Universal retention module

Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C361S753000, C361S704000, C361S710000, C439S377000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219251

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a retention module for supporting and receiving a CPU, and especially to a retention module adaptable for use with a variety of different types of CPUs.
A retention module is commonly disposed on a mother board to vertically support and receive a CPU. Such a vertical structure promotes an efficient layout of other electrical devices on the mother board.
Two types of CPUs are commonly used in many computer systems.
FIG. 1
shows a conventional retention module
77
made of plastic and adapted to support and receive one type of CPU
5
. The retention module
77
has a U-shaped structure including a base portion
71
and a pair of support portions
72
formed at opposite ends of the base portion
71
. The base portion
71
defines a main slot
74
for snugly receiving an elongate connector
3
. Each support portion
72
includes a lateral wall
721
and a pair of retention walls
722
inwardly extending from opposite edges of the lateral wall
721
. The lateral wall
721
and the retention walls
722
cooperate to define a lateral slot
75
dimensioned to retain a lateral edge of the CPU
5
thereby preventing the CPU
5
from deflection. An opening
723
is defined in each lateral wall
72
. The retention module
77
further includes a pair of standoffs
73
arranged proximate each end of the base portion
71
. An aperture
76
is defined through each standoff
73
. A rivet
731
extends through the aperture
76
of each standoff
73
thereby securing the retention module
77
to a circuit board (not shown). An ear
52
outwardly projects from each lateral edge of the CPU
5
corresponding to the opening
723
of the support portion
72
for engaging with the opening
723
thereby retaining the CPU
5
in the retention module
77
.
FIG. 2
shows another pair of conventional retention mechanisms
6
made of plastic and adapted to support and receive the other type CPU
51
. The thickness of the CPU
51
is smaller than the thickness of the CPU
5
thus the retention module
77
shown in
FIG. 1
cannot be used with the CPU
51
shown in FIG.
2
. Each retention mechanism
6
includes a rear plate
60
, a pair of standoffs
63
inwardly extending from a lower edge of the rear plate
60
, and a pair of retention portions
61
formed on the rear plate
60
and defining a gap
62
therebetween. A latching post
64
downwardly extends from a bottom surface of each standoff
63
for securing the retention mechanism
6
to a circuit board (not shown). An elongate connector
3
is arranged between the retention mechanisms
6
and adapted to receive the CPU
51
. Each standoff
6
is adapted to secure one end of the connector
3
therebetween for securing the connector
3
at a predetermined position on the circuit board. When the CPU
51
is inserted into the connector
3
, a lateral edge of the CPU
51
is received in the gap
62
between the retention portions
61
thereby preventing the CPU
51
from deflection. However, the CPU
51
is likely to be pulled out of the connector
3
since the retention mechanisms
6
can not prevent vertical displacement of the CPU
51
.
The retention module
77
and the retention mechanism
6
can not be used in place of each other. Thus, different means are required to support different types of CPUs thereby increasing costs. Hence, it is readily apparent that a retention module adapted to support and receive different types of CPUs is desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a retention module adaptable for use with a variety of different types of CPUs.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a retention module which is easily assembled.
To fulfill the above-mentioned objects, a retention module of the present invention comprises a U-shaped bracket and a pair of retention mechanisms. The bracket includes a base portion and a pair of support portions formed at opposite ends of the base portion. The base portion defines a main slot for snugly receiving an elongate connector. Each support portion includes a lateral wall and a pair of retention walls inwardly extending from opposite edges of the lateral wall. The lateral wall and the retention walls cooperate to define a lateral slot dimensioned to retain a side of the CPU thereby preventing the CPU from deflection. An elongate notch is defined in each lateral wall and exposed to a top thereof.
Each retention mechanism includes a body and a pair of ears. The ears are adapted to engage with the notches of the bracket thereby retaining the retention mechanism in the bracket. A groove is defined in a surface of the body and exposed to a bottom surface thereof for securing an upper corner of the CPU. Thus, the bracket of the retention module can individually receive and support one type of CPU. When the retention mechanism is assembled to the bracket, the retention module can receive and support another type of CPU.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5483422 (1996-01-01), Bowen et al.
patent: 5726865 (1998-03-01), Webb et al.
patent: 5829601 (1998-11-01), Yurchenco et al.
patent: 5856910 (1999-01-01), Yurchenco et al.
patent: 6064574 (2000-05-01), Yu et al.

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