US5032952A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pivoting power supply
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1989-11-13
•
Granted: 1991-07-16
•
Expires: 2009-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A pivotable power supply for a computer rotates away from the computer circuit board so that servicing of system components located behind the power supply is facilitated. The power supply is provided with a ground strap which remains attached during power supply pivoting thus assuring that the power supply will be grounded after system servicing. Also, a threaded, spring-loaded fastener for locking the power supply in position is designed such that the covers cannot be replaced on the housing unless the power supply is connected to the system circuit board.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin K. Cooke
- 👤 Dennis Crompton
- 👤 John R. DeWitt
- 👤 Paul A. Kerezman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/189
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and including a power supply fastener for locking said power supply into position in the housing, said fastener including a shaft having engaging means for engaging a support fixed to the housing to thereby lock said power supply in the housing, said fastener further having biasing means to bias said shaft and said engaging means away from said support when said shaft is not engaging said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and including a power supply fastener for locking said power supply into position in the housing, said fastener including a shaft having engaging means for engaging a support fixed to the housing to thereby lock said power supply in the housing, said fastener further having biasing means to bias said shaft and said engaging means away from said support when said shaft is not engaging said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein said fastener shaft axis is vertical to the axis of said power supply hinge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power supply of claim 1 wherein said fastener shaft has a handle for pivoting said power supply.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and including a power supply connector mounted thereon for tangential connection with a connector mounted within the housing of the personal computer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and including a power supply connector mounted thereon for tangential connection with a connector mounted within the housing of the personal computer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The power supply of claim 4 wherein said connector mounted within said housing is aligned tangentially to the arc described by the pivoting of said power supply around said hinge.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
67 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and including a ground strap assembly electrically connected to said power supply and the housing on which said hinge is located, said ground strap being mounted for pivoting with said power supply, said ground strap assembly securing said power supply to said hinge.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
67 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and including a ground strap assembly electrically connected to said power supply and the housing on which said hinge is located, said ground strap being mounted for pivoting with said power supply, said ground strap assembly securing said power supply to said hinge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The power supply of claim 6 wherein said ground strap has means for preventing said power supply from slipping off the hinge pin of said hinge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and having a connector and connector retainer assembly mounted on said power supply for floating movement relative to said power supply by being supported in an aperture larger than the cross-section of said connector and said connector retainer assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
A power supply for powering a personal computer having a system circuit board and a housing, said power supply being pivotable around a hinge and having a connector and connector retainer assembly mounted on said power supply for floating movement relative to said power supply by being supported in an aperture larger than the cross-section of said connector and said connector retainer assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The power supply of claim 8 wherein said connector retainer has ribs positioned such that when pressure is applied to said connector, the connector retainer fasteners are urged toward the connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
63 words
A connector assembly for connecting a power supply to a system circuit board of a personal computer, the power supply being pivotable around a hinge, the combination comprising a connector, and a connector retainer assembly including connector retainer fasteners and ribs, said ribs being positioned such that when pressure is applied to said connector, said connector retainer fasteners are urged toward said connector.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
63 words
A connector assembly for connecting a power supply to a system circuit board of a personal computer, the power supply being pivotable around a hinge, the combination comprising a connector, and a connector retainer assembly including connector retainer fasteners and ribs, said ribs being positioned such that when pressure is applied to said connector, said connector retainer fasteners are urged toward said connector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector assembly comprising a connector, and a connector retainer assembly including connector retainer fasteners and ribs, said ribs being positioned such that when pressure is applied to said connector, said connector retainer fasteners are urged toward said connector.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
39 words
A connector assembly comprising a connector, and a connector retainer assembly including connector retainer fasteners and ribs, said ribs being positioned such that when pressure is applied to said connector, said connector retainer fasteners are urged toward said connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-07-15 | 1995-01-14 | 1995-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-07-15 | 1999-01-14 | 1999-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-15 | 2003-01-14 | 2003-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |