Abstract: A system and method that enables installation of media devices in a chassis. The chassis has an internal cavity defined by a plurality of walls. Additionally, a first media device has a first external width dimension and a second media device has a second external width dimension. The second external width dimension is different than the first external width dimension. A plurality of mounting features are connected to the plurality of walls to hold the first media device and the second media device in a plurality of orientations relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A tool-less latch mechanism for attaching a panel to an enclosure for electronic equipment such as a computer. A lever is mounted to a first enclosure component at a pivot point and is operable to move in a pivot plane. A pawl extends from the lever substantially orthogonal to the pivot plane, and an arcuate slot is fixed on a second enclosure component. When the lever pivots from an open to a closed position, engagement of the pawl with a first surface of the slot causes relative movement between the enclosure components in a first longitudinal direction. When the lever pivots from the closed to the open position, engagement of the pawl with a second surface of the slot causes relative movement between the enclosure components in an opposite longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A card retention system comprises a retainer adapted to apply an increasing level of retention force to an expansion card disposed in a chassis as a size of the expansion card increases. The system also comprises a support member adapted to support the retainer in a plurality of different locations relative to the expansion card.

Abstract: A compact retractable label assembly includes a flexible label tongue and a guide bracket for receiving the label tongue. The guide bracket is adapted to mount to the inside of an enclosure surface such that the label tongue may be pulled from a mouth of the bracket to the outside of the enclosure surface. The guide bracket has a curved profile so that the label tongue bends when it is pushed inside the enclosure. The bend in the excursion path of the label tongue preserves space inside the enclosure.

Abstract: A mounting adapter a peripheral device. A strip is adapted to fit across the top or bottom of the device transversely. First and second device engagement tabs engage holes on left and right sides of the device, and first and second chassis engagement tabs engage holes on left and right sides of a chassis opening. The chassis engagement tabs and one of the device engagement tabs are disposed on arms that can be moved elastically in the transverse direction to engage and disengage the tabs with their corresponding holes. The adapter can be fashioned from a unitary piece of metal, and adds only the thickness of the strip to the vertical dimension of the peripheral device.

Abstract: A cooling device includes a heat sink assembly that may also form a housing surrounding a chamber. The housing may be constructed of a plurality of cooling vanes which have elongated openings therebetween allowing air to pass between and cool the vanes. The cooling device operates in an extremely efficient manner, for example, by causing air to pass over the cooling vanes twice.

Abstract: A latch assembly is operable to catch automatically and is releasable by hand. A component frame defines a clearance hole and a stop. A latch, also with a clearance hole, is mounted to the frame so that the clearance holes overlap. The latch is biased against the stop but is capable of pivoting away from the stop responsive to hand-applied pressure. A peg having a groove underneath a sloping top is mounted to a chassis or other surface against which the component frame is to be retained. As the component frame is lowered over the peg, an edge of the latch contacts the top of the peg, causing the latch to pivot so that the frame may be lowered into place. When the frame is in place, the latch pivots back and snaps into the groove.

Abstract: A latch assembly is operable to catch automatically and is releasable by hand. A component frame defines a clearance hole and a stop. A latch, also with a clearance hole, is mounted to the frame so that the clearance holes overlap. The latch is biased against the stop but is capable of pivoting away from the stop responsive to hand-applied pressure. A peg having a groove underneath a sloping top is mounted to a chassis or other surface against which the component frame is to be retained. As the component frame is lowered over the peg, an edge of the latch contacts the top of the peg, causing the latch to pivot so that the frame may be lowered into place. When the frame is in place, the latch pivots back and snaps into the groove.

Abstract: A system and method for situating a disk drive is provided. One embodiment comprises a system for situating a disk drive within a chassis. The system comprises a disk drive unit comprising a drive bracket coupled to the disk drive, as well as a lever member movably coupled to the drive bracket. The system further comprises a drive guide coupled to the chassis. There earlier-mentioned lever member is operable to engage the drive guide when the disk drive unit is being situated within the chassis. Furthermore, the system enables the situating of the disk drive unit within the chassis along a plane other than a plane along which a connector of the disk drive mates with a connector disposed within the chassis.

Abstract: A thermal interface in accordance with the invention comprises a carrier having opposed surfaces, a layer of a phase-change material on one of the surfaces of the carrier, and a layer of a pliable, thermal compound on the other of the surfaces of the carrier. Also disclosed is a thermal interface product that additionally comprises a removable, protective covering overlying the pliable, thermal compound layer.

Abstract: An EMI-efficient system for mounting internal peripheral devices such as disk or tape drives inside a computer enclosure so that the drives may be removed and replaced easily. A drive bracket guide is mounted to a computer enclosure chassis, a peripheral device is mounted to a drive bracket, and the drive bracket is inserted into an opening of the drive bracket guide. A socket support disposed at the end of the bracket guide opposite the opening fixedly supports a socket in position for receiving a mating socket on the drive. A locking insertion/ejection mechanism is coupled to the bracket and facilitates engagement/disengagement of the two sockets in the rear of the assembly. The bracket guide may be integrally formed on side walls of a drive cage to reduce potential for leaks of electromagnetic energy from the enclosure and to facilitate the creation of numerous bracket guides in a stack arrangement for housing multiple drives.

Abstract: An EMI containment assembly for an integrated circuit chip. A frame forms an eletrically conductive wall around the perimeter of the integrated circuit chip. The bottom of the frame makes an electrically conductive contact with a ground trace on the printed circuit board to which the chip is mounted. The top of the frame makes an electrically conductive contact with an electrically conductive heat removal assembly that is disposed over the top of the chip. An electrically conductive bolster plate is mounted on the side of the printed circuit board opposite the integrated circuit chip and is disposed beneath the chip. Because each component of the assembly is electrically conductive, the assembly creates an EMI cage around the integrated circuit chip. Because the frame does not cover the top of the chip, it does not interfere with a thermally conductive contact that is made between the top of the chip package and the heat removal assembly.

Abstract: An EMI-efficient system for mounting internal peripheral devices such as disk or tape drives inside a computer enclosure so that the drives may be removed and replaced easily. A drive bracket guide is mounted to a computer enclosure chassis, a peripheral device is mounted to a drive bracket, and the drive bracket is inserted into an opening of the drive bracket guide. A socket support disposed at the end of the bracket guide opposite the opening fixedly supports a socket in position for receiving a mating socket on the drive. A locking insertion/ejection mechanism is coupled to the bracket and facilitates engagement/disengagement of the two sockets in the rear of the assembly. The bracket guide may be integrally formed on side walls of a drive cage to reduce potential for leaks of electromagnetic energy from the enclosure and to facilitate the creation of numerous bracket guides in a stack arrangement for housing multiple drives.

Abstract: Two opposing connector catches are disposed on resilient stems at the bottom of a circuit board retainer. A frame is disposed between the catches. The frame fits around the profile of a connector. The catches slip over the ends of the connector and engage shoulders on the ends of the connector. Opposing upright members are coupled to the frame and the catches. A circuit board is lowered between the upright members. Two opposing board catches on the upright members engage corresponding notches formed in the circuit board. To disassemble the circuit board from the retainer, the upright members are bent away from one another to disengage the board catches from the notches. To disassemble the retainer from the connector, the upright members are bent toward one another to disengage the connector catches from the shoulders.

Abstract: An actively cooled daughterboard system. One more daughterboards are mounted in parallel rows on a motherboard. Each daughterboard is oriented substantially perpendicular to the motherboard, but may optionally be mounted at an oblique angle relative to the motherboard. Each daughterboard has a low-profile thermally-efficient heatsink mounted thereon. A fan shroud partially covers the daughterboards, but has openings in its sides for directing air flow through plural fins on the heatsinks and through a fan mounted to the top of the fan shroud. The inventive daughterboard system enables multiple high heat dissipating daughterboards to be placed closer together than the daughterboard systems of the prior art while still keeping the daughterboards adequately cooled. Moreover, because only a single fan is used to cool all of the daughterboards under the shroud, noise and expense are reduced relative to prior art systems that employed one or more fans per daughterboard.

Abstract: A heatsink for use with an actively cooled daughterboard system. Plural transverse fins are integrally formed with a base portion. The fins are radially displaced from one another. The base portion includes a central portion that is thicker than the end portions. The thickness of the base portion and the profile formed by the outer ends of the fins vary according to radii. The inner radius associated with the central fins is shorter than the inner radius associated with the endmost fins.

Abstract: A guide rail may comprise a pair of ribs and a shoulder projecting outwardly therefrom, the shoulder terminating in a tip section, the pair of ribs being positioned in substantially parallel, spaced-apart relation so that a channel is defined between the ribs and so that the shoulder is positioned adjacent one of the ribs. Each rib has a substantially identical height and thickness. The channel has a width about equal to the thickness of the ribs and a depth about equal to the height of the ribs. The shoulder has a height about equal to the height of the ribs and a thickness about equal to the thickness of the ribs.

Abstract: An enclosure for integrated circuit devices is disclosed. The enclosure includes a first portion which substantially encloses a plurality of secondary, relatively low-power integrated circuit devices and which includes a mechanism for contacting the secondary integrated circuit devices in order to conduct heat away. The enclosure also includes a second portion, which may include an active cooling device, directly in contact with a primary, relatively high-power primary integrated circuit device. In addition to removing heat, the first and second enclosure portions together shield the integrated circuit devices to contain electromagnetic energy generated by the devices. The first and second enclosure portions also allow different levels of force to be applied to the primary and secondary devices.

Abstract: A filler bracket assembly according to the present invention may comprise a cover sized to abut against a card cage panel and to substantially cover an opening in the card cage panel. A clamp rotatably mounted to the cover includes a panel engaging member that engages the two opposed sides of the opening in the panel and draws the cover tightly against the panel when the clamp is rotated from a disengaged position to an engaged position.