Patent Publication Number: US-2022229474-A1

Title: Card retainers

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices, including computing devices, may include expansion cards, system cards, or other components which may provide additional or enhanced functionality to the electronic device. Such components may be engaged with or installed into the electronic device through the use of expansion slots or other connectors. Such slots or connectors may sometimes be disposed within the electronic device and/or be attached to a system board of the electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an example card retainer in a released position. 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an example card retainer in a locked position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an example bracket of an example card retainer. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an example computing device having an example card retainer. 
         FIG. 3B  is a perspective cutaway view of an example computing device having an example card retainer. 
         FIG. 3C  is a perspective cutaway view of an example computing device having an example card retainer. 
         FIG. 3D  is a detail perspective view of the example card retainer of  FIGS. 3A-3C . 
         FIG. 3E  is a detail perspective view of the example card retainer of  FIGS. 3A-3D . 
         FIG. 3F  is a cross-sectional view of the example card retainer of  FIGS. 3A-3E , taken along view line  3 F- 3 F of  FIG. 3E . 
         FIG. 3G  is detail perspective view of the example card retainer of  FIGS. 3A-3F . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Electronic devices, including computing devices, may include expansion cards, system cards, or other components which may provide additional or enhanced functionality to the electronic device. In some situations, such components may be used to supplement existing components of the device, e.g., increase the storage capacity of the electronic device. Such components may be engaged with or installed into the electronic device through the use of expansion slots or other connectors. Such slots or connectors may sometimes be disposed within the electronic device and/or be attached to a motherboard, a riser card, or other type of system board of the electronic device. Such components may have an edge connector having pins such that, upon the edge connector, and thus the component itself, being engaged with a connector or slot of the electronic device, the pins on the edge connector may be engaged with complementary pins in the slot or connector, thereby enabling electronic communication between the system board and the expansion card or component. 
     In some situations, the edge connector of the system card or component may be disposed on a single edge, or portion thereof, of the component. Thus, upon installation, the expansion card or component may merely be constrained by the engagement of the edge connector with the slot or connector of the system board, thereby leaving the other edges of the system card free or cantilevered along the system board. This may create an insecure attachment of the system card to the system board, wherein the system card may wobble, vibrate, or otherwise move or loosen from the connector or slot, thereby negatively affecting the function of the card. 
     A system card may have a first end comprising the edge connector, and a second end opposite the first end. In some situations, the second end may be referred to as a free end, since it is not engaged with the connector or slot. The free end may be fixed or constrained to the system board or another component of the electronic device by a fastener so as to provide a more secure attachment of the system card to the device. Such fasteners may directly or indirectly secure the free end of the system card to an aperture, a mounting standoff, or other fastening or attachment feature of the system board or other component. However, a tool such as a screw driver may be used to install and remove the fastener from the attachment feature, and thus from fixing the free end of the expansion card in place. Therefore, anytime a user may wish to install, swap, upgrade, or otherwise add or remove an expansion card to a computer system, the user may have to have a tool capable of installing and removing the fastener. This may be inconvenient to the user. Additionally, tools may be too large to access certain interior portions of a computing device, making installing or removing an expansion card very difficult. Therefore, it may be desirable for an electronic device, or a system board thereof, to have a simple way of securely fastening and removing a system card or supplemental component to or from the system board that may omit the need for tools. 
     Implementations of the present disclosure provide an apparatus that may securely attach a system card or other supplemental component to an electronic device, or a system board thereof. Further, examples described herein may be able to secure a free end of an expansion card to a system board or other component without the use of a tool. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a perspective view of an example card retainer  100  is illustrated wherein the card retainer  100  is in a released position. The card retainer  100  may include a pivot mount  102 , a bracket  104 , and a latch hook  112 . The bracket  104  may be movable or pivotable between a released position (illustrated in  FIG. 1A ) and a locked position (illustrated in  FIG. 1B  and discussed below). The bracket  104  may include a bracket pivot  106 , a locking portion  108 , and a cantilevered latch  110 . The locking portion  108  may engage with an expansion card  114 . Further, the cantilevered latch  110  may engage with the latch hook  112  to retain the bracket  104  in the locked position. 
     The pivot mount  102  may be or may be attached to a component of a computing device in which the card retainer  100  is installed or employed. Further, the pivot mount  102  may be an aperture for receiving a fastener, or may be a protrusion about which another component may rotate or pivot. In some implementations, the pivot mount  102  may include a standoff on to which the bracket  104  may be installed. 
     The bracket  104  may be a rigid or semi-rigid member capable of holding an expansion card  114  to a surface when the bracket  104  is sufficiently held in place itself. In some implementations, the bracket  104  may be a unitary component having both the locking portion  108  and the cantilevered latch  110  be portions of the bracket  104 . In other implementations, the bracket  104  may be a connecting member, on to which separate components locking portion  108  and cantilevered latch  110  may be assembled or attached. Thus, the bracket  104  may be a component that engages the locking portion  108  and the cantilevered latch  110  with the pivot mount. In some implementations, the bracket  104  may be sufficiently rigid or firm such that, if the cantilevered latch  110  is held in place, the locking portion  108  may be able to exert enough holding force or tension on to an expansion card  114 , or a portion thereof, so as to hold the expansion card  114 , or the portion thereof, in place. In some implementations, the bracket  104  may be constructed of a metallic material, such as sheet or spring steel. In other implementations, the bracket  104  may be constructed of a polymer material and formed through plastic injection molding. 
     The card retainer  100 , or the bracket  104  thereof, may also include a bracket pivot  106 . The bracket pivot  106  may engage with the pivot mount  102  so as to enable the bracket to pivot or rotate about the pivot mount  102 . In some implementations, the bracket pivot  106  may be a window, aperture, or other opening, and may receive a protrusion of the pivot mount  102 . In other implementations, the bracket pivot  106  may be a protrusion or peg and may insert into and be received by the pivot mount  102  to accomplish the rotatability of the bracket  104 . In yet further implementations, both the pivot mount  102  and the bracket pivot  106  may be openings, and both may receive a fastener or other intermediary component to accomplish the rotatability of the bracket  104 . 
     The locking portion  108  of the card retainer  100 , or bracket  104  thereof, may be a tab, shelf, panel, or other protrusion extending from the bracket  104 . The locking portion  108  may be sized and structured so as to positively engage with an expansion card  114 , or a portion thereof (e.g., a free end of the expansion card  114 ), to removably fix or hold the expansion card  114 , or free end thereof, securely to a substrate or computing device portion adjacent to the expansion card  114 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1B , a perspective view of example card retainer  100  is illustrated wherein the card retainer  100  is in a locked position. For example, the bracket  104  of the card retainer  100  may have been pivoted or rotated about the pivot mount  102  (by way of the bracket pivot  106 ) along example direction  103 , which may be a locking direction. Moving the bracket  104  in such a way may engage the bracket  104  with the expansion card such that the locking portion  108  presses on or otherwise positively engages a portion of the expansion card  114  or a free end thereof. Such engagement of the bracket  104  and the expansion card  114  may hold the expansion card  114  in position securely. Stated differently, the bracket  104  may fasten the expansion card  114  in an installed position when the locking portion  108  is engaged with the expansion card  114  in the locked position. 
     Further, upon the bracket  104 , and thus the card retainer  100 , being disposed in the locked position as shown, the cantilevered latch  110  may engage with the latch hook  112  so as to hold the card retainer  100  in such a locked position. The cantilevered latch  110  may be a resilient member or a member capable of undergoing elastic deformation, and may be attached to or assembled on to the bracket  104 . In some implementations, the cantilevered latch  110  may be a unitary portion or part of the bracket  104 . In such an example, the cantilevered latch  110  may have a slimmer profile, cross-section, or width, relative to other portions of the bracket  104  so as to give the cantilevered latch  110  resilient or spring-like characteristics, and allow the cantilevered latch  110  to be depressed or deformed relative to the other portions of the bracket  104 . The latch hook  112  may be a protrusion or tab extending from a substrate or another component adjacent the expansion card  114  and the bracket  104 . The latch hook  112 , in some implementations, may be stiffer or less prone to elastic deformation that the cantilevered latch  110 , such that the cantilevered latch  110  can bend or deform around the latch hook  112  upon the cantilevered latch  110  and the latch hook  112  impacting or interfering with one another. As such, upon the cantilevered latch  110  pressing against the latch hook  112 , the latch hook  112  may depress the cantilevered latch  110  in a downward direction until the cantilevered latch  110  is able to move past the latch hook  112  and be retained by the latch hook  112 . In this context, downward direction refers to a direction away from the latch hook  112 . Similarly, the cantilevered latch  110  may be further depressed (e.g., by a user) to disengage from the latch hook  112 , thereby allowing the card retainer  100  to move back from the locked position to the released position and allow the expansion card  114  to be removed from the computing device within which it is disposed. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of an example bracket  204  of another example card retainer is illustrated. Example bracket  204  may be similar to example bracket  104 , described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example bracket  204  may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of example bracket  204 , as they are described above. Example bracket  204  may include a body portion  216 , a bracket pivot  206  disposed at a first end of the body portion  216 , a cantilevered latch  210  disposed at a second end of the body portion  216 , opposite the first end, and a locking portion  208  extending from the body portion  216  in between the first end and the second end. The locking portion  208  may engage with a mounting portion of an expansion card (not shown). 
