Computer with expansion card guiding and latching device

• US 6,181,565 B1
• Filed: 01/12/1999
• Issued: 01/30/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell USA LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Schmitt, Ty, Holt, George Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Gandhi, Jayprakash N.
• Application Number:
  US09/228,996
• Time in Patent Office: 749 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683, 361/752-753, 361/756, 361/759, 361/796, 361/797, 361/801, 361/802, 211/41.17, 439/152
• US Class Current: 361/756
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/185 Mounting of expansion boards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/186 Securing of expansion boards in correspondence to slots provided at the computer enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1409 by lever-type mechanisms

Abstract

A computer including a guiding and latching device for mounting expansion cards in the chassis of the computer. The device includes a body member defining a slot and comprising a latch movable between a non-latching position in which the slot can receive the board and a latching position in which the board is latched in the slot. The device is formed of one piece and includes a flexible arm that pivots between a latching and a non-latching position.

Claims

1. A computer comprising;

a chassis;

a memory disposed in the chassis;

a storage disposed in the chassis;

a printed circuit board;

a device disposed in the chassis and comprising a body member defining a slot and including a latch movable between a non-latching position, in which the slot can receive the board, and a latching position in which the board is latched in the slot;

the body member being formed of one piece and the latch being a flexible arm that pivots relative to the remaining portion of the body member between the latching and the non-latching positions;

a tab formed on the arm; and

a tab formed on the remaining portion of the body member, the tabs being adapted to engage and retain the arm in its latching position.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein the slot extends the full length of the body member and divides the body member into two portions, the arm forming a portion of one of the body member portions.

3. The computer of claim 2 wherein the tabs are formed on the respective ends of the arm and the other body member portion.

4. The computer of claim 1 further comprising a flexible tab provided in the interior of the body member and normally extending in one end portion of the slot to block the latter portion of the slot and guide and locate the board in the remaining portion of the slot, the tab being pivotal to a position in which it does not block the one end portion of the slot, thus permitting a board of a greater size to occupy the entire slot.

5. The computer of claim 1 wherein the slot is adapted to receive one end of the board and further comprising a mounting bracket formed on the other end of the board, and at least one fastener for connecting the mounting bracket to the chassis.

6. The computer of claim 1 comprising a bracket secured to the chassis, and further comprising at least one split peg for extending in the opening for quickly attaching the body member to the bracket.

7. An electronic component comprising.

at least one chassis;

a printed circuit board;

a device disposed in the chassis and comprising a body member defining a slot and including a latch movable between a non-latching position in which the slot can receive the board, and a latching position in which the board is latched in the slot;

the body member being formed of one piece and the latch being a flexible arm that pivots relative to the remaining portion of the body member between the latching and the non-latching positions;

a tab formed on the arm; and

a tab formed on the remaining portion of the body member, the tabs adapted to engage and retain the arm in its latching position.

8. The component of claim 7 wherein the slot extends the full length of the body member and divides the body member into two portions, the arm forming a portion of one of the body member portions.

9. The component of claim 8 wherein the tabs are formed on the respective ends of the arm and the other body member portion.

10. The component of claim 7 further comprising a flexible tab provided in the interior of the body member and normally extending in one end portion of the slot to block the latter portion of the slot and guide and locate the board in the remaining portion of the slot, the tab being pivotal to a position in which it does not block the one end portion of the slot, thus permitting a board of a greater size to occupy the entire slot.

11. The component of claim 7 wherein the slot is adapted to receive one end of the board and further comprising a mounting bracket formed on the other end of the board, and at least one fastener for connecting the mounting bracket to the chassis.

12. The component of claim 7 wherein the body member further comprises a bracket secured to the chassis, and further comprising at least one split peg for extending in the opening for quickly attaching the body member to the bracket.

13. A guiding and latching device for a printed circuit board, the device comprising;

a body member defining a slot and including a latch movable between a non-latching position, in which the slot can receive the board, and a latching position in which the board is latched in the slot;

the body member being formed of one piece and the latch being a flexible arm that pivots relative to the remaining portion of the body member between the latching and non-latching positions;

a tab formed on the arm; and

a tab formed on the remaining portion of the body member, the tabs adapted to engage and retain the arm in its latching position.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein the slot extends the full length of the body member and divides the body member into two portions, the arm forming a portion of one of the body member portions.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the tabs are formed on the respective ends of the arm and the other body member portion.

16. The device of claim 13 further comprising a flexible tab provided in the interior of the body member and normally extending in one end portion of the slot to block the latter portion of the slot and guide and locate the board in the remaining portion of the slot, the tab being pivotal to a position in which it does not block the one end portion of the slot, thus permitting a board of a greater size to occupy the entire slot.

17. The device of claim 13 wherein the slot is adapted to receive one end of the board and further comprising a mounting bracket formed on the other end of the board.

18. A method of guiding and latching a printed circuit board, the method comprising the steps of:

inserting a portion of the board in a slot in a body member;

pivoting an arm of the body member relative to the slot to secure the board in the slot; and

latching a tab on the arm to a tab on the remaining portion of the body member to latch the board in a secured position.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of providing a flexible tab in the interior of the body member and normally extending in one end portion of the slot to block the latter portion of the slot and guide and locate the board in the remaining portion of the slot, and pivoting the tab to a position in which it does not block the one end portion of the slot, thus permitting a board of a greater size to occupy the entire slot.