US6146150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit card with separate interfaces for different bus architectures
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-11-24
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Granted: 2000-11-14
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Expires: 2018-11-24
Abstract
Abstract A circuit card assembly includes a circuit card having a first type of connector extending along one of its longitudinal edges and a second type of circuit connector extending along its other longitudinal edge, so that the card assembly can be plugged into one type of computer bus or inverted and plugged into a second type of computer bus. Provisions are made for inverting a card bracket attached to an end of the card assembly, so that it is correct for both types of installations. In either case, the I/O connector(s) (if any) of the card assembly extend through the bracket for the connection of external cable(s).
Inventors
- 👤 Norman King Roberts
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 05:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/185; G06F1/184; G06F1/186; H; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H01R27/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
508 words
A circuit card assembly for removable attachment to either a bus of a first type through a connector of a first type, having a first card locating surface engaging a circuit card fully inserted into said connector of a first type, and to a slotted bracket of a first type adjacent said connector of a first type, with said slotted bracket of a first type including an access slot offset through a first offset distance in a first direction from an adjacent side of a card inserted within said connector of a first type, or to a bus of a second type through a connector of a second type, having a second card locating surface engaging a circuit card fully inserted into said connector of a second type, and to a slotted bracket of a second type adjacent said connector of a second type, with said slotted bracket of a second type including an access slot offset through said first offset distance in a direction opposite said first direction from an adjacent side of a card inserted within said connector of a second type, bracket of a first type and said slotted bracket of a second type each additionally including a bracket attachment surface, with said first card locating surface being displaced at a second offset distance from said bracket attachment surface of said slotted bracket of a first type, with said second card locating surface being displaced at a third offset distance from said bracket attachment surface of said slotted bracket of a second type, and with said circuit card assembly comprising: a circuit card having parallel longitudinal edges extending between front and rear ends; a first connector structure for removably engaging said connector of a first type, extending along a first of said longitudinal edges, including a first connector locating surface engaging said first card locating surface; a second connector structure for removably engaging said connector of a second type, extending along a second of said longitudinal edges, including a second connector locating surface engaging said second card locating surface wherein said first and second connector locating surfaces are separated by a first separation distance; a bracket mounting structure providing a mounting surface extending perpendicularly to a surface of said circuit card and extending perpendicularly to said parallel longitudinal edges thereof; and a bracket including an attachment feature for engaging said bracket attachment surface, wherein said bracket is removably fastened to said bracket mounting structure and repositionable thereon at first and second bracket positions, wherein said second bracket position is rotated 180 degrees on said mounting surface from said first bracket position about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly from said mounting surface, wherein said axis of rotation is offset from an adjacent side of said circuit card through said first offset distance, and wherein said axis of rotation is offset along said surface of said card from said first connector locating surface by a distance equal to half a sum of said first separation distance and a difference between said second and third offset distances.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
508 words
A circuit card assembly for removable attachment to either a bus of a first type through a connector of a first type, having a first card locating surface engaging a circuit card fully inserted into said connector of a first type, and to a slotted bracket of a first type adjacent said connector of a first type, with said slotted bracket of a first type including an access slot offset through a first offset distance in a first direction from an adjacent side of a card inserted within said connector of a first type, or to a bus of a second type through a connector of a second type, having a second card locating surface engaging a circuit card fully inserted into said connector of a second type, and to a slotted bracket of a second type adjacent said connector of a second type, with said slotted bracket of a second type including an access slot offset through said first offset distance in a direction opposite said first direction from an adjacent side of a card inserted within said connector of a second type, bracket of a first type and said slotted bracket of a second type each additionally including a bracket attachment surface, with said first card locating surface being displaced at a second offset distance from said bracket attachment surface of said slotted bracket of a first type, with said second card locating surface being displaced at a third offset distance from said bracket attachment surface of said slotted bracket of a second type, and with said circuit card assembly comprising: a circuit card having parallel longitudinal edges extending between front and rear ends; a first connector structure for removably engaging said connector of a first type, extending along a first of said longitudinal edges, including a first connector locating surface engaging said first card locating surface; a second connector structure for removably engaging said connector of a second type, extending