US6222739B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
High-density computer module with stacked parallel-plane packaging
Assignee: Sanmina Corp
•
Filing: 1999-01-12
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Granted: 2001-04-24
•
Expires: 2019-01-12
Abstract
Abstract A module for insertion into an expansion slot of a computer includes a primary board and a pair of auxiliary boards. The auxiliary boards are mounted in a spaced relationship on respective sides of the primary board to define air paths between the boards. The air paths allow air to circulate between the boards. The auxiliary boards each have a trace for electrically connecting the board to the primary board, and the primary board has a trace for connecting chips mounted thereon to an interface with the expansion slot. The traces of the auxiliary boards are substantially the same length. The trace of the primary boards is only slightly longer than the traces of the auxiliary boards.
Inventors
- 👤 Jayesh R. Bhakta
- 👤 Kavous Vakilian
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 12:46
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/185; G06F1/186; G06F1/184; H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/14; H05K1/144; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1422; H05K7/1427; H05K7/1429; H05K7/1431; H10; H10W; H10W90/00; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/72; H01R12/721; H10W70/00; H10W70/60; H10W90/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 51
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board including an interface portion for engaging with the expansion slot, said primary board having a first side and a second side; an auxiliary board mounted to said first side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; a second auxiliary board mounted to said second side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; a plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board; an additional plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said second auxiliary board to said primary board; a trace on said auxiliary board for electrically connecting said auxiliary board to said primary board; and a second trace on said second auxiliary board for electrically connecting said second auxiliary board to said primary board; wherein said surface mount connectors and said additional surface mount connectors each include a male surface mount connector and a corresponding female surface mount connector; and wherein said male connector mates with said female connector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
198 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board including an interface portion for engaging with the expansion slot, said primary board having a first side and a second side; an auxiliary board mounted to said first side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; a second auxiliary board mounted to said second side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; a plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board; an additional plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said second auxiliary board to said primary board; a trace on said auxiliary board for electrically connecting said auxiliary board to said primary board; and a second trace on said second auxiliary board for electrically connecting said second auxiliary board to said primary board; wherein said surface mount connectors and said additional surface mount connectors each include a male surface mount connector and a corresponding female surface mount connector; and wherein said male connector mates with said female connector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said trace is substantially equal in length to said second trace.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said plurality of surface mount connectors and said additional plurality of surface mount connectors include electrically conductive contacts for functioning as electrical connectors between said auxiliary boards and said primary board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said surface mount connectors and said additional surface mount connectors are connected to said traces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said interface portion is configured to be compatible with an industry standard memory module expansion slot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The module of claim 1 wherein said male connectors being directly attached to said first side and said second side of said primary board, and said female connectors being directly attached to a side of said auxiliary boards.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The module of claim 1 wherein each side of said primary board includes five said male connectors arranged in a first row and a second row, wherein said first row being adjacent to a top edge of said primary board and said second board being adjacent to a bottom edge of said primary board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
The module of claim 7 further comprising: a plurality of chips mounted to said auxiliary boards, said plurality of chips including memory chips; one end of said trace connecting to at least one of said plurality of chips and the other end of said trace connecting to at least one of said plurality of surface mount connectors; one end of said second trace connecting to at least one of said additional plurality of chips and the other end of said second trace connecting to at least one of said plurality of additional surface mount connectors and to at least one of said plurality of surface mount connectors and said second trace connecting to at least one of said plurality of chips; and a plurality of additional chips mounted to said primary boards.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The module of claim 1 further comprising a fastening pin securing said primary board and said auxiliary boards together, wherein said fastening pin fits into apertures formed in each of said primary board and said auxiliary boards.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computer comprising: a mother board including an expansion slot; and a memory module including: a primary board including a plurality of integrated circuit chips, and an interface portion configured to be engaged with said expansion slot; a pair of auxiliary boards mounted to respective sides of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between each of said auxiliary boards and said primary board; a plurality of additional integrated circuit chips connected to said auxiliary boards; a plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said auxiliary boards to said primary board, each of said surface mount connectors including a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector, wherein said male connector mates with said female connector with a friction fit; and a trace for each said auxiliary board electrically connecting each said auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
148 words
A computer comprising: a mother board including an expansion slot; and a memory module including: a primary board including a plurality of integrated circuit chips, and an interface portion configured to be engaged with said expansion slot; a pair of auxiliary boards mounted to respective sides of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between each of said auxiliary boards and said primary board; a plurality of additional integrated circuit chips connected to said auxiliary boards; a plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said auxiliary boards to said primary board, each of said surface mount connectors including a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector, wherein said male connector mates with said female connector with a friction fit; and a trace for each said auxiliary board electrically connecting each said auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer of claim 10 wherein said expansion slot is configured as a 168-pin dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer of claim 10 wherein each said trace of said auxiliary boards have substantially equal lengths.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer of claim 12 further including a fastening pin securing said primary board and said auxiliary boards together, wherein said fastening pin fits into apertures formed in each of said primary board and said auxiliary boards.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for increasing memory capacity of a computer, comprising: (a) providing a computer including a mother board with an expansion slot; (b) providing a memory module including: a primary board including an interface portion configured to engage with the expansion slot of the computer, a plurality of chips including memory chips, and a trace connecting the interface portion with at least one of the chips; an auxiliary board attached to the primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between the boards, the auxiliary board including a plurality of chips including memory chips; a plurality of surface mount connectors for mechanically and electrically connecting the auxiliary board to the primary board wherein each of the surface mount connectors includes a male surface mount connector and a corresponding female surface mount connector, the male connector and the female connector mate to form a friction fit, and the male connector being attached to the primary board and the female connector attached to the auxiliary board; a trace on the auxiliary board connecting the surface mount connectors with at least one of the chips; and (c) inserting the interface portion of the memory module into the expansion slot of the computer.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
