Abstract:
The disclosed embodiments relate to an expansion card support mechanism. In certain embodiments, a tool-free, chassis mountable arm comprising a support end and a card-configurable mount to orient the support end over an expansion card within a chassis, wherein the chassis mountable arm is adapted to bias the expansion card. In other embodiments, a system has a card support mechanism configurable for at least one electronics card. The card support mechanism has a chassis with at least one tool-free mounting mechanism, and an arm rotatably coupled to the chassis, wherein the arm comprises a card retention end springably engageable against a peripheral portion of the at least one electronics card.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE RELATED ART 
   Electronic systems and devices, such as desktop computers and servers, often provide expansion capabilities such as expansion slots for expansion cards. In certain applications, these expansion cards are not physically supported at peripheral portions, thereby rendering the expansion cards vulnerable to undesirable vibrations and movement during shipping and other events. As a result, these vibrations and movement can damage the expansion card and the surrounding electronics and render the system non-functional. 
   Several techniques may be used to prevent such damaging vibrations and movement. For example, a full-length expansion card may have an end retainer securable to the chassis with a screw. However, the end retainer does not provide intermediate support for the expansion card, thereby leaving the expansion card vulnerable to substantial vibrations and movement. Another example is a retainer mounted to a bar spanning the chassis over the expansion card. However, the bar renders the expansion card inaccessible without first detaching the bar. A further example is a clam-shell chassis having a retainer mounted to a hinged access panel. Unfortunately, these techniques are not readily adjustable or modifiable to the particular expansion card. For example, these techniques are generally not configurable to the existence or non-existence of expansion cards and, thus, they are added at cost to every system regardless of the need for expansion card support. These techniques also can complicate access to the expansion cards and interfere with cabling and other components. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Advantages of one or more disclosed embodiments may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a computer chassis comprising an adjustable card support positioned over a card slot according to certain embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the computer chassis illustrating mounting features for the adjustable card support in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the adjustable card support illustrating tool-free mounting mechanisms for a spring-loaded finger in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the adjustable card support illustrating tool-free mounting mechanisms for a chassis mountable base in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is front perspective view of the spring-loaded finger in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is rear perspective view of the spring-loaded finger in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a computer chassis  1  having an adjustable card support  2  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. As discussed in further detail below, the adjustable card support  2  is adapted to retain an expansion card in connection with a desired card slot, while also physically supporting the expansion card at a peripheral portion or outer region (e.g., freely movable side or card edge). In this manner, the adjustable card support  2  inhibits undesired vibrations and movement of the expansion card during shipping and other events. Moreover the adjustable card support  2  is configurable to accommodate one or more expansion cards, which may have a variety of different features, dimensions, weights, and so forth. The adjustable card support  2  further provides tool-free mounting mechanisms to simplify mounting and dismounting of the support  2  and its various components. In certain embodiments, the adjustable card support  2  is cantilevered to the chassis  1 , such that the adjustable card support extends over the desired one or more expansion cards. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the adjustable card support  2  comprises a chassis mountable base  3  and an array of one or more resilient arms or spring-loaded fingers  4 . As discussed below, the chassis mountable base  3  may be mounted to the computer chassis  1  by any suitable tool-based or tool-free mechanism, such as a latch, a hook and slot, a snap-fit structure, a spring biased catch and receptacle, a friction fit, a compressive fit, and other suitable techniques. Similarly, the spring-loaded fingers  4  may be mounted to the chassis mountable base  3  by any suitable tool-based or tool-free mechanism, such as the foregoing techniques. Moreover, the illustrated spring-loaded fingers  4  are selectively mountable, removable, and exchangeable with a variety of different resilient arms or spring-loaded fingers  4 , such that the adjustable card support  2  can accommodate various types, sizes, and configurations of expansion cards. For example, various embodiments of the finger  4  may comprise a spring of a desired stiffness, a material of a desired flexibility, a length suitable for dimensions of a particular expansion card, and so forth. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the one or more resilient arms or spring-loaded fingers  4  are rotatably mounted to the chassis mountable base  3  at an array of one or more receptacles  5 . Although various embodiments may have different numbers and configurations of the spring-loaded fingers  4  and receptacles  5 , the illustrated embodiment comprises four of the receptacles  5  to accommodate up to four of the spring-loaded fingers  4 , while only two of the spring-loaded fingers  4  are employed in the illustrated computer chassis  1 . More specifically, the illustrated adjustable card support  2  comprises spring-loaded fingers  6  and  7  mounted in receptacles  8  and  9  of the receptacle array  5 . If desired, additional spring-loaded fingers  4  may be disposed in vacant receptacles  10  and  11  of the receptacle array  5 . Accordingly, the array of receptacles  5  provides the flexibility to mount these various resilient arms or spring-loaded fingers  4  over resident expansion cards, while removing the fingers  4  for vacant expansion card slots. 
   As further illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the spring-loaded fingers  4  of the adjustable card support  2  are adapted to bias expansion cards into a mounted position, and are further adapted for substantially inhibiting lateral movement of intermediate peripheral portions of the expansion cards (i.e., free outer regions). Accordingly, the illustrated adjustable card support  2  is cantilevered to a rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1 , such that the spring-loaded fingers  6  and  7  are positioned above card slots  13  and  14  disposed on a motherboard or circuit board  15 . Although the adjustable card support  2  may accommodate a variety of sizes and types of expansion cards, the illustrated chassis  1  comprises a full-sized expansion card  16  disposed in card slot  13  and a low-profile or reduced size expansion card  17  disposed in card slot  14 . Upon mounting the adjustable card support  2 , the spring-loaded fingers  6  and  7  engage the full-sized and low-profile expansion cards  16  and  17  at intermediate peripheral portions or intermediate card edges opposite from the card slots  13  and  14  (i.e., at free outer regions). In operation, the spring-loaded fingers  6  and  7  of the finger array  5  create a retention or biasing force directed toward the card slots  13  and  14 , such that the spring-loaded fingers  6  and  7  bias the expansion cards  16  and  17  securely within the card slots  13  and  14 . 
   Additionally, the spring-loaded fingers  6  and  7  comprise lateral retention mechanisms or contacting portions  18  and  19 , which are adapted to inhibit lateral movement of the peripheral portions of the expansion cards  16  and  17  opposite the card slots  13  and  14 . In certain embodiments, the contacting portions  18  and  19  comprise a substantially frictional material, such as a rubberized pad or a sticky material. Moreover, some embodiments of the contacting portions  18  and  19  may comprise a plurality of grooves, ribs, fins, or other multi-leveled surfaces, which laterally secure the peripheral portions of the expansion cards  16  and  17 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the contacting portions  18  and  19  comprise plastic ribs  20 , which are integral to the spring loaded finger  4 . 
   In addition to the foregoing retention features, the adjustable card support  2  illustrated in  FIG. 1  is configurable to various card sizes, e.g., dimensions and weights. Specifically, the adjustable card support  2  is automatically adjustable to different card heights by way of the rotatability and spring-loaded characteristics of the spring-loaded finger  4 . For example, if a relatively tall expansion card is mounted below the adjustable card support  2 , then the spring-loaded finger  4  rotates to a relatively higher position to accommodate the tall expansion card. Similarly, if a relatively short expansion card is mounted below the adjustable card support  2 , then the spring-loaded finger  4  rotates to a relatively lower position to accommodate the short expansion card. However, in either application, the spring-loaded finger  4  provides a retention force against the expansion card to retain the expansion card securely within its respective card slot. In addition, a variety of different spring loaded fingers  4  may be selected to accommodate different card dimensions, weights, and so forth. For example, a longer or shorter finger  4  may be selected based on the height of the expansion card. Moreover, a variety of different spring loads, types, or configurations may be selected depending on the desired retention force for a particular expansion card. For example, a stiffer spring force may be selected for a finger  4  being used for a heavier expansion card. 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 1 through 4 , the adjustable card support  2  also provides for the attachment and detachment with the computer chassis  1  without the use of tools, i.e., tool-free, in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention. For example, embodiments may have tool-free mounting mechanisms, such as latches, snaps, hooks, compression fits, and/or friction fits, without tool-based mounting mechanisms, such as screws and bolts. Although the adjustable card support  2  may comprise a variety of tool-free mounting mechanisms, the illustrated adjustable card support  2  comprises housing hooks  22  and  23  coupled with hook couplings  24  and  25  on the rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1 . Additionally, the illustrated adjustable card support  2  comprises squeeze snaps  26  and  27  coupled to hook members and/or receptacles  28  and  29  on the rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1 . The adjustable card support  2  also has protruding tabs or lips  30  and  31 , which are insertable into mating receptacles  32  and  33  on the rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1 . 
