Electrical connectors – With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in... – Coupling part for receiving edge of planar board moving...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-25
2001-02-06
Abrams, Neil (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...
Coupling part for receiving edge of planar board moving...
C439S366000, C361S801000, C211S041170
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183284
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to option cards used in computer systems. More particularly, the invention includes a retainer and retaining method for securely holding an option card in a properly connected position within a computer system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer systems such as personal computers commonly include an expansion bus arrangement. PCI, ISA, and EISA are examples of expansion bus standards commonly used in personal computer systems. These expansion bus arrangements allow additional electrical components and circuitry to be added to the computer system to increase or enhance system capabilities. The additional circuitry is mounted on a printed circuit board commonly referred to as an option card (also known as an expansion card or add-on card). Option cards include a connector strip along one side of the printed circuit board. This connector strip is adapted to be received in a connector slot associated with the expansion bus. An expansion bus arrangement associated with a computer system commonly includes several option card connectors, each having a connector slot for receiving the connector strip edge of an option card.
When an option card is properly received in a slot-type option card connector, electrical pads mounted on the connector strip of the card make electrical contact with receiving elements mounted within the connector slot. The frictional engagement between the connector strip and receiving elements in the connector slot also holds the card in place. In most cases, the option card includes an additional mechanical connector at one end. This additional mechanical connector connects the option card to a frame in which the slot connector is mounted. The additional mechanical connection may be made with a screw or other fastening device, and is intended to help hold the option card in a properly connected position in the respective connector slot.
The connection between the option card connector strip and the connector slot is critical to the proper operation of the system. In the event that the connector strip becomes fully or partially dislodged from the connector slot, the option card and computer system cannot operate properly. An option card connector strip may become dislodged from its connector slot in any number of ways. In some cases, the connector strip comes loose from its connector slot as the computer system is transported or handled. Also, where the frame is misaligned with the system motherboard, mechanically connecting the option card to the frame may pull one end of the connector strip from the connector slot. Regardless of the manner in which an option card becomes dislodged, the resultant error in the computer system commonly results in a service call from the customer and may lead to customer dissatisfaction with the computer system.
Numerous devices have been developed for holding a computer system option card in place in its respective connector. A consistent shortcoming of these prior devices is that the devices required some modification to the computer system or some special structure associated with the computer system. Also, these prior option card retainer devices were cumbersome to install given the limited space available between option card connectors in the computer system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide an option card retainer device which overcomes the above-described problems and others associated with retaining an option card in a properly connected position. Another object of the invention is to provide a method for retaining an option card in a properly connected position within a computer system.
An option card retainer according to the invention includes first and second elongated leg members. The upper ends of the two elongated leg members are generally aligned in a spaced apart relationship and connected together by a bridge structure. A clip structure is located at a lower end of each respective leg and includes a protuberance extending generally inwardly toward the opposite leg. The retainer also includes a biasing device. The biasing device is located beneath the bridge structure and between the upper ends of the two spaced apart leg members.
The option card retaining method according to the invention includes placing the retainer over an option card which has preferably already been properly connected in the option card connector. The retainer is placed over the card with one leg on either side of the card and the bridge structure generally centered over the top edge of the card. With the retainer in this intermediate position, the method includes applying an installation force downwardly to the top of the bridge structure to press the retainer down and compress the biasing device between the bridge structure and the top edge of the option card. The installation force presses the retainer downwardly sufficiently to allow the clip structures to move into engagement with the underside of the option card connector on either side of the connector. When the installation pressure is now released, the clip structure engagement with the underside of the option card connector prevents the biasing device from returning to an uncompressed condition. Rather, the partially compressed biasing device applies a continuous force on the retainer, pulling the clip structures into a gripping engagement with the underside of the option card connector.
In the preferred form of the invention, the legs and bridge structure are integrally formed from a somewhat resilient plastic material. The two legs are angled with respect to each other so as to converge toward their lower ends. This angled arrangement of the legs and resiliency of the leg material causes the clip structures to move to a position under the option card connector so as to engage the underside of the connector.
The preferred biasing device comprises a piece of compressible and resilient foam material secured to a lower side of the bridge structure. The foam material preferably includes an elongated indentation adapted to align with the top edge of the option card when the retainer is properly positioned over the option card.
These and other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, considered along with the accompanying drawings.
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Gill Stephen
Manley Mark S.
Rachui Roy
Sloan Robert C.
Abrams Neil
Culbertson Russell D.
Dell Computer Corporation
Nasri Javaid
Shaffer & Culbertson LLP
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