Having Lock Or Interlock Patents (Class 361/732)
  • Patent number: 7002796
    Abstract: A computer component mounting system includes two mounting frames (30) attached to two side panels (52) of a chassis (50) respectively, and a mounting bracket (10) having a main portion (12) for attaching computer components (100) such as fans (100) thereto, and two mounting portions (13) at opposite ends of the main portion. Each mounting frame includes a base plate (32) forming a positioning plate (322), and two side plates (36) each forming an oblique guide plate (362). A locking slot (364) is defined in each side plate and adjoining guide plate. Each mounting portion includes two locking tabs (140, 160) engaging in the locking slots of a corresponding mounting frame, and a positioning tab (15) joined to the positioning plate of the corresponding mounting frame to thereby secure the mounting bracket to the mounting frames. The fans are thus secured within the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Lao, Yuan-Lin Hsu, Li Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7002811
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiao-Zhong Jing, Qing-Zhi Yang
  • Patent number: 6999321
    Abstract: A lock assembly for securing a printed circuit assembly to a housing comprises a pivot point for coupling the lock assembly to the housing and a lock member capable of rotating and snapping into a detent in the printed circuit assembly to hold the printed circuit assembly in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Mik Suekawa, Kwang Kim, Bradley D. Blackwood, Robert Jetter, Damon Campbell
  • Patent number: 6992900
    Abstract: To provide a board unit having an insertion-extraction handle locking structure with which a desired locking force can be easily generated and the locking force is hardly lowered, and which is low in production cost. An insertion-extraction handle 5 is rotatably supported by a panel body 4. A spring unit 6 is resiliently held in a spring receiving hole 45 formed in the panel body 4 and has a first spring part 61 which, when a stopper part 53 of the insertion-extraction handle 5 is inserted into the spring receiving hole 45, applies a resistance to the insertion of the stopper part 53, and which, when the stopper part 53 is extracted from the spring receiving hole 45, applies a resistance to the extraction of the stopper part 53.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Uber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Suzue, Masaharu Morimoto
  • Patent number: 6975515
    Abstract: An optical encoder module includes a housing that includes at least one recess having an open end and an opposite closed end, and an electrical component accommodated within the recess. A first locking member is formed on the electrical component and a second locking member is formed in the housing. The first and second locking members are engaged with each other for locking the electrical component, when inserted into said recess, into a locking position. At least one resiliently compressible protrusion is provided between the electrical component and the closed end of the recess so as to be resiliently compressed therebetween into its compressed state when the electrical component is locked in the recess in its locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Kee-Yean Ng, Kok-Hing Fo
  • Patent number: 6967850
    Abstract: A short card support for supporting a short printed circuit card insertable into an electronic system is disclosed. The short card support has a card guide end adapted to couple to the card guide of the electronic system and a card receptor end adapted to couple with a first edge of the short printed circuit card. A support span between the card guide end and the card receptor end permits the short card support to accommodate varying lengths of short printed circuit cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew Harvey Barr, Robert William Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6967848
    Abstract: Adapter for contacting chip cards with a connection of a data processing unit standardized according to a PCMCIA standard, including a plug-in card-like housing which has an insertion slot opening on a front end into a mounting channel for mounting a chip card and a connector panel arranged on an opposite front end, and a printed circuit electrically connected with the connector panel which extends parallel to the mounting channel and which is provided with contact elements for contacting the chip card, where the printed circuit has a length shortened in relation to the mounting channel in the direction of extension of the mounting channel and is provided with an apparatus for positioning the printed circuit and for guiding the chip card in the mounting channel on the front end facing the insertion slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: STOCKO Contact GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dieter Klatt, Arnd Bäcker, Walter Breuer
  • Patent number: 6967847
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a first printed circuit board having a surface facing the cavity and at least one component extending from the surface. The printed circuit board moves between a first position in which the at least one component is at least partially received within the cavity and a second position in which the at least one component is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6956745
    Abstract: A handling system for use with a blade is disclosed. The blade is within a computer system. The handling system comprises a chassis for holding the blade and a first handle member coupled to the chassis. The handling system includes a second handle member coupled to the chassis and being oppositely disposed to the first handle member. Finally, the handling system includes a latching mechanism which holds the first and second handle member in a retracted position when engaged therewith. The latching member when activated causes the first and second handle members to spring out to a point where the first and second handle members can be used to remove the chassis from the computer system. A method and system in accordance with the present invention limits the handling system profile dimensionally by providing a spring-loaded latching mechanism for the handle members. In so doing, a blade server system is provided that has a smaller footprint than conventional server systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Michael Kerrigan, Gerard Francis Muenkel, Charles William Piper, Brian Alan Trumbo
  • Patent number: 6950313
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an interface card fastener, which is set in a computer system host or any other electronic device comprising expansion slots, comprising a bracket and a plurality of pivot assemblies. The bracket is set upon the frame above the expansion slots inside the chassis, and comprises a back frame engaged with the chassis and a plurality of the inner frames extended from the back frame. Each two inner frames define a fasten chamber, and the back frame comprises a horizontal extended L-shape hook in the appropriate position. The pivot assembly is set in the fastener chamber, which rotates between the fastening and the release positions of the interface card, and comprises a hook and a handle linked with the hook. To operate the fastener, pushing the handle directly to hook with the L-shape hook or unhook in interface card positioning, which is easy operating and stable positioning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Avance Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Yu-Lin Shih
  • Patent number: 6944029
    Abstract: An electrical circuit pack ejector system provides a preemptive warning to the circuit pack that allows redirection and disabling of circuit pack functionality prior to ejection and subsequent disconnection of power and input/output signal contacts. The ejector system is based on proximity detection that measures the distance between a Hall-effect sensor and a magnet affixed to an ejector arm. The magnetic field strength increases as the magnet approaches the sensor. Once the sensor threshold is reached, a logical bit from the sensor is flipped and a positive ejector engagement is surmised. As the ejector arm rotates away from the sensor, the magnetic field strength around the sensor is reduced. Once the sensor threshold is reached, a logical bit from the sensor is flipped and a negative ejector engagement is surmised. The circuit pack then redirects and disables functions prior to the power and signal connectors physical disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Ciena
    Inventors: John Robert Marcolina, Charles Matthew Erwin
  • Patent number: 6937481
    Abstract: A computer is provided including a chassis at least partially defining an interior for housing a plurality of cards and a clip having an end portion pivotally mounted to the chassis at a point of rotation, the clip having of a latch at an end portion opposite the point of rotation. The latch has a recess to receive a portion of a card which is placed into the chassis, the recess being expandable from a securing position in which a portion of a card is secured with respect to the chassis and a releasing position in which the latch can release the portion of the card, wherein the latch is biased in its securing position. Also included as a part of the invention is an arm extending into the chassis when the clip is in its closed position to interact with a sensor in the chassis when the clip is in its closed position. Further included is a method of releasing cards from a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Norman K. Newman, Keith D. Mease, Terry W Louth
  • Patent number: 6937476
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a motherboard (10) includes a base (80), a supporting tray (20) secured on a bottom of the motherboard, a housing (40) attached on the base with a position hole (46) defined therein, a turntable (50) pivotally mounted on the housing, and a connecting member (60) pivotally connecting the supporting tray and the turntable. The connecting member downwardly forms a cylindrical protrusion (64). A plurality of mounting holes (34) is defined in the supporting tray and each comprises an accommodating hole (31) and a retaining hole (32). A plurality of standoffs (82) is formed on the base. After head portions of the standoffs are received in corresponding accommodating holes, the turntable is rotated to drive the supporting tray. The motherboard is attached to the base when the neck portions are received in corresponding retaining holes, and the cylindrical protrusion engages in the position hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Zhong-Yi Sheng
  • Patent number: 6929291
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a magnetic lock mountable on an electronic device, which comprises an upper and a lower magnetic plates respectively formed on an upper and a lower housings of the electronic device, enabling the electronic device to be automatically locked due to the attraction between a plurality of magnetic members disposed on the corresponding positions of the upper and lower magnetic plates having different polarities when the upper housing is covered the lower housing. Alternatively, when the upper magnetic plate is moved a predetermined distance, the corresponding magnetic members on the upper and lower magnetic plates are in turn having the same polarity to repel with each other, enabling the upper and lower housings of the electronic device to be automatically unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Inventec Corp.
    Inventor: Hsiang Chen
  • Patent number: 6930892
    Abstract: A docking apparatus for printed circuit boards including a cassette housing so as to define a housing cavity for containing a printed circuit board (PCB) and a linkage mechanism disposed so as to be associated with the cassette housing. The linkage mechanism includes a linkage arm pivotally connected to the cassette housing via a pivot and has a first arm pivotally connected to the PCB, a clevis pivotally connected to a second arm extending from the first arm, a shaft extending through an aperture in the clevis at a first end defining the shaft, the first end configured to operably transfer axial translation of the shaft to the clevis, and an opposite second end defining the shaft includes a thread, and a nut operably secured to the cassette housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Barringer, Shawn Canfield, Jody A. Hickey, Peter W. Kelly, Edward J. Seminaro, Harold M. Toffler
  • Patent number: 6925708
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing proposes an assembly including a printed-circuit electronics card mounted on a metal substrate, as well as a metal screening cover electrically connected to the substrate. The substrate exhibits a recessed gutter in which the edge of the cover is accommodated. The edge is crimped onto the substrate in the gutter. The invention also proposed a method of producing such an assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Valeo Vision
    Inventors: Jean Marc Nicolai, Marc Duarte, Dung Kong-A-Siou
  • Patent number: 6927984
    Abstract: An expansion card retention apparatus includes a rear panel (30), a retention bracket (10) for attaching expansion cards (50) to the rear panel, and a thumbscrew (18). A bent plate (34) is bent perpendicularly outwardly from the rear panel. The retention bracket includes a first and a second plate (12, 14) joined at a common edge. A plurality of retention tabs (16) extends from the common edge, for restricting movement of the expansion cards in directions perpendicular to the rear panel when the first plate is in a locked position. The second plate engages with the expansion cards, for restricting movement of the expansion cards in directions parallel to the rear panel. A first and a second hook (321, 322) are formed inwardly from the rear panel, for movably clamping the first plate therebetween. The thumbscrew fixedly attaches the first plate to the rear panel in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yun-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 6917524
    Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for assembling a printed circuit board having a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The printed circuit board may include at least one female member to receive a corresponding male member. The mechanism may include an extension board having an edge to couple to the edge of the printed circuit board. The extension board may include a male member to extend from the edge of the extension board and to couple to the at least one male member so as to couple the extension board to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tom E. Pearson, George Arrigotti, Christopher D. Combs, Raiyomand F. Aspandiar
  • Patent number: 6916190
    Abstract: A plug-in module to be plugged in and/or pulled out of a module rack provided with at least one front stop edge, comprising a lever pull with handle arm and lever arm which is positioned pivoting in the frontal region of the plug-in module. A locking lever is attached articulated and such that it can rotate to the handle arm of lever pull. The locking lever turns an elastic locking tab. A corresponding locking profile is arranged in the frontal region of the plug-in module, wherein the locking tab engages behind the locking profile if the lever pull is pivoted out completely and thus prevents the lever pull from pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Schroff GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Joist
  • Patent number: 6903940
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a Compact Peripheral Component Interconnect (cPCI) front panel assembly that is adapted to keep its corresponding cPCI front card's printed circuit board from bending. The cPCI front panel assembly should make its corresponding printed circuit board stronger to prevent circuit board damage and to maintain the cPCI front card envelope standard even before the card is inserted into the card slot. The front panel assembly should be stronger than its corresponding cPCI front card's circuit board. The front panel couples its stronger strength with its weaker circuit board. In addition, the front panel assembly prevents the bending of its corresponding circuit board at the upper, middle, and lower portions. The present invention provides the important advantage of protecting the cPCI front card even before the card is inserted into a card cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Cuong Dac Ta
  • Patent number: 6885558
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus has a housing having one end, components contained in the housing, and a door which is lockable at a closed position to hide one end of the housing. The housing has a base to support the door, and a cover connected removable to the base. The cover is removed from the base by sliding toward the door, and hooked on the base by sliding away from the door. The door prevents the cover from sliding in the direction of separating the cover from the base, as long as being locked at the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Satoshi Yokote, Atsuhiro Yanagida, Takahiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6885560
    Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a having a slidable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes a curved actuator handle and slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. As force is exerted on slide member, the actuator and slide member slide rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Optical Communication Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Zaremba
  • Patent number: 6885565
    Abstract: A retention device (10, 10?) for an expansion card (30) mounted in a cage (70), includes an attaching member (12) attached in the cage and located above the expansion card, and a pressing member (14) slidably attached to the attaching member for pressing a top of the expansion card. The pressing member includes engaging means (28, 28?), and the attaching member includes an elastic catch (22, 22?) which can engage a selected part of the engaging means. The elastic catch includes a handle (26) for facilitating disengagement of the catch from the engaging means. A length of the pressing member protruding from the attaching member is adjustable such that the retention device can fit a variety of differently sized expansion cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LTD
    Inventor: DeYi Shi
  • Patent number: 6876756
    Abstract: A container security system comprising a container with a first section and a second section; a touch pad for fingerprint identification attached to the outside of the first section; a sensor with at least one pre-stored fingerprint operatively coupled to the touch pad; a solenoid coupled to the sensor and having a plunger reciprocable from a rest position to a withdrawn position in response to a signal from the sensor; a latch attached to the remote end of the plunger having a recess therein; and a release assembly coupled to the second section with a finger removably positionable in the recess to maintain the container locked in a closed orientation but with the finger being readily removable from the recess to allow the container to assume an open orientation when the latch and plunger are reciprocated in response to a fingerprint of a user on the touch pad matching a pre-stored fingerprint in the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Thomas Vieweg
  • Patent number: 6870740
    Abstract: A latch unit is mounted on an electronic device having first and second housings. The latch unit includes a hook member for interlocking the first and second housings. The hook member is mounted in the first housing and has opposite first and second engaging ends. The first engaging end projects from the first housing and extends into and releasably engages the second housing upon movement of the hook member to an engaging position when the first housing is positioned at a first transverse position. The second engaging end projects from the first housing and extends into and releasably engages the second housing upon movement of the hook member to the engaging position when the first housing is positioned at a second transverse position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignees: Wistron Corporation, Acer Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Chung Hsu, Hua-Chung Tseng, Chia-Liang Yen, Chu-Hsian Chian
  • Patent number: 6864573
    Abstract: A two piece electronic component heat sink and device package comprising a first piece configured to retain electronic components, and a second piece having a hinge region configured to moveably connect the second piece to the first piece, and a snap lock region opposite the hinge region, the snap lock region configured to secure the second piece to the first piece. A two piece electronic component heat sink and device package for a circuit board comprising: a first piece having an index slot for retaining said circuit board, and a second piece having a hinge region configured to pivotably connect the second piece and the first piece, and a snap lock region configured to secure the second piece to the first piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Michael F Robertson, Gary L Brown
  • Patent number: 6856517
    Abstract: A sub-bezel coupled to an electronic device to block electronic emissions and allow for a bezel to be interchangeable. Because the bezel is not needed to block electronic emissions to allow the device to pass through regulatory testing, the bezel can be designed and added after regulatory testing without the electronic device having to be sent back through regulatory testing. Being able to interchange the bezel allows companies to lower projection risks. If a customer projection for a electronic device is too high because the customer does not buy as many electronic devices as expected, the bezel can be changed and the excess electronic devices can be sold to a different customer without having to send all the changed electronic devices back through regulatory testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Virginia W. Keating, Juan L. Ortiz, Mark A. Zisek
  • Patent number: 6845015
    Abstract: A system is configured for installing a replaceable component at a replaceable component locus in an equipment cabinet having a front and back plane and a plurality of sides. A fixed component occupies a first volume that establishes a replaceable component volume between the first volume and the back plane. The system includes: (a) a substrate supporting the replaceable component that presents substantially parallel first and second edges in a substrate plane; and (b) a guide structure fixed with the cabinet that cooperates with the substrate to slidingly move the substrate along a replacement route between the front plane and a replacement locus in the replaceable component volume in alternate first and second installation movements. The first installation movement is responsive to a first installation force applied to the substrate in the substrate plane. The second installation movement is responsive to a second installation force applied generally perpendicular with the substrate plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Mark Byrne, Roosevelt O'brian Carr, Dibyendu Narayan Nath, Paul Scott Nessman
