CN218122581U - Computer device and expansion bracket for computer device - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a computer device and be used for computer device's extension bracket. The expansion bracket for the computer device is convenient for the insertion and the extraction of the expansion part. The expansion bracket has two opposing sidewalls, a bottom panel connecting the sidewalls, and a closed end. The front cross member connects the two sidewalls to define a front open end. A pair of springs are located at the closed end to urge the expansion member away from the closed end. A pair of pivot rods are mounted on the front cross member adjacent each side wall. Each of the pivoting levers has a guide pin that engages a groove on the expansion member inserted through the open front end. The rotation lever rotates through the guide pin engaged with the groove when the expansion member moves in and out of the front opening end.

Description

Computer device and expansion bracket for computer device

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a housing mechanism for an expansion unit of a computer device, and more particularly, to an expansion unit bracket having a rotating lever mechanism that allows the expansion unit of a computer device case to be easily and quickly disassembled.

Background

Computer systems (e.g., desktop computers, blade servers, rack servers, etc.) are used in large numbers in a variety of applications. High-demand application layers, such as network-based systems, information centers, or high-density finite element simulations, may drive the hardware of computing systems, requiring servers with specialized capabilities. Modern servers are typically designed to provide flexibility in terms of functionality and components. One approach is to design an expansion bracket that allows components such as cards, storage devices, or processor boards to be easily installed to enhance the basic functionality of the server. Expansion trays typically include trays that can support modular components. To facilitate maintenance and replacement of components, many trays may be accessed without moving the actual server chassis to access the components. For example, some trays may slide out of the chassis, allowing components to be installed or removed. Once installed, the tray may be pushed back into the chassis.

Currently, component pallets require a series of mechanical mechanisms to ensure that the pallet is locked in place. For example, some trays have rotatable levers that allow an operator to move the lever to an open position to allow the tray to slide out of and into the chassis. When the tray is loaded, the tray is pushed into the chassis, and the lever is rotated to the closed position. The existing lever design is a mechanical design that allows quick access to the tray by means of ejector rods located on the front plate. However, existing lever and tray mechanisms are relatively complex for easy movement into the chassis as the tray moves.

Therefore, a mechanism is needed to allow the expansion components to be easily removed from the computer case. There is also a need for a mechanism for holding an expansion part that is mechanically simple. There is also a need for a mechanism for holding an expansion component that does not require a tray to hold the expansion component within the chassis.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an expansion bracket for a computer device includes a bottom panel, two sidewalls, a closed end and a front open end. The bottom panel abuts the sidewalls. The side walls face each other. The closed end abuts the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The front open end is defined by the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The expansion bracket further comprises a first rotating lever and a first spring. The first rotation lever has a first locating feature for engaging an expansion member insertable through the open front end. The first spring is positioned at the closed end and used for forcing the expansion part to be far away from the closed end.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the expansion bracket further comprises a plurality of rollers. The rollers are located inside one of the sidewalls for guiding the expansion member into and out of the expansion bracket.

In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-mentioned expansion bracket, the first positioning feature is a guide pin that is matched in a groove of the expansion part. The expansion member is moved to rotate the first rotation lever by the movement of the guide pin in the groove.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, the expansion bracket further includes a second rotating lever and a second spring. The second pivot lever has a second alignment feature for engaging the expansion member. The second spring is positioned at the closed end and used for forcing the expansion part to be far away from the closed end. The first rotating lever and the first spring are arranged close to one side wall, and the second rotating lever and the second spring are arranged close to the other side wall.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a computer device includes a case, a motherboard, and a bracket housing. The case has two side walls and a front end. The mainboard is arranged in the case and between the side walls. The bracket shell is used for holding an expansion part fixed at the front end of the case. The bracket shell comprises a bottom panel, two side walls, a closed end, a front open end, a first spring and a first rotating lever. The side walls face each other. The bottom panel abuts the sidewalls. The closed end abuts the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The front open end is defined by the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The first rotation lever has a first locating feature for engaging an expansion member insertable through the open front end. The first spring is positioned at the closed end and used for forcing the expansion part to be far away from the closed end.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the computer device, the bracket housing further includes a plurality of rollers. The rollers are located inside one of the sidewalls for guiding the expansion member into and out of the tray housing.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the above-mentioned computer device, the first positioning feature is a guide pin matched in a groove of the expansion part. The expansion member is moved to rotate the first rotation lever by the movement of the guide pin in the groove.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the computer device, the expansion part includes a circuit board having an edge connector mateable with a socket extending from the closed end.

