Abstract: A mounting apparatus for securing expansion cards (30) with cover plates (34) to a computer includes a chassis (10), a bracket (40) and a mounting member (50). The chassis includes a rear panel (14). The bracket includes a pair of guiding portions (44) for slidably receiving the mounting member. Each guiding portion defines a locating aperture (446) therein. The mounting member includes a main portion (52) and a pair of operating members (59). The main portion includes a base (58), and first and second sidewalls (53, 54). The second sidewall includes a pair of mounting holes (546). Each operating member includes a protrusion (596) and a fastening portion (598). When the operating members are rotated, the fastening portions engage in the locating apertures, the protrusions engage in the mounting holes, the main portion thereby urges the cover plates. Thus the expansion cards are mounted in the chassis.

Abstract: A mounting system for a keyboard (20) includes a chassis (10) defining first and second recessed portions (12, 16), a panel (30) received in the second recessed portion, and a retaining member (40). The keyboard is received in the first recessed portion with a front side thereof detachably engaged with the chassis at a front side of the first recessed portion. The retaining member includes a first beam (42) fastened to the chassis, and a second beam (44) engaged with a rear side of the panel so as to retain the panel in the second recessed portion. A front side of the panel releasably engages with a rear side of the keyboard. The keyboard is thus retained in the first recessed portion of the chassis.

Abstract: A keyboard mounting apparatus for a portable computer includes a keyboard (30), a base housing (50) and a plurality of fasteners (10). The keyboard includes a plurality of tabs (32) extending from a front end thereof, and a flange (34) is bent from an opposite rear end thereof. The base housing includes a sunken socket (52) accommodating the keyboard therein. A plurality of locking slots is defined in a front wall of the socket corresponding to the tabs of the keyboard. A plurality of holes (56) is defined in a rear wall (54) of the socket. A plurality of chambers (57) is defined in communication with respective of the holes. The fasteners are extended through the holes of the base housing, and accommodated in the chambers. Each of the fasteners includes a hook (14) engaging with the flange of the keyboard thereby securing the keyboard to the base housing.

Abstract: A transfer arm assembly for transferring wafers between a load-lock chamber or a transfer chamber and processing chamber. The wafer is selectively held on the end of a paddle. Linear horizontal motion is provided by a drawer-slide mechanism including a base, a carriage, and the paddle. Slides are mounted on the base and on the carriage. Wheels mounted on the carriage slidably engage the base slides and support the carriage on the base, and wheels mounted on the paddle slidably engage the carriage slides and support the paddle on the carriage. Thereby, the paddle may be projected a distance greater than the lateral extent of the base or of the vacuum chamber accommodating the base and its supported components in their retracted positions. A single motor mounted on the carriage can provide the two relative motions among the base, carriage, and paddle by means of two belt mechanisms wrapped around two capstans attached to the motor shaft.

Abstract: Apparatus for holding and aligning a sample to be examined by a scanning electron microscope or the like includes an alignment device having base structure installable in the scanning electron microscope in a predetermined orientation. The alignment device also includes a holder for the sample which is mounted to the base structure for rotative movement about a rotation axis relative to the base structure. An adjuster is mounted on the base structure and can be manipulated to rotate the sample holder about the rotation axis. This alignment device is installed in a base holder and a video camera captures an image of the sample held by the sample holder. The image is displayed on a video monitor and the adjuster is then manipulated to rotatively align the sample to a desired orientation. The alignment device, including the sample, may then be removed from the base holder and installed in the scanning electron microscope with the sample being properly aligned.

Abstract: An electrophoretic gel elutor and concentrator includes a semi-permeable collecting membrane having a continuously diminishing cross-section terminating in an apex, and a supporting frame of matching configuration. This apparatus is useful in electrophoretic extraction of biological samples which have been previously cut from a separation gel. The apparatus is used with standard electrophoresis equipment including a buffer tank, electrodes, and a power source. Due to the high effective cross-section of the collecting membrane, electrophoretic elution can be carried out quickly and efficiently. Due to the continuously diminishing cross-section to the apex of the collecting membrane, the biological sample is advantageously concentrated and extractions of 99% theoretical yield from a separated gel fragment is possible.