Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-16
2001-07-31
Gandhi, Jayprakash N. (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S741000, C361S802000, C361S801000, C361S747000, C361S759000, C439S377000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06269006
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a card guide and method of guiding a circuit board. More specifically, this invention relates to a card guide for guiding an edge portion of a circuit board with respect to a support member of a computer chassis, a computer chassis configured to receive a circuit board, and a method for guiding an edge portion of a circuit board with respect to an elongated support member of a computer chassis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention addresses issues relating to the insertion of cards such as printed circuit boards into a computer system for connection to a mating connector within the computer system. When a card is inserted into a computer system for engagement with a connector, a significant degree of guidance is required in order to ensure that the connector is properly seated. The need for guidance is even more critical when the card being inserted has a substantial length. Also, as the number of pins of the mating connectors increases, the potential for damage to these pins is increased if guidance of the card is inadequate upon insertion. These factors also apply upon extraction of a card from a computer system so as to ensure proper disengagement of the mating connectors without damage to the pins of the connectors.
It has been proposed to modify the structure of a computer's chassis to form guides for cards to be inserted therein. For example, a sheet metal structure of a computer's chassis can be formed to include flanges that guide the cards upon insertion. Although the forming of guides in the sheet metal of the computer chassis provides an adequate solution, the use of metallic guides can limit the proximity to the card's edge at which components on the card can be positioned in order to avoid contact.
Accordingly, there remains a need for a low cost card guide design that is configured for guiding an edge portion of a circuit board with respect to a support member of a computer chassis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of this invention provides a card guide for guiding an edge portion of a circuit board with respect to a support member of a computer chassis. The card guide includes flanges connected by a surface. The flanges and the surface together define a recess. The recess is configured to receive the support member of the computer chassis, and the flanges are configured to engage the support member of the computer chassis to mount the card guide to the computer chassis. Also, the recess is configured to receive the edge portion of the circuit board, and the flanges 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.
According to preferred features of this aspect of the invention, the surface of the card guide connecting the flanges is preferably configured to extend adjacent a surface of the support member of the computer chassis. Also, the space between the flanges is preferably largest at a location adjacent the surface connecting the flanges. At least a portion of the recess preferably has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The flanges and the surface of the card guide are preferably formed along an elongated body, and the elongated body preferably has a substantially constant cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape of the elongated body is most preferably substantially “U” shaped.
According to another aspect of this invention, a computer chassis is provided that is configured to receive a circuit board. The computer chassis includes an elongated support member and a card guide according to this invention. According to preferred features of this aspect of the invention, the card guide is preferably releasably mounted to the elongated support member of the computer chassis, and the elongated support member preferably includes a rail. The distance between the flanges of the card guide along the surface connecting the flanges preferably corresponds substantially to the width of the elongated support member. Also, the distance between the flanges of the card guide at a location spaced from the surface connecting the flanges is preferably smaller than the width of the elongated support member.
According to yet another aspect of this invention, a computer system is provided including a chassis having an elongated support member, a circuit board having an edge portion positioned adjacent the elongated support member of the chassis, and a card guide according to this invention. The distance between the flanges of the card guide at the location spaced from the surface connecting the flanges preferably corresponds substantially to the thickness of the circuit board. Also, the flanges of the card guide preferably contact surfaces of the circuit board. The flanges of the card guide are preferably tapered at at least one end of the card guide to facilitate the insertion of the edge portion of the circuit board into the recess of the body of the card guide.
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1999 Catalog, “Designer's Guide to Packaging & Assembly Solutions: Printed Circuit Board Packaging Hardware; Component Assembly Hardware,” Bivar, Inc. pp. 10-13.
Louth Terry
Treiber Mark R.
Gandhi Jayprakash N.
Ratner & Prestia
Rode Lisa A.
Starr Mark T.
Unisys Corporation
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