     The body portion  216  may be a rigid or semi-rigid component that may provide mechanical support for the other constituent portions of the bracket  204 . Specifically, the body portion  216  may connect the cantilevered latch  210  and the locking portion  208  with the bracket pivot  206 , and may also spatially fix the cantilevered latch  210  and the locking portion  208  relative to one another. In some implementations, the body portion  216 , the bracket pivot  206 , the cantilevered latch  210 , and the locking portion  208  may all be constructed of a single unitary component, e.g., a stamped and/or bent or otherwise formed sheet metal component. In other implementations, such a unitary construction may comprise a polymer material such as injection molded plastic. 
     The bracket pivot  206 , while illustrated as an aperture, window, or opening to receive a post or fastener, may instead be a post, pin, or other protrusion in other implementations. Stated differently, the bracket pivot  206  may have a suitable structure so as to enable rotation of the bracket  204  relative to another component of a computing device within which the bracket  204  of the example card retainer is employed or installed. 
     In some implementations, the bracket  204  may further include a cutout  222  adjacent the locking portion  208 . When the locking portion  208  is engaged with a mounting portion of an expansion card, the mounting portion may be disposed near, adjacent, or abutting against a mounting standoff. As will be discussed further below with reference to  FIGS. 3D-3F , the cutout  222  may be formed, sized, and/or located on the body portion  216  sufficiently close to and adjacent to the locking portion  208  such that the cutout  222  is able to receive the mounting standoff and provide clearance for such mounting standoff when the locking portion  208  is engaged with the mounting portion of the expansion card. Additionally, the locking portion  208  may be spaced from the cutout  222 , e.g., along direction  205 , such that, upon the cutout  222  receiving the mounting standoff, the locking portion  208  is disposed adjacent the mounting standoff. 
     In some implementations, the bracket  204  may further include a fastener opening  220  to receive a fastener (not shown). The fastener opening  220  may be a channel or other suitable opening extending through an entire thickness of the locking portion  208  such that the fastener may be inserted through the fastener opening and thus through the locking portion  208 . The fastener may be installed into the fastener opening to fix the bracket  204 , and thus the locking portion  208 , in position relative to an expansion card, as will be discussed further below with reference to  FIG. 3G . 
     The bracket  204 , or the body portion  216  thereof, may further include a notch  224 , in some examples. The notch  224  may be a cutout or indent disposed in the cantilevered latch  210 . In such examples, the notch  224  may engage with a latch hook (not shown) disposed on another component of a computing device within which the bracket  204  is installed or employed as a part of a card retainer. 
     In yet further implementations, the bracket  204 , or the cantilevered latch  210  thereof, may include a tab  218  extending from the second end of the body  216 . The tab  218 , upon being depressed, e.g., along direction  207  in the illustrated example, may cause the cantilevered latch  210  to depress or bend relative to the other portions of the bracket  204 , e.g., along direction  209 . Such deformation or depression may be enabled by the cantilevered nature of the cantilevered latch  210 , as extending from the second end of the body  216  while lacking support at a distal end of the cantilevered latch  210 . Further, such depression of the cantilevered latch  210  may enable the cantilevered latch  210 , or the notch  224 , to become disengaged from a latch hook, and therefore enabling the bracket  204  to move or rotate about the bracket pivot  206 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a perspective view of an example computing device  301  having an example card retainer  300  is illustrated. Example card retainer  300  may be similar to other example card retainers described above. Further, the similarly-named elements of example card retainer  300  may be similar in function and/or structure to the respective elements of other example card retainers, as they are described above. 
