Abstract:
A multi-sectional computing device configurable for a plurality of computing worlds, including portable and desktop computing worlds. The technique includes a space saving and configuration technique utilizing multiple joints disposed between multiple sections to facilitate rotational orientation of the sections to adjust for space limitations and other characteristics of a desired environment or computing world. The multiple sections include a display assembly and a housing assembly for computing components.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(s); 
     This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/041,010 filed on Jan. 7, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,667,889 which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to a system and method for installing printed circuit boards into an electronic device, and particularly to a device for guiding and retaining a printed circuit board in an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Printed circuit boards, otherwise known as boards or cards, serve as a basic framework for assembling electrical components into a useful electronic device. In a typical electronic device, electronic components are mounted onto a surface of the board. Metal lead wires from the component are then soldered to conductive traces on the board. Soldering the leads to the board serves two purposes: first, it secures the electronic component to the printed circuit board and, second, it ensures a good electrical connection between the electronic component and the conductive path. 
     In many electronic devices, such as computers, the electronic components are mounted onto several printed circuit boards. For the electronic components to perform their desired function, each of the boards must be electrically coupled to other elements of the electrical system of the device. Typically, a printed circuit board contains an electrical connector that is configured to matingly engage a corresponding electrical connector within the device. When mated, the electrical connectors create conductive paths between the two electrical connectors. Typically, electrical connectors are configured in a male-female configuration, i.e., a male connector is physically inserted into a female connector. 
     Circuit boards are installed in electronic systems in a variety of orientations. The selected orientation may be based on a number of factors, including physical constraints required by the device and the intended function of the circuit board. The physical constraints of the device also may make removal and installation of the circuit board difficult and/or time consuming. For example, many electronic devices, such as servers, are typically mounted in vertical rack-mounted systems. The device would have to be removed from the rack-mounted system to access the device from the top or the bottom. This gets increasingly difficult as the weight and the height of the device in the rack increases. 
     Servers typically utilize a mid-plane board that is vertically mounted within a chassis. The mid-plane board is used to electrically couple electronic devices and/or other circuit boards located on the same and opposite sides of the mid-plane board. Typically, the server must be removed from the rack if the mid-plane board is to be removed from the server or installed therein. Those components of the server that may be removed while the server is still mounted in the rack are removed to make the server lighter for easier removal from the rack. The server is then removed from the rack and the mid-plane board is accessed via the top of the chassis. The process is repeated in reverse order to replace the mid-plane board in the server and to reinstall the server in the rack. The process of removing and reinstalling the mid-plane board is time-consuming. 
     Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that would enable a circuit board to be more easily removed from and replaced in a chassis. This is especially true for circuit boards that are vertically mounted within a chassis and are to be removed from the front or rear of the chassis. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a circuit board holder is featured. The circuit board holder has a receiving portion that is adapted to receive a circuit board. The circuit board holder also has a pivoting portion that enables the circuit board to pivot relative to a chassis. Additionally, the circuit board holder has a securing portion that enables the circuit board to be selectively secured to the chassis. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, an electronic device is featured. The electronic device has a chassis and a circuit board holder. The circuit board holder is pivotably secured to the chassis. Additionally, the circuit board holder is operable to secure the circuit board in a first position relative to the chassis. The circuit board holder also is operable to pivot the circuit board from the first position to a second position relative to the chassis. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a processor-based device; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an electronic device utilizing a vertically mounted circuit board, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vertically mounted circuit board of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cut-away view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 2 , illustrating a pivotable circuit board holder in a secured position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the chassis and pivotable circuit board holder, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique; 
         FIG. 6  is a cut-away view of a portion of the electronic device of  FIG. 2 , illustrating the pivotable circuit board holder in a pivoted position, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique; 
         FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of a rack-mounted system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present technique; 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of an electronic device, illustrating a plurality of circuit boards secured within pivotable circuit board holders; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pivotable circuit board holder; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the pivotable circuit board holder of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of a pivotable circuit board holder; 
         FIG. 12A  is a diagrammatical representation of a rotatable operator oriented in a first position; and 
         FIG. 12B  is a diagrammatical representation of the rotatable operator of  FIG. 12A  oriented in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram is illustrated depicting an exemplary processor-based device, generally designated by the reference numeral  20 . The processor-based device  20  may be any of a variety of different devices, such as a personal computer or a server. 
