Patent ID: 6608755
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
An apparatus for coupling a first module to a second module, wherein the first module and the second module each comprises:a front face; a back face, opposite to the front face, wherein the back face comprises one or more connectors for coupling to a chassis; a first lateral edge, comprising a first keep-out region which extends at least a portion of the distance from the front face to the back face; a second lateral edge opposite to the first lateral edge, comprising a second keep-out region which extends at least a portion of the distance from the front face to the back face; wherein each of the first module and the second module has a first size; the apparatus comprising: a first plate; a second plate; and one or more coupling elements operable to couple the first plate to the second plate; wherein the first plate and the second plate each comprises a first lateral edge, and a second lateral edge opposite to the first lateral edge; wherein, in coupling the first plate to the second plate, the one or more coupling elements are operable to clamp the first keep-out region of the first module between the second lateral edge of the first plate and the second lateral edge of the second plate, and to clamp the second keep-out region of the second module between the first lateral edge of the first plate and the first lateral edge of the second plate, thereby coupling the first module to the second module to form a combined module of a second size; and wherein the combined module is operable to be inserted into a slot in the chassis, wherein the chassis comprises one or more slots each operable to receive a module of said second size.