Abstract:
A socket for retaining a module includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The base includes a slot extending along the longitudinal axis. The slot is configured to receive a contact mating edge of a module. The slot defines a module retention plane along which a module is inserted into the slot. An end bracket is joined to the base and extends along the module retention plane. At least one locking member is disposed on the end bracket. The locking member is configured to engage the module to prevent removal of the module once the module is fully inserted into the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates generally to sockets for retaining modules in computer equipment and, more particularly, to a locking socket that inhibits unauthorized removal of an electronic module. 
   Computers may use numerous types of electronic modules, such as processor and memory modules (e.g. Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), or Extended Data Out Random Access Memory (EDO RAM), and the like). The modules are produced in a number of formats such as, for example, Single In-line Memory Modules (SIMM&#39;s), or the newer Dual In-line Memory Modules (DIMM&#39;s). 
   Typically, the modules are installed in one or more multi-pin sockets mounted on a system board or motherboard. As computers have become faster and more powerful, there has also been a demand for more and faster memory and processors. At least some sockets are designed to allow processors and memory to be supplemented, replaced, or upgraded in the field by an end user. However, while some systems can support memory modules of more than one type and size, the various types of memory modules available are not all interchangeable. Therefore, care should be taken that memory modules are used that are compatible with a given system when memory is being added or replaced in a system. If memory is installed that is incompatible with the system board, the system may fail, or at best become unreliable. 
   In certain applications, it is desirable that the end user not be able to remove processors or memory modules from the system so that problems that might arise from reconfiguration of the system do not occur. One approach to preventing removal of modules in the field involves soldering the processor or memory modules in the socket. Soldering the module into the socket is undesirable however, since it renders the module non-removable without de-soldering which can degrade the host board. 
   BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   In one embodiment, a socket for retaining a module is provided. The socket includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis between opposite first and second ends. The base includes a slot extending along the longitudinal axis. The slot is configured to receive a contact mating edge of a module. The slot defines a module retention plane along which a module is inserted into the slot. An end bracket is joined to the base and extends along the module retention plane. At least one locking member is disposed on the end bracket. The locking member is configured to engage the module to prevent removal of the module once the module is fully inserted into the base. 
   Optionally, the end bracket includes a channel that joins the slot. The locking member is formed within the channel in the end bracket. The locking member is configured to engage a notch formed in an edge of the module. The locking member includes a locking arm having a bevel projection and a locking surface. A side edge of the module slides past the bevel projection and the locking surface engages a notch in the side edge of the module. The end bracket includes a pair of side walls and an end wall defining an open-sided channel. The locking member is positioned between the side walls within the open-sided channel. 
   In another embodiment, a socket for retaining a module includes a base extending along a longitudinal axis between opposed first and second ends. The base includes a slot for receiving a contact mating edge of the module. An end bracket is provided at one of the opposed first and second ends of the base. The end bracket is bifurcated into a lower end bracket portion and an upper end bracket portion joined to one another. The upper and lower end bracket portions are permanently joined to one another. A locking member is disposed on the end bracket. The locking member is configured to engage the module to prevent removal of the module from the base. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a locking socket for a memory module in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view showing an end of the socket of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of an end bracket of the socket shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective cut away view of the socket of  FIG. 1  showing a locking member in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary socket  10  used to mount a memory module  12  on a circuit board (not shown). The memory module  12 , in one embodiment, may be a Dual In-Line Memory Module (DIMM); however, no limitation is intended thereby. Alternative embodiments of the socket  10  may be used with other types of modules such as Single In-Line Memory Modules (SIMM) and other edge mounted memory modules. Memory sockets such as socket  10  allow circuit boards, such as motherboards used in computer equipment, to be made in somewhat standard configurations that can later be customized when memory is added. Memory modules such as the memory module  12  can also be manufactured with varying memory capacities that can be installed in the same memory socket such as the socket  10 . 
   The socket  10  includes a housing  14  that has a base  16  extending along a longitudinal axis A between opposed end brackets  18  and  20 . The base  16  includes an upper edge  23  having a slot  24  therein that is configured to receive the contact mating edge (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the module  12 . The slot  24  extends along the longitudinal axis A of the base  16 . The base  16  includes an array of contacts  28  which are positioned laterally on both sides of the slot  24 . The contacts  28  connect with electrical traces on the circuit board when the socket  10  is mounted on the circuit board. The contacts  28  interconnect pads (not shown) on the module  12  with the electrical traces on the circuit board when the module  12  is installed in the socket  10 . The housing  14  is fabricated from a dielectric material and is typically surface mounted on the circuit board via the contacts  28  using techniques well known in the art. 
   In one embodiment, each end bracket  18  and  20  includes a pair of side walls  30  and an end wall  32 . End brackets  18  and  20  are provided with channels  34  that are aligned with and face one another. The channels  34  are dimensioned and configured to receive respective side edges  38  of the module  12 . 
     FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view showing a portion of the base  16  and the end bracket  20  of the socket  10 . The end bracket  20  is bifurcated into an upper end bracket portion  40  and a lower end bracket portion  42 . The channel  34  extends from the top surface  35  downward through the upper end bracket portion  40  and into the lower end bracket portion  42 . The channels  34  have an open end  33  at the top surface  35  and an open side  37  proximate edges  39  of the side walls  30 . The open sides  37  of the channels  34  face one another and are aligned parallel to, and along, a module retention plane P (denoted in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 ). The channels  34  and slot  24  are aligned in and define sides and an end of the module retention plane that extends orthogonally upward from the base  16 . The module  12  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is inserted in the direction of arrow B along the module retention plane P. The end brackets  18  and  20  provide lateral support to the module  12  along the direction denoted by arrow C (shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the end bracket  20 . The upper bracket portion  40  includes a body  44  with upper and lower stepped sides  45  and  46  respectively. Stepped sides  45  and  46  are joined at a shoulder  47 . The lower stepped side  46  includes a raised tab  48 . The body  44  includes a slot  50  that extends upwardly from a lower end  52  of the stepped side  46 . The lower end  52  of the lower stepped sides  46  includes angled edges  53  that extend to an end wall  54 . The end wall  54  has a pair of side sections  55  that define a portion of the slot  50 . A locking latch  56  is formed on the angled edge  53  of each lower stepped side  46 . 
   The lower bracket portion  42  includes a pair of side panels  58  that extend upwardly from a base section  60 . A tongue portion  62  also extends upwardly from the base section  60  between the side panels  58 . A recessed channel  63  is formed on an inner surface of the side panels  58 . A latch slot  64  is formed on an outer surface  65  of the base section  60 . The latch slot  64  has a locking hole  66  that extends into a cavity  67  between the tongue portion  62  and the side panels  58 . 
   The upper and lower bracket portions  40  and  42  respectively, are joined by positioning the upper bracket portion  40  above the lower bracket portion  42  and inserting the upper bracket portion  40  into the lower bracket portion  42  in the direction of arrow E until the upper ends  68  of the side panels  58  abut the shoulder  47  on upper bracket portion  40 . The tongue portion  62  is received in the slot  50  and the tabs  48  are received in the recessed channels  63  as the upper and lower bracket portions  40  and  42  are joined. The locking latches  56  slide along the recessed channels  63  and snap into the locking hole  66  to lock the upper and lower bracket portions  40  and  42  together. In the assembled end brackets  18  and  20 , the interleaving of the side panels  58 , and tongue portion  62  with the lower stepped sides  46  yields a structure the enhances the strength and reliability of the end brackets  18  and  20 . 
   In an alternative embodiment, the end brackets  18  and  20  may be formed each as a single unitary piece joined to the base  16 . In another embodiment, the end brackets  18  and  20  may be integral with the base  16 . 
     FIG. 4  is a partial perspective cut away view of the end bracket  18  of the socket  10 . The end bracket  18  includes a locking member  70  located between the stepped sides  45  and  46  (stepped side  46  is not shown in  FIG. 4 ). The locking member  70  prevents removal of the module  12  once fully inserted into the channel  34  and slot  24 . The locking member  70  includes a locking arm  72  that has a lower end  74  that includes a bevel projection  76 , a locking surface  78 , and a stop surface  80 . The bevel projection  76  extends into the channel  34  and faces the opposed end bracket  20 . A relief channel  82  is provided in the end wall  54  behind the locking arm  72 . The locking arm  72  is normally biased in a stress free state such that the bevel projection  76  extends into the channel  34 . The locking arm  72  is deflectable in the direction of arrow D out of the channel  34  and into the relief channel  82 . Optionally, the end bracket  20  may also include a similar locking member  70 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , notches  90  and  92  are provided in the module  12  and are standard in the construction of modules such as DIMMS. The notches  90  and  92  each includes an upward facing surface  94  adjacent the side edge  38  of the module  12 . A contact mating edge  96  of the module  12  is also shown seated in the slot  24 . 
   During assembly, the housing  14  is attached to the circuit board (not shown) via the contacts  28 . The upper end bracket portions  40  at opposite end brackets  18  and  20  may be joined to the lower end bracket portions  42  of the housing  14 , as described above, either before or after the housing  14  is mounted on the circuit board. The module  12  is inserted into the channel  34  of the socket  10 , in the direction of arrow B, beginning with the contact mating edge  96  and then the side edges  38 . As the contact mating edge  96  and the lower portion of the side edge  38  encounter the bevel projection  76  on the locking arm lower end  74 , the locking arm  72  is deflected in the direction of arrow D into the relief channel  82 . As the module  12  is seated in the slot  24  in the base  16 , the lower edge of the side edge  38  moves past the bevel projection  76  allowing the locking arm  72  to move back toward its original position. The stop surface  80  rests against the side edge  38  and the locking surface  78  engages the upward facing surface  94  of the notch  92  adjacent the side edge  38  of the module  12 . At this point, the module  12  is fully installed. Interference between the locking surface  78  and the notch upward facing surface  94  prevents the removal of the module  12  without damage to or the destruction of the socket  10 , or the module  12 , or both. 
   The embodiments thus described provide a cost effective locking module socket that inhibits removal of a module once the module is installed in the socket. The locking module socket facilitates the avoidance in the field of problems associated with the replacement of the factory installed modules with unqualified or incompatible modules. The locking module socket also prevents changes in the configuration of the system. The locking module socket reduces service and warranty expense. 
   Optionally, the socket  10  may be used with other card type modules besides memory modules. For example, the socket  10  may receive a daughter card or mother board containing a variety of circuit components, each of which is encompassed within the term module as used throughout. 
   While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.