     The illustrated processor-based device  20  uses a processor  22  to control the operation of the device  20 . The processor  22  may be a microprocessor, such as used in a personal computer, or other type of processor. The illustrated processor-based device  20  has a power supply  24  to supply power to the other components of the system. Various additional components of system  20  may be coupled to the processor  22 . For instance, a user interface  26  may be coupled to the processor  22  to allow an operator to control some or all of the functions of the device. Examples of user interfaces include a keyboard, a mouse, or a joystick. A monitor  28  may be coupled to the processor  22  to allow an operator to view visual information provided by the device. This information may be displayed on the monitor via a graphical user interface. A communications port  32  may also be used to couple processor  22  to peripheral devices  34 , such as a modem or printer. 
     Programming instructions are typically used to control the operation of a processor and these programming instructions are typically stored in electronic memory. There are several different types of electronic memory available for use in processor-based devices. For example, the processor  22  may be coupled to volatile memory  36 . Volatile memory may include dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and/or static random access memory (SRAM). The processor  22  also may be coupled to non-volatile memory  38 . Non-volatile memory  38  may include a read only memory (ROM), such as an EPROM, to be used in conjunction with the volatile memory. The non-volatile memory  38  may include a high capacity memory such as a disk or tape drive memory. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 2 , an electronic device  40  having a circuit board  42  mounted vertically within a chassis  44  is illustrated. A pivotable circuit board holder  46  mounts the circuit board  42  to the chassis  44 . In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit board  42  is mounted approximately in the middle of the chassis  44 . However, the circuit board  42  may be mounted in another portion of the chassis  44 , such as the front or rear. 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 3 , an exemplary embodiment of circuit board  42  has a number of electrical connectors  48  disposed on each side of the circuit board  42 . These electrical connectors  48  are adapted to engage corresponding electrical connectors (not shown) on other components of the device  40  to electrically couple these components to the circuit board and, thus, to other components of the device  40 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 2 , a number of components are connected to the circuit board  42  in the illustrated embodiment. For example, in this embodiment, a processor module  50  and a memory module  52  are connected to connectors  48  on one side of the circuit board  42 . The processor module  50  houses one or more processors (not shown). The memory module  52  houses memory, such as a hard drive or RAM. Additionally, a fan module  54  and a plurality of input/output modules  56  are connected to connectors  48  on the opposite side of the circuit board  42 . The fan module provides a flow of air to cool the device  40 . The input/output modules  56  enable the device  40  to communicate with other electronic devices. 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 4–6 , the pivotable circuit board holder  46  is pivotable to enable the circuit board  42  to be removed or installed from the front  58  or rear  60  of the device  40 . The illustrated pivot able circuit board holder  46  has two guide portions  62  connected by a crossbar  64 . Each guide portion  62  has a slot  66  for guiding and securing the circuit board  42  within the chassis  44 . Additionally, each guide portion  62  has a pivoting pin  68 . The pivotable circuit board holder  46  also has a securing assembly  70  that is operable to fix the pivotable circuit board holder  46  in a vertical position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , or allow the pivotable circuit board holder  46  to pivot to a horizontal position, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the pivotable circuit board holder  46  is fixed in the vertical position, a retractable pin  72  in each guide portion  62  is biased by a spring  74  into a portion of the chassis  44 , or some other fixed surface within the chassis  44 . Each retractable pin  72  is coupled by a connector  78  to a movable operator  80 . The connector  78  may be a rigid member or a flexible wire. In the illustrated embodiment, the operators  80  are disposed within a housing  82  to guide the movement of the operators  80 . To release the pivotable circuit board holder  46  from the vertical position, the operators  80  are squeezed together, as represented by the arrows  84 . The inward movement of the operators  80  is coupled to the retractable pins  72 , removing them from the portions  76  of the chassis  44  and compressing the springs  74 . The pivotable circuit board holder  46  is now free to pivot about the pivoting pins  68 . 
     The circuit board  42  then may be removed or installed from the front  58  of the chassis  44 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , or from the rear  60  of the chassis  44  (not shown). To secure the pivotable circuit board holder  46  in the vertical position, the pivotable circuit board holder  46  is pivoted upright so that the retractable pins  72  may be driven by the springs  74  back into the securing portion  76  of the chassis  44 . The securing assembly  70  may also include second securing portions  86  that are positioned to secure the retractable pins  72  in a second position to enable the circuit board  42  to be removed from the circuit board holder  46  more easily. 
     Referring generally to  FIG. 7 , a rack-mounted electronic system  88  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the electronic device  40  is adapted to secure to a rack  90 . Access to the circuit board  42  from the top of the device  40  is blocked by other components of the system  88 . To remove the circuit board  42  from the chassis  44 , components  92  that engage the circuit board  42  are disengaged to enable the circuit board  42  to pivot. Components  92  located on the front portion of the chassis  44  may be accessed from the front side  58  and components  94  located on the rear portion of the chassis  44  may be accessed from the rear side  60 . 
     Additionally, those components located on the side of the chassis from which the circuit board is to be removed are removed from the chassis  44  to enable access to the circuit board holder  46  and circuit board  42 . For example, if the circuit board  42  is to be removed from the front side  58 , the components  92  located on the front portion of the chassis  44  are removed from the chassis  44 , as represented by the arrow  96 . Alternatively, if the circuit board  42  is to be removed from the rear side  60 , the components  94  located on the rear portion of the chassis  44  are removed from the chassis  44 , as represented by the arrow  98 . 
     An alternative embodiment of an electronic device  100  also is illustrated in  FIG. 8 . In this embodiment, a plurality of circuit boards  42  and pivotable circuit board holders  46  are disposed within a chassis  44 , some oriented for the circuit boards  42  to be removed from the front  58  and some oriented for the circuit boards  42  to be removed from the rear  60 . 
     Additionally, an alternative embodiment of a pivotable circuit board holder  102  is illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guide portions  62  are joined by a cross-member  104 . The cross-member  104  houses connector rods  106  coupled to the retractable pins  72 . A single biasing spring  108  is used to drive the connector rods  106  outward to bias the retractable pins  72  into an engaged position within securing portions  76  of the chassis  44 . Guide slots  110  in the cross-member  104  direct movement of the operators  80 . 
     Referring generally to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , an additional alternative embodiment of a pivotable circuit board holder  112  is illustrated. In this embodiment, the guide portions  114  have a curved bottom  116 . The curved bottom  106  enables the guide portions  114  to extend closer to the bottom of the chassis without interfering with the pivoting motion of the pivotable circuit board holder  112 . In addition, the pivotable circuit board holder  112  has a rotatable operator  118 . The rotatable operator  118  is coupled to the connector rods  106  so that the connector rods  106  are displaced laterally as the operator  118  is rotated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12A , the connector rods  106  are positioned to drive the pins  72  into socket  76  in a first position  120  of the operator  118 . The operator  118  may be rotated to a second position  122 , as illustrated in  FIG. 12B . In the second position  122 , the connector rods  106  are drawn inward, as represented by the arrows  124 , thereby removing the pins  72  from sockets  76 , and enabling the pivotable circuit board holder  112  to pivot. Rotating the operator  118  back to the first position  120  drives the pins  72  outward. A spring (not shown) may be coupled to the rotatable operator  118  to bias the operator  118  to drive the pins  72  into socket  76 . 
     It will be understood that the foregoing description is of preferred exemplary embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, the pivotable circuit board holder is not limited to securing circuit boards vertically within a chassis and enabling them to be removed from the front of a chassis. Rather, the pivotable circuit board may be used to secure a circuit board in a number of orientations other than vertical, such as the horizontal position or an intermediate position between the two. Similarly, the pivotable circuit board holder may be pivoted to a number of orientations, other than horizontal, to enable the circuit board to be removed. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.