Abstract:
A system and method is provided for individually changing the peripheral cards of an electronic device, when the cards are operationally held inside a chassis on a rack cabinet. Included is a platform for holding the peripheral cards, and a slide carrier mounted on the chassis for moving the platform with cards into and out of the internal chamber of the chassis. Importantly, this is done while the chassis remains stationary on the rack cabinet. When moved outside the chassis chamber, each peripheral card can be individually handled (i.e. installed or removed) without contact or operational interference with other peripheral cards held on the platform. Adapters on the platform can be adjusted to accommodate the dimensions of each peripheral card.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention pertains generally to systems and methods for connecting an electronic device, such as a computer, with a peripheral card. More particularly, the present invention pertains to systems and methods that provide operational access to peripheral cards. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a system and method for removing, installing or replacing a single peripheral card in a chassis, when a plurality of peripheral cards are installed in one of a plurality of chassis that is mounted in a rack cabinet. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In a computer system, there are various components that need to be electrically interconnected with each other in order for the system to accomplish its intended functional purpose. The main component of such a system is a central processor, or central processing unit (CPU). Internally, the CPU includes an arithmetic logic unit and a control unit. A CPU, however, will typically require electrical connections to external, application-specific devices that provide wherewithal for the CPU to accomplish particular functions. These devices are commonly referred to as “peripherals” or “peripheral cards” and, in general, they will each constitute an individual unit, such as an input device, an output device or a backing store. 
         [0003]    As technology has progressed, and computer applications have become more convoluted, computer systems have become larger and much more complex. For one, more components are required. In commercial ventures, it now happens that even relatively unsophisticated computer systems can require many different peripherals. And, in each case, these peripherals need to somehow be properly integrated into a system. Further, the peripherals are preferably connected and supported in a manner that allows them to be easily accessed for replacement and maintenance purposes. Normally, such support is provided by a chassis. 
         [0004]    In general, a chassis is an outer structural framework that is used to support electronic device(s). More specifically, in the context of the present invention, a chassis is typically shaped as a rectangular prism, and the devices it supports are peripheral cards. In most instances, several different peripheral cards (e.g. as many as four) are mounted on the same chassis. Further, large computer systems can require many chassis, with each chassis housing several peripherals. For each system, the actual number of chassis can vary significantly according to system requirements. On the other hand, the size of an individual chassis will depend primarily on the size and number of the peripheral cards it needs to hold. 
         [0005]    Industry wide, variations in the size of chassis have been somewhat standardized. In general, all computer system chassis have a standard width. The height (or depth) of a chassis, however, can vary according to standardized units generally classified as “U&#39;s”, wherein one “U” is equal to one and three-quarters of an inch (1U=1.75 in.). Thus, depending on its depth (height), a chassis may be a one, two, three or four “U” chassis. In any event, it is not surprising that as the number of required peripherals increases for a particular computer system, so does the number of chassis. A consequence of this is: it is now common practice to stack many chassis on a same rack cabinet. 
         [0006]    For many reasons, it can happen from time to time that a single peripheral card needs to be installed, removed, or replaced. When the peripheral card of interest is located in a chassis that is one of a large number of chassis on a rack cabinet, access to the particular peripheral card can be problematic. Heretofore, in such cases, it was necessary to remove the entire chassis from the rack cabinet. Then, once removed, it was necessary to remove the top panel from the chassis for access to the peripheral cards inside the chassis. All of this required special tooling, many man-hours and, more importantly, it often required the system be taken off-line while the changes in peripherals were being made. 
         [0007]    In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method that facilitates removing, installing or replacing a peripheral card of a computer system, when the card is operationally mounted on a chassis and the chassis is mounted on a rack cabinet. Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for removing, installing or replacing a peripheral card of a computer system that provides an adjustable mechanism for mounting different sized peripheral cards on the same chassis. Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method that allows for the installation, removal or replacement of a peripheral card without otherwise interfering with or obstructing the operation of the computer system in which the peripheral card is a component. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a system and method for removing, installing or replacing a peripheral card of a computer system that is relatively easy to manufacture, is simple to operate and is comparatively cost effective. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with the present invention, a system and method for installing, removing or replacing a peripheral card in a computer system envisions a platform for holding the peripheral card. Further, the platform is mounted in a chassis, and the chassis is held on a rack cabinet with many other similar chassis. In this environment, the system and method of the present invention facilitate access either directly to the peripheral card or to the location where it is to be mounted in the particular chassis. Importantly, this access can be accomplished without disengaging or removing the chassis from the rack cabinet. 
         [0009]    For purposes of the present invention, a peripheral card is considered to be substantially flat and rectangular in shape. Thus, it has a front edge, a rear edge and a pair of opposed side edges. The electronic components that provide functional capabilities for the peripheral card are then mounted directly on the card. 
         [0010]    Structurally, the system of the present invention includes a chassis that is substantially shaped like a rectangular prism. Accordingly, the chassis has a top panel, a bottom panel, opposed side members and opposed ends that together define a hollow, internal chamber for the chassis. A carrier on a slide rail is mounted on the bottom panel of the chassis, and the above-mentioned platform is mounted on the carrier. Further, a plurality of adapters is mounted on the platform. In this combination, the platform and its adapters can slide on the chassis for movement in the chamber on a path between the top and bottom panels and through an end of the chassis. 
         [0011]    Each adapter on the platform is specifically configured to receive and hold a peripheral card. To do this, a mechanical connector is mounted on a side edge of the peripheral card for direct engagement with the platform. Specifically, this engagement is made at a fixed, predetermined point on the platform. For the other side edge of the peripheral card, the adapter includes a card guide. Unlike the fixed mechanical connector, however, the card guide is affixed to an adjuster that can be selectively positioned on the platform at a distance from the fixed point where the mechanical connector engages with the platform. With this adjuster, the card guide can be positioned on the platform to accommodate the length of the front edge of the peripheral card. Additionally, an electronic connector is mounted on the platform for electrical engagement with the front edge of the peripheral card. Further, thumbscrews mounted on the platform are provided to engage/disengage the platform with the chassis. 
         [0012]    In the operation of the present invention, the platform and its associated peripheral cards are moveable between a first position and a second position. Specifically, in the first position, the peripheral card(s) are located inside the chassis chamber. In the second position, the peripheral card(s) are located outside the chassis chamber. For this movement, the thumbscrews on the platform are first manipulated to disengage the platform from the chassis. The platform and its peripheral cards are then moved from the first position to the second position. Once in the second position, the thumbscrew on the side edge of the adapter is manipulated to disengage the peripheral card from the platform. At this point, the peripheral card can slide along the card guide to release its front end from the electrical connector. The peripheral card can then either be repaired or replaced. While the platform is in its second position, peripheral card(s) can be inserted or installed on the platform, as desired. Thereafter, the platform and its associated peripheral cards can be returned to the first position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a plurality of chassis mounted on a rack cabinet for use with a CPU in a computer system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a chassis with a platform and associated peripheral cards extending outside the chamber of the chassis; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a platform and associated peripheral cards. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0017]    Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , a system in accordance with the present invention is shown and is generally designated  10 . In  FIG. 1  it will be seen that the system  10  can include a plurality of chassis  12  that are collectively mounted on a same rack cabinet  14 . For purposes of this disclosure, however, a single chassis  12  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is considered. Nevertheless, it will be appreciated by skilled artisans that, in accordance with the present invention, other chassis  12  will be substantially similar. With this in mind,  FIG. 1  also shows that the system  10  includes a computer processing unit (CPU)  16  that is electronically connected to the rack cabinet  14  via a wire or cable  18 . 
         [0018]    In  FIG. 2 , a single chassis  12  is shown to be a rectangular, prism shaped structure having a top panel  20 , a bottom panel  22 , a pair of opposed ends  24  and  26 , and a pair of opposed side members  28  and  30 . The height “h” of the chassis  12  (i.e. the distance between top panel  20  and bottom panel  22 ) is typically measured in units (i.e. U&#39;s) that are one and three quarter inches each. The height “h” for the chassis  12  is considered here to be 1U.  FIG. 2  also shows the system  10  includes a carrier  32  that is mounted on the chassis  12 . And, it includes a pair of platforms  34   a  and  34   b  that are respectively mounted on the carrier  32 . Additionally,  FIG. 2  shows a peripheral card  36  mounted on the platform  34   a,  and peripheral cards  38  and  40  mounted on the platform  34   b.  With reference to  FIG. 3 , it will be seen that an additional peripheral card  42  can be mounted on the platform  34   a,  along with the peripheral card  36 . As intended for the present invention, this arrangement allows as many as four different peripheral cards  36 ,  38   40  and  42  to be mounted on a same chassis  12 . Importantly, in the arrangement shown, each peripheral card  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  is equally accessible. 
         [0019]    Still referring to  FIG. 2 , the carrier  32  and platforms  34   a  and  34   b  are shown in a position wherein they are located outside an internal chamber  46  that is formed inside the chassis  12  between the top and bottom panels  20 ,  22 . As indicated above, when in the position shown in  FIG. 2 , all of the peripheral cards  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  are exposed so they can be equally and easily manipulated or accessed for installation, removal or replacement. It is an important aspect of the present invention that this access is possible, even though the chassis  12  remains mounted on the rack cabinet  14 . Further, it is to be appreciated that when the removal, replacement or installation of a peripheral card  36 ,  38 ,  40  or  42  has been completed, the carrier  32 , along with platforms  34   a  and  34   b,  and their respective peripheral cards  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  can be repositioned inside the chamber  46  of the chassis  12 . Thumbscrews  44   a  and  44   b  can then be engaged with the end  24  of chassis  12  to hold the carrier  32  and the peripheral cards  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  inside the chamber  46 . 
         [0020]    In greater detail, the structural aspects of the present invention will be best appreciated with reference to  FIG. 3 . For clarity, the disclosure here focuses on only the interaction of the peripheral card  36  with the platform  34   a.  It must be appreciated, however, that the interaction of the other peripheral cards  38 ,  40  and  42  with their respective platforms  34   a  or  34   b  are essentially the same. With this understanding,  FIG. 3  shows that the exemplary peripheral card  36  is substantially flat and has a front edge  48 , a rear edge  50  and a pair of opposed side edges  52  and  54 . Further, it is seen that the peripheral card  36  has a mechanical connector  56  that is affixed to its side edge  54 . Though not shown, various electrical components can be mounted on the peripheral card  36  for the purpose of performing specific functions with the CPU  16 . Electrically, these components are connected in contact with leads (also not shown) that are positioned along the portion  58  of front edge  48 . 
         [0021]    Still referring to  FIG. 3 , it is seen that an adapter  60  is mounted directly on the platform  34   a.  More specifically, the adapter  60  includes an electrical connector  62 , and it includes a card guide  64  that is attached to an adjuster  66 . Also, the adapter  60  includes an extension  68 . Importantly, the adjuster  66  can be selectively positioned on the adapter  60  in order to accommodate the length “I” of the front edge  48  of the peripheral card  36 . For an engagement of the peripheral card  36  with the platform  34   a,  these components must interact with each other. 
         [0022]    To engage the peripheral card  36  with the platform  34   a,  the adjuster  66  is first positioned on the adapter  60 . Specifically, this is done with consideration given to the length “l” of the front edge  48  of the peripheral card  36 . The mechanical connector  56  can then be engaged with the extension  68  of the adapter  60 . As the mechanical connector  56  is being engaged with the extension  68 , the side edge  52  of peripheral card  36  is able to slide into the card guide  64 . Also, during this engagement, the portion  58  on front edge  48  of the peripheral card  36  makes electrical contact with the electrical connector  62 . With this electrical contact, and with the side edge  52  of peripheral card  36  held in the card guide  64 , the thumbscrew  70  is engaged with the fixed point  72  to firmly hold the peripheral card  36  on the platform  34   a.    
         [0023]    In the operation of the system  10  of the present invention, whenever access to a peripheral card (e.g. peripheral card  36 ) is required, or whenever a new peripheral card  36  needs to be installed in the system  10 , the chassis  12  that is holding the peripheral card  36  is identified on the rack cabinet  14 . The thumbscrews  44   a  and  44   b  on the chassis  12  are then loosened, and the carrier  32  is pulled from the chamber  46  of chassis  12 , and into the position shown in  FIG. 2 . In this position, all of the peripheral cards  36 ,  38 ,  40  and  42  that are mounted in the chassis  12  on platforms  34   a  and  34   b,  as well as the carrier  32 , are exposed and accessible. Next, a thumbscrew  70  (see  FIG. 3 ) on the mechanical connector  56  is loosened. This disconnects the peripheral card  36  from the platform  34   a,  and it (the peripheral card  36 ) can then be removed and repaired or replaced, as necessary. 
         [0024]    The installation of a peripheral card  36  on a chassis  12  essentially includes the steps set forth above for the removal of a peripheral card  36 . Specifically, the carrier  32  needs to be pulled from the chamber  46  of the chassis  12 . Then, once the adjuster  66  and its card guide  64  are properly positioned on the adapter  60  (i.e. to accommodate the length “I” of the front edge  48  of peripheral card  36 ), the side edge  52  of the peripheral card  36  can be positioned in the card guide  64 . The peripheral card  36  is then moved forward toward the platform  34   a  and the mechanical connector  56  is engaged with the adapter  60 . This is done by tightening the thumbscrew  70  into a receptacle at the point  72  on adapter  60 . This also causes the portion  58  of front edge  48  of peripheral card  36  to electrically engage with the electrical connector  62 . Note: the distance between card guide  64  and the point  72 , where the mechanical connector  56  engages with the adaptor  60 , is established by the length “I” of the peripheral card  36 . By way of comparison, an adjuster  74  and its associated card guide  76  are shown positioned in  FIG. 3  to accommodate the peripheral card  42 . The difference in the sizes of the peripheral cards  36  and  42  is accounted for by the comparative positions of the adjusters  66  and  74  on the adapter  60 . When the peripheral card  36  has been engaged with the platform  34   a,  the carrier  32  can be returned to its position in the chamber  46  of chassis  12 , and secured there by tightening the screws  44   a  and  44   b.  As will be appreciated by the skilled artisan, one or more peripheral cards  36 ,  38 ,  40  or  42  can be individually or collectively removed, replaced or installed on a chassis  12  without interrupting the operation of any other peripheral card  36 ,  38 ,  40  or  42  in any chassis  12  in a rack cabinet  14 . Stated differently, power to the rack cabinet  14  or to individual chassis  12  in the rack cabinet  14  can continue while individual peripheral cards  36 ,  38 ,  40  or  42  are being manipulated. 
         [0025]    While the particular Sliding Card Carrier as herein shown and disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown other than as described in the appended claims.