Silicon Graphics, Incorporated

Michael A Koken

Max G Chen

Chris L Whittall

Erik A Jensen

Sung Hoon Kim

David J Lima

Stephen Derek Smithson

Mark J Glusker

Bruno Lucien Richet

David K Peschel

Sarah Abolitz

Front panel media door

Server door

Drive sled cover

Drive sled handle

Server cover

Bezel for a computer

An integral actuator mounts to a printed circuit board and effects connection of the printed circuit board to an external device, such as a motherboard, from a remote position outside of the printed circuit board. The actuator includes a platform affixed to the printed circuit board, a plunger (with a handle) slidably attached to the platform, and a cam slidably and rotatably attached to the plunger. When a customer pushes the plunger handle (which extends outside the bulkhead assembly of the printed circuit board) the plunger slides inward, causing the cam to rotate. This rotation of the cam pushes connector pins into the motherboard (for an electrical connection) and attaches the printed circuit board to the motherboard. The printed circuit board can also be unattached from the motherboard if the customer pulls the plunger handle, where the cam and the plunger move in a reversed manner. In a preferred embodiment, an actuator structure is provided that attaches to the back of the printed circuit board. In an alternative embodiment, an actuator structure is provided that attaches to the front of the printed circuit board, suspended over the circuit components.

Integral actuator for a printed circuit board

An EMI bulk head gasket assembly includes a bulk head and a gasket adapted to snap fit together. The bulk head includes a base plate and first and second bulk head side walls, positioned at right angles to the bulk head base plate. The first bulk head side wall includes a plurality of bulk head apertures. The gasket includes a base plate and first and second gasket side walls wherein the first gasket side wall forms an angle slightly greater than ninety degrees with the gasket base plate. The gasket is adapted to snap fit between the first and second bulk head side walls. The first gasket side wall includes inwardly pointing tabs positioned and adapted to fit into the plurality of bulk head apertures. The tabs retain the gasket between the first and second bulk head side walls. The gasket includes spring fingers each of which include a spring bend between a proximal spring finger section and a distal spring finger section. The spring finger is spring loaded by the spring bend. An inner fold over bend in the distal spring finger section has a fold over angle of 180 degrees to round the distal edge of the distal spring finger section and also to provide rigidity to the distal spring finger section. The gasket base plate includes through holes lining up with through holes in the bulk head base plate when the gasket is snap fitted with the bulk head. The dimensions of the gasket base plate and bulk head base plate can be varied to fit variably sized ports.

Bulkhead gasket assembly

A compression connector including a cam which securely attaches the compression connector to the backplate hook is disclosed. Specifically, in one embodiment, a backplate hook including pins located inside the receptacle is disclosed. The connector may be securely attached to the backplate hook by engaging the handle of the cam such that the cam and a second cam rotate so as to engage the pins. The movement of the cam handle compresses the connector against the surface to which the backplate hook is mounted, thus achieving a connection which is positive and which locks the connector into a position of uniform compression.

Compression connector

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Michael A Koken