Patent Description:
There are many examples of computer components that must be fastened to a support structuresuch as a printed circuit board ("PCB"), tray, or chassis. However, in some cases, some of these components must also be able to be released from the computer support structure, such as for repair/replacement. One example of such a component is a peripheral component interconnect express ("PCIe") card, which may be released from a graphics processing unit ("GPU") tray. For this type of PCIe card, the use of tools is ordinarily required to effect the release of the PCIe card from the GPU tray. However, the use of a PCIe card is exemplary only and not limiting, as many types of computer components require the assistance of a tool to remove and/or replace the component.

<CIT> describes a server which includes a main board, a side panel having an attached female connector, an expansion card, and a lever.

<CIT> describes locking and extraction devices for an electrical connector in an electronic casing, said electronic casing comprising the electrical socket corresponding to said electrical connector, the connection and the extraction of the electrical connector being performed in a determined direction, parallel to the electrical contacts of the electrical connector.

<CIT> describes a fixing mechanism which is capable of assembling an expansion card module includes a base, a latch and a resilient component. The expansion card module slidably inserts into the base.

<CIT> describes a card cage ejector combination including a card cage or housing for receiving printed circuit boards. The housing has an opening for insertion of the PCBs.

There is a long felt need to provide the ability to release computer components, including PCIe cards, from computer support structure without the need to carry tools. There has also been a long-standing need for improving the manner in which the release of such computer components is effected, especially where the space limitations complicate the release of such computer component, even with the use of a tool.

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a new service structure to fasten and release computer components from a supporting structure, such as a tray or chassis.

It is also an object to provide a new service structure that can readily release computer components from its supporting structure without the need for tools.

Preferred embodiments are defined by the features of the dependent claims.

This new service structure also permits release of computer components from their supporting structure where previously, such release was complex, or even prohibited, due to space limitations.

In one embodiment according to the present disclosure, a release hook is provided that includes thumbscrews, in addition to a fixing structure attached to a release hook.

In another embodiment, a push lever release comprises a release base and a release lever that is pivotably attached to the release base.

In still further embodiments, a system of releasing PCIe cards can be achieved by the combination of the release hook and release lever.

These and other objects will be better understood when read in connection with the detailed description and the appended drawings.

The present invention is described with reference to the attached figures, where like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not drawn to scale and are provided merely to illustrate the instant invention. Several aspects of the invention are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that not every element is visible in each figure of the drawings. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the invention. The present invention is not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not all illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention.

