Abstract: Antenna integrated into a compact conical nosecone.

Abstract: Antenna integrated into a compact conical nosecone.

Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: A latch apparatus and method to facilitate leveraged insertion of a component into a component bay to an interfaced position, securing of the component in the component bay when the component interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the component from its interfaced position for removal of the component from the component bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the component housing to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the component bay for leveraged insertion and removal. One latch apparatus comprises a frame adapted to be secured to a proximal end of a component housing, a handle pivotally secured to the frame, and an extendable arm slidably secured to a distal end of the handle and biased toward an extended position, wherein the distal end of the extendable arm has a distally extending latch key for engaging a slot in the component bay.

Abstract: A hard disk drive carrier having a latch apparatus to facilitate leveraged insertion of a hard disk drive into a receiving drive bay to an interfaced position, securing of the hard disk drive carrier in the drive bay when the hard disk drive secured to the carrier interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the hard disk drive from its interfaced position for removal of the hard disk drive from the drive bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the hard disk drive carrier to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the drive bay for leveraged insertion and removal.

Abstract: A hard disk drive carrier having a latch apparatus to facilitate leveraged insertion of a hard disk drive into a receiving drive bay to an interfaced position, securing of the hard disk drive carrier in the drive bay when the hard disk drive secured to the carrier interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the hard disk drive from its interfaced position for removal of the hard disk drive from the drive bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the hard disk drive carrier to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the drive bay for leveraged insertion and removal.

Abstract: A latch apparatus and method to facilitate leveraged insertion of a component into a component bay to an interfaced position, securing of the component in the component bay when the component interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the component from its interfaced position for removal of the component from the component bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the component housing to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the component bay for leveraged insertion and removal. One latch apparatus comprises a frame adapted to be secured to a proximal end of a component housing, a handle pivotally secured to the frame, and an extendable arm slidably secured to a distal end of the handle and biased toward an extended position, wherein the distal end of the extendable arm has a distally extending latch key for engaging a slot in the component bay.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a disk drive assembly and a disk drive cage for selectively receiving the disk drive assembly. The disk drive assembly includes first and second side rails secured to opposing sides of a disk drive, wherein the first side rail includes a distal end having a distally-opening slot configured to receive a rigid structure, such as a bent portion of the cage, fixedly extending from the disk drive cage. The slot in the first side rail enables the disk drive assembly to distally advance to a fully installed position within the disk drive cage. Incompatible disk drive assemblies do not include such a slot and are prevented from reaching the fully installed position. Preferably the distal end of first side rail extends beyond the distal end of the disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chassis and a cassette. The chassis includes a first electronic circuit board with a first connector, chassis flex circuitry with a disengageable contacts, a controller in communication with the chassis flex circuitry, and a power supply in communication with the controller and the first electronic circuit board. The cassette is selectively securable to the chassis, the cassette including a second electronic circuit board with a second connector, and a cassette handle with cassette flex circuitry that includes a switch and disengageable contacts, wherein securing the cassette to the chassis positions the disengageable contacts of the cassette flex circuitry in engagement with the disengageable contacts of the chassis flex circuitry to form a circuit and positions the first connector in electronic communication with the second connector, and wherein the circuit allows the controller to detect the condition of the switch.

Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: A connector for an electronic card includes an improved latching mechanism for facilitating the insertion and removal of the card. In one embodiment, a connector body is secured to a motherboard and has a socket for removably receiving a DIMM to a seated position. In the seated position, DIMM terminals are in electrical contact with socket terminals, placing the DIMM in electronic communication with the motherboard. A lever is pivotally coupled to an end of the connector body, and is pivotable into engagement with the DIMM to raise the DIMM. A linear actuator is movably secured on a track and is movable into engagement with the lever. A user ejects the DIMM by pressing downward on the linear actuator at a push point. In response, the linear actuator engages the lever to cause the lever to raise the DIMM from the seated position to a raised position, thereby separating electrical contact between the DIMM terminals and the socket terminals.

Abstract: Method for controlling power and communications between to an electronic circuit board. A chassis includes a first electronic circuit board with a first connector and a cassette includes a second electronic circuit board with a second connector. When the cassette is received by the chassis, chassis flex circuitry and cassette flex circuitry come into contact to complete a circuit between the components. Closing the circuit indicates to a controller that the cassette is properly secured to the chassis and that a user is not attempting removal of the cassette. The controller instructs a power source to provide power to the second electronic circuit board through the first connector. When the circuit is broken by a user, the controller causes the completion of operations on the second electronic circuit board and causes the power source to stop supplying power to the second electronic circuit board.

Abstract: One embodiment of a memory module connector includes a connector body having a slot for removably receiving a DIMM and a latching mechanism for facilitating the insertion and removal of the DIMM from the slot. The footprint of the connector may be minimized in at least four ways: (1) by orienting a lever's pivot axis so that it is parallel with a plane of the DIMM, (2) by laterally spacing the pivot axis with respect to this plane, (3) by positioning the latch at the end(s) of the connector, and (4) by uniquely sculpting the latch to minimize its contribution to the overall footprint of the connector.

Abstract: A mezzanine connector is used to connect two circuit boards. A connector frame includes a first frame member secured to the first circuit board and a second frame member secured to the second circuit board. The first and second frame members are brought together and mechanically connected to one another. A wafer carrier movably disposed between the first and second frame members holds a plurality of wafers at a substantially fixed spacing and parallel alignment. Each wafer has a plurality of electrically conductive pathways. After mechanically coupling the two frame members, the wafer carrier is movable toward the second circuit board from an open circuit position to a closed circuit position to provide electronic communication between the first and second circuit boards.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to controlling power and communications between to an electronic circuit board. A chassis includes a first electronic circuit board with a first connector and a cassette includes a second electronic circuit board with a second connector. When the cassette is received by the chassis, chassis flex circuitry and cassette flex circuitry come into contact to complete a circuit between the components. Closing the circuit indicates to a controller that the cassette is properly secured to the chassis and that a user is not attempting removal of the cassette. The controller instructs a power source to provide power to the second electronic circuit board through the first connector. When the circuit is broken by a user, the controller causes the completion of operations on the second electronic circuit board and causes the power source to stop supplying power to the second electronic circuit board.

Abstract: A reduced insertion force mezzanine connector is used to couple first and second circuit boards. In one embodiment a connector frame has a first end disposed against the first circuit board and defining a first wall, and an opposing second end disposed against the second circuit board and defining a second wall generally parallel with the first wall. A plurality of wafers are disposed. Each wafer has a first edge in sliding contact with the first wall and an opposing second edge in sliding contact with the second wall. A plurality of electrically conducting pathways extend along each wafer from the first edge to the second edge. A wafer guide structure defines a plurality of wafer-support aisles on the first and second walls for receiving the edges of the wafers to constrain the wafers with a fixed spacing and generally parallel alignment.

Abstract: A cassette for toolless installation and removal of an expansion card is disclosed. The cassette is provided with a detachable front plate, back plate, and side plate for substantially enclosing an expansion card. The front plate and back plate is pivotally coupled. The back plate includes horizontal and vertical zip slides, allowing the cassette to adjust to expansion cards of various sizes. A chassis is prepared for insertion of the cassette by opening a chassis top plate. The cassette is then be inserted into the chassis from a substantially horizontal approach and secured therein by a cassette coupler. A user then pivots the cassette downward, such that the conductive pins of the expansion card sequentially engage the expansion connector. The chassis top plate is then closed, securing the conductive pins of the expansion card in the expansion connector.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing multi-directional signaling interface connection of a printed circuit card within a computer chassis. In one embodiment, a blind swap cartridge carries a circuit card that includes a first signaling interface connector in the form of a PCI edge connector. The edge connector is movable via a pivot point on the cartridge in a substantially transverse direction with respect to an insertion direction of said blind swap cartridge. In accordance with the present invention, a second signaling interface connector, such as a SCSI connector, is rigidly affixed to the exterior of the blind swap cartridge. The second signaling interface connector is preferably disposed on the cartridge in an orientation such that its connection direction is substantially aligned with the blind swap cartridge insertion direction. A flexible interconnect member is preferably utilized to couple the second signaling interface connector to the circuit card.

Abstract: A handling system for use with a blade is disclosed. The blade is within a computer system. The handling system comprises a chassis for holding the blade and a first handle member coupled to the chassis. The handling system includes a second handle member coupled to the chassis and being oppositely disposed to the first handle member. Finally, the handling system includes a latching mechanism which holds the first and second handle member in a retracted position when engaged therewith. The latching member when activated causes the first and second handle members to spring out to a point where the first and second handle members can be used to remove the chassis from the computer system. A method and system in accordance with the present invention limits the handling system profile dimensionally by providing a spring-loaded latching mechanism for the handle members. In so doing, a blade server system is provided that has a smaller footprint than conventional server systems.