Securing an expansion card in a computing device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017220080-A1
Application number	US-201615009126-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 28, 2016
Priority date	Jan 28, 2016
Publication date	Aug 3, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Example techniques for securing an expansion card in a computing device are disclosed. An example method includes securing a mounting bracket within the computing device. An adjustable retention clip is installed in a preferred location at the mounting bracket. An expansion card is then installed in a space created by the adjustable retention clip and the mounting bracket, and the expansion card is secured to the adjustable retention clip.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method for securing an expansion card in a computing device, comprising:
securing a mounting bracket within the computing device; installing an adjustable retention clip in a preferred location at the mounting bracket; and installing an expansion card in a space created by the adjustable retention clip and the mounting bracket, wherein the expansion card is secured to the adjustable retention clip.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the computing device comprises a server or server cartridge.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the expansion card comprises an M.2 cartridge.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the M.2 cartridge comprises a length of about 42 millimeters, about 80 millimeters, or about 110 millimeters.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is mounted on a printed circuit board of the computing device.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is mounted to sheet metal of the computing device.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is mounted to the computer device by a snap-in feature.

8 . A system for securing an expansion card in a computing device, comprising:
a printed circuit board; a mounting bracket, wherein the mounting bracket is installed above the printed circuit board; and an adjustable retention clip; wherein the expansion card is installed on the printed circuit board at a gap created between the mounting bracket and the adjustable retention clip, and wherein the expansion card is secured to the adjustable retention clip.

9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the adjustable retention clip comprises a feature to snap-in to a position on the mounting bracket.

10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the adjustable retention clip comprises a set of mounting guides that are inserted into a mounting location on the mounting bracket.

11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the expansion card is secured to the adjustable retention clip with a screw.

12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the expansion card comprises an M.2 cartridge, and wherein the M.2 cartridge is variable in length.

13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the M.2 cartridge comprises a length of about 42 millimeters, about 80 millimeters, or about 110 millimeters.

14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the mounting bracket is mounted on the printed circuit board by a snap-in feature.

15 . A mounting bracket and an adjustable retention clip to secure an expansion card in a computing device, wherein the mounting bracket comprises a set of mounting locations to secure the adjustable retention clip, and wherein the adjustable retention clip comprises a set of mounting guides to slide into the set of mounting locations.

16 . The mounting bracket and adjustable retention clip of claim 15 , wherein the computing device is a server.

17 . The mounting bracket and adjustable retention clip of claim 15 , wherein the mounting bracket is mounted on a printed circuit board or sheet metal of the computing device.

18 . The mounting bracket and adjustable retention clip of claim 15 , wherein the expansion card is variable in length, and the expansion card comprises an M.2 cartridge.

19 . The mounting bracket and adjustable retention clip of claim 18 , wherein the M.2 cartridge comprises a length of about 42 millimeters, about 80 millimeters, or about 110 millimeters.

20 . The mounting bracket and adjustable retention clip of claim 15 , wherein the adjustable retention clip comprises a detent flange that secures the adjustable retention clip in place on the mounting bracket without an expansion card installed, and wherein with an expansion card installed, the detent flange of the adjustable retention clip has a support ledge that positions the expansion card to a suitable height above a printed circuit board.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Entpr Dev Lp

Inventors

• Schulze James Jeffery
• Conn Kevin D
• Sauer Keith A

Classifications

• G06F1/185 Primary

  Mounting of expansion boards · CPC title

• H05K7/1487 Primary

  Blade assemblies, e.g. blade cases or inner arrangements within a blade · CPC title

• H05K7/1417

  having securing means for mounting boards, plates or wiring boards (H05K7/1461 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H05K5/0221

  Locks; Latches · CPC title