Abstract: A shield for an electronic cartridge which has a pin that attaches a thermal element to a substrate. One edge of the substrate may have a plurality of conductive pads. The shield may have a base located adjacent to the conductive pads. The shield may include an arm which extends from the base and a finger which extends from the arm. The shield can be installed by sliding the arm toward the thermal element so that the pin engages and deflects the finger. The shield is moved toward the thermal element until the pin snaps into a notch located at the end of the finger. The finger may exert a spring force which pushes the base into the thermal element and secures the shield to the cartridge.

Abstract: An electronic cartridge which may include an integrated circuit package that is mounted to a substrate. The substrate may include a plurality of conductive pads that are inserted into an electrical connector. The cartridge may be guided into the connector by a guide rail which has a latch slot. The electronic cartridge may include a latch which extends from a cover that is coupled to the substrate. The latch may extend into the latch slot to secure the cartridge to the connector.

Abstract: An electronic cartridge which includes a cover. The cover is coupled to a substrate which has an integrated circuit package. A portion of the cover extends over and is spaced from a plurality of conductive pads located along an edge of the substrate. The conductive pads can be inserted into a card edge electrical connector that is mounted to a motherboard. The cover of the present invention protects the conductive pads while allowing the substrate to be plugged into a card edge connector.

Abstract: A retention system for an electronic cartridge which mates with connector that is mounted to a substrate. The system may include a first guide rail that is adapted to receive one edge of the electronic cartridge and a second guide rail that is adapted to receive another edge of the electronic cartridge. The guide rails may be mounted to the motherboard by a plurality of threaded fasteners and corresponding nuts. The guide rails guide the electronic cartridge into the connector. The system may further have a beam that extends from the first guide rail to the second guide rail. The guide rails and beam provide structural support for the electronic cartridge.

Abstract: An electronic cartridge. The cartridge may include a first cover and a second cover that are adjacent to a substrate. One or more integrated circuit packages may be mounted to the substrate. The cartridge may include a pin that extends from the first cover and which has a barb that is embedded into the second cover. The embedded barb will damage the second cover if the cover is removed from the cartridge. The present invention thus prevents the removal and re-installation of the cover from the cartridge.