Abstract:
A system for installation and removal of an expansion card is disclosed. An expansion card is mounted to a cassette having a front plate and a back plate. The cassette is sized to fit within a chassis. The chassis is provided with a connector that is configured to receive a connection portion of an expansion card. The front plate inserts into the chassis and remains substantially vertically fixed after insertion. The back plate is pivotable with respect to the chassis when inserted. Once inserted, the back plate is pivoted downward to engage the contact portion of the expansion card with the connector. The back plate may be removable from the front plate to fasten expansion cards thereto. Fasteners securing the expansion card to the back plate may be adjustable.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates generally to expansion card devices, methods, and systems. Specifically, the invention relates to devices for installing and removing expansion cards without tools.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A typical computer system includes a computer case made of metal or plastic storing a motherboard controlling the operation of the computer and various secondary storage devices, such as hard drives, connected to the motherboard. Additional “daughterboards” or expansion cards may be connected to the motherboard, or a dedicated circuit board connected to the motherboard, to provide additional functionality. The computer case typically includes an opening exposing a portion of the expansion cards, referred to as a tail stock, to receive cables connecting the cards to peripheral devices or other computers.  
         [0005]     Typical expansion cards include video cards for rendering video data to be transmitted to a display, sound cards for producing analog audio signals, and network cards for managing communications over a network. The size of expansion cards is extremely variable ranging from extremely small network cards to very large high-end video cards.  
         [0006]     An expansion card is typically inserted into one of a plurality of dockets secured to a horizontally oriented circuit board. In order to connect an expansion card to a computer system, a contact portion of the expansion card having a plurality of electrical contacts is inserted into an expansion card docket. Inserting the contact portion of the expansion card requires that the expansion card be positioned above the expansion card docket and pushed downward into engagement therewith.  
         [0007]     In many systems, inserting the expansion card into the expansion card docket requires that a computer case, or a portion thereof, be removed to expose the motherboard and expansion card dockets. In complicated servers, this may require the knowledge of a technician to successfully install an expansion card.  
         [0008]     Ideally expansion cards should be able to be “blind swapped,” that is, inserted longitudinally through a port or bay formed in the case, leaving only the tail stock exposed. In order to blind swap an expansion card, the card must be inserted into the case and then pushed downward to force the contact portion into the expansion card docket. However, inasmuch as only one end of the expansion card is accessible, it is very difficult to apply the downward force necessary to insert the contact portion. A very large rotational force, or bending moment, must be applied to the end of the card to transfer sufficient downward force to the contact portion some distance away from the end. Such forces impose large stresses on the delicate components of the expansion card.  
         [0009]     Previous attempts to achieve a blind-swapping of expansion cards involve complicated linkages and levers used to exert a downward force on the expansion card. These blind-swapping systems attempt to leverage the entire contact portion simultaneously into the docket, requiring the exertion of large forces on the expansion card. The complexity of these prior systems makes them expensive to manufacture and too complicated to provide a customer replaceable unit (CRU), requiring instead the specialized skill of a manufacturer trained technician in order to install expansion cards.  
         [0010]     In view of the foregoing, what is needed is a system for blind swapping expansion cards that is simple to use, enabling an untrained user to successfully insert and remove expansion cards. It would be a further advancement in the art to provide a system that enables blind swapping without exerting large rotational forces directly on the expansion card and the electronic components mounted thereon. Such a system should also engage the contact portion of the expansion card with the docket in a sequential, rather than a simultaneous fashion.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The present invention has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available expansion card mounting systems. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide an apparatus, system, and method for mounting an expansion card that overcome many or all of the above-discussed shortcomings in the art.  
         [0012]     The apparatus, in one embodiment, is configured to provide a means for pivotal mating of a blind-swapped expansion card. A cassette receives an expansion card and is configured to be inserted into a chassis having an expansion card docket for receiving the contact portion of the expansion card. The cassette facilitates pivotal mating of the contact portion with the expansion card docket. In one embodiment, the cassette is inserted longitudinally into the chassis. A cassette coupler may restrain portions of the cassette against vertical movement upon insertion.  
