Abstract: An assembly comprising a housing and a circuit board is designed to facilitate a simplified method of assembling the circuit board into the housing, along with a simplified method of coupling the signals on the circuit board to other circuits. The circuit board is guided into place by a pair of slots, with each slot located proximate an end of the housing. The housing includes a support member that has a deflection/retention feature that extends above a plane formed by the circuit board after the board has been assembled to the housing. The assembly is assembled by first partially inserting one end of the board into a slot and pressing the other end of the board toward another slot, with a curved guide deflecting the board downward and into the other slot. When both ends of the circuit board are inserted into the slots, the deflection/retention feature is in contact with the board and flexes the board upward.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting a card to a printed circuit board comprises an insulative housing, a number of contacts and a pair of board locks received in the housing, and a pair of card ejector mechanisms pivotally mounted in opposite ends of the housing. The housing defines a slot which separates a middle section thereof into a first part and a second part. The first and second parts each define a number of cavities in which the contacts are received. The first and second parts each provides a number of projections extending beyond an inner wall thereof. The projections on the first part are spaced a distance equal to a thickness of a daughter card inserted in the slot from the projections on the second part. The projections on the first and second parts abut against opposite surfaces of the daughter card thereby securing the daughter card in the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is structure and methods for engaging/disengaging a peripheral component interconnect compliant card with/from a slot therefor, without having to power down the system (e.g., computer) or remove any system chassis components. The structure includes a bracket to hold the card, which bracket can be adjustable to hold cards of different sizes. The structure also includes a frame member attached to the system chassis, the frame member having a guide rail to guide the bracket and peripheral component interconnect compliant card to engage/disengage the card with/from the slot therefor. The adjustable retention bracket can be used independently of use of the frame member, to hold peripheral component interconnect compliant cards rigid and stable.

Abstract: A peripheral device mounting apparatus including a peripheral device bay with carrier guides located to accommodate at least two different types of peripheral devices, and a keying mechanism allowing carrier insertion only into certain carrier guides, advantageously provides optimal use of the device bay space for a particular type of peripheral device. Additionally, the keying mechanism prevents installation of a peripheral device into the bay in a location that wastes bay space.

Abstract: A card guide is provided for guiding an edge portion of a circuit board with respect to a support member of a computer chassis. The card guide includes an elongated body having flanges oriented along the length of the body and a surface connecting the flanges. The flanges and the surface together define an elongated recess oriented along the length of the body. The recess in the body is configured to receive the support member of the computer chassis, and the flanges of the body are configured to engage the support member of the computer chassis to mount the card guide to the computer chassis. The recess in the body is also configured to receive the edge portion of the circuit board, and the flanges of the body are spaced from one another to accommodate the edge portion of the circuit board to guide the circuit board with respect to the computer chassis.

Abstract: The card connector 1 has card-guiding grooves 53 and 63 that are used to accommodate and guide a card C on the left and right sides of an insulating housing 20. An ejection bar 71 is attachable to either left or right guide arms 50 and 60. The left and right guide arms 50 and 60 are formed with symmetrical structures so that they are interchangeable between the left and right sides. Furthermore, the frame 80 that connects the left and right guide arms 50 and 60 to each other and the brackets 90 that are used to attach the left and right guide arms 50 and 60 to the circuit board are each constructed so that they can be mounted on the left and right guide arms 50 and 60 from above or below.

Abstract: A card-holding device for locking a printed circuit card in a guide rail of a subassembly/subrack includes a retaining element that is inserted in the guide rail at the front edge of a printing circuit card when the circuit card is inserted to retain the card. The retaining element swivels outward and away against the elastic restoring force of an activating element. The activating element is releasable from the retaining element to allow withdrawal of the printed circuit card.

Abstract: A card connector having a guide portion to ease loading/unloading of a memory card. The card connector includes a substantially rectangular slot defined by a top edge, a pair of side edges, and a bottom margin. The guide portion is disposed adjacent the slot and has a bottom wall and a pair of side walls. A first tapered feature, disposed on the bottom wall, is directed from a leading edge of the bottom wall toward the bottom margin of the slot. Each of the side walls has a second tapered feature directed from a leading edge of the side wall toward one of the pair of side edges of the slot.

Abstract: An adapter or housing for a module, such as a single in-line memory module (SIMM) or the like, and method of using the same are herein disclosed where the SIMM and attached housing fit a predetermined shape SIMM socket. The housing replaces SIMM board material that would otherwise be used to help secure the SIMM to a predetermined shape SIMM socket or connector. The configuration of the housing allows a SIMM or the like to be snapped or slid and secured into the housing. If desired, an adhesive, potting material and other bonding material can be used to secure the SIMM board to the housing and/or pot the SIMM within the housing.

Abstract: A card edge connector for connecting a daughter board to a mother board comprises an insulative housing, a number of contacts received in the housing, first rail guide disposed in the housing and extending beyond a top surface thereof, and second rail guide formed on opposite ends of the housing. The first rail guide includes at least one pair of retention posts. The two retention posts of the at least one pair are symmetrically disposed in the housing. The second rail guide includes two opposite retention members 42. Both the first and second rail guides are removable from the housing and adjustable in size and material to accommodate different daughter boards. A daughter board inserted into the housing is properly retained by the first and second rail guide in lateral and distal directions thereby preventing deformation of a middle portion of the daughter board.

Abstract: The housing of a palm-sized computer consists of a top housing part having an upper surface, side surfaces and an opened bottom and a bottom housing part for covering the opened bottom to enclose an electronic circuit board. The housing is provided with an expansion card arrangement for electrically connecting an expansion card with the electronic circuit board, which comprises an card insertion opening formed on one side of the housing for inserting the expansion card into the housing, a socket formed on the electronic circuit board to electrically connect the expansion card with the electronic circuit board, the opening of the socket directly facing the card insertion opening, and a guide support integrally formed with the housing between the card insertion opening and the socket so as to guide and support the expansion card inserted through the card insertion opening into the socket.

Abstract: A stabilizer for holding a circuit card in an electrical port is provided. The stabilizer includes a frame. A lever having a pivotal mounting with respect to the frame is included. The lever has a portion for making contact with an edge of the circuit card to urge the circuit card towards the electrical port. The stabilizer has a fulcrum to set an angle of inclination of the lever with respect to the frame. The fulcrum contacts the lever between the lever's pivotal mounting and the circuit card.

Abstract: A retention module comprises a U-shaped bracket and a pair of retention mechanisms. The bracket includes a base portion and a pair of support portions formed at opposite ends of the base portion. The base portion defines a main slot for snugly receiving an elongate connector. Each support portion includes a lateral wall and a pair of retention walls inwardly extending from opposite edges of the lateral wall. An elongate notch is defined in each lateral wall and exposed to a top thereof. Each retention mechanism includes a body and a pair of ears. The ears are adapted to engage with the notches of the bracket thereby retaining the retention mechanism thereto. A groove is defined in a surface of the body and exposed to a bottom thereof for securing an upper corner of the CPU.

Abstract: A retention mechanism for retaining a CPU module includes a base having two ends to which two retention arms are mounted thereby forming a U-shaped configuration for accommodating the CPU module therein. Each retention arm has a bottom wall and two side walls thereby defining a channel therebetween for receiving an edge of the CPU module. The bottom wall has a cantilevered beam extending therefrom which is deflected when the CPU module is inserted into the retention mechanism. An opening is defined in the bottom wall for partially receiving the deflected beam and the beam is dimensioned to refrain from protruding beyond the bottom wall when the CPU module is inserted into the retention mechanism.

Abstract: An electronic cartridge which has a fastener that can attach the cartridge to a motherboard. The fastener is captured by a cover that also captures a substrate. The substrate may be coupled to a connector that is mounted to the motherboard. The fastener may be attached to a retention mechanism that is also mounted to the motherboard. The fastener may have a threaded portion that is screwed into a corresponding threaded aperture of the retention mechanism. The fastener and retention mechanism provide a rugged attachment of the cartridge to the motherboard. The cover and retention mechanism may be constructed from an electrically conductive material which provides a shield to electro-magnetic interference (EMI).

Abstract: The present invention provides a card connector which, while being relatively compact for a card connector includes a connector member and arm members, is equipped with an engaging means for both members which has sufficient engaging strength. Card connector (10) has a connector member (11) which has a housing (20) in which electrical contacts are accommodated, a pair of arm members (12, 13), which are mounted on both ends of the connector member (11), and which include guide means. The connector (11) and arm members (12, 13) include engaging structures (25, 26, 56, 57), which are engaged so that portions of the connector member (11) and arm members (12, 13) overlap with each other. Screw-accommodating holes (26a, 57a) and pin-accommodating holes (25a, 56a), which pass through both arm members when the members are engaged are located in the engaging structures of both members.

Abstract: A new card connector has a connector element which has, at its opposite ends, projection portions, and a frame element which has a projection guide having a laterally elongated portion in parallel to a card insertion-withdrawal direction at a coupling portion between the frame element and the connector element. When the frame element is coupled with or released from the connector element fixed to a mounting board, an upper side of the laterally elongated portion of the projection guide of the frame element is guided by the projection portion of the connector element so that any contact is prevented between a grounding metal plate of the frame element and pin contacts of the connector element.

Abstract: Structure and methods are provided for engaging/disengaging (1) a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) compliant card and (2) a slot therefor on a baseboard of a computer, without having to power down the system or remove any computer chassis components. The structure includes a bracket to hold the PCI compliant card, as a first part of the structure. The bracket slides into a channel of a second part of the structure, this second part having the engagement/disengagement mechanism built into it. The engagement/disengagement mechanism includes a camming structure which rotates to press against the channel and forces it downward (thereby forcing the PCI compliant card, held by the bracket in the channel, downward), to engage the electrical contacts of the PCI compliant card to electrical connectors in the slot. Upon release of the camming structure, a spring of the engagement/disengagement mechanism forces the channel upward to disengage the PCI compliant card from the slot.

Abstract: A universal test fixture assembly for circuit packs includes a test fixture body, a top guide plate and a bottom guide plate. Each guide plate includes tracks that extend from a front end to a second end of the guide plates and further includes an integrally formed latching channel that runs perpendicular to the tracks. The top guide plate and bottom guide plate are mounted in an opposing and matching relationship such that the circuit pack slidably engages one of the tracks in the top guide plate and a corresponding track in the bottom guide plate and are moveable relative to one another to accommodate circuit packs of varying sizes. The guide plates include tabs which mate with corresponding slots on the test fixture body to prevent misalignment and reduce tolerance build-ups. A second pair of guide plates are attachable to form a two-tiered structure such that two different circuit pack sizes can be accommodated in the same test fixture.

Abstract: A PCMCIA standard PC card is provided, that can receive an IC stick type of card and connect contact pads on the IC stick to contacts at the front connector of the PC card. The PC card has a guide (90) with a rear cap portion (92) that occupies the space (84) between the rear ends of the top and bottom sheet metal covers (72, 74). The rear cap portion has slot side walls (102, 104) that closely guide the IC stick in movement forwardly into the slot of the PC card, until pads (60) on the IC stick engage contacts (56) on an IC stick connector (54) that is mounted on a circuit board (40) within the PC card. The circuit board has a rear end with tabs (144, 146) supported by the rear cap portion of the guide.

Abstract: An electric component unit capable of keeping an operator from feeling a difference in force required for inserting a connection conductor into an electric component unit during insertion of plural connection conductors different in diameter. A terminal fitment includes a conductor holding section provided with four holding elements. Two of the holding elements are so arranged that distal portions thereof are opposite to each other with an end of the connection conductor being interposed therebetween and contacted with the end of the connection conductor. The remaining two of the holding elements are so arranged that distal portions thereof are positioned forwardly or rearwardly in a longitudinal direction of the connection conductor based on a position at which the two holding elements are contacted with the end of the connection conductor while being contacted with the end of the connection conductor and interposing the end of the connection conductor therebetween.

Abstract: A motor-vehicle control unit having an electrical circuit on a support, which may be a printed circuit board or metal plate with stamped conductors. The motor-vehicle control unit includes a plug-in body encasing components of the electrical circuit and is formed with at least two side surfaces. The plug-in body is received in a receptacle of a motor vehicle. The support protrudes beyond the at least two side faces of the plug-in body and engages groove shaped recesses in the receptacle for guidance of the unit into the receptacle. The plug-in body may be formed of curable foam and the flanges may be formed with recesses for engaging spring tabs.

Abstract: The PCB zero-insertion-force connector assembly has an actuating element. Upon the actuation of the actuating element, a PCB zero-insertion-force connector (1; 11-14) can be moved from a mounting position, allowing the insertion or removal of a PCB, into a connecting position, properly establishing the contact of the PCB, and vice versa. The actuating element of the novel PCB zero-insertion-force connector is integrated into a PCB guiding device, with the aid of which the PCB to be brought into connection with the PCB zero-insertion-force connector or already connected to the latter can be guided toward or away from the latter.

Abstract: A chip chassis comprises a housing for enclosing a plurality of semiconductor devices having electrical contacts. The housing is configured to include a plurality of slots each adapted for receiving a semiconductor device. The housing further comprises a plurality of connectors in each of the slots. Each connector within a respective slot of the housing is adapted to electrically contact corresponding electrical contacts of the semiconductor device when the semiconductor device is inserted within the respective slot. Each of the plurality of connectors in each of the slots is electrically coupled to provide an electrical backplane within the housing for electrical communications between each of the slots. The housing may be configured to couple thermally with a heat sink and provide access for a flow-through of a forced coolant. The slots may be adapted to receive a particular type of semiconductor device.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a board in a connected position includes at least a first edge and a second edge, the apparatus including at least a first retention arm capable of holding in a connected position a first edge of the board, wherein the board is chosen from a plurality of circuit board cards, a heatsink thermal plate coupled to a circuit board card, and a heatsink thermal plate. A computer system includes at least one processor; a memory coupled to the processor and an apparatus for securing a board in a connected position, the device having at least a first edge and a second edge, the apparatus having at least a first retention arm capable of holding in a connected position a first edge of the board, wherein the board is chosen from a plurality of circuit board cards, a heatsink thermal plate coupled to a circuit board card, and a heatsink thermal plate.

Abstract: A data card connector is provided comprising connector contacts (74) for contacting data card contacts (73) to couple the data card contracts (73) to circuitry. The connector contacts (74) are positioned to contact respective data card contacts (73) when the data card (71) is located in the connector (72) in a first orientation (FIG. 7a), and so that only one data card contact (73b) is contacted by any one of them when the data card (71) is located in the connector (72) in a second orientation, 180 degrees rotated from the first (FIG. 7b).

Abstract: A retention mechanism for retaining a CPU module includes a base with two spaced side walls formed on each end thereof and trunnions transversely extending therefrom. A pair of retention arms each forming a channel for receiving an edge of the CPU module has two lateral walls fit over the side walls at opposite ends of the base. Each lateral wall of the retention arm defines a pivot hole for pivotally receiving the corresponding trunnion therein thereby rendering the retention arm pivotal with respect to the base between an expanded position wherein the retention mechanism forms a U-shaped configuration for accommodating the CPU module and a folded position wherein the retention arm substantially overlaps the base for conserving space. Each end of the base forms at least one projection for selectively engaging with a first recess and a second recess defined in the corresponding lateral wall of the retention arm for releasably fixing the retention arm at the expanded position and the folded position.

Abstract: A module card retainer includes a base closure having two elongate side walls connected to two U-shaped end walls and defining a slot therebetween. Two clamping arms each have a central plate and two side plates pivotably connected to two side wall portions of the U-shaped end wall, respectively. Each clamping arm defines an inner channel between the central plate and the side plates. A seat is attached to each side wall portion of the U-shaped end wall. A locking member is retained in the seat and cooperates with a bolt to fix the seat onto a mother board.

Abstract: A device for quickly guiding and positioning a main PC board in which the main PC board may be quickly and firmly installed (or removed from) on a computer housing, including one or more rotatable arrow-shaped push retaining blocks screwably secured on an end edge near an opening of the computer housing, and a corresponding number of slide rails provided at an underside of the main PC board such that the main PC board may slide along the slide rails into rail slots pre-formed in the computer housing and further into a predetermined position. Prior to positioning, a projecting block at one side of a front end of the slide rail is fitted into a notch at an inner side of the push retaining block, and the push retaining block is turned to allow the main PC board to be correctly pushed into the computer housing with contact ends at one side thereof engaging with a connector of an interface card.

Abstract: A card guide unit for use in guiding and positioning circuit boards in a card cage, which guide unit is integral, having front and rear cross members that are integral with machined elongated card guides, having machined spaces between the card guides, and which guide units are inter-connectable to side walls of a card cage, providing identical precisioned alignment between circuit boards in the card guides so that precise electrical connections can be made between the circuit board and electrical connectors on the back plane.

Abstract: Retention system (10) for guiding a processor module during mating, and retention thereafter, having a pair of retention members (12) with upper sections (20) pivotable from upright positions to recumbent positions with respect to lower sections (22) when a processor module is absent. Retention members (12) latch a module (16,100) therebetween upon full insertion into guide channels (52). Module (16) includes latching surfaces (78) that latch beneath latch surfaces (76) defined on a latch (70) that is deflectable outwardly to delatch. Module (100) includes latch projections (102) that seat in apertures (88) adjacent the guide channel entrance.

Abstract: An electrical card connector comprises an insulative housing, a number of terminals received in the housing, a shield attached to the housing and two stand-off devices attached to opposite sides of the shield. Each stand-off device comprises two locking latches outwardly extending from leading arms of the shield and a stand-off section. The stand-off section comprises a main body and a base extending from a bottom portion thereof. Locking slots are formed in the body for retaining the corresponding locking latches therein. Spring arms are formed in the body and each has a folded free end proximate the corresponding locking slot for engaging with the corresponding locking latch. Thus, the stand-off device is easily and securely attached to the shield of the card connector.

Abstract: Disclosed in the invention is a connector structure that is used on a mother board for holding a central processing unit of cartridge type or card type. The connector structure comprises two connector halves. Each connector half has retaining slots and elongated notches formed on the upper portion thereof. Such an arrangement makes the connector structure adapted for holding cartridge type central processing units. The connector half has an incompletely connected retaining protrusion on one side. The retaining protrusion extends obliquely and inwardly and has locking means disposed on the lower end and an upwardly extending moving lever arranged on the outside of the locking means. The above arrangement makes the connector suitable for holding a card type central processing unit. Each connector half is composed of a stationary piece pivotally connected with a movable piece. Thus the connector can be folded when not in use to decrease the space it takes.

Abstract: A retainer frame for holding a standard printed circuit board or other electronic card is sized and adapted for insertion and removal in tight places. In particular, the retainer frame, together with an actuator bar, is employed in conjunction with a cabinet with guides and a stop mechanism to produce an initially horizontal insertion motion followed immediately by a vertical motion during which electrical connection is made between the card and a corresponding connector in the cabinet.

Abstract: An adjustable size hot plug assembly includes a frame, an actuator and at least one arm connected thereto. The arm includes an adjustable clip and a fixed clip to retain a printed circuit board. Where more than one arm is employed (preferably three are employed in the invention), the middle arm and one end arm are adjustable toward or away from one another and toward or away from the other end arm which may be fixed. The invention allows the hot plug assembly to be universal in that it can be adapted to fit any Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) card.

Abstract: An electrical connector includes a connection portion defining two channels in an insulative body thereof for respectively receiving and electrically engaging a main board and an external circuit board and a board support portion including two support bars having inner ends fixed to opposite sides of the insulative body thereby forming a U-shaped configuration for receiving the external circuit board in a space defined between the support bars. Each of the support bars has an inner surface from which two flanges extend thereby defining a groove for receiving and retaining an edge of the external circuit board. Each of the support bars defines a slot in the inner end between two side walls for receiving a sideways projection of the insulative body therein. Fasteners secure the sideways projections of the insulative body between the corresponding side walls of the support bars.

Abstract: A foldable supporting bracket assembly for use with a connector comprises a supporting bracket having a mounting joint at each end thereof, and a supporting pillar pivotably assembled to the mounting joint. Interengaging means for securely positioning the supporting pillar with respect to the mounting joint includes a raised portion integrally formed at a base wall of the pillar. The raised portion defines a directing passage therethrough. A block portion is integrally formed between lugs of the mounting joint and defines a retaining passage therethrough. A latch tab is inserted through the directing passage and the retaining passage thereby securely positioning the supporting pillar with respect to the mounting joint.

Abstract: The device includes a universal carrier plate with openings for cooling attached circuit boards and openings for coacting with brackets to mount different size circuit boards. A positioning mechanism is connected to the universal carrier plate and rides on tracks in the housing to position the carrier plate and its attached circuit board.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting a memory module to a circuit board comprises an elongate housing, a number of contacts and an ejector. The housing includes an elongate body and a pair of arms extending from opposite ends of the body. The body includes a plurality of cavities formed in opposite side walls thereof and an elongate slot defined between the side walls in communication with the cavities for insertion of the memory module. The slot is slightly wider than the memory module. Each arm defines a channel in an inner surface thereof in communication with the slot of the body for guiding the memory module into the slot. A pair of elongate ribs project from inner surfaces of opposite side walls of each arm for abutting against the memory module thereby restricting movement of the memory module along a lateral direction. The contacts are received in the cavities of the housing and exposed to the slot of the housing for mating with the memory module.

Abstract: A mounting structure for mounting circuit components on circuit boards, and particularly for mounting packaged processors on computer mother-boards. The structure includes a pair of retractable guides for mounting the processor package onto the circuit board. The semi-finished circuit board can be prepared for further processing or transportation to a distant location by retracting the guides to greatly reduce the height and volume of each board. Then, when the boards are received, the guides can be erected and the processor package installed. The structure includes means for holding the guides erected to facilitate installation of the processor package, and holding the guides in folded position for processing and/or transportation. Also, each of the guides has a wall with two side-by-side latch openings for receiving offset latch members of the processor package regardless of the orientation of the package relative to the guides.

Abstract: A circuit board guidance device is arranged to have a circuit board such as a PCI I/O board 205 inserted therein for connection into an electrical socket or connector 203 located on a system motherboard 201. The guidance device includes a guidance mechanism which translates an insertion force applied in one direction into a connecting force effective to move the circuit board in a second direction. The guidance device is effective to aid in locating the circuit board 205 above connector 203 on the system motherboard 201, and also to aid in forcing the desired electrical connection between corresponding connectors on the circuit board 205 and a system motherboard 201. The guidance device is also effective in aiding in the extraction of the circuit board from its connection to the motherboard connector 203. An I/O bracket 261 is implemented to provide EMI grounding to the system bulkhead.

Abstract: A connector for electronic elements with recessed contacts, such as flash memory cards, is disclosed. The connector enables substantially linear insertion of the card through a wall of an electronic component utilizing the card. A floating guide member receives the card and permits clearance movement toward and away from the connector contact terminals. A simplified form of compression connector is disclosed. It employs multiple point engagement of the terminal with the side walls of the terminal receiving passage to hold the contact terminals in the housing prior to installation.

