Plug-in unit protection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9420717-B2
Application number	US-201213413272-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 6, 2012
Priority date	Dec 16, 2011
Publication date	Aug 16, 2016
Grant date	Aug 16, 2016

Abstract

A plug-in unit that is configured to stacking in an electronic equipment unit is protected during replacement of an adjacent plug-in unit in the electronic equipment unit by providing at least one fender on at least one side of the plug-in unit.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of protecting a plug-in unit during replacement of an adjacent plug-in unit in an electronic equipment unit, comprising:
providing at least one fender on at least one side of the plug-in unit that is configured for stacking in said electronic equipment unit, the at least one fender having a generally planar bottom surface for securing to the plug-in unit, an elevated upper surface, and first and second ends;
wherein the upper surface is at least partially curved or chamfered between the first and second ends, such that the upper surface is non-planar when viewed as a cross section of the at least one fender in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction generally coinciding with a direction of insertion of the plug-in unit; and
wherein the at least one fender is rigidly affixed to the plug-in unit, such that the upper surface of the at least one fender is configured so as not to move relative to the plug-in unit.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fender has electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective properties.

3. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
securing the at least one fender to the at least one side of the plug-in unit.

4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing the at least one fender comprises providing the at least one fender on a secondary side of the plug-in unit, adjacent an outer or an inner edge thereof, with regard to the direction of insertion of the plug-in unit.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fender is generally elongated and extends in a direction generally coinciding with the direction of insertion of the plug-in unit into the electronic equipment unit.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein providing the at least one fender comprises providing the at least one fender adjacent an inner and/or outer edge of the plug-in unit, with regard to the direction of insertion of the plug-in unit, on a primary side thereof.

7. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one fender has a height as measured in a direction perpendicular to a side of the plug-in unit that is not less than a height of components or circuit elements on the side of the plug-in unit from a surface of the side of the plug-in unit.

8. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
alternatively integrating the at least one fender in the plug-in unit.

9. A plug-in unit configured for stacking in an electronic equipment unit, comprising:
at least one fender on at least one side of the plug-in unit, the at least one fender having a generally planar bottom surface for securing to the plug-in unit, an elevated upper surface, and first and second ends;
wherein the upper surface is at least partially curved or chamfered between the first and second ends, such that the upper surface is non-planar when viewed as a cross section of the at least one fender in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction generally coinciding with a direction of insertion of the plug-in unit; and
wherein the at least one fender is rigidly affixed to the plug-in unit, such that the upper surface of the at least one fender is configured so as not to move relative to the plug-in unit.

10. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender has electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective properties.

11. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender is disposed on a secondary side of the plug-in unit.

12. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender is disposed adjacent an outer or an inner edge of the plug-in unit with regard to the direction (ID) of insertion of the plug-in unit into the electronic equipment unit.

13. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender is generally elongated and extends in a direction generally coinciding with the direction of insertion of the plug-in unit into the electronic equipment unit.

14. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender is disposed on a primary side of the plug-in unit.

15. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender has a height as measured in a direction perpendicular to a side of the plug-in unit that is not less than a height of components or circuit elements on the side of the plug-in unit from a surface of the side of the plug-in unit.

16. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender is separate from the plug-in unit and is secured thereto.

17. A plug-in unit according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one fender is integrated in the plug-in unit.

18. A fender for protecting a plug-in unit having a generally planar bottom surface for securing to a plug-in unit, an elevated upper surface, and first and second ends;
wherein the upper surface is at least partially curved or chamfered between the first and second ends, such that the upper surface is non-planar when viewed as a cross section of the fender in a direction that is perpendicular to a direction generally coinciding with a direction of insertion of the plug-in unit; and
wherein the bottom surface is configured to rigidly secure the fender to the plug-in unit, such that the upper surface of the fender is configured so as not to move relative to the plug-in unit.

19. A fender according to claim 18 , wherein at least portions of the upper surface of the fender has an elongated shape with a ramp-like curvature towards opposite ends of the bottom surface and formed of a material having electrostatic discharge (ESD) protective properties.

Assignees

• Kramer Hans
• ERICSSON TELEFON AB L M (publ)

Inventors

• Kramer Hans

Classifications

• Y10T29/49718

  Repairing · CPC title

• H05K9/0067

  Devices for protecting against damage from electrostatic discharge · CPC title

• H05K9/0062

  Structures of standardised dimensions, e.g. 19" rack, chassis for servers or telecommunications · CPC title

• Y10T428/24479

  including variation in thickness · CPC title

• H05K7/1429

  for circuits carrying a CPU and adapted to receive expansion cards · CPC title