Modular computer system with passive backplane
First Claim
1. A modular computer chassis comprising:
- a plurality of removable trays, each tray being configured to mechanically house either at least one expansion card or at least one peripheral device and having a first connector means contained within the tray for establishing electrical connection to such at least one expansion card or peripheral device, and further having a second connector electrically connected to the first connector means;
a plurality of separate interconnectable bays, each bay adapted to house a removable tray, each bay having mechanical mounting means for positioning the tray and the at least one expansion card or peripheral device contained within the tray in a stable position within the bay;
backplane means for establishing electrical communication among the removable trays, the backplane means having a plurality of backplane connectors and each backplane connector adapted to receive a second connector for electrically interconnecting the trays when mounted in the bays; and
removable rear cover means for mounting the backplane means on an inner surface thereof, the plurality of interconnectable bays being attached to the rear cover means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A modular computer chassis with passive backplane is provided for a personal computer system with a plurality of open-ended and vertically or horizontally interconnectable bays, or a single case with bays, for slidably receiving component trays each having a printed double sided bus direction adaptor board with a bus connector at one end and a female bus connector mounted to the top surface for attaching an expansion card parallel to the board. The end bus connector extends through the back wall of the tray to connect to a female bus connector on a passive backplane connector board attached to the back of the chassis. The adaptor board converts the established bus connection between the card and female bus connector 90 degrees to the bus connector at the rear of the tray. A front cover, or individual tray covers, cover the front of the chassis as a locking and security mechanism. The bays connect and hold standard off-the-shelf personal computer components, and additional bays may be added and connected to the system, or used at remote locations, by means of an external cable harness or cable connector which attaches to the backplane board.
219 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A modular computer chassis comprising:
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a plurality of removable trays, each tray being configured to mechanically house either at least one expansion card or at least one peripheral device and having a first connector means contained within the tray for establishing electrical connection to such at least one expansion card or peripheral device, and further having a second connector electrically connected to the first connector means; a plurality of separate interconnectable bays, each bay adapted to house a removable tray, each bay having mechanical mounting means for positioning the tray and the at least one expansion card or peripheral device contained within the tray in a stable position within the bay; backplane means for establishing electrical communication among the removable trays, the backplane means having a plurality of backplane connectors and each backplane connector adapted to receive a second connector for electrically interconnecting the trays when mounted in the bays; and removable rear cover means for mounting the backplane means on an inner surface thereof, the plurality of interconnectable bays being attached to the rear cover means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification