Supports: racks – Special article – Platelike
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-01-16
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Platelike
C361S759000, C361S801000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173843
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to computers including personal computers, network servers and other types of computers that use expansion cards and, more specifically, to an improved mechanism that permits a simpler and more efficient insertion and removal of such expansion cards.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Personal computers, network servers, and other similar types of computers use expansion cards to enhance or expand the functions that a computer can perform. This permits a computer to be sold in a basic performance configuration, minimizing the initial cost of purchase and, therefore, permitting the computer to be flexibly adapted to a user's particular needs. Expansion cards are electronic circuit cards that may be inserted into connectors on a motherboard or master system circuit card of a computer. The expansion card frequently has at least one connector, which is exposed through a panel of the computer housing, permitting the connection of an external cable to the expansion card for further attachment of peripheral devices to the computer. Peripheral devices can be printers, displays, speakers, scanners, telephone lines, networks or other devices or systems which are not required for the computer per se to operate in a basic mode of operation.
Heretofore, the insertion or removal of such expansion cards from the chassis or frame of the computer commonly required the removal of at least one screw. The screw retained an expansion card or an expansion slot cover. After removal or installation of the expansion card, the screws and/or retaining bracket must be re-installed.
The removal of screws to free retaining brackets or expansion slot covers is tedious and requires not only a tool but also presents the risk of either a screw or a retaining bracket being inadvertently dropped into the computer. Such an accident could potentially damage the electronic circuit boards of the computer, rendering the computer inoperable or repairable only at a significant expense along with the inconvenience of interrupted usage.
In view of these factors, especially the risk of damage, many owners of personal computers or network servers have been reluctant to insert, change, or remove expansion cards and have relied on others to do so, often at significant monetary expense and inconvenience.
Further, during final assembly of the computer, through inattention, it is possible that screws could be dropped in the computer. Function cards are similar to expansion cards but are typically installed in the computer by the manufacturer and are seldom removed. As the computer or server is initially powered, dropped screws could damage expensive electronic components of the computer.
Therefore, the invention will reduce not only the time and labor to assemble a plurality of pieces to hold expansion cards in their assembled positions, but will reduce the risk of damage to the computer electronics as well.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to simplify the installation and/or removal of electronic circuit expansion cards into and/or from a computer.
It is another object of the invention to eliminate the requirement for tools in order to insert or remove electronic circuit expansion cards into or from a computer.
It is a further object of the invention to eliminate the need for screws and other hardware that commonly must be manually removed to add or remove electronic circuit expansion cards from a computer.
It is a still further object of the invention to protect the electronic circuits of a computer by preventing damage which may result from use of brackets, screws and tools used in connection with insertion or removal of electronic circuit expansion cards of a computer.
It is still another object of the invention to eliminate fasteners and related hardware that must be removed and replaced whenever an electronic circuit expansion card either is removed from or inserted into a computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A system for retaining electronic expansion circuit cards or expansion circuit boards within a computer housing eases the insertion and/or removal of the expansion circuit cards while accomplishing the above-mentioned objects of the invention, and overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.
A retaining system housing is either incorporated into or attached and mounted onto a panel of the computer housing, thereby providing a constraint or channel for the movement of a slidable spring-biased latch member which may be held in a retracted position within the housing. The housing guides the displacement of the slidable latch member as it is extended under the influence of a compression spring, biasing the slide latch member and the retention member housing away from each other. The slide latch member is held in a retracted position by a catch latch having a sear engageable with a latch surface on cantilevered latches. The retention of the slide latch may be released by dislocating the cantilevered catch latch to disengage the sear from the latch surface and permit the compression spring to extend the latch member from the retention mechanism housing.
The retractable latch member is formed with an inclined or sloping face which acts as a cam follower and is cammed out of interference with an electronic expansion circuit board as the expansion card is engaged with the slide latch and forcibly displaced into the computer housing.
The slide latch automatically extends after the electronic expansion circuit board is inserted past the slide latch. The extended slide latch retains and holds the electronic expansion circuit board in its intended location. A guiding groove or channel may be formed into the inclined face of the slide latch to guide the electronic expansion circuit card during insertion. A similar groove may be formed into the bottom or retaining surface to capture and constrain the electronic expansion circuit card against undesirable lateral movement of the electronic expansion circuit card once connected with the motherboard, the main electronic system circuit board of the computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5398162 (1995-03-01), Bice
patent: 5594627 (1997-01-01), Le
patent: 5601349 (1997-02-01), Holt
patent: 5914854 (1999-06-01), Holt et al.
patent: 6069796 (2000-05-01), Hastings
Christensen David M
Smith Arthur L.
Gateway, Inc
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Letson Laurence R.
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