   For attachment of the adjustable card support  2  to the computer chassis  1 , the housing hooks  22  and  23  are interlocked with the hook couplings  24  and  25 . The adjustable card support  2  is then rotated about the hook couplings  24  and  25  to position the squeeze snaps  26  and  27  adjacent the hook members or receptacles  28  and  29  on the rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1 . Upon further rotation, the squeeze snaps  26  and  27  are automatically deflected by their contact with the hook members or receptacles  28  and  29 , and the squeeze snap lips or latches  36  and  37  automatically and securely engage with the hook members or receptacles  28  and  29  on the rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1 . Additionally, as the latches  36  and  37  engage and interlock with the hook members or receptacles  28  and  29 , the protruding tabs or lips  30  and  31  engage the mating receptacles  32  and  33 . 
   For removal of the adjustable card support  2  from the computer chassis  1 , the squeeze snaps  26  and  27  are depressed at grip members  38  to facilitate decoupling of the squeeze snap lips or latches  36  and  37  from the hook members or receptacles  28  and  29 . The adjustable card support  2  may then be rotated away from the rear portion  12  of the computer chassis  1  about the interlocked housing hooks  22  and  23  and hook couplings  24  and  25 . During this rotation, the protruding tabs or lips  30  and  31  disengage the mating receptacles  32  and  33 . Finally, the housing hooks  22  and  23  can be disengaged from the hook couplings  24  and  25 . Accordingly, the tool-free mounting mechanisms of the adjustable card support  2  facilitate quick and easy attachment and detachment with the computer chassis  1  without the use of tools or additional separate fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.). Again, as discussed above, the adjustable card support  2  may incorporate other suitable tool-free mounting mechanisms. 
   The spring-loaded fingers  4  also benefit from tool-free mounting mechanisms. As discussed above, the adjustable card support  2  comprises one or more spring-loaded fingers  4  mounted in receptacles  5  of the chassis mountable base  3 . Depending on the particular application, a different number or type of these fingers  4  may be mounted within the receptacles  5  to provide retention support for the adjacent expansion cards. Accordingly, the modularity or exchangeability of these spring-loaded fingers  4  is further illustrated with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As illustrated, the chassis mountable base  3  comprises a housing portion  39 , a cantileverable portion  40 , and a structural frame  41  having vents  42 . The housing portion  39  of the chassis mountable base  3  comprises the receptacles  5  for selectively and removably receiving the desired spring-loaded fingers  4 . In each of these receptacles  5 , a variety of tool-free mounting mechanisms are provided to facilitate a quick and easy attachment, detachment, and exchange of the desired spring-loaded fingers  4 . 
   More specifically, in the illustrated embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the receptacles  5  each comprise an upper member  43 , two side members  44 , and a rear member  45 . The illustrated side members  44  are generally smooth with raised support portions  46 . However, these side members  44  may employ other suitable texture and support features. The illustrated side members  44  provide lateral support to the side walls  47  of a housing  48  of the spring-loaded finger  4 . The upper member  43  comprises a front catch lip or receptacle  49  and a rear catch or opening  50 . For tool-free mounting with the front catch lip or receptacle  49  and the rear catch or opening  50 , the spring-loaded finger  4  comprises a front catch or latching hook  51 , a rear catch or latching hook  55 , and spring latching structure  52  (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). 
