Guiding Means Patents (Class 361/756)
  • Patent number: 7170755
    Abstract: An electronics card, such as a backplane, is precisely aligned with a structure, such as a card cage, via alignment tabs by forming the electronics card to have alignment openings that extend through the electronics card and snuggly accept the tabs. The alignment opening has a width, while the tabs have a thickness that is greater than zero and less than the width. Further, the alignment openings have lengths that are the same size as the lengths of the alignment tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Tellabs Petaluma, Inc.
    Inventor: G. James Keller
  • Patent number: 7170758
    Abstract: A module connecting arrangement for mounting a module on a support rail includes a horizontal rectangular housing containing a longitudinal chamber, and a bottom surface that contains a recess for transversely receiving the support rail, the recess being in communication with the chamber. A pair of horizontal, superimposed, slidably-connected locking slide members are longitudinally mounted in the chamber. The slide members are spring-biased together toward a locking position in which integral opposed locking lip portions thereon extend below outwardly directed horizontal flange portions of the support rail. A separating member having a non-circular cross-section is rotatably connected with the housing and extends into a gap defined between spaced opposing walls on the slide members, whereby rotation of the separating members produces displacement of the slide members toward released positions relative to the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Weidmuller Interface GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Walter Hanning, Jens Oesterhaus
  • Patent number: 7167380
    Abstract: A card cage system is provided that includes a middle card guide interposed between two end card guides in an electronic equipment enclosure. Each of the card guides includes one or more channels adapted to receive a card edge. The middle card guide includes a removable adapter element that, when present in the middle card guide, prevents insertion of double wide, or larger, cards while, at the same time, permitting insertion of two single wide cards in a side-by-side arrangement. When the adapter element is removed, a double-wide card can be received in the middle card guide such that it straddles the middle card guide. The edges of the double-wide card are received in the first and second end card guides. Thus, the card guide can be readily customized to accommodate a variety of card types and sizes, in various arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2007
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Ice
  • Patent number: 7160039
    Abstract: The invention relates to an optical sub-assembly package for use in receiver optical sub-assemblies or transmitter optical sub-assemblies in which the electrical connections between the transducer chip, e.g. photo-detector or light source, and the device printed circuit board is made by a single flexible circuit conductor extending through the wall of the package. The package is comprised of a housing and a stiffening plate, which encloses and end of the housing and forms a mechanical support for an end of the flexible circuit conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Marian C. Hargis, David Peter Gaio, Roger T. Lindquist, William K. Hogan, James Walling, Sundeep Nangalia, Philip Deane, Miles F. Swain, Christopher M. Gabel
  • Patent number: 7149094
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for a main board in a housing of an electronic device. The main board has an edge contacting the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly comprises a base and a clip. The base is disposed on the housing. The clip is disposed in the base slidably in a first direction and a second opposite direction. When moving in the first direction, the clip fixes the main board, and in the second direction, releases the main board. An acute angle is formed between the first and second directions and the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Aopen, Inc.
    Inventor: Chao-Kang Li
  • Patent number: 7144276
    Abstract: A memory card connector includes a base member, a plurality of contacts held on the base member and a slide cover slidably engaging with the base member. The base member has a rear opening, a pair of longitudinal guiding slots respectively defined at two opposite sides thereof, and a pair of locking tab disposed thereon. The sliding cover has a card cavity for receiving a memory card, an engaging slot defined at a rear portion thereof corresponding to the rear opening, and a pair of slide arms for sliding in the corresponding guiding slots. Each slide arm extends forwards to form a resilient arm with a locking recess defined therein for engaging with the corresponding locking tab. Therefore, as used in a cellular phone, the memory card connector can facilitate insertion/extraction of the memory card and hold the memory card reliably and exactly therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei Chuan Yang
  • Patent number: 7140885
    Abstract: In a housing case for an electronic circuit board on which components such as connectors are mounted, there are provided a pair of guide rails that form a guide path when the board is inserted in the case and a holder holding the connectors mounted on the board, and the guide rails are disposed in a position that does not interfere with the board when the connector is held by the holder, thereby enabling to easily receive the board to be accurately fixed at a predetermined position, while preventing an excessive twisting/shaking force from concentrating at a joint where components are joined to the board, when mating connector is inserted to or removed from the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyuki Kitamura
  • Patent number: 7126827
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronics assembly may include a frame with a motherboard and a plurality of daughterboards. The frame may have an opening opposite the motherboard to allow insertion of the daughterboards into the frame or removal of the daughterboards from the frame. An injector/ejector mechanism for each daughterboard may be located on the daughterboard or the frame. The frame may further include a flange that extends along the frame at or adjacent to the opening and on which the injector/ejector mechanism of each daughterboard is attached or engages at different locations along the length thereof. The flange may be divided into separate sections that correspond to the different locations to allow the flange to flex at any location along the frame during insertion of a daughterboard without the flexing affecting the position of any adjacent location of the flange with respect to the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jay Kevin Osborn, Sean Conor Wrycraft
  • Patent number: 7122747
    Abstract: An extension-type access device used in an information-and-electronic device includes a peripheral circuit board, an extension device set, a first connector, an isolating sheet, and an upper cover plate. An upper shell and a lower shell for clamping and securing the extension-type access device are further provided to make it become an access device module that can be inserted and taken out of a memory card. The extension device set consisting of a plurality of extension devices is secured on and electrically connected to the peripheral circuit board. The first connector is brazed to and electrically connected to the peripheral circuit board. The isolating sheet covers on top of the extension device set. The upper cover plate being a reverted-U shaped covering body has a plurality of cassette portions disposed on the top plate thereof. Through the execution, the invention has the efficacy of using a multiplication of memory cards at a time to make the usage of the memory cards more convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventors: Beniz Wang, Tien-Ming Chan
  • Patent number: 7110262
    Abstract: A memory device has a variable storage capacity depending on the object of use by a user, thereby improving convenience in use of the device. The memory device has a casing which may be loaded into host equipment. The casing has a plural number of loading sections in each of which a memory chip can be mounted. The casing carrying the memory chips has a terminal unit at the end insertable in the host equipment. Data readout from or writing into the memory chip is controlled by a semiconductor unit forming a control circuit disposed in the casing. The memory device may be of a recording capacity as desired by a user by changing the number of the memory chips mounted in the loading sections or by mounting memory chips of variable recording capacities in the loading sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Matsumoto, Yasushi Fujita, Katsumi Endo
  • Patent number: 7106597
    Abstract: An automatic retractable device of a flexible printed circuit board is described. The automatic retractable device of the flexible printed circuit board comprises a bracket, two elastic components and two rollers. By combining the elastic components, the rollers and the flexible printed circuit board, the flexible printed circuit board can revert to an original position after the flexible printed circuit board is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Quanta Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Kao, Cheng-Cheng Lee, Chih-Wei Lee
  • Patent number: 7099160
    Abstract: A card guide is provided that is suitable for use in connection with a card cage system of an electronic equipment enclosure. The card guide includes one or more engagement elements configured to interact with corresponding structure of the chassis of the electronic equipment enclosure so that the card guide lacks any degree of freedom when the card guide is positioned within a fully assembled electronic equipment enclosure. At least one of the engagement elements is configured and arranged to enage the corresponding structure of the chassis in a permanent snap-fit type arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Ice
  • Patent number: 7084345
    Abstract: A slide cover unit including: a substrate board formed with guide slots and slide rails, each guide slot being formed as a curved path with a ridge point; an upper cover having slide channels and formed with a transverse slot, the slide rails of the substrate board being slidably inlaid in the slide channels; and at least one resilient member having a fixed end fixed at an outer end of the slot and a free end equipped with a roller member. The roller member is slidably inlaid in the transverse slot and the guide slots. When the upper cover is moved, the roller member is moved along the transverse slot and guide slots to extend or compress the resilient member. When the roller member passes over the ridge point, by means of the resilient restoring force of the resilient member, the upper cover can further automatically move relative to the substrate board to complete opening/closing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Kinpo Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Yung-Chuan Chen, Chih-Hao Chang, Wei-Chih Chen
  • Patent number: 7075784
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a dynamically modular processing unit. A modular processing unit is provided as a platform that is lightweight, compact, and is configured to be selectively used alone or oriented with one or more additional processing units in an enterprise. In some implementations, a modular processing unit includes a non-peripheral based encasement, a cooling process (e.g., a thermodynamic convection cooling process, a forced air cooling process, and/or a liquid cooling process), an optimized circuit board configuration, optimized processing and memory ratios, and a dynamic back plane that provides increased flexibility and support to peripherals and applications. The modular processing unit is customizable and may be employed in association with all types of computer enterprises. The platform allows for a plethora of modifications that may be made with minimal impact to the dynamically modular unit, thereby enhancing the usefulness of the platform across all type of application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Inventor: Jason A. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7075796
    Abstract: Embodiments include apparatus, methods, and systems providing a cage for printed circuit boards. One exemplary embodiment provides a cage for housing plural printed circuit boards. The cage includes first and second side walls oppositely disposed and connected to a printed circuit board (PCB). Each side wall has plural guide mechanisms for receiving and guiding edges of plural PCBs into the cage. The cage further includes a front wall having a guide mechanism for receiving and slidingly engaging with the first and second side walls. The first, second, and front walls form an enclosure for housing the plural PCBs in a stacked configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert L. Pritchett
  • Patent number: 7068517
    Abstract: A connecting device with a low height comprises a connector part, and a set of metal terminals. The connector part has a height compatible with the height of an inner space in a standard USB interface slot socket so as to be inserted into the standard USB interface slot socket. The set of metal terminals is arranged on the connector part and composed of a plurality of metal sheets and each metal sheet has an end disposed in the connector part and another end extending outward the connector part. The first end of the respective metal sheet in the set of metal terminals contacts with internal electronic signal of the standard USB interface slot socket and the second end of the respective metal sheet is soldered to a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the low height connecting device can be revised as an electronic connecting device capable of being inserted into the USB slot socket so that both of the connecting devices can be used in a dual interface memory storage apparatus or a memory storage apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Power Quotient International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sheng Shun Yen
  • Patent number: 7064958
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for mounting a planar member (10) comprises a base (200), a pair of locking members (160) secured on the base, a supporting tray (130) secured on a bottom of the planar member and an operating shaft (110) pivotally attached to the supporting tray. A plurality of mounting holes (143) is defined in the supporting tray and each comprises an accommodating hole (142) and a retaining hole (144). A plurality of standoffs (210) formed on the base and each comprises a head portion (214) and a neck portion (212). A pair of arms is formed on the operating shaft and each defines a cutout for receiving the locking member. After the head portions of the standoffs are received in corresponding accommodating holes, the operating shaft is pushed towards the base. The planar member is attached to the base when the neck portions are received in corresponding retaining holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., LTD
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Hui Li
  • Patent number: 7061770
    Abstract: A system having a power module mount adapted to support a power module side-by-side with a card-based processor, and a connectivity guide adapted to guide the power module along a direct path between electrically connected and disconnected relationships with the card-based processor. A method for mounting a power module to a processor involving engaging the power module with a connectivity guide disposed adjacent the processor, moving the power module toward the processor via the connectivity guide, and mating edge connectors of the power module and the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: David Mayer, Michael Thornton
  • Patent number: 7057904
    Abstract: An assembly of releasably interconnected circuit substrates is provided. The assembly has a first and second circuit substrate. Each substrate provides an electrical connector for mating electrical engagement of the first and second substrates. The assembly also has a two-position lock that is operable between a first and second position. In the first position of the lock, the first and second circuit substrates are in locked interconnection with each other. In the second position of the lock, the first and second circuit substrates are separable from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Nicholas Bundza, Fabien Letourneau, Gregory William Cheshire
  • Patent number: 7057900
    Abstract: A system having a removable protective enclosure for an electronic component. The protective enclosure may have a base and a circuit board that may be captured by the base without use of a tool or a separate fastener. A memory module may be disposed on the circuit board. The protective enclosure may be adapted to be mechanically and electrically coupleable to an enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Brett D. Roscoe, George D. Megason, Christian H. Post
  • Patent number: 7054160
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching and detaching a circuit board includes: a main body open at a front thereof and including a plurality of racks arranged in an interior portion thereof; a motherboard arranged at an inner rear portion of the main body; a connector arranged on the motherboard and adapted to transmit electronic signals and electrical power; a guide bracket including a clamped groove arranged in an interior portion thereof and adapted to clamp one side of a circuit board and further including a plurality of sockets arranged on a front thereof and adapted to be arranged on the front of the main body; and an ejector arranged on one side of a lower portion of the guide bracket and adapted to be pivoted by pushing and pulling to attach and detach the circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hak-Sul Kim
  • Patent number: 7049513
