Specific Alignment Or Guide Means Patents (Class 361/802)
  • Patent number: 6493235
    Abstract: A guide structure and matching printed circuit card carrying cartridge provides hot pluggability functionality even when electronic circuit components need to be disposed in very tight spaces. The guide structure includes front and rear portions linked by slot-defining rungs. Front and rear apertures provide alignment and/or locking functions. The guide structure is easily manufacturable from a single sheet of metal which is stamped and formed to meet all desirable design specifications. A matching self-contained docking cartridge is provided with mating parts for these apertures. EMI shielding and cooling functions are also accommodated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis R. Barringer, Budy D. Notohardjono, Edward J. Seminaro, Harold M. Toffler
  • Patent number: 6493236
    Abstract: An electronic equipment enclosure has a lower housing part and a main board fixed relative thereto. A main board connector is fixed to the main board and faces the lower housing part. A sub board is inserted to a temporary attachment position within the lower housing part and faces the main board at the temporary attachment position. A sub board connector is fixed relative to the sub board and mates and connects with the main board connector. A guide rail is movable freely between a lower position and an upper position within the lower housing part. At the lower position the guide rail guides the sub board toward the temporary attachment position. By the guide rail moving from the lower position to the upper position, the sub board is caused to move from the temporary attachment position to the fully attached position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Momiyama, Takao Mokutani
  • Patent number: 6487089
    Abstract: An arrangement includes a chassis, and a first mating component disposed inside of the chassis. A second mating component is provided. The first mating component is removably connected to the second mating component. A sliding tab is connected to the chassis and is slidable in a linear direction from a first position to a second position. When the sliding tab is in the first position, the first mating component is free to be removed from the second mating component. When the sliding tab is in the second position, the first mating component is secured to the second mating component to prevent the removal of the first mating component from the second mating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce P. Otis
  • Patent number: 6483717
    Abstract: A switch integral to an insert/extract latch assembly. The switch is positioned between a latch and a retainer and may be compressed between the latch and the retainer. The switch is connected to a warning circuit and may function to de-energize the electronic assembly upon disengagement of the latch from the retainer. The retainer is movable between first and second positions. In the first position, the retainer is disengaged from the latch, the switch contacts are open and the latch is free to operate. In the second position, the retainer is engaged with the latch, the switch is compressed between the latch and the retainer and the switch contacts are closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Thomas W. Ives, Richard G. Sevier
  • Patent number: 6474479
    Abstract: A module rack has on its front at least one upper and one lower crossrail and at least one left and one right vertical corner profile strip. A vertical mounting groove is formed in at least one vertical corner profile strip. The vertical mounting groove faces away from the front of the module rack. Additional fastening capabilities may be provided on the front of the module rack. These additional fastening capabilities are used for external add-on parts such as a covering box, a handle, and cover panels. The module rack may be used for e.g., plug-in modules having electric circuits and components mounted on a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Rittal Electronic Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Siegfried Kurrer, Ernst Billenstein, Werner Körber
  • Patent number: 6477044
    Abstract: A guide 2 for supporting a device in a flow of coolant includes a deflector 4 for modifying the coolant flow. The guide include apertures 6 so that the coolant can flow over both the upper and lower faces of a device, for example a printed circuit board 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas Foley, Gerard MacManus, Bruce Fryers, Michael Tate
  • Patent number: 6469905
    Abstract: A guide rail (1) for receiving a GBIC module therein mounts to a printed circuit board (2) and includes a frame (10) having a receiving space (26) for receiving the GBIC module therein, a metallic cover (12), and a connector assembly (14) and two pairs of supporting poles (15) fastened to the frame for elevating the frame a given distance above the printed circuit board. The frame includes four side lugs (28) at outer walls thereof for attachment to selected ends of the respective supporting poles by four bolts (78). The lower ends of the supporting poles are mounted onto the printed circuit board. The connector assembly has a second connector (104) downwardly extending beyond a bottom surface (124) of the frame and mounted onto the printed circuit board, helping elevate the frame a given distance above the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jenq-Yih Hwang
  • Publication number: 20020149100
    Abstract: A support assembly for mounting a semiconductor device vertically relative to a carrier substrate. The support assembly includes an interposer to which the semiconductor device is attached. The support assembly also includes traces carried on the interposer, which electronically connect the semiconductor device to contacts on the interposer. The contacts are disposed along a single edge of the interposer. The invention also includes an alignment device for releasably mounting the support assembly. The alignment device, which mounts to a carrier substrate, includes one or more receptacles. As a support assembly is inserted into a receptacle, the alignment device establishes an electrical connection between the contacts and corresponding terminals on the carrier substrate. The assembly may also include a cover that attaches to the top of the alignment device and biases the interposer against the carrier substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Larry D. Kinsman, Walter L. Moden, Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6466454
    Abstract: A new packaging technology which improves the electrical and mechanical performance of the circuits using magnetic elements. High frequency current loops generate electromagnetic fields which are radiated or induce high frequency current in the rest of the circuit. To reduce the radiated field, these loops have been minimized by locating the high frequency switching components close to each other and very close to the magnetic elements. By separating the high frequency switching electronic components from the rest of the electronic components and locating them on the same multilayer PCB where the magnetic element is constructed, optimal results are obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Ascom Energy Systems AG
    Inventor: Ionel Jitaru
  • Patent number: 6466452
    Abstract: The present invention provides a socket 10 which has a housing 20 having a slot 22 for receiving one edge 13 of a daughter board 11 on which terminal portions 12 are mounted, and contacts provided within the slot and pressed against respective terminals of the daughter board 11. From both sides of the housing, latches 31 extend toward the opening direction of the slot. When the daughter board is pressed down against the urging force of the contacts, the latches engage with both side edges 16 of the daughter board. At the position shifted from the center of the edge of the daughter board toward either side edge, a notch 14 is provided, and at the corresponding position of the slot of the housing, a projection for positioning to be fitted in the notch is formed, and at least one side of the projection for positioning, an elastic member 40 for pressing it against the inner side wall of the notch of the daughter board is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Quasar System, Inc.
    Inventors: Shoji Yamada, Takeshi Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6462959
    Abstract: An interface card and interface cardholder mounting arrangement in which the interface cardholder has parallel tracks for holding interface cards, each track having a springy retaining strip, a positioning pressure strip disposed in parallel to the springy retaining strip and defining with the springy retaining strip a sliding groove for the insertion of one interface card, a stop block extended from the free end of the springy retaining strip and disposed at one end of the sliding groove for keeping the inserted interface card in the sliding groove, and an outer protruding finger strip extended from the free end of the springy retaining strip for m pulling by hand to deform the free end of the springy retaining strip and to move the stop block away from the sliding groove for removal of the corresponding interface card from the respective track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Enlight Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Yu Fu, Lin-Sung Peng
  • Patent number: 6456505
    Abstract: An electronic device having a plurality of leader patterns, and penetration portions penetrating the leader patterns, provided in an extension portion of a printed board projecting from a housing. The respective leader patterns are configured to function as connection terminals by connecting directly to lands on a mother board without the use of separate metal terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Norio Suzuki, Hideharu Otake
  • Patent number: 6456501
    Abstract: A drive unit quick release apparatus is provided on one guide rail of a pair of guide rails mounted to the drive unit for engaging and releasing a drive unit from a chassis. The apparatus includes a resilient cantilevered arm mounted to the drive unit, an engaging structure positioned on the arm to selectively maintain the drive unit in the chassis, and a lever connected to the resilient arm to facilitate disengaging the engagement structure and removing the drive unit from the chassis. The lever is positioned generally perpendicular to the resilient arm and to the axis of travel of the drive unit out of a bay in the chassis. In this configuration, a force applied to the lever causes the resilient arm to flex inwardly and disengage the engaging structure from a retaining slot in the chassis. Additionally, the continued application of the force to the lever moves the attached drive unit out of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Brandon Rubenstein, Eugene A. Miksch
  • Patent number: 6456495
    Abstract: A logic controller formed by self-contained device modules plugged onto a DIN rail and onto a backplane contained in the DIN rail, the modules variously comprising a power supply, a logic control, I/O devices and gateways, each I/O device having microprocessor power, and the modules having a sliding lock movable into position adjacent DIN-rail-engaging flexible tabs to block deflection of the tabs and removal of the module from the DIN rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher John Wieloch, Anthony Edward Develice, Michael Thomas Little
  • Patent number: 6449163
    Abstract: A retention mechanism which may include a pair of flexible tabs. The flexible tabs may be pressed into opposing side edges of a substrate which supports an integrated circuit package. The substrate may be part of an electronic cartridge which has a cover. The flexible tab may extend through a space between the substrate and the cover such that the retention mechanism has a profile that is no greater than the cartridge. The retention mechanism may be mounted to a motherboard. The motherboard may have a connector that receives the substrate. An insertion tool can be used to plug the cartridge into the connector and couple the flexible tab to the substrate. An extraction tool can be used to pull the cartridge out of the connector and separate the substrate from the flexible tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Michael R. Stark, Michael L. Rutigliano
  • Patent number: 6442020
    Abstract: A shielding device (10) is removably received in a drive bracket (82) of a computer enclosure (80). The shielding device includes a shell (12) and a pair of rails (16). The shell electrically contacts and covers a bay in a front panel (86) of the computer enclosure thereby providing shielding from electromagnetic interference. The rails are removably attached to the shell to be received in the drive bracket for supporting the shell therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alvin Liu, Yu Tai Liu, Kuang-Yu Chen
  • Patent number: 6437435
    Abstract: A support assembly for mounting a semiconductor device vertically relative to a carrier substrate. The support assembly includes an interposer to which the semiconductor device is attached. The support assembly also includes traces carried on the interposer, which electronically connect the semiconductor device to contacts on the interposer. The contacts are disposed along a single edge of the interposer. The invention also includes an alignment device for releasably mounting the support assembly. The alignment device, which mounts to a carrier substrate, includes one or more receptacles. As a support assembly is inserted into a receptacle, the alignment device establishes an electrical connection between the contacts and corresponding terminals on the carrier substrate. The assembly may also include a cover that attaches to the top of the alignment device and biases the interposer against the carrier substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Kinsman, Walter L. Moden, Warren M. Farnworth
  • Patent number: 6434012
    Abstract: Interconnection apparatus is provided which is especially useful to mount and connect circuit boards having a contact assembly of resilient compressive contacts to a backplane or other mateable board or device. The apparatus includes an enclosure having guide channels for each board to be housed in the enclosure, a contact assembly for providing compressive contact between the contact ends of each board and corresponding contacts of the backplane, and elements for seating each board into engagement with the backplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Logistics AG
    Inventors: Wayne S. Alden, William Petrocelli, Peter Wapenski, Arthur G. Michaud, Michael Kirkman, Jeffery Mason, Brian Paul Sharp
  • Patent number: 6425706
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing an object to a surface comprises a mounting cover having a first surface and a pair of sidewalls depending away from the first surface. The sidewalls are in a facing spaced relationship and secured to a second surface. At least two securement members are secured to the first surface between the pair of sidewalls. The securement members are configured to define a receiving area. Each securement member has a pair of engagement members secured within at least a pair of openings in the first surface. Each pair of engagement members include an upper surface. The upper surfaces of the pairs of engagement members are flush with respect to the first surface. An actuating member having a first portion, and a second portion depending away from said first portion, is configured to be slidably engaged in the receiving area. The second portion has a pair of engagement openings for slidably receiving a pair of guide members mounted to the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David J. Jalanti, Edward Furey
  • Patent number: 6424525
    Abstract: The present invention is a system that enables a plurality of external peripheral devices to be easily connected to a conventional personal computer, or other computing device. The system can include the computer, or can alternatively be configured as a hub. In either configuration, the system includes an arcuate-shaped interface surface, on a base. One end of the interface surface includes an upright chassis, which includes a plurality of bays. Rails extend longitudinally along the interface surface, toward each bay. An external peripheral device is slid over a rail, which provides attachment and stability to the device and aligns it with the bay. Each bay includes an alignment pin, a power connection, and a data connection. Adjacent to each rail is a latch for securing an external peripheral device in a bay. The top of the chassis includes a marking to provide a visual reference that aids in attaching an external peripheral device to a bay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Stratos Product Development LLC
    Inventors: Sean M. MacLeod, Jerry M. Yamamoto, Mark Tempel
  • Patent number: 6414851
    Abstract: A computer system housing for providing an attenuating barrier for electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise. The computer system housing includes a backplane wall having a plurality of connectors for receiving PCB's, and a bulkhead wall coupled to the backplane wall. The bulkhead wall defines a plurality of bulkhead slots through which connector receptacles of printed circuit boards (PCB's) can extend. An EMI bulkhead gasket is positioned on the bulkhead wall. A conductive metal impregnated, elastomer EMI gasket is positioned on a mounting flange of the bulkhead wall. The computer system housing also includes a plurality of bulkhead plates. The bulkhead plates contact the EMI bulkhead gasket and the elastomer EMI gasket along their entire peripheral edges so that EMI noise is conducted through these gaskets to the bulkhead wall. The computer system housing further includes a bulkhead plate alignment and mounting system that does not employ separable fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Co.
    Inventors: Andrew Michael Cherniski, Alisa Sandoval, Donald G. Pauser
  • Patent number: 6411517
    Abstract: A system (22) for removably connecting a circuit card, such as an extension card (54), to an electronic device, comprises a sliding component (28) adapted to support the circuit card (54) and having a guiding edge (32) configured to be slidably inserted in a channel (26) disposed adjacent a connector (20) of the electronic device so as to position the card mating edge (56) in register with the connector (20). A lever (40) is provided for lowering the mating edge 56 of the extension card (54) until suitable connection is made between the card connector and the connector (20). Advantages of the present invention include the fact that the system allows for ergonomic insertion and removal of extension cards without the need for manual dexterity on behalf of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Trioniq Inc.
    Inventor: André Babin
  • Patent number: 6407926
    Abstract: A pair of circuit boards, or electrically insulative panel members on which the circuit boards are mounted, have side edges which slide into aligned longitudinally extending slots in a pair of facing, spaced apart cantilevered free sections of a pair of planar legs of a bracket secured to a panel in an electric power equipment enclosure. A terminal portion of one free section diverges outward to form a camming surface against which a complimentary camming surface on a rearward edge of a tab on the associated side edge of the panel member bears to spread the free section apart until the tab passes into the slot and the terminal portion snaps over the tab and engages a latching surface on the forward edge of the tab to latch the panel member to the bracket. The panel member is released by lifting the diverging terminal portion of the one free section to clear the latching surface and sliding the panel member out of the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Dale Walker, Reid Kimel Hartman, Charles Richard Mummert, Charles Allan Morse, Irving Albert Gibbs, Rolando Fulgencio Martinez
  • Patent number: 6396705
    Abstract: A bracket assembly includes a bracket which readily and easily couples with a printed circuit board. The bracket includes at least one tab assembly foldably attached with a support flange for supporting the printed circuit board. The bracket also includes an outer flange which is coupled with the computer chassis. Alignment apertures on the support flange and the printed circuit board facilitate the alignment of the printed circuit board, and allow for rework of the printed circuit board. Each tab assembly is adapted to frictionally engage with corresponding features on the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventor: Charles C. Ruff
  • Patent number: 6396690
    Abstract: An electronic computer card guide support bracket is mounted inside a chassis near a ventilation fan. The support bracket has a sheet metal body with sidewalls which extend between a face of the support bracket and the chassis. The sidewalls form ducts for the ventilation fan. The support bracket also has parallel guide members which are integrally formed with the body along its face. Each guide member has upper and lower rails which define a variable width slot between them for receiving a PCI card. The portions of the PCI cards which contact the support bracket are electrically insulated. An electrically insulated guide member is also mounted to the support bracket for receiving an FSIOA card which may not be insulated. An aperture is located between each adjacent pair of the guide members for permitting air flow to circulate around the PCI cards. Each aperture has an area which is larger than a frontal surface area of each guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth George Blatti
  • Patent number: 6388651
    Abstract: A picture control device is used for driving a flat-panel display having a plurality of horizontal pixel lines each formed of display pixels arranged in one line, and composed of first and second driver groups which are arranged to divide the display pixels into groups and drive the groups of display pixels, respectively, and a drive circuit board for controlling the driver groups to output pixel data assigned to the respective display pixels during a scanning period for each horizontal pixel line and to drive the display pixels according to the pixel data. In particular, the drive circuit board includes a gate-array control section connected to the first and second driver groups by first and second wiring lines electrically separated from each other, for distributing pixel data assigned to the display pixels of each group to a corresponding driving group via a corresponding wiring line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kohei Kinoshita, Kan Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6388891
    Abstract: A shelf assembly and system, which reduces the potential for accidental disruption of service or damage to neighboring transmission elements in a telecommunications network. The present invention operates to guide the transmission elements or fiber cables to and/or from a mounting position, and in or out from either side of electrical and/or optical telecommunications equipment. Fiber cables coupled at the mounting positions can be directed through reversible and removable fiber channels. Each fiber channel has a smooth surface and a radius of curvature, which provides an appropriate bend radius for guiding, routing, or bending the fiber cables into a fiber trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Dean R. Falkenberg, John C. Hanners, Edward T. Iwamiya
  • Patent number: 6385053
    Abstract: A guide device receives and engages a cutout in a distal pin-bearing edge of a printed circuit board for aligning pins with pin sockets. The alignment device includes a web, sized and shaped to be received in a circuit board cutout and a shelf surface for engaging a part of a major surface of the circuit board, to provide for biaxial guidance during board insertion. By positioning guide devices and circuit board cutouts in different locations, for different circuit boards, insertion of circuit boards in an incorrect slot or location is avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Bobby Parizi, Nguyen Nguyen, Michael Chern, Saeed H. Seyedarab
  • Patent number: 6385036
    Abstract: A computer case assembly that requires few or no screws for assembly includes a chassis that comprises a frame with side panels forming device bays for computer accessory devices. At least one of the side panels includes substantially parallel horizontal protrusions along the interior surface of the panel. A mounting rail has a screwless attachment for applying the mounting rail to a computer accessory device. The mounting rail is configured to slide between the protrusions of the side panel, and includes a latch to engage the chassis frame members. The chassis also includes a rear panel and a motherboard panel attached to the rear panel. The motherboard panel and the attached rear panel may be moved into a position in which the rear panel is substantially flush with the rear of the chassis. When the rear panel is substantially flush with the rear frame members, a latch affixed to the motherboard panel engages one of the rear frame members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Inventor: Robert C. Chien
  • Patent number: 6381142
    Abstract: An electronic component is disclosed, which is easily attached to or detached from a target body, without using a holding mechanism at the body side. The electronic component has an electronic circuit and is provided in a body of a device. The electronic component comprises a main portion having a plate shape which enables this portion to be inserted into the body; and elastic members, provided at the top and bottom faces of the main portion, for pushing the main portion towards an inner face of the body when the main portion is inserted into the body, so as to fit the main portion in the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Takumi Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6381148
    Abstract: A processor retention assembly is disclosed. An embodiment of the processor retention assembly includes a first dual processor retention module and a second dual processor retention module. A connecting member is attached to the first dual processor retention module at a first end and is attached to the second dual processor retention module at a second end. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, covers are hingedly attached to each of the first and second dual processor retention modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Intel, Corp.
    Inventors: George Daskalakis, Conal O'Neill, James Roecker
  • Patent number: 6381149
    Abstract: A printed circuit board retainer. The printed circuit board retainer directs the movement of a printed circuit board during installation into an enclosure. In a relaxed position, the retainer forms a barrier to the withdrawal of the printed circuit board from the enclosure. The printed circuit board retainer may be displaced from its relaxed position and locked in an open position to facilitate during installation and withdrawal of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation
    Inventors: George D. Megason, Daniel T. Thompson, Joseph R. Allen
  • Patent number: 6379772
    Abstract: A substrate comprising at least one optical fiducial hole and a plurality of holes surrounding at least substantially one-half of the at least one optical fiducial hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Lubert
  • Patent number: 6377470
    Abstract: A card guide which optimizes the flow of forced cooling air, provides for self alignment to a host motherboard and provides for integrated electro-static discharge (ESD) hazard mitigation. includes an elongated body having a groove disposed along a longitudinal axis of the body. The groove is adapted for receiving the edge of an inserted daughter card. The card guide further includes integral, arcuate inner and outer deflectors, which form a channel for redirecting incident air flow toward regions of the daughter card which would otherwise be blocked from the air flow. Extension deflector assemblies may be situated between card guides to extend the inner and outer deflectors so as to minimize air flow discontinuities in regions between daughter card positions. The end of the card guide that receives the daughter card houses an ESD clip. The ESD clip functions to dissipate static charge accumulated on the daughter card from a conductive strip disposed along the edge of the daughter card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: Hybricon Corporation
    Inventors: C. Michael Hayward, Richard N. Rehlander
  • Patent number: 6373712
    Abstract: A frame for inserting and/or removing circuit cards from the housing of a machine includes a circuit card carrier connected to a locking CAM slide that is disposed to move within the channel of an actuator bar. A slot with a locking feature is fabricated on the locking CAM slide. A pin extending from a surface of the actuator bar into the channel coacts with the locking mechanism to lock the actuator bar relative to the locking CAM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Thomas Bailis, Thomas Lee Bonds, Jr., David John Jensen, Charles Steven Lingafelt, Brian Scott Oakley
  • Patent number: 6370036
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a first circuit board on a second circuit board. Embodiments of the invention use a clip attached to uprights to exert a biasing force on the first circuit board. The uprights are also coupled to the second circuit board. In embodiments of the invention, the first circuit board is a processor package such as a processor package for use in a Slot 1 or Slot 2 connector, and the second circuit board is a motherboard of a computer system. Embodiments of the invention also include a memory module and a power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig L. Boe
  • Patent number: 6370037
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for removably mounting an electronic device to the dashboad of a vehicle. The apparatus includes a mount securable to the electronic device and a cradle fixed to the vehicle for receipt of the mount. The mount includes a plate for attachment to the electronic device and at least one flexible locking arm extending from said plate. The outwardly biased arm engages the cradle when the mount is secured to the cradle. The arm is deflected inwardly to allow the electronic device to be quickly and easily removed from the dashboard of the vehicle in a single motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Garmin Corporation
    Inventor: Brian G. Schoenfish
  • Patent number: 6366470
    Abstract: A device for locking cards or caches into place in the frame of a computer central unit A device for locking cards into place in the frame of a computer central unit, comprising latch windows (21-24) in the form of slots provided in the rear face of the frame (1) and a clipping window (25). A latch (4) comprises a body (47) bearing latch fingers (41, 44) joined to a transverse connecting branch (46) and a clamping clip (45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: E2A Technology S.A.
    Inventors: Fabien Goessel, Georges Taguay
  • Patent number: 6359775
    Abstract: A computer is disclosed having a flat panel display device and a disk drive unit, each pivotable between a closed position wherein they serve as covers for the housing of the computer, and an open position, wherein access is provided to the internal components of the computer, including a motherboard and drive assemblies housed in the disk drive unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Revis
  • Patent number: 6356449
    Abstract: This invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board mounting structure capable of easily soldering an FPC to a printed circuit board. When the flexible printed circuit board (FPC) is soldered upright on the printed circuit board, the FPC holder is secured in the mounting hole of the printed circuit board by the pressure of the elastic portion, to thereby hold the FPC holder by a support projection cut and raised from a chassis. In this state, the terminal portion of the FPC is soldered to the edge portion of the mounting hole of the printed circuit board, thereby ensuring electrical connection of each circuit pattern of the FPC and the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinkichi Sasaki, Takashi Nakagawa, Mutsumi Ito
  • Patent number: 6356450
    Abstract: A circuit board holder has or is provided with a face plate and with walls projecting from an inside of that face plate. A pair of opposite ones of such walls are equipped with circuit board retainers. Such retainers may be inside and/or outside of a space in the circuit board holder. The circuit board holder is equipped with one or more holder retainers or resilient snaps for releasably retaining that circuit board holder in an aperture of a panel. Such holder retainers or resilient snaps may have serrations for engaging panels of different thicknesses at their apertures. Such panel may be provided with a slot or slots at that aperture for access to the holder retainer or resilient snaps through the panel. The holder retainer or resilient snap may be released through such slots, such as by screwdrivers or other release tool, for removal of the circuit board holder or similar device from the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Hendry Mechanical Works
    Inventors: Paul E. Andreasen, Richard W. Sevier, James J. Keenan
  • Patent number: 6356457
    Abstract: A support mechanism for a part of a circuit card includes a support member (slide) which forms a fixed part. The support member defines a guide. It also includes a slideable member for engaging the circuit card. The slideable member (slider) is slideable along the guide to a position for engaging the card. The slider defines a jaw for engaging the circuit card. The jaw can be provided with a protrusion for engaging with a hole in the corner of a circuit card, for example a PCI card. The mechanism enables the supporting of cards of different lengths due to the slideability of the slide along the guide. The guide and the slider can be formed with inter-engaging structures of appropriate shapes, for example, co-operating dovetail shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen P Haworth
  • Patent number: 6356454
    Abstract: An electrical unit is described which has a housing or housing part and a fist printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board which can be placed in contact with one another so as to be electrically conductive. The housing or housing part includes at least one aligning element suitable for guiding and fixing both the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board. The first printed circuit board has a cutout which is matched to the cross section of the aligning element and through which the aligning element protrudes when the first printed circuit board has been fixed. The free end of the aligning element has a contour which acts to guide the second printed circuit board when contact is made with the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Bräunlich, Frank Fügmann
  • Patent number: 6353541
    Abstract: The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a circuit board in a computer system. Some embodiments include single or multiple panels hinged to a chassis of the computer that are used as retaining structures. In operation, the retaining structures may be hinged down onto a circuit board cap that is in turn coupled to a central processing unit package that includes a circuit board. In this manner, the central processing unit or another component including a circuit board may be retained in a computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Micron PC, LLC
    Inventors: Michael V. Leman, Gregory P. Johnson, William M. Cresse, Jacques Gagne, Philip Hartley, Ray Gradwohl
  • Patent number: 6347044
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a printed circuit board (PCB) in an electronic apparatus housing is disclosed. The structure comprises a plurality of holes, a plurality of bosses, and a plurality of seat members. The holes are formed in the printed circuit board. The bosses are formed on the upper surface of the bottom of the electronic apparatus housing at positions corresponding to the positions of the holes. Each of the seat members consists of a seat portion, a vertical cylinder portion and a flange. The seat portion serves to support the bottom surface of the head of a screw while being positioned on the top surface of each of the bosses, and has a center hole through which the screw passes. The vertical cylinder portion is extended from the circumferential end portion of the seat portion, defines a hollow portion in which the head of the screw is positioned, and is inserted into each of the holes of the main board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Bum-Young Won, Bum-Su Park
  • Patent number: 6339536
    Abstract: An I/O shield bracket for an I/O window of a computer system chassis. The I/O shield bracket includes mechanisms for reducing electromagnetic radiation that emanates from the edge of the I/O shield bracket and the edge of the I/O window. In one embodiment, the I/O shield bracket includes an embossed portion that resides next to the edge of the I/O window. In another embodiment, the I/O shield bracket includes shield tabs that overlap an I/O window ledge surrounding the I/O window. An I/O gasket made of an electrically conductive material may be mounted to the I/O shield bracket to provide shielding between the I/O shield bracket and I/O connectors. The I/O shield bracket may include snap fingers for removably attaching the I/O shield bracket to a computer system chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Dell USA, L.P.
    Inventors: Eugene Buican, Ty R. Schmitt, Robert F. Poe
  • Patent number: 6335869
    Abstract: An easily removable modular optical signal transceiver unit for conversion between modulated light signal transmission and electronic data signals and which conforms to the Small Form Factor standard for transceiver interfaces is disclosed. The structural details of its chassis include aspects which insure the proper positioning of electronic circuit boards of a transmitter optical subassembly and a receiver optical subassembly as well as the positioning of electromagnetic radiation shielding on the chassis. In conjunction with an interface device on an electronic circuit board of a host device, the chassis supports electromagnetic radiation shielding which substantially encloses the sources of electromagnetic radiation within the module and suppresses the escape of electromagnetic radiation, thereby preventing electromagnetic interference with sensitive components and devices in proximity to the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Scott M. Branch, David Peter Gaio, William K. Hogan
  • Patent number: 6335868
    Abstract: An enclosure arrangement includes a chassis, and a central electronics complex. The central electronics complex has a cage removably positioned within the chassis. The cage has an open top providing access into the interior of the cage. The central electronics complex also includes a backplane arranged in a horizontal position, and forming a floor of the cage. The backplane has at least one card slot on a surface thereof. The central electronics complex further includes at least one circuit board disposed in the interior of the cage and being removably received by the card slot. The circuit board is arranged in a vertical position so that a gravitational force helps retain the circuit board in the card slot. The cage is removably positioned within the chassis. At least one rail connects the cage to the chassis. The cage is disposed on the rail, and is guidable into the chassis using the rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew Allen Butterbaugh, Max John Christopher Koschmeder, William Michael Monson, Gary Allen Thompson, Brian Joseph Stanczyk, Wesley H. Bachman, Michael Scott Good, Kevin Robert Qualters, Raymond Floyd Babcock, Todd Douglas Green
  • Patent number: 6333858
    Abstract: There is disclosed a carrier module capable of accurately fixing IC device when the producted IC device is tested on the performance thereof. The carrier module includes a body having an insertion groove formed therein in a predetermined direction and holes, an elastic unit inserted and fixed to the insertion groove, for being elastically moved upward and downward, a latch installed on upper portion of the elastic means, for fixing an IC device, and a pin for fixing the latch by being inserted and fixed into the body, wherein the IC device is fixed or released by operation of the latch. The carrier module has a structure permitting the latches to be pressed at both sides thereof, and therefore the present invention provides an easy machining and assembling of the carrier module, and lowers the production cost by reducing the number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Jae Yun, Back Woon Jung, Ki Hyun Lee, Ki Hyun Jung
  • Patent number: 6333854
    Abstract: A memory card including a circuit board and a card-shaped hollow casing for accommodating the circuit board. The hollow casing includes an envelope-shaped support member having an integrally molded structure, an opening being defined at a longitudinal end of the support member for insertion of the circuit board into the support member, and a lid member fixed onto the longitudinal end of the support member to close the opening. The support member cooperates with the lid member to securely support the circuit board in the casing. The support member includes an envelope-shaped receptacle defined inside the support member for receiving a major part of the circuit board. The support member also includes a guide portion for directing the circuit board to a proper position within the support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Limited
    Inventors: Chiharu Sasaoka, Koichi Kiryu, Hideo Miyazawa