Abstract: A bracing apparatus is disclosed that has a component located within an opening in a cantilevered end of a heatsink. The component has a form factor that is expandable for stabilizing the heatsink at a given elevation relative to a printed circuit board. The bracing apparatus includes a tensioning device located within an opening in the component. When deployed, the tensioning device causes the component to expand. Also included in the bracing apparatus is a coupling medium for coupling the component to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a plurality of levers that convert a lesser input force to a greater output force for support of a heatsink component coupled with an electronic component.

Abstract: A bracing apparatus is disclosed that has a component located within an opening in a cantilevered end of a heatsink. The component has a form factor that is expandable for stabilizing the heatsink at a given elevation relative to a printed circuit board. The bracing apparatus includes a tensioning device located within an opening in the component. When deployed, the tensioning device causes the component to expand. Also included in the bracing apparatus is a coupling medium for coupling the component to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.

Abstract: An electronic system comprises an enclosure and a backplane coupled inside the enclosure. The backplane has a plurality of slots capable of receiving a plurality of modules of various number and functionality. The modules include power modules, cooling modules, and function modules that are capable of plug insertion into the backplane slots. The backplane receives power and signal connections from external to the enclosure via the modules rather than internal cabling.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a plurality of levers that convert a lesser input force to a greater output force for support of a heatsink component coupled with an electronic component.

Abstract: A computing device module for receipt within a computing device chassis includes an enclosure and a handle movably coupled to the enclosure. The handle moves between an extended position and a retracted position. The handle includes at least one opening configured to permit at least one hand digit to extend through the at least one opening when the handle is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A RF-linked computer system comprises a radio tight enclosure that contains a plurality of cavities capable of accepting multiple function modules. The function modules have radio frequency communication systems that intercommunicate in multiple parallel channels and wide bandwidth within the enclosure. The RF-linked computer system further comprises an optical communication link capable of communicating to devices and systems exterior to the enclosure.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.

Abstract: A method of color-coding a blade and a bladed system is disclosed. The bladed system has a plurality of slots. In particular, the method facilitates selecting at least one slot for inserting therein the blade. One of a plurality of core colors is associated with each slot of the bladed system, whereas each core color indicates which type of blade can be inserted in the corresponding slot. One of the core colors is associated with the blade. In the bladed system, a slot which has an associated core color which matches the core color of the blade is selected. The blade is inserted in the selected slot.

Abstract: An integrated positioning and locking device is disclosed. The integrated positioning and locking device is well suited for installing an assembly onto a chassis. In particular, the integrated positioning and locking device has a latch formed in an external wall of the assembly. The latch latches against the chassis. Moreover, the latch includes a lip which points externally from the external wall. In addition, the integrated positioning and locking device further includes an inner wall for blocking access through the external wall to an internal region of the assembly when the assembly is in an installed position on the chassis. Furthermore, the integrated positioning and locking device has a T-shaped boss integrated into the inner wall for positioning the assembly relative to the chassis to facilitate placing the latch into a latched position for locking the assembly in the installed position.

Abstract: A method of assembling a circuit board into a housing to form an assembly is disclosed. The method includes inserting a first end of the circuit board into a first slot of the housing, flexing the circuit board over a deflection/retention feature, inserting a second end of the circuit board into a second slot of the housing, and pressing the circuit board into place until the circuit board clears the deflection/retention feature and snaps into place. The circuit board thereafter returns to a substantially flat state. Moreover, inserting a first end of the circuit board into a first slot of the housing and inserting a second end of the circuit board into a second slot of the housing each include simplifying initial alignment of the circuit board into the slot by first contacting a lower surface of the slot that extends farther from a front of the housing than an upper surface of the slot.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.

Abstract: A wireform bracket provides a simple, elegant, low-cost solution for managing a large number of cables, while also allowing ample airflow at the back of a computer system. A wireform bracket in accordance with the present invention includes a plurality of bends, with each bend proximate a connector on the backplane of a computer system when the wireform bracket is attached to the back of the computer system. As cables are connected to the back of the computer system, each cable is fastened to the nearest bend using a tie-wrap, or some other cable fastening method known in the art. The present invention minimizes potential strain at the connectors by shifting any strain to the point at which the cable is attached to the wireform bracket, while also minimizing the disruption of airflow in the area immediately behind a computer system. In one embodiment, a wireform cable is formed from a ⅛ inch thick piece of steel wire, though other materials and thicknesses may be Mused.

Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.

Abstract: The inventive EM panel comprises multiple layers of perforated metal sheets that are electrically connected with each other. Since multiple sheets are used, the holes can be larger than in a single sheet shield, as attenuation improvements from increased panel thickness can be traded for attenuation reductions from increased hole size. The metal sheets are perforated with equal-sized holes in a common pattern. The metal sheets are arranged in a stack such that the equal-sized holes have co-located centers. Also the holes of each sheet are lined up such that air enters the panel through the side of the panel with beveled holes. The bevel is formed from the punch used to make the holes. This prevents dust from clogging the panel. The sheets of the panel are electrically connected at the periphery of the sheets via a rivets or a gasket.

Abstract: A window is attached to a bezel, housing, or other assembly. The bezel, housing, or other assembly has a series of pins surrounding an opening, and the window has a corresponding series of holes. The centers of the holes are slightly off-center from the centers of the pins in one dimension. When the window is pressed into place over the opening, the window deflects slightly. This deflection causes the edges of the holes to “dig into” the pins, and retains the window in place over the opening.

Abstract: A bezel attaches to a chassis via pins that register the alignment of the bezel with respect to the chassis, and snap latches that retain the bezel to the chassis. The bezel of the present invention has one or more molded pins and one or more snap latches. The pins are tapered and extend out from the chassis farther than the snap latches. To assemble the bezel to a chassis, the pins are aligned with corresponding holes in the chassis. Since the pins are longer than the snap latches, the pins are easily positioned and partially inserted into the holes before it is necessary to depress the snap latches. Furthermore, since the pins are tapered, initial insertion of the pins into the holes is simplified. After aligning the pins and partially inserting the pins into the holes, the snap latches are depressed, thereby allowing the snap latches to be easily inserted into corresponding slots of the chassis as the bezel is pressed flush against the chassis. Thereafter, the snap latches are released.