According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, in the computer device, the bracket housing further includes a second rotating lever and a second spring. The second pivot lever has a second alignment feature for engaging the expansion member. The second spring is positioned at the closed end and used for forcing the expansion part to be far away from the closed end. The first rotating lever and the first spring are arranged close to one side wall, and the second rotating lever and the second spring are arranged close to the other side wall.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an expansion bracket for a computer device includes a bottom panel, two sidewalls, a closed end and a front cross member. The bottom panel abuts the sidewalls. The side walls face each other. The closed end abuts the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The front open end is defined by the sidewalls and the bottom panel. The front cross member abuts the sidewalls to define a front open end. The expansion bracket further comprises a pair of springs and a pair of rotating levers. The pair of springs are located at the closed end, each spring is located proximate one of the sidewalls, and each spring forces an expansion member away from the closed end. The pair of turn levers are mounted on the front cross member proximate each of the side walls. Each of the pivoting levers has a guide pin engaging a groove on the extension member insertable through the open front end. When the expansion member is moved into and out of the front opening end, the rotation levers are rotated through the guide pins engaged in the grooves.

The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an exemplification of some of the novel aspects and features described above. The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Drawings

The invention will be better understood and appreciated from a consideration of the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a computer system having an exemplary tray for holding an expansion device;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the computer system of FIG. 1A with an expansion unit partially removed from the tray in the chassis;

FIG. 2 is a bottom close-up perspective view of an example leverage mechanism and component carrier in the computer system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3 is an isolated perspective view of an exemplary leverage mechanism and expansion member partially inserted into one of the brackets of the computer system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the example expansion component and lever mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an isolated exploded view of the example expansion component and lever mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6A is a close-up partial perspective view of the guide pin of the lever mechanism interacting with the groove of the expansion member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6B is a close-up perspective view of the pivot assembly of the lever mechanism;

FIG. 6C is an exploded view of the pivot assembly of the lever mechanism;

FIG. 7 is a close-up perspective view of a leverage spring corresponding to the expansion member of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example expansion member in a fully inserted position;

FIG. 9 is an isolated perspective view of the example lever mechanism where the lever is unlocked to allow the expansion member to be pushed to an extended position;

FIG. 10 is an isolated perspective view of the exemplary tray with the lever unlocked to allow the expansion member to be pushed to an extended position;

FIG. 11 is an isolated perspective view of the exemplary tray with the lever unlocked to allow the expansion member to be pushed to an extended position; and

FIG. 12 is an isolated perspective view of the example tray with the lever unlocked to allow the expansion member to be pushed to an extended position.