As noted above, many types of computer components, such as cards, are secured in place in a computer or in part of a computer, such as a chassis, tray, motherboard, etc. There are occasions when these computer components need to be removed from their secured place for inspection, repair, or replacement. In general, these components can only be released with the aid of a tool, as the clearance for use solely of the hand or fingers is so confined that the component cannot be dislodged from it secured location. Not only does this mean that one must carry tools with him, but also, because of the lack clearances, several tools may be needed to lift or dislodge a computer component from its position. <FIG> illustrates, in exploded view, the details of an exemplary release hook structure <NUM> in accordance with the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic, plan view of a release hook structure <NUM>, clearly illustrating the thumbscrews <NUM>, <NUM> that permit raising of the pivot claws <NUM>, <NUM> (not visible in <FIG> is a schematic, elevation view of the release hook of <FIG> illustrating the position of arms <NUM>, <NUM> in a position below fixing element <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic, left side view of the release hook of <FIG>, and illustrating the claw <NUM>, which begins the lifting of the card, as the thumbscrews <NUM>, <NUM> are lifted upwardly. <FIG> is a schematic, perspective view of release hook structure <NUM>. A release hook <NUM> (from <FIG>) is provided with one or more arms <NUM>, <NUM> to act as a lever to pivot claws <NUM>, <NUM> out of a position supporting a computer component within a supporting structure and to lift a computer component from its operative position. The arms <NUM>, <NUM> are provided to act as levers when rotating the lifting hook structure <NUM>. A fixing element <NUM> is provided in order to mount the release hook <NUM>. One or more thumbscrews <NUM>, <NUM> is provided to move release hook <NUM> from a position holding a computer component to a chassis, tray, or other supporting structure of a computer. A series of screws <NUM>, <NUM> are used to secure fixing element <NUM> to release hook <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate the use of release hook <NUM> in the environment of PCIe cards in a GPU tray, although this same configuration and structure can be employed to release components other than PCIe cards. GPU tray <NUM> contains a series of PCIe cards <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In order to hold and release the PCIe cards, use is made of the release hook structure <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, a rail <NUM> is provided. The rail <NUM> defines a plurality of openings or slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, through which arms <NUM>, <NUM>, of the lifting hook structure <NUM> can extend. Arms <NUM>, <NUM> can extend through adjacent slots in rail <NUM> (<FIG>). The rail <NUM> can retain and capture the arms <NUM>, <NUM>, especially if the arms <NUM>, <NUM> are each provided with a flange <NUM>, <NUM>, respectively. The release hook structure <NUM> can retain the PCIe cards in their required position when in their operative position. However, when it is desired to remove the PCIe cards, the thumbscrews <NUM>, <NUM> are pulled upwardly, as shown in <FIG>. This action in pulling thumbscrews <NUM>, <NUM> upwardly acts to rotate pivot claws <NUM>, <NUM>, thereby simultaneously releasing and lifting the PCIe card from GPU tray <NUM>.

This action is shown schematically in <FIG>. The initial upward movement on thumbscrews <NUM>, <NUM> (in direction of arrow <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>) gradually turns to rotational movement (as indicted by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>), as the arms <NUM>, <NUM> interact with their respective slot <NUM> in the rail <NUM>. PCIe card <NUM> is positioned to contact precisely PCB <NUM>, as shown schematically in <FIG>. When it is desired to release PCIe card <NUM>, the arm <NUM> is rotated by lifting upon thumbscrew <NUM>. This action then pivots claw <NUM> upwardly as well, causing claw <NUM> to contact, and then lift flange <NUM> of PCIe card <NUM>, releasing and simultaneously lifting PCIe card <NUM> out of contact with PCB <NUM>. This action is capable of lifting PCIe card <NUM> over <NUM>, thereby permitting grasping and removal of PCIe card <NUM> from GPU tray <NUM> with a person's fingers.

<FIG> illustrate a second embodiment of a lifting mechanism that can be used with, or in place of, the release hook lifting structure of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a lifting base <NUM>, defining several opening <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> to permit fasteners, such as screws (not shown) to pass through and secure the lifting base <NUM> to a support structure. The support structure could be the rail <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>), or the release hook <NUM> (of <FIG>). <FIG> is a schematic, plan view of <FIG>. Bosses <NUM>, <NUM> define an opening passing through bosses <NUM>, <NUM> to receive a shaft <NUM> to secure release lever <NUM> to lifting base <NUM>. <FIG>, which is a schematic, elevation view of <FIG>, clearly shows the pivoting connection between release lever <NUM> and lifting base <NUM>. <FIG> is a schematic, right side view of <FIG>. Release lever <NUM> provides an alternative lifting action to that of lifting hook <NUM>. <FIG>, shows a schematically illustrated a PCIe card release lever <NUM>, which comprises a PCIe card release base <NUM>. Pivotably coupled to PCIe card release base <NUM> is a PCIe release lever <NUM>, which terminates in a nose <NUM> to contact the PCIe card. A shaft <NUM> acts as the coupling element for PCIe release lever <NUM> and PCIe release base <NUM>, and also permits pivoting of PCIe card release lever <NUM> relative to PCIe release base <NUM>. PCIe card release base <NUM> defines a plurality of apertures <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM><NUM> for the purpose of receiving fasteners, such as screws or rivets, to secure the PCIe card release base to the tray or chassis of a computer. Further views of each of the components of <FIG> can be seen in <FIG>, <FIG>.

