US20230273655A1 - Toolless card/bracket coupling system - Google Patents
Toolless card/bracket coupling system Download PDFInfo
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- US20230273655A1 US20230273655A1 US17/681,965 US202217681965A US2023273655A1 US 20230273655 A1 US20230273655 A1 US 20230273655A1 US 202217681965 A US202217681965 A US 202217681965A US 2023273655 A1 US2023273655 A1 US 2023273655A1
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- securing
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- support members
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- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 83
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 83
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 23
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 40
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000013500 data storage Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004590 computer program Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006855 networking Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000006467 substitution reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
- H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
- H05K7/1485—Servers; Data center rooms, e.g. 19-inch computer racks
- H05K7/1487—Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/185—Mounting of expansion boards
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
- G06F1/18—Packaging or power distribution
- G06F1/183—Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means
- G06F1/186—Securing of expansion boards in correspondence to slots provided at the computer enclosure
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/02—Details
- H05K5/0256—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms
- H05K5/026—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces
- H05K5/0265—Details of interchangeable modules or receptacles therefor, e.g. cartridge mechanisms having standardized interfaces of PCMCIA type
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to coupling brackets to a card without the use of tools so that the card may be mounted in and coupled to an information handling system.
- An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information.
- information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated.
- the variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications.
- information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
- PCIe cards are often used to expand the functionality of server devices, with a bracket connected to a PCIe card, and then mounted to the chassis of the server device after the PCIe card has been positioned in a PCIe card slot in the server device and connected to a PCIe card connector on a motherboard in the server device.
- PCIe card slots may provide different mounting configurations for PCIe cards.
- some PCIe card slots may be provided as “full-height” PCIe card slots or “half-height” PCIe card slots, with full-height PCIe card slots requiring a “full-height” bracket on a PCIe card in order to mount to the chassis of the server device, and with half-height PCIe card slots requiring a “half-height” bracket on a PCIe card in order to mount to the chassis of the server device.
- PCIe cards and/or server devices are often provided with both full-height and half-height brackets in order to enable the use of PCIe cards in either full-height or half-height PCIe card slots.
- brackets include a pair of screw coupling elements that define respective screw holes that are configured to align with corresponding holes on the PCIe card, and a user may connect either of the full-height bracket or the half-height bracket discussed above to the PCIe card by aligning the holes on the PCIe card with the screw holes defined by the screw coupling elements on either of the full-height bracket or the half-height bracket, and then threading a respective screw into each of those screw holes.
- the user is required to locate the correct type of screwdriver and screws, align the PCIe card and bracket, and thread each of the screws using the screwdriver, which is a time-consuming process.
- an Information Handling System includes a chassis; a first card slot that is defined by the chassis and that includes a first card mounting configuration; a first card connector that is located adjacent the first card slot; a first card that is connected to the first card connector; a first card bracket base that is mounted to the chassis and provided in the first card mounting configuration; a plurality of first card securing support members that extend from the first card bracket base in a spaced-apart orientation; and a toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members, wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members extends from a first side of the first card and through a respective first card aperture defined by the first card, and engages a second side of the first card that is opposite the first card from the first side of the first card in a securing orientation that secures the first card to the first card bracket base, and wherein each toolless card securing
- FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an Information Handling System (IHS).
- IHS Information Handling System
- FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a computing device including a full-height card slot.
- FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a computing device including a half-height card slot.
- FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a card.
- FIG. 5 A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a full-height bracket providing the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 5 B is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the full-height bracket of FIG. 5 A .
- FIG. 5 C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a toolless card securing subsystem included on the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A and 5 B .
- FIG. 6 A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a half-height bracket providing the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure.
- FIG. 6 B is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the half-height bracket of FIG. 5 A .
- FIG. 6 C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a toolless card securing subsystem included on the half-height bracket of FIGS. 6 A and 6 B .
- FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for toollessly coupling a card to a bracket.
- FIG. 8 A is partially transparent perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A and 5 B during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 8 B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 8 C is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 8 D is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 8 E is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 coupled to the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 8 F is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 coupled to the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the card and bracket of FIG. 8 F positioned in the full-height card slot and coupled and mounted to the computing device of FIG. 2 .
- FIG. 10 A is partially transparent perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being coupled to the half-height bracket of FIGS. 6 A- 6 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 10 B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 coupled to the half-height bracket of FIGS. 6 A- 6 C during the method of FIG. 7 .
- FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the card and bracket of FIG. 10 B positioned in the half-height card slot and coupled and mounted to the computing device of FIG. 3 .
- FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for toollessly uncoupling a card from a bracket.
- FIG. 13 A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being decoupled from the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 13 B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 being decoupled from the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 13 C is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card of FIG. 4 decoupled from the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C during the method of FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 14 illustrates embodiments of the full-height bracket of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C and the half-height bracket of FIGS. 6 A- 6 C with modified toolless card securing subsystems.
- an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes.
- an information handling system may be a personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price.
- the information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.
- RAM random access memory
- processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic
- ROM read-only memory
- Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or a video display.
- I/O input and output
- the information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various
- IHS 100 includes a processor 102 , which is connected to a bus 104 .
- Bus 104 serves as a connection between processor 102 and other components of IHS 100 .
- An input device 106 is coupled to processor 102 to provide input to processor 102 .
- Examples of input devices may include keyboards, touchscreens, pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs, and trackpads, and/or a variety of other input devices known in the art.
- Programs and data are stored on a mass storage device 108 , which is coupled to processor 102 . Examples of mass storage devices may include hard discs, optical disks, magneto-optical discs, solid-state storage devices, and/or a variety of other mass storage devices known in the art.
- IHS 100 further includes a display 110 , which is coupled to processor 102 by a video controller 112 .
- a system memory 114 is coupled to processor 102 to provide the processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs by processor 102 .
- Examples of system memory may include random access memory (RAM) devices such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), solid state memory devices, and/or a variety of other memory devices known in the art.
- RAM random access memory
- DRAM dynamic RAM
- SDRAM synchronous DRAM
- solid state memory devices solid state memory devices
- a chassis 116 houses some or all of the components of IHS 100 . It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above and processor 102 to facilitate interconnection between the components and the processor 102 .
- the computing device 200 includes a chassis 202 that includes a top wall 202 a , a bottom wall 202 b that is located opposite the chassis 202 from the top wall 202 a , rear wall 202 c that extends between the top wall 202 a and the bottom wall 202 b , a front wall (which is not visible in FIG.
- a chassis housing 204 is defined by the chassis 202 between the top wall 202 a , the bottom wall 202 b , the rear wall 202 c , the front wall, and the side walls 202 d and 202 e.
- a mounting element 204 is located immediately adjacent the side wall 202 e of the chassis 202 , although one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that cards may be mounted in a variety of locations in a chassis of a computing device while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- a circuit board 206 is included in the chassis housing 204 and may be provided by a motherboard and/or other circuit boards that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.
- a card connector 208 is included on the circuit board 206 and may be provided by a Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) card connector, as well as any other card connector that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.
