Patent US2172480A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6315586B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6315586B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card actuator
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 2000-12-27
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Granted: 2001-11-13
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Expires: 2020-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A computer assembly card actuator for inserting peripheral cards into slots on a motherboard. The card actuator is capable of imparting a sufficient and even force to seat the peripheral card in the slot without imparting a residual force after the peripheral card has been seated, which reduces the likelihood of damage to the peripheral card and/or the motherboard.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank W. Joyce
- 👤 Brian Wilk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 23:14
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; G06F1/185; G06F1/184; G06F1/186; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/62; H01R13/629; H01R13/62933; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1401; H05K7/1415
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
An actuator, comprising: a housing; a movable frame movably engaging said housing; a lever arm pivotally engaging said housing, said lever arm adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; a first rod having a first end and a second end, said first rod first end pivotally engaging said lever arm: a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said second rod first end pivotally engaging said housing; a third rod having a first end and a second end, said third rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said third rod second end pivotally engaging said movable frame.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
An actuator, comprising: a housing; a movable frame movably engaging said housing; a lever arm pivotally engaging said housing, said lever arm adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; a first rod having a first end and a second end, said first rod first end pivotally engaging said lever arm: a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said second rod first end pivotally engaging said housing; a third rod having a first end and a second end, said third rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said third rod second end pivotally engaging said movable frame.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
75 words
The actuator of claim 1 , wherein said lever arm in said open position orients said first rod, said second rod, and said third rod into positions which places said movable frame in a first position relative to said housing; and wherein said lever arm in said closed position orients said first rod, said second rod, and said third rods into positions which place said movable frame in a second position relative to said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The actuator of claim 1 , further including a peripheral card retainer attached to said movable frame.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The actuator of claim 1 , further including at least one mounting mechanism on said movable frame.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator of claim 4 , further including a peripheral card retainer attached to said movable frame by said at least one mounting mechanism.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The actuator of claim 1 , further including a spring attached to said housing and said movable frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The actuator of claim 6 , wherein said spring biases said movable frame toward said housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator of claim 6 , wherein said spring is adapted to return said level arm from said closed position to said open position.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of fabricating an actuator, comprising: providing a housing; providing a movable frame movably engaging said housing; pivotally attaching a lever arm to said housing; pivotally attaching a first end of a first rod to said lever arm; pivotally attaching a first end of a second rod to a second end of said first rod; pivotally attaching a second end of said second rod to said housing; pivotally attaching a first end of a third rod to said first rod second end; and to pivotally attaching said second end of said third rod to said movable frame.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of fabricating an actuator, comprising: providing a housing; providing a movable frame movably engaging said housing; pivotally attaching a lever arm to said housing; pivotally attaching a first end of a first rod to said lever arm; pivotally attaching a first end of a second rod to a second end of said first rod; pivotally attaching a second end of said second rod to said housing; pivotally attaching a first end of a third rod to said first rod second end; and to pivotally attaching said second end of said third rod to said movable frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein pivotally attaching said lever arm to said housing further includes pivotally attaching said lever arm to said housing to operate between an open position and a closed position.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 , further including attaching a peripheral card retainer attached to said movable frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 9 , further including providing at least one mounting mechanism on said movable frame.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 12 , further including attaching a peripheral card retainer to said movable frame by said at least one mounting mechanism.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 9 , further including biasing said movable frame to move toward said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said biasing said movable frame to move toward said housing comprises attaching a spring to said housing and said movable frame.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said biasing said movable frame to move toward said housing further moves said level arm from a closed position to an open position.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of seating a peripheral card in a slot, comprising: providing an actuator comprising: a housing; a movable frame movably engaging said housing; a lever arm pivotally engaging said housing, said lever arm adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; a first rod having a first end and a second end, said first rod first end pivotally engaging the lever arm: a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said second rod first end pivotally engaging said housing; a third rod having a first end and a second end, said third rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said third rod second end pivotally engaging said movable frame; providing motherboard having a peripheral slot attached thereto; attaching a peripheral card to said movable frame while said lever aim is in said open position; aligning said motherboard peripheral slot to said peripheral card; moving said level arm to said closed position to seat said peripheral card in said motherboard slot; and releasing said peripheral card from said movable frame.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
193 words
A method of seating a peripheral card in a slot, comprising: providing an actuator comprising: a housing; a movable frame movably engaging said housing; a lever arm pivotally engaging said housing, said lever arm adapted to move between an open position and a closed position; a first rod having a first end and a second end, said first rod first end pivotally engaging the lever arm: a second rod having a first end and a second end, said second rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said second rod first end pivotally engaging said housing; a third rod having a first end and a second end, said third rod first end pivotally engaging said first rod second end and said third rod second end pivotally engaging said movable frame; providing motherboard having a peripheral slot attached thereto; attaching a peripheral card to said movable frame while said lever aim is in said open position; aligning said motherboard peripheral slot to said peripheral card; moving said level arm to said closed position to seat said peripheral card in said motherboard slot; and releasing said peripheral card from said movable frame.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein said lever arm in said open position orients said first rod, said second rod, and said third rod into positions which places said movable frame in a first position relative to said housing; and wherein said lever arm in said closed position orients said first rod, said second rod, and said third rods into positions which place said movable frame in a second position relative to said housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 17 , wherein attaching said peripheral card to said movable frame comprises providing a peripheral card retainer attached to said movable frame and attaching said peripheral card to said peripheral card retainer.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein providing said peripheral card retainer comprises providing at least one mounting mechanism on said movable frame and attaching said peripheral card retainer with said mounting mechanism.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 17 , further including biasing said movable frame to move toward said housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein said biasing said movable frame to move toward said housing comprises attaching a spring to said housing and said movable frame.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 21 , wherein said biasing said movable frame to move toward said housing further moves said level arm from a closed position to an open position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-11-12 | 2005-05-14 | 2005-11-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-11-12 | 2009-05-14 | 2009-11-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-11-12 | 2013-05-14 | 2013-11-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |