International Business Machines Corporation

William Fred Otto

Dean Frederick Herring

Jacklin Ann Adams

John Robert Kirksey

Susan Pohl Wise

Timothy Scott Bass

Timothy Samuel Farrow

Bahgat Ghaleb Sammakia

Joseph Funari

Richard M Barina

Randall Joseph Stutzman

Walter Adrian Goodman

Rodrigo Samper

Jerry Richard Rasmussen

Roger F Dimmick

Terry Leo Sobotta

Jeffrey Jay Miller

Joseph Anthony Ho-Lung

Dean Fredrick Herring

Don L Baker

Gerald Cecil Proctor

Jeffrey Tate

Chen Hsuan-Tsung

Jeff A Jajowka

Gary A Fitterer

A system for holding a device in a computer system, the computer system including a drive cage for holding the device, is disclosed. The system comprises a first rail coupled to one side of the device and adapted to fit into the drive cage and a second rail coupled to the device at a side opposite the one side and adapted to fit into the drive cage, wherein the first and second rails are coupled to the device without requiring a tool. Computer systems utilizing the system in accordance with the present invention, will be better equipped to handle the acoustic vibrations created during the operation of different types of drives such as Direct Access and Storage Devices (DASDs). Accordingly, this will enable computer system manufacturers to incorporate faster DASDs without acoustically coupling the DASD to the chassis. Furthermore, by employing a screw-less rail, PC manufacturers and users will no longer be required to use a tool to remove the attached rails. This facilitates the easy removal and reinstallation of DASDs when interchanging computer components.

System for holding a device in a computer system

A computing system includes a frame and a drive mounting structure for mounting one or more drive units within the computing system, with the drive mounting structure being pivotally and removably mounted on the frame to move between an operating position, in which an internal end of a drive unit mounted within the drive mounting structure is held within the computing system, and a service position, in which the internal end of the drive unit extends outward from the computing system. In the service position, access is provided to an open end of the drive mounting structure, into which the drive unit can be installed, to the internal end of the drive unit, for attachment of a cable, and to a side of the drive mounting structure, through which fasteners are driven to mount the drive unit within the drive mounting structure.

Removable structures for mounting computer drive devices, pivotable between operating and service positions

A blank for closing an input/output slot in the rear panel of a personal computer has an elongated body with a tab on one end and a flange on an opposite end. The body also has a large elliptical dome that protrudes rearward. A set of spring fingers extend along each side of the dome. The blank is installed in one of the input/output slots by first inserting the tab into a pocket below the slot. The dome is then pivoted into the slot until the fingers snap onto a pair of upright edges that define the slot. The blank is removed from the slot by pushing the dome in the opposite direction out of slot to overcome the flexible retention force provided by the fingers.

Dome-shaped blank for closing an input-output slot in a personal computer

A bracket for installing a drive device within a computer housing includes first and second end panels extending along opposite sides of a lower panel. A pair of pins extending inward from the first side panel engages a pair of mounting holes in the drive device. The drive device is held with the mounting holes in engagement with the pins by means of a spring extending inward from the second end panel. The end of the drive device adjacent the second end panel is also held against an upper locating surface by a second biasing spring extending upward from the lower panel.

Bracket for mounting a computer drive device

A system and method of mounting components to a frame, such as a disk drive in the mounting frame of a personal computer shaped to receive the disk drive in a releasable fashion within the frame. A tubular spring member with a z-shaped base and outwardly-extending legs is made of a spring steel and formed with flattened leg ends fits within holes in the component to secure the component to a guide member, with the guide member mounted within the mounting frame. The disk drive component with the guide member secured by the Z-spring slides into a slot on the frame of the personal computer and is secured in place to provide a releasable assembly for replacement of the disk drive as desired.

Method and apparatus for mounting components using a Z-spring

An expansion module for use in a computer system is disclosed. The expansion module holds a first card, which has a data processing unit and associated memory coupled together via a high speed internal local bus and an external coupler for an external peripheral device. An expansion coupler is also provided for coupling a second expansion card to the first card. The expansion module has a system connector for connecting the expansion module to a lower speed input-output bus of a computer system. The module can also accommodate additional SIMM modules as its associated memory. The module uses sidewalls or book covers made of a shielding material to provide electrical shielding and protection from external conditions. The expansion module improves the upgradeability and expandability of a data processing system.

Computer expansion module apparatus

An electronic package which includes at least two flexible circuitized substrates (e.g., thin film elements) connected at one location to a common first circuitized substrate (e.g., printed circuit board) and at another location to a semiconductor device, these subassemblies being located within a base member of the package. In one embodiment, a singular heat sink member is thermally coupled to a respective one of the semiconductor devices, and a common, second heat sink member is thermally coupled to all of the first heat sink members. This common heat sink member also uniquely serves as a stiffener for the package. In another embodiment, a common heat sink member is securedly positioned on the opposite side of a first circuitized substrate from the plurality of flexible circuitized substrates and semiconductor devices. A base member is also used as part of this package. As in the aforementioned other embodiment, the common heat sink member also serves as a stiffener.

Electronic assembly with enhanced heat sinking

Growing community of inventors

Apex, NC, United States of America

William Fred Otto