Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Prime Computer Inc.

David E Desilets

James M Carney

Daniel D Gonsalves

William A Izzicupo

Joseph M Spano

Mark R Pugliese

Mathew J Palazola

Robert S Antonuccio

Jerry C Marino

Robert Antonnucio

Clifford B Willis

Kenneth Kitlas

Matthew Palazola

A PCI card is inserted through an I/O opening in a computer panel. On one edge of the card is a cover from one end of which projects a tab. A resilient gasket is attached to the panel to create a flexible EMC seal around the opening. Preferably the gasket is formed of tin-plated beryllium copper. The gasket has alternate staggered spring fingers oriented opposite to the direction of insertion of the PCI card. To retain the gasket the panel is formed with slots at either end and an outward struck projection at the middle. The gasket is formed with a tongue at either end to be inserted in one of the slots and a punched-out opening to receive the projection.

Modular EMC PCI card gasket

PCI cards are plugged into vertical risers, the lower edges of which have been plugged into a motherboard. This involves a considerable force being applied to the riser card, both during insertion and removal, and may damage the card or the underlying motherboard. A support for the top edge of the riser card clips onto the upper end thereof. Rearward extensions of the support are gripped by tabs struck out of a wall of the enclosure.

PCI riser card support

A computer housing or electronic apparatus frame (10) includes a compartment (12) that provides space for mounting a fan assembly (14) or similar component. The fan assembly (14) is mounted on a fan tray support (16), which is removably mountable within the computer housing (10) by means of the fan tray mounts (18). Fan tray mounts (18) are oriented facing one another so that side rails (22) of fan tray (16) are slidably received by the fan tray mounts (18). The fan tray mounts (18) further includes an elongated guide channel (31) that extends the length of the fan tray mount and is formed in the inside face (30) thereof. The fan tray mounts (18) also include a first, outwardly projecting stop (52) that is positioned inwardly from end wall (38) and a second, outwardly-projecting, resiliently-deflectable stop and latch lever (54) provided adjacent end wall (36). The first stop (52) and the second stop and latch (54) cooperate with tabs (84, 88) on the fan tray (16) to releasably latch the fan tray (16) in a predetermined position along the guide channel (31). The fan tray mounts (18) further include a pair of cantilevered spring arms (60, 62), which bias the fan tray (16) in a direction away from the guide channel (31) to minimize vibration transmission to the computer housing (10).

Fan tray guide and isolation mount and method

An apparatus for securing a conductor to a circuit board. The conductor is configured for being soldered to the circuit board through a first aperture in the board. The apparatus includes a conductor supporting portion having a second aperture therethrough. The conductor supporting portion is configured for coupling to the circuit board. The second aperture substantially aligns with the first aperture when the conductor supporting portion is coupled to the circuit board to permit the conductor to be inserted through both the first aperture and the second aperture. The apparatus includes a tab portion configured for coupling to the conductor supporting portion. A portion of the conductor is thus held substantially immobile between the conductor supporting portion and a first edge of the tab portion when the tab portion is coupled with the conductor supporting portion, thereby preventing the conductor from being broken at the portion of the conductor when the conductor is flexed.

Strain relief apparatus and methods therefor

A structural foam, injection molded superstructure is attached to a motherboard by means of threaded inserts. The superstructure is formed with guide ways for CPU processor modules, and also for the edges of PCI cards. Features of the structure include cam levers on the CPU modules to install and extract the modules. A metal transverse vertical retaining bracket is attached to the superstructure to hold sides thereof parallel and prevent splaying of the free, open end of the superstructure upon extraction of CPU processor modules. The assembly provides stiffness to the motherboard.

Motherboard stiffener and guide for processor modules and PCI cards

Computer terminal

A display terminal device including a tilt and swivel coupling mechanism coupling the display portion to the base portion. The coupling mechanism includes a swivel plate rotatable about a vertical neck extending from the base portion. The swivel plate includes a cylindrical top surface on which a complementary cylindrical surface of the display portion is seated. The cylindrical surfaces are spring biased toward each other by a spring mounted on a fastener extending from the display portion to the swivel plate. A horizontal fastener extends from the housing through horizontal slots in the neck.

Growing community of inventors

Hopkinton, MA, United States of America

David E Desilets