Abstract: A protective cover is utilized with a portable computing device, where the portable computing device includes a front surface that includes a display. The protective cover includes a sheet including a front surface and a rear surface, where the sheet has a suitable dimension to cover at least the display of the computing device when the protective cover is connected with the computing device. The sheet further includes a cut-out section that facilitates viewing of a reduced area of the display when the protective cover is connected with the computing device. The protective cover further includes at least one electrically conductive contact member located on the rear surface and configured to engage with at least one contact member of the computing device when the protective cover is connected with the front surface of the computing device.

Abstract: A latching apparatus provides selective injection and ejection of an electronic module relative to a chassis that includes a support member. The apparatus includes a housing to be coupled to the electronic module, and a handle pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A catch in a first position retains the handle in the latched position. An actuator is coupled to the handle and operable to move the catch to a second position. In response to movement of the actuator in a direction the same as the direction of the handle toward the unlatched position, the catch is moved to its second position. As a result, the handle is movable between the latched and unlatched positions to permit the electronic module to be injected or ejected relative to the chassis.

Abstract: A protective cover is utilized with a portable computing device, where the portable computing device includes a front surface that includes a display. The protective cover includes a sheet including a front surface and a rear surface, where the sheet has a suitable dimension to cover at least the display of the computing device when the protective cover is connected with the computing device. The sheet further includes a cut-out section that facilitates viewing of a reduced area of the display when the protective cover is connected with the computing device. The protective cover further includes at least one electrically conductive contact member located on the rear surface and configured to engage with at least one contact member of the computing device when the protective cover is connected with the front surface of the computing device.

Abstract: A latching apparatus provides selective injection and ejection of an electronic module relative to a chassis that includes a support member. The apparatus includes a housing to be coupled to the electronic module, and a handle pivotably coupled to the housing and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A catch in a first position retains the handle in the latched position. An actuator is coupled to the handle and operable to move the catch to a second position. In response to movement of the actuator in a direction the same as the direction of the handle toward the unlatched position, the catch is moved to its second position. As a result, the handle is movable between the latched and unlatched positions to permit the electronic module to be injected or ejected relative to the chassis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure refers to an apparatus comprising a bracket having a base configured to receive and hold a first electronic element. The bracket comprises at least one flange extending from the base and at least one guide acting to align the bracket and first electronic element with a second electronic element. The bracket also comprises at least one fastener aligned with the at least one guide and acting to engage and hold the second electronic element.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling removal of a circuit board module from a chassis comprising an actuator and an electrical switch. The actuator having a locked state and an unlocked state, where the circuit board module is removable from the chassis when the actuator is in the unlocked state and the circuit board module is not removable when the actuator is in the locked state. The electrical switch is coupled to the actuator to produce a first signal indicating the locked state and a second signal indicating the unlocked state.

Abstract: A reconfigurable patch panel and a method of reconfiguring a patch panel comprising a support member supporting at least one adapter, where the at least one adapter comprises a plurality of ports for coupling to electric signal bearing cables. A pivot, associated with each of the at least one adapters, couples the at least one adapter to the support member. The at least one adapter selectively rotates about the pivot to a selected position relative to the support member. A retainer, associated with each of the at least one adapters, couples the support member to the at least one adapter and retains the at least one adapter in the selected position.

Abstract: An earplug for an ear canal includes a cap for plugging the ear canal. The cap has a cover tapered at one end and a hollow post extending centrally from the end. An air gap is formed between the cover and the post. The cover further includes a flexible rubbery material that adjusts shape to match a shape of the ear canal and seal the ear canal. An inner spring holds the cap in the ear canal. The inner spring has a plurality of spring leafs about a central axis to fit within the hollow post where the spring leafs are compressed about the central axis and a force of the spring leafs flexes the cap to hold the cap in the ear canal. A base is joined to an end of the inner spring for gripping the earplug for insertion and removal of the earplug from the ear canal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present disclosure refers to an apparatus comprising a bracket having a base configured to receive and hold a first electronic element. The bracket comprises at least one flange extending from the base and at least one guide acting to align the bracket and first electronic element with a second electronic element. The bracket also comprises at least one fastener aligned with the at least one guide and acting to engage and hold the second electronic element.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly includes a circuit board, and a connector supported by the circuit board. The connector is configured to electrically connect with a pluggable transceiver module having a retention post. The circuit board assembly further includes a cage supported by the circuit board. The cage includes a cage body defining (i) a circuit board side which faces the circuit board, (ii) an opposing side which faces away from the circuit board, and (iii) a cavity within which the module substantially resides during module operation. The connector is substantially disposed within the cavity. The cage further includes a tab is configured to engage the retention post of the module when the module substantially resides within the cavity defined by the cage body. The tab resides on the opposing side defined by the cage body. Such an assembly enables installation of the module with its belly side up.

Abstract: A circuit board assembly includes a motherboard defining a motherboard plane, and a daughter board defining a daughter board plane which is substantially parallel to the motherboard plane. The motherboard and the daughter board electrically connect to each other through a set of circuit board connectors. The circuit board assembly further includes a set of edge clips. Each edge clip extends outwardly from the daughter board along the daughter board plane and is configured to operate as a mounting platform through which to physically secure the daughter board to the motherboard.

Abstract: A control assembly controls removal of a circuit board from a chassis. The control assembly includes a support member configured to fasten to the circuit board, and a handle pivotally attached to the support member. The handle is configured to swing from an opened position to a closed position relative to the support member during installation of the circuit board within the chassis, and from the closed position to the opened position during removal of the circuit board from the chassis. The control assembly further includes a button configured to move between a biased position and a depressed position relative to the support member. The button is further configured to (i) inhibit removal of the circuit board from the chassis when the button is in the biased position, and (ii) enable removal of the circuit board from the chassis when the button is in the depressed position.

Abstract: A method is performed in an electronic system having (i) hardware configured to perform electronic operations and (ii) an air filter configured to remove contamination from an air stream that cools the hardware. The method, which identifies when to change an air filter, involves obtaining, from a set of particle sensors, a set of sensor signals in response to sensed particles in the air stream. The method further involves generating particle count data and processing the data based on the set of sensor signals, and providing an output signal having one of a first value and a second value based on the particle count data. The output signal indicates that the air filter should be changed when the output signal has the first value. The output signal indicates that the air filter should not be changed when the output signal has the second value.

Abstract: A control assembly controls removal of a circuit board from a chassis. The control assembly includes a support member configured to fasten to the circuit board, and a handle pivotally attached to the support member. The handle is configured to swing from an opened position to a closed position relative to the support member during installation of the circuit board within the chassis, and from the closed position to the opened position during removal of the circuit board from the chassis. The control assembly further includes a button configured to move between a biased position and a depressed position relative to the support member. The button is further configured to (i) inhibit removal of the circuit board from the chassis when the button is in the biased position, and (ii) enable removal of the circuit board from the chassis when the button is in the depressed position.

Abstract: A panel member attaches to a frame that supports electronic circuitry. The panel member includes a mounting portion configured to mount to the frame, and a face portion coupled to the mounting portion. The face portion defines a plane and multiple openings within the plane. The panel member further includes multiple brimmed portions coupled to the face portion. Each brimmed portion (i) extends around an opening defined by the face portion and (ii) projects from that opening in a direction which is away from the plane. The use of such a panel member provides improved airflow and stagnation pressure as well as robust electromagnetic interference protection.

Abstract: A connector module collects or aggregates a group of cables having cable connectors, such as RJ45 connectors, into a single unit. With such aggregation, the connector module allows attachment or detachment of multiple cable connectors with multiple connector ports of a network interface circuit board at substantially the same time (e.g., during a single installation or removal procedure). The connector module, therefore, minimizes the amount time needed to install or remove individual cable relative to the network interface circuit board. Also, the connector module maintains the positioning of the connectors relative to the connector ports. Therefore, an operator can remove the connector module from the ports without having to track the positioning of individual cables and individual cable connectors relative to particular ports of the network interface circuit board.

Abstract: A circuit board module has a circuit board, a component mounted to the circuit board, and a heat sink assembly. The heat sink assembly includes a base member having a first edge and a second edge. The base member is configured to operate as a thermal conduit between a first location proximate to the component and a second location distal to the component. The heat sink assembly further includes a first rail member coupled to the base member along the first edge of the base member, a second rail member coupled to the base member along the second edge of the base member, and an actuation mechanism coupled to the base member. The actuation mechanism is configured to move portions of the members toward each other when the base member resides at the first location to fasten the base member to the component.

Abstract: A circuit board module has a circuit board which includes a circuit board structure and a set of components mounted to the circuit board structure. The circuit board module further includes a set of heatsinks (i.e., one or more heatsinks) and a heatsink retaining assembly fastened to the circuit board. The heatsink retaining assembly includes (i) a set of brackets, each bracket being elongated in shape and having a first end and a second end, (ii) a frame, and (iii) a fastening mechanism configured to fasten the frame to a circuit board. The frame is configured to simultaneously hold the first and second ends of each bracket relative to the circuit board to enable that bracket to assert holding force on the set of heatsinks.