    Abstract: A card-mounting rack for electronic part-mounting cards is disclosed by which a housing of a rack or the like produced in accordance with standard specifications can be used to mount a plurality of large cards in high density therein to achieve overall densification and miniaturization of a system such as a computer system. Cooling fans are provided on a front and rear faces of a housing of a rack. A mother board is horizontally placed at the center of the inside of the housing. A plurality of cards are mounted perpendicularly on top and bottom faces of the mother board using gondolas and driving mechanisms having a function for moving the cards upwardly or downwardly through a plurality of connector provided on the top and bottom faces of the motherboard. Further, spacers for stabilizing the cards are inserted on rear faces of the cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Hisashi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7038916
    Abstract: The invention discloses an express card housing structure serving as a housing for accommodating light in weight, small in size and portable hardware devices, which are used as memories or execute various media. The express card housing includes a connector housing, terminals, a main frame, and upper and lower housings. The invention is characterized that, fastening openings at the lower housing are fastened with fastening sections at two inner sides of the main frame, and inverted U-shaped clasp sections bent downward at two lateral sides of the upper housing are positioned in clasp channels at two sides of the main frame for facilitating assembly of the invention. The terminals are devised as structures having a connect pin and can be installed with one-step installation process for elevating production efficiency and yield rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: George Chen
  • Patent number: 7031169
    Abstract: A modular device with a housing includes at least one slot adapted for receiving an insert module and including a housing connector, each insert module includes a module connector for providing a connection with the housing connector, a driving device drives at least one of: the insertion and removal of the insert module into and out of the respective slot and includes two driving members and an actuator cooperating with one of the driving members for providing a displacement between the two driving members parallel to the plugging direction of the connectors, one of the driving members is mounted at the housing, while the other is mounted at the insert module, the actuator and one of the driving members are mounted at the housing or at the insert module, and the two driving members of the driving device are a projection extending perpendicularly to the plugging direction of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Malte Schlueter, Jens Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 7023703
    Abstract: A housing for an adapter module is provided with a bail latch mechanism that serves to engage and disengage the frame into which the adapter module housing fits. The housing is stamped and formed from a piece of sheet metal and the bail latch is rotatably mounted in the housing. The bail latch is movable between two positions and the bail latch engages a cam member that is stamped and formed in one side of the housing so that movement of one end of the bail latch over the cam member cams one of the two free ends of the bail latch inwardly into the housing to thereby release the housing from the adapter frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventor: Kirk B. Peloza
  • Patent number: 7003230
    Abstract: An optical transceiver providing a carrier; a cover couplable to a portion of the carrier to define a transceiver enclosure; and, an electro-optical assembly supported in the enclosure is provided. A coupling mechanism and cooperating structure are particularly adapted to define pivoting motion of the cover relative to the carrier, whereby interference of the cover and the electro-optical assembly is avoided. Methods of assembling the transceiver components are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Michael Branch, Michael Francis Hanley
  • 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: 6995982
    Abstract: A motherboard is secured in a chassis by a spring loaded plunger. An anchor member is mounted in the chassis. The anchor member includes a ramp and a receiver. The motherboard has an opening formed therein. A first member is secured to the motherboard. A second member is resiliently mounted on the first member so that the second member extends through the opening. The motherboard is moved on the chassis so that the second member is moved in a first direction by engaging the ramp, and the resilient mounting of the second member urges the second member in a second direction into the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Juan Gonzalez, Ralph W. Jensen, Matthew S. McGuff, Alex Z. Rodriguez, Ty R. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 6991960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for aligning a semiconductor device with a corresponding landing site on a carrier substrate. At least two apertures are formed in a semiconductor device, the apertures passing from a first major surface to a second, opposing major surface of the semiconductor device. Corresponding alignment features are provided on the carrier substrate at the landing site to which the semiconductor device is to be mounted. The alignment features are aligned with the corresponding apertures to effect alignment of the semiconductor device. The alignment features may include apertures corresponding in size, shape and arrangement to the semiconductor device apertures. Alignment pins may be placed through the at least two apertures to assist with alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: James J. Howarth
  • Patent number: 6975519
    Abstract: A mechanism for insertion of a circuit board into a rack assembly and extraction of a circuit board from the rack assembly. The mechanism may include a pair of levers coupled to a circuit board assembly. First and second members may be coupled to each of the levers. The first member may be positionable to engage an engaging formation on a rack for insertion of the circuit board into the rack assembly. The second member may be positionable to engage the engaging formation for extraction of the circuit board from the rack assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Hassan Siahpolo, Michael E. Close
  • Patent number: 6972961
    Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for inserting and/or holding electronic modules into equipment racks. For example, the electronic module can correspond to a power supply, and the equipment rack can correspond to a shelf for a standardized equipment rack. One embodiment includes a handle that is movable from a first position to a second position. A power supply is inserted into an equipment rack with a handle in a first position. The first position of the handle permits partial insertion of the power supply, thereby permitting electrical connection of pre-charge contacts. The handle is then moved to a second position, thereby pulling in the power supply and permitting regular power contacts to make an electrical connection. One embodiment further includes a tongue and groove arrangement to prevent vertical displacement of an electronic module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: POWER-ONE, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Lee Erskine
  • Patent number: 6970348
    Abstract: A packaging configuration is provided for a computer system that is adapted for operating multiple operating systems in different partitions of the computer system. The packaging configuration includes a main chassis having a main circuit board. The packaging configuration also includes a processor assembly configured for insertion into the main chassis. The processor assembly has a circuit board for connection to the main circuit board upon insertion of the processor assembly. The packaging configuration also includes a processor subassembly configured for insertion into the processor assembly. The processor subassembly includes a circuit board and a processor and is configured for connection with a circuit board in the processor assembly upon insertion of the processor subassembly. The processor assembly is removable from the main chassis without powering down the computer system, and the processor subassembly is removable from the processor assembly without powering down the computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Unisys Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Treiber, Peter P. Klein, N. Kenneth Newman, Grant M. Smith
  • 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: 6956746
    Abstract: An electronic system includes a chassis, a first system component coupled to the chassis and having a first connector, a pivot member pivotally coupled to the chassis, a second system component having a second connector configured to mate with the first connector, and a link coupled to the second system component and slidably coupled to the pivoting member. Pivotal movement of the pivoting member moves the first connector and the second connector between a connected state and a disconnected state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6952349
    Abstract: There is described a motion control device for preventing free-fall of electronics modules during vertical movement into or out of a supporting structure. The system comprises a rotatable element on the module or structure engageable with surface on the structure or module, respectively, for rolling movement therealong. The rotatable element is provided with a clutch or brake to provide resistance to rotation at least when the module is moving downward relative to the structure. The rotatable element may be a gear engageable with a toothed rack, or a friction roller engageable with a friction surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Ronald Gough, James Robert Kitchen, Jay K. Osborn, Stephen David Sparkes, Sean Conor Wrycraft
  • 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: 6940728
    Abstract: A mother board retaining bracket is mounted to an outer circuit board housing and supports an edge of a mother board. The mother board retaining bracket prevents the mother board from moving, e.g., during transportation, and prevents the associated failure of the computer system. The computer system further includes single and double locker belt retaining brackets. The single locker belt retaining bracket extends across a retaining clip on one side of a circuit board and locks the retaining clip in place. The double locker belt retaining bracket extends across retaining clips on both sides of a circuit board and locks the retaining clips in place. In this manner, the single and double locker belt retaining brackets prevent the retaining clips from becoming shook loose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter Cuong Dac Ta
  • Patent number: 6940727
    Abstract: A card guide of an apparatus in one example comprises a plurality of card guide portions that serve to guide a circuit board into a chassis. The plurality of card guide portions comprise a first card guide portion and a second card guide portion. The first card guide portion serves to guide the circuit board substantially along a first direction during engagement of the circuit board with the first card guide portion. The second card guide portion serves to guide the circuit board substantially along a second direction that is nonlinear with the first direction during engagement of the circuit board with the second card guide portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert William Dobbs, Stephan Karl Barsun, Andrew Harvey Barr
  • Patent number: 6940731
    Abstract: An integrated drive panel for a peripheral/drive bay within the case of a computer or like electronic device comprises a cover assembly having an integral EMI shield. The integrated drive panel does not require removal of the front bezel of the computer case or access to the peripheral/drive bay from inside the computer case during installation and removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Gateway Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Davis, Vernon D. Erickson, Jon Smedley, Richard A. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6940726
    Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Michael Wortman
  • 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: 6937004
    Abstract: A test mark is provided, for use in an inspection after a display panel, TAB tapes, and a flexible board have been connected together. Defective panels can be rejected with high accuracy in the simple inspection, thereby mitigating the burden on the microscopic inspection. At a predetermined distance from each of connection areas for connecting a panel substrate, TAB tapes, and a flexible board, there are provided test marks with at least one on each component. The electrical connection is tested between each pair of the test marks to thereby determine whether the interconnection is in a good state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Tohoku Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Hidetaka Ohazama
  • Patent number: 6934162
    Abstract: A screwless technique for mounting a circuit board in a computer chassis is provided in which circular portions of keyhole-shaped mounting openings in the circuit board body are first moved downwardly over notched chassis mounting bosses. The circuit board is then forwardly moved transversely to the bosses to move opening edge portions of the circuit board body into the boss notches in a manner releasably preventing the circuit board from being lifted off the bosses. A retaining bracket is placed adjacent a body edge of the installed circuit board to block the board against rearward releasing movement relative to the chassis bosses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Juan M. Perez, Jeffrey A. Lambert, Donald J. Hall
  • Patent number: 6930886
    Abstract: An electronic component support system includes a vertical support unit having an opening, an electronic component having a chassis positioned within the opening and a securement system. The securement system includes a coupler configured to be releasably coupled to and supported by the vertical support unit prior to being coupled to the chassis and without projecting into the opening, wherein the coupler is coupled to the chassis to secure the chassis against movement in at least one direction relative to the vertical support unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development, L.P.
    Inventors: Richard G. Velez, Gregory S. Meyer
  • Patent number: 6914189
    Abstract: An auxiliary electronic card includes a card base member formed of a first material. The card base member has at least one electronic device mounted on the card base member. The card base member has a plurality of electrical edge contacts formed along an edge of a top surface of the card base member. The electrical edge contacts define a horizontal plane with respective upper surfaces of the electrical edge contacts. The electronic card also includes an edge shield member mounted at a vertical surface of the card base member at the edge of the card base member along which the contacts are formed. The edge shield member has a substantially horizontal upward-facing surface at an elevation that is no lower than the horizontal plane defined by the upper surfaces of the electrical edge contacts. The edge shield member is formed of a second material that has a coefficient of friction that is lower than a coefficient of friction of the first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Ling, Thai Dan Tong
  • Patent number: 6894907
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a case for confining at least one circuit card to a location within a housing is provided. The case has at least one slot that contains the circuit card. The case also has at least one actuator adapted to clamp the circuit card within the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: ADC Telecommunications, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Gustine, Charles Ham, Matthew Kusz, Michael Sawyer
  • Patent number: 6891734
    Abstract: A keyed filler panel with removably-coupleable airflow resistive filler card assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention is comprised of a filler panel body. The present embodiment is further comprised of an airflow resistive filler portion removably-coupleable with said filler panel body. The airflow resistive filler portion adapted to couple with the filler panel body without additional hardware.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael A. Brooks, Glenn C. Simon, Sean A. Cerniglia
  • Patent number: 6885566
    Abstract: A support assembly for holding up an expansion card on a motherboard of an electronic device includes a pedestal having a pivotal carrier pivotably coupled to an upper part thereof and comprising a horizontal trough adjacent a top. In response to insertion of the expansion card into an expansion slot of the motherboard by means of a dummy adapter, an edge of the expansion card engages a slanted surface of the carrier to turn the carrier and capture the edge of the expansion card in the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: Inventec Corp.
    Inventor: Kuei-Hua Chen
  • Patent number: 6865087
    Abstract: A management system for wiring and/or cabling is disclosed. The wire management system comprises a mounting stud and an integral cable guide assembly. The cable guide assembly may include a base portion and an upper portion with at least two guide members that may be removably mounted to the mounting stud. The at least two guide members of the cable guide assembly orientates the wiring and/or cabling in a generally vertical direction with respect to a heat emitting device so as to minimize the surface area of the wiring and/or cabling that is exposed to a heat emitting device, thereby minimizing heat buildup within an enclosure. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Unitrend, Inc.
    Inventor: Conrad A. H. Jelinger