Description of the reference numerals

100 storage server

110 case

112. 114 side wall

116 bottom plate

120 main board

122 front panel

124 rear panel

130 fan module

140 hard disk

150, the bracket

160 expansion part

200 bracket

210 bracket shell

212. 214 side wall

216 roof panel

218 bottom panel

220 open end

222 closed end

224 front cross member

226 connector receptacle

230. 232 roller

234 supporting rod

236. 238 spring

240. 242 positioning pin

250. 252 Lever Assembly

260 lever plate

262 wider end

264 narrower end

266 side plate

268 guide pin

270: knob

280 circuit board

282 shell

284 front plate

286 bottom plate

288. 290 side plate

292 edge connector

294 top surface

296. 298 groove

610 lateral side part

612 body part

614 opening edge

616 closed end

620 attaching support

622 substrate

624 side plate

626 rivet hole

630 pivot support

632 support plate

634 rivet hole

636 pivot plate

638 hole

640 pivoting cylinder

642 opening a hole

650 locking screw

660 spring

710 lug

720. 722 rear support

Detailed Description

The present invention can be implemented in a number of different forms. Representative embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. The present disclosure is an example or illustration of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the present disclosure to the embodiments shown. In this regard, elements and limitations that are disclosed in, for example, the abstract, summary, and detailed description section but not explicitly recited in the claims are not intended to be incorporated into the claims by implication, inference, alone or in combination, or otherwise. For purposes of this detailed description, the singular includes the plural and vice versa, unless specifically stated otherwise; the term "including" means "including but not limited to". Moreover, approximating language, such as "about," nearly, "" substantially, "" about, "etc., may be used herein to mean" on, "" near, "or" nearly on "or" e.g., within 3-5% or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any logical combination thereof.

The present invention relates to a bracket for an expansion unit, which has a lever mechanism that allows the expansion unit to be easily released from the bracket without using a tray. The side wall of the bracket is provided with a spring for forcing the expansion part to move out of the side wall. The expansion member may be pushed into the bracket to compress the spring. Two (or a pair of) swivel levers may be used to easily lock the expansion member into the bracket. Once the turning lever is rotated and released, the spring can push the expansion part out of the bracket.

Fig. 1A is a perspective view of a computer system or computer device, such as storage server 100. Storage server 100 includes a chassis 110 having two sidewalls 112 and 114. The side walls 112 and 114 are each bordered by a floor 116. A main board 120 is mounted between the sidewalls 112 and 114. The main board 120 is fixed between a front panel 122 and a rear panel 124 of the housing 110. The motherboard 120 includes one or more components such as a power supply, a processor (e.g., CPU), a network interface card, and a memory device. A set of fan modules 130 are located near the rear of the chassis 110. Fan module 130 creates an airflow between sidewalls 112 and 114 to assist in cooling the components of storage server 100. The fan module 130 is configured to set the direction of the inlet and outlet air flows such that both the inlet and outlet air flows move in the same direction.

In this embodiment, the casing 110 holds several hard disks (HDDs) 140, and the hard disks 140 are arranged in rows. In this embodiment, two sets of independent hard disks 140 parallel to each other are connected to the motherboard 120. Each group has six columns with six individual hard disks 140 for a total of 72 hard disks 140. In this embodiment, the hard disk 140 may be replaced by a Solid State Disk (SSD). The storage controller board is housed in a chassis 110 between two sets of independent hard disks 140.

The front panel 122 includes two brackets 150 that allow for insertion of an expansion component specification. In this embodiment, two brackets 150 are provided, but any number of bracket assemblies may be supported by different configurations of the front panel 122. Each carrier 150 allows access to an expansion component, such as an Input Output (IO) module, including an IO board having a peripheral component interconnect express (PCIe) specification, that may interface to the receptacle connector. For example, a power button, a reset button, and several debug USB components may be disposed on the front of the IO board of this specification. Other types of computer devices, such as application servers, may have fewer storage devices and more tray assemblies for expansion cards. The example carriage assembly using the rotatable fastener mechanism may be used with any suitable computing device, such as a storage device (e.g., just a disk of disks (JBOD), a switch, or the like.

Fig. 1A-1B show the storage server 100 in a position where one of the brackets 150 adjacent to the side wall 114 is empty, which allows for insertion of expansion components designed to meet the specifications of a particular card, such as PCIe-compliant size specifications. Another bracket 150 adjacent to the side wall 112 is inserted with an extension member 160 as shown in fig. 1A. It should be explained that the bracket 150 includes two rotatable levers and a spring mechanism that allows the expansion member 160 to be inserted through the levers and held therein. When the lever is released, the elastic force of the spring mechanism will extend the expansion member 160 out of the storage server 100 for device replacement, as shown in fig. 1B.

FIG. 2 is a close-up bottom perspective view of one of the carriers 150 in the storage server 100 of FIGS. 1A and 1B. Fig. 3 is an isolated perspective view of one of the carriers 150 of fig. 1A and 1B. Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the example carrier 150 and the expansion member 160. The carrier 150 is designed to accommodate expansion components having a particular specification, such as the expansion component 160 of the specification. Other specifications can be accommodated by varying the width, length and depth of the bracket 150, while still incorporating the quick release mechanism disclosed therein. In this embodiment, the expansion component 160 is a PCIe type device. The cradle 150 has a cradle housing 210, and the cradle housing 210 has two side walls 212 and 214 facing each other. The sidewalls 212 and 214 abut a top panel 216 and a bottom panel 218, respectively. The tray housing 210 has an open end 220 (hereinafter front or front open end) defined by the sidewalls 212, 214 and top and bottom panels 216, 218. The bracket 150 further has a forward cross member (hereinafter front cross member 224). The front cross member 224 abuts the sidewalls 212 and 214 and defines the open end 220 of the cradle housing 210. The closed end 222 opposite the open end 220 has a connector receptacle 226 extending through the closed end 222. The connector receptacle 226 is configured to interface with the expansion member 160. The connector receptacle 226 is mounted on the main board 120 for providing power connection to the expansion unit 160.

The expansion member 160 can be moved into the loading position of the bracket 150. The stowed position allows the expansion member 160 to be completely surrounded by the carrier housing 210. The components in the chassis 110 may then be electrically connected to the expansion component 160. The expansion member 160 may be extended to an extended position as shown in fig. 2, which enables the expansion member 160 to be removed from the bracket 200 (as shown in fig. 5).

The side walls 212, 214 each have a series of rollers 230 and 232, the rollers 230 and 232 extending from respective inner surfaces of the side walls 212 and 214, respectively. The rollers 230 and 232 are aligned with each other to guide the expansion member 160 to and from between the stowed and extended positions. In this embodiment, each side wall (e.g., side wall 212) has three rollers 230, and the rollers 230 are spaced between the open end 220 and the closed end 222 such that one of the rollers 230 is adjacent to the open end 220, the other roller 230 is adjacent to the center of the side wall 212, and the other roller 230 is adjacent to the rear closed end 222. The rollers 232 on the side walls 214 are disposed at similar locations on the inner surface of the side walls 214.

The rearward closed end 222 includes a support post 234. The support bar 234 has two springs 236 and 238 attached thereto. When the expansion member 160 is in the loaded position, the springs 236 and 238 are compressed. In this embodiment, one of the springs 236 is closer to the sidewall 212 and the other spring 238 is closer to the sidewall 214. The spring force released by springs 236 and 238 forces expansion member 160 away from carrier housing 210 of carrier 150 in the extended position shown in fig. 2. More than two springs may be used to provide the expansion member 160 with elastic force.

The bottom panel 218 is generally flat and has locating features, such as locating pins 240 and 242, for engaging and aligning the expansion components 160 (shown in fig. 5). The bottom of the expansion member 160 may be configured with pin slots that interengage with the alignment pins 240 and 242 to hold the expansion member 160 in a fixed position relative to the side walls 212 and 214 of the carrier housing 210 of the carrier 150. Although two locating pins 240, 242 are used in the present embodiment, any number of locating pins or other mechanisms may be used to align and engage the expansion member 160 in place on the bottom panel 218. In addition, the bottom panel 218 may have pin slots as locating features and the expansion member 160 may have slots that match the locating pins.

