Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Hewlett-packard Development Company, L.P.

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.p.

Compao Computer Corporation

Thomas T Hardt

Joseph R Allen

Kurt A Manweiler

Carlos A Torres

George D Megason

Michael C Sanders

Karl J Dobler

Karl N Walker

Bonnie E Prichep

Wade D Vinson

Allison R McGrew

Kevin B Leigh

John P Franz

Siamak Tavallaei

Wade David Vinson

David R Thomas

Steven D Gluskoter

George R Daniels

John S Lacombe

Edward John Kliewer

Christopher M Hunt

B Tod Cox

Henry C Coles

Timothy A McCree

David W Deis

Roberta M Madsen

An T Vu

James A Mouton

Mark J Williams

Don M Saxby

Thomas K Stewart

Embodiments of the present technique are directed to a blade system. The blade system may include a first blade module comprising a first conjoining channel, and a second blade module comprising a second conjoining channel aligned with the first conjoining channel, wherein the first blade module and the second blade module are symmetrical and mechanically coupled to form a conjoined blade, wherein electrical components of the first blade module and electrical components of the second blade module are electrically coupled via an electrical coupler routed through the aligned first conjoining channel and second conjoining channel.

System and method to conjoin blade modules

An device including a fastener. In some embodiments, the device is an electronic device that includes a circuit board, a support structure, and a resilient conductive clip. The circuit board may include a slot extending between opposite faces. The resilient conductive clip may couple to the support structure and be removably inserted through the slot so that it is disposed at least partially about the opposite faces. The resilient conductive clip may include lower and upper grounding portions engaged against the opposite faces of the circuit board.

Resilient clip for circuit board

A latch mechanism comprising a frame having an insertion axis therethrough. A first latch spring is disposed on the frame and is biased to an extended position. A handle is connected to the frame and is movable along the insertion axis between a first position and a second position. A first cam is disposed on the handle and moves the first latch spring to a retracted position as the handle moves toward the second position.

Latching mechanism

Heat sink retention assemblies and related methods are described. In one embodiment, a system comprises a base, a handle rotatably mounted on the base, and heat sink retention structure joined with the handle and moveable by the handle between an opened and a closed position effective to secure a heat sink on a substrate.

Heat sink retention assembly and related methods

A flexible grounding strip includes an electrically conductive strip having an elongated base, opposite sides of which extend to respective flanges spaced from the base. Each flange extends from one side of the base and terminates at an edge generally facing the opposed side of the base. The edges are spaced from each other. Each of the opposite sides have lengthwise spaced slots extending partly across the base towards the opposite side of the base. The slots extending from one side of the base are interleaved with slots extending from the opposite side of the base.

Flexible grounding strip

A memory package comprising a first circuit board having a plurality of memory element sockets and a second circuit board coupled to the first circuit board and comprising a controller chip. The first and second circuit boards are disposed within a tray having a base and two sides. A handle is connected to the tray such that the handle is pivotal with respect to the tray. The handle has a lever system and latch that is slidably engaged with the lever system.

Memory package

A system and method for supporting at least one electrical cable is provided. The at least one electrical cable may be secured to a movable electronic device disposed within a chassis. A harness is provided that is securable to at least one electrical cable. A flexible support member is provided to support the harness and the at least one electrical cable. The flexible support member may move with the electrical device as the electrical device is moved. The flexible support member may comprise wire. A wire reel may be provided to extend and retract the wire. The wire of the wire reel may be unwound as the electrical device is moved from a normal position to a withdrawn position. The wire of the wire reel may be wound as the electronic device is moved from the withdrawn position to the normal position.

Cable management system and method of installation and operation thereof

A computer chassis comprising a chassis base and first and second drawers removably engaged with the chassis base. An interface board is mounted to the first drawer so as to couple to a first electrical component when the first electrical component is located in the first drawer. The second drawer has a connector mounted so as to couple to a second electrical component when the second electrical component is located in the second drawer. The connector engages the interface board so as to couple the first electrical component to the second electrical component when the first and second electrical components are located in the respective first and second drawers.

Computer chassis

A flexible grounding strip includes elongated electrically conductive strip having a base extending between spaced, opposed sidewalls. At least one of the sidewalls has a flange spaced from the base and extending towards the opposed sidewall. Each of the sidewalls has a series of lengthwise-spaced slots extending widthwise across the sidewall into and at least partly across the base towards the opposed sidewall. The slot dimensions and spacing impart flexibility to enable the strip to bend transversely of its length.

A system for pivotably coupling components. The system comprises a pivot structure having a head, a body, a deformable retention feature and a stop. The stop is positioned to limit movement of a cooperating deformation tool to ensure predictable pivot spacing.

Technique for providing a pivot structure that facilitates the rapid formation of pivot couplings between components

A modularized computer chassis for housing multiple computer modules, such as a processor module, media storage module, an I/O module, and power supplies includes a housing divided generally into four regions, with each region configured for receiving one of the modules or power supplies. A single center pluggable midplane board is positioned in the middle of the housing such that each of the modules and power supplies can be interconnected through the single midplane board. The single center pluggable midplane board includes direct pluggable connectors which correspond to connectors on each of the modules and power supplies, such that each of the modules and power supplies are directly connected to the single pluggable midplane board, and no ribbon signal and power cables are needed for the connection. The direct connection between the single center pluggable midplane board and the modules and power supplies helps to minimize the height of the chassis, thereby saving valuable rack space.

Computer chassis assembly with a single center pluggable midplane board

A fan assembly that can be easily inserted into a mating slot includes: a housing surrounding and supporting a fan, a least one grill positioned so as to restrict access to the fan, a grip surface on the housing, a latch on the housing and configured to engage the mating slot; and, and an electrical connector mounted in the housing. The grip surface is formed on a separate piece from the housing and is affixed to the housing by an integrally formed fastening device and the assembly including the housing, grill, grip surface, latch and connector can be assembled by hand without the use of separate fasteners.

Reduced complexity hot plug blind mate fan assembly and connector therefor

A cable management system for organizing and controlling cables extending from an electronic device while providing substantially unimpeded device access, substantially unrestricted cable movement and substantially unrestricted air flow into and out of the device. The system attaches to a secure structure and is capable of boxing out from the structure to allow access to service a device positioned within the secure structure. The cable management system includes at least three cable arms of rigid material, a coupling member attached between each adjacent pair of the at least three cable arms, where the coupling member provides movement between each of the adjacent pairs of cable arms.

Growing community of inventors

Missouri City, TX, United States of America

Thomas T Hardt