Hot plug PCI retainer and actuator
First Claim
1. A hot plug retainer and actuator for use on a chassis, said actuator comprising a one piece body having a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another for opening and closing the actuator, wherein said first portion includes snap tabs for stationarily mounting said first portion in an opening of said chassis where said second portion can be pivoted above said living hinge relative to said first portion and said chassis.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hot plug retainer and actuator is used on a chassis for releasably securing a component on the chassis. The retainer and actuator includes a one piece body having a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another for opening and closing the actuator.
26 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A hot plug retainer and actuator for use on a chassis, said actuator comprising a one piece body having a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another for opening and closing the actuator, wherein said first portion includes snap tabs for stationarily mounting said first portion in an opening of said chassis where said second portion can be pivoted above said living hinge relative to said first portion and said chassis.
- 11. An apparatus for releasably retaining a component in a computer server, said apparatus comprising an I/O chassis in which a component can be installed and removed, and a retainer and actuator which can be opened and closed, for releasably retaining a component in said chassis and actuating a switch on said chassis when closing said actuator that informs the user that the component is secured and ready to use, said actuator having a one piece body with a first portion mounted on said chassis, a second portion and a living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another for opening and closing the actuator.
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22. A method for releasably retaining a component in an I/O chassis comprising:
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providing a single plastic part having a first relatively rigid portion with snap tabs for stationarily mounting said first portion in an opening of said I/O chassis, a second relatively rigid portion and a relatively flexible living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another; and
snapping said snap tabs of said plastic part into said opening of said I/O chassis to mount said first portion of said plastic part on said I/O chassis in fixed relation to said chassis such that said second portion can be pivoted relative to said first portion and said chassis between open and closed positions of said part for respectively releasing and retaining a component in said chassis. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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- 24. An apparatus for releasably retaining a component in a processor, said apparatus comprising an I/O chassis in which a component can be installed and removed, and a one piece plastic part mounted on said chassis, said part having a first relatively rigid portion, a second relatively rigid portion and a relatively flexible living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another, said first portion being secured in fixed relation to said chassis by means on said first portion for snap fitting said first portion in an opening of said chassis and said second portion being arranged for pivoting relative to said first portion and said chassis between open and closed positions of said part for respectively releasing and retaining a component in said chassis.
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26. A hot plug retainer and actuator for use on a chassis, said actuator comprising a one piece body having a first portion, a second portion and a living hinge pivotably connecting the first and second portions to one another for opening and closing the actuator;
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wherein said first portion includes an opening extending therethrough and said second portion includes a projection which moves into and out of said opening in the first portion during closing and opening of said actuator, respectively; and
wherein said projection has a cam formed thereon for actuating an adjacent switch in said chassis when said actuator is closed to inform a user that a component retained by said actuator is secured.
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Specification