In this embodiment, the front cross member 224 supports two rotatable lever assemblies 250 and 252. The lever assemblies 250 and 252 each include a lever plate 260. The lever plates 260 are rotatable toward and away from the front cross member 224, respectively. The lever plate 260 includes opposite wider ends 262 and narrower ends 264. The wider end 262 is rotatably mounted adjacent the sidewall 212 or 214. The side plate 266 is attached perpendicularly to the narrow end 264 and partially to the wide end 262 of the lever plate 260. The lever plate 260 further has a bottom surface. A guide pin 268 extends from the bottom surface of the lever plate 260 near its wider end 262. The wider end 262 of the lever plate 260 includes a pivot mechanism that allows the lever plate 260 to rotate relative to the front cross member 224. The side of the side plate 266 adjacent the narrower end 264 has a barrel-type knob (hereinafter knob 270). The knob 270 has attached to it a pin (not shown) extending from the side plate 266 and located on the opposite side of the knob 270. The lever assembly 252 and the lever assembly 250 are identical to one another, and thus the lever assembly 252 has identical components to one another as the lever assembly 250, including a lever plate 260, a guide pin 268, and a knob 270.

In this embodiment, the expansion member 160 has a circuit board 280 mounted on a housing 282, and the housing 282 has a front plate 284 attached to a bottom plate 286. One side of the circuit board 280 is fixed near the front plate 284. The front plate 284 is attached to side plates 288 and 290. The opposite edge of the circuit board 280 includes an edge connector 292. The edge connector 292 may be inserted into a corresponding connector receptacle 226 extending from the closed end 222 of the tray housing 210. In this example, the edge connector 292 conforms to the PCIe standard, however other types of connectors may be used. The front plate 284 includes a top surface 294, and opposite sides of the top surface 294 have two grooves 296 and 298, respectively. The grooves 296 engage corresponding guide pins 268, which guide pins 268 extend from the bottom surface of the lever plate 260. Fig. 6A shows a close-up perspective cross-sectional view of the guide pin 268 on the lever assembly 252 and its corresponding groove 298. As shown in FIG. 6A, groove 298 is "L" shaped having lateral side portions 610 and a body portion 612. Body portion 612 has an open edge 614 that allows guide pin 268 to enter and exit groove 298. The lateral side portion 610 has a closed end 616.

When the expansion member 160 initially extends into the carrier housing 210 through the open end 220, the lever assembly 252 is extended such that the lever plate 260 rotates away from the front cross member 224 (see fig. 4-5). When the front plate 284 reaches the guide pins 268 of the lever assemblies 250 and 252, the respective guide pins 268 enter the grooves 298 and 296, respectively. Thus, the guide pin 268 of FIG. 6A will enter the corresponding body portion 612 via the open edges 614 of the grooves 298 and 296. As the expansion component 160 is pushed further into the carrier housing 210, the guide pin 268 will be pushed toward the lateral side 610, causing the lever plate 260 to rotate to the front cross member 224. Once the lateral side 610 is fully inserted into the carriage housing 210, the guide pin 268 will contact the closed end 616 of the lateral side 610 of the groove 298.

Fig. 6B is a close-up perspective view of the pivot assembly that enables the lever assembly 252 to rotate relative to the front cross member 224. Fig. 6C is a close-up exploded view of the components of the pivot mechanism. An attachment bracket 620 has a base plate 622 and a vertical side plate (side plate 624 for short). Base plate 622 has two rivet holes 626 that allow base plate 622 to attach front cross member 224. The side plate 624 is attached to a pivot bracket 630. The pivot bracket 630 has a support plate 632, and the support plate 632 is attached to the side plate 624 by a rivet inserted into a rivet hole 634. A pivot plate 636 is attached perpendicularly to the support plate 632 and is oriented parallel to the attachment bracket 620 of the lever assembly 252. The pivot plate 636 has an aperture 638 formed therethrough.

The wider end 262 of the lever plate 260 has a pivot cylinder 640, and the pivot cylinder 640 is inserted through the aperture 638 of the pivot plate 636. The pivot cylinder 640 is free to rotate within the bore 638. Thus, the lever plate 260 rotates relative to the pivot plate 636 on the axis of the pivot cylinder 640. The pivot cylinder 640 has an aperture 642, the aperture 642 being engaged to the lock screw 650 to secure the pivot cylinder 640 to the pivot plate 636. A spring 660 is nested outside of the pivot cylinder 640 to bias the lever assembly 252 away from the front cross member 224.