204 words
A method for increasing memory capacity of a computer, comprising: (a) providing a computer including a mother board with an expansion slot; (b) providing a memory module including: a primary board including an interface portion configured to engage with the expansion slot of the computer, a plurality of chips including memory chips, and a trace connecting the interface portion with at least one of the chips; an auxiliary board attached to the primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between the boards, the auxiliary board including a plurality of chips including memory chips; a plurality of surface mount connectors for mechanically and electrically connecting the auxiliary board to the primary board wherein each of the surface mount connectors includes a male surface mount connector and a corresponding female surface mount connector, the male connector and the female connector mate to form a friction fit, and the male connector being attached to the primary board and the female connector attached to the auxiliary board; a trace on the auxiliary board connecting the surface mount connectors with at least one of the chips; and (c) inserting the interface portion of the memory module into the expansion slot of the computer.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the expansion slot is a 168-pin dual in-line memory module (DIMM) expansion slot, and the primary board has at least 200 megabytes of memory capacity.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising: (d) arranging the surface mount connectors in a first row adjacent to a top edge of the primary board and auxiliary board; and (e) arranging the surface mount connectors in a second row adjacent to a bottom edge of the primary board and auxiliary board.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising mechanically attaching the primary board and auxiliary board together by inserting a fastening pin through a hole in each of the primary board and auxiliary board.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
124 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board comprising: an interface portion for engaging with the expansion slot; a plurality of chips mounted thereon; and a trace connecting said interface portion to at least one of said plurality of chips; an auxiliary board mounted to said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; a plurality of fasteners for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board; and a trace for electrically connecting said auxiliary board to said primary board; wherein said trace of said primary board has a length substantially equal to said trace connecting said auxiliary board with said primary board.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
124 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board comprising: an interface portion for engaging with the expansion slot; a plurality of chips mounted thereon; and a trace connecting said interface portion to at least one of said plurality of chips; an auxiliary board mounted to said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; a plurality of fasteners for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board; and a trace for electrically connecting said auxiliary board to said primary board; wherein said trace of said primary board has a length substantially equal to said trace connecting said auxiliary board with said primary board.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
94 words
A module as claimed in claim 18 wherein said primary board has a first side and a second side, said auxiliary board being mounted on said first side of said primary board; said module further comprising: a second auxiliary board mounted on said second side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; and a second trace for electrically connecting said second auxiliary board to said primary board; said plurality of fasteners including fasteners for mounting said second auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A module as claimed in claim 19 wherein said plurality of fasteners include conductive fasteners for functioning as electrical connectors between said auxiliary boards and said primary board.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
A module as claimed in claim 20 wherein said conductive fasteners are connected to said traces.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
A module as claimed in claim 18 wherein said interface portion is configured to be compatible with an industry standard memory module expansion slot.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A module as claimed in claim 22 further comprising a plurality of chips mounted to said boards, said plurality of chips including memory chips.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
32 words
A module as claimed in claim 18 wherein each of said boards has a top edge and a bottom; said interface portion being disposed along the bottom edge of said primary board.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
A module as claimed in claim 24 wherein said air path is substantially open along the top edges of said boards.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer comprising: a mother board including an expansion slot; a memory module including: a primary board including: an interface portion configured to be engaged with said expansion slot; a plurality of chips mounted thereon; and a trace connecting said interface portion with at least one of said plurality of chips; a pair of auxiliary boards mounted to respective sides of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between each of said auxiliary boards and said primary board; a plurality of fasteners for mounting said auxiliary boards to said primary board; and a pair of traces each for electrically connecting one of said auxiliary boards to said primary board; wherein said trace of said primary board has a length substantially equal to the length of said pair of traces.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
136 words
A computer comprising: a mother board including an expansion slot; a memory module including: a primary board including: an interface portion configured to be engaged with said expansion slot; a plurality of chips mounted thereon; and a trace connecting said interface portion with at least one of said plurality of chips; a pair of auxiliary boards mounted to respective sides of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between each of said auxiliary boards and said primary board; a plurality of fasteners for mounting said auxiliary boards to said primary board; and a pair of traces each for electrically connecting one of said auxiliary boards to said primary board; wherein said trace of said primary board has a length substantially equal to the length of said pair of traces.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A computer as claimed in claim 26 wherein said expansion slot is configured as a 168-pin dual in-line memory module (DIMM) connector.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
62 words
A computer as claimed in claims 26 wherein said memory module has a thickness defined from an outer edge of one said auxiliary board to an outer edge of the other said auxiliary board of less than about 0.5 inch and a height defined from the bottom edge to the top edge of said primary board of less than about 1.5 inches.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
