Abstract: A shield for an electronic cartridge which has a pin that attaches a thermal element to a substrate. One edge of the substrate may have a plurality of conductive pads. The shield may have a base located adjacent to the conductive pads. The shield may include an arm which extends from the base and a finger which extends from the arm. The shield can be installed by sliding the arm toward the thermal element so that the pin engages and deflects the finger. The shield is moved toward the thermal element until the pin snaps into a notch located at the end of the finger. The finger may exert a spring force which pushes the base into the thermal element and secures the shield to the cartridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic assembly that includes an integrated circuit package, a heat sink, and a fastener which connects the heat sink to the integrated circuit package to cool the integrated circuit package. The fastener includes a stem that extends through the heat sink and the integrated circuit package. The fastener further includes a clamp that is connected to one end of the stem and a spring head that is connected to an opposing end of the stem. The spring head includes a first biasing member that extends around the longitudinal axis of the stem to compress the heat sink and the integrated circuit package against the clamp in order to reduce the thermal impedance between the heat sink and the integrated circuit package.

Abstract: A land grid array (LGA) socket is connected to a power converter using compression contact technology eliminating the need for an edge-card connector typically required in such applications. The LGA socket is mounted to the power converter in a single direction of assembly (i.e., the vertical axis).

Abstract: An emblem that is located within a recess of a cover. The cover may be part of a cartridge which also contains a number of integrated circuit packages that are mounted to a printed circuit board. The emblem is typically attached to the cover by an adhesive. The recess reduces the likelihood of the emblem being removed from the cover. The emblem preferably contains a hologram which can identify a type of cartridge produced by a manufacturer.

Abstract: A socket for an electronic assembly. The socket may include a first finger that is coupled to a second finger. The socket may further have a plurality of contacts that are located within contact openings of the first and second fingers. The fingers may be separated by spaces that reduce the effective coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: A retention mechanism is formed of a molded plastic member having a base portion with at least one through-hole and a first through-slot adjacent thereto. The plastic member includes a card receiving structure having an open side, and a second receiving structure having an open side with a second through-slot through a wall of the receiving structure perpendicular to the base portion. Inserted in the plastic member is an elongate metal member having a base portion and a distal end. The metal member extends through the first and second through-slots with the base portion positioned adjacent the base portion and the distal portion positioned within the second receiving structure. The distal portion of the metal member is formed to provide spring action against a member inserted into the second receiving structure.

Abstract: A socket for an electronic assembly. In one embodiment, the socket includes a first finger that is coupled to a second finger. The socket further includes a plurality of contacts that are located within contact openings of the first and second fingers. The fingers are separated by spaces that reduce the effective coefficient of thermal expansion.

Abstract: An electronic cartridge which may include an integrated circuit package that is mounted to a substrate. The substrate may include a plurality of conductive pads that are inserted into an electrical connector. The cartridge may be guided into the connector by a guide rail which has a latch slot. The electronic cartridge may include a latch which extends from a cover that is coupled to the substrate. The latch may extend into the latch slot to secure the cartridge to the connector.

Abstract: A retention system for an electronic cartridge which mates with connector that is mounted to a substrate. The system may include a first guide rail that is adapted to receive one edge of the electronic cartridge and a second guide rail that is adapted to receive another edge of the electronic cartridge. The guide rails may be mounted to the motherboard by a plurality of threaded fasteners and corresponding nuts. The guide rails guide the electronic cartridge into the connector. The system may further have a beam that extends from the first guide rail to the second guide rail. The guide rails and beam provide structural support for the electronic cartridge.

Abstract: An electronic cartridge. The cartridge may include a first cover and a second cover that are adjacent to a substrate. One or more integrated circuit packages may be mounted to the substrate. The cartridge may include a pin that extends from the first cover and which has a barb that is embedded into the second cover. The embedded barb will damage the second cover if the cover is removed from the cartridge. The present invention thus prevents the removal and re-installation of the cover from the cartridge.

Abstract: Apparatus for testing dark adaptation comprises a test panel. Four test stimuli, comprising arrays of light emitting diodes, are arranged on the test panel around a fixation light emitting diode. Translucent covers are mounted over the arrays of light emitting diodes. Four switches to enable a subject to input the identity of a visible test stimulus are provided, each switch is operated by a button formed by a respective cover of the test stimuli. A test stimulus is randomly selected and switched on at a predetermined level of luminance. On a correct identification, another test stimulus is selected and switched on at a reduced level of luminance. The times from the commencement of the test until the various correct identifications are recorded, as are the corresponding level of luminance of the test stimuli.

Abstract: Visual faculty testing apparatus is proposed to facilitate contrast sensitivity assessment. Existing procedures are limited and involve the presentation to a subject of a target of which the overall contrast is varied to determine the minimum level at which it is detectable. The present apparatus differs by presenting a target array of light and dark areas alternating in one direction, and with the luminance of at least one set of areas varying towards that of the other set in another direction, the apparatus including control means affording adjustment of the rate of this luminance variation whereby points of minimum contrast detection can be moved across the target. The amount of adjustment for each movement to prescribed subjectively judged positions or target patterns then gives a comparative basis for contrast sensitivity.