| Patent Number |
Title Of Patent |
Date Issued |
| 7107675 |
Methods for retaining an electrical connector in a receptacle on an electrical component in a co |
September 19, 2006 |
| Methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in computers are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes securing a bracket of a retaining device to an electrical component in a computer. The method further includes install |
| 6823588 |
Methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers |
November 30, 2004 |
| Methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in computers are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes installing an electrical connector into a receptacle on an electrical component in a computer. The method further includes |
| 6771516 |
Method and apparatus for fastening circuit boards to computer chassis |
August 3, 2004 |
| Methods and apparatuses for removably securing one or more computer circuit boards to a computer chassis. In one embodiment, the apparatuses include a bracket having attached sites that can be selectively aligned with corresponding fastening sites of one or more types of printed circuit |
| 6746194 |
Low profile fastener having a repositionable handle clip |
June 8, 2004 |
| A fastener having a head integral with an elongated shank projecting rigidly from the underside of the head. The shank has a threaded portion extending a predetermined length outwardly from the head, and which has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the head. The head has a first set |
| 6628516 |
Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of |
September 30, 2003 |
| Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electric |
| 6529386 |
Apparatus and method for retaining a circuit board |
March 4, 2003 |
| The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a first circuit board on a second circuit board. Embodiments of the invention use a clip attached to uprights to exert a biasing force on the first circuit board. The uprights are also coupled to the second circuit |
| 6522556 |
Apparatus for coupling computer components |
February 18, 2003 |
| A device for coupling a one computer component, such as a printed circuit board and mounting bracket, to another computer component, such as a computer chassis. The device may comprise an engaging member and a fastener. The fastener may be configured to attach the engaging member to |
| 6470556 |
Method removably mounting a planar component to a chassis |
October 29, 2002 |
| Disclosed is a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component, such as a computer motherboard, to a chassis. The method comprises positioning a first fastener of a mounting device adjacent a mounting slot in the chassis, inserting the first fastener of the mounting device |
| 6470555 |
Method of mounting a motherboard to chassis |
October 29, 2002 |
| Disclosed is a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component, such as a computer motherboard, to a chassis. The method comprises positioning a first fastener of a mounting device adjacent a mounting slot in the chassis, inserting the first fastener of the mounting device |
| 6452793 |
Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of |
September 17, 2002 |
| Apparatuses and methods for preventing disengagement of electrical connectors in the assembly of computers. In one embodiment, a computer system includes a chassis, an electrical component contained within the chassis, an electrical connector engaged with a receptacle on the electric |
| 6442037 |
Adjustable expansion board securing structure |
August 27, 2002 |
| The invention provides for an apparatus that secures one or more expansion boards to a motherboard. A single type of adjustable retention block can be used to engage and secure expansion boards of various sizes. The retention block secures an expansion board in a groove of the retention |
| 6370036 |
Apparatus and method for retaining a circuit board |
April 9, 2002 |
| The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a first circuit board on a second circuit board. Embodiments of the invention use a clip attached to uprights to exert a biasing force on the first circuit board. The uprights are also coupled to the second circuit |
| 6362978 |
Method and apparatus for biasing a circuit board into engagement with a computer chassis |
March 26, 2002 |
| Methods and apparatuses for removably securing circuit boards to computer chassis. In one embodiment, a movable mounting member is mounted to a mounting bracket that moves relative to the chassis. The mounting member is engaged with a portion of the circuit board, such as an aperture or |
| 6356438 |
Expansion board and circuit board retaining apparatus and method |
March 12, 2002 |
| The present invention provides for an apparatus and method for retaining a circuit board in a computer system. Some embodiments include single or multiple panels hinged to a chassis of the computer that are used to retain circuit boards such as expansion boards. The panel, or portions of |
| 6349039 |
Apparatus for coupling computer components |
February 19, 2002 |
| A device for coupling a one computer component, such as a printed circuit board and mounting bracket, to another computer component, such as a computer chassis. The device may comprise an engaging member and a fastener. The fastener may be configured to attach the engaging member to |
| 6330991 |
Apparatus for mounting an element |
December 18, 2001 |
| The invention disclosed and claimed herein comprises in various embodiments an apparatus for mounting an element on a chassis. In a first embodiment, the apparatus for mounting an element on a chassis comprises a housing and a clip. The housing has an opening and is attached to the chass |
| 6308394 |
Method of mounting a motherboard to a chassis |
October 30, 2001 |
| Disclosed is a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component, such as a computer motherboard, to a chassis. The method comprises positioning a first fastener of a mounting device adjacent a mounting slot in the chassis, inserting the first fastener of the mounting device |
| 6292359 |
Component mount |
September 18, 2001 |
| A mount for a computer component such as a disk drive includes horizontal platforms having upstanding studs and a strap. The strap is movable between an open position in which a drive may be removed from or installed into the mount and a closed position in which the upstanding studs are |
| 6276041 |
Method for coupling computer components |
August 21, 2001 |
| A method for coupling a first computer component, such as a printed circuit board, to a second computer component, such as a chassis, with an engaging member. The method may comprise fastening a first portion of the engaging member to the first computer component and biasing a second por |
| 6262864 |
Mechanism for controlling ejection of disks from a disk drive |
July 17, 2001 |
| A computer drive assembly for receiving portable disks containing computer data. The computer drive assembly has a housing defining a cavity, an ejection mechanism that engages with the disk and at least one roller member. The cavity is sized so as to receive a portable disk through an |
| 6216338 |
Header pin pre-load apparatus |
April 17, 2001 |
| The present invention provides a pin deforming apparatus for deforming a normally straight pin for use in an electrical connection, wherein the apparatus includes a frame, a die coupled to the frame and an operating member coupled to the frame and die, whereby moving the operating member |
| 6178611 |
Apparatus for installing a clip |
January 30, 2001 |
| An apparatus for installing and removing a retaining clip. The retaining clip has first and second spaced apart and opposing securing members and each securing member is connected to and movable relative to an intermediate member. The apparatus comprises a first engaging member havin |
| 6176001 |
Method for mounting computer components |
January 23, 2001 |
| A method for removably mounting to a chassis a computer component having a first surface with a first aperture extending therein and a second surface having a second aperture therein. The method includes inserting a first protrusion of an attachment assembly into the first aperture and i |
| 6158699 |
Apparatus for mounting computer components |
December 12, 2000 |
| An attachment assembly for removably mounting a computer component to a chassis. The assembly includes first and second engaging members. The first engaging member has a first protrusion which extends away from the first engaging member and is received by a first aperture positioned in a |
| 6158594 |
Printed circuit board mounting bracket |
December 12, 2000 |
| Bracket for connection to a chassis of an electronic apparatus without the use of screws is described. The bracket may feature a support arm having at least one connection means, a ledge portion connected to the top of the support arm, and a flexible section connected to the ledge portio |
| 6124552 |
Motherboard screwless mounting spacer |
September 26, 2000 |
| Disclosed is a device for mounting a planar electrical component, such as a computer motherboard, to a chassis. In one embodiment, the device includes a spacer including a coiled wall configured to be positioned between the board and the chassis, and an elongated clip coupled to the spac |
| 6116120 |
Adjustable tool for applying torque to a CPU fan unit |
September 12, 2000 |
| Disclosed is a tool for applying torque to a CPU fan unit and mounting the fan unit onto a mounting structure. The tool includes a pair of mounting pins for engaging the CPU fan unit. The position of the mounting pins is adjustable so that the tool may be used to apply torque to fan unit |
| 6112397 |
Method of applying torque to a CPU fan unit |
September 5, 2000 |
| Disclosed is a method of applying torque to a CPU fan unit. One embodiment of the method comprises providing a tool having two mounting pins adjustably positioned along a common axis. The position of the mounting pins is then adjusted so that the mounting pins are positioned to engage |
| 6052892 |
Adaptor tool for mounting components on printed circuit boards |
April 25, 2000 |
| An adaptor tool for mounting components on printed circuit boards. The adaptor tool has two capture members that define an opening sized to receive the component. The capture members are linked together such that the application of torque to the adaptor tool by a torque tool via a co |
| 6049963 |
Method for mounting an element |
April 18, 2000 |
| The present invention provides a method for mounting an element on a chassis. The method comprises several steps. The element is stopped from sliding in at least one direction when the element is placed on the surface of the chassis. A clip is pivotably connected to the chassis. The |
| 6045386 |
Circuit board retaining device |
April 4, 2000 |
| An apparatus and method for securing a circuit card in a connector. The apparatus includes a frame member that defines an opening that is sized so as to receive the connector therein. The apparatus also includes an anchor member that is adapted to engage with the connector so as to ancho |
| 6035529 |
Header pin pre-loaded method |
March 14, 2000 |
| A method of deforming a pin for use in an electrical connection, and a method of making an electrical connection using a deformed pin. A normally straight pin is provided and positioned adjacent to a frame supporting a die and an operating member. The operating member is coupled to the f |
| 6023832 |
Cam heat sink clip installation and removal tool and method |
February 15, 2000 |
| A tool for the installation and removal of a lever cam operated spring clip. One embodiment of the invention has a pair of levers pivotally attached together, with one of the levers configured to frictionally engage the cam lever and the other lever configured to engage the clip's ou |
| 6023827 |
Cam heat sink clip installation and removal tool and method |
February 15, 2000 |
| A tool for the installation and removal of a lever cam operated spring clip. One embodiment of the invention has a pair of levers pivotally attached together, with one of the levers configured to frictionally engage the cam lever and the other lever configured to engage the clip's ou |
| 6018867 |
Integrated circuit cartridge extracting tool |
February 1, 2000 |
| An integrated circuit cartridge extracting tool includes a generally u-shaped frame including a crossbar and first and second legs extending from the crossbar. An upper bar is located adjacent to the crossbar. First and second rods are coupled to the upper bar and extend through the |
| 6014901 |
Extraction force tester |
January 18, 2000 |
| An extraction force tester which measures the force necessary to remove header pins from the sockets of a cable connector in a steady straight line motion, the extraction force tester includes: a base, a tensile force gauge slidably mounted to the base and a pin assembly slidably mounted |
| 5987738 |
Integrated circuit cartridge extracting method |
November 23, 1999 |
| An integrated circuit cartridge extracting method includes providing a generally u-shaped frame including a crossbar and first and second legs extending from the crossbar. An upper bar is located adjacent to the crossbar. First and second rods are coupled to the upper bar and extend |
| 5987706 |
Device for removably coupling a plurality of structures |
November 23, 1999 |
| An apparatus for coupling at least two structures. The apparatus comprises a resilient, elongated coupling member having a plurality of spaced-apart apertures and a plurality of projections positioned between respective pairs of adjacent apertures. The apertures in a first portion of the |
| 5960522 |
Ribbon cable alligator clamp |
October 5, 1999 |
| An apparatus for securing a folded section of ribbon cable. Two elongate members are connected to each other at a first end so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The ribbon cable is positioned adjacent the inner surfaces of the first and second members w |
| 5937745 |
Method of clamping a ribbon cable |
August 17, 1999 |
| An apparatus for securing a folded section of ribbon cable. Two elongate members are connected to each other at a first end so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position. The ribbon cable is positioned adjacent the inner surfaces of the first and second members w |
| 5903972 |
Method of mounting components on printed circuit boards |
May 18, 1999 |
| An adaptor tool for mounting components onto printed circuit boards. The adaptor tool has two capture members that define an opening sized to receive the component. The capture members are linked together such that the application of torque to the adaptor tool by a torque tool via a |
| 5884368 |
Method for removably coupling a plurality of structures |
March 23, 1999 |
| A method for coupling at least two structures. The method comprises engaging the structures with a resilient, elongated band. The band has a plurality of spaced-apart projections extending away from a first portion thereof and a plurality of spaced-apart apertures positioned in a second |
| 5860291 |
Chambered forced cooling method |
January 19, 1999 |
| An apparatus and method for cooling components within a housing, such as those of a computer system. Multiple chambers are created within the housing, each having at least one cooling fan and a corresponding air inlet. These chambers are segregated by an internal divider or baffle el |
| 5813243 |
Chambered forced cooling system |
September 29, 1998 |
| An apparatus and method for cooling components within a housing, such as those of a computer system. Multiple chambers are created within the housing, each having at least one cooling fan and a corresponding air inlet. These chambers are segregated by an internal divider or baffle el |
| 5798464 |
Method of measuring extraction forces |
August 25, 1998 |
| An extraction force tester which measures the force necessary to remove header pins from the sockets of a cable connector in a steady straight line motion, the extraction force tester includes: a base, a tensile force gauge slidably mounted to the base and a pin assembly slidably mounted |
| 5731525 |
Extraction force tester |
March 24, 1998 |
| An extraction force tester which measures the force necessary to remove header pins from the sockets of a cable connector in a steady straight line motion, the extraction force tester includes: a base, a tensile force gauge slidably mounted to the base and a pin assembly slidably mounted |