  • Patent number: 6842343
    Abstract: A circuit board device includes one or more slots formed in a board, and one or more fastener members having one or more projections engageable into the slots of the board, to anchor the fastener member to the board, and to prevent the fastener member from moving relative to the board while welding the fastener member to the board with one or more solders. One or more electronic components may then be precisely and easily aligned with and secured to the fastener members with the other fastener members. A solder member may be applied on the board for securing to the solders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Inventor: Kuoshao Lee
  • Patent number: 6842345
    Abstract: A circuit board support assembly includes a frame, an electronic component and a circuit board. The circuit board and the electronic component are each coupled to the frame along a common axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Steven R. Hahn, Thomas J. Augustin
  • Patent number: 6839237
    Abstract: An improved rack-mounted server comprises, in one embodiment, a slidable electronics tray having a top cover secured to the rack, to facilitate access to the tray when it is withdrawn from the rack. The tray also includes a camming mechanism to facilitate insertion of the tray into and its extraction from cable connectors or plugs affixed to the rack. The tray includes, in one embodiment, a movement detection mechanism to power it up or down when tray insertion or removal, respectively, is initiated. In addition, the rack includes an improved cable management system that can accommodate different cables and cable plugs. As a tray is inserted into or removed from the rack, corresponding connectors on the tray are electrically coupled to or uncoupled from cable plugs affixed to the rack, eliminating any need to remove cables from the tray or reinstall them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: William E. Berry, Robert J. Fite, Tomm V. Aldridge, Barrett M. Faneuf
  • Patent number: 6816383
    Abstract: A pluggable cartridge for inserting a circuit card into an enclosure without operator access to the enclosure interior is provided. The cartridge includes a top portion and a first wall configured to secure the circuit card thereon for movement in unison therewith and a second wall. The first and second walls have a bottom edge and a top edge wherein the top edge of the first wall is movably secured to the top portion. The top edge of the second wall is removably secured to the top portion by snap-fit means. The circuit card is housed within and protected by the first and second walls so as to be moveable with respect to the bottom edge of the second wall. A tail stock bezel is removably secured by snap-fit means at one end of the second wall and top portion. A handle is movably connected to the top portion so as to be movable between a first position and a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Barringer, David Lund, Christopher M. Marroquin, Budy D. Notohardjono, Gregory H. Richardson, Scott A. Shurson, Harold M. Toffler
  • Patent number: 6813165
    Abstract: A set of fasteners is adapted to fasten a motherboard on a computer housing. The motherboard has a first side, a second side, and a fastener slot that extends through the first and second sides. Each of the fasteners includes a positioning member and a spring arm. The positioning member permits movement of the motherboard from an unlocking position, where a periphery of the fastener slot is disengaged from the positioning member, and a locking position, where the periphery of the fastener slot is engaged within a groove in the positioning member. The spring arm is connected to the positioning member so as to be adapted to abut against the motherboard to urge the motherboard to engage the positioning member when the motherboard is at the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventors: Kuang-Jui Cheng, Ching-Wen Wang
  • Patent number: 6804877
    Abstract: Media storage devices for retaining data media are provided. One embodiment is a method for attaching a spring mechanism to a media storage device configured to receive one or more data media, the spring mechanism having at least one finger and at least one elongate spring tab. One such method comprises: engaging the at least one elongate spring tab with an opening in a spring alignment member attached to the media storage device, the at least one elongate spring tab having an aperture; and engaging the aperture of the at least one elongate spring tab with a spring retention member attached to the media storage device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Lee Mueller, Paul Clinton Coffin
  • Patent number: 6804111
    Abstract: In a disk drive enclosure system having carriers fitting into slots in the enclosure, each carrier has a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism has a part which rotates between locked and unlocked positions, and the part has a feature that blocks removal of the carrier when the part is in the locked position, while permitting removal of the carrier when the part is in the unlocked position. The part is plastic and is molded of a clear material serving as a light pipe. A light source is behind the part, so that the ability of light to pass through the part is affected by the locked/unlocked position of the part. The part has a shape feature that assists a user in distinguishing between locked and unlocked positions, and the light indicator further assists the user in this way. Valuable bezel space is saved, especially in comparison with some prior-art locking mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Eurologic Systems Limited
    Inventors: Carl Duane Williams, Grant Edward Carlson, John William McSweeney, Phillip John Bannister
  • Patent number: 6801436
