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. 28, 2001
Filed:
Dec. 15, 1998
Clifford A. Gibbons, Round Rock, TX (US);
Timothy C. Dearborn, Austin, TX (US);
Dell USA, L.P., Round Rock, TX (US);
Abstract
An assembly including a slot in a peripheral device carrier and a tab in a housing for peripheral devices, the assembly providing a structure for retaining compatible peripheral devices in a computer system, and for preventing damage to connectors when an attempt is made to install an incompatible peripheral device. The peripheral devices include a first connector portion for electronically coupling the peripheral device to a processor in a computer system. The peripheral device is installed in the peripheral device carrier that includes a slotted side member and a front member. The slot may be located at one end of the side member, or the side member may be shortened or truncated to avoid the tab when the device carrier is inserted. The side member is attached to the front member thereby forming a portion of a frame for receiving the peripheral device. The housing includes a bay having a second connector portion and at least one opening for receiving the peripheral device carrier. The bay further includes a tab positioned to engage the slotted side member when the peripheral device carrier is inserted in the bay, thereby allowing the first connector to mate with the second connector.