Patent Publication Number: US-2003227761-A1

Title: Expansion card retention mechanism

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The invention relates in general to an expansion card retention mechanism, and more particularly to an expansion card retention mechanism including a latch.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] Microprocessor based computer systems typically require or include facilities for connecting one or more expansion cards to the system. Expansion cards extend the capabilities of computer systems by providing dedicated hardware to achieve a variety of tasks. Graphics adapters, high-speed network controllers, sound cards, and modem cards are among some of the more common types of expansion cards.  
       [0005] Typically, expansion cards are interfaced to the microprocessor by physically inserting the expansion card into an expansion card connector. In many cases, the expansion card includes facilities for making an external connection to the expansion card. The expansion card must be maintained in a precise position to ensure reliable operation. Those familiar with expansion cards and expansion cards connectors will appreciate the ease with which a slight displacement or movement of the expansion card can result in a faulty connection. Thus, maintaining precise positioning of expansion cards is an important issue in the design and manufacturing of computer systems. Historically, the secure positioning of expansion cards was maintained by screwing each expansion card into place with one or more securing screws. Unfortunately, the use of screws to secure expansion boards undesirably increases the amount of time and effort required to install, remove, replace, and otherwise service the expansion cards in a system.  
       [0006] There were some other inventions using other mechanisms other than screws to position the expansion cards. Unfortunately, these inventions typically require highly intricate clips, hinges, or bracket structures that introduce an undesirably expensive piece of hardware to the system component list. It would be highly desirable to introduce an easily manufactured and inexpensive expansion card retention mechanism that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007] The desired results are advantageously achieved by providing an expansion card retention mechanism used for retaining an expansion card in a computer system, wherein the expansion card retention mechanism comprises a latch connected to a main body of the computer system by a hinge at a bottom of the latch. The latch further comprises a prominence at a top of the latch. While the prominence is pushed and the latch is opened, the expansion card can be released and while the latch is rotated toward the expansion card and the prominence is engaged in a notch at the main body of the computer system, the expansion card is retained. The latch is preferably made of a plastic material and in a shape similar to a question mark “?”.  
       [0008] Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0009] FIGS.  1 A˜ 1 B shows the operation of the expansion card retention mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.  
     [0010]FIG. 2 shows the detailed structure of the latch according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0011] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, specific numbers, materials and configurations are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known features are omitted or simplified in order not to obscure the present invention.  
     [0012] Referring to FIG. 1A, while the expansion card  106  is released from the expansion card connector  102 , the latch  100  is opened. That is, the latch  100  rotates in a direction away from the expansion card connector  102 , as indicated by the arrow  104   a.  While the latch  100  is opened, the expansion card  106  is able to insert into the slot  102  of the connector  102 . Then, as shown in FIG. 1B, while the expansion card  106  is inserted into the slot  102   a  of the connector  102  and properly positioned, the latch  100  can be rotated manually as indicated by the arrow  104   b.  The latch  100  is connected to the main body  110  of the microprocessor based computer systems, such as a personal computer or a server, by a hinge  100   b  at the bottom of the latch  100 , so that the latch  100  can rotate around the hinge  100   b.  The latch  100  further includes a prominence  100   a  at the top. While the latch  100  is rotated as indicated by the arrow  104   b  and the prominence  100   a  is engaged in the notch  108 , the latch  100  is closed. Consequently, the latch  100  restricts the movement of the expansion card  106 .  
     [0013] As shown in FIG. 1C, while the expansion card  106  is desired to be removed, the latch  100  can be manually rotated in a direction away from the expansion card  106 , as indicated by the arrow  104   a,  by pushing the prominence  100   a  downwardly to release the prominence  100   a  from the notch  108 . As a result, the latch  100  is loose so that expansion card  106  can be easily removed from the slot  102   a  of the connector  102 .  
     [0014]FIG. 2 shows the detailed structure of the latch  100 . The latch  100  includes a main body  100   c,  which is preferably in a shape similar to a question mark “?” but not limited thereto. Any other shape able to be shortened in total length, while the prominence  100   a  is pushed, is applicable. A prominence  100   a  at the top and a hinge  100   b  at the bottom are two other main compartments of the latch  100 . The latch  100  is preferably made of a plastic material so that the latch  100  has a plastic deformation and the prominence  100   a  can be loose from the notch  108 , while the prominence  100   a  is pushed.  
     [0015] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the present invention contemplates securing and retaining expansion cards of a computer system in their respective expansion card connectors with a minimum of fastening hardware. The advantages of the expansion card retention mechanism further includes:  
     [0016] 1. Not any screw is used to secure expansion boards. Thus, the amount of time and effort required to install, remove, and replace the expansion cards in a system is dramatically reduced.  
     [0017] 2. An easily manufactured and inexpensive expansion card retention mechanism that overcomes the limitations of the prior art is introduced.  
     [0018] It is understood that the form of the invention shown and described in the detailed description and the drawings are to be taken merely as presently preferred examples. All the variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed, including using the same retention mechanism to secure and retain any other added-on card, are within the scope of the invention.  
     [0019] While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements and procedures.