Abstract: A circuit board enclosure for housing a plurality of circuit boards has a polymer casing having upper and lower openings and an interior. The circuit board enclosure also has upper and lower heat conductive pieces formed of a metal and fitting respectively within the upper and lower openings in the casing, in a water tight sealed relationship with the casing. The upper and lower heat conductive pieces have heat transfer fins protruding from the openings in the casing. The upper and lower heat conductive pieces have an interior side facing the interior of the enclosure. The interior sides have guide grooves to receive opposing sides of the circuit board. The guide grooves of the upper and lower heat conductive pieces are substantially parallel. The polymer casing may be formed of polycarbonate. The upper and lower heat conductive pieces may be formed of aluminum.

Abstract: Circuit panel rack apparatus includes a hanging rack having a slot with a sloping surface. A roller is movable along the sloping surface. The roller moves downwardly along the sloping surface to hold a circuit panel in the rack, and the roller moves upwardly along the sloping surface to release the panel. The upward movement of the roller along the sloping surface is caused by the upward movement of a stem secured to the roller. The roller is biased downwardly along the sloping surface and against the circuit panel by a compression spring disposed about the stem.

Abstract: An end bracket for ruggedization of Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) printed wiring cards is described. End bracket (400) has flanges (420,430) with holes for attachment of end bracket (400) to free end (250) of printed wiring card (210). End bracket (400) also has a flange (440) for attaching end bracket(400) to a fixed structure. The holes in flanges (420,430) generally form a hole pattern that matches a standard hole pattern found in free end (250) of printed wiring card (210).

Abstract: Mounting for holding a planar electronic device, e.g. a printed circuit board in electronic slots to receive edges of the electronic device and a clamp is inserted into each slot to clamp an edge of the device in heat conductive engagement with a side surface of the slot. The clamp has a rigid elongate clamp element inserted along the slot, springs to urge the clamp element towards the side surface of the clamp to provide a clamping action and a lever to move the clamp element out of a clamping position to release the electronic device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for blind alignment of electronic circuit boards. A receptacle with two vertical flanges and one horizontal flange is positioned relative to an electrical connection. A circuit board having a notch on a leading edge is proximally positioned to the receptacle. As the notched edge is moved toward the receptacle, the flanges guide the board into a registered position relative to the electrical connection. The method and apparatus may be used in any number of alignment situations including those as disparate as robotic assembly operations and assembly by untrained consumers and end-users.

Abstract: An assembly of several circuitized substrates, e.g., printed circuit boards, frictionally retained within a common carrier. Tabs on the carrier engage slots in each substrate to align the substrates with respect to the carrier. At least one pair of male projections on each substrate frictionally engage female retaining members in the carrier to lock each substrate with respect to the carrier. The assembly is thus adapted for subsequent processing (e.g., electronic component attach) of the substrates while assuring substrate retention. Subsequently, the substrates can be readily separated (removed) from the carrier. The carrier can be of metal or recyclable plastic material.

Abstract: A cascadable modem apparatus includes a modem housing having a top and a bottom. A plurality of angled feet are attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion of each foot. The feet serve both to support the modem on an platform as well as to attach the modem to a similarly configured, adjacent modem assembly. In the preferred embodiment, a plurality of receiving slots are defined in the housing top and are correspondingly disposed to receive the distal portions of a plurality of angled feet from an adjacent modem housing. In this way, insertion of the distal portions of the feet snugly into the receiving slots of an adjacent modem effectively attaches the two adjacent modem assemblies. Preferably, a resilient locking tab is attached to the housing bottom in cantilever fashion to define a distal portion directed away from the housing bottom. As a result, the tab is responsive to force applied to the distal portion to flex inwardly toward the housing bottom.

Abstract: An image sensor assembly is mounted in an optical system having a plurality of reference locators. The image sensor assembly includes an image sensing device having photolithographically generated elements, such as image sensing sites, and a carrier package for enclosing the image sensing device. The carrier package has externally accessible reference features that are optically aligned with respect to the photolithographically generated elements on the image sensing device. Moreover, the externally accessible reference features are used to exactly constrain the image sensor assembly relative to the reference locators. Referencing the image sensing device to the same features that are used for exact constraint removes the effect of material variations that may cause dimensional changes and eliminates the need to activate the sensor for alignment of the sensor assembly in the optical system.

Abstract: A thermally conductive wedgelock having improved thermal conductivity is used to secure a circuit card assembly in a card guide slot formed in a housing of an electronics package. The circuit card assembly has a thermal mounting plate that is used to secure the assembly in the slot. The thermally conductive wedgelock secures the circuit card assembly in the housing and conductively couples heat from the circuit card assembly to the housing by way of the card guide slot. The wedgelock provides a secondary heat path to the card guide slot to housing in addition to the primary heat path through the thermal mounting plate. Apparatus is provide for expanding the wedgelock in the card guide slot to secure the circuit card assembly therein. The thermally conductive wedgelock may be made of copper or other metal having high thermal conductivity. The wedgelock preferably comprises two tapered wedges, and has a guide that prevents rotation between the adjacent wedges.

Abstract: For a fast and simple mounting and unmounting of guide rails for electrical components of electrical devices in guide rails, the guide rail set is provided, which is engaged in the frame parts by being placed against and axially displaced in the frame parts of the electrical device. An unmounting occurs, among other things, by pressing a spring tongue responsible for the engagement back to release the rail for movement for unmounting.

Abstract: A structural foam, injection molded superstructure is attached to a motherboard by means of threaded inserts. The superstructure is formed with guide ways for CPU processor modules, and also for the edges of PCI cards. Features of the structure include cam levers on the CPU modules to install and extract the modules. A metal transverse vertical retaining bracket is attached to the superstructure to hold sides thereof parallel and prevent splaying of the free, open end of the superstructure upon extraction of CPU processor modules. The assembly provides stiffness to the motherboard.

Abstract: A case unit for housing printed-circuit assemblies includes a top plate made of metal, a bottom plate, made of metal, facing the top plate, side plates facing each other, the side plates being positioned between side portions of the top plate and the bottom plate so that a space surrounded by the top plate, the bottom plate and the side plates is formed, and guide rails, made of resin, integrated with the top plate and the bottom plate, the guide rails guiding the printed-circuit assemblies loaded into the space.

Abstract: An interface module for an electronic system that permits signals to pass between a high frequency main circuit board area such as used for central processing units, memories, or other relatively high clock rate components and a low frequency circuit area such as used for standard peripheral circuit modules used for disk drives, video interfaces and the like. The interconnect module is positioned near an opening in a sheet metal bulkhead used as an electromagnetic interference (EMI) barrier around the main circuit area. The interface module uses a connector that is surrounded by one or more conductive shields that contain metal fingers on inboard and outboard sides to provide a ground connection between the interface module and the EMI barrier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rigidly stabilizing or restraining circuit boards is provided. The apparatus has a rigid cross member (20) and a circuit board clamp (10). These provides stabilization of commercial off the shelf (COTS) circuit boards for use in harsh environments. A one piece clamp has hooks with notched ends that attach to opposite sides of each circuit board. The clamp has a surface parallel to the hook. The parallel surface has threaded holes. Threaded shafts are used with the threaded holes to contact the clamp hook and provide pressure on the printed circuit board. A threaded hole is used with a threaded shaft to engage a rigid cross member. The cross member has unthreaded holes to allow for attaching to the clamps with threaded fasteners. The rigid cross member is then attached to the chassis with a fastener. This eliminates flexing of the circuit board under vibration.

Abstract: A hot docking mechanism enables a PCI type card with an edge connector to be inserted into an enclosure and docked in a card socket on the motherboard without operator access to the enclosure interior. A card holder carries the card and is supported on a card guide for sliding motion into the enclosure to a position at which the edge connector is aligned with the socket secured to the device motherboard. A camming assembly includes a sliding cam operable from outside the enclosure to convert horizontal sliding motion to vertical motion of the card into and out of the socket. The card holder is cammed out of the sliding support of the card guide during docking and returned to sliding support when the camming mechanism undocks the card. The card guide also comprises a rail that guides the card holder within the enclosure during both card docked and card undocked conditions.

Abstract: A card cage assembly (CCA) houses printed wire boards (PWB) by a securing mechanism which attaches to the PWB, and is one of a plurality of different types. The CCA has a rectangular, box-like configuration, which comprises a top plate, bottom plate, and a first or second side plate for providing tracks. Each track provides a front-to-back path for an edge of the PWB. Further, each side plate has a mounting plate perpendicular to the surface of the side plate along an edge of the side plate which forms a periphery of an opening of the CCA. Each mounting plate also includes a plurality of fastener receivers corresponding to each track of the side plate, and spaced apart such that a PWB having a face plate with an attaching screw mates with a corresponding fastener receiver.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rail assembly adapted for an earth potential related magazine (1) which is constructed to accommodate a plurality of printed circuit boards, circuit boards having circuit components mounted thereon, or printed boards. An electrical contact rail (3b) has a U-shaped cross section wherein a first leg (41) is provided with a row of tongues whose outer parts are bent towards the second leg such as to form a row of electrical contact points (41c) which are intended for electrical coaction with an earth potential related layer on the circuit board, and wherein the bottom rail part (43) extending between the legs is provided with a plurality of mutually sequential contact tongues whose outer parts form a row or electrical contact points which are intended to lie against electrical contact surfaces (1b) belonging to and assigned to the magazine at a chosen contact pressure when the rail assembly is fitted, so as to obtain an earth potential relationship.

Abstract: A circuit board guide and retaining apparatus to facilitate the alignment and installation of a circuit board within an electronic assembly chassis is disclosed. The circuit board guide and retaining apparatus includes a combination of alignment structures for aligning the circuit board in a prescribed orientation parallel to the base of the electronic assembly chassis and retention structures for preventing the circuit board from substantial displacement in lateral and/or vertical directions during and after the installation of the circuit board.

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: An injector/ejector mechanism with a lever pivotally connected to a module faceplate to pivot about a pivot axis. The lever has a handle extending away from the faceplate, and a latch portion extending away from the faceplate in a direction opposite the handle portion. The latch portion includes a first tooth and a second tooth, the first tooth being positioned farther from the faceplate than is the second tooth, The lever is movable between a first position in which the first tooth extends laterally from the pivot axis by a limited first amount, and a second position in which the first tooth extends laterally from the pivot axis by a greater second amount, and the lever is spring biased toward the first position.

Abstract: An interface device having a printed circuit board connected to a processor unit and an electronic base with grooves to receive the board with active or passive interface devices connected by terminal blocks. The interface devices are housed in separate modules having lengths which are equal to or integer multiples of a modulus wherein each module includes a strip of indicator openings or terminal operating openings disposed lengthwise at a particular pitch. The modules have complementary grooves and tongues on their side faces in order to permit assembly perpendicular to the plane of the board thereby forming a rigid assembly.

Abstract: A blank, or dummy, face plate element engages top and bottom edges of a cabinet frame, directly behind a front panel card insertion opening that provides access to multiple card slots of an electronic equipment rack. The dummy face plate includes a rearwardly projecting, upper lip, that is located adjacent to a top edge of the face plate, and has a notch immediately adjacent to the rear surface of the face plate. The notch fits within and is captured by an upper edge of the cabinet frame. A rearwardly projecting, generally U-shaped, flexible lower lip is provided adjacent to a lower edge of the face plate and includes a pair of finger grips. The flexible lower lip has a ridge that becomes aligned with the lower edge of the faceplate when the lower lip is flexed upwardly toward the first lip, and a notch adjacent to the ridge that is captured by the cabinet frame.

Abstract: A pair of self-adjusting shelf assemblies, each made from static dissipative material and mounted in spaced relation in a storage chamber. Each assembly has a fixed, first unit and a relatively movable second unit which is self-adjusting upon insertion of a circuit board between a facing second unit of one shelf assembly and the fixed first unit of the other shelf assembly to accommodate different heights of circuit boards stored therebetween in the chamber.

Abstract: The integrated shielding and mechanical support simultaneously addresses the problems of providing RF shielding for an electronic device such as a radio transceiver and providing a rigid mechanical assembly for the electronic device. Two conductive rails (120, 130) hold together multiple printed circuit boards (PCBs) (140, 160) having conductive layers (145, 165) to produce a four-sided shielding box (180) that protects certain electronic circuits on the PCBs from electromagnetic interference. An internal conductive shield (150) subdivides the inside of the shielding box to provide additional protection for sensitive circuitry. The shielding box inserts into an opening in a five-sided housing section (110) using guides (112, 114, 116, 118), which simplifies assembly of PCBs in the housing and facilitates automated assembly. A second housing section (190) attaches to the shielding box (180) once it is inserted into the five-sided housing section (110).

Abstract: A layered circuit-board designing method and layered circuit-board where circuit-boards to be overlaid are connected at the center or an arbitrary position of each circuit-board. The layered circuit-board includes an upper-layer first circuit-board, a lower-layer third circuit-board, and an intermediate-layer second circuit-board between the first and third circuit-boards. A first connector is mounted on the first circuit-board, a second connector is mounted on the third circuit-board, a third connector is mounted on the top surface of the second circuit-board, while maintaining the positional relation between the third connector and the first connector, and a fourth connector is mounted on the bottom surface of the second circuit-board, while maintaining the positional relation between the fourth connector and the second connector. In addition, through holes are provided at pins of the third and fourth connectors for passing through the front and bottom surfaces of the second circuit-board.

Abstract: A radio device such as a radio modem having a radio shielding receptacle (10) with a base (16) and first and second sides (40, 42) and having side walls (14). A first circuit board (e.g. radio frequency circuit board 20) is mounted in the receptacle between the side walls, extending across the first side of the base. A second circuit board (e.g. logic circuit board 22) is mounted across the second side of the base such that the base of the receptacle separates the first and second circuit boards. A radio shielding housing (top assembly cover 26and bottom cover 38) surrounds the receptacle and the first and second circuit boards. In an aspect of the invention the device is dimensioned to conform to a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association standard and has an antenna connection (76). An elongate recess (74) extends between the two sides of the housing and the antenna connection is mounted within the recess.

Abstract: An expansion board mounting structure that securely fastens expansion cards within the chassis of a computer is provided. A receptacle is positioned on an interior wall of the computer chassis. The receptacle contains vertical slots into which inserts, connected to expansion cards are inserted. The expansion cards are mechanically attached to the computer chassis at the receptacle found in the rear wall of the computer. Electrical connection is made in the board connecting portion found at the bottom of the computer chassis. The final assembly step requires that a cover be placed over the tops of the vertical slots. This requires the cover to be fastened to the receptacle containing the vertical slots. This attachment of the cover to the receptacle is accomplished without the use of screws or threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A chassis assembly housing a plurality of modules, each module having a rigid case with four beveled corners. Small contact area guide rails in the chassis engage each module to provide a high precision alignment between high density contacts of the chassis backplane, and the back side of each module. Each module has a side lid that is snap fit for easy removal thereof and access to the circuit components housed within the module case. Each module, which is about the size of a cigarette package, can accommodate hundreds if socket contacts which mate with corresponding pins in the chassis backplane.

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: An apparatus capable of housing PC cards including a PC card with a connector and PC card guide, a housing having an insertion opening for inserting the PC card and a circuit board mounted in the housing. The connecting direction between the PC card and the circuit board is perpendicular to the insertion direction of the PC card. The apparatus further includes guides arranged on the housing having two cam plates which are separated by spacers and supported by a shaft. Each cam plate has a continuously recessed guide path for guiding the PC card. The guide path has a guiding portion and a stop portion wherein the transition of the pivot pin from the guiding portion to the stop portion causes a defined rotation of the plug-in package about the pivot point wherein the plug-in package is rotatably arranged at the pivot point. This allows the PC card to make a pivot motion in order to accomplish the connection between the plug-in package and the circuit board.

Abstract: In a portable information apparatus having a card connector (1) for connecting a card (10) such as an IC card, a connector holding member (3) and a pair of guide members (4) are movable between both sides of a principal surface (2a) of a case member (2). The card is used for expanding function of the portable information apparatus. The connector holding member is for holding the card connector. The guide members are for guiding the card in parallel to the principal surface. When the connector holding member (3) and the guide members (4) are placed at one side of the principal surface (2a) to protrude outwardly from the case member (2), it is possible to connect the card (10) with the card connector (1). When the card (10) is not used, the connector holding member (3) and the guide members (4) are placed at another side of the principal surface (2a).

Abstract: A guide piece molded out of a rigid but slightly resilient material, such as plastic, having an elongated body with a U-shaped channel, used to hold an edge of a printed circuit card, extending the length of the guide piece to form an opening on each end. The guide piece has a plurality of raised tabs along the external surface of one leg of the channel and middle and end hubs on the external surface of the other leg of the channel. The raised tabs mate with fingers formed in a chassis, and the middle and end hubs mate with holes in the chassis. The combination of the raised tabs mating with fingers, and the middle and end hubs mating with the holes, secures the guide piece to the chassis, without requiring protrusions through the chassis.

Abstract: A computer chassis cover that pushes an electronic card into a motherboard. The cover is pivotally connected to the chassis and can be rotated between an open position and a closed position. The cover encloses an electronic card that is plugged into a motherboard. When in the closed position, the inner surface of the cover is separated from the motherboard by a distance that is approximately equal to the distance between the motherboard and a top edge of the electronic card. When the cover is in the closed position the card is pushed into a fully mated position when the card is in a fully mated position. If the electronic card is higher than the fully mated position, the cover will engage and push the card into the motherboard. To install an electronic card, the card is initially partially plugged into a connector mounted to the motherboard. The cover is then rotated into the closed position to engage and push the electronic card further into the motherboard connector to the fully mated position.

Abstract: The improved sliding case mounting structure for computers includes multiple horizontal arrays of hollow circular mounting elements on the inner side walls of a compartment of the computer for receiving disk drives which may be smoothly slided along the circular mounting elements. Good grounding effects may also be achieved.

Abstract: An electronic assembly of two planar electronic devices for insertion into a shelf for back plane connection. Each device may be a printed circuit board or a circuit pack incorporating such a board. A flexible flat cable extends between front ends of the devices to interconnect their circuitry. This cable is torsionally flexible to allow relative pivoting movement of the electronic devices in their respective planes. The cable is also bendably flexible to allow movement towards each other or apart of the rears of the electronic devices. A movement limiting device restricts the degree of relative movement of the electronic devices. The relative movement overcomes tolerance issues between terminal positions of one device relative to the other during connection into the back plane and damage to terminals and connectors is avoided.

Abstract: An apparatus for retaining a circuit board in a connected position is constituted with at least a first retention arm and a first clip that cooperate with each other and with a first edge of the circuit board to securely retain the first edge. The first retention arm includes a first end that is geometrically shaped to allow the first clip to slide onto the first end and slide towards the first edge. The first edge and the first clip further include first complementary engagement features for the first clip to engage the first edge when the first slip slide up against the first edge. Furthermore, the first end includes a deflectable stop lever that can be depressed to allow the first clip to slide over it, and then be released to snugly engage a first notch of the first clip to keep the first clip from sliding back off the first end.

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: In a subrack, electronic circuit boards are connected to mother boards disposed in at least two planes parallel to the front face of the subrack. Each plane contains one or more mother boards. The planes are superposed to form a stack of compartments the general exterior envelope of which is generally pyramid shaped.

Abstract: This invention is a system for self guiding interengagement of a securement member within a mating member having a slot for holding and securing two surface areas. The securement member is attached to one surface area and the mating member is attached to the other surface area. The securement member has a shape and the mating member has a tongue with a guiding surface, thereby promoting self guiding interengagement of the securement member within the slot of the mating member. The system is convenient for inserting a board within the obstructed view of a receptacle, such as a computer enclosure.

Abstract: An electronic circuit pack and mounting frame in which a cable directed to the circuit pack is received in a connector mounted upon a face of the pack or upon a face of a printed circuit board within the pack. Cables are mounted away from the front face of the pack and are directed from a cable receiving channel of a mounting frame to the connector with cable bends being permanently held by a surrounding molded encapsulation received within an access opening of the frame.

Abstract: A computer includes a main enclosure for housing a plurality of computer components. A subenclosure or card cage for housing a planar circuit board, including a CPU, and at least one accessory board may be removably secured within the main enclosure, wherein the subenclosure, planar circuit board, and accessory circuit board may be selectively removed from the main enclosure as a unit. A connection device is provided to releasably electrically connect at least the planar circuit board to one of the computer components housed within the main enclosure.

Abstract: A computer housing and expansion card design facilitates the addition and removal of expansion cards from the front of a computer housing without disassembly of the housing, and further facilitates the connection of external cables to the expansion cards from the back of the computer housing.

Abstract: A case unit for housing printed-circuit assemblies includes a top plate made of metal, a bottom plate, made of metal, facing the top plate, side plates facing each other, the side plates being positioned between side portions of the top plate and the bottom plate so that a space surrounded by the top plate, the bottom plate and the side plates is formed, and guide rails, made of resin, integrated with the top plate and the bottom plate, the guide rails guiding the printed-circuit assemblies loaded into the space.

Abstract: A chassis for containing a circuit board and a method of mounting a circuit board to a chassis.

Abstract: A card guide that both restrains an installed electronic card and allows the card to be inserted into a computer chassis in a direction that is parallel to the motherboard of the computer. The card guide extends from a beam that is cantilevered from a frame of a computer chassis. The card guide has a groove that guides an edge of the electronic card so that the card is aligned with a connector of the motherboard. The card guide also has a ramp that guides the card into the groove in a direction parallel with the motherboard and perpendicular to the groove. The card is installed by initially pushing the electronic card along the ramp until the edge of the card snaps into the groove. The cantilevered beam is deflected by the installation force of the user to allow the card to move down the ramp. Once in the groove the electronic card is pushed in a direction perpendicular to the motherboard to plug the card into the motherboard connector.

Abstract: An insertion and withdrawal device for a plug-in assembly, provided for insertion into a sub-rack. A plunger is disposed in a holding bracket of the device for the purpose of actuating a microswitch. A space, that permits a switching process of the microswitch prior to separation of the plug connector, is provided between a press-down shoulder of the pivoting lever and the front surface of a profiled rail.

Abstract: A first printed circuit board (principal printed circuit board) is placed onto a housing frame having a stepped contour in a front edge region of the housing. The first printed circuit board is introduced into a receptacle of the frame provided with an entry bevel and, when put in place, is automatically interlocked by interlocked elements preferably arranged at an opposite side. Additional printed circuit boards can be inserted into guide elements present at the backplane, being inserted under this first printed circuit board. Their ultimate position is compelled by corresponding holder elements. In this ultimate position, each printed circuit board that is introduced and lies parallel to the backplane is interlocked by an interlock element that takes effect in this position. The additional, second printed circuit boards can be inserted independently of the first printed circuit board and are preferably provided for optional add-ons.

Abstract: A computer chassis has a cotton side wall upon which a two-section support plate structure is mounted. Each of the two support plate sections has, along a side edge periphery thereof, an upturned TEM shielding lip portion. The plate sections are supportingly securable to the underside of a printed circuit board, such as the computer motherboard, and are slidably adjustable relative to the underlying bottom chassis side wall to selectively adjust the overall size of the support plate structure so that different sizes of printed circuit boards may be alternatively secured thereto while maintaining proper spacing between the TEM shielding lip portions and adjacent side edge portions of the supported circuit board.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a movable card guide mechanism for receiving a PC add-on board. The movable card guide mechanism moves vertically to seat the add-on board in, or remove the add-on board from, a bus connector when an external latch is moved inward or outward. The external latch is attached to the movable card guide mechanism by means of an actuator, and the movable card guide mechanism is mounted to the inside top wall of the PC's chassis. Thus, when the actuator moves in one direction, the movable card guide mechanism is moved down, seating the edge connector of an add-on board in a bus connector on the PC's motherboard, and when it moves in the other direction, the movable card guide mechanism is moved up, removing the add-on board from the bus connector.

Abstract: A chassis having a unique configuration is provided along with card guide assemblies having predefined configuration types for selective installation in the chassis. The guide assemblies, when installed within the chassis, enable circuit cards having varying standard dimensions to be mounted and secured within the chassis regardless of slot location. A first type of card guide assembly is mounted at the end of a plurality of slot locations a predetermined first standard distance apart to enable cards having a first length and one of a number of depths to be installed. A second type card guide assembly is mounted between the opposed first card guide assemblies at any slot location a second predetermined standard distance from one of the first guide assemblies to form a slot partition and enable the installation of cards having a second length shorter than the first length and one of the number of depths.