Abstract: The present invention provides, for use in a chassis configured to alternatively house first or second planar boards hating different thicknesses and daughter board side surfaces, a universal planar mount for supporting the planar board within the chassis. The universal planar may consist of a planar support coupled to a wall of the chassis that has first and second shoulders, preferably more than two, associated therewith that may be stair-stepped with respect to each other. The planar support may consist of a plurality of planar supports. In another aspect, the shoulders are formed in opposite side edges of the support walls. The first shoulder is engagable with the first planar board to mount the daughter board side surface of the first planar board a predetermined distance from the wall.

Abstract: A card stabilizer for stabilizing an expansion card inserted in a female edge connector. The card stabilizer consists of a frame member sized to extend around the female connector, locking device for locking the frame member relative to the female connector and a guide disposed on the frame member for receiving at least one end portion of the expansion card and to prevent movement and hence electrical disconnection of the expansion card in the female edge connector.

Abstract: An IC card includes a first cover including a first flat panel portion and a first upright wall portion formed therein adjacent a perimeter of the flat panel portion so as to extend transverse to the flat panel portion, and a second cover including a second flat panel portion and a second upright wall portion formed therein adjacent a perimeter of the flat panel portion so as to extend transverse to the flat panel portion. The first upright wall portion defines a chamber in cooperation with a portion of the first flat panel portion. The first and second covers are mated together with the first and second upright wall portions bonded together in a butt fashion.

Abstract: An I/O card assembly (10) includes a rectangular frame (12) having an internal PC board (100) therein and sandwiched between a pair of metal covers (11, 14). A pair of connectors (22, 24) are respectively positioned on two opposite ends of the I/O card assembly (10) wherein one connector (22) has contact tails solderably mounted onto the circuit pads (102) on one end of the PC board (100), and the other connector (24) has contact tails solderably mounted onto the circuit pads on the other end of the PC board (100). The frame (12) includes recesses (13) to retainably receive the mounting ears (32) of the connectors (22) therein so that the connector (22) can be retained within the frame (12) in position. The PC board (100) is made from a raw plate (106) which includes holes (104) therein to receivably retain the boardlock device (34) therein so that the connector (22) can be directly but temporarily retained, i.e.

Abstract: A plug-in card (10) for electronic data processing equipment in approximately longitudinal, rectangular, flat form has a housing (11), at lent one printed circuit board (16) and at least one edge connector (17, 18) at one transverse side. Such a plug-in card is manufactured without impairing the mechanical stability, in a simpler and more cost-effective manner with a reduced number of components and at the same time has adequate electromagnetic shielding.

Abstract: A frameless IC card is provided, with front and rear support structures that each includes an electrical connector, with a sheet metal cover mounted on the front and rear board supports without requiring a separate plastic frame to tie the components together. The rear support structure includes at least one rear connector (11', 12', FIG. 3) fixed to the circuit board rear end (104') and an end cap (16') at the rear of the IC card. The end cap has upper and lower flanges (126T, 126B) that form a recess therebetween that closely receives the rear of the rear connector housing to fix their relative vertical positions. The rear end cap has forwardly-extending legs (47, 48) at opposite sides, with each leg having a lug (51, 52) forming a rearwardly-facing shoulder (150) that fits into a cutout (53) at a side of the circuit board, to prevent forward movement of the connector and circuit board out of the rear end cap.

Abstract: A keyblock is shown for use in a computer cage having an interior and a guide rail for guiding a logic-card book into position within the interior. The keyblock is installed within a cage guide opening provided at an end of the guide rail within the cage interior by means of a downwardly projecting dart which is received within the opening in snap-fit fashion. Locating pins on the keyblock lower surface properly position and align the keyblock within the cage guide opening. Contoured regions on the keyblock upper surface engage and lead-in a complimentary surface located on the logic-card book being received within the cage interior. One or more slots provided between selected contoured regions provide a coded pattern which matches a pattern provided on the desired logic-card book to be received in a predetermined position within the cage interior.

Abstract: Computers are manufactured with connectors in which are inserted at least one PCI expansion card to increase the capacity of the computer. A computer enclosure panel is formed with an opening for insertion and withdrawal of the card. The card has a cover which blocks the opening after the card has been plugged in. The invention provides a retainer mounted on the rear panel which, when projected, engages the cover to assist in holding the card in place. The slide has a detent which is manually disengaged in order to slide the cover to retracted position. It further provides room for the tab conventionally extending outward of the card so that the card may be located closer to the side panel, thereby conserving space within the enclosure. Computers as shipped from the factory many times are not provided with PCI cards and the opening is blocked by a removable blanking cover. The slide also holds the blanking cover in position.

Abstract: Motherboards and cards (herein "boards") mounted in computer enclosures must be supported on X, Y and Z axes to resist shock and vibration. This requires that four edges of the board be supported. Because of the high cost of such boards their lengths are made as small as possible, and this dimension is the direction of insertion of the board. A guide is attached to the leading edge of the board having a depending foot which engages fasteners formed on the base of the chassis of the enclosure. Thus the inner edge of the board is supported along two axes. Two side edges of the board are held in tracks and the outer edge is held at the point of insertion.

Abstract: An edge of a long PCI card plugs into a connector at one end of a computer enclosure. The opposite end extends into the enclosure and may be superimposed over a component such as a disk drive. The support of the present invention is rigidly mounted on the enclosure to fit under the inner end of the card. A slide on the support grips the inner end of the card. The slide is adjustably positioned on the support to accommodate cards of different lengths.

Abstract: A case for microcircuit card reader, including a case body (1), an electronic circuit incorporated into the case body, a device for guiding the card and holding it in place, and a connector provided with elastic contact segments ensuring an electrical connection between the conductor elements of the card and the electronic circuit. It includes at least one elastic element (13, 55) for supporting the card by means of an elastic force.

Abstract: Computers are manufactured with connectors in which are inserted at least one PCI expansion card to increase the capacity of the computer. A computer enclosure panel is formed with first opening for insertion and withdrawal of the card. The card has a cover which blocks the first opening after the card has been plugged in. The invention provides a retainer mounted on the rear panel which engages the cover to hold one end of the card in place. The invention further provides room for the tab conventionally extending outward of the card to extend outward of the enclosure so that the card may be located closer to the side panel, thereby conserving space within the enclosure. The retainer has an apertured first door pivotally mounted on the exterior of the panel which in closed position surrounds a second opening through which the card tab protrudes and engages one face of the tab. A second door is pivotally mounted on the first door and in closed position covers the aperture in the first door.

Abstract: A rack for a communication system as, including a backboard having a first side, a second side, a connector capable of being connected to an electrical communication cable, and a plurality of through apertures. A first side panel has an open slot and a closed slot. The first side panel is connected to the first side of the backboard while a second side panel having a grooved slot is connected to the second side of the backboard. A rear panel has a first flange for detaining the first side panel, a second flange for detaining the second side panel, and first and second longitudinal detaining units for positioning strips perforated by columns of holes aligned with through apertures. The first and second longitudinal detaining units are located at sides of the rear panel. The strips are insertable into one of said strip detaining units. A plurality of guide plates have guide pins and a rear side.

Abstract: An enclosure for a circuit breaker includes a housing sized to support at least one circuit breaker and to permit electrical connections to be made to the circuit breaker. A housing cover or lid is movable between an open position in which the circuit breaker is accessible and a closed position in which access to the electrical connections of the circuit breaker is prevented. An actuating bar is mounted slidably to the lid, and includes a switch-engaging formation for engaging the operating lever of the circuit breaker. The actuating bar includes a switch-engaging formation for engaging the operating lever of the circuit breaker and is operable to move the operating lever between the first, active position and a second, inactive position. An interlocking formation in the form of a waisted portion defined in the bar is adapted to prevent opening of the cover when the switch operating lever is in the first position and to allow opening of the cover when the operating lever is in the second position.

Abstract: A CPU card mounting structure including an electrical connector installed in a mother board and having a card slot, a substantially U-shaped mounting frame mounted on the electrical connector, the U-shaped mounting frame having a horizontal section defining a connector slot, which receives the electrical connector, and two vertical sections raised from two opposite ends of the horizontal section at right angles, each vertical section having a longitudinal sliding groove and a top screw hole, a CPU card inserted through the longitudinal sliding grooves of the vertical sections of the said U-shaped mounting frame into the card slot of the electrical connector to be electrically connected to the mother board, and two holding down devices respectively fastened to the top screw holes of the vertical sections of the U-shaped mounting frame to hold down the CPU card in the card slot of the electrical connector.

Abstract: A system for packaging integrated circuit components including a ball grid array substrate with a plurality of solder balls coupled to the substrate. A semiconductor device is mounted on the substrate and electrically coupled to the solder balls. One or more terminals are coupled to the substrate and electrically coupled to said semiconductor device. A detachable module contains auxiliary component. The module comprises a body portion for containing the component and one or more electrical connectors for mating with respective terminals to hold the module to the substrate and to electrically couple the component with the semiconductor device. The terminals may also be connected to the solder balls such that a component may be optionally provided either on the circuit board or in the detachable module.

Abstract: Computers are manufactured with connectors in which are inserted at least one PCI expansion card to increase the capacity of the computer. A computer enclosure panel is formed with an opening for insertion and withdrawal of the card. The card has a cover which blocks the opening after the card has been plugged in. The invention provides a retainer clip mounted on the rear panel which, when in operative position, attaches to the panel and engages the cover to assist in holding the card in place. The clip has a bent spring which may be compressed to install and remove the clip. The invention further provides room for the tab conventionally extending outward of the card to extend outward of the enclosure so that the card may be located closer to the side panel, thereby conserving space within the enclosure. Computers as shipped from the factory many times are not provided with PCI cards and the opening in the panel is blocked by a removable blanking cover. The clip also holds the blanking cover in position.

Abstract: The invention concerns a chip card reader with a housing (10), a guideway (12) provided in the housing (10) for holding a chip card (14), a contact carrier (26), located on the housing, and a locking element (16) which latches behind the chip card in the read position, the locking element consisting of an L-shaped arm.

Abstract: A latch for retaining printed circuit boards (PCB) or other types of daughter cards (29) in a card file (11) is disclosed. Two latch mechanisms (43a and 43b), one located adjacent the outer corner of each card, engage latch slots (35) when the cards (29) are correctly installed. Each latch mechanism (43a and 43b) includes a latch housing (45), a plunger assembly (47) mounted in the latch housing (45), and large coil springs (49a and 49b) that create a force in a direction parallel to the direction of card installation. The large coil springs (49a and 49b) urge the plunger assembly (47) away from the direction of card installation and out of alignment with an opening (77) in the latch housing (45). The plunger assembly (47) includes a plunger housing (53), a latch pin (55), a smaller coil spring (59), and a latch pin retraction lever (57).

Abstract: In a detachable electronic device with a device body which can be detached from a stationary portion and a control unit which can be detached from the device body, the device body is prevented from being released from the stationary portion when the control unit is detached from the device body.

Abstract: Modular automation device including a compartmented chassis which delimits an internal volume and accommodates a plurality of interface modules. Each module can be locked by a lateral pivoting lever which is journaled on one of its side walls and which cooperates with a fixed locking member on a vertical partition of its compartment. Alternatively, the lever can be journaled on a side wall of the vertical partition with the locking member located on the module.

Abstract: An anti-theft mechanism for use in a portable computer system mechanism protects a removable component from being easily stolen. The anti-theft mechanism comprises an opening on a lower case of the portable computer system; a through-hole in the portable component; and a securing element for inserting into the through-hole. The securing element allows movement of the portable component when in a first position, and prevents movement of the portable component when in a second position.

Abstract: A notebook-type personal computer (hereinafter, personal computer) is provided with electrically conductive contact members, which are connected to a reference electric potential portion of a main body of the personal computer. The contact members are provided within concave portions which are formed at a bottom surface of the personal computer at a location which is separated from a connector. A docking device is provided with an engagement member which is electrically conductive and which is connected to a reference electric potential portion of a main body of the docking device and which can protrude from and withdraw into an opening. The opening is formed at a position which corresponds to the concave portion of the personal computer when the personal computer is completely loaded at the docking device.

Abstract: An IC memory device has input/output terminals, a holder for detachably housing the memory device, and an IC card-type adapter which is provided with connection terminals to be connected to the terminals of the memory device housed in the holder. The memory device is solely attached to or detached from a small electronic device such as a wrist watch and makes serial data transmission/reception therebetween. The memory device is set in the adapter and makes parallel data transmission/reception between it and an electronic device having connection terminals to the connectors of the adapter.

Abstract: A container having a body and a cover, in which the cover can be conveniently opened using only one hand from a latched state of the body and the cover. Engaging members between cover and body are movable under force, when the cover is closed, between an engaging position where the cover is engaged with said body and a releasing position where the cover is not engaged with the body. However, the engaging member cannot be returned to the engaging position while the cover is closed. Lock means prevent the engaging member from moving from the releasing position to the engaging position in spite of application of force. Once the cover is opened the engaging member moves from said releasing position to said engaging position.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is disclosed that is intended to be used, in conjunction with other identical mounting brackets, to facilitate the insertion and removal of certain printed circuit boards known as AT style cards into and out of passive backplane or motherboard slots in a computer housing, as well as to protect the AT style computer cards from damage while they are resident in the housing. The mounting bracket of the present invention is adaptable to fit an AT style card of any length, and is capable of providing close spacing between inserted cards.

Abstract: A structure for detachably supporting a vehicle-data recorder has (a) a station attachable to a vehicle and including a first port for communicating with a data-detecting device for a vehicle employing the vehicle-data recorder and an opening and (b) a cassette insertable in the station through the opening and comprising a second port for communicating with the port of the station. The station has (a) a top, (b) a bottom, (c) a front wall in which the opening is formed, (d) a rear wall on which the first port is mounted, (e) two lateral walls comprising two positioning blocks facing each other, each of the positioning blocks having a front wedge surface and a recess behind the wedge surface, and (f) a bearing plate mounted opposite the top and comprising two leave springs supporting two casters.

Abstract: The modular structure embodying the invention comprises at least one frame, preferably manufactured in molded material, on which a printed circuit board is attached and whose rear vertical member has at least one indentation in which a group of connection elements is engaged, the frame comprising two lateral flanks equipped with attachment means to each of which can be attached either a covering plate or a second frame identical to the first one. The invention notably enables the connections between the printed circuit boards and the output connector of the structure to be reduced to a single level.

Abstract: An electric part holding device for holding an electric part or part carrier has a base having a polygonal electric part or carrier accommodation portion for receiving an electric part or carrier therein, and a plurality of semi-elliptic springs, one mounted on the base at each opposing corner portion of the accommodation portion or along opposite sides thereof, each spring being resiliently movable between an outwardly convexly curved shape and an inwardly convexly curved shape, each spring in the outwardly convexly curved shape lying across an upper surface of the base for leaving the accommodation portion open for insertion and removal of an electric part or carrier, and in the inwardly convexly curved shape extending across the accommodation portion for being engaged with a corner of an electric part or carrier positioned in the accommodation portion.

Abstract: A series of hard disk drives are secured atop molded plastic support trays slidably and removably received in opposing guide channel member pairs snap-fitted into opposite side walls of a sheet metal cage structure externally used in conjunction with a file server or other computer device. Snap-fitted into rear end portions of the trays are small printed circuit boards that are insertable into hot plug sockets at the rear of the cage. Forwardly projecting guard plates on the rear end of the cage block manual access to the board/socket interface, and the surface mounted grounding leads on the board extend rearwardly beyond its signal leads to enhance grounding safety during disk drive installation and removal. At the front end of each tray is a vertical support plate upon which LED indicating lights are conveniently mounted for the associated disk drive.