US6354861B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data processing system component alignment
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1999-08-27
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2019-08-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus related to a data processing system contiguous-reference connection alignment mechanism. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes but is not limited to a data processing system contiguous-reference connection alignment mechanism, wherein the data processing system contiguous-reference connection alignment mechanism further includes but is not limited to a y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism, wherein the y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism further includes but is not limited to at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment. In one embodiment, a computer system includes but is not limited to a data processing system contiguous-reference alignment mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Ty R. Schmitt
- 👤 Vibora Sim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 03:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/64; H01R13/62; H01R13/629
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a memory operably coupled to the processor; and an alignment mechanism including: a x-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including: at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot; and a y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including: at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment, wherein said guidance cylinder and guidance cylinder slot allows rotation during installation of a replacement component, wherein said rotation facilitates alignment of the replacement component in the y-axis direction.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A computer system, comprising: a processor; a memory operably coupled to the processor; and an alignment mechanism including: a x-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including: at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot; and a y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including: at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment, wherein said guidance cylinder and guidance cylinder slot allows rotation during installation of a replacement component, wherein said rotation facilitates alignment of the replacement component in the y-axis direction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the alignment mechanism further comprises: a z-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , wherein the alignment mechanism further comprises: a base plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system as recited in claim 3 , wherein the alignment mechanism further comprises: at least one electrical connector aligned relative to said base plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system as recited in claim 4 , further comprising: at least one hook extruded from said base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system as recited in claim 4 , further comprising: a stud pressed fit into said base plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer system as recited in claim 4 , wherein said base plate further comprises: at least one mating electrical connector affixed to a power supply.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot further comprises: said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot integral with a data processing system component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism further comprises: at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer system as recited in claim 9 , wherein said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder further comprises: said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder integral with at least one data processing system component receptacle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot further comprises: said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot integral with at least one data processing system component receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , wherein said x-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism further comprises: at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer system as recited in claim 12 , wherein said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder further comprises: said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder integral with a data processing system component.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a power supply connection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a hard drive connection.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer system as recited in claim 1 , further comprising: a CD-ROM connection.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
93 words
An alignment mechanism, comprising: a x-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot; and a y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment, wherein said guidance cylinder and guidance cylinder slot allow rotation during installation of a replacement component, wherein said rotation facilitates alignment of the replacement component in the y-axis direction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
93 words
An alignment mechanism, comprising: a x-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot; and a y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism including at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment, wherein said guidance cylinder and guidance cylinder slot allow rotation during installation of a replacement component, wherein said rotation facilitates alignment of the replacement component in the y-axis direction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: a z-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 18 , further comprising: a base plate.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 19 , further comprising: at least one electrical connector aligned relative to said base plate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 19 , further comprising: at least one hook extruded from said base plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 19 , further comprising: a stud pressed fit into said base plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: at least one mating electrical connector affixed to a power supply.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , wherein said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot further comprises: said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot integral with a data processing system component.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , wherein said y-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism further comprises: at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
44 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 25 , wherein said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder further comprises: said at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder integral with at least one data processing system component receptacle.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
46 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , wherein said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot further comprises: said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot integral with at least one data processing system component receptacle.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
28 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , wherein said x-axis direction contiguous-reference alignment mechanism further comprises: at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 28 , wherein said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder further comprises: said at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder integral with a data processing system component.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: a power supply connection.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
15 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: a hard drive connection.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The alignment mechanism as recited in claim 17 , further comprising: a CD-ROM connection.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure, said method comprising: aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure, wherein said aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure further includes: aligning the data processing system connection in a x-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure, further including: aligning the data processing system connection utilizing at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot; and aligning the data processing system connection in a y-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure, wherein said aligning the data processing system connection in a y-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure further includes: aligning the data processing system connection via at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment, wherein said guidance cylinder and guidance cylinder slot allow rotation during installation of a replacement component, wherein said rotation facilitates alignment of the replacement component in the y-axis direction.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
183 words
A method of aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure, said method comprising: aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure, wherein said aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure further includes: aligning the data processing system connection in a x-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure, further including: aligning the data processing system connection utilizing at least one aft-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot; and aligning the data processing system connection in a y-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure, wherein said aligning the data processing system connection in a y-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure further includes: aligning the data processing system connection via at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder slot formed to catch a connection guidance cylinder misaligned in the y-axis direction and guide the connection guidance cylinder into substantial y-axis direction alignment, wherein said guidance cylinder and guidance cylinder slot allow rotation during installation of a replacement component, wherein said rotation facilitates alignment of the replacement component in the y-axis direction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein said aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure further comprises: aligning the data processing system connection in a z-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 34 , wherein said aligning the data processing system connection in a z-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference stricture further comprises: aligning at least one electrical connector relative to a base plate.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 35 , further comprising: affixing at least one mating electrical connector to a data processing system component.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein said aligning the data processing system connection in a y-axis direction relative to the contiguous-reference structure further comprises: aligning a data processing system connection via at least one fore-positioned data processing system connection guidance cylinder.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein said aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure further comprises: aligning a power supply connection.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein said aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure further comprises: aligning a hard drive connection.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33 , wherein said aligning a data processing system connection relative to a contiguous-reference structure further comprises: aligning a CD-ROM connection.
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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) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |