Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Christopher E Chiodo

Mathew J Palazola

Paul S Montgomery

Herbert H Pfeifer

Clifford B Willis

James M Carney

Alan Lee Winick

Dave Desilets

Daniel D Gonsalves

Milton C Lee

William A Izzicupo

Joseph M Spano

Christopher L Whittall

Jonathan A Colprit

Herbert F Pfeifer

Computer system housing

Cabinet for electronic equipment such as a computer system

Computer housing

Computers are manufactured with connectors in which are inserted at least one PCI expansion card to increase the capacity of the computer. A computer enclosure panel is formed with an opening for insertion and withdrawal of the card. The card has a cover which blocks the opening after the card has been plugged in. The invention provides a retainer mounted on the rear panel which, when projected, engages the cover to assist in holding the card in place. The slide has a detent which is manually disengaged in order to slide the cover to retracted position. It further provides room for the tab conventionally extending outward of the card so that the card may be located closer to the side panel, thereby conserving space within the enclosure. Computers as shipped from the factory many times are not provided with PCI cards and the opening is blocked by a removable blanking cover. The slide also holds the blanking cover in position.

PCI expansion card slide-type retainer

An insert is installed at a corner and two adjacent edges of an enclosure for electronic equipment so that a signal light, such as an LED, may be observed from two sides of the enclosure. The insert has a prism to refract light in both directions from an LED or similar signal light supported on the insert in a fixed position relative to the prism. The corner of the prism is rounded to function as a lens. The corner of the enclosure is cut away at the upper edges of the converging sides and the cut-away area filled with the lens. An apron depending from the insert may be welded or otherwise adhered to the interior of the enclosure.

Prism to provide visibility of a signal light in two directions

Computers are manufactured with connectors in which are inserted at least one PCI expansion card to increase the capacity of the computer. A computer enclosure panel is formed with an opening for insertion and withdrawal of the card. The card has a cover which blocks the opening after the card has been plugged in. The invention provides a retainer clip mounted on the rear panel which, when in operative position, attaches to the panel and engages the cover to assist in holding the card in place. The clip has a bent spring which may be compressed to install and remove the clip. The invention further provides room for the tab conventionally extending outward of the card to extend outward of the enclosure so that the card may be located closer to the side panel, thereby conserving space within the enclosure. Computers as shipped from the factory many times are not provided with PCI cards and the opening in the panel is blocked by a removable blanking cover. The clip also holds the blanking cover in position.

PCI expansion card retainer clip

Computer enclosure

Growing community of inventors

Andover, MA, United States of America

Christopher E Chiodo