Operation of PCIe release lever <NUM> will now be described in connection with <FIG>. GPU tray <NUM> contains a plurality of PCIe cards <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. PCIe card release lever <NUM> is mounted to the tray <NUM> by means of fasteners (not shown). When it is desired to release one of the PCIe cards from its place in tray <NUM>, the end of release lever <NUM> is displaced downwardly by pushing against the protruding end <NUM> of release lever <NUM>, as shown by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. The protruding end <NUM> of release lever <NUM> will rotate, as shown by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>. The opposite end <NUM> (hidden in <FIG>, but illustrated in <FIG>) of release lever <NUM> will push upwardly against PCIe card <NUM>, and lift it out of its position from within tray <NUM>, as shown by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>.

The operation of release lever <NUM> can be better understood in connection with the schematic representation of <FIG>. PCIe card <NUM> is in position against PCB <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. To release and lift the PCIe card <NUM>, a downward force is exerted in the direction of arrow <NUM>, and against protruding end <NUM> of release lever <NUM>. As release lever <NUM> is pivotably mounted about shaft <NUM>, the downward force exerted against protruding end <NUM> of release lever <NUM> translates to a rotational motion α about shaft <NUM>. This brings the opposite end <NUM> of release lever <NUM> into contact with the PCIe card flange <NUM>, thereby imparting an upwardly lifting force to PCIe bracket <NUM>. This upwardly lifting force displaces PCIe card <NUM> away from the PCB <NUM>. In some implementations, the rotational motion α can be up to and include an angle of about <NUM>°. This can result in a lifting of PCIe card <NUM> in an amount of more than <NUM>. This lifting of PCIe card <NUM> (shown by arrow <NUM> in <FIG>) can be selected so that it is sufficient to permit an operator to grasp PCIe card <NUM>, and complete the removal of the PCIe card <NUM> or other computer component from the tray <NUM>. The process can be repeated for the other PCIe cards e.g., PCIe card <NUM>, within tray <NUM> by the use of levers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> (<FIG>), respectively.

Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including," "includes," "having," "has," "with," or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising.

Claim 1:
A computer system comprising:
at least two adjacent computer components (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a supporting structure (<NUM>) that is one of a tray or chassis;
a rail (<NUM>) on the supporting structure (<NUM>), defining a plurality of slots (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) therein;
a release hook (<NUM>), the release hook (<NUM>) comprising at least two claws (<NUM>, <NUM>) for engaging with, and capable of lifting, the corresponding at least two computer components to be released from their supporting structure (<NUM>); and
a fixing element (<NUM>), the fixing element (<NUM>) providing a structure upon which to mount the release hook (<NUM>), the fixing element (<NUM>) being attached to the release hook (<NUM>), the fixing element (<NUM>) being provided with at least one thumbscrew (<NUM>, <NUM>), the at least one thumbscrew (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending through an aperture in the fixing element (<NUM>) to engage the release hook (<NUM>) adjacent to the claws (<NUM>, <NUM>); wherein
the release hook (<NUM>) further comprises at least one arm (<NUM>, <NUM>) extending from the release hook (<NUM>) to act as a lever for the release hook (<NUM>), the at least one arm (<NUM>, <NUM>) extends horizontally away from the claws (<NUM>, <NUM>), and a distal end of the at least one arm (<NUM>, <NUM>) extends extending through a corresponding slot among the plurality of slots (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), and
whereby lifting of the thumbscrew (<NUM>, <NUM>) upwardly directly acts to rotate the release hook (<NUM>) and the at least one arm (<NUM>, <NUM>), with the rail (<NUM>) acting as a pivot for the at least one arm (<NUM>, <NUM>) whereby the claws (<NUM>, <NUM>) simultaneously release and lift the computer components (<NUM>, <NUM>) from their supporting structure.