         [0013]     The cassette may include a front plate and a back plate. To protect the expansion card, the front and back plate may substantially cover front and back surfaces of the expansion card. The front plate may remain substantially fixed vertically when inserted into the chassis. The back plate pivotally secures to the front plate and remains pivotable when inserted into the chassis. The back plate may be pivoted downwardly to mate the contact portion with the expansion card docket after insertion. A handle may secure to the back plate and facilitate gripping by a user to pivot the back plate downwardly.  
         [0014]     The front plate and back plate may be pivotally coupled by a pivot stud connected to the back plate. A pivot stud lock on the front plate may prevent removal of the front plate from the pivot stud. In one embodiment, the pivot stud is inserted into an aperture on the front plate, and the pivot stud lock is slid into place, pinching the pivot stud between the font plate and the lock. Once secured, the back plate may pivot with respect to the front plate. The pivot stud may also provide a groove, or like structure, for engagement with the cassette coupler when the cassette is inserted into the chassis.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment, the expansion card comprises a tail stock. A side plate may secure to the back plate and secure to the tail stock. The base of the tail stock, in one embodiment, is inserted into a hook secured to the side plate, and the tail stock is rotated upwardly to bring the top of the tail stock into engagement with a latch, which selectively locks the top of the tail stock in place.  
         [0016]     The expansion card may be secured to the back plate by a card fastener, such as one or more zip slides. The zip slides may comprise a moveable stop slidably secured to a stop guide. The expansion card may be secured to the back plate by adjusting the moveable stop along the stop guide to engage the edges of the expansion card and locking the moveable stop in place. In this manner, the cassette may accommodate cards of varying sizes. A card guide connected to the back plate may align the expansion card during adjustment. The card guide may comprise a horizontal tab for securing the base of the expansion card. The card guide may be located along the same edge as the contact portion of the expansion card.  
         [0017]     In some embodiments, the back plate is secured against excessive pivoting motion. That is, the back plate is only permitted to pivot sufficient to facilitate insertion of the cassette into the chassis. In some embodiments, pivoting is restrained by a tab receiver formed, or secured, on the side plate. The tab receiver receives a tab secured to the front plate. The tab may be permitted to move in a limited range of vertical motion within the tab receiver. In a typical embodiment, the tab receiver will not permit substantial motion of the tab in a lateral direction.  
         [0018]     Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0019]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0020]     These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system for toolless installation and removal of an expansion card in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cassette in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view of one embodiment of a cassette in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a disassembled cassette with an expansion card in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a side plate and back plate of a cassette in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a latch in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 5C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a zip slide and zip slide arm in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 5D  is a perspective of one embodiment of a movable stop, zip slide handle, and zip slide lock in an open position in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 5E  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a movable stop, zip slide handle, and zip slide lock in a closed position in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cassette and a tab in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plate lock in an open position in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a plate lock in a closed position in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a process flow chart diagram of one embodiment of a method for inserting an expansion card into a cassette;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a process flow chart diagram of one embodiment of a method for inserting a cassette into a chassis and pivoting an expansion card into an expansion connector;  
         [0036]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cassette within a chassis in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cassette coupler in an open position in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0038]      FIG. 9C  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cassette coupler in a closed position in accordance with the current invention;  
         [0039]      FIG. 9D  is a perspective view of a cassette within a chassis.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0040]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0041]     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.  