     Computing device  301  may include a housing or enclosure  326 . The enclosure  326  may electrically and mechanically support and/or house components of the computing device  301 . Such components may include processors, storage drives, memory, power supplies, or other suitable components for use with a computing device  301 . In some implementations, the computing device  301  may include a system board  328  disposed within the enclosure  326 . The system board  328  may include a printed circuit board (PCB) and may be a mother board or another type of circuit board. In some examples, the system board  328  may include an expansion connector  330  to receive and operable engage with an expansion card  314 . The expansion connector  330  may include pins, pads, contacts, or other components to electrically and/or mechanically engage with the expansion card  314 , or an edge connector or other portion thereof. 
     The expansion card  314  may be a component to enhance or improve the functionality of the computing device  301 , in some implementations. In other examples, the expansion card  314  may be a component to support the nominal or ordinary function of the computing device  301 . The expansion card  314  may be a storage drive, a memory, a graphics card, a network card, or another type of computing component that may engage with an expansion connector  330 . In some implementations, the expansion card  314  may include an edge connector to mechanically and electrically engage with the expansion connector  330  such that the computing device  301  can electrically communicate with the expansion card  314 . In some examples, the expansion card  314  may be a flash memory or flash storage drive such as an M.2 form factor storage drive. In other examples, the expansion card  314  may be a storage drive of a different form-factor or specification. 
     Computing device  301  may be a notebook computer or mobile workstation, in some examples. In other examples, computing device  301  may be another type of computing device, such as a desktop computer, a server and/or server rack, an imaging device such as a printer or copier, or an additive manufacturing machine (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) printer). In yet other examples, computing device  301  may be another type of electronic device that may include an expansion card  314  and/or an expansion connector  330 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , a perspective cutaway view of example computing device  301  is illustrated, wherein the enclosure is omitted for clarity. The computing device  301  is illustrated as having the expansion card  314  not engaged with the expansion connector  330 . The expansion card  314  may include a first end  314   a , sometimes referred to as a connector end, which may include an edge connector that is mechanically and electrically complementary to the expansion connector  330 . When the expansion card  314  is engaged with the expansion connector  330 , and thus the computing device  301 , the computing device  301  may electrically communicate with the expansion card  314  via the expansion connector  330  and the edge connector of the expansion card  314 . 
     In order to install or engage the expansion card  314  with the expansion connector  330 , and thus the computing device  301 , the first end  314   a  of the expansion card  314  may be inserted into the expansion connector  330 , e.g., along direction  311 . Further, the expansion card  314  may be pivoted downward along example direction  313  towards a substrate on which the expansion connector  330  may be disposed, e.g., a system board  328 . The expansion card  314  may additionally include a second end  314   b , sometimes referred to as a free end, opposite the first end  314   a . Referring additionally to  FIG. 3C , a perspective cutaway view of the computing device  301  is illustrated wherein the expansion card  314  is engaged with the expansion connector  330 . The first end  314   a  is engaged with the expansion connector  330 , and the expansion card  314  has moved along example direction  313  to securely and fully seat the edge connector into the expansion connector  330 . As such, the expansion card  314  now extends from the expansion connector  330  in a cantilevered fashion. As such, the second end  314   b  is considered a free end. The second end  314  may thus include a mounting portion  334  in order to secure the second end  314   b  to the substrate (e.g., the system board  328 ), and eliminate the cantilevered nature of the second end  314   b . The card retainer  300  may be movable between a released position (illustrated in  FIG. 3C ) and a locked position, e.g., along direction  303 , in order to secure the second end  314   b  of the expansion card  314 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3D , a detail perspective view of the example card retainer  300  of the example computing device  301  is illustrated. The card retainer  300  is disposed in a released position, and the expansion card  314  is illustrated as operably engaged with the expansion connector  330  (not shown in  FIG. 3D ). In this context, operably engaged refers to the expansion card  314  being inserted into the expansion connector  330  to a sufficient degree that the computing device  301  can electrically communicate with the expansion card  314  via the expansion connector  330 . In some implementations, the computing device  301 , or the system board  328  (or other substrate or component of the computing device  301  in other examples) thereof, may include a mounting standoff  332  to support, at least partially, the second end  314   b  of the expansion card  314  when the expansion card  314  is engaged with the expansion connector  330 . The mounting standoff  332  may be a block, post, lug, or other protrusion extending from the system board  328  or an intermediary component (or another component of the computing device  301  in other examples) to a sufficient degree such that the second end  314   b , or a portion thereof, may mate or rest upon the mounting standoff  332 . Thus, the mounting standoff  332  may help alleviate the cantilevered nature of the expansion card  314  when it is engaged with the expansion connector  330 . In the illustrated example, the expansion card  314  may include a mounting portion  334  to mate with or engage with the mounting standoff  332 . The mounting portion  334  may be a cutout in the expansion card  314 , in some examples. In order to further secure the expansion card  314  in its operably engaged state with the expansion connector  330 , the card retainer  300  may be movable about a pivot mount  302  disposed on the system board  328 , or on an intermediary component, along example direction  303  from the released position to a locked position. 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 3E , a detail perspective view of the example card retainer  300  is illustrated wherein the card retainer  300 , or a bracket  304  thereof, is disposed in a locked position. When the bracket  304  is in the locked position, the card retainer  300  may be engaged with the mounting portion  334  of the expansion card  314  so as to removably fix or hold in place the expansion card  314  to the system board  328 . The bracket  304  may be moved between the released position and the locked position without the use of any tools. Thus, a user may just manually rotate the bracket  304  to the locked position to lock or securely hold the expansion card  314  in its engaged state. 
     The card retainer  300  may hold or secure the expansion card  314  by a locking portion  308  of the card retainer  300  engaging with the mounting portion  334  of the expansion card  314  when the bracket is in the locked position. In some examples, the locking portion  308  may have a structure or profile that matches or is complementary to the structure of the mounting portion  334 . As such, when the card retainer  300  or the bracket  304  thereof is moved into the locked position, the locking portion  308  may mate with and/or nest or insert into the mounting portion  334 . By doing so, the locking portion  308  may engage or lock with the expansion card  314 , or the mounting portion  334  thereof, in an X-direction and a Y-direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 3E . In some examples, an X-direction may refer to a direction substantially aligned with a length of the expansion card  314 , and a Y-direction may refer to a direction substantially aligned with a width of the expansion card  314 , as illustrated. The locking portion  308  may also lock with the expansion card  314 , or the mounting portion  334  thereof, in a Z-direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 3F  and discussed below. A Z-direction may refer to a direction along a thickness or depth of the expansion card  314 . In some implementations, the locking portion  308  and the mounting portion  334  may have rounded or semi-circular profiles or shapes such that, when the locking portion  308  is engaged with the mounting portion  334  and mated along their shared or complementary circumference, the expansion card  314  is held in place at its second end  314   b  in both the X-direction and the Y-direction. In other examples, the locking portion  308  and the mounting portion  334  may have other complementary shapes or profiles to limit movement of the expansion card  314  in such directions. 
     The card retainer  300  may also have a cantilevered latch  310  extending from the bracket  304 . The cantilevered latch  310  may engage with or latch on to a latch hook  312 . The latch hook  312  may be fixed relative to the system board  328 . In some implementations, the latch hook  312  may have an overhanging structure, so as to engage with the cantilevered latch  310  from above. As such, the latch hook  312  may include a tooth extending down from the latch hook  312  in a direction towards the cantilevered latch  312  and may engage with a notch of the cantilevered latch  310 . It should be noted that other structures of the latch hook  312  are contemplated, e.g., in some examples the latch hook  312  may be disposed underneath the cantilevered latch  310  and have a tooth extending upwards toward the cantilevered latch  310  and/or the notch thereof. Upon latching on to the latch hook  312 , the cantilevered latch  310  may hold or lock the bracket  304 , and thus the card retainer  300  as a whole, in the locked position. The cantilevered latch  310  may be a resilient and elastically deformably (i.e., depressable) member. As such, in order to disengage the cantilevered latch  310  from the latch hook  312 , it may be depressed (e.g., by a user intending to remove the expansion card  314 ) so as to push or deform the cantilevered latch  310  in a direction away from engagement with the latch hook  312 . In examples wherein the latch hook  312  is underneath the cantilevered latch  310 , the cantilevered latch  310  may be pulled upwards away from engagement with the latch hook  312  in order to unlock the cantilevered latch  310 . Once clear from the latch hook  312 , the cantilevered latch  310  may no longer hold the bracket  304 , and thus the card retainer  300 , in the locked position, and the bracket  304  may be moved about the pivot mount  302  to transition to the released position (e.g., along a direction opposite to direction  303 ). 
