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:
Feb. 06, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 24, 1998
Hannsjorg Obermaier, Los Gatos, CA (US);
Hewlett-Packard Company, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Abstract
An improved apparatus is disclosed for removing and installing faulty printed circuit cards laterally through a side wall of a computer system, while the remaining cards of the computer system remain under power and operational. The computer system incorporates zero insertion force (ZIF) connectors for receiving the printed circuit cards, and a special interlock mechanism prevents each ZIF connector from being moved from its open position to its closed position until an associated card has been fully installed into the connector. In addition, a special centering mechanism is used to adjustably position the printed circuit card with its electrical contacts precisely aligned with the contacts of the ZIF connector.