Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-02
2002-12-17
Martin, David (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S759000, C361S798000, C361S732000, C361S726000, C439S154000, C439S074000, C439S160000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06496379
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of computers and computer hardware. More particularly, the present invention relates to a PC board ejector assembly for removing a PC board from a computer, and to a method for using the PC board ejector assembly.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Computer systems typically include a central processing unit (CPU) that consists of one or more printed circuit (PC) boards, including motherboards and input/output (I/O) boards interconnected by one or more multi-pin connectors and cables. The multi-pin connectors, in turn, are configured to include of six rows of pins having forty-eight pins per row. Often times, a CPU consists of a motherboard having one or more male connectors and an I/O board having corresponding female connectors configured to be mated with the male connectors of the motherboard. The shell of the CPU typically includes a cabinet and a divider centrally disposed within the cabinet. The divider typically includes one or more cutouts and a series of bosses that extend from each side of the divider.
A CPU is typically constructed by mounting the motherboard into the center divider such that one or more male connectors extend through the cutouts in the divider onto an opposite side thereof. The board is secured in place using screws that are inserted through openings in the motherboard and threaded into the bosses on the divider. The I/O board is then mounted in the CPU on the opposite side of the divider by friction fitting the female connectors onto the male connectors of the motherboard. The I/O board is then similarly secured in place by inserting screws through openings on the board and threading the screws into the bosses on the divider. Connectors effective for connecting the motherboard and the I/O board are manufactured, for example, by Teradyne of Nashua, N.H.
The connection formed when the connectors on the motherboard and the I/O board are mated is typically very tight. A strong connection is beneficial as it ensures that the communication between the motherboard and the I/O board will not be interrupted or fail. However, the strength of this connection also makes the separation and removal of either or both of these boards very difficult. A service technician must typically exert up to approximately 80 pounds of force to extract or disengage the I/O board from the motherboard. This force typically must be exerted in a very confined area as the board connectors are typically disposed in a very confined spaced within the CPU. As a result, when a board is serviced, an attempt to remove the board by hand increases the chances of damaging the board and/or injuring the service technician. The use of a device such as a screwdriver or a pair of pliers does not facilitate the removal of the board. To the contrary, in fact, the use of such tools increases the possibility of injury to the technician and introduces further risk of damage to the I/O board due to excess flexion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention addresses the disadvantages described above by providing a positive acting PC board ejector assembly for disengaging a first PC board, such as a motherboard, from a second PC board, such as an I/O board, in a chassis. The PC board ejector assembly permits removal of the board without the need for tools or equipment, and without the risk of injury to the technician or damage to the PC board. The PC board ejector assembly of the present invention also functions to reinforce the PC board to minimize the risk of damage that typically occurs during its removal from the computer.
The PC board ejector assembly includes a mounting bracket and a disengagement member coupled to the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket is positioned on at least one of the first PC board and the second PC board such that actuation of the disengagement member engages the member against the chassis to disengage the first PC board from the second PC board. The mounting bracket preferably defines an opening such that the disengagement member moves through the opening to disengage the PC boards.
The present invention further provides a method for disengaging a first PC board from a second PC board in a chassis. The method includes the steps of accessing one of the first and the second PC boards in the chassis, actuating the disengagement member of that PC board to engage the member against the chassis to disengage the PC boards from each other, and removing that PC board from the chassis.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4996631 (1991-02-01), Freehauf
patent: 5222897 (1993-06-01), Collins et al.
patent: 5669512 (1997-09-01), Joslin
patent: 6259607 (2001-07-01), Chien
Antonuccio Robert S.
Pols Sandhu Yvetta D.
Bui Hung
Capone, Esq. John L.
Cesari and McKenna LLP
Martin David
Sun Microsystems
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