Abstract:
A daughter card extractor tool is disclosed and may include a handle that defines a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the daughter card extractor tool may include a daughter card engagement assembly that may extend from the distal end of the handle. The daughter card extractor tool is movable between a first position in which the daughter card engagement assembly is partially engaged with a daughter card and the daughter card is engaged with a motherboard, a second position in which the daughter card extractor tool is fully engaged with the daughter card and the daughter card remains engaged with the motherboard, and a third position in which the daughter card engagement assembly remains fully engaged with the daughter card and the daughter card is at least partially disengaged from the motherboard.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to computer devices, and more particularly, to tools for extracting daughter cards from motherboards within computer devices. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0002]    A typical computer device, e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a server, or any other electronic device that includes a processor, etc. may include a motherboard. One or more daughter cards may be engaged with the motherboard. The daughter card may include a plurality of connectors that may engage correspondingly sized and shaped connectors on the motherboard. Removing the daughter card from the motherboard may be difficult and may result in damage to the motherboard, the daughter card, or both. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, there exists a need for a tool to assist in disengaging a daughter card from a motherboard. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    A daughter card extractor tool is disclosed and may include a handle that defines a proximal end and a distal end. Further, the daughter card extractor tool may include a daughter card engagement assembly that may extend from the distal end of the handle. The daughter card extractor tool is movable among a first position in which the daughter card engagement assembly is partially engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card is engaged with a motherboard, a second position in which the daughter card engagement assembly is fully engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card remains engaged with the motherboard, and a third position in which the daughter card engagement assembly remains fully engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card is at least partially disengaged from the motherboard. 
         [0005]    In still another aspect, a kit is disclosed and may include a server that has a motherboard. The kit may also include a daughter card that is configured to be installed within the motherboard. Further, the kit may include a daughter card extractor tool that is configured to engage the daughter card when the daughter card is installed in the motherboard and to provide an extraction force on a lower surface of the daughter card to disengage the daughter card from the motherboard. 
         [0006]    In yet another aspect, a kit is disclosed and may include a daughter card that may be configured to be installed within a motherboard. The kit may also include a daughter card extractor tool that is configured to engage the daughter card when daughter card is installed in the motherboard and to provide an extraction force on a lower surface of the daughter card to disengage the daughter card from the motherboard. 
         [0007]    In another aspect, a daughter card extractor tool is disclosed and may include a means for handling and a daughter card means for engagement extending from the handling means. In this aspect, the daughter card extractor tool is movable among a first position in which the daughter card engagement means is partially engaged with a daughter card while the daughter card is engaged with a motherboard, a second position in which the daughter card engagement means is fully engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card remains engaged with the motherboard, and a third position in which the daughter card engagement means remains fully engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card is at least partially disengaged from the motherboard. 
         [0008]    In still another aspect, a method of extracting a daughter card from a mother board within an electronic device is disclosed. The method may include engaging a daughter card extractor tool with the daughter card and moving the daughter card extractor tool from a first position in which the daughter card engagement assembly is partially engaged with a daughter card while the daughter card is engaged with a motherboard to a second position in which the daughter card engagement assembly is fully engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card remains engaged with the motherboard. Further, the method may include moving the daughter card extractor tool from the second position to a third position in which the daughter card engagement assembly remains fully engaged with the daughter card while the daughter card is at least partially disengaged from the motherboard. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    In the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise indicated. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a first daughter card extractor tool; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plan view of the first daughter card extractor tool partially engaged with a daughter card; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the first daughter card extractor tool taken at circle  3  within  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first daughter card extractor tool fully engaged with the daughter card; 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the first daughter card extractor tool fully engaged with the daughter card; 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a detailed view of the first daughter card extractor tool taken at circle  6  within  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the first daughter card extractor tool taken at circle  7  within  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first daughter card extractor tool engaged with the daughter card installed in a motherboard; 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  is another perspective view of the first daughter card extractor tool engaged with a daughter card installed in a motherboard; 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a second daughter card extractor tool; 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the second daughter card taken along line  11 - 11  within  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the second daughter card extractor tool fully engaged with a daughter card; 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  is a detailed perspective view of the second daughter card extractor tool taken at ellipse  13  within  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the second daughter card engaged with the daughter card installed in a motherboard; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  is another perspective view of the second daughter card engaged with the daughter card installed in a motherboard. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first aspect of a daughter card extractor tool is shown and is generally designated  100 . As illustrated, the daughter card extractor tool  100  includes a handle  102  that may include a proximal end  104  and a distal end  106 . Further, the handle  102  of the daughter card extractor tool  100  may define an axis  108 . The proximal end  104  of the handle  102  may be formed with a hole  110 . The hole  110  may be sized and shaped to allow a cable (not shown) to be passed through the handle  102  of the daughter card extractor tool  100 . The cable (not shown) may act as a tether and may prevent the daughter card extractor tool  100  from falling into a motherboard, described below, and causing damage to the motherboard while the daughter card extractor tool  100  is being used to extract a daughter card from the motherboard, as described in detail below. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  indicates that the daughter card extractor tool  100  may further include a daughter card engagement assembly  112  that may extend from, or be integrally formed with, the distal end  106  of the handle  102  of the daughter card extractor tool  100 . As shown, the daughter card engagement assembly  112  of the daughter card extractor tool  100  may include a lateral arm  114  that may extend from the distal end  106  of the handle  102 . The lateral arm  114  may include a proximal end  116  and a distal end  118 . Further, the lateral arm  114  may define an axis  120 . The axis  120  of the lateral arm  114  that may establish an angle  122  with respect to the axis  108  of the handle  102  of the daughter card extractor tool  100 . In a particular aspect, the angle  114  that the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114  forms with respect to the axis  108  of the handle  102  may be in a range of one hundred ten degrees to one hundred thirty degrees (110° and 130°). 
         [0028]    Referring still to  FIG. 1 , the daughter card engagement assembly  112  may include a first daughter card engagement arm  124  that extends from the lateral arm  114 . The first daughter card engagement arm  124  may extend from the lateral arm  114  substantially perpendicular to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114 . Further, as indicated in  FIG. 1 , the daughter card engagement assembly  112  may include a second daughter card engagement arm  126  that extends from the lateral arm  114 . The second daughter card engagement arm  126  may also extend from the lateral arm  114  substantially perpendicular to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114  in the same direction as the first daughter card engagement arm  124 . 
         [0029]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first daughter card engagement arm  124  may include a proximal end  128  and a distal end  130 . The second daughter card engagement arm  126  may also include a proximal end  132  and a distal end  134 . The distal end  130  of the first daughter card engagement arm  124  may be formed with a notch  136 . Moreover, the distal end  134  of the second daughter card engagement arm  126  may be formed with a hook  138 . 
         [0030]      FIG. 1  indicates that the notch  136  formed in the distal end  130  of the first daughter card engagement arm  124  may include an upper face  140  and a side face  142 . The upper face  140  of the notch  136  may be substantially parallel to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114 . The side face  142  of the notch  136  may be substantially perpendicular to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114  and substantially perpendicular to the upper face  140  of the notch  136 . 
         [0031]    The hook  138  formed in the distal end  134  of the second daughter card engagement arm  126  may include an upper face  144 , a side face  146 , and a lower face  148 . The upper face  144  of the hook  138  may be substantially parallel to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114 . The side face  146  of the hook  138  may be substantially perpendicular to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114  and substantially perpendicular to the upper face  144  of the hook  138 . Moreover, the lower face  148  of the hook  138  may be substantially parallel to the axis  120  of the lateral arm  114  and substantially parallel to the upper face  144  of the hook  138 . 
         [0032]    As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the notch  136  formed in the distal end  130  of the first daughter card engagement arm  124  may have a depth  150 . It is to be understood that the depth  150  of the notch  136  is the distance from the upper face  140  of the notch  136  to the far distal end  130  of the first daughter card engagement arm  124 . The hook  138  formed in the distal end  134  of the second daughter card engagement arm  126  may also have a depth  152 . It is to be understood that the depth  152  of the hook  138  is the distance between the upper face  144  of the hook  138  and the lower face  148  of the hook  138 . 
         [0033]    The depth  150  of the notch  136  is such that the notch  136  may fit over the edge of a daughter card, described below. Further, the depth  152  of the hook  138  is such that the hook  138  may fit around another edge of the daughter card. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  further shows that that the daughter card engagement assembly  112  of the daughter card engagement tool  100  may have a width  154 . It is to be understood that the width  154  of the daughter card engagement assembly  112  is the distance between the side face  142  of the notch  136  formed in the first daughter card engagement arm  124  and the side face  146  of the hook  138  formed in the second daughter card engagement arm  126 . 
         [0035]    The width  154  of the daughter card engagement assembly  112  is such that the daughter card engagement assembly  112  may fit over a daughter card, described below, and allow the notch  136  and the hook  138  to engage the daughter card as described herein. 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the daughter card extractor tool  100  is shown partially engaged with a daughter card  200 . In a particular aspect, the daughter card  200  may provide network connectivity, e.g., to a cellular device, a mobile device, or a communication network. As shown, the daughter card  200  includes a substrate  202 . The substrate  202  may include an upper surface  204  and a lower surface  206 . A circuit board  208  may be disposed on, or over, the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202 . The daughter card  200  may include at least one connector bank  210  that may extend beyond the lower surface  206  of the substrate  202 . In a particular aspect, the daughter card  200  may include as many as five or six connector banks  210 . Each connector bank  210  may be a one hundred twenty pin connector bank. The connector bank  210  on the daughter card  200  is substantially sized and shaped to fit into, or around, a correspondingly substantially sized and shaped connector bank (not shown) on a motherboard  800 , shown in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 2  indicates that the daughter card  200  may define a leading edge  212  and a trailing edge  214 . 
         [0037]    As indicated in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , during use of the daughter card extractor tool  100 , the hook  138  formed in the distal end  134  of the second daughter card engagement arm  126  may be moved over the leading edge  208  of the daughter card  200  such that the upper face  144  of the hook  138  rests on, or otherwise engages, the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202  of the daughter card  200 . Thereafter, the daughter card extractor tool  100  may be rotated clockwise in  FIG. 2 , as indicated by arc  216 , so that the notch  136  formed in the distal end  130  of the first daughter card engagement arm  124  moves downward toward the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202  until the upper face  140  of the notch  136  rests against, or otherwise engages, the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202 , as shown in  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7 . 
         [0038]    As the daughter card extractor tool  100  continues to rotate in the direction indicated by arc  216 , the upper face  144  of the hook  138  formed in the distal end  134  of the second daughter card engagement arm  126  may disengage from the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202  and the lower face  148  of the hook  138  formed in the distal end  134  of the second daughter card engagement arm  126  may engage the lower surface  206  of the substrate  202 . The upper face  140  of the notch  136  formed in the distal end  130  of the first daughter card engagement arm  124  may remain in contact with the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202 . 
         [0039]    Further, the interface between the upper face  140  of the notch  136  and the area of contact on the upper surface  204  of the substrate  202  may act as a fulcrum and the daughter card extractor tool  100  may rotate about the fulcrum. As the daughter card extractor tool  100  continues to rotate in the direction indicated by arc  216 , the lower face  148  of the hook  138  may provide an extraction force  216  on the lower surface  206  of the substrate  202 . Once the extraction force  216  overcomes the engagement force between the connector bank  210  on the daughter card  200  and the connector bank on the motherboard  800 , the daughter card  200  may begin to disengage from the motherboard  800 . Once the daughter card  200  is sufficiently disengaged from the motherboard  800 , a user may reach in with his or her thumb and forefinger to safely remove and retrieve the daughter card  200  from the motherboard  800 . 
         [0040]    As discussed above,  FIG. 3  is a detailed view of the the partial engagement of the daughter card extractor tool  100  with the daughter card  200  taken at circle  3  in  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  illustrates the daughter card extractor tool  100  fully engaged with the daughter card  200 .  FIG. 6  is a first detailed view of the full engagement of the daughter card extractor tool  100  with the daughter card  200  taken at circle  6  in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7  is a second detailed view of the full engagement of the daughter card extractor tool  100  with the daughter card  200  taken at circle  7  in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9  are perspective views of the daughter card extractor tool  100  fully engaged with the daughter card  200  while the daughter card  200  is installed in the motherboard  800 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a second aspect of a daughter card extractor tool is shown and is generally designated  1000 . As illustrated, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  includes a handle  1002  that may include a proximal end  1004  and a distal end  1006 . Further, the handle  1002  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may define an axis  1008 . The proximal end  1004  of the handle  1002  may be formed with a hole  1010 . Further, the distal end  1006  of the handle  1002  may be formed with a hole  1012 . The holes  1010 ,  1012  in the handle  1002  may facilitate manufacturing of the daughter card extractor tool. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  indicates that the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may further include a daughter card engagement assembly  1014  that may extend from the distal end  1006  of the handle  1002  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000 . As shown, the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may include a first portion  1016  that may extend from the distal end  1006  of the handle  1002 . The first portion  1016  may include a proximal end  1018  and a distal end  1020 . Further, the first portion  1014  may extend along the axis  1008  that is defined by the handle  1002 . The first portion  1016  may also be formed with a groove  1022  that extends substantially along the length of the first portion  1016  from the distal end  1020  of the first portion  1016  to the proximal end  1018  of the first portion  1016 . Further, the first portion  1016  may be formed with a slot  1024  that extends laterally through the first portion  1016  along the first portion  1016  near the distal end  1020  of the first portion  1016 . 
         [0043]    As depicted in  FIG. 10 , the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may also include a second portion  1026  that extends along the axis  1008  defined by the handle  1002 . The second portion  1026  may include a proximal end  1028  and a distal end  1030 . Also, the second portion  1026  may be formed with a tongue  1032  substantially along the length of the second portion  1026  from the proximal end  1026  of the second portion  1026  to the distal end  1030  of the second portion  1026 . The tongue  1032  formed on second portion  1026  of the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  is sized and shaped to fit into the groove  1022  formed in the first portion  1016  of the daughter card engagement assembly  1014 . More specifically, the tongue  1032  and groove  1022  arrangement may allow the second portion  1026  to slide into and out of the first portion  1016  in order to allow the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  to be adjusted, as described in detail below, so that the daughter card engagement tool  1000  may be used to extract daughter cards having varying sizes and shapes. The second portion  1026  may also include a lateral hole (not shown) formed therein. The lateral hole in the second portion  1026  may be formed with internal threads. Further, a thumb screw  1034 , formed with corresponding external threads, may extend through the slot  1024  formed in the first portion  1016  and may engaged the lateral hole, as shown in  FIG. 11 . Accordingly, the thumb screw  1034  may be loosened to allow the second portion  1026  to slide relative to the first portion  1016 . Also, the thumb screw  1034  may be substantially tightened to prevent the second portion  1026  from moving, or sliding, relative to the first portion  1016 . 
         [0044]    Referring still to  FIG. 10 , the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  may include a first daughter card engagement arm  1036  that extends from the first portion  1016 . The first daughter card engagement arm  1036  may extend from the first portion  1016  substantially perpendicular to the first portion  1016 . Further, as indicated in  FIG. 10 , the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  may include a second daughter card engagement arm  1038  that extends from the second portion  1026 . The second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may also extend from the second portion  1026  substantially perpendicular to the second portion  1026  in the same direction as the first daughter card engagement arm  1036 . 
         [0045]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  may include a proximal end  1040  and a distal end  1042 . The second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may also include a proximal end  1044  and a distal end  1046 . The distal end  1042  of the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  may be formed with a notch  1048 . Moreover, the distal end  1046  of the second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may be formed with a hook  1050 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  indicates that the notch  1048  formed in the distal end  1042  of the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  may include an upper face  1052  and a side face  1054 . The upper face  1052  of the notch  1048  may be substantially parallel to the axis  1008  of the handle  1002 . The side face  1054  of the notch  1048  may be substantially perpendicular to the axis  1008  of the handle  1002  and substantially perpendicular to the upper face  1052  of the notch  1048 . 
         [0047]    The hook  1050  formed in the distal end  1046  of the second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may include an upper face  1056 , a side face  1058 , and a lower face  1060 . The upper face  1056  of the hook  1050  may be substantially parallel to the axis  1008  of the handle  1008 . The side face  1058  of the hook  1050  may be substantially perpendicular to the axis  1008  of the handle  1008  and substantially perpendicular to the upper face  1056  of the hook  1050 . Moreover, the lower face  1060  of the hook  1050  may be substantially parallel to the axis  1008  of the handle  1008  and substantially parallel to the upper face  1056  of the hook  1050 . 
         [0048]    It is to be understood that the notch  1048  formed in the distal end  1042  of the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  may be configured similar to the notch  136  ( FIG. 1 ) formed in the first daughter card extractor tool  100  ( FIG. 1 ), described above. In other words, the notch  1048  may have a depth that is substantially similar to the depth  150  ( FIG. 1 ) of the notch  136  ( FIG. 1 ), described above. Further, it is to be understood that the hook  1050  formed in the distal end  1046  of the second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may be configured similar to the hook  138  ( FIG. 1 ) formed in the first daughter card extractor tool  100  ( FIG. 1 ), described above. In other words, the hook  1050  may have a depth that is substantially similar to the depth  152  ( FIG. 1 ) of the hook  138  ( FIG. 1 ), described above. 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  further shows that that the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  of the daughter card engagement tool  1000  may have a width  1062 . It is to be understood that the width  1062  of the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  is the distance between the side face  1054  of the notch  1048  formed in the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  and the side face  1058  of the hook  1050  formed in the second daughter card engagement arm  1038 . Moreover, the width  1062  of the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  may be adjusted by loosening the thumb screw  1034  and sliding the second portion  1026  linearly along the axis  1008  relative to the first portion  1016 . The second portion  1026  may be extended relative to the first portion  1016  in order to increase the width  1062 . Conversely, the second portion  1026  may be retracted relative to the first portion  1016  in order to decrease the width  1062 . Once the desired width  1062  is achieved, the thumb screw  1034  may be substantially tightened in order to prevent the second portion  1026  from sliding relative to the first portion  1016 . 
         [0050]    Still referring to  FIG. 10 , the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may include a motion limiting arm  1064  that may extend from the proximal end  1004  of the handle  1002 . In a particular aspect, the motion limiting arm  1064  may extend from the handle  1002  in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the axis  1008  of the handle  1002 . Further, the motion limiting arm  1064  may extend in the same direction as the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  and the second daughter card engagement arm  1038 . 
         [0051]    As illustrated, the motion limiting arm  1064  may include a proximal end  1066  and a distal end  1068 . The distal end  1068  of the motion limiting arm  1064  may be formed with a hole  1070 . In a particular aspect, the hole  1070  formed in the distal end  1068  of the motion limiting arm  1064  may be sized and shaped to allow a cable (not shown) to be passed through the motion limiting arm  1064  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000 . The cable (not shown) may act as a tether and may prevent the daughter card extractor tool  1000  from falling into a motherboard, described below, and causing damage to the motherboard while the daughter card extractor tool  1000  is being used to extract a daughter card from the motherboard, as described in detail below. 
         [0052]    During use, describe below, the motion limiting arm  1064  may prevent the daughter card extractor tool  1000  from over-rotating and potentially, damaging a daughter card that is engaged with the daughter card extractor tool  1000 . Such damage may include the daughter card peeling away from one or more connector banks, described below. In a particular aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus five degrees (0°-5.0°). In another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus four and one-half degrees (0° to −4.5°). In yet another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus four degrees (0° to −4.0°). In still another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus three and one-half degrees (0° to −3.5°). In another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus three degrees (0° to −3°). Further, in another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus two and one-half degrees (0° to −2.5°). In yet another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus two degrees (0° to −2.0°). In still another aspect, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate over a range of zero degrees to minus one and one-half degrees (0° to −1.5°). It is to be understood that at zero degrees (0°) the axis  1008  of the handle  1002  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  is substantially parallel to an upper surface of the motherboard, described below. 
         [0053]    In another aspect, the motion limiting arm  1064  may be made adjustable similar to the daughter card engagement assembly  1014  of the daughter card extractor tool  1000 . In such a case, the motion limiting arm  1064  may include a first portion formed with a groove and a second portion formed with a tongue. The first portion may further be formed with a slot laterally there through and the second portion may be formed with an internally threaded hole. Similar to the daughter card engagement assembly  1014 , an externally threaded thumb screw may be installed through the slot in the first portion of the motion limiting arm and the thumb screw may engage the internally threaded hole. The thumb screw  1034  may be loosened to allow relative motion between the second portion of the motion limiting arm  1064  and the first portion of the motion limiting arm  1064 . Further, the thumb screw  1034  may be substantially tightened to prevent relative motion between the second portion of the motion limiting arm  1064  and the first portion of the motion limiting arm  1064 . Accordingly, a length of the motion limiting arm  1064  may be changed. 
         [0054]      FIG. 11  is a cross-section view of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  taken along line  11 - 11  in  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 12  is a view of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  as it is fully engaged with a daughter card  1200 .  FIG. 13  is a detailed view of the daughter card extractor tool  1000  as it is fully engaged with a daughter card  1200  taken at ellipse  13  in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0055]    Referring now to  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 15 , the daughter card extractor tool  1000  is engaged with a daughter card  1200 . As shown, the daughter card  1200  includes a substrate  1202 , or substrate. The substrate  1202  may include an upper surface  1204  and a lower surface  1206 . A circuit board  1208  may be disposed on, or over, the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202 . The daughter card  1200  may include at least one connector bank  1210  that may extend beyond the lower surface  1206  of the substrate  1202 . In a particular aspect, the daughter card  1200  may include as many as five or six connector banks  1210 . Each connector bank  1210  may be a one hundred twenty pin connector bank. The connector bank  1210  on the daughter card  1200  is sized and shaped to fit into, or around, a correspondingly sized and shaped connector bank (not shown) on a motherboard  1400 , shown in  FIG. 14  and  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 12  indicates that the daughter card  1200  may define a leading edge  1212  and a trailing edge  1214 . 
         [0056]    During use of the daughter card extractor tool  1000 , the hook  1050  formed in the distal end  1046  of the second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may be moved over the leading edge  1208  of the daughter card  1200  such that the upper face  1056  of the hook  1038  rests on, or otherwise engages, the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202  of the daughter card  1200 . Thereafter, the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may be rotated clockwise in as shown in  FIG. 12  and  FIG. 15 , as indicated by arc  1216 , so that the notch  1048  formed in the distal end  1042  of the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  moves downward toward the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202  until the upper face  1052  of the notch  1048  rests against, or otherwise engages, the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202 , as shown in  FIG. 12  through  FIG. 14 . 
         [0057]    As the daughter card extractor tool  1000  continues to rotate in the direction indicated by arc  1216 , the upper face  1056  of the hook  1050  formed in the distal end  1046  of the second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may disengage from the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202  and the lower face  1060  of the hook  1050  formed in the distal end  1046  of the second daughter card engagement arm  1038  may engage the lower surface  1206  of the substrate  1202 . The upper face  1052  of the notch  1048  formed in the distal end  1042  of the first daughter card engagement arm  1036  may remain in contact with the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202 . 
         [0058]    Further, the interface between the upper face  1052  of the notch  1048  and the area of contact on the upper surface  1204  of the substrate  1202  may act as a fulcrum and the daughter card extractor tool  1000  may rotate about the fulcrum. As the daughter card extractor tool  1000  continues to rotate in the direction indicated by arc  1216 , the lower face  1060  of the hook  1050  may provide an extraction force  1218  on the lower surface  1206  of the substrate  1202 . Once the extraction force  1218  overcomes the engagement force between the connector bank  1210  on the daughter card  1200  and the connector bank on the motherboard  1400 , the daughter card  1200  may begin to disengage from the motherboard  1400 . Once the daughter card  1200  is sufficiently disengaged from the motherboard  1400 , a user may reach in with his or her thumb and forefinger to safely remove and retrieve the daughter card  1200  from the motherboard  1400 . 
         [0059]    With the configuration of structure described herein, each daughter card extractor tool  100 ,  1000  may be used to disengage a daughter card from a motherboard. The daughter card extractor tool  100 ,  1000  provides an appropriate force to disengage the daughter card from a motherboard while substantially minimizing the risk of damage to the daughter card, the motherboard, or a combination thereof. Further, each daughter card extractor tool  100 ,  1000  may be made from a non-metallic, non-conductive material, e.g., a polymer, in order to further minimize the risk of damage to the daughter card and the motherboard. Alternatively, each daughter card extractor tool  100 ,  1000  may be made have a metallic core that is coated or otherwise, surrounded by a non-metallic, non-conductive material. Further, the thickness of each daughter card extractor tool may be selected so as to further minimize the risk of damage to the daughter card, the motherboard, and other components within the motherboard. In particular, each daughter card extractor tool  100 ,  1000  may have a thickness that is less than or equal to one-quarter of an inch (0.25″). 
         [0060]    Although selected aspects have been illustrated and described in detail, it will be understood that various substitutions and alterations may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, as defined by the following claims. Further, elements from each aspect described herein may be combined to create additional aspects of daughter card extractor tools.