101 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board having an interface portion engaging with the expansion slot; an auxiliary board mounted to said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; and a plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board; each of said surface mount connectors having a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector; wherein said male surface mount connector mates with said matching female surface mount connector.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
101 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board having an interface portion engaging with the expansion slot; an auxiliary board mounted to said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; and a plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board; each of said surface mount connectors having a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector; wherein said male surface mount connector mates with said matching female surface mount connector.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
79 words
The module of claim 29 wherein said primary board has a first side and a second side, said auxiliary board being mounted on said first side of said primary board, said module further comprising: a second auxiliary board mounted on said second side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards; and an additional plurality of surface mount connectors for mounting said second auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
The module of claim 30 wherein said male connectors being directly attached to said first side and said second side of said primary board, and said female connectors being directly attached to a side of said auxiliary boards.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The module of claim 31 further comprising a plurality of chips mounted to said auxiliary boards, said plurality of chips including memory chips; and A plurality of additional chips mounted to said primary board.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
22 words
The module of claim 29 wherein said interface portion is configured to be compatible with an industry standard memory module expansion slot.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
37 words
The module of claim 29 further comprising a fastening pin securing said primary board and said auxiliary board together, wherein said fastening pin fits into apertures formed in each of said primary board and said auxiliary board.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of forming a memory module comprising: (a) providing a primary board; (b) attaching a plurality of chips on the primary board; (c) providing an auxiliary board; (d) attaching a plurality of chips on the auxiliary board; (e) mechanically and electrically connecting the auxiliary board to the primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between the auxiliary board and the primary board; (f) mounting a plurality of surface mount connectors to the auxiliary board and the primary board to perform step (e), each of the surface mount connectors having a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector, and the male surface mount connector mating with the matching female surface mount connector to form a friction fit.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
127 words
A method of forming a memory module comprising: (a) providing a primary board; (b) attaching a plurality of chips on the primary board; (c) providing an auxiliary board; (d) attaching a plurality of chips on the auxiliary board; (e) mechanically and electrically connecting the auxiliary board to the primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between the auxiliary board and the primary board; (f) mounting a plurality of surface mount connectors to the auxiliary board and the primary board to perform step (e), each of the surface mount connectors having a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector, and the male surface mount connector mating with the matching female surface mount connector to form a friction fit.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 35 further comprising: (g) arranging the surface mount connectors in a first row adjacent a top edge of the primary board and the auxiliary board; and (h) arranging the surface mount connectors in a second row adjacent to a bottom edge of the primary board and the auxiliary board.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 35 further comprising: (g) mechanically attaching the primary board to the auxiliary board by inserting a fastening pin through a hole in each of the primary board and the auxiliary board.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
139 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board comprising: an interface portion engageable with the expansion slot; a first plurality of chips disposed on said primary board; and a first trace connecting said interface portion to at least one of said first plurality of chips; an auxiliary board mounted to said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards, said auxiliary board comprising: a second plurality of chips disposed on said auxiliary board; and a second trace connecting at least one of said second plurality of chips to said primary board; wherein said first trace has a length substantially equal to said second trace; and a plurality of fasteners for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
139 words
A module for mounting in an expansion slot of a mother board of a computer, said module comprising: a primary board comprising: an interface portion engageable with the expansion slot; a first plurality of chips disposed on said primary board; and a first trace connecting said interface portion to at least one of said first plurality of chips; an auxiliary board mounted to said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said boards, said auxiliary board comprising: a second plurality of chips disposed on said auxiliary board; and a second trace connecting at least one of said second plurality of chips to said primary board; wherein said first trace has a length substantially equal to said second trace; and a plurality of fasteners for mounting said auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
87 words
The module of claim 38 wherein said plurality of fasteners are surface mount connectors, each of said surface mount connectors having a male surface mount connector and a matching female surface mount connector, said male surface mount connector mating with said matching female surface mount connector to form a friction fit, said male surface mount connector attachable to one of said primary board and said auxiliary board, and said matching female surface mount connector attachable to the other one of said primary board and said auxiliary board.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
109 words
The module of claim 39 wherein said primary board has a first side and a second side, said auxiliary board mountable to said first side of said primary board, and said module further comprising: a second auxiliary board mountable to said second side of said primary board in a spaced relationship such that an air path is defined between said secondary auxiliary board and said primary board; a third trace for electrically connecting said second auxiliary board to said primary board; wherein said first trace has a length substantially equal to said third trace; and another plurality of fasteners for mounting said second auxiliary board to said primary board.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
20 words
The module of claim 38 wherein said plurality of fasteners are connected to said first trace and said second trace.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
22 words
The module of claim 38 wherein said interface portion is configured to be compatible with an industry standard memory module expansion slot.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
The module of claim 38 where said plurality of chips are memory chips.
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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) | 2004-04-23 | 2004-10-23 | 2005-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | 2009-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-23 | 2012-10-23 | 2013-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |