The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 24, 1993
Filed:
Mar. 26, 1992
W Daniel Hillis, Cambridge, MA (US);
William Gerner, Oxford, MA (US);
Theodore W Bilodeau, Concord, MA (US);
Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA (US);
Abstract
A system for installing a circuit board edge connector into a motherboard connector from the side to accommodate high density card arrangements that obstruct overhead clearance. In one embodiment, the system utilizes an insertion tool which conveys the circuit board across the motherboard and positions it with the pins of both boards aligned. The tool locates the board adjacent the motherboard with the aligned connectors just touching and blocked against withdrawal. The cooperation between ramps and pins associated with the tool and circuit board applies a force, upon the withdrawal of the tool from the motherboard, to engage fully the pins of the circuit board with the pins of the motherboard. The extraction of the circuit board from the motherboard uses the tool in a reverse sequence. In a second embodiment the system includes a circuit board incorporating slidably configured rail and groove mechanism and a bell crank that allows the circuit board to slide in over the motherboard through relative sliding of the rail and groove and permits the two boards to be drawn together with mating pins by activation of the bell crank. In yet another embodiment the system includes a circuit board incorporating a spacer and a cardcage incorporating a spacer track which permits increased utilization of the circuit board surface for the placement of components.