Electrical computer connection system

• US 5,106,322 A
• Filed: 07/10/1989
• Issued: 04/21/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabi Pharmacia AB
• Original Assignee: Bull Sas (Atos SE)
• Inventors: Cesar, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/377,074
• Time in Patent Office: 1,016 Days
• Field of Search: 439/55, 439/76, 439/59-62, 439/74, 439/502, 439/374, 439/377, 361/395-399, 361/412, 361/413, 361/391, 361/394, 364/708, 324/158 P, 324/158 F, 369/75.1
• US Class Current: 439/377
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1421 Drawers for printed circuit boards

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical computer connection system suitable for computer manufacture of all types, from work stations to specialized computers such as those containing PABXs. According to the invention, a cartridge (2) contains the integratable peripheral (1). A main connector (9) is fixedly disposed in accordance with the connection standard of the system, and the three secondary (3, 4, 5) connectors being arranged to distribute the connections in accordance with the type of peripheral.

Claims

1. An electrical computer connection system comprising means for removably disposing peripheral equipment for computers such as magnetic mass memories, badge or chip readers, disk readers and magnetic tape readers inside a host computer,

a conductive cartridge (2) having sides and a back panel disposed about said peripheral equipment for protection against electromagnetic radiation contacting at least one peripheral equipment (1) housed in an internal space of the cartridge, said sides and back panel being formed in two halves and having openings therein for cooling the peripheral equipment contained therein, each half having an overlapping edge, a hinge disposed on the back panel for pivoting one of said halves to house said peripheral equipment,

a main connector (9) fixed on the outside of the sides of the cartridge in a predetermined position relating to the standards for connection of peripherals to host computers,

at least two secondary connector means (3, 4, 5) for each peripheral equipment housed in the internal space of the cartridge and electrically connected by separate flexible conduits to the main connector (9), a first one of said secondary connector means (3) comprising a first connector having a predetermined function for the connection of the data signals, a second one of said secondary connector means (4, 5) comprising a second connector having a predetermined function for the connection of the command signals and power supply to the peripheral,

said first and second connectors (3, 4, 5) adapted to be fixed mechanically at locations depending on the positions of the corresponding connectors belonging to the peripheral equipment (1) and said separate flexible conduits enabling one said peripheral equipment to be replaced by another having said corresponding connectors located at different spacings thereon.

2. An electrical connection system as defined by claim 1, further including means for grasping and removing the cartridge from the computer system so as to facilitate maintenance of the computer system.

3. An electrical connection system as defined by claim 1, including a handle disposed on the front panel of an installed peripheral.

4. An electrical connection system as defined by claim 1, including sliding means (18, 19) for facilitating withdrawal of peripheral equipment for maintenance purpose, said sliding means including at least one drawer slide.

5. An electrical connection system as defined by claim 1, including mechanical foolproofing means, for preventing the cartridge from being installed incorrectly.

6. An electrical connection system as defined by claim 1, the second one of said secondary connector means (4, 5) being constituted by a connector for supplying the command signals (4) and further including a third connector (5) for supplying the power.

7. An electrical connection system as defined by claim 1, wherein the first main connector (9) is positioned in accordance with the connection standard of the data processing system for signal distribution and at geometrical positions such as to adapt any type of peripheral to the host data processing system.