Patent EP0105628A1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5673174A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System permitting the external replacement of the CPU and/or DRAM SIMMs microchip boards
Assignee: Palomar Medical Technologies LLC
•
Filing: 1995-03-23
•
Granted: 1997-09-30
•
Expires: 2015-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An improved computer chassis and cover assembly that includes an apparatus and method for installation and replacement of the computer CPU or SIMMs chips without removal of the cover. This permits quick and easy upgrading of the computer CPU or SIMMs memory boards as their prices drop or as changes occur. The invention also allows vendors to purchase expensive and price volatile CPU's and SIMMs memory boards on an "as needed" basis, eliminating warehousing of commodities whose prices may drop suddenly.
Inventors
- 👤 Babar Hamirani
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:15
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/02; H05K7/10; H05K7/1007; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/181; G06F1/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards, comprising: a) a chassis having a motherboard disposed thereon; b) an external chassis cover disposed over said chassis; c) at least one primed circuit board disposed in electrical communication with said motherboard; d) said motherboard having a component side and a solder side and wherein said at least one printed circuit board is disposed on said solder side of said motherboard; and e) said external chassis cover having an access opening proximate said at least one printed circuit board on the solder side of said motherboard, said access opening being sized to permit access to said at least one printed circuit board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards, comprising: a) a chassis having a motherboard disposed thereon; b) an external chassis cover disposed over said chassis; c) at least one primed circuit board disposed in electrical communication with said motherboard; d) said motherboard having a component side and a solder side and wherein said at least one printed circuit board is disposed on said solder side of said motherboard; and e) said external chassis cover having an access opening proximate said at least one printed circuit board on the solder side of said motherboard, said access opening being sized to permit access to said at least one printed circuit board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 1, wherein said external manipulation of said at least one printed circuit board includes insertion, removal and replacement of said at least one printed circuit board.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 1 wherein said motherboard further includes a connector for supplying electrical power and ground connections to said at least one printed circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 3 wherein said connector is the low insertion force type having a mechanical latching mechanism.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 4 wherein said chassis is located within said cover with sufficient clearance for said low insertion force connector, said mechanical latching system and said at least one printed circuit board that has been previously inserted.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
47 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 5 wherein said access opening disposed proximate said at least one printed circuit board, is sized so as to permit access to both said at least one printed circuit board and said mechanical latching system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 6 wherein said cover further includes a second cover disposed over said access opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 7 wherein said second cover is of the quick release type.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 8 wherein said printed circuit board has a computer processing unit (CPU) disposed thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer having means for external replacement of circuit boards of claim 8 wherein said printed circuit board has a single in-line memory module(SIMM) disposed thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4876630A
Cited
US4870605A
Cited
US4977532A
Cited
US4984993A
Cited
US5238423A
Cited
US5317481A
Cited
US5265328A
Cited
US5460441A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-31 | 2001-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-29 | 2005-03-31 | 2005-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-29 | 2009-03-31 | 2009-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |