Abstract:
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a mount to receive a cartridge processor having an edge connector. The mount includes a motherboard connector mounted on a motherboard oriented to receive the edge connector with the processor in an orientation parallel to the board. Further, the mount may include guides for restraining said processor from movement.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to processors in general. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for horizontally connecting a microprocessor to a motherboard of a computer. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Designs in microprocessor architecture are accelerating at an extraordinary pace. It is conventional wisdom that computer technology becomes outdated every 12 months. This is especially true in the area of microprocessor design where users desire more powerful software applications, thus requiring more powerful microprocessors. 
   In an attempt to solve the problems associated with placing a microprocessor horizontally into a motherboard (e.g, the large amount of space needed on the motherboard to hold this component), a microprocessor referred to as a single edge connector cartridge (SECC) microprocessor was developed. An example of a SECC microprocessor is illustrated in FIG.  1 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , SECC microprocessor  10  includes a SECC cover  12 , a connector  14 , and a fan heat sink  16 . Connector  14  in this example is a slot  1  connector. Also shown in  FIG. 1  is motherboard  20 , on which is mounted a receiving slot  18 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , processor  10  has connector  14  on one side of cartridge  12  which is actually housing the microprocessor. Processor  10  can thus be mounted with the larger area of cartridge  12  perpendicular or vertical to motherboard  20 . By mounting processor  10  vertically to motherboard  20 , processor  10  has a smaller footprint and makes room for additional components on motherboard  20 . The vertical placement also allows the addition of heat sink  16  to processor  10 . 
   Although processor  10  solved one set of problems, a new set of problems developed. For example, processor  10  had a smaller footprint which meant precautions were necessary to prevent processor  10  from becoming disconnected from motherboard  20 . Disconnection could occur for any number of reasons, such as movement or vibration during transport or shock if someone accidentally bumped the housing for motherboard  20 . Moreover, the disconnect problem was augmented for processor  10  because of heat sink  16 . The overall weight of processor  10  amounts to approximately one pound with the addition of heat sink  16 . The weight of processor  10  means that movement of processor  10  could easily disconnect processor  10  from motherboard  20 , and in extreme situations, shatter the relatively fragile structure of motherboard  20 . 
   The problems with processor  10  led to the development of a structure to hold processor  10  in place to ensure it remained stable. This structure, referred to as a “retention module,” however, requires a large footprint, thereby significantly removing the footprint advantage gained using an SECC microprocessor. Furthermore, it adds yet another structure required in the assembly of a computer, thus increasing the cost of a computer to the consumer. In fact, many conventional retention modules require two separate structures, that is, one to hold processor  10  and a second to support heat sink  16 . Finally, processor  10  requires additional items such as captive fasteners and threaded bridge studs. Consequently, the additional components required by processor  10  add to the overall cost of the computer, as well as increasing the difficulty in assembling the computer during the manufacturing process. 
   Yet another problem is associated with processor  10 . Motherboard  20  and processor  10  are parts of a computer. Thus, motherboard  20  and processor  10 , as well as other computer components such as a hard drive, floppy disk drive, power supply, and so forth, are surrounded by a casing. This casing is typically made of hard plastic or metal. This means that processor  10  can not be accessed unless the casing is removed. This requirement has several limitations associated with it. For example, there is no assurance by the eventual purchaser of a computer that the processor is the same processor advertised for the computer. Another example is that repairs or upgrades were difficult to accomplish. 
   In view of the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a substantial need exists for a new processor mount that addresses the aforementioned problems. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   One embodiment of the present invention comprises a mount to receive a cartridge processor having an edge connector. The mount includes a motherboard connector mounted on a motherboard oriented to receive the edge connector with the processor in an orientation parallel to the board. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional SECC microprocessor. 
       FIG. 2  is an outline drawing in front elevation view of a computer suitable for practicing one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view, in outline of the computer of  FIG. 2 , showing a horizontal mount in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a connector coupled to a motherboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevation sectional view of a horizontal mount in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation view of a computer showing a heat sink for use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a partial side elevation view of a computer having a locking mechanism suitable for use with one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a computer having another locking mechanism suitable for use with one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a partial side elevation view of a computer in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, wherein the computer has slot to accommodate a processor with a heat sink. 
       FIG. 10  is a partial side elevation view of a computer showing still another locking mechanism suitable for use with one embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention includes a method and apparatus that improves upon conventional methods for connecting a microprocessor to a motherboard. The embodiments of the present invention reduce the number of components required to form the connection, thereby reducing the overall cost of manufacturing a computer, and simplifying the assembly of the computer. Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention permit a user to repair and upgrade a microprocessor without having to physically open the casing which houses the microprocessor. In addition, the present invention permits a user to readily ascertain the type of microprocessor used by the computer. This occurs without consuming any more space on a motherboard than required by an SECC microprocessor and retention module as used in the prior art. 
   Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout, there is illustrated in  FIG. 2  the outline front elevation view of a computer suitable for practicing one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the computer has a computer casing  30 , with drive bays  32  and  34  to house, for example, a 1.44 megabyte (mb) floppy drive and a hard drive, respectively. Computer casing  30  has a slot  36 , which forms an access point for the components located within casing  30 . Inserted into slot  36  is a processor  40  (see FIG.  3 ). Once inserted, a portion of processor  40  is visible to a user from outside casing  30 . Processor  40  is similar to processor  10  as shown in FIG.  1 . Processor  40  is capable of being viewed from outside casing  30 , due to a horizontal mount connector described in more detail in FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 3  is a plan view, in outline of the computer of  FIG. 2 , showing a horizontal mount in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , a motherboard  20  is within casing  30 . In conventional computers, motherboard  20  is substantially square with a vertical connector as shown in FIG.  1 . In this embodiment of the invention, however, a portion of motherboard  20  is removed to accommodate processor  40 . In this embodiment of the invention, motherboard  20  is equipped with guide slots  41  and  42 , which correspond to guide rails  43  and  45  of processor  40 , respectively, such that processor  40  can be mounted parallel or horizontal to motherboard  20 . As used herein, the term “horizontal mount” refers to a mount that permits a processor to remain substantially parallel to motherboard  20 , as opposed to a conventional “vertical mount” that permits a processor to remain substantially perpendicular to motherboard  20 . Also, as used herein, the term “parallel” refers to devices that are in the same plane or in different planes. 
   As stated before, processor  40  is similar to processor  10 . Processor  40  has an SECC casing  48 , a connector  46 , and guide rails  43  and  45 . Processor  40  can also include a heat sink  41 , as shown in  FIG. 9 , which will be discussed in connection with a different embodiment of this invention. 
   A microprocessor connector  44  is mounted on motherboard  20 . Microprocessor connector  44  is the interface that carries electrical signals between processor  40  and motherboard  20 , and forms a receiving slot or “female” connector that is configured to receive the processor leads or “male” connector (i.e., connector  46 ) of processor  40 . Connector  44  is similar to connector  18  shown in  FIG. 1 , except that connector  44  is horizontal or parallel to motherboard  20 , rather than vertical or perpendicular to motherboard  20  as in conventional microprocessor connectors. 
   In operation, a user can connect processor  40  into motherboard  20  without removing casing  30 . The user inserts processor  40  through slot  36 . Guide rails  43  and  45  are designed to match guide slots  41  and  42 . When the user begins the insertion process the configuration of the guide rails and slot, as well as slot  36 , help align processor  40  for smooth connection of connector  46  into connector  44 . Once guide rails  43  and  45  are seated in guide slots  41  and  42 , respectively, the user can slide processor  40  into slot  36  until connector  46  seats properly with connector  44 . A more detailed description of connector  44  is shown in FIG.  4 . 
   It is worthy to note that in this embodiment of the invention guide slots  41  and  42  are designed to receive guide rails  43  and  45  in accordance with principles well known in the art. Guide slots  41  and  42  and guide rails  43  and  45  help guide connector  46  into connector  44  to ensure the proper physical and electrical connection between motherboard  20  and processor  40 . It can be appreciated, however, that any means for guiding connector  46  into connector  44  falls within the scope of the invention. 
     FIG. 4  is a side elevation view of a connector coupled to a motherboard in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 4 , connector  44  includes receiving prongs  50  and  52 . Connector  44  is mounted on motherboard  20  such that receiving prongs  50  and  52  are substantially parallel to motherboard  20 . In this manner, connector  44  is capable of receiving processor  40  such that processor  40  is parallel to motherboard  20 . 
     FIG. 5  is a side elevation sectional view of a horizontal mount in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The horizontal mount described with reference to  FIG. 5  is similar to that shown in FIG.  3 . In  FIG. 5 , however, guide rails and guide slots are not mounted on processor  40  and motherboard  20 , respectively. Rather, a first guide block  60  and a second guide block  62  are used to align processor  40  as it is being inserted into slot  36  so that connector  46  seats properly with connector  44 . Guide block  60  is positioned to prevent processor  40  from moving up towards the top of casing  30 . Guide block  62  is used to keep processor  40  on track from left to right, and preventing processor  40  from moving down towards the bottom of casing  30 . 
   It is worthy to note that although the various embodiments of the invention described above use specific means for guiding connector  46  into connector  44 , it can be appreciated that any number of guiding means could be used that accomplish this function, and still fall within the scope of the invention. 
   As mentioned previously, conventional processors mount a heat sink on one side of the actual SECC case. An example of a heat sink  41  mounted to a processor  40  according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.  9 . In such a case, slot  36  would necessarily be wide enough to accommodate the size of the SECC processor and the heat sink. Moreover, the guiding mechanism would be made of sufficient strength to allow for the additional weight of the heat sink, as well as constructed to permit connector  46  to seat properly with connector  44  given the additional bulk of the heat sink. Alternatively, the heat sink could be moved from the processor to the internal structure of the computer within casing  30 . An example of this latter type of configuration is shown in FIG.  6 . 
     FIG. 6  is a partial side elevation view of a computer showing a heat sink for use in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a heat sink  70  is positioned above slot  36  and between connector  44  and the front of case  30 . Heat sink  70  is positioned above slot  36  because if heat sink  70  is mounted beneath processor  40 , a problem with heat dissipation arises because heat naturally rises. Also located on the front of case  30  is a fan  72 . 
   Processor  40  is inserted into slot  36 , and has a heat sink connector (not shown). Heat sink connector is used to channel heat from processor  40  to heat sink  70 . When connector  46  is seated properly with connector  44 , heat sink  70  is positioned so that the heat sink connector makes contact with heat sink  70 . In this manner, heat from processor  40  is removed by heat sink  70 . Heat dissipation can also be augmented using fan  72 . 
   Security is an important consideration because the size of processor  40  is relatively small, and yet the value of processor  40  is large. This creates motivation for a criminal to simply remove processor  40  without authorization. To avoid this situation, one embodiment of the present invention includes a locking mechanism to prevent unauthorized removal once processor  40  has been locked into place. 
     FIG. 7  is a partial side elevation view of a computer having a locking mechanism suitable for use with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 7 , a lock assembly  80  is mounted on the inside of casing  30 . Lock assembly  80  includes a key hole  82  for receiving a key (not shown), and a spring  84 . Spring  84  can provide, for example, five pounds of force. Thus, once processor  40  is inserted into slot  36 , and guided into place so that connector  46  seats properly within connector  44 , a user can lock processor  40  into place using lock assembly  80 . 
     FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a computer having another locking mechanism suitable for use with one embodiment of the invention. As shown in  FIG. 8 , teeth locks  90  are mounted on the SEC case for processor  40 . In addition, a guiding arrangement similar to that described with reference to  FIG. 5  is used, except that guide block  62  is adapted to push processor  40  upwards so that teeth locks  90  prevent processor  40  from being removed. For example, a lock operated spring, or some other mechanism can be used for moving processor  40  upwards to lock it in place, or downwards to unlock it. 
   Although various embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that modifications and variations of the present invention are covered by the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. For example, although various examples of guide means are disclosed herein, it can be appreciated that any apparatus to guide connector  46  for processor  40  into connector  44  for motherboard  20 , falls within the scope of the invention. Similarly, various locking mechanisms can be used with the present invention and still fall within the scope of the invention. For example, as shown in  FIG. 10  the apparatus to prevent processor  40  from being removed could comprise a clear plate or lattice structure  37  for covering slot  36  in case  30 , and a lock assembly  38  for locking the plate or lattice structure  37  to case  30 .