The rollers 230 of the side walls 212 guide the side plates 288 of the expansion member 160 when the expansion member 160 is pushed through the open end 220 of the tray housing 210. Similarly, the rollers 232 of the side walls 214 guide the side plates 290 of the expansion member 160. Fig. 7 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of one of the springs 660 on the closed end 222 of the carriage housing 210. As described above, the expansion member 160 is pushed toward the closed end 222 of the tray housing 210 to the fully loaded position. The expansion member 160 is guided by the guide pins 268 in the lever assemblies 250 and 252, wherein the lever assemblies 250 and 252 interact with the grooves 296 and 298 and the rollers 230 and 232. When the expansion member 160 is pushed into the bracket housing 210, the positioning pins 240 and 242 (shown in fig. 5) on the bottom plate 218 are also engaged with the corresponding slots on the bottom plate 286 of the expansion member 160, so as to align the expansion member 160 with the corresponding bracket housing 210.

The expansion member 160 has tabs 710 extending from the ends of the side plate 288 and the bottom plate 286. The tab 710 contacts the spring 236 and another similar tab extending from the side plate 290 contacts the spring 238. The expansion member 160 is urged to force the edge connector 292 into engagement with the connector receptacle 226 (shown in FIG. 2) via, for example, tabs 710 on the side plate 290 to compress the springs 236 and 238. As shown in fig. 7, the support rod 234 is reinforced to further be attachable to rear supports 720 and 722 such as the springs 236 to reinforce the carriage housing 210 against the elastic force from the springs 236 and 238.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an example expansion member 160 in a fully inserted state into the bracket housing 210. The expansion member 160 is held in place in the carriage housing 210 by locking the lever plates 260 of the lever assemblies 250 and 252 within the front cross member 224 by the knob 270. Once the expansion member 160 is completely inserted into the carriage housing 210, the expansion member 160 is held in the carriage housing 210 by pushing the knob 270 of the lever assemblies 250 and 252. When the lever assemblies 250 and 252 are fully rotated to the front cross member 224, the pins attached to the knob 270 may be inserted into corresponding holes (not shown) in the front cross member 224. Knob 270 is pushed so that the pin engages the hole in front cross member 224, causing it to lock lever assemblies 250 and 252 to front cross member 224 with a friction fit.

When the lever assemblies 250 and 252 with the knob 270 are rotated in opposite directions, the pin is released from the hole in the front cross member 224 (as shown in fig. 9 and 10). When the lever assemblies 250 and 252 are released, the elastic force released by the springs 236 and 238 forces the expansion member 160 away from the bracket housing 210. When the expansion member 160 is released, the side plates 288 and 290 are guided through the respective rollers 230 and 232. When the expansion member 160 is released, the spring force released by the springs 236 and 238 causes the grooves 296 and 298 to move relative to the guide pin 268 in FIG. 2. A pin such as guide pin 268 is forced away from closed end 616 and into body portion 612 of groove 298. As the expansion member 160 is pushed out of the carriage housing 210, the guide pin 268 away from the closed end 616 rotates the lever assembly 252 away from the front cross member 224. Eventually, the guide pin 268 of the lever assembly 252 moves out of the groove 298 through the opening edge 614. Likewise, the guide pin 268 of the lever assembly 250 moves out of the groove 296 and rotates the lever assembly 250 away from the front cross member 224.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the carriage 150 illustrating the lever assemblies 250 and 252 released. Fig. 12 is a partial perspective view of the storage server 100 illustrating the lever assemblies 250 and 252 released. The lever assemblies 250 and 252 are rotated away from the front cross member 224 by pushing the expansion member 160 out of the carriage housing 210 through the springs 236 and 238. At this point, the guide pins 268 have moved out of the respective grooves 296 and 298. The expansion member 160 is thus partially extended out of the bracket housing 210. Accordingly, the user can grasp the front plate 284 of the expansion member 160 and draw the expansion member 160 out of the tray case 210 for replacement or repair. Another expansion part 160, identical to the expansion part 160, can then be inserted into the now empty carrier housing 210.