- PCIe Peripheral Component Interconnect express
- the configuration of the computing device 200 provides a “full-height” card slot 210 , particularly when considered relative to the computing device 300 discussed below with reference to FIG. 3 .
- a specific computing device 200 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure may be utilized in computing devices having a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- the computing device 300 includes a chassis 302 that includes a top wall 302 a , a bottom wall 302 b that is located opposite the chassis 302 from the top wall 302 a , rear wall 302 c that extends between the top wall 302 a and the bottom wall 302 b , a front wall (which is not visible in FIG.
- a chassis housing 304 is defined by the chassis 302 between the top wall 302 a , the bottom wall 302 b , the rear wall 302 c , the front wall, and the side walls 302 d and 302 e.
- a mounting element 304 is located immediately adjacent the side wall 302 e of the chassis 302 , although one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that cards may be mounted in a variety of locations in a chassis of a computing device while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- a circuit board 306 is included in the chassis housing 304 and may be provided by a motherboard and/or other circuit boards that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.
- a card connector 308 is included on the circuit board 306 and may be provided by a PCIe card connector, as well as any other card connector that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.
- the configuration of the computing device 300 provides a “half-height” card slot 310 , particularly when considered relative to the computing device 200 discussed below with reference to FIG. 2 .
- a specific computing device 200 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure may be utilized in computing devices having a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- computing devices 200 and 300 in FIGS. 2 and 3 are illustrated and described as separate computing devices, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that the same computing device may provide both a “full-height” card slot and a “half-height” card slot like those illustrated in the computing devices 200 and 300 in FIGS. 2 and 3 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- the discussion of mounting a card to a “full-height” card slot and then moving that card to a “half-height” card slot below may include moving that card between computing devices, or moving that card within a computing device.
- the card 400 may be a PCIe card, as well as any other card that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.
- the card 400 includes a base 402 having a top edge 402 a , a bottom edge 402 b that is located opposite the base 402 from the top edge 402 a , a front edge 402 c that extends between the top edge 402 a and the bottom edge 402 b , a rear edge 402 d that is located opposite the base 402 from the front edge 402 a and that extends between the top edge 402 a and the bottom edge 402 b , and a pair of side surface 402 e and 402 f (side surface 402 f is not visible in FIG.
- a card connector 404 extends from the bottom edge 402 b of the base 402 , and may be provided by a PCIe card connector, as well as any other card connector that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure.
- the base 402 defines a plurality of card apertures 406 a and 406 b that extend through the base 402 between the side surfaces 402 e and 402 f , and that are located in a spaced apart orientation adjacent the front surface 402 c (with the card aperture 406 a located adjacent the top edge 402 a as well, and the card aperture 406 b located adjacent the bottom edge 402 b as well).
- a specific card 400 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the cards utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure may have a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- the “full-height” card bracket 500 includes a card bracket base 502 having a top edge 502 a , a bottom edge 502 b that is located opposite the card bracket base 502 from the top edge 502 a , a front surface 502 c that extends between the top edge 502 a and the bottom edge 502 b , and a rear surface 502 d that is located opposite the card bracket base 502 from the front surface 502 c and that extends between the top edge 502 a and the bottom edge 502 b .
- a chassis mounting member 504 extends from the top edge 502 a of the card bracket base 502 and away from the rear surface 502 d of the card bracket base 502 , and defines a chassis mounting channel 504 a .
- a pair of card securing support members 506 extend from the front surface 502 c of the card bracket base 502 in a spaced-apart orientation from each other that corresponds to the spacing of the card apertures 406 a and 406 b defined by the card 400 discussed above with reference to FIG. 4 .
- a toolless card securing subsystem 508 is provided on each of the card securing support members 506 . In the illustrated embodiment, and as most clearly seen in FIG.
- each of the toolless card securing subsystems 508 includes a pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 that each extend from the card coupling support member 506 in a spaced-apart orientation, that each include a first portion 510 a and 512 a , respectively, having a first width, and that each include a second portion 510 b and 512 b , respectively, that is located opposite the first portion 510 a and 512 a , respectively, from the card coupling support member 512 and that has a second width that is greater than the first width of the first portion 510 a and 512 a , respectively.
- full-height card bracket 500 and particularly specific toolless card securing members, has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the “full-height” card brackets and toolless card securing members provided according to the teachings of the present disclosure may have a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well.
- the “half-height” card bracket 600 includes a card bracket base 602 having a top edge 602 a , a bottom edge 602 b that is located opposite the card bracket base 602 from the top edge 602 a , a front surface 602 c that extends between the top edge 602 a and the bottom edge 602 b , and a rear surface 602 d that is located opposite the card bracket base 602 from the front surface 602 c and that extends between the top edge 602 a and the bottom edge 602 b .
- a chassis mounting member 604 extends from the top edge 602 a of the card bracket base 602 and away from the rear surface 602 d of the card bracket base 602 , and defines a chassis mounting channel 604 a .
- a pair of card securing support members 606 extend from the front surface 602 c of the card bracket base 602 in a spaced-apart orientation from each other that corresponds to the spacing of the card apertures 406 a and 406 b defined by the card 400 discussed above with reference to FIG. 4 .
- a toolless card securing subsystem 608 is provided on each of the card securing support members 606 . In the illustrated embodiment, and as most clearly seen in FIG.
- each of the toolless card securing subsystems 608 includes a pair of toolless card securing members 610 and 612 that each extend from the card coupling support member 606 in a spaced-apart orientation, that each include a first portion 610 a and 612 a , respectively, having a first width, and that each include a second portion 610 b and 612 b , respectively, that is located opposite the first portion 610 a and 612 a , respectively, from the card coupling support member 612 and that has a second width that is greater than the first width of the first portion 610 a and 612 a , respectively.
- each of the “full-height” card bracket 500 and the “half-height” card bracket 600 are configured to couple to the card 400 .
- the card securing support members 506 and 606 on the “full-height” card bracket 500 and the “half-height” card bracket 600 respectively, each include the same spacing that corresponds to the spacing of the card apertures 406 a and 406 b defined by the card 400 discussed above with reference to FIG.
- cards and/or computing devices may be provided by their manufacturers with both the “full-height” card bracket 500 and the “half-height” card bracket 600 in order to ensure that cards may be mounted in the chassis of the computing devices in either “full-height” cards slots or “half-height” card slots.
- the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for the coupling of brackets to a card without the use of a tool, allowing the bracket used to mount a card in a chassis to be quickly and easily switched when the card is moved between different chassis locations with different chassis mounting configurations.
- the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure may include a card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart card securing support members extending from the card bracket base, and a toolless card securing subsystem on each of the card securing support members.
- Each toolless card securing subsystem may move towards a respective card aperture defined by the card while in a securing orientation, engage its respective card aperture and, in response, transition to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture and, in response to extending through its respective card aperture and through the card, transition back to the securing orientation to secure the card to the card bracket base via engagement with the card.
- the method 700 begins at block 702 where toolless card securing subsystems on a card bracket are moved from a first side of a card and towards respective card apertures on the card while in a securing orientation.
- the card 400 may be positioned adjacent the “full-height” card bracket 500 such that the front edge 402 c of the base 402 of the card 400 is located adjacent the front surface 502 c of the card bracket base 502 , with the card apertures 406 a and 406 b defined by the base 402 aligned with the toolless card securing subsystems 508 on the card securing support members 506 .
- FIG. 8 A in an embodiment of block 702 , the card 400 may be positioned adjacent the “full-height” card bracket 500 such that the front edge 402 c of the base 402 of the card 400 is located adjacent the front surface 502 c of the card bracket base 502 , with the card apertures 406 a and 406 b defined by the base 402 aligned with the
- the card 400 may be positioned adjacent the “half-height” card bracket 600 such that the front edge 402 c of the base 402 of the card 400 is located adjacent the front surface 602 c of the card bracket base 602 , with the card apertures 406 a and 406 b defined by the base 402 aligned with the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the card securing support members 606 .
- FIG. 8 B illustrates one of the toolless card securing subsystems 508 on one of the card securing support members 506 on the “full-height” card bracket 500 , with the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 on the toolless card securing subsystem 508 in a securing orientation A and aligned with the card aperture 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 , and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- the toolless card securing subsystems 508 may then be moved in a direction B relative to the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 , and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- the method 700 then proceeds to block 704 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket are engaged with the respective card apertures on the card while in the securing orientation.
- the second portions 510 b and 512 b on each of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 may engage the base 402 of the card 400 adjacent the card apertures 406 a / 406 b , and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- the method 700 then proceeds to block 706 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket transition from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation.
- block 706 in response to engagement of each of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 with the base 402 of the card 400 adjacent the card apertures 406 a / 406 b and the continued movement of the toolless card securing subsystems 508 in the direction B through the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 , the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 on the toolless card securing subsystem 508 will transition into a coupling orientation that is provided as they move out of the securing orientation and towards each other, while also moving in the direction B through the card aperture apertures 406 a / 406 b , as the diameter of the card apertures 406 a / 406 b reduces.
- the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- embodiments of the coupling orientation of the pair of toolless card securing members on the toolless card securing subsystem of the present disclosure may include a plurality of relative distances between the pair of toolless card securing members that are less than their relative distance when in the securing orientation, and may be provided as the diameter of the card apertures define by the card reduce while the toolless card securing subsystem is moved through those card apertures.
- the method 700 then proceeds to block 708 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket move through the respective card apertures on the card in the coupling orientation.
- FIG. 8 D an embodiment of block 708 is illustrated in which the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 on the toolless card securing subsystem 508 are in a coupling orientation C that may be one of the coupling orientations discussed above, and that is provided immediately prior to the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 extending through the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 , and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- the method 700 then proceeds to block 710 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket extend through the respective card apertures on the card to a second side of the card and transition from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation.
- FIG. 8 E an embodiment of block 710 is illustrated in which the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 on the toolless card securing subsystem 508 have extended through the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 , allowing the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 to transition back into the securing orientation A, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG.
- first portions 510 a and 512 a of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 may be resiliently biased to provide the securing orientation A, and may transition to the coupling orientations discussed above in response to forces resulting from being moved through the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 , and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- the method 700 then proceeds to block 712 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket engage the second side of the card in the securing orientation to secure the card to the card bracket.
- the securing orientation A of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 provides for the engagement of the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 with the side surface 402 e on the base 402 of the card 400 in order to secure the card 400 to the card securing support members 506 and, thus, the “full-height” card bracket 500 . While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card
- the card 400 may be positioned in the “full-height” card slot 210 in the chassis 202 of the computing device 200 , the card connector 404 may be connected to the card connector 208 on the circuit board 206 , and the “full-height” card bracket 500 may be mounted to the mounting element 204 /chassis 202 via, for example, a mounting device 900 located in the chassis mounting channel 504 a defined by the chassis mounting member 504 and engaging the mounting element 204 . As illustrated in FIGS.
- the card 400 may be positioned in the “half-height” card slot 310 in the chassis 302 of the computing device 300 , the card connector 404 may be connected to the card connector 308 on the circuit board 306 , and the “half-height” card bracket 600 may be mounted to the mounting element 304 /chassis 302 via, for example, a mounting device 1000 located in the chassis mounting channel 604 a defined by the chassis mounting member 604 and engaging the mounting element 304 .
- the toolsless card/bracket decoupling system of the present disclosure may include a card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart card securing support members extending from the card bracket base, and a toolless card securing subsystem on each of the card securing support members.
- Each toolless card securing subsystem may extend from a first side of a card and through a respective card aperture defined by the card, and may engage a second side of the card that is opposite the card from the first side of the card in a securing orientation that secures the card to the card bracket base.
- Each toolless card securing subsystem may, while the card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, transition from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation and, while in the coupling orientation, move from the second side of the card and through its respective card aperture defined by the card in order to unsecure the card from the first card bracket base.
- the method 1200 begins at block 1202 where toolless card securing subsystems on a card bracket are transitioned from a securing orientation to a coupling orientation in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool.
- the first portions 510 a and 512 a of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 b are located in the card apertures 406 a / 406 b , with the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 b in the securing orientation A such that the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 engage the side surface 402 e on the base 402 of the card 400 in order to secure the card 400 to the card securing support members 506 and, thus, the “full-height” card bracket 500 . While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- a force D may be provided on each of the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 without the use of a tool (e.g., a user may use their fingers to “pinch” the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 in order to provide the force D), and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner. As illustrated in FIG.
- the force D will cause the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 to move towards each other and transition to the coupling orientation C that provides pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 at a relative distance from each other that is less than their distance from each other when in the securing orientation A, and that coupling orientation C allows the second portions 510 b and 512 b of the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 to move into the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 . While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- the method 1200 then proceeds to block 1204 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket move from the second side of the card and through respective card apertures on the card while in a coupling orientation to unsecure the card from the card bracket.
- the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 b in the coupling orientation C may be moved in a direction E relative to the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 until the pair of toolless card securing members 510 and 512 b exit the card apertures 406 a / 406 b defined by the base 402 of the card 400 such that the card is unsecured from the “full-height” card bracket 500 , and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toolless card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height” card bracket 600 of FIG. 10 A may operate in a similar manner.
- FIG. 14 embodiments of the full-height bracket 500 of FIGS. 5 A- 5 C and the half-height bracket 600 of FIGS. 6 A- 6 C are illustrated with modified toolless card securing subsystems 1400 and 1402 , respectively. As can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. 5 A and 6 A and FIG.
- the modified toolless card securing subsystems 1400 and 1402 are rotated by 90 degrees, which one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate may allow a user to more easily actuate the modified toolless card securing subsystems 1400 and 1402 with their fingers (i.e., in order to release the card 400 from the full-height bracket 500 or the half-height bracket 600 ) without obstruction from the front surfaces 502 c and 602 c on the card bracket bases 502 and 602 .
- the toolless PCIe card/bracket decoupling system of the present disclosure may include a PCIe card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart PCIe card securing support members extending from the PCIe card bracket base, and a toolless PCIe card securing subsystem on each of the PCIe card securing support members.
- Each toolless PCIe card securing subsystem may extend from a first side of a PCIe card and through a respective PCIe card aperture defined by the PCIe card, and may engage a second side of the PCIe card that is opposite the PCIe card from the first side of the PCIe card in a securing orientation that secures the PCIe card to the PCIe card bracket base.
- Each toolless PCIe card securing subsystem may, while the PCIe card is secured to the first PCIe card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, transition from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation and, while in the coupling orientation, move from the second side of the PCIe card and through its respective PCIe card aperture defined by the PCIe card in order to unsecure the PCIe card from the first PCIe card bracket base.
Abstract
A toolless card/bracket coupling system includes a card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart card securing support members extending from the card bracket base, and a toolless card securing subsystem on each of the card securing support members. Each toolless card securing subsystem may move towards a respective card aperture defined by the card while in a securing orientation, engage its respective card aperture and, in response, transition to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture and, in response to extending through its respective card aperture and through the card, transition back to the securing orientation to secure the card to the card bracket base via engagement with the card.
Description
- The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to coupling brackets to a card without the use of tools so that the card may be mounted in and coupled to an information handling system.
- As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
- Information handling systems such as, for example, server devices, sometimes utilize cards in order to expand their functionality. For example, Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) cards are often used to expand the functionality of server devices, with a bracket connected to a PCIe card, and then mounted to the chassis of the server device after the PCIe card has been positioned in a PCIe card slot in the server device and connected to a PCIe card connector on a motherboard in the server device. However, different server devices and/or different PCIe card slots may provide different mounting configurations for PCIe cards. For example, some PCIe card slots may be provided as “full-height” PCIe card slots or “half-height” PCIe card slots, with full-height PCIe card slots requiring a “full-height” bracket on a PCIe card in order to mount to the chassis of the server device, and with half-height PCIe card slots requiring a “half-height” bracket on a PCIe card in order to mount to the chassis of the server device. As such, PCIe cards and/or server devices are often provided with both full-height and half-height brackets in order to enable the use of PCIe cards in either full-height or half-height PCIe card slots.
- However, the connection of brackets to PCIe cards can raise some issues. Conventional brackets include a pair of screw coupling elements that define respective screw holes that are configured to align with corresponding holes on the PCIe card, and a user may connect either of the full-height bracket or the half-height bracket discussed above to the PCIe card by aligning the holes on the PCIe card with the screw holes defined by the screw coupling elements on either of the full-height bracket or the half-height bracket, and then threading a respective screw into each of those screw holes. As such, the user is required to locate the correct type of screwdriver and screws, align the PCIe card and bracket, and thread each of the screws using the screwdriver, which is a time-consuming process. Furthermore, these issues can be exacerbated in situations in which a PCIe card is moved between a full-height PCIe card slot and a half-height PCIe card slot, as the user must locate the correct type of screwdriver, remove the screws from the existing bracket using the screwdriver, remove the existing bracket, locate the new bracket, align the PCIe card and the new bracket, and thread each of the screws using the screwdriver.
- Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide card/bracket coupling system that addresses the issues discussed above.
- According to one embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) includes a chassis; a first card slot that is defined by the chassis and that includes a first card mounting configuration; a first card connector that is located adjacent the first card slot; a first card that is connected to the first card connector; a first card bracket base that is mounted to the chassis and provided in the first card mounting configuration; a plurality of first card securing support members that extend from the first card bracket base in a spaced-apart orientation; and a toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members, wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members extends from a first side of the first card and through a respective first card aperture defined by the first card, and engages a second side of the first card that is opposite the first card from the first side of the first card in a securing orientation that secures the first card to the first card bracket base, and wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members is configured to: transition, while the first card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective first card aperture defined by the first card; and move, while in the coupling orientation, from the second side of the first card and through its respective first card aperture defined by the first card in order to unsecure the first card from the first card bracket base.
-
FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of an Information Handling System (IHS). -
FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a computing device including a full-height card slot. -
FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a computing device including a half-height card slot. -
FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a card. -
FIG. 5A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a full-height bracket providing the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 5B is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the full-height bracket ofFIG. 5A . -
FIG. 5C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a toolless card securing subsystem included on the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A and 5B . -
FIG. 6A is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a half-height bracket providing the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure. -
FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the half-height bracket ofFIG. 5A . -
FIG. 6C is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a toolless card securing subsystem included on the half-height bracket ofFIGS. 6A and 6B . -
FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for toollessly coupling a card to a bracket. -
FIG. 8A is partially transparent perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A and 5B during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 8C is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 8D is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being coupled to the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 8E is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 coupled to the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 8F is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 coupled to the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the card and bracket ofFIG. 8F positioned in the full-height card slot and coupled and mounted to the computing device ofFIG. 2 . -
FIG. 10A is partially transparent perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being coupled to the half-height bracket ofFIGS. 6A-6C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 10B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 coupled to the half-height bracket ofFIGS. 6A-6C during the method ofFIG. 7 . -
FIG. 11 is a schematic view illustrating an embodiment of the card and bracket ofFIG. 10B positioned in the half-height card slot and coupled and mounted to the computing device ofFIG. 3 . -
FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for toollessly uncoupling a card from a bracket. -
FIG. 13A is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being decoupled from the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 13B is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 being decoupled from the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 13C is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the card ofFIG. 4 decoupled from the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C during the method ofFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 14 illustrates embodiments of the full-height bracket ofFIGS. 5A-5C and the half-height bracket ofFIGS. 6A-6C with modified toolless card securing subsystems. - For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system may include any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute, calculate, determine, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch, store, display, communicate, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling system may be a personal computer (e.g., desktop or laptop), tablet computer, mobile device (e.g., personal digital assistant (PDA) or smart phone), server (e.g., blade server or rack server), a network storage device, or any other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality, and price. The information handling system may include random access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of the information handling system may include one or more disk drives, one or more network ports for communicating with external devices as well as various input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, touchscreen and/or a video display. The information handling system may also include one or more buses operable to transmit communications between the various hardware components.
- In one embodiment, IHS 100,
FIG. 1 , includes aprocessor 102, which is connected to abus 104.Bus 104 serves as a connection betweenprocessor 102 and other components of IHS 100. Aninput device 106 is coupled toprocessor 102 to provide input toprocessor 102. Examples of input devices may include keyboards, touchscreens, pointing devices such as mouses, trackballs, and trackpads, and/or a variety of other input devices known in the art. Programs and data are stored on amass storage device 108, which is coupled toprocessor 102. Examples of mass storage devices may include hard discs, optical disks, magneto-optical discs, solid-state storage devices, and/or a variety of other mass storage devices known in the art. IHS 100 further includes adisplay 110, which is coupled toprocessor 102 by avideo controller 112. Asystem memory 114 is coupled toprocessor 102 to provide the processor with fast storage to facilitate execution of computer programs byprocessor 102. Examples of system memory may include random access memory (RAM) devices such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), solid state memory devices, and/or a variety of other memory devices known in the art. In an embodiment, achassis 116 houses some or all of the components of IHS 100. It should be understood that other buses and intermediate circuits can be deployed between the components described above andprocessor 102 to facilitate interconnection between the components and theprocessor 102. - Referring now to
FIG. 2 , an embodiment of acomputing device 200 is illustrated that provides a “full-height” card slot/chassis mounting configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, thecomputing device 200 includes achassis 202 that includes atop wall 202 a, abottom wall 202 b that is located opposite thechassis 202 from thetop wall 202 a,rear wall 202 c that extends between thetop wall 202 a and thebottom wall 202 b, a front wall (which is not visible inFIG. 2 to enable a view of the components in the chassis 202) that is located opposite thechassis 202 from therear wall 202 c and that extends between thetop wall 202 a and thebottom wall 202 b, and a pair ofside walls chassis 202 from each other and that extend between thetop wall 202 a, thebottom wall 202 b, therear wall 202 c, and the front wall. Achassis housing 204 is defined by thechassis 202 between thetop wall 202 a, thebottom wall 202 b, therear wall 202 c, the front wall, and theside walls - In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting
element 204 is located immediately adjacent theside wall 202 e of thechassis 202, although one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that cards may be mounted in a variety of locations in a chassis of a computing device while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. Acircuit board 206 is included in thechassis housing 204 and may be provided by a motherboard and/or other circuit boards that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. Acard connector 208 is included on thecircuit board 206 and may be provided by a Peripheral Component Interconnect express (PCIe) card connector, as well as any other card connector that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the configuration of thecomputing device 200 provides a “full-height”card slot 210, particularly when considered relative to thecomputing device 300 discussed below with reference toFIG. 3 . However, while aspecific computing device 200 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure may be utilized in computing devices having a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. - Referring now to
FIG. 3 , an embodiment of acomputing device 300 is illustrated that provides a “half-height” card slot/chassis mounting configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, thecomputing device 300 includes achassis 302 that includes atop wall 302 a, a bottom wall 302 b that is located opposite thechassis 302 from thetop wall 302 a,rear wall 302 c that extends between thetop wall 302 a and the bottom wall 302 b, a front wall (which is not visible inFIG. 3 to enable a view of the components in the chassis 302) that is located opposite thechassis 302 from therear wall 302 c and that extends between thetop wall 302 a and the bottom wall 302 b, and a pair ofside walls chassis 302 from each other and that extend between thetop wall 302 a, the bottom wall 302 b, therear wall 302 c, and the front wall. Achassis housing 304 is defined by thechassis 302 between thetop wall 302 a, the bottom wall 302 b, therear wall 302 c, the front wall, and theside walls - In the illustrated embodiment, a mounting
element 304 is located immediately adjacent theside wall 302 e of thechassis 302, although one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that cards may be mounted in a variety of locations in a chassis of a computing device while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. Acircuit board 306 is included in thechassis housing 304 and may be provided by a motherboard and/or other circuit boards that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. Acard connector 308 is included on thecircuit board 306 and may be provided by a PCIe card connector, as well as any other card connector that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the configuration of thecomputing device 300 provides a “half-height”card slot 310, particularly when considered relative to thecomputing device 200 discussed below with reference toFIG. 2 . However, while aspecific computing device 200 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure may be utilized in computing devices having a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. - Furthermore, while the
computing devices FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively, are illustrated and described as separate computing devices, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate that the same computing device may provide both a “full-height” card slot and a “half-height” card slot like those illustrated in thecomputing devices FIGS. 2 and 3 while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. As such, the discussion of mounting a card to a “full-height” card slot and then moving that card to a “half-height” card slot below may include moving that card between computing devices, or moving that card within a computing device. - Referring now to
FIG. 4 , an embodiment of acard 400 is illustrated. In an embodiment, thecard 400 may be a PCIe card, as well as any other card that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, thecard 400 includes a base 402 having atop edge 402 a, abottom edge 402 b that is located opposite the base 402 from thetop edge 402 a, afront edge 402 c that extends between thetop edge 402 a and thebottom edge 402 b, arear edge 402 d that is located opposite the base 402 from thefront edge 402 a and that extends between thetop edge 402 a and thebottom edge 402 b, and a pair ofside surface side surface 402 f is not visible inFIG. 4 , but is visible inFIGS. 8A-8E discussed in further detail below) that are located opposite the base 402 from each other and that extend between thetop edge 402 a, thebottom edge 402 b, thefront edge 402 c, and therear edge 402 d. As illustrated, acard connector 404 extends from thebottom edge 402 b of thebase 402, and may be provided by a PCIe card connector, as well as any other card connector that would be apparent to one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure. Furthermore, thebase 402 defines a plurality ofcard apertures front surface 402 c (with thecard aperture 406 a located adjacent thetop edge 402 a as well, and thecard aperture 406 b located adjacent thebottom edge 402 b as well). However, while aspecific card 400 has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the cards utilizing the teachings of the present disclosure may have a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. - With reference to
FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C , an embodiment of a “full-height”card bracket 500 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the “full-height”card bracket 500 includes acard bracket base 502 having atop edge 502 a, abottom edge 502 b that is located opposite thecard bracket base 502 from thetop edge 502 a, afront surface 502 c that extends between thetop edge 502 a and thebottom edge 502 b, and arear surface 502 d that is located opposite thecard bracket base 502 from thefront surface 502 c and that extends between thetop edge 502 a and thebottom edge 502 b. Achassis mounting member 504 extends from thetop edge 502 a of thecard bracket base 502 and away from therear surface 502 d of thecard bracket base 502, and defines achassis mounting channel 504 a. A pair of card securingsupport members 506 extend from thefront surface 502 c of thecard bracket base 502 in a spaced-apart orientation from each other that corresponds to the spacing of thecard apertures card 400 discussed above with reference toFIG. 4 . A toollesscard securing subsystem 508 is provided on each of the card securingsupport members 506. In the illustrated embodiment, and as most clearly seen inFIG. 5C , each of the toollesscard securing subsystems 508 includes a pair of toollesscard securing members coupling support member 506 in a spaced-apart orientation, that each include afirst portion second portion first portion coupling support member 512 and that has a second width that is greater than the first width of thefirst portion card bracket 500, and particularly specific toolless card securing members, has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the “full-height” card brackets and toolless card securing members provided according to the teachings of the present disclosure may have a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. - With reference to
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C , an embodiment of a “half-height”card bracket 600 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the “half-height”card bracket 600 includes acard bracket base 602 having atop edge 602 a, abottom edge 602 b that is located opposite thecard bracket base 602 from thetop edge 602 a, afront surface 602 c that extends between thetop edge 602 a and thebottom edge 602 b, and arear surface 602 d that is located opposite thecard bracket base 602 from thefront surface 602 c and that extends between thetop edge 602 a and thebottom edge 602 b. Achassis mounting member 604 extends from thetop edge 602 a of thecard bracket base 602 and away from therear surface 602 d of thecard bracket base 602, and defines achassis mounting channel 604 a. A pair of card securingsupport members 606 extend from thefront surface 602 c of thecard bracket base 602 in a spaced-apart orientation from each other that corresponds to the spacing of thecard apertures card 400 discussed above with reference toFIG. 4 . A toollesscard securing subsystem 608 is provided on each of the card securingsupport members 606. In the illustrated embodiment, and as most clearly seen inFIG. 6C , each of the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 includes a pair of toollesscard securing members coupling support member 606 in a spaced-apart orientation, that each include afirst portion second portion first portion coupling support member 612 and that has a second width that is greater than the first width of thefirst portion card bracket 600, and particularly specific toolless card securing members, has been illustrated and described, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize that the “half-height” card brackets and toolless card securing members provided according to the teachings of the present disclosure may have a variety of components and component configurations while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure as well. - As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure and as discussed in further detail below, each of the “full-height”
card bracket 500 and the “half-height”card bracket 600 are configured to couple to thecard 400. In particular and as discussed above, the card securingsupport members card bracket 500 and the “half-height”card bracket 600, respectively, each include the same spacing that corresponds to the spacing of thecard apertures card 400 discussed above with reference toFIG. 4 , with the toollesscard securing subsystems card bracket 500 and the “half-height”card bracket 600, respectively, being substantially identical in order to enable the coupling of thecard 400 to either of the “full-height”card bracket 500 and the “half-height”card bracket 600. As such, cards and/or computing devices may be provided by their manufacturers with both the “full-height”card bracket 500 and the “half-height”card bracket 600 in order to ensure that cards may be mounted in the chassis of the computing devices in either “full-height” cards slots or “half-height” card slots. - Referring now to
FIG. 7 , an embodiment of amethod 700 for toolles sly coupling a card to a bracket is illustrated. As discussed below, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for the coupling of brackets to a card without the use of a tool, allowing the bracket used to mount a card in a chassis to be quickly and easily switched when the card is moved between different chassis locations with different chassis mounting configurations. For example, the toolless card/bracket coupling system of the present disclosure may include a card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart card securing support members extending from the card bracket base, and a toolless card securing subsystem on each of the card securing support members. Each toolless card securing subsystem may move towards a respective card aperture defined by the card while in a securing orientation, engage its respective card aperture and, in response, transition to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture and, in response to extending through its respective card aperture and through the card, transition back to the securing orientation to secure the card to the card bracket base via engagement with the card. - The
method 700 begins atblock 702 where toolless card securing subsystems on a card bracket are moved from a first side of a card and towards respective card apertures on the card while in a securing orientation. With reference toFIG. 8A , in an embodiment ofblock 702, thecard 400 may be positioned adjacent the “full-height”card bracket 500 such that thefront edge 402 c of thebase 402 of thecard 400 is located adjacent thefront surface 502 c of thecard bracket base 502, with thecard apertures card securing subsystems 508 on the card securingsupport members 506. Similarly, with reference toFIG. 10A , in an embodiment ofblock 702, thecard 400 may be positioned adjacent the “half-height”card bracket 600 such that thefront edge 402 c of thebase 402 of thecard 400 is located adjacent thefront surface 602 c of thecard bracket base 602, with thecard apertures card securing subsystems 608 on the card securingsupport members 606. -
FIG. 8B illustrates one of the toollesscard securing subsystems 508 on one of the card securingsupport members 506 on the “full-height”card bracket 500, with the pair of toollesscard securing members card securing subsystem 508 in a securing orientation A and aligned with thecard aperture 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. As illustrated, the toollesscard securing subsystems 508 may then be moved in a direction B relative to thecard apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - The
method 700 then proceeds to block 704 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket are engaged with the respective card apertures on the card while in the securing orientation. With reference toFIG. 8C , in an embodiment ofblock 704 and in response to the movement of the toollesscard securing subsystems 508 in the direction B relative to thecard apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400 and into thecard apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, thesecond portions card securing members base 402 of thecard 400 adjacent thecard apertures 406 a/406 b, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - The
method 700 then proceeds to block 706 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket transition from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation. In an embodiment ofblock 706 and in response to engagement of each of the pair of toollesscard securing members base 402 of thecard 400 adjacent thecard apertures 406 a/406 b and the continued movement of the toollesscard securing subsystems 508 in the direction B through thecard apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, the pair of toollesscard securing members card securing subsystem 508 will transition into a coupling orientation that is provided as they move out of the securing orientation and towards each other, while also moving in the direction B through thecard aperture apertures 406 a/406 b, as the diameter of thecard apertures 406 a/406 b reduces. While not illustrated, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. As such, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how embodiments of the coupling orientation of the pair of toolless card securing members on the toolless card securing subsystem of the present disclosure may include a plurality of relative distances between the pair of toolless card securing members that are less than their relative distance when in the securing orientation, and may be provided as the diameter of the card apertures define by the card reduce while the toolless card securing subsystem is moved through those card apertures. - The
method 700 then proceeds to block 708 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket move through the respective card apertures on the card in the coupling orientation. With reference toFIG. 8D , an embodiment ofblock 708 is illustrated in which the pair of toollesscard securing members card securing subsystem 508 are in a coupling orientation C that may be one of the coupling orientations discussed above, and that is provided immediately prior to thesecond portions card securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - The
method 700 then proceeds to block 710 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket extend through the respective card apertures on the card to a second side of the card and transition from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation. With reference toFIG. 8E , an embodiment ofblock 710 is illustrated in which thesecond portions card securing members card securing subsystem 508 have extended through thecard apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, allowing the pair of toollesscard securing members card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. As such, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how thefirst portions card securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - The
method 700 then proceeds to block 712 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket engage the second side of the card in the securing orientation to secure the card to the card bracket. With continued reference toFIG. 8E , one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize how, atblock 712 and with thefirst portions card securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b, the securing orientation A of the pair of toollesscard securing members second portions card securing members side surface 402 e on thebase 402 of thecard 400 in order to secure thecard 400 to the card securingsupport members 506 and, thus, the “full-height”card bracket 500. While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - As illustrated in
FIGS. 8F and 9 , with thecard 400 secured to the “full-height”card bracket 500, thecard 400 may be positioned in the “full-height”card slot 210 in thechassis 202 of thecomputing device 200, thecard connector 404 may be connected to thecard connector 208 on thecircuit board 206, and the “full-height”card bracket 500 may be mounted to the mountingelement 204/chassis 202 via, for example, a mountingdevice 900 located in thechassis mounting channel 504 a defined by thechassis mounting member 504 and engaging the mountingelement 204. As illustrated inFIGS. 10B and 11 , with thecard 400 secured to the “half-height”card bracket 600, thecard 400 may be positioned in the “half-height”card slot 310 in thechassis 302 of thecomputing device 300, thecard connector 404 may be connected to thecard connector 308 on thecircuit board 306, and the “half-height”card bracket 600 may be mounted to the mountingelement 304/chassis 302 via, for example, a mountingdevice 1000 located in thechassis mounting channel 604 a defined by thechassis mounting member 604 and engaging the mountingelement 304. - Referring now to
FIG. 12 , an embodiment of amethod 1200 for toollessly decoupling a card from a bracket is illustrated. As discussed below, the systems and methods of the present disclosure provide for the decoupling of brackets from a card without the use of a tool, allowing the bracket used with a card to be quickly and easily switched when the card is moved between different chassis locations with different chassis mounting configurations. For example, the toolless card/bracket decoupling system of the present disclosure may include a card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart card securing support members extending from the card bracket base, and a toolless card securing subsystem on each of the card securing support members. Each toolless card securing subsystem may extend from a first side of a card and through a respective card aperture defined by the card, and may engage a second side of the card that is opposite the card from the first side of the card in a securing orientation that secures the card to the card bracket base. Each toolless card securing subsystem may, while the card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, transition from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation and, while in the coupling orientation, move from the second side of the card and through its respective card aperture defined by the card in order to unsecure the card from the first card bracket base. - The
method 1200 begins at block 1202 where toolless card securing subsystems on a card bracket are transitioned from a securing orientation to a coupling orientation in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool. With reference toFIGS. 8F and 13A , thefirst portions card securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b, with the pair of toollesscard securing members second portions card securing members side surface 402 e on thebase 402 of thecard 400 in order to secure thecard 400 to the card securingsupport members 506 and, thus, the “full-height”card bracket 500. While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - In an embodiment of block 1202, a force D may be provided on each of the
second portions card securing members second portions card securing members card securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. As illustrated inFIG. 13B , the force D will cause the pair of toollesscard securing members card securing members second portions card securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400. While not illustrated in detail, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - The
method 1200 then proceeds to block 1204 where the toolless card securing subsystems on the card bracket move from the second side of the card and through respective card apertures on the card while in a coupling orientation to unsecure the card from the card bracket. With reference toFIGS. 13B and 13C , in an embodiment ofblock 1204, the pair of toollesscard securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400 until the pair of toollesscard securing members card apertures 406 a/406 b defined by thebase 402 of thecard 400 such that the card is unsecured from the “full-height”card bracket 500, and one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will appreciate how the toollesscard securing subsystems 608 on the “half-height”card bracket 600 ofFIG. 10A may operate in a similar manner. - With reference to
FIG. 14 , embodiments of the full-height bracket 500 ofFIGS. 5A-5C and the half-height bracket 600 ofFIGS. 6A-6C are illustrated with modified toollesscard securing subsystems FIGS. 5A and 6A andFIG. 14 , the modified toollesscard securing subsystems card securing subsystems card 400 from the full-height bracket 500 or the half-height bracket 600) without obstruction from thefront surfaces card bracket bases - Thus, systems and methods have been described that provide for the decoupling of brackets from a PCIe card without the use of a tool, allowing the bracket used with a PCIe card to be quickly and easily switched when the PCIe card is moved between “full-height” PCIe card slots and “half-height” PCIe card slots. For example, the toolless PCIe card/bracket decoupling system of the present disclosure may include a PCIe card bracket base that mounts to a chassis with a chassis mounting configuration, spaced-apart PCIe card securing support members extending from the PCIe card bracket base, and a toolless PCIe card securing subsystem on each of the PCIe card securing support members. Each toolless PCIe card securing subsystem may extend from a first side of a PCIe card and through a respective PCIe card aperture defined by the PCIe card, and may engage a second side of the PCIe card that is opposite the PCIe card from the first side of the PCIe card in a securing orientation that secures the PCIe card to the PCIe card bracket base. Each toolless PCIe card securing subsystem may, while the PCIe card is secured to the first PCIe card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, transition from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation and, while in the coupling orientation, move from the second side of the PCIe card and through its respective PCIe card aperture defined by the PCIe card in order to unsecure the PCIe card from the first PCIe card bracket base. As such, one of skill in the art in possession of the present disclosure will recognize how the
methods - Although illustrative embodiments have been shown and described, a wide range of modification, change and substitution is contemplated in the foregoing disclosure and in some instances, some features of the embodiments may be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.
Claims (20)
1. A toolless card/bracket coupling system, comprising:
a card;
a first card bracket base that includes a first chassis mounting configuration and that is configured to mount to a first chassis mounting element that provides the first chassis mounting configuration;
a plurality of first card securing support members that extend from the first card bracket base in a spaced-apart orientation;
a toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members, wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members is configured to:
move, from a first side of the card while in a securing orientation, towards a respective card aperture defined by the card;
engage its respective card aperture defined by the card;
transition, in response to engaging and moving into its respective card aperture defined by the card, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture defined by the card; and
transition, in response to extending through its respective card aperture defined by the card and past a second side of the card that is opposite the card from the first side of the card, from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation that secures the card to the first card bracket base via engagement with the second side of the card; and
a second card bracket base that includes a second chassis mounting configuration that is different than the first mounting configuration and that is configured to mount to a second chassis mounting element that provides the second chassis mounting configuration;
a plurality of second card securing support members that extend from the second card bracket base in the spaced apart orientation such that the spacing of the plurality of second card securing support members is the same as the spacing of the plurality of first card securing support members;
the toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of second card securing support members, wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of second card securing support members is configured to:
move, from the first side of the card while in the securing orientation, towards a respective card aperture defined by the card;
engage its respective card aperture defined by the card;
transition, in response to engaging and moving into its respective card aperture defined by the card, from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture defined by the card; and
transition, in response to extending through its respective card aperture defined by the card and past the second side of the card that is opposite the card from the first side of the card, from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation that secures the card to the second card bracket base via engagement with the second side of the card.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first chassis mounting configuration is one of: a full-height mounting configuration or a half-height mounting configuration.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first card securing support members are provided by a pair of first card securing support members that are spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the plurality of second card securing members are provided by a pair of second card securing support members that are spaced apart by the first distance.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first chassis mounting configuration is a full-height mounting configuration, and wherein the second chassis mounting configuration is a half-height mounting configuration.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the card is a PCIe card.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members includes a pair of toolless card securing members that each extend from its first card coupling support member, that each include a first portion having a first width, and that each include a second portion that is located opposite the first portion from its first card coupling support member and that has a second width that is greater than the first width, wherein the pair of the toolless card securing members included in each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members are configured to:
move, from the first side of the card while in the securing orientation in which the second portions on each of that pair of toolless card securing members are spaced apart by a first distance, towards a respective card aperture defined by the card;
engage the second portions on each of that pair of toolless card securing members with their respective card aperture defined by the card;
transition, in response to engaging and moving the second portions on each of that pair of toolless card securing members into their respective card aperture defined by the card, from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation in which the spacing between the second portions on each of that pair of toolless card securing members is reduced to allow that pair of toolless card securing members to move through their respective card aperture defined by the card; and
transition, in response to the second portions on each of that pair of toolless card securing members extending through their respective card aperture defined by the card and past the second side of the card that is opposite the card from the first side of the card, from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation that secures the card to the first card bracket base via engagement of the second portions on each of that pair of toolless card securing members with the second side of the card.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members is configured to:
transition, while the card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation; and
move, while in the coupling orientation, from the second side of the card and through its respective card aperture defined by the card in order to unsecure the card from the first card bracket base.
8. An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:
a first chassis;
a first card slot that is defined by the first chassis and that includes a first card mounting configuration;
a first card connector that is located adjacent the first card slot in the first chassis;
a second chassis;
a second card slot that is defined by the second chassis and that includes a second card mounting configuration;
a second card connector that is located adjacent the second card slot in the second chassis;
a first card that is connected to the first card connector;
a second card that includes the same form-factor as the first card and that is connected to the second card connector;
a first card bracket base that is mounted to the first chassis and provided in the first card mounting configuration;
a plurality of first card securing support members that extend from the first card bracket base in a spaced-apart orientation;
a toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members, wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members extends from a first side of the first card and through a respective first card aperture defined by the first card, and engages a second side of the first card that is opposite the first card from the first side of the first card in a securing orientation that secures the first card to the first card bracket base, and wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members is configured to:
transition, while the first card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective first card aperture defined by the first card; and
move, while in the coupling orientation, from the second side of the first card and through its respective first card aperture defined by the first card in order to unsecure the first card from the first card bracket base;
a second first card bracket base that is mounted to the second chassis and provided in the second card mounting configuration;
a plurality of second card securing support members that extend from the second card bracket base in the spaced-apart orientation such that the spacing of the plurality of second card securing support members is the same as the spacing of the plurality of first card securing support members; and
the toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of second card securing support members, wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of second card securing support members extends from a first side of the second card and through a respective second card aperture defined by the second card, and engages a second side of the second card that is opposite the second card from the first side of the second card in the securing orientation that secures the second card to the second card bracket base, and wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of second card securing support members is configured to:
transition, while the second card is secured to the second card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective second card aperture defined by the second card; and
move, while in the coupling orientation, from the second side of the second card and through its respective second card aperture defined by the second card in order to unsecure the second card from the second card bracket base.
9. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the first chassis mounting configuration is one of:
a full-height mounting configuration or a half-height mounting configuration.
10. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of first card securing support members are provided by a pair of first card securing support members that are spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the plurality of second card securing members are provided by a pair of second card securing support members that are spaced apart by the first distance.
11. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the first chassis mounting configuration a full-height mounting configuration, and wherein the second chassis mounting configuration is a half-height mounting configuration.
12. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the first card and the second card are PCIe cards.
13. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein each first toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members includes a pair of toolless card securing members that, while that first toolless card securing subsystem is in the securing orientation, include a first portion that has a first width that is located in the first card aperture defined by the first card, and a second portion that is located opposite the first portion from its first card coupling support member, that has a second width that is greater than the first width, and that engages the second side of the first card that is opposite the first card from the first side of the first card to secure the first card to the first card bracket base, and wherein the pair of toolless card securing members on each first toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members are configured to:
transition, while the first card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided on the pair of toolless card securing members without the use of a tool, from the securing orientation to the coupling orientation that allows that pair of toolless card securing members to move through their respective first card aperture defined by the first card; and
move, while in the coupling orientation, from the second side of the first card and through their respective first card aperture defined by the first card in order to unsecure the first card from the first card bracket base.
14. A method for toollessly coupling a card to a bracket, comprising:
moving, from a first side of a first card by each toolless card securing subsystem on respective first card coupling support members that extend in a spaced-apart orientation from a first card bracket base that includes a first chassis mounting configuration and that is configured to mount to a first chassis mounting element that provides the first chassis mounting configuration, towards a respective card aperture defined by the first card while in a securing orientation;
engaging, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members, its respective card aperture defined by the first card;
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members in response to engaging and moving into its respective card aperture defined by the first card, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture defined by the first card;
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members in response to extending through its respective card aperture defined by the first card and past a second side of the first card that is opposite the first card from the first side of the first card, from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation that secures the first card to the first card bracket base via engagement with the second side of the first card;
moving, from the first side of a second card that is identical to the first card by each toolless card securing subsystem on respective second card coupling support members that extend in the spaced-apart orientation from a second card bracket base that includes a second chassis mounting configuration and that is configured to mount to a second chassis mounting element that provides the second chassis mounting configuration, towards a respective card aperture defined by the second card while in the securing orientation, wherein the spacing of the plurality of second card securing support members is the same as the spacing of the plurality of first card securing support members;
engaging, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective second card coupling support members, its respective card aperture defined by the second card;
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective second card coupling support members in response to engaging and moving into its respective card aperture defined by the second card, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective card aperture defined by the second card; and
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective second card coupling support members in response to extending through its respective card aperture defined by the second card and past a second side of the second card that is opposite the second card from the first side of the second card, from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation that secures the second card to the second card bracket base via engagement with the second side of the second card.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first chassis mounting configuration is one of: a full-height mounting configuration or a half-height mounting configuration.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of first card securing support members are provided by a pair of first card securing support members that are spaced apart by a first distance, and wherein the plurality of second card securing members are provided by a pair of second card securing support members that are spaced apart by the first distance.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first chassis mounting configuration a full-height mounting configuration, and wherein the second chassis mounting configuration is a half-height mounting configuration.
18. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first card and the second card are PCIe cards.
19. The method of claim 14 , wherein each toolless card securing subsystem that is included on each of the plurality of first card securing support members includes a pair of toolless card securing members that each extend from its first card coupling support member, that each include a first portion having a first width, and that each include a second portion that is located opposite the first portion from its first card coupling support member and that has a second width that is greater than the first width, wherein the method includes:
moving, from a first side of the first card by the pair of toolless card securing members on each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members, towards a respective card aperture defined by the first card while in the securing orientation;
engaging, by the second portion of the pair of toolless card securing members on each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members, its respective card aperture defined by the first card;
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members in response to its pair of toolless card securing members engaging and moving into its respective card aperture defined by the first card, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows the second portion of its pair of toolless card securing members to move through its respective card aperture defined by the first card; and
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members in response to its pair of toolless card securing members extending through its respective card aperture defined by the card and past a second side of the card that is opposite the card from the first side of the first card, from the coupling orientation to the securing orientation that secures the card to the first card bracket base via engagement of its pair of toolless card securing members with the second side of the first card.
20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
transitioning, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members while the first card is secured to the first card bracket base and in response to a force that is provided without the use of a tool, from the securing orientation to a coupling orientation that allows that toolless card securing subsystem to move through its respective first card aperture defined by the first card; and
moving, by each toolless card securing subsystem on the respective first card coupling support members while in the coupling orientation, from the second side of the first card and through its respective first card aperture defined by the first card in order to unsecure the first card from the first card bracket base.
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US20060133059A1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | Dean Ronald P | Bi-positional expansion card retainer |
CN101035423A (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-12 | 富准精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Rear board combination |
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US20060133059A1 (en) * | 2004-12-21 | 2006-06-22 | Dean Ronald P | Bi-positional expansion card retainer |
CN101035423A (en) * | 2006-03-10 | 2007-09-12 | 富准精密工业(深圳)有限公司 | Rear board combination |
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