Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting heatsinks used to cool components of a board are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a carrier plate assembly that is arranged to be secured over a structure which has a first structure hole and a first component includes a carrier plate and a first heatsink. The carrier plate has a first plate mounting hole and a first opening defined therein. The first plate mounting hole is arranged to be aligned with the first structure hole such that a first axis is defined through the first plate mounting hole and the first structure hole. The first opening is arranged to be positioned over the first component. The first heatsink is positioned such that a first portion of the first heatsink protrudes through the opening and a second portion of the first heatsink is supported on the carrier plate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting heatsinks used to cool components of a board are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a carrier plate assembly that is arranged to be secured over a structure which has a first structure hole and a first component includes a carrier plate and a first heatsink. The carrier plate has a first plate mounting hole and a first opening defined therein. The first plate mounting hole is arranged to be aligned with the first structure hole such that a first axis is defined through the first plate mounting hole and the first structure hole. The first opening is arranged to be positioned over the first component. The first heatsink is positioned such that a first portion of the first heatsink protrudes through the opening and a second portion of the first heatsink is supported on the carrier plate.

Abstract: A printed circuit board apparatus includes a handle which has an extension plate which extends into an optical switch so as to prevent communication between an optical emitter and optical receiver. To remove the printed circuit board apparatus from its associated rack housing, rotation of the handle is first required which moves the plate and which causes the detector to go HIGH and signal to a telecommunications system that the board is soon to be removed so that a graceful switch can be made from that board to a redundant copy thereof. The printed circuit board apparatus further includes a deflectable lever which contacts to ground the rack housing upon inserting the printed circuit board apparatus into its associated rack housing so as to provide electrostatic discharge protection.