         [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a system  100  for toolless installation and removal of an expansion card  140 . The depicted system  100  includes a cassette  110 , a chassis  120 , and one or more expansion connectors  130  and an expansion card  140 . The chassis  120  and expansion connector  130  may be mounted on a motherboard or be part of a rack-mounted server. In the illustrated embodiment, the expansion card  140  is secured within a cassette  110 , which serves to protect the expansion card and provides a standard interface with the chassis  120 . In one embodiment of the system  100 , the cassette  110  is inserted into a chassis  120 , and then pivoted downward to engage a portion of the expansion card  140  with the expansion connector  130 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a cassette  200 . The cassette  200  is one example of the cassette  110  illustrated in  FIG. 1  and may include a side plate  230 , a back plate  220 , and a front plate  210 , collectively defining an interior for substantially enclosing an expansion card  140  ( FIG. 1 ). The side plate  230  and back plate  220  may be monolithic, while the front plate  210  may be coupled with the back plate  220  by a plate coupler  250  and to the side plate  230  by a tab  240  and tab receiver  260 , as will be described later in further detail. Each plate  230 ,  220 , and  210  may be formed by a durable, heat resistant material such as metal to protect the expansion card from the heat, stresses, and pressures involved with installing, operating, and removing an expansion card. Also, the plates  230 ,  220 , and  210  may be formed from sheets of metal for fast and cost efficient production. In one embodiment, the front plate  210 , along with the card coupler  250 , secures the cassette  110  in the chassis  120  and the back plate  220  pivots to enable pivotal mating of the expansion card  140  with the expansion connector  130  of the chassis  120  (See  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0044]      FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of the cassette  200  described in relation to  FIG. 2 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front plate  210  and back plate  220  are pivotally coupled by a pivot stud  310 , allowing the back plate  220  to pivot with respect to the front plate  210 . As will be described later in more detail, an expansion card  140 , attached to the back plate  220 , to be pivotally mated with an expansion connector  130  (See  FIG. 1 ). A portion of the pivot stud  310  may be exposed to facilitate coupling the cassette  200  with a chassis  120  (See  FIG. 1 ). The pivoting motion and the exposed pivot stud  310  enable a user to couple the cassette  200  with a chassis  120  and pivot the expansion card  140  into the expansion connector  130  without the use of tools. In certain embodiments, separate structures may perform these separate functions. For example, a separate stud or hook may secure to the front plate  210  to provide a point of securement to a chassis  120 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a disassembled cassette  200  with an expansion card  140 . The expansion card  140  includes a tail stock  430 , circuit board  440 , and connection fingers  442 . The tail stock  430  may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the circuit board  440  and may extend beyond the top and bottom of the circuit board  440 . The top of the tail stock  430  may include a tail stock lip  432  extending substantially perpendicular to the tail stock  430 . The connection fingers  442  may be positioned at the bottom of the circuit board  440  and may serve to electrically connect the circuit board  440  to an expansion connector  130  (See  FIG. 1 ). As will be explained later in further detail, the expansion card  140  may be inserted into the cassette  200  by coupling the tail stock  430  to the side plate  230  and by coupling the circuit board  440  to the back plate  220 . By doing so, the cassette  200  may protect the expansion card  140  during installation, operation, and removal.  
         [0046]     The disassembled cassette  200  includes a side plate  230  having a card coupler  410 , a handle  420 , and a tab receiver  260 ; a back plate  220  having a card fastener  450  and plate coupler  250 ; and a front plate  210  having a tab  240 , aperture  490 , and plate lock  492 . The several features of the cassette  200  function harmoniously to secure the expansion card  140  within the cassette  200  and the cassette  200  within a chassis  120  (See  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0047]     The side plate  230  may comprise a card coupler  410 , such as a hook  412  and latch  414  for securing the tail stock  430  of the expansion card  140 . The hook  412 , in one embodiment, may be positioned at the bottom of the side plate  230  and is configured to engage the bottom of the tail stock  430 . Because the bottom of the tail stock  430  extends beyond the bottom of the circuit board  440 , the tail stock  430  may be inserted into the hook  412  without interference from the circuit board  440 . As will be described later in further detail, in one embodiment, the latch  414  is positioned at the top of the side plate  230  and is configured to engage and secure the tail stock lip  432 . Consequently, the tail stock  430  of the expansion card  140  may be firmly secured to the side plate  230  of the cassette  200  without the use of tools.  
         [0048]     The side plate  220  may also include a tab receiver  260  for engaging the tab  240  of the front plate  210  and a handle  420  for facilitating insertion of the cassette  200  into the chassis  120 . As will be described later in further detail, the tab receiver  260  limits the pivot range of the cassette  200 , ensuring the overall integrity of the cassette  200 . The handle  420  enables a user to guide and pivot the cassette into a chassis  120  and expansion connector  130 .  
         [0049]     The back plate  220  may include a card guide  460 . The card guide  460  may comprise a longitudinally extending tab  462  for registering the bottom of the circuit board  440 . The card guide  460  aids in coupling the expansion card  140  with the back plate  220 . In an alternative embodiment, the card guide  460  may comprise a longitudinally extending tab  462  and a vertically extending face. In such an embodiment, a bottom edge of the expansion card  140  may be captured between the face of the card guide  460  and the back plate  220 , securing the expansion card  140  to the back plate  220 .  
         [0050]     The back plate  220  may also include a card fastener  450  for securing the top and side of the circuit board  440  to the back plate  220 . Additionally, the card fastener  450  ensures the expansion card  140  is secured to the cassette  200 . Also, the card fastener  450  may comprise a set of longitudinally and vertically adjustable zip slides  452 . The adjustability of the zip slides  452  enables expansion cards  140  of various sizes to be secured to the cassette  200 .  
         [0051]     Furthermore, the back plate  220  may include a plate coupler  250 , such as a pivot stud  310  positioned near the posterior of the back plate  220 . The pivot stud  310  includes a plate insert  474  and a lock groove  476  for pivotally coupling the back plate  220  with the front plate  210 , and a chassis groove  478  for subsequently coupling the cassette  200  with the chassis  120 . Pivotally coupling the front plate  210  and back plate  220  allows the expansion card  140  to engage the expansion connector  130  (See  FIG. 1 ) in a phased manner, greatly reducing the force needed to insert the expansion card  140 . Also, by securing the back plate  220  to the front plate  210  and the cassette  200  to the chassis  120 , the pivot stud  310 , which performs both functions, reduces the total number of functional components of the cassette  200 , thereby providing a simple and easy to use device.  
         [0052]      FIG. 5A  illustrates one embodiment of a side plate  230  and a back plate  220  of a cassette  200 . As discussed, the side plate  230  comprises a latch  414  and a tab receiver  260 . The back plate  220  comprises longitudinal and vertical zip slides  452 , and a pivot stud  310 .  FIG. 5A  provides a reference for subsequent figures that demonstrate close-up views of the various features of the cassette  200 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 5B  illustrates one embodiment of a latch  414 . The latch  414  may embodied as a vertical tab  502  and a latch handle  504  secured to the side plate  230  by a latch pivot  506 . To receive the tail stock  430  of the expansion card  140  (See  FIG. 4 ), the latch  414  must be in an open position  508 . The latch  414  is opened by grasping the latch handle  504  and pivoting the latch  414  upward. Once open, the tail stock  430  is fitted to the side plate  230  (See  FIG. 4 ). The latch  414  may be pivoted to a closed position  510  by grasping the latch handle  504  and pivoting the latch  414  downward until the vertical tab  502  engages the lip of the tail stock  432  (See  FIG. 4 ). Rotating and securing the latch  414  in this manner enables the user to secure the tail stock  432  to the side plate  230  quickly and without the use of tools.  
         [0054]      FIGS. 5C  illustrates one embodiment of a zip slide  452  and zip slide arm  562 . The zip slide  452  may include a stop guide  554 , a movable stop  556 , a zip slide handle  558 , and zip slide lock  560 . In the illustrated embodiment, the movable stop  556  of the zip slide  452  mates with the expansion card&#39;s circuit board  440  and locks into place, thereby securing an expansion card  140  to the back plate  220  (See  FIG. 4 ).  
         [0055]     To adjust and lock the movable stop  556  along the stop guide  554 , the zip slide handle  558  is rotated to an upward position (See  FIG. 5D ), disabling the zip slide lock  560  and allowing the movable stop  556  to slide along the stop guide  554 . The moveable stop  556  may include a groove  562  to engage the edges of the circuit board  440 . When the movable stop  556  mates with the edge of the circuit board  440 , the handle  558  is rotated downward (See  FIG. 5E ) enabling the zip slide lock  560  to secure the movable stop  556  in place. Similar to the aforementioned latch  414 , the zip slides  452  enable the user to secure the circuit board  440  to the back plate  220  in a quick and toolless manner. In certain embodiments, the stop guide  554  may have a grooved surface to enable the movable stop  556  to be readily set at a location along the stop guide  554  and secured into place by enabling the zip slide lock  560  (See  FIG. 5A ).  
         [0056]     In the illustrated embodiment, a zip slide  452  may include an arm  562  pivotally attached to a movable stop  556  for securing smaller expansion cards  140  (See  FIG. 5C ). The arm  562  may comprise an insert  564  for engaging an aperture on an expansion card  140  that is too small to contact the moveable stop  556 . At times, the moveable stop  556  cannot reach the circuit board  440  because the stop guide  554  upon which the moveable stop  556  adjusts is cut short by a perpendicular stop guide  554 . In such circumstances, the arm  562  extends to engage the expansion card  140  when the moveable stop  556  cannot. Because the arm  562  is attached to a movable stop  556  of a zip slide  452 , the arm  562  is able to secure expansion cards  140  of varying sizes by locking in various locations along the stop guide  554 . Thus, the arm  562  enables the cassette  200  to adjust to very small expansion cards  140 .  
         [0057]      FIG. 6A  illustrates one embodiment of a cassette  200  with a tab  240  and a tab stop  670 . The tab stop  670  of the side plate  230  comprises a flat base  672  with a restraining portion  674  for engaging the tab  240  of the front plate  210 . The tab  240  comprises a first stop tab  682 , a restraining tab  684 , and a second stop tab  686 . Thus, the restraining tab  684  is positioned below the surface of the front plate  210  and serves to capture the flat base  672  of the tab stop  670  between itself and the first and second stop tabs  682 ,  686 . The first stop tab  682  and second stop tab  686  are positioned above the surface of the front plate  210 . When engaged with the tab receiver  260  of the side plate  230 , the first stop tab  682  and second stop tab  686  extend above the flat base  672  and are positioned on either side of the restraining portion  674 . Once engaged, the restraining portion  674  restricts the pivot range of the back plate  220  inasmuch as the first stop tab  682  and second stop tab  686  cannot pass over the restraining portion  674  of the tab receiver  260 . This manner of coupling the side plate  230  and the front plate  210  provides a toolless means for coupling the plates  230  and  210  and restricting the pivoting range of the cassette  200 .  
         [0058]      FIGS. 6B and 6C  illustrate one embodiment of a plate lock  492  in relation to  FIG. 6A . The plate lock  492  may comprise a spring loaded slide  694  and a slot  692  configured to engage the lock groove  476  of the pivot stud  310 . To engage the lock  492  with the pivot stud  310 , a user slides the lock  492  to an open position  698  and registers the aperture  490  of the front plate  210  with the plate insert  474  (See  FIG. 4 ) of the pivot stud  310 . Then the user may release the spring loaded slide  694 , allowing the slot  692  to register with the lock groove  476  of the pivot stud  310 .  
         [0059]     When engaged, the plate lock  492  secures the front plate  210  to the pivot stud  310  by preventing removal of the pivot stud  310  from the aperture  490 . The lock  492  may be biased to urge the slot  692  over the lock groove  476  to prevent removal of the pivot stud  310 . In order to remove the front plate  210  from the pivot stud  310 , the spring loaded lock  694  may be slid away from the pivot stud  310  to disengage the slot  692  from the lock groove  476 , permitting the pivot stud  310  to be removed from the aperture  490 . Thus, the plate lock  492  allows a user to pivotally couple the front plate  210  and back plate  220  in a toolless manner.  
         [0060]      FIG. 7  illustrates one embodiment of a process flow chart diagram of a method  700  for inserting an expansion card  140  into a cassette  200 . The method  700  may include the steps of removing  710  the front plate  210  from the cassette  200 , securing  720  the expansion card  140  to the cassette  200 , and replacing  730  the front plate  210 . Throughout the description of the method  700  there will be multiple references to  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  5 A,  5 B,  5 C,  5 D,  5 E,  6 A,  6 B, and  6 C, in as much as the method  700  may involve considerable detail.  
         [0061]     Removing  710  the front plate  210  from the cassette  200  may include sliding the plate lock  492  away from the pivot stud  310  and removing the front plate  210  from the pivot stud  310 . The front plate  210  may then be detached from the tab receiver  260  of the side plate  230  by disengaging the tab  240  from the tab receiver  260  (See  FIG. 6A ). Once completed, the front plate  210  is completely removed from the cassette  200 , exposing the back plate  220  and side plate  230  (See  FIG. 5A ).  
         [0062]     Securing  720  the expansion card  140  to the cassette  200  includes placing the bottom of the tail stock  430  in the hook  412  and pivoting the tail stock  430  upwardly until it is flush with the side plate  230  (See  FIG. 4 ). At this point, the tail stock lip  432  registers with the latch  414  in the open position  508  (See  FIG. 5B ). The latch  414  is then pivoted downward, until the vertically tab  502  contacts the tail stock lip  432  (See  FIG. 4 ). Once completed, the tail stock  430  is secured to the side plate  230 .  
         [0063]     The circuit board  440  of the expansion card  140  may then be secured to the back plate  220  by registering the base of the circuit board  440  with the card guide  460  (See  FIG. 4 ). Then, the zip slide handle  558  is rotated into an open position (See  FIG. 5D ), disengaging the zip slide lock  560 , such that the movable stop  556  may then slide along the stop guide  554  (See  FIG. 5C ). The movable stop  556  is then adjusted along the stop guide  554  to register with the edge of the circuit board  440 , and the zip slide handle  558  is rotated to a closed position (See  FIG. 5E ), engaging the zip slide lock  560  and securing the moveable stop  556  in place (See  FIG. 4 ). Once completed, the circuit board  440  is secured to the back plate  220 .  
         [0064]     Replacing  730  the front plate  210  includes registering the tab  240  of the front plate  210  with the tab receiver  260  of the side plate  230  (See  FIG. 6A ). The tab  240  engages the tab stop  670  by positioning the restraining tab  684  below the flat base  672  of the tab receiver  260 . The first stop tab  682  and second stop tab  686  are positioned above the flat base  672 , such that the first stop tab  682  and the second stop tab  686  are on either side of the restraining portion  674 . Securing the front plate  210  to the side plate  230  in this manner restricts the pivoting range of the back plate  220  as the first stop tab  682  and the second stop tab  686  come into contact with the restraining portion  674 .  
         [0065]     The front plate  210  is then secured to the pivot stud  310  of the back plate  220  by sliding the plate lock  492  into an open position  698  and registering the pivot insert  474  with the aperture  490  of the front plate  210  (See  FIGS. 6B and 6C ). The plate lock  492  may then engage the lock groove  476  of the pivot stud  310 , pinching the pivot stud  310  between the aperture  490  and the plate lock  492  of the front plate  210 . When completed, the front plate  210  is secured to the back plate  220 , and the expansion card  140  is substantially enclosed within an interior (See  FIG. 2 ).  