The exemplary spring and rotating lever assembly allows for easy insertion and release of the expansion member in the carrier housing. The example assembly enables a simple mechanism for supporting the expansion components without the use of a tray.

As used in this application, the terms "component," "module," "system," and the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware (e.g., circuitry), a combination of hardware and software, or an entity associated with a particular machine having one or more particular functions. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor (e.g., a digital signal processor), a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a controller and the controller can be the component. One or more components may reside within a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Furthermore, an "apparatus" may take the form of specially designed hardware; general purpose hardware specialized by executing thereon software that enables the hardware to perform specific functions; software stored on a computer readable medium; or a combination thereof.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms and "the" description are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," including, "" has, "" having, "or variations thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term" comprising.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. Furthermore, terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims (10)

1. An expansion bracket for a computer device, comprising:

two sidewalls facing each other;

a bottom panel adjacent to the two sidewalls;

a closed end adjacent to the two sidewalls and the bottom panel, and a front open end defined by the two sidewalls and the bottom panel;

a first rotatable lever having a first locating feature for engaging an expansion member insertable into and through the open front end; and

a first spring located at the closed end for forcing the expansion member away from the closed end.

2. The extension bracket for a computer device of claim 1, further comprising:

and a plurality of rollers positioned inside one of the two side walls and used for guiding the expansion part to enter and exit the expansion bracket.

3. The extension bracket for a computing device of claim 1, wherein the first locating feature is a guide pin that fits within a groove of the extension member,

wherein the extension member is moved to rotate the first rotation lever by the movement of the guide pin in the groove.

4. The extension bracket for a computer device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a second rotatable lever having a second locating feature for engaging the expansion member; and

and the second spring is positioned at the closed end and used for forcing the expansion part to be far away from the closed end, wherein the first rotating lever and the first spring are arranged close to one of the two side walls, and the second rotating lever and the second spring are arranged close to the other of the two side walls.

5. A computer apparatus, comprising:

a case having two side walls and a front end;

a main board disposed in the case and between the two sidewalls; and

a cradle housing for holding an expansion member secured to the front end of the chassis, the cradle housing comprising:

two sidewalls facing each other;

a bottom panel adjacent to the two sidewalls;

a closed end adjacent to the two side walls and the bottom panel, and a front open end defined by the two side walls and the bottom panel;

a first rotatable lever having a first locating feature for engaging an expansion member insertable through the open front end; and

a first spring located at the closed end for forcing the expansion member away from the closed end.

6. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the tray housing further comprises:

and a plurality of rollers positioned inside one of the two side walls for guiding the expansion part to enter and exit the bracket shell.

7. The computing device as recited in claim 5 wherein the first locating feature is a guide pin that fits within a groove of the expansion member,

wherein the extension member is moved to rotate the first rotation lever by the movement of the guide pin in the groove.

8. The computing device of claim 5, wherein the expansion component comprises a circuit board having an edge connector mateable with a socket extending from the closed end.

9. The computing device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the tray housing further comprises:

a second rotatable lever having a second locating feature for engaging the expansion member; and

and the second spring is positioned at the closed end and used for forcing the expansion part to be far away from the closed end, wherein the first rotating lever and the first spring are arranged close to one of the two side walls, and the second rotating lever and the second spring are arranged close to the other of the two side walls.

10. An expansion bracket for a computer device, comprising:

two sidewalls facing each other;

a bottom panel adjacent to the two sidewalls;

a closed end adjacent to the two sidewalls and the bottom panel, and a front cross member adjacent to the two sidewalls to define a front open end;

a pair of springs located at the closed end, each of the pair of springs located proximate to one of the two sidewalls, and each of the pair of springs urging an expansion member away from the closed end; and

a pair of pivoting levers mounted on the front cross member proximate each of the two side walls, each of the pair of pivoting levers having a guide pin engaging a groove on the expansion member insertable through the front open end,

wherein when the extension member moves into and out of the front opening end, the pair of rotating levers rotate through the guide pins engaged in the grooves.

Images