     In some implementations, the card retainer  300  may further include a support lug  344 . The support lug  344  may be disposed near or adjacent to the cantilevered latch  310  and may be fixed relative to the system board  328  (or other substrate on to which the expansion card  314  and card retainer  300  are installed). The support lug  344  may engage with the cantilevered latch  310  when the bracket  304  is in the locked position. In some implementations, the support lug  344  may be disposed in between the cantilevered latch  310  and the system board  328  so as to limit the amount of depression that the cantilevered latch  310  is able to undergo. This may prevent the cantilevered latch  310  from being over-depressed (e.g., by a user) and breaking or plastically deforming to the point where the cantilevered latch  310  is unable to be engaged with the latch hook  312 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3F , a cross-sectional view of the example card retainer  300  is illustrated as taken along view line  3 F- 3 F of  FIG. 3E .  FIG. 3F  illustrates the card retainer  300  and the bracket  304  thereof as being disposed in the locked position. The locking portion  308  is engaged with the mounting portion  334  of the expansion card  314 . When the bracket  304  is in the locked position, securing the expansion card  314  in place, the locking portion  308  may be disposed adjacent to the mounting standoff  332 . As such, when the bracket  304  is in the locked position, the locking portion  308  may compress or tighten the mounting portion  334  of the expansion card  314  against a top surface of the mounting standoff  332  in order to alleviate the cantilevered nature of the expansion card  314  and secure the expansion card  314  in place. As such, the locking portion  308  may secure and lock the expansion card  314 , and/or the mounting portion  334  thereof, along a Z-direction, as illustrated. As such, the locking portion  308  may secure the free end of the expansion card along all three available dimensions or directions of movement (X, Y, Z), providing a secure installation of the expansion card  314 . 
     In some implementations, the locking portion  308  may include a flange  336  and a boss  338  extending from the flange  336 . The flange may extend at least partially around an outer periphery of the locking portion  308 , and when in the locked position, may rest on and/or push against a top surface of the mounting portion  334  to secure the free end against movement in an upwards (i.e., a disengaging) direction. The boss  338  may rest inside and/or push against an inner circumference or other surface of the mounting portion  334  to secure against lateral and longitudinal movement of the free end of the expansion card  314 . 
     Referring additionally to  FIG. 3G , another detail perspective view of the example card retainer  300  is illustrated, wherein the card retainer  300  further includes a fastener  342 . In some implementations, the locking portion  308  may include a fastener opening  320  to receive a fastener  342 . The fastener opening  320  may be a channel or opening extending through a thickness of the locking portion  308 . When the card retainer  300  is disposed in the locked position and the locking portion  308  is disposed adjacent to the mounting standoff  332 , the fastener opening  320  may be aligned with a receptacle  340  extending into the mounting standoff  332 . The receptacle  340 , in some examples, may be a threaded opening or may have a threaded insert disposed within the receptacle  340  to engage with complementary threads on a fastener  342 . Thus, while the example card retainer  300  provides an easy, secure, and tool-free way to secure an expansion card  314  inside a computing device  301 , a user may still sometimes desire an extra level of security for the expansion card  314 . This may sometimes be desired when the computing device  301  is a mobile computing device such as a notebook or mobile workstation, and/or the computing device  301  is subject to movement, shock, or other external forces. Accordingly, a user can employ a fastener  309 , e.g., a screw, bolt, pin, or other suitable fastener, and insert such fastener through the fastener opening  320  and into the receptacle  340  within the mounting standoff  332 , e.g., along insertion direction  309 , to fix the locking portion  308  to the mounting standoff  332  to further secure the card retainer  300  in the locked position, and thus securing the expansion card  314  in its installed position.