Patent Publication Number: US-7583515-B2

Title: Method for supporting a plurality of cards in an information handling system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority to and is a divisional of co-owned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/454,210, filed Jun. 16, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 

   BACKGROUND 
   The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to supporting a plurality of cards in an information handling system. 
   As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option is an information handling system (IHS). An IHS generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements may vary between different applications, IHSs may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in IHSs allow for IHSs to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, IHSs may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems. 
   Some IHSs include a plurality of cards coupled to an IHS chassis and extending from the IHS chassis adjacent each other and into an IHS housing. Because of the desire to reduce the size of the IHS chassis, the supporting of these cards raises a number of issues. 
   Reducing the size of the IHS chassis reduces the size of the IHS housing in which the cards are located. As the size of the IHS housing is reduced, the cards must be located closer to each other and to the walls of the IHS chassis that define the IHS housing. During shock and vibration of the IHS chassis, the cards can deflect and come into contact with each other and/or the chassis walls on the IHS chassis that defined the IHS housing, which can result in damage to and/or failure of the cards. 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide for supporting a plurality of cards in an IHS absent the disadvantages found in the prior methods discussed above. 
   SUMMARY 
   According to one embodiment, a method for supporting a card in an information handling system (IHS) chassis, comprising providing a base member, moveably coupling a first securing member to the base member, wherein the first securing member comprises a first card engagement feature located a first height above the base member, wherein the first securing member comprises a first locking member, whereby the first locking member engages the base member such that the first securing member is movable in a first direction but is restricted by the engagement of the first locking member and the base member from moving in a second direction that is opposite the first direction; and a second securing member moveably coupled to the base member, wherein the second securing member comprises a second card engagement feature located a second height above the base member, whereby the second height is different from the first height. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an IHS. 
       FIG. 2  is perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a base member. 
       FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a first securing member used with the base member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member of  FIG. 3   a.    
       FIG. 4   a  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a second securing member used with the base member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4   b  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the second securing member of  FIG. 4   a.    
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of an IHS chassis used with the base member of  FIG. 2 , the first securing member of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , and the second securing member of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b.    
       FIG. 6   a  is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for supporting a plurality of cards in an IHS. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  and the second securing member of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  coupled to the base member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6   c  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  coupled to the base member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6   d  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the second securing member of  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  coupled to the base member of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 6   e  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member, the second securing member, and the base member of  FIG. 6   b  being coupled to the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6   f  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member, the second securing member, and the base member of  FIG. 6   b  being coupled to the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6   g  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member, the second securing member, and the base member of  FIG. 6   b  coupled to the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6   h  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the second securing member of  FIG. 6   g  engaging a card on the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6   i  is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member of  FIG. 6   g  engaging a card on the IHS chassis of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 6   j  is a cross sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the first securing member of  FIG. 6   g  with the locking member disengaging the base member. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   For purposes of this disclosure, an IHS may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, entertainment, or other purposes. For example, an IHS may be a personal computer, a PDA, a consumer electronic device, a network server or storage device, a switch router or other network communication device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The IHS may include memory, one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic. Additional components of the IHS may include one or more storage devices, one or more communications ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a video display. The IHS may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components. 
