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:
Oct. 19, 1999
Filed:
Aug. 15, 1997
David J Lima, Los Altos, CA (US);
Mark J Glusker, San Mateo, CA (US);
Michael A Koken, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Sung Kim, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Bruno Lucien Richet, Redwood City, CA (US);
Silicon Graphics, Inc., Mountain View, CA (US);
Abstract
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.