along a second of said longitudinal edges, including a second connector locating surface engaging said second card locating surface wherein said first and second connector locating surfaces are separated by a first separation distance; a bracket mounting structure providing a mounting surface extending perpendicularly to a surface of said circuit card and extending perpendicularly to said parallel longitudinal edges thereof; and a bracket including an attachment feature for engaging said bracket attachment surface, wherein said bracket is removably fastened to said bracket mounting structure and repositionable thereon at first and second bracket positions, wherein said second bracket position is rotated 180 degrees on said mounting surface from said first bracket position about an axis of rotation extending perpendicularly from said mounting surface, wherein said axis of rotation is offset from an adjacent side of said circuit card through said first offset distance, and wherein said axis of rotation is offset along said surface of said card from said first connector locating surface by a distance equal to half a sum of said first separation distance and a difference between said second and third offset distances.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 1, wherein said second and third offset distances are equal, and said axis of rotation is displaced along said adjacent side of said circuit card at a midpoint between said first and second connector locating surfaces.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket is fastened to said bracket mounting surface by means of a plurality of fasteners extending in a pattern which is symmetrical about first and second axes of symmetry extending through said axis of rotation along said bracket mounting surface, and said first and second axes of symmetry are perpendicular to one another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 3, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes a bracket mounted to extend from said adjacent side of said circuit card.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 3, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes an I/O connector mounted to extend from said adjacent side of said circuit card, said bracket includes an aperture which is symmetrical about third and fourth axes of symmetry extending through said axis of rotation and perpendicular thereto, said third and fourth axes of symmetry are perpendicular to one another, and said I/O connector includes an outward-extending connection structure extending through said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 5, wherein said I/O connector is non-removably attached to said circuit card.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
83 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 3, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes a plurality of I/O connectors mounted to extend from said adjacent side of said circuit card, said bracket includes a plurality of apertures extending in a pattern which is symmetrical about third and fourth axes of symmetry extending through said axis of rotation and perpendicular thereto, said third and fourth axes of symmetry are perpendicular to one another, and said I/O connectors include outward-extending connection structures extending through said aperture.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 7, wherein said I/O connectors are non-removably attached to said circuit card.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 1, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes a daughter card and a standoff mounting an adjacent side of said daughter card to extend at a fourth offset distance from said adjacent side of said circuit card; said bracket mounting structure is attached to said daughter card; and said axis of rotation is offset from said adjacent side of said daughter card through a distance which is a difference between said fourth and first offset distances.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 9, wherein said bracket is fastened to said bracket mounting surface by means of a plurality of fasteners extending in a pattern which is symmetrical about first and second axes of symmetry extending through said axis of rotation along said bracket mounting surface, and said first and second axes of symmetry are perpendicular to one another.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 10, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes a bracket mounted to extend from said adjacent side of said daughter card.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 10, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes an I/O connector mounted to extend from said adjacent side of said daughter card, said bracket includes an aperture which is symmetrical about third and fourth axes of symmetry extending through said axis of rotation and perpendicular thereto, said third and fourth axes of symmetry are perpendicular to one another, and said I/O connector includes an outward-extending connection structure extending through said aperture.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 12, wherein said I/O connector is non-removably attached to said circuit card.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
83 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 10, wherein said bracket mounting structure includes a plurality of I/O connectors mounted to extend from said adjacent side of said circuit card, said bracket includes a plurality of apertures extending in a pattern which is symmetrical about third and fourth axes of symmetry extending through said axis of rotation and perpendicular thereto, said third and fourth axes of symmetry are perpendicular to one another, and said I/O connectors include outward-extending connection structures extending through said aperture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The circuit card assembly of claim 14, wherein said I/O connectors are non-removably attached to said circuit card.
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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) | 2003-11-14 | 2004-05-15 | 2004-11-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-11-14 | 2008-05-15 | 2008-11-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-05-15 | 2012-11-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |