For Guiding Side Of Movable Panel, E.g., Circuit Board Patents (Class 439/377)
  • Patent number: 7416452
    Abstract: An electrical connector includes an elongated housing having a daughter-card receiving on a first surface and mother-card receiving channel on a second surface thereof and extending along a lengthwise direction for receiving a daughter-card member and mother-card member. Respective daughter-card engagement slots and mother-card member slots are defined on opposed ends of housing, each slot extending from the first surface and second surface and along a transverse direction. The slots are laterally separated from the receiving channel for receiving lateral edge portions of the daughter-card member. A central line of each slot is aligned with a central line of the receiving channel in the lengthwise direction such that configuration of the slots will allow for the daughter card member and mother-card member to be held coplanar with respect to a middle plane of the channel, thereby establishing an effective electrical connection between the connector and the daughter-card member and the mother-card member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: James M. Sabo
  • Patent number: 7413463
    Abstract: To prevent interference between an electronic element mounted on a circuit board and a casing upon inserting the circuit board into the casing and to facilitate insertion of the circuit board into the casing. A casing adapted to contain a circuit board may have opposed side walls each having a guide groove. Each guide groove has a narrow width portion with an even width in an inner part of the casing and a wide mouthed portion at an inlet port of the casing. The wide mouthed portion has first and second opposed slant surfaces that are gradually spaced away from each other toward the inlet port. The slant starting point of the first slant surface is nearer the inlet port than the slant starting point of the second slant surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Wiring Systems, Ltd.
    Inventor: Tomoki Matsuo
  • Patent number: 7408789
    Abstract: A mounting device for a circuit card includes a motherboard adapted for receiving the circuit card inserted therein, a computer enclosure configured for accommodating the motherboard, a securing plate mounted on the computer enclosure, and a retaining member with a receiving slot. The retaining member slides along the securing plate and in parallel with one end edge of the circuit card to have the end edge of the circuit card received in the receiving slot. A locking structure is formed between the retaining member and the securing plate for locking the retaining member to the securing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Lang Tao, Chieh Yang, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7402072
    Abstract: A positioning device for fixing an interface card on a computer casing without using screws, is composed of a vertical wall board of a computer casing, which is provided with long through-holes; fixing seats, which are connected on an interface of the vertical wall board, and are provided with shaft holes and one movable groove; elastic members, which are provided with shaft holes and spring leaves, and are emplaced into the movable grooves; a shaft, which is connected on the fixing seats and the elastic members; and an interface card is provided with a cover, with an end of the cover being provided with an outer board. When the elastic member is subjected to force to rotate, the spring leaf will be abutted on the outer board. When the elastic member rotates reversely, the spring leaf will be escaped from the outer board, and the cover and the interface card can be removed from the vertical wall board simultaneously.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Super Micro Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Chen, Alan Lee
  • Patent number: 7399196
    Abstract: An interface card fixing member is disclosed according to the present invention. The interface card fixing member is applicable to a fixing bracket of an electrical device, for fixing an interface card. The interface card fixing member includes a base connectible to the fixing bracket, an elastic frame connected to the base, a fixing portion connected to the elastic frame, a first positioning portion located on the fixing portion, and a supporting board connected to the base, the elastic frame being movable in an elastic deformation direction to have the fixing portion to be interfered with and coupled to the supporting board, and the fixing portion move to a position where the interface card can be unplugged. Therefore, a user can plug and unplug the interface card easily with both hands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Lin-Wei Chang
  • Publication number: 20080132107
    Abstract: An interface card fixing member is disclosed according to the present invention. The interface card fixing member is applicable to a fixing bracket of an electrical device, for fixing an interface card. The interface card fixing member includes a base connectible to the fixing bracket, an elastic frame connected to the base, a fixing portion connected to the elastic frame, a first positioning portion located on the fixing portion, and a supporting board connected to the base, the elastic frame being movable in an elastic deformation direction to have the fixing portion to be interfered with and coupled to the supporting board, and the fixing portion move to a position where the interface card can be unplugged. Therefore, a user can plug and unplug the interface card easily with both hands.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Applicant: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Lin-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 7381076
    Abstract: A thin peripheral devices for mating with electrical connectors where the thickness of the device is less than the dimensions needed for mechanical engagement with the connector, has a body including electronic circuitry and a selectively deployable plug arrangement. The plug arrangement includes a first plug portion including a plurality of electric contacts and a second plug portion. At least part of the plug arrangement is selectively displaceable relative to a remainder of the body between a non-deployed configuration wherein the entire plug arrangement lies within a thickness dimension of the body and a deployed configuration wherein the first and second plug portions together define an effective plug having thickness greater than the thickness dimension of the body for mating with the electrical connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Sandisk IL Ltd.
    Inventors: Eyal Bychkov, Yohan Cohen
  • Patent number: 7381081
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for aiding in mounting a plurality of long expansion cards in electrical devices includes a rack, and a fixing member. Each of the expansion cards defines an aperture in one end thereof. The rack includes a supporting shelf, a beam, and a fixing plate. The fixing member is slidably attached to the fixing plate of the rack and includes a plurality of hooks extending therefrom. The hooks movably engage in apertures to secure the expansion cards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun-Xiong Zhang, Jia-Qi Fu, Hong-Run Li
  • Publication number: 20080124967
    Abstract: An electrical connection guide member guides insertion of an electrical connecting portion of an electronic apparatus to a complementary mating electrical connector having a first retention portion provided on a sidewall thereof. The guide member includes a connecting board; two opposed sideboards each vertically connected with two ends of the connecting board, wherein two opposed ends at one end of the two sideboards constitute a receiving opening, at least one fixing portion is disposed on one of the sideboards and corresponding to the receiving opening for fixing the complementary mating electrical connector; and a second retention portion is disposed on an inner surface of one of the sideboards and corresponding to the first retention portion; and a plurality of first guide portions disposed on the inner surface of one of the two sideboards for guiding insertion of an electrical connecting portion into a complementary mating electrical connector or connecting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Chi-Kang Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20080085624
    Abstract: A socket for receiving a memory module is provided and includes a receiving area having a plurality of socket contacts for making contact with a plurality of memory module contacts and a set of guiding tracks disposed at each end of the socket, wherein the guiding tracks including at least one feature for retaining the memory module once the memory module is dismounted from the socket. A method for fabricating the socket is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Charles C. Gange, Timothy A. Meserth, Tony C. Sass
  • Publication number: 20080084467
    Abstract: A connection member that connects an electric substrate and a light source that emits a light beam, the connection member comprising: a light source terminal insertion portion into which a light source terminal of the light source is inserted from one end portion side and having another end portion side that penetrates the electric substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Keiichi Satou, Yasuo Yoshida
  • Patent number: 7351106
    Abstract: An electrical connector (100) for mounting on an external printed circuit board comprises an insulative housing (20) having a front mating face, a mounting face, a plurality of passageways (216) extending rearwardly from the mating face, a receiving cavity (213) extending through the mounting face and communicating with the passageways; an inner module (30) received in the receiving cavity and including a front contact module (31) having a front insulative block (313) and a plurality of front contacts (301) mounted thereon and extending into corresponding passageways, a rear contact module (32) having a rear insulative block (323) and a plurality of rear contacts (302) mounted thereon and extending beyond the mounting face for being mounted on the external printed board, and an inner printed circuit board (304) sandwiched between the front insulative block and the rear insulative block and electrically connecting the front contacts with the rear contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zi-Qiang Zhu, Guo-Hua Zhang, Jin-Kui Hu, Feng Wan
  • Patent number: 7343439
    Abstract: The functionality provided to electronic devices by application specific removable modules is enhanced by viewing the removable modules as first-level removable modules and providing them with at least one second-level removable slot for selectively nesting second-level removable modules having particular external I/O capabilities. The functionality provided to the electronic devices by such a first-level removable module can thus be provided in part by the application specific circuitry within the removable module and further in part by the type of external I/O of the second-level removable module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Socket Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Mills, Michael L. Gifford
  • Publication number: 20080050964
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shield member for covering the slot of an electronic device, including at least a body for inserting and pluggable into the slot; a slide block disposed on the surface of the body and corresponding to the slot; and an elastic portion disposed on the surface of the slide block and elastically contacting the wall of the slot for the body to be tightly inserted into the slot. The invention employs the elastic portion to allow a body having a minimum length required to be inserted tightly into the slot, thereby reducing the material cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Chin Hsu
  • Patent number: 7331810
    Abstract: A locking structure fixes an interface card having a lateral portion and an end portion to a main board. The locking structure includes a sliding member having a sliding groove for the lateral portion of the interface card to slide along and a containing groove for placement of an elastic member; and the elastic member having a bending rod rotatably installed in the containing groove and a rotating portion protruding to a region outside of the containing groove when the bending rod is disposed in the containing groove. The rotation portion props against the end portion of the interface card when the interface card is in the sliding groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Tzu-Yi Yang
  • Patent number: 7331809
    Abstract: A computer system with a fixing module for riser card thereof is provided. By allowing the bottom side of the supporting pillar and the bottom parts of the two opposite sides of the supporting pillar engaging with each other, the riser card is supported by stress from all directions around it. Therefore, enough supporting strength is efficiently provided within a limited space and the riser card is prevented from being bended and having deformation because of the heavy weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Tyan Computer Corporation
    Inventors: Chun-Hung Lee, Shih-Tsung Chen
  • Patent number: 7326078
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shield member for covering the slot of an electronic device, including at least a body for inserting and pluggable into the slot; a slide block disposed on the surface of the body and corresponding to the slot; and an elastic portion disposed on the surface of the slide block and elastically contacting the wall of the slot for the body to be tightly inserted into the slot. The invention employs the elastic portion to allow a body having a minimum length required to be inserted tightly into the slot, thereby reducing the material cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Inventec Corporation
    Inventor: Yung-Chin Hsu
  • Publication number: 20080026632
    Abstract: An electrical connection header for an electrical device and a method for assembling the same are disclosed herein. A connection header may include a plurality of electrical pins, each of which has a first portion and a second portion oriented generally orthogonal to each other. The pins may be inserted to a connector shroud which defines a plurality of apertures for receiving the first portions of the pins. A hood may be secured to the connector shroud such that the hood extends beyond a bend point of at least one of the pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel S. Eichorn
  • Patent number: 7320615
    Abstract: A grounding spring plate mounting structure includes a metal grounding spring plate mounted on each track inside a case for blade server to secure and ground a computer motherboard blade. The metal grounding spring plate has a flat base fitted into a recessed portion of the track, two channel-like mounting frames disposed at two sides of the flat base and respectively mounted on two parallel rails of the track and defining with the flat base a guide passage for receiving the inserted computer motherboard blade, and two clamping spring arms respectively extending from the channel-like mounting frames and suspending in the guide passage for clamping the inserted computer motherboard blade from two opposite sides and constituting with the inserted computer motherboard blade a grounding loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Adlink Technology Inc.
    Inventor: Chih-Liang Fang
  • Patent number: 7311529
    Abstract: An electronic device includes an enclosure, a circuit board, and an EMI shield. The EMI shield includes a cover plate, and a pair of side plates extending from two opposite sides of the cover plate. Two slide rails are formed in the side plates for receiving corresponding sides of the circuit board to slide therealong. The EMI shield is received in the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsuan-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7306467
    Abstract: A PC card slot device for an ExpressCard affords a smooth insertion of the ExpressCard into a slot for the PC card slot device, without the height of the slot being increased. A lower chassis ceiling wall defines the lower face side of a card storage space, and also includes a slot side edge that is formed of a rear-side inclined line portion and a slot-side inclined line portion. The rear-side inclined line portion and the slot-side inclined line portion are respectively inclined at angles ?1 and ?2, relative to a reference cross section. To insert the ExpressCard into the slot of the card storage space, the right corner of the right upper level lower face portion of the card is inserted into the card storage space and the front end of the right stepped portion of the card is guided along the inclined line portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Morino, Hiroyuki Noguchi
  • Patent number: 7297015
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a guide plate selectively securable in a position adjacent a first electronic connector, wherein the guide plate includes a linear slot. A mounting plate is positioned generally parallel to the guide plate, wherein the mounting plate comprises two or more mounting pins, and is vertically slidably secured to the guide plate by the pins extending through the linear slot. Between the guide plate and the mounting plate, a rotatable plate is pivotally coupled, wherein the rotatable plate includes one or more cam slots slidably receiving a mounting pin. An electronic circuit board is coupled to the mounting plate, the electronic circuit board having a second electronic connector selectively mateable with the first electronic connector. The rotatable plate is actuated so that the cam slots cause the mounting plate and circuit board to move vertically to insert and remove the second connector relative to the first connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Norman Bruce Desrosiers, Dean Frederick Herring
  • Patent number: 7294011
    Abstract: An electronic device retention apparatus for fixing an electronic device with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole includes a fixed case, a mounting piece, and a flexible structure. The fixed case has an entrance, a first opening, and a second opening. One end of the mounting piece near the entrance is coupled to the fixed case, and another end is connected to the fixed case with the flexible structure. The mounting piece has a guide flange with a contact surface disposed corresponding to the first opening. When the electronic device is contacting the contact surface, the mounting piece is lifted up until the guide flange mounted on the first mounting hole. The mounting piece further has a mounting flange disposed corresponding to the second opening to be mounted with the second mounting hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Lin-Hsu Chiang
  • Patent number: 7295446
    Abstract: A computer system includes a plurality of blade servers, a midplane, a supplemental midplane, and a peripheral device separate from the blade servers. The midplane includes a plurality of connectors connecting the midplane to the plurality of blade servers. The supplemental midplane is separate from the midplane and includes a body, a plurality of connectors, and a peripheral connector. The plurality of connectors are attached to the body and connect the supplemental midplane to the plurality of blade servers. The peripheral connector is attached to the body and connects the supplemental midplane to the peripheral device. The plurality of connectors of the supplemental midplane communicate with the peripheral connector of the supplemental midplane. The plurality of connectors of the supplemental midplane are configured to be removably connectable to the midplane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martin J. Crippen, William G. Holland, James E. Hughes, David J. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20070249213
    Abstract: An electronic device retention apparatus for fixing an electronic device with a first mounting hole and a second mounting hole includes a fixed case, a mounting piece, and a flexible structure. The fixed case has an entrance, a first opening, and a second opening. One end of the mounting piece near the entrance is coupled to the fixed case, and another end is connected to the fixed case with the flexible structure. The mounting piece has a guide flange with a contact surface disposed corresponding to the first opening. When the electronic device is contacting the contact surface, the mounting piece is lifted up until the guide flange mounted on the first mounting hole. The mounting piece further has a mounting flange disposed corresponding to the second opening to be mounted with the second mounting hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Publication date: October 25, 2007
    Inventor: Lin-Hsu Chiang
  • Patent number: 7264490
    Abstract: A module includes a panel having a groove. An injector/ejector may be coupled to the panel. The injector/ejector may reside in the groove when the injector/ejector is in a closed position. A latch member may be coupled to the panel. The latch member may selectively hold the injector/ejector in the closed position in the groove. A body of the latch member may reside in a groove in the panel. In certain embodiments, latch member for a module injector/ejector is attached to the panel using a snap-on arrangement. In certain embodiments, the panel for a module may be made of a flat sheet having a fold that defines the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Naum Reznikov
  • Patent number: 7258568
    Abstract: A sliding module positioning device for locking a sliding module at a predetermined position on a rack is described. The sliding module positioning device includes a base, a positioning pin, an elastic device, an internal pushing member, and an external control member. The positioning pin is moveable on the base and coupled to the elastic device for pushing the positioning pin into a positioning hole on a positioning bracket. The internal pushing member can push the positioning pin away from the positioning hole. The external control member connects with the internal pushing member, and the positioning pin couples to an inner surface of the internal pushing member to prevent the positioning pin protruding from the external control member after the positioning pin is moved away from the positioning hole. The positioning device further utilizes an elastic piece for coupling the positioning pin to the positioning hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Aten International Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: You-Lin Shih
  • Patent number: 7255570
    Abstract: The present invention proposes to use additional support tabs for the stabilization of the PCI-express add-in cards, in particular, PCI-express add-in cards having a connector the size of one, four or eight links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Inventors: Michael Feldman, Alexander Feldman, Boris Feldman
  • Patent number: 7241166
    Abstract: In order to prevent any erroneous insertion of a thin circuit board 3 into a gap 5 formed between a main circuit board 1 and a connector 2 when the thin circuit board 3 is inserted into an inserting port 2e formed at the connector 2 fixed at a mounting surface of the main circuit board 1 by electric connection, a guide 6 is formed by applying solder onto the mounting surface of the main circuit board 1 and in the vicinity of the inserting port 2e. The guide 6 can prevent any insertion of the thin circuit board 3 into the gap 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Nidec Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Inui
  • Patent number: 7224588
    Abstract: A card guide is used in guiding a circuit board with respect to a chassis. The card guide includes a guide rail extending along the card guide in a first direction, an end portion configured for removably attaching the card guide to the chassis, and a finger extending in a second direction. The finger has a shape and size to allow interconnection with an adjacent card guide. The finger defines an endpoint of a space allowing airflow in a third direction past the card guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: Starent Networks, Corp.
    Inventors: Mathew A. Nieman, Doreen DePalma Burns, John Scott Whitney
  • Patent number: 7215556
    Abstract: A rack-mounted assembly (10) comprises one or more racks, each capable of containing one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) (18), interconnected by a backplane (15) which is located along the bottom of a shelf (14). This position of the backplane (15) allows the rear wall of the rack-mounted assembly to be perforated, thereby permitting a cooling airflow for the PCBs to pass in through the front of the assembly and then out through the back. An insertion mechanism is provided to allow a PCB to be inserted into a rack. To achieve this, the PCB must first travel backwards into the rack-mounted assembly, and then downwards into engagement with the backplane (15). In one embodiment, this is accomplished by supporting the PCB from a hanger (100) which moves in and out of the rack-mounted assembly along a guide rail (45). The hanger includes slots (115) that retain pins (110) from the PCB. The slots are orientated diagonally upwards and backwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean Conor Wrycraft
  • Patent number: 7214088
    Abstract: A removable computer host housing assembly includes a hollow and penetrated host housing having an interior thereof defined as a front accommodating chamber and a rear accommodating chamber; a rear housing having a plurality of rectangular accommodating cells therein and an upper long rectangular accommodating cell at and upper section thereof; wherein each rectangular accommodating cell is assembled with a power supply module, each upper long rectangular accommodating cell is assembled with one interface circuit module, and the rear housing is assembled into the rear accommodating chamber; and one server module appearing as a rectangular housing, and being vertically inserted into the rear accommodating chamber. A plurality of interface circuit modules, power supply modules, server modules can be speedily assembled with or disassembled from an interior of the host housing, thereby accomplishing maintenance or module expansion with speed and convenience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Super Micro Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Chien-Fa Liang
  • Patent number: 7192304
    Abstract: A card holder for a mobile electronic device for receiving accessory cards, which includes a substantially cuboidal housing having an open front face for inserting accessory cards, the housing including a back face, a left and a right lateral face, and a top and a bottom face, at least two guiding elements protruding from the interior side of the left and right lateral faces, respectively, and extending parallel to and between said top and said bottom face. The guiding elements define an upper slot of a first height h1 between the top face and the guiding elements and a lower slot of a second height h2 between the bottom face and the guiding elements, for receiving accessory cards of first height h1 and second height h2, respectively, and the upper and the lower slots together define a combined slot for receiving an accessory card of a third height h3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Weingart, Wolfgang Theimer, Roland Schink, Mika Suonmaa
  • Patent number: 7187555
    Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises a card guide that provides an installation path for an extension circuit card. The installation path promotes a coupled relationship between the extension circuit card and a circuit board. The card guide comprises a first connector and a second connector. To form the coupled relationship the extension circuit card attaches to one of the first connector and the second connector based on a configuration of the extension circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert G. Campbell, Raymond Chin
  • Patent number: 7180753
    Abstract: A dual motion docking apparatus for docking an electronics console to a component board in a chassis is disclosed. The electronics console and the component board lie in the same plane of the chassis, but the electronics console must be mated with the component board at an angle orthogonal to a direction of installation of the electronics console. Aspects of the present invention include a first docking mechanism for slidably inserting the electronics console into a chassis, such that connectors on the electronics console align with connectors on the component board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian M. Kerrigan, Karl K. Dittus, Matthew S. Henry, Michael S. Miller
  • Patent number: 7177157
    Abstract: The present invention provides a host board system in which transceivers of two sizes (the larger approximately twice the width of the smaller) can be arbitrarily mixed within a given host board design. This is accomplished by specifying an arrangement of electrical connectors, a guide rail design, a set of transceiver features, and a bezel configuration to meet this need as well as the other requirements of optoelectronic transceivers. Typically, two slots and connectors are lined up behind an opening in a bezel that provides transceiver access to two connectors. So that either double-width or single-width transceivers can be used in the same opening, the double-width transceiver is designed to engage with the connectors in the same position as a single-width transceiver. Further, the slots and connectors are spaced evenly so that all of the slots and connectors can accommodate a single-width transceiver and all adjacent slots and connectors can accommodate a double-width transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventors: Lewis B. Aronson, Paul K. Rosenberg
  • 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: 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: 7137855
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a mechanical adapter may be used to couple a first circuit board (e.g., a motherboard) to a second circuit board (e.g., a daughtercard) in a module. The mechanical adapter may have a mounting portion and a configurable portion. In some embodiments, the mounting portion may be similar for multiple configurations of the mechanical adapter. In various embodiments, the motherboard may be similar for different modules. For example, the mechanical adapter may be configured to mount a specific type of daughtercard in the configurable portion, while the mounting portion may be similar to mounting portions on other mechanical adapters with different configurations for different daughtercards (e.g., the motherboard may be similar for each of the different configurations). Therefore, in various embodiments, a common mounting portion may mate to a common motherboard configuration for different products each configured to mount a different daughtercard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: James P. Koughan, Jason B. Habingreither, Darryl D. Daniel, Michel G. Haddad
  • Patent number: 7133296
    Abstract: A portable USB storage device includes a case, a USB port, and a control device. The case contains therein a data storage. The USB port can be inputted into the case in a sliding motion. The control device selectively controls a location of the USB port to keep the USB port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute
    Inventors: Dae Seon Choi, Hee Sun Kim, Taesung Kim, Jong-Hyuk Roh, Sang Rae Cho, Young Seob Cho, Seung Hun Jin
  • 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: 7092256
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for interfacing a memory device with a host device are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus which enables a non-volatile memory device to communicate with a host device includes a body and an element. The body has a boundary, and the element is arranged to move at least partially within the body. The element includes an interface which may be coupled to the host device when the element is in a first position with respect to the body. The element is also arranged to receive the non-volatile memory device and to move the non-volatile memory device and the interface with respect to the body. In one embodiment, when the element is in the first position with respect to the body, the interface at least partially extends past the boundary associated with the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2006
    Assignee: SanDisk Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Salazar, Robert A. Howard, Jonathan R. Harris, Daren W. Hebold
  • Patent number: 7085137
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing multi-directional signaling interface connection of a printed circuit card within a computer chassis. In one embodiment, a blind swap cartridge carries a circuit card that includes a first signaling interface connector in the form of a PCI edge connector. The edge connector is movable via a pivot point on the cartridge in a substantially transverse direction with respect to an insertion direction of said blind swap cartridge. In accordance with the present invention, a second signaling interface connector, such as a SCSI connector, is rigidly affixed to the exterior of the blind swap cartridge. The second signaling interface connector is preferably disposed on the cartridge in an orientation such that its connection direction is substantially aligned with the blind swap cartridge insertion direction. A flexible interconnect member is preferably utilized to couple the second signaling interface connector to the circuit card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Andrew Smith, Brian Michael Kerrigan, Michael Sven Miller, Paul Andrew Wormsbecher, John Gary Bulluck
  • Patent number: 7081022
    Abstract: A combined printing apparatus includes a housing, an electric circuit substrate formed to extend from a top edge of a card insertion slot, a connector placed at a downside surface of the electric circuit substrate for connecting a memory card to an electric circuit, and a shielding plate formed under the connector. The connector is formed to extend in a direction approximately orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the electric circuit substrate. The shielding plate includes a cut and bent up portion formed in a region opposite to the connector in the direction of extension of the connector. The cut and bent up portion is formed to prevent the memory card from being inserted between the shielding plate and the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignees: Funai Electric Co., Ltd., Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventor: Toru Fujii
  • 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: 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: 7044767
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, a hybrid card interconnect is provided. The hybrid card interconnect might include, for example, an enclosure having a rectangular opening at one side and defining a first rectangular cavity within the enclosure to receive a first type of card. The interconnection might further include movable guide members coupled to left and right inner surfaces of the enclosures and defining a second rectangular cavity, within the first cavity, to receive a second type card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Hong W. Wong, Wah Yiu Kwong
  • Patent number: 7033197
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a socket connector. In one embodiment of the invention, the socket connector is to connect to a circuit board. The socket connector includes a housing to contain contacts, a socket disposed within the housing to receive an add-in card, and a retaining tab coupled to the housing to retain the add-in card in the socket. The retaining tab includes a lobe to mate with a retaining notch of the add-in card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Ling, Daniel L. Tong, Scott Noble
  • Patent number: 7004777
    Abstract: A PCI card clipping device is disclosed for clipping and securing a plurality of PCI cards. The PCI card clipping device is composed of a clipping member, a fixing base, a latch member connected to the fixing base, and an elastic element (such as a spring), wherein the clipping member has a plurality of clipping elements, and each of the clipping elements is made of a clipping plate located in an opening. In the application of the PCI card clipping device, a connecting end of the PCI card is first engaged with the clipping element, and then the purpose of securing the PCI cards is achieved due to the meal material property of the latch member and the clipping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Quanta Computer, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun-Yi Lien, Chi-Hao Kang, Sheng-Fu Hsu
  • Patent number: 6980440
    Abstract: A card guide is used in guiding a circuit board with respect to a chassis. The card guide includes a guide rail extending along the card guide in a first direction, an end portion configured for removably attaching the card guide to the chassis, and a finger extending in a second direction. The finger has a shape and size to allow interconnection with an adjacent card guide. The finger defines an endpoint of a space allowing airflow in a third direction past the card guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Starent Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Mathew A. Nieman, Doreen DePalma Burns, John Scott Whitney