   In one embodiment, IHS  100 ,  FIG. 1 , includes a processor  102 , which is connected to a bus  104 . Bus  104  serves as a connection between processor  102  and other components of computer system  100 . An input device  106  is coupled to processor  102  to provide input to processor  102 . Examples of input devices include keyboards, touchscreens, and pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs and trackpads. Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device  108 , which is coupled to processor  102 . Mass storage devices include such devices as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical drives, floppy drives and the like. IHS  100  further includes a display  110 , which is coupled to processor  102  by a video controller  112 . A system memory  114  is coupled to processor  102  to provide the processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by processor  102 . In an embodiment, a chassis  116  houses some or all of the components of IHS  100 . It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and processor  102  to facilitate interconnection between the components and the processor  102 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a base member  200  is illustrated. The base member  200  includes a top surface  202   a , a bottom surface  202   b  located opposite the top surface  202   a , a front surface  202   c  extending between the top surface  202   a  and the bottom surface  202   b , a rear wall  202   d  located opposite the front surface  202   c  and extending between the top surface  202   a  and the bottom surface  202   b , and a pair of opposing side surfaces  202   e  and  202   f  each extending between the top surface  202   a , the bottom surface  202   b , the front surface  202   c , and the rear wall  202   d . A channel  204  is defined by the base member  200  and centrally located on the base member  200  between the side surfaces  202   e  and  202   f . A first track  206  extends from the top surface  202   a  of the base member  200 , is located adjacent the side surface  202   e , and includes a substantially T-shaped cross section with a top surface  206   a . A plurality of teeth  206   b  and  206   c  are located on the top surface  206   a  of the first track  206 . In an embodiment, the plurality of teeth  206   b  are equally spaced from each other and the plurality of teeth  206   c  are equally spaced from each other, with the position of the teeth  206   b  shifted with respect to the teeth  206   c . In an embodiment, the teeth  206   b  are shifted from the teeth  206   c  by approximately 0.5 mm. A second track  208  extends from the top surface  202   a  of the base member  200 , is located adjacent the side surface  202   f  and opposite the channel  204  from the first track  206 , and includes a substantially T-shaped cross section with a top surface  208   a . A plurality of teeth  208   b  and  208   c  are located on the top surface  208   a  of the second track  208 . In an embodiment, the plurality of teeth  208   b  are equally spaced from each other and the plurality of teeth  208   c  are equally spaced from each other, with the position of the teeth  208   b  shifted with respect to the teeth  208   c . In an embodiment, the teeth  208   b  are shifted from the teeth  208   c  by approximately 0.5 mm. A locating member  210   a  extends from the front surface  202   c  of the base member  200  and is located adjacent the side surface  202   e . A locating member  210   b  extends from the front surface  202   c  of the base member  200  and is located adjacent the side surface  202   f  and opposite the channel  204  from the locating member  210   a . A chassis securing member  212  extends from the rear wall  202   d  and into the channel  204  between the side surfaces  202   e  and  202   f . The chassis securing member  212  includes a beveled securing end  212   a  and a securing surface  212   b  adjacent the beveled securing end  212   a . In an embodiment, the locating members  210   a  and  210   b  and the chassis securing member  212  comprise a chassis coupling feature on the base member  200 . A pair of stop members  214  and  214   b  extend from the top surface  202   a  of the base member  200 , adjacent the side surfaces  202   e  and  202   f , respectively, and on either side of the chassis securing member  212 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , a first securing member  300  is illustrated. The first securing member  300  includes a base  302  having a top wall  302   a , a pair of opposing side walls  302   b  and  302   c  extending from the top wall  302   a , a front surface  302   d  extending between the top wall  302   a  and the side walls  302   b  and  302   c , a rear surface  302   e  located opposite the front surface  302   d  and extending between the top wall  302   a  and the side walls  302   b  and  302   c , and a plurality of bottom walls  302   f  extending from the side walls  302   b  and  302   c . A coupling channel  302   g  is defined by the base  302  along the length of the base  302  and located between the top wall  302   a , the side walls  302   b  and  302   c , and the bottom walls  302   f . A securing arm  304  extends from the top wall  302   a  of the base  302  and includes a first portion  304   a  extending substantially perpendicularly with respect to the top surface  302   a  of the base  302 , a second portion  304   b  extending substantially perpendicularly from the first portion  304   a , and a first card engagement feature  304   c  located on a distal end of the second portion  304   b  of the securing arm  304  which, in an embodiment, is a engagement channel  304   ca  defined by the second portion  304   b  of the securing arm  304 . A locking member  306  extends between the side walls  302   b  and  302   c  and includes a beam  306   a  that is resiliently coupled to the locking member  306 . A plurality of teeth  306   b  are located on a distal end of the beam  306   a  and a handle  306   c  extends perpendicularly from the distal end of the beam  306   a.    
   Referring to  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b , a second securing member  400  is illustrated. The second securing member  400  includes a base  402  having a top wall  402   a , a pair of opposing side walls  402   b  and  402   c  extending from the top wall  402   a , a front surface  402   d  extending between the top wall  402   a  and the side walls  402   b  and  402   c , a rear surface  402   e  located opposite the front surface  402   d  and extending between the top wall  402   a  and the side walls  402   b  and  402   c , and a plurality of bottom walls  402   f  extending from the side walls  402   b  and  402   c . A coupling channel  402   g  is defined by the base  402  along the length of the base  402  and located between the top wall  402   a , the side walls  402   b  and  402   c , and the bottom walls  402   f . A securing arm  404  extends from the top wall  402   a  of the base  402  and includes a first portion  404   a  extending substantially parallel with respect to the top surface  402   a  of the base  402  and a second card engagement feature  404   b  located on a distal end of the first portion  404   a  of the securing arm  404  which, in an embodiment, is a engagement channel  404   ba  defined by the first portion  404   a  of the securing arm  404 . A locking member  406  extends between the side walls  402   b  and  402   c  and includes a beam  406   a  that is resiliently coupled to the locking member  406 . A plurality of teeth  406   b  are located on a distal end of the beam  406   a  and a handle  406   c  extends perpendicularly from the distal end of the beam  406   a.    
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , an IHS chassis  500  is illustrated. In an embodiment, the chassis  500  may be, for example, the chassis  116 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 , and may house some or all of the IHS components of the IHS  100 , described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . The IHS chassis  500  includes a base  502  including a top surface  502   a , a bottom surface  502   b  located opposite the top surface  502   a , a connector surface  502   c  extending between the top surface  502   a  and the bottom surface  502   b , a support wall  502   d  extending from the connector surface  502   c  and between the top surface  502   a  and the bottom surface  502   b  adjacent an edge of the base  502 , and a securing member support surface  502   e  extending from the connector surface  502   c  and adjacent the bottom surface  502   b . A bracket  504  is mounted to the support wall  502   d  and includes a plurality of first card supports  504   a  and a plurality of second card supports  504   b  located in a spaced apart relationship and extending from the bracket  504 . A first card connector  506  extends from the connector surface  502   c  and a second card connector  508  extends from the connector surface  502   c  and is located adjacent the first card connector  506 . In an embodiment, the first card connector  506  and the first card supports  504   a  provide a first card coupling feature. In an embodiment, the second card connector  508  and the second card supports  504   b  provide a second card coupling feature. In an embodiment, the first card connector  506  and the second card connector  508  are electrically coupled to a processor (not shown) such as, for example, the processor  102  described above with reference to  FIG. 1 . A securing member locator  510  is located on the securing member support surface  502   e  and includes a pair of spaced apart guide members  510   a  extending perpendicularly from the securing member support surface  502   e  and a locating member  510   b  extending perpendicularly from the securing member support surface  502   e  and defining a pair of locating apertures  510   ba  and  510   bb  in a spaced apart orientation along its length. A securing member coupler  512  is located on the securing member support surface  502   e  and includes a guide  512   a  extending from the securing member support surface  502   e  and a securing beam  512   b  extending from the securing member support surface  502   e  in a spaced apart relationship from the guide  512   a  and defining a coupling aperture  512   ba  and a securing surface  512   bb  located adjacent the coupling aperture  512   ba . A card housing  514  is defined in the IHS chassis  500  and between the bracket  504 , the connectors  506  and  508 , and the securing member support surface  502   e . A first card  516  is located in the card housing  514  and coupled to the first card connector  506  and the first card supports  504   a  on the bracket  504  such that a distal end  516   a  of the first card  516  is located adjacent the securing member support surface  502   e . A second card  518  is located in the card housing  514  and coupled to the second card connector  508  and the second card supports  504   b  on the bracket  504  such that a distal end  518   a  of the second card  518  is located adjacent the securing member support surface  502   e . With the distal ends  516   a  and  518   a  unsupported, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , during shock and/or vibration of the IHS chassis  500 , the distal ends  516   a  and  518   a  may deflect such that they engage each other or extend past the top surface  502   a  and/or the bottom surface  502   b  of the IHS chassis  500 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a ,  3   b ,  4   a ,  4   b ,  5 ,  6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c ,  6   d ,  6   e ,  6   f , and  6   g , a method  600  for supporting a card in an IHS is illustrated. The method  600  begins at step  602  where a chassis with a first securing member and a second securing member is provided and proceeds to step  604  where a first card and second card are coupled to the chassis. The IHS chassis  500 , described above with reference to  FIG. 5 , is provided. The first card  516  and the second card  518 , shown already coupled to the connectors  506  and  508 , respectively, on the base  502  may be coupled to the IHS chassis  500  using methods known in the art to engage the first card  516  with the connector  506  and the plurality of first card supports  504   a  and to engage the second card  518  with the connector  508  and the plurality of second card supports  504   b.    