   Referring generally to  FIGS. 3–6 , for removable mounting to the adjustable card support  2 , the illustrated spring-loaded finger  4  may be inserted into the receptacle  5  such that the rear catch  55  and the spring latching structure  52  engage the rear catch or opening  50 , and the front catch or latching hook  51  engages the front catch lip or receptacle  49 . During insertion of the spring-loaded finger  4  into the receptacle  5 , the spring latch  52  deforms resiliently to facilitate passage of the spring latch  52  below the upper member  43 . As a rear wall  53  of the spring-loaded finger  4  approaches and/or abuts the rear member  45  of the desired receptacle  5 , a spring latch lip  54  of the spring latch  52  reaches the rear catch or opening  50 . At this point, the spring latch  52  returns to its original state to position the spring latch lip  54  against a side of the rear opening  50 , thereby releasably locking the spring-loaded finger  4  within the receptacle  5 . Further, the rear catch  55  projecting from the rear wall  53  and a top wall  57  of the finger housing  48  extends over a rear shelf  58  projecting from the rear member  45  in the receptacle  5 . This shelf engagement between the rear catch  55  and the rear shelf  58  cooperates with the spring latch  52  to maintain secure retention of the spring latch lip  54  within the rear opening  50 . In addition, the shelf engagement cooperates with the front catch or latching hook  51  to maintain secure retention of the latching hook  51  about the front catch lip or receptacle  49 . 
   For removal of the spring-loaded finger  4  from the receptacle  5 , the spring latch  52  is depressed to release the spring latch lip  54  from the rear opening  50 . The spring-loaded finger  4  is then pulled from the receptacle  5 , such that the rear catch  55  withdraws from the rear shelf  58  and the front catch or latching hook  51  withdraws from the front catch lip or receptacle  49 . During removal, the spring latch  52  remains deformed or depressed, such that the spring latch lip  54  passes below the upper member  43 . Upon complete removal, the spring latch  52  returns to its original undeformed state. 
   Turning now specifically to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , specific features of the spring-loaded finger  4  are described in further detail. As illustrated, the housing  48  of the spring-loaded finger  4  comprises a top wall  57 , two side walls  47 , and a rear wall  53 . The top wall  57  comprises the front catch or latching hook  51  projecting upward and back toward the rear wall  53  from a front end  59 , such that hook  51  is L-shaped. Additionally, the rear catch  55  of the spring-loaded finger  4  projects upward from the top wall  57  and outward from the rear wall  53 . As discussed above, the front catch  51  and the rear catch  55  are configured for engagement with the front catch lip  49 , the rear opening  50 , and the rear member  45  of the receptacle  5 . 
   The spring-loaded finger  4  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  further comprises an elongated shaft  60  pivotally attached to the finger housing  48  with a pivot member  61 . In this embodiment, the spring-loaded finger  4  also comprises a spring coil  21 , which creates a rotational force  62  to bias the spring-loaded finger  4  toward the desired expansion card. As a result, the spring-loaded finger  4  maintains connection of the desired expansion card within its respective slot and thereby prevents dislodgement of the expansion card during vibrations and movement of the computer chassis  1 . 
   At an outer end or free end  63  of the shaft  60 , the spring-loaded finger  4  comprises a card engagement or contacting portion  65  to provide lateral retention of the desired expansion card. For example, the contacting portion  65  may comprise a substantially frictional material or textured surface, such as a rubberized surface and/or a texture of ribs, grooves, or multiple levels. Upon biased contact against the desired expansion card, the contacting portion  65  laterally retains the expansion card to inhibit undesirable vibrations and movement.