Patent US6078504A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6078504A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Universal adapter bracket for communications devices
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1997-10-08
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Granted: 2000-06-20
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Expires: 2017-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A universal adapter bracket for installing standard form factor adapter cards such as PCI cards into larger expansion slots of a communications device, such as a router or switch. The adapter bracket has a front face with angled flanges forming an aperture for accepting standard PC brackets, an upper flange with conductive spring clips or foam gasket material, a lower flange for securing a carrier card to the adapter bracket, and fasteners on the front face of the adapter bracket for securing and grounding the adapter bracket to the communications device.
Inventors
- 👤 Anthony Wayne Miles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 18:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/185; G06F1/184; G06F1/186; H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1422; H05K7/1427; H05K7/1429
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
An adapter bracket for installing adapter cards complying with a specified form factor and mounted on a carrier card through an external expansion slot into an internal adapter housing in a communications device, comprising: a front face including a pair of angled flanges formed on a portion of said front face to provide an aperture for accepting a standard angled bracket fastened to an edge of said adapter card; a bottom flange for providing a flat surface for mounting said carrier card to said adapter bracket; and a top flange for securing said adapter bracket to said communications device and including a plurality of spring clips in said top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
An adapter bracket for installing adapter cards complying with a specified form factor and mounted on a carrier card through an external expansion slot into an internal adapter housing in a communications device, comprising: a front face including a pair of angled flanges formed on a portion of said front face to provide an aperture for accepting a standard angled bracket fastened to an edge of said adapter card; a bottom flange for providing a flat surface for mounting said carrier card to said adapter bracket; and a top flange for securing said adapter bracket to said communications device and including a plurality of spring clips in said top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The adapter bracket of claim 1 further comprising a conductive foam gasket with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing attached to the top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The adapter bracket of claim 1 wherein said adapter bracket is fabricated from galvanized low carbon steel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
133 words
An adapter bracket for installing adapter cards complying with a specified form factor and mounted on a carrier card through an external expansion slot into an internal adapter housing in a communications device, comprising: a front face including a pair of angled flanges formed on a portion of said front face to provide an aperture for accepting a standard angled bracket fastened to an edge of said adapter card; a bottom flange for providing a flat surface for mounting said carrier card to said adapter bracket; and a top flange for securing said adapter bracket to said communications device and including a conductive foam gasket with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing attached to the top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
133 words
An adapter bracket for installing adapter cards complying with a specified form factor and mounted on a carrier card through an external expansion slot into an internal adapter housing in a communications device, comprising: a front face including a pair of angled flanges formed on a portion of said front face to provide an aperture for accepting a standard angled bracket fastened to an edge of said adapter card; a bottom flange for providing a flat surface for mounting said carrier card to said adapter bracket; and a top flange for securing said adapter bracket to said communications device and including a conductive foam gasket with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing attached to the top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The adapter bracket of claim 4 wherein said adapter bracket is fabricated from galvanized low carbon steel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
198 words
An adapter bracket for installing adapter cards complying with a specified form factor and mounted on a carrier card through an external expansion slot into an internal adapter housing in a communications device, wherein said internal adapter housing includes a backplane, a pair of side flanges attached to said backplane and to the rear of said exterior surface of said communications device so as to form a rectangular housing structure, said side flanges each having a guide rail disposed along an interior surface for receiving said carrier card, and said backplane having an edge connector block mounted thereon for electrically connecting said carrier card to said backplane, the adapter bracket comprising: a front face including a pair of angled flanges formed on a portion of said front face to provide an aperture for accepting a standard angled bracket fastened to an edge of said adapter card; and an injector/ejector mechanism for fastening said adapter bracket to an exterior surface of said communications device containing card external expansion slot; a bottom flange for providing a flat surface for mounting said carrier card to said adapter bracket; and a top flange for securing said adapter bracket to said communications device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
198 words
An adapter bracket for installing adapter cards complying with a specified form factor and mounted on a carrier card through an external expansion slot into an internal adapter housing in a communications device, wherein said internal adapter housing includes a backplane, a pair of side flanges attached to said backplane and to the rear of said exterior surface of said communications device so as to form a rectangular housing structure, said side flanges each having a guide rail disposed along an interior surface for receiving said carrier card, and said backplane having an edge connector block mounted thereon for electrically connecting said carrier card to said backplane, the adapter bracket comprising: a front face including a pair of angled flanges formed on a portion of said front face to provide an aperture for accepting a standard angled bracket fastened to an edge of said adapter card; and an injector/ejector mechanism for fastening said adapter bracket to an exterior surface of said communications device containing card external expansion slot; a bottom flange for providing a flat surface for mounting said carrier card to said adapter bracket; and a top flange for securing said adapter bracket to said communications device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The adapter bracket of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of spring clips in said top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
The adapter bracket of claim 6 further comprising a conductive foam gasket with a pressure sensitive adhesive backing attached to the top flange for providing both a conductive contact and a seal between said adapter bracket and said communications device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The adapter bracket of claim 6 wherein said adapter bracket is fabricated from galvanized low carbon steel.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-06-20 | 2003-12-20 | 2004-06-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-06-20 | 2007-12-20 | 2008-06-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-06-20 | 2011-12-20 | 2012-06-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |