Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: Methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in computers are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes securing a bracket of a retaining device to an electrical component in a computer. The method further includes installing an electrical connector into a receptacle on the electrical component, and positioning a retainer portion of the retaining device at least approximately adjacent to an outwardly facing surface of the electrical connector. In this embodiment, the retainer portion of the retaining device is operatively connected to the bracket of the retaining device. Positioning the retainer portion in this manner prevents the connector from disengaging from the electrical component.

Abstract: Methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in computers are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes installing an electrical connector into a receptacle on an electrical component in a computer. The method further includes securing a mounting portion of a retaining device to at least one of the manner positions an interface portion of the retaining device at least approximately adjacent to an outwardly facing surface of the connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle.

Abstract: A fastener having a head integral with an elongated shank projecting rigidly from the underside of the head. The shank has a threaded portion extending a predetermined length outwardly from the head, and which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head. The head has a first set of receiving holes and a second set of receiving holes which are substantially similar to the first set and are offset from the first set of receiving holes. The fastener has a clip removably attached to the head by inserting end portions of the clip into one of the first or second sets of receiving holes in the head.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for removably securing one or more computer circuit boards to a computer chassis. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a bracket having attached sites that can be selectively aligned with corresponding fastening sites of one or more types of printed circuit boards. The circuit boards can be attached to the bracket without tools and without threaded fasteners, and the bracket can be attached to the chassis also without tools and with out threaded fasteners. The circuit boards can be grounded to the chassis solely through a compressible conductive gasket that extends between the chassis and input/output connectors of the printed circuit boards.

Abstract: A fastener having a head integral with an elongated shank projecting rigidly from the underside of the head. The shank has a threaded portion extending a predetermined length outwardly from the head, and which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head. The head has a first set of receiving holes and a second set of receiving holes which are substantially similar to the first set and are offset from the first set of receiving holes. The fastener has a clip removably attached to the head by inserting end portions of the clip into one of the first or second sets of receiving holes in the head.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: A fastener having a head integral with an elongated shank projecting rigidly from the underside of the head. The shank has a threaded portion extending a predetermined length outwardly from the head, and which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head. The head has a first set of receiving holes and a second set of receiving holes which are substantially similar to the first set and are offset from the first set of receiving holes. The fastener has a clip removably attached to the head by inserting end portions of the clip into one of the first or second sets of receiving holes in the head.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a first circuit board on a second circuit board. Embodiments of the invention use a clip attached to uprights to exert a biasing force on the first circuit board. The uprights are also coupled to the second circuit board. In embodiments of the invention, the first circuit board is a processor package such as a processor package for use in a Slot 1 or Slot 2 connector, and the second circuit board is a motherboard of a computer system. Embodiments of the invention also include a memory module and a power supply.

Abstract: A device for coupling a one computer component, such as a printed circuit board and mounting bracket, to another computer component, such as a computer chassis. The device may comprise an engaging member and a fastener. The fastener may be configured to attach the engaging member to a fastener aperture in the chassis while the engaging member clamps the bracket against the chassis. The engaging member may have a protrusion sized and shaped to extend through an opening in the bracket and at least partially into an aperture in the chassis to restrict motion of the printed circuit board relative to the chassis. The engaging member may further include a plurality of protrusions to engage with and restrict motion of a corresponding plurality of printed circuit boards relative to the chassis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component, such as a computer motherboard, to a chassis. The method comprises positioning a first fastener of a mounting device adjacent a mounting slot in the chassis, inserting the first fastener of the mounting device through the mounting slot in the chassis, releasing the mounting device so that the first fastener clamps onto the chassis through the mounting slot, positioning a second fastener of the mounting device adjacent a mounting hole on the planar electrical component, and inserting the second fastener of the mounting device into the mounting hole until the second fastener clamps onto the planar electrical component through the mounting hole.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component, such as a computer motherboard, to a chassis. The method comprises positioning a first fastener of a mounting device adjacent a mounting slot in the chassis, inserting the first fastener of the mounting device through the mounting slot in the chassis, releasing the mounting device so that the first fastener clamps onto the chassis through the mounting slot, positioning a second fastener of the mounting device adjacent a mounting hole on the planar electrical component, and inserting the second fastener of the mounting device into the mounting hole until the second fastener clamps onto the planar electrical component through the mounting hole.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: The invention provides for an apparatus that secures one or more expansion boards to a motherboard. A single type of adjustable retention block can be used to engage and secure expansion boards of various sizes. The retention block secures an expansion board in a groove of the retention block along the edge of the expansion board. By this attachment, the retention block avoids contact with the electrical components of either the expansion board or the motherboard.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a first circuit board on a second circuit board. Embodiments of the invention use a clip attached to uprights to exert a biasing force on the first circuit board. The uprights are also coupled to the second circuit board. In embodiments of the invention, the first circuit board is a processor package such as a processor package for use in a Slot 1 or Slot 2 connector, and the second circuit board is a motherboard of a computer system. Embodiments of the invention also include a memory module and a power supply.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electrical component, and a retainer to prevent disengagement of the electrical connector from the receptacle. The retainer has a mounting portion that can attach to at least one of the electrical component or the computer chassis, and a connector interface adjacent to the electrical connector to prevent the connector from disengaging from the receptacle on the electrical component. In one aspect of this embodiment, the retainer is a one-piece retainer with a mounting portion that attaches to only one surface of the electrical component. In other embodiments, the retainer can be a two-piece retainer having a bracket and a movable retainer portion.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a first circuit board on a second circuit board. Embodiments of the invention use a clip attached to uprights to exert a biasing force on the first circuit board. The uprights are also coupled to the second circuit board. In embodiments of the invention, the first circuit board is a processor package such as a processor package for use in a Slot 1 or Slot 2 connector, and the second circuit board is a motherboard of a computer system. Embodiments of the invention also include a memory module and a power supply.