination with a bootable flexible diskette 108, and an instructional technical instruction sheet for usage by the customer to restore the computer system to a “factory new” software condition.

Abstract: A portable computer includes a base and a cover mounted to the base. The base has a first hinge groove formed in an external surface of the base, and the cover has a second hinge groove formed in an external surface of the cover. The portable computer also includes a hinge having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is seated in the first hinge groove and is substantially flush with the external surface of the base adjacent the first hinge groove. The first portion is rigidly connected to the base. The second portion is seated in the second hinge groove and is substantially flush with the external surface of the cover adjacent the second hinge groove. The second portion is pivotally connected to the cover and rigidly connected to the first portion such that the second portion is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

Abstract: A portable computer including two plastic enclosures has a first hinge body attached to a first one of the enclosures. The first hinge body includes a bore formed therein. A flowable lubricant such as grease is disposed within the bore. A second hinge body is attached to a second one of the enclosures. The second hinge body includes an elongated shaft pivotally mounted within the bore having grooves formed on an outer surface of the shaft. A sealing member such as an O-ring is resiliently compressed between one of the grooves and an inner surface of the bore. A friction member is seated in another one of the grooves and in contact with the inner surface of the bore. The seal member has a coefficient of friction such that friction between the seal member and the bore is negligible with respect to friction between the friction member and the bore. The seal member limits the escape of lubricant and the resulting lubricant-induced stress cracks.

Abstract: A panel latch system includes a chassis and a plurality of panels mounted on the chassis in a closed position. A latch body is mounted on the chassis for latched engagement with the panels. The latch body is spring loaded so as to be movable between a static position and a plurality of displaced positions for unlatching the panels. A first latch portion on the latch body is provided for releasing a first panel in response to the latch body being moved in a first direction from the static position to a first displaced position. A second latch portion on the latch body is provided for releasing a second panel in response to the latch body being moved in a second direction from the static position to a second displaced position.

Abstract: Cladding for a domed structure bridges gaps between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding preferably utilizes adjustable cladding panels and bridges to bridge the gap between adjacent roofing panels. The cladding is particularly suited for doubly curved surfaces.

Abstract: A control module includes a control module having a body and a jack portion extending from the body for being received in a mating receptacle. The jack portion carries a plurality of contacts. A wireless communication portion is attached to the body. A switch portion is attached to the body. The switch portion is electrically connected to at least a portion of the contacts. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A self-contained flowable thermal interface material module includes a carrier having opposite sides and a continuous peripheral edge. A thermal interface material is mounted on the carrier. A portion of the interface material is exposed on each of the opposite sides. A continuous gasket is mounted on the carrier and is also exposed on each of the opposite sides. The gasket is positioned between the interface material and the peripheral edge. The module may be positioned between a heat generating component and a heat sink so that a portion of the gasket seals with the heat generating component, and a portion of the gasket seals with the heat sink to form a reservoir for retaining the heated flowable interface material. In this manner, the gasket contains a reservoir of the thermal interface material in contact with the heat generating component and with the heat sink throughout continuous periods of thermal cycling.

Abstract: An apparatus including a base substrate and a plurality of spaced apart end brackets attached to the base substrate. A plurality of spaced apart side panel assemblies are removably mounted between a mounting portion of each end bracket. A first edge of each side panel assembly positioned adjacent to the base substrate. A shroud is pivotally attached to each one of the side panel assemblies adjacent to a second edge of the respective side panel assembly. Each shroud is movable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position with respect to the respective side panel assembly. A shroud engaging portion is attached to each end bracket adjacent to each shroud. A engagement member of each shroud engages a corresponding shroud engaging portion when the respective shroud is moved from the open position to the closed position for moving the respective printed circuit substrate from an inserted position to a seated position with respect to the base substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a base substrate and a plurality of spaced apart end brackets attached to the base substrate. A pivotable one of the end brackets is movable between a retracted position and an extended position with respect to the base. A plurality of spaced apart side panel assemblies are removably mounted between each end bracket when the pivotable one of the end brackets is in the extended position. A first edge of each side panel assembly is positioned adjacent to the base substrate. A shroud assembly extends between the two side panel assemblies adjacent to a second edge of each side panel assembly. The shroud assembly, the base substrate and the side panel assemblies define an air duct. A fan is mounted adjacent to at least one of the end brackets for directing air through the air duct. The part count of the apparatus is reduced such that cost and assembly time are also reduced.

Abstract: A test device for a computer system includes a burn rack including a plurality of workcells. A simple network management protocol enabled network device is provided adjacent the burn rack. The network device includes a plurality of ports. Cables provide an interconnection between a respective port and a respective workcell. A monitor is connected to a port of the network device and is also connected to a burn rack database. A display on a screen of the monitor provides a visual occupancy representation of each workcell.