Abstract: A computer housing which includes a chassis that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment includes a first electronic assembly and a first fan that creates a flow of air through the compartment to create a compartment pressure that is less than an ambient pressure. The second compartment contains a second electronic assembly and a second fan which produces a flow of air that creates pressure within the compartment that is greater than the ambient pressure. The housing also contains an inner wall which separates the first compartment from the second compartment to inhibit air flow between the compartments.

Abstract: A card guide that both restrains an installed electronic card and allows the card to be inserted into a computer chassis in a direction that is parallel to the motherboard of the computer. The card guide extends from a beam that is cantilevered from a frame of a computer chassis. The card guide has a groove that guides an edge of the electronic card so that the card is aligned with a connector of the motherboard. The card guide also has a ramp that guides the card into the groove in a direction parallel with the motherboard and perpendicular to the groove. The card is installed by initially pushing the electronic card along the ramp until the edge of the card snaps into the groove. The cantilevered beam is deflected by the installation force of the user to allow the card to move down the ramp. Once in the groove the electronic card is pushed in a direction perpendicular to the motherboard to plug the card into the motherboard connector.

Abstract: An electrical assembly which secures a detached cable/connector assembly to a substrate of a printed circuit board. The assembly has a printed circuit board that is mounted to a first surface of the substrate. The printed circuit board is coupled to an electrical connector assembly by a flexible cable. The electrical connector assembly can be plugged into an auxiliary device such as a CD-ROM. The electrical connector assembly has a tab that is inserted into an aperture located in the second surface of the substrate, to secure the connector assembly when the connector is not attached to the auxiliary device.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer housing with a low noise cooling system. The computer housing is comprised of two principal members, a cover and a base. Both a left surface and a right surface of the cover are perforated with vents to allowing the passage of air through the housing. The base additionally incorporates two air intake holes with a power source for the computer disposed over these air intake holes. The passage of air through the housing is facilitated through the use of three fans. These three fans are attached directly to the power source, and each of these fans operates at a different fan speed. The fan speeds are additionally adjusted in response to the outside ambient temperature. In operation, air enters the computer housing of the present invention through the vent array on the left surface of the cover, and the air intake holes in the base.

Abstract: A modular circuit board placement system is disclosed that provides for flexible placement of daughterboards, for minimal bus signal path lengths between motherboard and daughterboards, and for ease of installation and removal of daughterboards. The placement system employs dual height bus connectors, a stepped back panel, easy to engage and disengage dual height card retainers, filler panels that also function as module mounts, and multipurpose circuit card handles that facilitate removal of daughterboards. Daughterboards have a two-tier staggered arrangement above the motherboard. Each daughterboard has a signal transfer end that electrically connects to the motherboard through one of the dual height bus connectors, and a back panel connector end that couples to the back panel with an accessory connector or with a filler panel that functions as an electromagnetic interference shield.

Abstract: An easy to engage and disengage dual height card retainer that facilitates removal of daughterboards is disclosed. Daughterboards have a two-tier staggered arrangement above the motherboard. Each daughterboard has a signal transfer end that electrically connects to the motherboard through one of the dual height bus connectors, and a back panel connector end that couples to the back panel with an accessory connector or with a filler panel that functions as an electromagnetic interference shield. Dual height card retainers that require no tools to operate function as retaining means to prevent daughterboards from working lose from bus connectors during shipment.