Patent Publication Number: US-2015064982-A1

Title: Expansion card connector for computer chassis

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to connectors, and particularly to a connector for positioning an expansion card in a computer chassis. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Connectors are used to electronically connect a first object to a second object. The connector includes a contact, a terminal, an interface, and other conductors. For example, a first connector is connected to a second connector via a cable, and the second connector is connected to a circuit board to electronically couple the first connector with the circuit board. The cables of the connectors maybe exposed out of the connectors. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a expansion card connector in accordance with an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from a different angle. 
         FIG. 3  is assembled view of the expansion card connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3 , but viewed from a different angle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” 
       FIGS. 1-3  illustrate an expansion card connector in accordance with an embodiment. The expansion card connector comprises a main body  10  and a protecting member  30  slidably attached to the main body  10 . 
     The main body  10  can comprise a mounting frame  11  and a plurality of plugs  13  connected to the mounting frame  11 . The mounting frame  11  comprises a frame base  112  and two sliding portions  114  located on opposite sides of the frame base  112 . The frame base  112  is substantially rectangular. Each retaining portion  114  comprises a connecting panel  1141  and two side panels  1143  extending from opposite edges of the connecting panel  1141 . In at least one embodiment, the two side panels  1143  are substantially parallel to each other. The connecting panel  1141  and the two side panels  1143  cooperatively define a sliding passage  1145 . In at least one embodiment, an extending direction is substantially parallel to the connecting panel  1141 . Two securing portions  115  extend from one of the two side panels  1143  of each retaining portion  114 . Each securing portion  115  comprises a coupling piece  1151  and a securing piece  1153  connected to the coupling piece  1151 . In at least one embodiment, the coupling piece  1151  is substantially perpendicular to the securing piece  1153  and the side panel  1143 . A securing tab  1155  is located on the securing piece  1153 . A strengthening tab  118  is connected to the coupling piece  1151  and the frame base  112  for strengthening the strengthening securing portion  115 . In at least one embodiment, the strengthening tab  118  is substantially triangular. 
     A limiting portion  117  is located on the frame base  112  and attached to one of the two side panels  1143 . The limiting portion  117  comprises a connecting portion  1171  and an abutting portion  1173  connected to the connecting portion  1171 . The abutting portion  1173  comprises a flat surface  1175 . 
     The protecting member  30  comprises a top plate  31  and two side plates  33  extending from opposite edges of the top plate  31 . Each side plate  33  comprises an engaging portion  331  corresponding to the sliding passage  1145 . Two mounting portions  332  are located on an outer surface of each side plate  33 . Each mounting portion  332  defines a mounting slot  3321  corresponding to the securing tab  1155 . 
       FIGS. 3-4  illustrate assembly of the expansion card connector of an embodiment. The protecting member  30  is located on a first side of the main body  10 , and the two sliding portions  331  are aligned with the two corresponding sliding passages  1145 . 
     The protecting member  30  is moved in a first direction that is substantially parallel to connecting panel  1141 , so that each sliding portion  331  is slid in each sliding passage  1145 . Simultaneously, the securing portions  115  are deformable away from the side plate  33 . When the securing tabs  1155  are aligned with the mounting slots  3321 , the securing portions  115  are released to engage the securing tabs  1155  in the corresponding mounting slots  3321  to prevent the protecting member  30  from moving in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction. At this time, the abutting portion  117  abuts the side plate  33 . 
     In disassembly, the securing portions  115  are deformable away from the side plate  33  to disengage the securing tabs  1155  from the corresponding mounting slots  3321 . The protecting member  30  is moved in the second direction, so that each sliding portion  331  is slid in each sliding passage  1145 . Thus, the protecting member  30  can be removed from the main body  10 . 
     It is to be understood that, even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, including in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure. The described embodiments are illustrative, and should not be construed as limiting the following claims.