Abstract: A communication apparatus including a wireless communication device, a network interface device and a receptacle assembly body. A data transfer portion is attached to the receptacle assembly body. The data transfer portion is electrically connected to the network interface device. A wireless communication portion is attached to receptacle assembly body. The wireless communication portion is electrically connected to the wireless communication device. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A control module includes a control module having a body and a jack portion extending from the body for being received in a mating receptacle. The jack portion carries a plurality of contacts. A wireless communication portion is attached to the body. A switch portion is attached to the body. The switch portion is electrically connected to at least a portion of the contacts. A single receptacle assembly can be used to separately interconnect a plurality of types of communication devices to an electronic device in a space efficient and cost-effective manner.

Abstract: A computer in which an expansion card cage assembly is mounted in the computer chassis. The expansion card cage assembly includes a wall extending parallel to the chassis wall, a riser card mounted relative to the wall of the cage assembly and having a connector adapted to engage the connector of the motherboard, and at least one expansion card connected to the riser card. A lever is provided on the cage assembly wall and is adapted to engage the chassis wall to quick-detachably connect the cage assembly to the chassis.

Abstract: A computer having a retention module connected to the circuit board of the module for receiving a cartridge containing a microprocessor. The retention module has a base member for mounting to the chassis, and a retention member formed integrally with the base member for receiving a nut for engaging a post on the chassis to mechanically connect the retention module to the chassis. The retention member retains the nut and aligns the nut with the post when the retention module is placed on the chassis prior to the nut being threadedly connected to the post.

Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis and a support member mounted on the chassis. A heat sink is mounted on the support member. A resilient retainer is captively mounted on the heat sink and a fastener member is captively supported by the resilient retainer and removably secured to the support member. The retainer is a continuous strip of resilient material including fastener guide members and a fastener retention member. The fastener guide members include a first guide member aligned with a second guide member. The fastener retention member includes a slot aligned with the fastener guide members. Gripping members are provided to snap into engagement with the heat sink. The fastener member extends through the guides and the retention member and engages the support member.

Abstract: A computer in which a microprocessor module is disposed in the computer chassis and is cooled by a heat sink disposed in a heat exchange relation to the microprocessor. A fan is disposed in the chassis and adapted to induce air flow, and a shroud is connected to the heat sink and encloses the heat sink for directing the air through the heat sink for removing heat from the heat sink.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a computer cover to a computer chassis. In a preferred embodiment, a computer cover and computer chassis include a latching mechanism with components attached to each. The cover includes a button and a stop located adjacent to the button. The chassis includes a leaf spring so that, when the cover is closed onto the chassis, the leaf spring engages with the stop, thereby securing the cover to the chassis. Likewise, whenever the button is being depressed, such as by a user, the button pushes the leaf spring away from the stop. As a result, the leaf spring is no longer engaged to the stop and the cover can be easily opened from the chassis.

Abstract: A receptacle for completing an electrical circuit between first and second devices, such as an electronic button and an interface circuit. The receptacle comprises a column moveable within a structure defining a channel having first and second ends, the column includes an electrically conductive contact engageable by the first device at the first channel end. An electrical terminal is spaced from the column at a second channel end, the electrical terminal being electrically connectable to the second device. A connector is electrically connected to the contact and extends within the channel toward the terminal, such that upon engagement of the contact by the first device, the connector electrically engages the terminal, thereby completing the electrical circuit between the devices. A second electrically conductive contact is located within the channel adjacent the column which is engageable by the first device.

Abstract: A mouse computer input peripheral device includes a window area integrally constructed within the mouse and positioned at an area on the mouse upon which a user normally places a finger in operating the mouse. The mouse further includes an illuminating device and a light sensitive detection device for providing a user signature signal representative of the characteristics of the ridge and valley pattern of the fingerprint of a finger placed upon the window area. The signature signal is transmitted to the BIOS within the computer system in which the mouse is operating and compared with one or more stored patterns which have previously been authorized for access to the computer system. When the user's signature signal is compared with and matches one of the stored and approved signature signals, the system is enabled and the user is granted access.

Abstract: A computer in which an expansion card cage assembly is mounted in the computer chassis. The expansion card cage assembly includes a wall extending parallel to the chassis wall, a riser card mounted relative to the wall of the cage assembly and having a connector adapted to engage the connector of the motherboard, and at least one expansion card connected to the riser card. A lever is provided on the cage assembly wall and is adapted to engage the chassis wall to quick-detachably connect the cage assembly to the chassis.

Abstract: A flexible I/O port configuration and connector labeling scheme for a computer chassis. An I/O shield that includes connector cutouts specific to a system motherboard is attached to the system motherboard. The motherboard to which the I/O shield is attached may be installed in a generic chassis that includes cutouts for "standard" connectors, such as VGA, keyboard, audio and mouse connectors, as well as a flexible I/O cutout for receiving custom connectors, such as USB and network connectors. Any connector cutout or portion of a cutout provided in the chassis through which a connector does not extend is filled by the I/O shield. In another aspect, an I/O labeling strip on which are printed icons for identifying the various connectors is press-fit onto the chassis, such that the strip can be easily removed and replaced.