   In an embodiment, the first securing member  300  and the second securing member  400  are provided on the IHS chassis  500  as follows. The first securing member  300  is coupled to the base member  200  by positioning the first track  206  on the base member  200  in the coupling channel  302   g  defined by the first securing member  300  and the second securing member  400  is coupled to the base member  200  by positioning the second track  208  on the base member  200  in the coupling channel  402   g  defined by the second securing member  400 , providing a card supporting apparatus  602   a , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   b . In an embodiment, the stop surface  214   a  is operable to prevent the first securing member  300  from decoupling from the first track  206 . In an embodiment, the stop surface  214   b  is operable to prevent the second securing member  400  from decoupling from the second track  208 . With the first securing member  300  coupled to the first track  206  on the base member  200 , the plurality of teeth  306   b  on the locking member  306  of the first securing member  300  engage the teeth  206   b  and  206   c  on the first track  206  of the base member  200 , and the engagement channel  304   ca  of the first card engagement feature  304   c  is located a height H 1  above the bottom surface  202   b  of the base member  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   c . With the second securing member  400  coupled to the second track  208  on the base member  200 , the plurality of teeth  406   b  on the locking member  406  of the second securing member  400  engage the teeth  208   b  and  208   c  on the second track  208  of the base member  200 , and the engagement channel  404   ba  of the first card engagement feature  404   b  is located a height H 2  above the bottom surface  202   b  of the base member  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   d . In an embodiment, the height H 1  is greater than the height H 2 . In an embodiment, the heights H 1  and H 2  may vary depending on the location of the first card  516  and the second card  518  in the IHS chassis  500 . 
   The card supporting apparatus  602   a  is then coupled to the IHS chassis  500  by first positioning the card supporting apparatus  602   a  adjacent the IHS chassis  500  such that the bottom surface  202   b  of the base member  200  is adjacent the securing member support surface  502   e , the locating members  210   a  and  210   b  are located adjacent the securing member locator  510 , and the chassis securing member  212  is located adjacent the securing member coupler  512 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   e . The card supporting apparatus  602   a  is then moved in a direction A towards the securing member support surface  502   e  such that the bottom surface  202   b  of the base member  200  engages the securing member support surface  502   e , the locating members  210   a  and  210   b  are located between the guide members  510   a , and the securing beam  512   b  and guide  512   a  are located in the channel  204  defined by the base member  200 , with the securing beam and adjacent the chassis securing member  212 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   f . The card supporting apparatus  602   a  is then moved in a direction B such that the locating members  210   a  and  210   b  enter the locating apertures  510   ba  and  510   bb , respectively, defined by the locating member  510   b , the sides  202   e  and  202   f  of the base member  200  engage the guide members  510   a , and the beveled securing end  212   a  on the chassis securing member  212  enters the coupling aperture  512   ba  defined by the securing beam  512   b  such that the chassis securing member  212  deflects and allows the securing surface  212   b  on the chassis securing member  212  to engage the securing surface  512   bb  on the securing beam  512   b , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   g . While the card coupling apparatus  602   a  has been illustrated as a separate component that may be removeably coupled to the IHS chassis  500 , in an embodiment, the first securing member  300 , the second securing member  400 , and/or the base member  200  may also be fabricated as an integral part of the IHS chassis  500 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 6   h ,  6   i , and  6   j , the method  600  then proceeds to step  606 , where the first card  516  and the second card  518  are supported with the first securing member  300  and the second securing member  400 . The second securing member  400  is moved in a direction C such that the distal end  518   a  of the second card  518  is located in the engagement channel  404   ba  of the second securing member  400 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   h . Due to the structure and engagement of the teeth  406   b  on the locking member  406  of second securing member  400  and the teeth  208   b  and  208   c  on the second track  208  of the base member  200 , the second securing member  400  may move in the direction C but is restricted from moving in a direction opposite the direction C. The first securing member  300  is then also moved in the direction C such that the distal end  516   a  of the first card  516  is located in the engagement channel  304   ca  of the first securing member  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6   i . Due to the structure and engagement of the teeth  306   b  on the locking member  306  of first securing member  300  and the teeth  206   b  and  206   c  on the first track  206  of the base member  200 , the first securing member  300  may move in the direction C but is restricted from moving in a direction opposite the direction C. In an embodiment, the first securing member  300  and the second securing member  400  can support a variety of different sized cards due to the adjustability of the first securing member  300  and the second securing member  400  provided by the engagement of the teeth  306   a ,  206   b  and  206   c  and the teeth  406   c ,  208   b , and  208   c . Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a plurality of cards to be supported in an IHS such that the movement of the cards is restrained during shock and/or vibration of the IHS chassis. In order to release the first card  516  from the first securing member  300 , a force D is applied to the handle  306   c  on the locking member  306  of the first securing member  300 , deflecting the beam  306   a  such that the teeth  306   b  on the locking member  306  disengage the teeth  206   b  on the first track  206  and the first securing member  300  may be moved in a direction opposite the direction C. The second card  518  may be released from the second securing member  400  in substantially the same manner. 
   Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.