Abstract: An expansion chassis which enables a personal computer to have increased memory capacity. The chassis encloses a removable wiring bracket that carries an external computer memory (e.g. a conventional disk drive, tape drive and the like). When the wiring bracket is removably received through a window at the front of the expansion chassis, a first electrical connector mounted on the wiring bracket is detachably mated to a second electrical connector mounted on the front of the expansion chassis adjacent the window thereof so as to complete an electrical circuit between the external computer memory and the expansion chassis. A position variable switch is also mounted on the expansion chassis adjacent the window so as to quickly and conveniently assign a particular predetermined address to the external computer memory corresponding to the position to which the variable position switch has been set.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching processors and other components to printed circuit assemblies. One particularly useful application for several embodiments of the invention is attaching a single-edge-contact processor to a PCB. In one embodiment, a mounting-module for attaching a component to a PCB is attached to the PCB prior to being shipped to a final device manufacturer. The component has a component height greater than a desired shipping height for the printed circuit board. The mounting-module, more particularly, may have a base attached to the printed circuit board and a component holder attachable to the base. The base and component holder together may have a first height less than the desired shipping height when the component holder is in a detached or lowered position. As such, the base may be attached to the printed circuit board prior to shipping without adversely impacting the shipping costs.

Abstract: A computer having a retention module connected to the circuit board of the module for receiving a cartridge containing a microprocessor. The retention module has a base member for mounting to the chassis, and a retention member formed integrally with the base member for receiving a nut for engaging a post on the chassis to mechanically connect the retention module to the chassis. The retention member retains the nut and aligns the nut with the post when the retention module is placed on the chassis prior to the nut being threadedly connected to the post.

Abstract: A retention system for an electronic cartridge which mates with connector that is mounted to a substrate. The system may include a first guide rail that is adapted to receive one edge of the electronic cartridge and a second guide rail that is adapted to receive another edge of the electronic cartridge. The guide rails may be mounted to the motherboard by a plurality of threaded fasteners and corresponding nuts. The guide rails guide the electronic cartridge into the connector. The system may further have a beam that extends from the first guide rail to the second guide rail. The guide rails and beam provide structural support for the electronic cartridge.

Abstract: A printed wiring board comprises a main board and a pair of rows of connection terminals for holding a card board in a vertical position. Each connection terminal is inserted into the main board at a predetermined interval, and electrically connected with a circuit pattern of the main board. The printed wiring board allows the card board to be positioned vertically on the main board, and is adaptable to change the number of patterned external connection terminals of the card board. A guide means with resilient tongues may be provided at the respective ends of the rows to additionally secure the card board in place.

Abstract: A card cage for mounting printed circuit cards of at least two sizes is disclosed. The card cage includes an insert removably mounted to a mounting bar position between first and second ends of the card cage. The insert extends along a portion of the width of the card cage. When the insert is mounted to the mounting bar, a printed circuit card of a first length may be disposed between the insert and one of the card cage ends. When the insert is removed, a printed circuit card of a second length greater than the first length may be mounted between the first and second ends of the card cage. Plural mounting bars may be located between the respective card cage ends to accommodate printed circuit cards of different lengths.

Abstract: A module guide assembly (10) having end blocks (30) surrounding a receptacle connector (14) on a circuit board (12), and further having guide members (60) to facilitate mating of a circuit card (104) of a card-containing module (100) with the connector. The guide members (60,62) are pivotably mounted to the end blocks (30) to be rotated between an upright orientation for module receipt, and a recumbent orientation parallel to the board when the module (100) is not mated to the connector. Pivot embossments (44) are seated in apertures (72) to permit pivoting, and slots (78) extend from apertures (72) to an edge of a tab section (74) to receive embossments (44) thereinto during assembly.

Abstract: A line card is provided for a mechanical enclosure unit for an optical network unit. The line card includes a printed circuit board, a mechanical enclosure and a connector element. The mechanical enclosure substantially surrounds and support the printed circuit board. The connector element, which is coupled to provide access to the printed circuit board, is exposed at a surface of the mechanical enclosure. The line card further includes a fastener coupled to the mechanical enclosure. The fastener is adapted to hold the mechanical enclosure on an external support plate of the mechanical enclosure unit of the optical network unit.