    Abstract: A mechanism and method are provided for assembling a printed circuit board having a first surface, a second surface and an edge. The printed circuit board may include at least one female member to receive a corresponding male member. The mechanism may include an extension board having an edge to couple to the edge of the printed circuit board. The extension board may include a male member to extend from the edge of the extension board and to couple to the at least one male member so as to couple the extension board to the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Tom E. Pearson, George Arrigotti, Christopher D. Combs, Raiyomand F. Aspandiar
  • Patent number: 6801435
    Abstract: An improved fixing structure for power supplies defines an accommodating area on a power supply for installing a fixing structure, and the power supply has a fixing hole on a casing of the power supply defining a limit fixing condition for the fixing structure when the power supply is pushed into the casing, and the power supply has a limit hole for installing a limit fixing member to restrict the displacement of the fixing structure, and constitutes a fixing structure that can be installed directly inside a power supply without occupying additional space, and attains the effects of fixing two fixing structures and limiting the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Zippy Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Chun-Lung Su, Tzung-Han Lee, Hsien-Tang Weng
  • Patent number: 6801434
    Abstract: An electronic circuits module includes a cover and a base. A lever and cam assembly is rotatably attached to the cover, and the cam includes first and second lobes. The lever and cam assembly is rotatable between first, second and third positions. In the first position, the first lobe can be inserted through an eccentric opening in the base, and then rotated to the second position to lock the cover to the base. In the third position, the module can be inserted into the computer and when the lever and cam assembly is moved back to the second position, the second lobe locks the module in the computer. A mechanism in the computer inhibits the movement of the lever and cam assembly into the first position, thereby preventing the disconnection of the base from the cover when the module is installed in the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Pat Gallarelli, Kevin Duane Johnson
  • Patent number: 6798669
    Abstract: A latching structure for a motherboard mainly includes a rotatable clip stem pivotally mounted on an edge of the motherboard. There is a fixing member on the base plate of the casing of a computer processor where the motherboard is installed. When the motherboard is mounted onto the base plate at a selected location, the notch of the clip stem straddles the fixing member. When the clip stem is turned in a selected direction to a selected angle, the clip stem presses the fixing member on the base plate and causes the motherboard to generate a relative displacement to press the inner wall surface of the base plate. By means of such a simple design and structure, the motherboard may be installed or removed without using tools. Thus operation convenience of installation and removal may be enhanced, and cost and time of production may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 6775152
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for fixing a slot angle (5) to the slot field (2) of a computer housing (1). According to the invention, the slot field (2) is adjusted to the geometry of the slot angle, which means that by closing a cover (9) of the computer housing (1) the slot angles (5) are automatically fixed by way of clamping action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Siemens Computers GmbH
    Inventors: Friedrich Köhler, Werner Weishaupt
  • Publication number: 20040145871
    Abstract: A locking apparatus including a portable terminal having a terminal control section and a bottom plate, wherein the bottom plate includes a first connection terminal connected to the terminal control section and a locking hole; and a cradle having a seating portion, on which the portable terminal is seated, a cradle control section, a second connection terminal located in a position corresponding to the first connection terminal and connected to the cradle control section, and a locking member located in the seating portion in a position corresponding to the locking hole, wherein the locking member is inserted into the locking hole and rotates based on locking member rotation information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwang-youb Lee
  • Patent number: 6768643
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing the accidental or premature decoupling of an electrical connection, the electrical connection having two electrical connectors which can be coupled and decoupled. The invention includes a securing apparatus configured to secure the coupling of a first electrical connector to a compatible second electrical connector. The apparatus includes a moveable securing member. The moveable securing member is configured to be moved from a first position which prevents the first and second electrical connectors from being decoupled, to a second position which allows the first and second electrical connectors to be decoupled. The apparatus further includes an actuator configured to move the securing member between the first and second positions. The actuator is responsive to an authorization command, so that a user or a controller can cause the securing member to be moved. The securing apparatus can be further provided with a securing member sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Rust, Thomas W. Ives
  • Patent number: 6762940
    Abstract: A pluggable optical transceiver having a slidable actuator assembly for quickly and easily removing the transceiver from a receptacle cage assembly is provided. The actuator assembly includes an actuator collar and slide member that can slide in a forward and rearward direction. As force is exerted on the actuator collar, the actuator and slide member slide rearwardly causing the transceiver to become disengaged from the receptacle. In this manner, the transceiver is released and can be removed easily from the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Optical Communications Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Zaremba
  • Patent number: 6759754
    Abstract: A CF card (1) comprises: a casing constituted by two panel plates (2, 2) and a frame (3); and a printed wiring board (4) accommodated in the casing. A plurality of claw-like engaging parts (5) are provided to the peripheries of the panel plates (2). When the CF card (1) is assembled, the engaging parts (5) of the first panel plate (2) are inserted into through holes of a long groove (8) provided in the frame (3) and then the printed wiring board (4) is mounted on the panel plate (2) located at the inside of the frame (3). Thereafter, the engaging parts (5) of the second panel plate (2) are inserted into the through holes of the long groove (8) from the surface located in the opposite side of the frame (3). There are two types of engaging parts (5): one having lances and the other having holes. Inside the through holes, the lances of the engaging parts (5) of one panel plate (2) are inserted into the holes of the engaging parts (5) of the other panel plate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignees: Renesas Technology Corp., Hitachi ULSI Systems Co., Ltd., Sanwa Denki Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotaka Nishizawa, Hideki Tanaka, Yuichiro Yamada, Tomoaki Kudaishi, Akira Katsumata
  • Patent number: 6741479
    Abstract: An actuator element for levering in and out printed circuit modules. The actuator element has an end piece that is adapted to be linked with a printed circuit module an actuator lever. The actuator lever is rotatably mounted on the end piece and has at least one handle part and one locking slide that can be slid between at least two switch positions. The locking slide, in a first switch position, retain the actuator lever in a first position that corresponds to a fastened state of the printed circuit module, and releases the actuator lever in a second switch position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: RITTAL RES Electronic Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Körber, Siegfried Kurrer, Kurt-Michael Schaffer
  • Patent number: 6741476
    Abstract: A housing for use in a vehicle to accommodate a printed circuit board (20, 22) carrying electronic components is provided. The housing has a generally parallelepipedal hood (10) made of plastics and having a plug collar (14) on one of its narrow side walls (12). A base plate closes off the hood (10). The printed circuit board (20) is mechanically and electrically conductively connected on three of the four corners of the hood (10) to a metallic mounting bushing (26). At each of these corners, the hood (10) has a mounting flange (16) and the mounting bushings (26) are anchored in the mounting flanges (16) of the hood (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Electronics & Components GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Skofljanec
  • Patent number: 6738260
    Abstract: A card receiving system and apparatus for retaining the edges of at least two electronic circuit component cards, in which the cards are preferably positioned horizontally so that one card is disposed above or over the other card and those two cards are oriented substantially parallel to each other. It is noted that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to ascertain quickly the subject matter of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims pursuant to 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: American Megatrends, Inc.
    Inventor: Clas Gerhard Sivertsen
  • Patent number: 6738261
    Abstract: An expansion card retainer includes a computer chassis having a card slot formed in a wall of the chassis. A metal tab extends from the wall adjacent the slot. A pivotable bar is attached to the wall. A flexible tongue on the bar is positioned adjacent the card slot for engagement with a card inserted into the slot. A recess in the bar is provided for engagement with the metal tab. A latch is provided on the bar for securing the bar in engagement with the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Bradford E. Vier, Robert Poe
  • Patent number: 6731519
    Abstract: A shielding cage assembly (10) for shielding a plurality of transceiver modules therein includes a conductive hanger (1), a conductive upper and lower shielding cages (21, 22) and a spacer (3). A plurality of dividing walls (23, 25), inside the upper and lower shielding cages cooperatively define a plurality of channels for receiving the transceiver modules therein. The spacer is sandwiched between the stacked upper and lower shielding cages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jenq-Yih Hwang
  • Patent number: 6728114
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mounting a plurality of circuit card guides on a circuit card cage. The cage has two pairs of end fingers at each end of a mounting surface, and an arch proximate the center thereof. Each card guide has end tabs and a central medial tab having a lateral edge. One set of end fingers is engaged with one of the set of end tabs and the card guide is flexed in the plane thereof to shorten the distance between the ends of the end tabs and fit the other pair of end tabs under the other pair of end fingers. Unflexing the guide fit the tabs under the end fingers. The card is flexed transverse to the plane thereof so the edge of the tab is beyond the arch allowing the guide to unflex so that the tab is moved under the arch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Assignee: Alcatel Canada Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Serjack, Stefano De Cecco