International Business Machines Corporation

David Lee Hager

Dean Frederick Herring

Paul Andrew Wormsbecher

Daniel Paul Kelaher

Jeremy Scott Bridges

Richard M Barina

Glenn Edward Myrto

Anthony Wayne Miles

Michael Sean June

Ian McFarlane Denny

John Paul Scavuzzo

Michael D French

Jeffrey Millard Huson

Bruce Desrosiers

Scott Womble

Various embodiments of the present invention provide an anchor, circuit board assembly, and method for operably engaging an electronic component with a circuit board having a first side and a second side. Anchor embodiments include an anchor portion configured for receiving at least a portion of the electronic component and a pair of anchor legs flexibly extending from the ends of the anchor portion and configured for insertion into apertures defined in the circuit board. The anchor further includes a compression element slidably disposed about the anchor legs and movable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The compression element is configured for urging the anchor legs towards one another when moved from the unlocked position to the locked position such that the anchor is secured in the apertures when the compression element is in the locked position.

Apparatus and method for attaching selected components to a printed circuit board

Apparatus for securing or retaining a heatsink. The heatsink retention apparatus includes a heatsink module that cooperates with first and second spring loaded latches secure to a circuit board on opposing sides of a heat-generating component. The heatsink module includes a handle pivotally secured to opposing sides of the heatsink body, and bails pivotally secured to the handle. In addition, the bails extend downward to dispose a lower bail member adjacent the spring loaded latches. As the handle pivots between a first position to raise the bails and a second position to lower the bails, the bails automatically move from a locked position to an unlocked position. Each of the spring loaded latches include a hook and at least one pre-loaded spring to transfer a minimum downforce to the lower bail members when the bails are raised. Accordingly, embodiments may be operated from the top of the heatsink without the use of tools, while providing a desired downforce over a range of heatsink heights.

Top actuated, force limiting heatsink retention system

Assembly and connection of electronic components are provided. In one embodiment, electronic components such as a CPU planar, power supplies, and other electronic components or subassemblies are positioned within an enclosure. An interface board removably positionable in the enclosure carries a plurality of electronic connectors, providing an electronic interface between the CPU planar, power supplies, and other electronic subassemblies. The interface board is movably mounted to a component module on a track. The component module is inserted in a first bay, with the attached interface board in a first position. The interface board connects to a movable cable plate, and is subsequently moved to a second position along with the connected cable plate to move one or more of the connectors to a second bay. An electronic subassembly positioned in the second bay or another bay may then be connected the interface board. Other electronic components may be connected to the interface board via the cable plate. The interface board may be locked in a variety of ways in the second position to prevent damage to connected electronic components.

Electronic component interconnection and assembly

Embodiments of the invention include an apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever, which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Method of locking and activating a hot swappable daughter card

An apparatus for latching, aligning, and connecting a first connector located in a chassis with a second connector on a cable. The invention comprises a plurality of trough segments coupled in series. The trough segments include a distal trough segment having a retainer for securing and axially orienting a cable connector, a proximal trough segment having a latch element selectively secureable to a guide passage, and one or more intermediate trough segments coupled between the distal trough segment and the proximal trough segment. Each individual trough segment is pivotally coupled to any adjacent trough segment to allow bending of the cable trough. The cable trough formed by the collective trough segments may be directed into the guide passage for coupling of the cable connector to an internal chassis connector and latching of the cable trough in position within the guide passage.

Self positioning, latchable cable trough

An apparatus and a method for locking a cam lever which positions a second card as inserted into a connector on a first card, and activating the second card with a coupling member. In one embodiment, the second card is inserted between a pair of guides secured to the first card into a connector on the first card. A hinged cam lever on either a guide or the second card positions the second card. A coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to lock the cam lever in place and engage a switch on the second card to activate the second card. When removal of the second card is desired, the coupling member on the cam lever can be moved to unlock the cam lever and disengage the switch on the second card to deactivate the second card.

Locking and activation mechanism for a hot swappable daughter card

A computer drive module including at least one computer drive; a module housing; and a backplane printed circuit board. The module housing includes a first section adapted to be connected to a computer housing and a second section movably connected to the first section between a retracted position and an extended position. The second section is adapted to pivot relative to the first section when the second section is at the extended position. The backplane printed circuit board is connected to a rear end of the second section of the module housing.

Growing community of inventors

Wake Forest, NC, United States of America

David Lee Hager