Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-19
2001-05-08
Feild, Lynn D. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S758000, C174S13800J
Reexamination Certificate
active
06229699
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to electronic computers and in particular to packaging and insulating a motherboard on a network computer chassis inside an external housing.
BACKGROUND ART
Network computers contain a variety of electronic components such as a motherboard, connectors, a hard disk drive and the like. Each of the components is rigidly mounted to an internal frame or chassis. A thin profile, external housing or enclosure is removably attached to the chassis for allowing the user access to the components. The enclosure also protects the components from physical contact and shields the components from electromagnetic interference (EMI). In a network computer, the clearances between the components and the enclosure are minimized in order to reduce its overall size as much as possible.
In the prior art, enclosures for network computers have been formed from a variety of materials including metals and plastics. The tight clearances of network computers require those with electrically conductive metallic enclosures to somehow protect or insulate the internal components. The components could be damaged or destroyed if they accidentally contact or ground against the metal enclosure. An improved network computer design for protecting internal components is needed.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
A network computer has a chassis with four wall-like frame members located at its rectangular perimeter. A motherboard having a variety of electronic components is mounted to the chassis within the rectangular perimeter. The chassis is mounted within a metallic enclosure with very small clearances between the components on the motherboard and the enclosure. The enclosure closely receives the chassis to eliminate excessive movement therebetween and to minimize the size of the computer. A strut extends between the frame members for enhancing the strength of the chassis and protecting the components. The strut has insulated stand-offs which are rigidly secured to and extend through the motherboard. The ends of the stand-offs are also very close to or in contact with sidewalls of the enclosure. The strut protects the components from being short circuited to the sidewalls by transmitting force on one of the sidewalls through the stand-offs to the other sidewall.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5563770 (1996-10-01), Bethurum
patent: 5691504 (1997-11-01), Sands et al.
patent: 5721671 (1998-02-01), Ruque
patent: 5973926 (1999-10-01), Sacherman et al.
patent: 5978232 (1999-11-01), Jo
patent: 6021041 (2000-02-01), Genix et al.
Kerrigan Brian Michael
Young Jeffrey William
Feild Lynn D.
Felsman Bradley Vaden Gunter & Dillon, LLP
International Business Machines - Corporation
Salys Casimer K.
LandOfFree
Packaging apparatus and method for networks computer chassis does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Packaging apparatus and method for networks computer chassis, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Packaging apparatus and method for networks computer chassis will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2459058