Abstract: A cooling assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cooling assembly includes a fan for use to direct cool air onto heat dissipating electronic components, and a linear air guiding duct-housing combination for use to house the fan and to guide the cool air to the fan. The linear air guiding duct-housing combination is constituted with material(s) and/or structural supports that allow the cooling assembly to be mounted in a cantilever manner against a chassis wall of a chassis, overhanging the heat dissipating electronic components. In one embodiment, the cooling assembly further includes an air hood coupled to the linear air guiding duct-housing combination to facilitate in-take of cool air from a direction angular to the linear air guiding duct-housing combination.

Abstract: A socket attaches to a first component and includes a receptive area to couple a second component to the first component. A low profile voltage regulator is integrated into the socket and proximately disposed adjacent to the receptive area. The low profile voltage regulator converts a first power signal from the first component to a second power signal for the second component. A chassis encloses the socket and the low profile voltage regulator and serves as a base for a heat sink to be attached to the second component.

Abstract: A printed circuit card retention mechanism is presented that maintains electrical connection by securing an electrical connector of a printed circuit card to an electrical connector of a main circuit board in a piece of electronic equipment. The retention mechanism has a base and at least one pivot arm extending from the base. The base fastens directly onto (i.e., fits over) the electrical connector of the main circuit board. The at least one pivot arm has a finger that extends towards the printed circuit card and fits into notches either cut into or cut through the printed circuit card. While the connector on the printed circuit card is electrically mated to a connector mounted on the main circuit board, the fingers of the retention mechanism latch into notches located on the printed circuit card to ensure the electrical connection between the printed circuit card and main circuit board is maintained when physically moving the piece of electronic equipment.

Abstract: A modular cooling apparatus for computer systems is disclosed. The apparatus includes an air-guiding duct, a fan coupling to the duct and a coupling apparatus for coupling the air-guiding duct and the fan to an electronics housing. The air-guiding duct has an input opening to the exterior of the electronics housing and guides ambient outside air to the input of the fan. Then the fan directs this outside air to the inside of the electronics housing. The electronic housing can be formed between a base module and the computer system circuit board or between the air-guiding duct, fan and a retention module. Furthermore, outside air is delivered in a substantially perpendicular direction relative to the plane of the computer system circuit board within the electronics housing.

Abstract: A cooling assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the cooling assembly includes a fan for use to direct cool air onto heat dissipating electronic components, and a linear air guiding duct-housing combination for use to house the fan and to guide the cool air to the fan. The linear air guiding duct-housing combination is constituted with material(s) and/or structural supports that allow the cooling assembly to be mounted in a cantilever manner against a chassis wall of a chassis, overhanging the heat dissipating electronic components. In one embodiment, the cooling assembly further includes an air hood coupled to the linear air guiding duct-housing combination to facilitate in-take of cool air from a direction angular to the linear air guiding duct-housing combination.

Abstract: An audio I/O connector, a flex cable, an audio I/O extension card, a mounting bracket, and a besel, designed to couple and complement each other in a particular geometrical manner, are provided to conduct I/O of audio signals at the front panel area of a Baby-AT/LPX and the like system unit previously sealing the hard drive bay. The audio I/O connector reorients an otherwise conventional audio add-in/adapter card to conduct I/O of audio signals through the frontal portion of the Baby-AT/LPX and the like system unit. The flex cable transports the audio I/O signals to and from the front and back portions of the Baby-AT/LPX and the like system unit. The audio I/O extension card facilities conduct of audio I/O with external audio devices at the front panel, the aforementioned area in particular. The mounting bracket secures the audio I/O extension card to the hard drive bay. The besel exposes audio I/O ports of the audio I/O extension card at the front panel area of interest.

Abstract: A hard disk drive carrier that is inexpensive to manufacture and suitable for use with hot plug connected hard disk drives. A composite ventilated bay secures the disk drive while an interlocking handle mechanism provides the carrying functionality for the hard disk drive carrier as well as the hardware for one-hand locking and unlocking of the carrier within a hard disk drive chassis.

Abstract: A collapsible heat sink for cooling heat generated by components in a computer system. The heat sink is positioned in an open space formed between a base casing and a bottom cover of the computer system. The heat sink comprises folding fins and cold plates made of conductive surfaces. When the heat sink is in an open position, the folding fins are in an extended position. In the open position, the heat sink exposes the conductive surfaces including the cold plates and the folding fins in the extended position, thereby dissipating the heat generated by the components of the computer system. In a collapsed position of the heat sink, the folding fins are folded. In the collapsed position, the heat sink fits in a minimal space formed between the bottom cover and the base casing of the computer system. As a result, the heat sink consumes minimal additional space.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pedometer having a housing, a weighted pendulum, a magnet and reed switch, a microprocessor, a LCD display, three push-bottons, a hinged door with a spring cam device that holds the door open and shut, and a replaceable belt hook. The entire unit is powered by an oversized lithium battery that has an expected life of seven years. A unique method of user calibration simplifies user input and provides maximum calibration accuracy regardless of operational or stride artifact variations.