         [0066]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , a process  800  for inserting an expansion card  140  and cassette  200  into a chassis  120  may include the steps of opening  810  a chassis lock, inserting  820  a cassette into the chassis  120 , pivotally mating  830  the expansion card  140  to the expansion connector  130 , and closing  840  the chassis lock.  
         [0067]     Referring to  FIG. 9A , while still referring to  FIG. 8 , a chassis lock  910  is used in one embodiment to restrain an expansion card  140  once inserted within the chassis  120  and connected to the expansion connector  130 . Restraining the expansion card  140  guards against loosening of the expansion card  140  from the expansion connector  130  due to vibration, creeping of materials, expansion due to heat, or other such effects. In the illustrated embodiment, the chassis lock  910  is a hinged chassis top plate  912 , hingedly attached at the top of the opening  920  through which a cassette  200  is inserted. Accordingly, opening  920  the chassis lock  910  includes opening the chassis top plate  912  as illustrated in  FIG. 9A .  
         [0068]     Inserting  820  the cassette  200  into the chassis  120  includes inserting the combined cassette  200  and chassis  120  longitudinally through the opening  920  in the chassis  120  into one of the bays  960  formed in the chassis  120 . When inserted, the tail stock  430  is typically exposed through the opening  920  and the pivot stud  310  is typically located at the far end  930  of the chassis. A guide  940 , such as slot  942 , may be formed in the chassis  120  to guide insertion of the front plate  210  and restrain the front plate  210  against horizontal and vertical movement once inserted. Inserting  820  the cassette  200  preferably includes holding the back plate  220  in an upwardly pivoted position as illustrated. Accordingly, a user grasps the handle  420  and both lifts and pushes the handle  420  to insert the cassette  200  into the chassis  120 .  
         [0069]     Referring to  FIGS. 9B and 9C , inserting  820  the cassette  200  into the chassis  120  in the depicted embodiment includes engaging the chassis groove  478  of the pivot stud  310  with a cassette lock  950  to secure the pivot stud  310  during pivoting. The cassette lock  950  may be any structure capable of capturing a portion of the cassette  200  and preventing vertical motion thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the cassette lock  950  utilizes a receiving opening such as a hook or slot  952 , into which the chassis groove  478  may be slid during insertion  820 .  
         [0070]     Referring to  FIG. 9D , pivotally mating  830  the expansion card  140  with the expansion connector  130  may include applying a downward pressure on the handle  420  causing the back plate  220  and attached expansion card  140  to pivot about the plate coupler  250 . It will be noted that in the illustrated embodiment, force is applied at both ends of the cassette  200 . Both the applied force at the handle  420  and the reaction forces at the plate coupler  250  will be exerted on the back plate  220 . In this manner, a large bending movement, or rotational force, need not be exerted on the expansion card  140  proximate the tail stock  430  in order to exert a downward force on the connection fingers  442  (See  FIG. 9A ) of the expansion card  140 .  
         [0071]     Pivotally mating  830  the expansion card  140  with respect to the expansion connector  130  provides the additional benefit of engaging the connection fingers  442  (See  FIG. 9A ) of the expansion card  140  with the expansion connector  130  sequentially rather than simultaneously. Pivotal mating  830  requires that the portion  960  of the expansion connector  130  closest to the pivot point  970  engage the expansion card  140  before the portion  962  further therefrom. Sequential engagement of the connection fingers  442  (See  FIG. 9A ) reduces the amount of force necessary for insertion. Only a force sufficient to insert a portion of the connection fingers  442  (See  FIG. 9A ) need be exerted on the expansion card  140 .  
         [0072]     Closing  840  the chassis lock may include restraining the inserted and connected expansion card  140  against loosening from the expansion connector  130 . Accordingly, closing  840  the chassis lock  910  may include closing the chassis top plate  912 . When closed, the lower edge  914  of the chassis top plate  912  may abut the top of the back plate  220  preventing upward movement thereof.  
         [0073]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.