Abstract: A computer system, or other electronic device, having two parts that are easily attached and quickly detached. One of the parts has a plurality of stakes projecting from one surface thereof, and the other part has a plurality of through openings for receiving the stakes, and a plurality of slots extending adjacent the stakes. The stakes are formed over the other part adjacent the openings to attach the second part to the first part, and a blade can be inserted in the slots to force the second part away from the first part and break the stakes to quickly detach the parts.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously coupling a heat sink to an electrical device and reducing electromagnetic interference caused by the heat sink being coupled to the electrical device. A mother board, as used in an electronic circuit, is situated so that an electrical pad is located proximate to a socket for receiving the electrical device. The electrical device is placed inside the socket, and further has the heat sink thermally coupled to a top surface thereof. The heat sink serves to dissipate any heat radiating from the electrical device into a surrounding air mass. A heat sink clip physically and electrically engages with the heat sink and physically engages with the socket, thereby securing the heat sink to the device and the device to the socket. The heat sink clip also includes a tab that, when the clip is engaged with the heat sink, is in electrical contact with the pad, which in turn is in contact with a ground power supply.

Abstract: A computer, or other similar type of electronic device including a chassis, and a power supply mounted in the chassis is disclosed. One or more hooks are provided on one of the walls of the chassis and one or more corresponding walls of the power supply so that the power supply can be placed in the chassis and moved relative to the chassis to engage the hooks and secure the power supply in the chassis against movement in a first plane. A single screw is provided for engaging the chassis and the power supply for securing the power supply against movement in a plane perpendicular to the first plane. A tab on a wall of the chassis guides the power supply.

Abstract: A computer, or other similar type of electronic device including a chassis, and one or more disk drives mounted in the chassis. A mounting bracket for receiving a disk drive is mounted to the computer chassis and is precisely located relative to a wall of the chassis. A mounting plate for receiving another disk drive is mounted relative to the bracket and to the chassis and is also precisely located relative to a wall of the chassis and to the bracket.

Abstract: Apparatus for securing a computer cover to a computer chassis is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a computer cover and computer chassis include a latching mechanism with components attached to each. The cover includes a button and a stop located adjacent to the button. The chassis includes a leaf spring so that, when the cover is closed onto the chassis, the leaf spring engages with the stop, thereby securing the cover to the chassis. Likewise, whenever the button is being depressed, such as by a user, the button pushes the leaf spring away from the stop. As a result, the cover is no longer secured to the chassis and can be easily opened from the chassis.

Abstract: A generally plate-shaped adapter device has an inner edge portion with spaced bosses thereon that may be snapped into tooling holes in a printed circuit board which is smaller than the circuit board originally designed to be secured to mounting portions formed on a computer chassis wall. The in-place adapter device forms an outward edgewise extension of the smaller circuit board and has an outer edge portion positioned and configured to cooperate with the chassis board mounting structure in a manner permitting the reduced size printed circuit board to be operatively mounted on the chassis wall without modification of its board mounting structure.

Abstract: A printed circuit board mounting apparatus for securing a printed circuit board within a chassis includes a track affixable to the chassis and a locking mechanism affixable to the printed circuit board. The track, which includes a plurality of locking points, is slidably received within the locking mechanism, which engages the track at any of the several locking points to secure the track within the locking mechanism. The mounting apparatus described herein enables the chassis to accommodate printed circuit boards of different sizes without mechanical modification of the chassis.

Abstract: A fastener for securing a printed circuit board to a chassis includes a body portion, legs depending from the body portion, the legs being adapted for removable attachment within holes in the chassis, a hook for slidably engaging a slot on a printed circuit board inserted thereon, and a grounding element for providing an electrical connection between the printed circuit board and a shield on the chassis. The fastener described herein enables one chassis design to accommodate a variety of sizes of printed circuit boards merely by forming holes at particular points on the chassis, thereby avoiding the expense of redesigning a chassis to accommodate a new printed circuit board.

Abstract: A computer is provided with a pair of internal PCMCIA card connection chambers opening outwardly through a pair of housing side wall slots through which PCMCIA cards may be inserted into and withdrawn from the chambers. To facilitate the disconnection and withdrawal of the inserted cards each chamber is provided with a mechanically leveraged card ejector mechanism positioned within a thin space between the facing sides of the inserted card and a housing wall portion of the chamber, and disposed essentially entirely within the peripheral footprint of the inserted card. Each ejector mechanism includes a manually operable actuating plate slidably disposed on the outer side of the computer housing, a card receiving/ejection plate overlying the actuating plate within the housing, and a lever plate sandwiched between the actuating plate and receiving/ejection plate and pivotally connected to the housing.