Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-21
2001-02-27
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S753000, C361S801000, C361S756000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195259
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention is directed to a hot plug cartridge assembly, and methods of operating such assembly.
BACKGROUND
Modern computer systems, such as servers, workstations and personal computers, include cards that comply with the PCI (peripheral component interconnect) bus specification, the latest version of which is “PCI Local Bus Specification, Revision 2.1”, set forth by the PCI Special Interest Group (SIG) on Jun. 1, 1995. Hereinafter, such cards in compliance with the PCI bus specification, that can be electrically connected to PCI busses complying with the PCI bus specification, are called PCI compliant cards.
Currently, there is known a top access hot plug structure, to engage/disengage PCI compliant cards with/from slots (connectors) therefor in the system (e.g., a computer), without powering down the system. This top access structure requires entry and removal of the PCI compliant card vertically, through the top of the, e.g., computer chassis or frame, e.g., at the input/output (I/O) bay. However, this structure has various disadvantages, including a requirement of an undue amount of space. Furthermore, since access is through the top of the frame, there cannot be stacked multiple computer structures on each other, and a drawer mechanism for engaging/disengaging PCI compliant cards with/from slots therefor in the system cannot be used.
Currently, there is no hot plug mechanism available in the market, which can be used to insert/remove PCI compliant cards horizontally, from a front or rear (or from sides) of the chassis.
Furthermore, at the present time PCI compliant cards have different form factors (e.g., different shapes and sizes, including (but not limited to) different heights). There is no system on the market which can be utilized to retain PCI compliant cards of different form factors, using a same assembly.
SUMMARY
The present invention, in various embodiments, includes a cartridge assembly. This cartridge assembly includes a carrier, a holder for supporting a card component, and a lever. The carrier, lever and holder have connecting structure which is adapted to connect both the holder and lever to the carrier. When the holder and the lever are connected to the carrier, each can move relative to the carrier. The lever has a camming surface and the carrier has a member adapted to follow this camming surface, the camming surface being configured and positioned such that lateral motion of the lever in a first direction causes displacement of the lever in a second direction different from the first direction. The lever and holder are adapted to be connected to each other such that displacement of the lever in the second direction causes movement of the holder in the second direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5995364 (1999-11-01), McAnally et al.
Anderson Mark W.
Smith Susan F.
Whitman Brian T.
Antonelli Terry Stout & Kraus LLP
Duong Hung Van
Intel Corporation
Picard Leo P.
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