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US5558522A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Slot manifold for motherboard that provides space-saving access to an expansion bus of a personal computer

Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 1995-01-30
•
Granted: 1996-09-24
•
Expires: 2015-01-30
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Abstract

Abstract A manifold expansion card connector on the motherboard of a personal computer. The computer connector comprises a base, there being a number of pins in the base. An upper portion has three sockets, each socket having connectors therein that are connected to the pins. A first socket is oriented in a plane horizontal to the plane of the pins. A second socket is oriented in a plane vertical to the plane of the pins. A third socket is oriented in a plane at an angle, such as 45 degrees, to the plane of the pins. Two of the connectors placed side by side provide for six add-in cards in a computer that has two different buses, such as a PCI bus and an ISA bus. In a computer with a single bus, such as a PCI bus or an ISA bus, a single manifold expansion card connector provides for seven cards with a single multi-pin connector to the bus.

Inventors

  • 👤 David Dent

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 04:16
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/7005; H01R12/7011; H01R12/707; H01R31/00; H01R31/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim 118 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; and, a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle to said horizontal plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 118 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; and, a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle to said horizontal plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said angle is greater than zero and less than ninety degrees.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said angle is thirty degrees.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said angle is forty five degrees.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 177 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and equal to or less than forty five degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than forty five and less than ninety degrees.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 177 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and equal to or less than forty five degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than forty five and less than ninety degrees.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first angle is thirty degrees.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first angle is forty five degrees.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said second angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first angle is thirty degrees and said second angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 24 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 6 wherein said first angle is forty five degrees and said second angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 174 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and less than ninety degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than ninety degrees and less than one-hundred eighty degrees.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 174 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and less than ninety degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than ninety degrees and less than one-hundred eighty degrees.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first angle is thirty degrees.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first angle is forty five degrees.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein said first angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 18 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein said second angle is one hundred twenty degrees.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein said second angle is one hundred twenty five degrees.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 18 words
The computer expansion connector in accordance with claim 12 wherein said second angle is one hundred fifty degrees.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 128 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; said motherboard being in a horizontal plane; an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; and, a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle to said horizontal plane.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 128 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; said motherboard being in a horizontal plane; an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; and, a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle to said horizontal plane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 19 words
The computer in accordance with claim 19 wherein said angle is greater than zero and less than ninety degrees.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 13 words
The computer in accordance with claim 19 wherein said angle is thirty degrees.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computer in accordance with claim 19 wherein said angle is forty five degrees.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 13 words
The computer in accordance with claim 19 wherein said angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 187 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; said motherboard being in a horizontal plane an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and equal to or less than forty five degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than forty five and less than ninety degrees.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 187 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; said motherboard being in a horizontal plane an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and equal to or less than forty five degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than forty five and less than ninety degrees.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computer in accordance with claim 24 wherein said first angle is thirty degrees.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 15 words
The computer in accordance with claim 24 wherein said first angle is forty five degrees.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computer in accordance with claim 24 wherein said second angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 21 words
The computer in accordance with claim 24 wherein said first angle is thirty degrees and said second angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 22 words
The computer in accordance with claim 24 wherein said first angle is forty five degrees and said second angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 177 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and less than ninety degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than ninety degrees and less than one-hundred eighty degrees.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 177 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at a first angle to said horizontal plane, said first angle being greater than zero and less than ninety degrees; and, a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at a second angle to said horizontal plane, said second angle being greater than ninety degrees and less than one-hundred eighty degrees.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computer in accordance with claim 30 wherein said first angle is thirty degrees.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 15 words
The computer in accordance with claim 30 wherein said first angle is forty five degrees.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 14 words
The computer in accordance with claim 30 wherein said first angle is sixty degrees.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer in accordance with claim 30 wherein said second angle is one hundred twenty degrees.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 17 words
The computer in accordance with claim 30 wherein said second angle is one hundred twenty five degrees.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 16 words
The computer in accordance with claim 30 wherein said second angle is one hundred fifty degrees.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 184 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle of thirty degrees to said horizontal plane; a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at an angle of forty five degrees to said horizontal plane; and, a fifth socket of said number of sockets, said fifth socket being oriented in a third plane, said fifth plane being at an angle of sixty degrees to said horizontal plane.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 184 words
A computer expansion connector comprising: a base; a number of male pins in said base; said male pins being arranged in a horizontal plane; an upper portion; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected to said male pins; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle of thirty degrees to said horizontal plane; a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at an angle of forty five degrees to said horizontal plane; and, a fifth socket of said number of sockets, said fifth socket being oriented in a third plane, said fifth plane being at an angle of sixty degrees to said horizontal plane.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 187 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle of thirty degrees to said horizontal plane; a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at an angle of forty five degrees to said horizontal plane; and, a fifth socket of said number of sockets, said fifth socket being oriented in a third plane, said fifth plane being at an angle of sixty degrees to said horizontal plane.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 187 words
A computer comprising: a motherboard having printed circuit wiring; an expansion connector having a base and an upper portion; said base being connected to said motherboard; said upper portion comprising a number of sockets having connectors therein that are connected through said base to said printed circuit wiring; a first socket of said number of sockets, said first socket being oriented in a first plane parallel to said horizontal plane; a second socket of said number of sockets, said second socket being oriented in a second plane vertical to said horizontal plane; a third socket of said number of sockets, said third socket being oriented in a third plane, said third plane being at an angle of thirty degrees to said horizontal plane; a fourth socket of said number of sockets, said fourth socket being oriented in a fourth plane, said fourth plane being at an angle of forty five degrees to said horizontal plane; and, a fifth socket of said number of sockets, said fifth socket being oriented in a third plane, said fifth plane being at an angle of sixty degrees to said horizontal plane.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US5119273A Cited
US5301089A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-09-24 2000-03-25 2000-09-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-09-24 2004-03-25 2004-09-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-09-24 2008-03-25 2008-09-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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