Silicon Graphics, Incorporated

Bryan D Bolich

Richard W Singer

David J Willheim

Mark J Glusker

Charles Fiorella

Christopher S Wheaton

Stephen Hobson, Deceased

Albert Napier

A card cage for connecting circuit board cards to a computer is disclosed. The card cage includes connector receptacles for receiving circuit board cards such as PCI cards. The card cage also includes a connection mechanism for electrically coupling the connector receptacles to the computer. In one embodiment, the connection mechanism includes a compression connector and a locking mechanism for electrically and mechanically coupling the card cage to the computer. Thus circuit board cards may be easily coupled to a computer by inserting the circuit board cards into the card cage and attaching the card cage to the computer.

Modular card cage with connection mechanism

A device for installing and removing a removable computer component, such as a data storage drive or computer card, into or out of a computer housing. The device features a drive sled to which the data storage drive is mounted. A stationary carrier tray is secured to the computer housing. Interlocking angled tracks on the drive sled and the carrier tray secure the two structures together. To promote easy coupling of the drive's electrical interface connectors, the front end of the drive sled has a floating guide plate with forward-projecting locating pins, which pins are used to align the electrical connectors held by the floating guide plate. A rack and pinion mechanism is provided. The rack is disposed on the top of the carrier tray while the pinion is located on the underside of the drive sled. As the drive sled slides onto the carrier tray, the lever-actuated pinion gear engages the rack and consequently displaces the drive sled relative to the stationary carrier tray. A torsion spring may be used to bias the pinion. The carrier tray also features a raised wedge that latches the lever at one extreme position when the drive sled is in its forward-most position to lock the data storage drive inside the computer housing.

Rack and pinion retaining and release device for removable computer

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Bryan D Bolich