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.

Patent
   RE45034
Priority
Apr 16 1998
Filed
Feb 19 2009
Issued
Jul 22 2014
Expiry
Apr 09 2019
Assg.orig
Entity
unknown
2
31
EXPIRED
0. 12. A system for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for rotation about an axis intersecting a major plane of said circuit card for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator, the intermediate member being movable by said actuator independently of the position of the support assembly along said first axis wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said sliding member and interacts with said intermediate member to cause said intermediate member and said circuit card to move together in response to the activation of the actuator.
0. 1. A system for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted between to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator.
0. 2. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein in said first position, the connection portion of the circuit card is in register with the associated connector of the electronic device.
0. 3. A system as defined in claim 2, wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis.
0. 4. A system as defined in claim 3, wherein said actuator is effective for displacing said circuit card in a plane which is parallel to a loading plane of said circuit card within said electronic device.
0. 5. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface.
0. 6. A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member.
0. 7. A system as defined in claim 6, wherein slotted guides are defined in said intermediate member, and wherein retaining means are provided for mounting said intermediate member to said sliding member, said retaining means being constrained to move in said slotted guides, thereby retaining said intermediate and sliding members together while allowing relative movements therebetween.
0. 8. A system as defined in claim 7, wherein said slotted guides linearly extend in a direction perpendicular to said guiding edge.
9. A system as defined in claim 7, for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for rotation about an axis intersecting a major plane of said circuit card for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator, the intermediate member being movable by said actuator independently of the position of the support assembly along said first axis wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface, and wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member, and wherein slotted guides are defined in said intermediate member, and wherein retaining means are provided for mounting said intermediate member to said sliding member, said retaining means being constrained to move in said slotted guides, thereby retaining said intermediate and sliding members together while allowing relative movements therebetween, and wherein a sliding membrane is disposed between said intermediate member and said sliding member.
10. A system as defined in claim 6, for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for rotation about an axis intersecting a major plane of said circuit card for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator, the intermediate member being movable by said actuator independently of the position of the support assembly along said first axis, and wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface, and wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member, and wherein said actuator includes a lever pivotally mounted to said sliding member, said lever defining a slot configured to receive a transmission member secured to said intermediate member for imparting movement to said intermediate member relative to said sliding member in response to pivotal movement of said lever.
0. 11. A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said sliding and intermediate members are made in the form of plates.
0. 13. The system as defined in claim 12, wherein the actuator is moved in a direction along said second axis.
0. 14. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein in said first position, the connection portion of the circuit card is in register with an associated connector of the electronic device.
0. 15. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis.
0. 16. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein said actuator is effective for displacing said circuit card in a plane which is parallel to a loading plane of said circuit card within said electronic device.
0. 17. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface.
0. 18. A system as defined in claim 17, wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member.
0. 19. A system as defined in claim 18, wherein slotted guides are defined in said intermediate member, and wherein retaining means are provided for mounting said intermediate member to said sliding member, said retaining means being constrained to move in said slotted guides, thereby retaining said intermediate and sliding members together while allowing relative movements therebetween.
0. 20. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein said slotted guides linearly extend in a direction perpendicular to said guiding edge.
0. 21. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein a sliding membrane is disposed between said intermediate member and said sliding member.
0. 22. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said sliding member, said actuator defining a slot configured to receive a transmission member secured to said intermediate member for imparting movement to said intermediate member relative to said sliding member in response to pivotal movement of said lever.
0. 23. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said sliding and intermediate members are made in the form of plates.
0. 24. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said sliding member and interacts with said intermediate member to cause said intermediate member and said circuit card to move together in response to the activation of the actuator.

This Because the lever 40 is not constrained against rotation by any part of the chassis 10 it follows that he lever 40 may be actuated with the sliding component anywhere along the path of travel (in the direction of the arrow 62) of the sliding component 28 so as to displace the auxiliary plate 34 and card 54 in the direction of the downwardly located arrow as seen in FIGS. 5 to 7. In other words, the lever 40 may be rotated to displace the auxiliary plate 34 and any attached card independently of the position of the sliding component along its path of travel within chassis 10.

The specific configuration of the lever 40 reduces the force required for proper connection. In order to remove the sliding component 28 from the chassis 10, the above-mentioned sequential steps merely need to be reversed.

An optional abutment prong (not shown) may be disposed within the chassis 10 to ensure proper positioning of the sliding component 28 therein.

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. Furthermore, the present system ensures proper alignment and sound connection between the extension card 54 and the associated socket 20. Also, the system reduces the risk of damaging either the electronic device or the extension card 54 during installation or removal, and conforms to conventional forms of manufacturing so as to provide a system that is economically feasible, long-lasting and relatively trouble-free in operation. Moreover, the present system can be readily adapted to various computer configurations.

The sliding component 28 is preferably made of aluminum and acts as a shield for protecting the extension card 54.

Finally, it should be understood that although the present system has been described as being used in the field of computer and, more particularly, of personal computers, it could be used in other fields including fields wherein electronic circuitry is to be removably connected to an interface or substrate.

Babin, Andre

Patent Priority Assignee Title
9098249, Mar 13 2013 RPX Corporation Toolless hot swappable storage module
9414131, Jun 10 2014 LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED High speed circuit board to circuit board connector via mating in an orthogonal direction to the axis of the pins
Patent Priority Assignee Title
4076353, Feb 25 1976 Smiths Industries Limited Mounting arrangements and units for use therein
4445740, Apr 26 1982 Rockwell International Corporation Circuit board assembly
4758928, Jul 27 1987 Motorola, Inc. Mechanical interlock arrangement for preventing misinstallation of PC boards in an associated mainframe chassis
4996631, Oct 30 1989 Canoga Industries, Inc. Injector/ejector system for rack mounted plug-in modules with front panels
5010444, Nov 13 1987 Radstone Technology Limited Rack mounted circuit board
5205753, Apr 07 1992 NVision, INC Circuit board structure
5238423, Jun 13 1991 RTPC CORPORATION; TM PATENTS, L P Circuit board and insertion tool
5317481, Jun 13 1991 RTPC CORPORATION; TM PATENTS, L P Circuit board and insertion tool
5422785, Oct 19 1993 Dell USA, L.P. Bottom actuated force multiplying card ejector apparatus for a computer
5432682, Jan 27 1993 RAAC TECHNOLOGIES, INC AT computer card mounting bracket
5597316, Dec 07 1994 FCI Americas Technology, Inc Memory card connector having improved eject mechanism and method of use
5631808, May 10 1995 Boeing Company, the Card retention latch
5644470, Nov 02 1995 International Business Machines Corporation Autodocking hardware for installing and/or removing adapter cards without opening the computer system cover
5657204, Sep 10 1996 Summit Technology Systems, LP PC add-on board installation apparatus for industrial applications
5675475, Mar 07 1995 Schroff GmbH Device for inserting and withdrawing circuit boards
5751559, Oct 08 1996 LENOVO SINGAPORE PTE LTD Apparatus for inserting PC cards having recessed guide paths with multiple levels in the guide paths
5815377, Dec 08 1997 International Business Machines Corporation Apparatus for auto docking PCI cards
5822196, Jun 05 1996 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP Securing a card in an electronic device
5868585, Dec 13 1996 International Business Machines Corporation System and method for inserting circuit boards in tight spaces
5909359, Sep 22 1997 GENERAL DYNAMICS C4 SYSTEMS, INC Apparatus for a circuit board extender
5967824, Feb 11 1998 International Business Machines Corporation Mechanism for inserting or removing I/O cards with internal connectors
5980281, Feb 11 1998 International Business Machines Corporation Mechanism to assist in insertion or removal of PCI cards
6033254, May 20 1997 GOOGLE LLC Locating and guidance device for printed circuit boards
6071143, Dec 13 1996 International Business Machines Corporation Cabinet for insertion of circuit boards in tight spaces
6115258, Apr 27 1998 Lucent Technologies, Inc. Circuit board chassis
6406322, Aug 29 2001 TWITTER, INC Easy load cartridge for carrying and inserting cards into printed circuit boards
6496385, Sep 29 1999 Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP Method and assembly for installation or removal of printed circuit card
6816383, Jul 12 2002 LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Cassette housing for printed circuit cards
7085137, Jun 30 2004 LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED Card mounting apparatus
20060085962,
EP848320,
/
Executed onAssignorAssigneeConveyanceFrameReelDoc
Feb 19 2009International Business Machines Corporation(assignment on the face of the patent)
Date Maintenance Fee Events


Date Maintenance Schedule
Jul 22 20174 years fee payment window open
Jan 22 20186 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Jul 22 2018patent expiry (for year 4)
Jul 22 20202 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 4)
Jul 22 20218 years fee payment window open
Jan 22 20226 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Jul 22 2022patent expiry (for year 8)
Jul 22 20242 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 8)
Jul 22 202512 years fee payment window open
Jan 22 20266 months grace period start (w surcharge)
Jul 22 2026patent expiry (for year 12)
Jul 22 20282 years to revive unintentionally abandoned end. (for year 12)