Abstract:
An apparatus for installing and extracting a component on a printed circuit board includes an adjustable body having a first angled edge and a second angled edge. Each of the first and second angled edges is formed with a flange engageable with a surface of the component. The adjustable body may be adjustable to a first position to allow each of the flanges to engage a surface of the component. The adjustable body may include a first tab and a second tab extending therefrom. The first and second tabs are moved toward each other to adjust the adjustable body within a range of positions.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is related to application Ser. No. ______, pending, entitled “Component Installer and Extractor” which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and filed concurrently herewith. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates generally to components on a printed circuit board, and more specifically to installing and extracting such components.  
           [0004]    2. Background Information  
           [0005]    As computer systems become increasingly sophisticated, their internal components often become smaller and more densely situated. For example, a printed circuit board (PCB), such as a motherboard, for a computer system may have numerous integrated circuits disposed on the surface of the PCB. Adjacent integrated circuits are placed close to one another to take advantage of the entire surface area of the PCB. Although integrated circuits are often installed on a PCB by machines, some components may be installed by a user. However, because of the dense grouping of integrated circuits and other components on a PCB, it is difficult to manually install a component that is to be located adjacent another component. Furthermore, it may be necessary to remove the component if it is damaged or needs to be upgraded, and removing the component can be as problematic as installing the component because of the space constraints. Manually installing and extracting a component can also subject the component to undesirable forces.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    An apparatus for moving a component of a computer system comprises an adjustable body having a first angled edge and a second angled edge. Each of the first and second angled edges is formed with a flange engageable with a surface of the component. In one embodiment, a first tab and a second tab extend from the adjustable body. When the first and second tabs are moved toward each other, the first and second angled edges are moved relative to each other.  
           [0007]    Additional features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings. The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying figures.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of an adjustable claw engaged with a component in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of another embodiment of an adjustable claw adjacent a component in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of the adjustable claw shown in FIG. 2A engaged with a component that is disposed on a printed circuit board in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of an adjustable claw engaged with a component in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3B illustrates an exploded view of the adjustable claw shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one part of an adjustable claw in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an adjustable claw engaged with a component in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    The description and accompanying drawings are for purposes of illustration and are not to be used to construe the invention in a restrictive manner. In the following description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be practiced without these specific details. In particular, the invention will be described with specific reference to memory modules, but it is appreciated that the invention is not limited to use with any one component.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable claw  100  engaged with a component  150 , such as a memory module or other component which may be used in a computer system. Claw  100  includes an adjustable body formed with a first claw member  102  and a second claw member  104 . In one embodiment, members  102  and  104  are identical pieces. Thus, manufacturing and repair of claw  100  may be facilitated. Claw  100  also includes an adjustable handle  106 . Members  102  and  104  and handle  106  are independently rotateable about a common axis which is the longitudinal axis of a pin  103 . Members  102  and  104  and handle  106  are held together by pin  103 . Members  102  and  104 , handle  106  and pin  103  may be made from plastic or any suitably rigid material.  
         [0018]    Member  102  has an angled edge  108  which is positioned adjacent edge  158  of component  150  such that a flange (not shown) extending from angled edge  108  is engageable with the bottom surface or underside of component  150 . Member  102  may be formed with an opening  116  to allow a subcomponent  154  of component  150  to be seen underneath member  102 . Member  104  has an angled edge  110  which is positioned adjacent edge  156  of component  150  such that a flange (not shown) extending from angled edge  110  is engageable with the underside of component  150 . Member  104  may be formed with an opening  118  to allow a subcomponent  154  of component  150  to be seen underneath member  104 . The flanges of angled edges  108  and  110  engage the underside of component  150  together such that adjustable claw  100  “grabs” component  150 . Subsequently, adjustable claw  100  may be used to move component  150  by, for example, lifting component  150  using handle  106 .  
         [0019]    It should be noted that adjustable claw  100  may be turned around such that angled edge  108  is adjacent edge  156  and angled edge  110  is adjacent edge  158 . Furthermore, openings  116  and  118  in members  102  and  104 , respectively, may be used as finger holds to allow a user to push members  102  and  104  toward each other such that adjustable claw  100  maintains a secure hold on component  150 .  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2A illustrates a side view of an adjustable claw  200  in a partially closed position. Claw  200  includes an adjustable body formed with a first claw member  202  and a second claw member  204 . In one embodiment, members  202  and  204  are identical pieces. In another embodiment, the undersides of members  202  and  204  are formed with a recessed or hollow area to accommodate subcomponents  254  when claw  200  is engaged with component  250 . Claw  200  also includes an adjustable handle  206 . Members  202  and  204  and handle  206  are independently rotateable about a common axis which is the longitudinal axis of a pin  203 . Members  202  and  204  and handle  206  are held together by pin  203 . Members  202  and  204 , handle  206  and pin  203  may be made from plastic or any suitably rigid material.  
         [0021]    Member  202  has an angled edge  208  from which a flange  212  extends. Member  204  has an angled edge  210  from which a flange  214  extends. In one embodiment, flanges  212  and  214  are centered along the widths of angled edges  208  and  210 , respectively. Additionally, flanges  212  and  214  may extend orthogonally from angled edges  208  and  210 , respectively, to better engage the underside  262  of component  250  when claw  200  is adjusted to grab component  250 .  
         [0022]    When claw  200  is adjusted to an open position to grab component  250 , the angle between members  202  and  204  is wide enough to allow flanges  212  and  214  to clear edges  258  and  256 , respectively, of component  250 . Because different components may have different dimensions, an open position of claw  200  for grabbing a component is not defined by any one angle between members  202  and  204 . Furthermore, claw  200  may be formed with larger or smaller members  202  and  204  to provide a better fit for larger or smaller components.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2B illustrates a side view of claw  200  in a securing position around component  250 . Claw  200  may be viewed in FIG. 2B as completing installation of component  250  on printed circuit board  270  or beginning extraction of component  250 . In either situation, the space between components  274  and  276  on printed circuit board  270  is just large enough to accommodate component  250  coupled to socket  272  via connector  260 . Gaps  220  and  230  between the edges of component  250  and components  274  and  276  may not be large enough for a user to grab component  250  with his or her fingers and install/extract component  250  without damaging neighboring components  274  and  276 . Grabbing component  250  by its edges length-wise (into and out of page) is not a suitable alternative because doing so could subject component  250  to undesirable bending stresses.  
         [0024]    Because angled edges  208  and  210  of claw  200  have a thin profile, they can be positioned within gaps  220  and  230  to engage the underside  262  of component  250  with flanges  212  and  214 . When claw  200  is engaged with component  250 , there is clearance between claw  200  and components  274  and  276  to move claw  200  laterally during installation/extraction of component  250 . Thus, claw  200  may be used to provide safer installation/extraction of component  250 .  
         [0025]    To install component  250  on printed circuit board  270  using claw  200 , component  250  is engaged by claw  200  and then positioned over printed circuit board  270  such that connector  260  is positioned over socket  272 . Once component  250  is properly positioned, claw  200  is pushed down until connector  260  mates securely with socket  272 . Claw  200  is then disengaged from component  250 . To extract component  250  from printed circuit board  270  using claw  200 , component  250  is engaged by claw  200  and then pulled out of socket  272  by pulling on handle  206 .  
         [0026]    [0026]FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a perspective view and an exploded view, respectively, of another embodiment of an adjustable claw according to the present invention. Adjustable claw  300  includes an adjustable body formed with a first claw member  302  and a second claw member  304 . In one embodiment, members  302  and  304  are identical pieces. The undersides of members  302  and  304  are formed with a recessed or hollow area to accommodate subcomponents  354  on a top surface  352  of component  350  when claw  300  is engaged with component  350 .  
         [0027]    Claw  300  also includes an adjustable handle  306 . Members  302  and  304  and handle  306  are independently rotateable about a common axis which is the longitudinal axis of a pin  303 . Members  302  and  304 , handle  306  and spring  339  are held together by pin  303  which is inserted through through-holes  341   a ,  341   b  and  341   c  of member  302 , through-holes  347   a ,  347   b  and  347   c  of member  304 , through-holes  307   a  and  307   b  of handle  306 , and spring  339 . Groove  305  of pin  303  prevents pin  303  from slipping out of hole  307   b  once end  309  of pin  303  is pushed through hole  307   b . End  309  is tapered to facilitate pushing end  309  through through-holes  307   a  and  307   b , which are slightly smaller than the widest part of the tapered area of end  309 . Members  302  and  304 , handle  306  and pin  303  may be made from plastic or any suitably rigid material.  
         [0028]    Member  302  has an angled edge  308  from which a flange (not shown) extends. Member  304  has an angled edge  310  from which a flange (not shown) extends. The flanges of angled edges  308  and  310  engage the underside of component  350  in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 2B with respect to flanges  212  and  214 . When claw  300  engages component  350 , angled edge  308  abuts edge  358  of component  350  and angled edge  310  abuts edge  356  of component  350 . It is appreciated that claw  300  may be used in an alternative orientation such that angled edge  308  abuts edge  356  and angled edge  310  abuts edge  358 .  
         [0029]    Members  302  and  304  engage each other to permit the insertion of pin  303  while limiting their range of rotation around pin  303 . Specifically, member  302  is formed with eyelets  336 ,  338  and  340  which are lined up with eyelets  342 ,  344  and  346  of member  304  in an alternating manner. Thus, eyelet  336  is located between eyelets  342  and  344 , eyelet  338  is located between eyelets  344  and  346 , and eyelet  340  is located adjacent eyelet  346 . Spring  339  is located between eyelets  344  and  338 . Eyelet  336  has a protrusion  333  which engages groove  343  of eyelet  342 . Eyelet  346  has a protrusion  349  which engages groove  345  of eyelet  340 . Grooves  343  and  345  define the range of movement of protrusions  333  and  349 , respectively. Accordingly, members  302  and  304  have a limited range of rotation around pin  303 .  
         [0030]    Members  302  and  304  are formed with tabs  332  and  334 , respectively, which allow a user to open claw  300  by concurrently pushing tabs  332  and  334  toward each other. Opening claw  300  disengages claw  300  from component  350 . By concurrently pushing tabs  332  and  334  toward each other, claw  300  may be symmetrically adjustable. Spring  339  resists the movement of tabs  332  and  334  toward each other. Opposite ends of spring  339  press against tabs  332  and  334  to push tabs  332  and  334  away from each other. Thus, spring  339  forces claw  300  to a securing position (as limited by grooves  343  and  345 ) which securely engages component  350 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a claw member. Claw member  402  is integrally formed with eyelets  436 ,  438  and  440  which have through-holes  441   a ,  441   b  and  441   c , respectively. Through-holes  441   a ,  441   b  and  441   c  are aligned with one another. Eyelet  436  may be formed with a groove, such as groove  345  shown in FIG. 3B, and eyelet  440  may be formed with a protrusion, such as protrusion  333  shown in FIG. 3B. A flange  412  extends from an angled edge  408  of claw member  402 . In one embodiment, flange  412  is integrally formed with angled edge  408 . It is appreciated that flange  412  may be longer or shorter as necessary to securely engage the underside of a component.  
         [0032]    Partitions  405   a  and  405   b  extend from an inner surface  401  of claw member  402 . The area bounded by partitions  405   a  and  405   b  and inner surface  401  provides room to accommodate a subcomponent or other feature which extends from the surface of the component being engaged. Panels  411   a  and  411   b  may be sized such that the bottom edges of panels  411   a  and  411   b  press down on a component when the component is being installed. It is appreciated that an adjustable claw comprising claw member  402  may be positioned to engage a component such that the bottom edges of panels  411   a  and  411   b  do not press down on fragile subcomponents of the component during installation. Furthermore, partitions  405   a  and  405   b  may be used, in addition to or alternatively to panels  411   a  and  411   b , to press down on the component during installation.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of yet another embodiment of an adjustable claw according to the present invention. Adjustable claw  500  is similar to adjustable claw  300  shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. Adjustable claw  500  includes an adjustable body formed with a first claw member  502  and a second claw member  504 . In one embodiment, members  502  and  504  are identical pieces. Claw  500  also includes an adjustable handle  506 . Members  502  and  504  and handle  506  are independently rotateable about a common axis which is the longitudinal axis of a pin  503 . Members  502  and  504  and handle  506  are held together by pin  503 . Member  502  is formed with a flange  510 . Member  504  is similarly formed with a flange  514 . Flanges  510  and  514  help prevent claw  500  from inadvertently shifting its position along component  550  once claw  500  is engaged with component  550 . For example, if claw  500  shifts toward end  552  of component  550 , flange  510  contacts subcomponent  512  and prevents any further movement of claw  500  toward end  552 . Flange  514  operates similarly if claw  500  shifts away from end  552 .  
         [0034]    In the foregoing detailed description, the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the broader scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, an adjustable claw according to the present invention may have a flexible one-piece body rather than a two-piece body which is rotateable about a pin. The present specification and figures are accordingly to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.