Device for supporting an expansion card

Abstract

An apparatus to support an expansion card includes an adapter plate and an adapter bracket. The adapter plate has a connector to receive an expansion card. The adapter bracket is coupled to the adapter plate and includes a body portion and a latch. The body portion is coupled to the adapter plate such that the body portion is spaced apart from the adapter plate connector. The latch is rotatably coupled to the body portion and is rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the latch is in the first position and the expansion card is received by the adapter plate connector, the expansion card can be removed from the adapter plate connector. When the latch is in the second position and the expansion card is received by the adapter plate connector, the latch engages the expansion card such that the expansion card cannot be removed from the adapter plate connector.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for supporting an expansion card, and more particularly to an adapter bracket assembled to support an expansion card inserted into an adapter plate. Background Technology

[0002] Computing devices, such as servers, typically have a motherboard. The motherboard includes one or more connectors. Expansion cards can be inserted into these connectors to enhance the functionality of the computing device. These connectors are often vertically oriented, allowing users of riser boards to insert them. The riser boards have their own horizontally oriented connectors, allowing the expansion cards to be connected to the motherboard horizontally. However, when connected in this way, if the sides of the expansion card are not inserted into the riser board connectors, it may droop or sag due to gravity, potentially causing the expansion card to accidentally fall out of the riser board connectors. Therefore, a device to support the expansion cards is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The terms "embodiment" and similar terms such as "implementation," "configuration," "aspect," "example," and "option" are intended to broadly refer to the entire subject matter of the invention and the claims. The inclusion of these terms should be understood as not limiting the subject matter described herein, or limiting the meaning and scope of the appended claims. The several embodiments of the invention covered herein, as defined by the appended claims, are not the scope of this invention. This summary is a high-level overview of several aspects of the invention and introduces some concepts further illustrated in the embodiments below. This summary is not intended to be a key identifying feature or essential characteristic of the claimed subject matter. Nor is this summary intended to be used alone to define the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by referring to the appropriate portions of this specification, any or all of the drawings, and the claims.

[0004] According to a particular aspect of the invention, a device for supporting an expansion card includes an adapter plate and an adapter bracket. The expansion card is electrically connected to a motherboard. The adapter plate has a connector fitted to receive the expansion card. The adapter bracket is coupled to the adapter plate. The adapter bracket includes a body portion and a latch. The body portion is coupled to the adapter plate such that the body portion is separated from the adapter plate connector. The latch is rotatably coupled to the body portion and fitted to rotate between a first position and a second position. When the latch is in the first position and the expansion card is received by the adapter plate connector, the expansion card can be removed from the adapter plate connector. When the latch is in the second position and the expansion card is received by the adapter plate connector, the latch engages the expansion card, preventing the expansion card from being removed from the adapter plate connector.

[0005] The foregoing summary is not intended to represent all embodiments or every aspect of the invention. Rather, it provides examples of some novel aspects and features set forth herein. The foregoing summary will become more apparent from the following detailed description of representative embodiments and modes for carrying out the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims. Further aspects of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of several embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. A brief description of the drawings is provided below. To provide a better understanding of the foregoing and other aspects of the invention, specific embodiments are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings: Attached Figure Description

[0006] The present invention, its advantages, and the accompanying drawings will be better understood from the following description of representative embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate only representative embodiments and are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the various embodiments or the claims.

[0007] Figure 1A A perspective view of a device for supporting an expansion card when the latch of the device is in a first position, for a specific aspect of the invention;

[0008] Figure 1B For specific aspects of the present invention Figure 1A An enlarged perspective view of the latch plate of the device;

[0009] Figure 2A For a specific aspect of the invention, when the latch is in the second position Figure 1A A side view of the device;

[0010] Figure 2B For specific aspects of the present invention Figure 2A An enlarged schematic diagram of the latch lip of the device;

[0011] Figure 3A For a specific aspect of the invention, when the latch is in the first position, the expansion card is connected to Figure 1AA perspective view of the device;

[0012] Figure 3B For a specific aspect of the invention, when the latch is in the second position, the expansion card is connected to Figure 1A A perspective view of the device;

[0013] Figure 3C For specific aspects of the present invention Figure 3B A side view of the device;

[0014] Figure 3D For specific aspects of the present invention Figure 3B An enlarged side view of the engagement between the expansion card and the latch of the device;

[0015] Figure 4 Utilization of a specific aspect of the invention Figure 1A A block diagram of the computing system of the device.

[0016] Symbol Explanation

[0017] 100: Device

[0018] 110: Adapter board

[0019] 112,212: Connectors

[0020] 120: Adapter bracket

[0021] 130: Main body

[0022] 131A~131C, 151: Fasteners

[0023] 132A: First side

[0024] 132B: Second side

[0025] 133: Side

[0026] 134A: Third side

[0027] 134B: Fourth side

[0028] 136: Surface

[0029] 138,142,158,206: films

[0030] 140: Stop Part

[0031] 143: Protrusion

[0032] 144: Track

[0033] 145: Cover plate

[0034] 146A, 146B: Opening

[0035] 150: Latch

[0036] 152: First leg

[0037] 153A: Proximal

[0038] 153B: Remote

[0039] 154: Second leg

[0040] 156: Spine

[0041] 160: Lips

[0042] 162: Upper surface

[0043] 200,406: Expansion Card

[0044] 202A: First Edge

[0045] 202B: Second Edge

[0046] 204A: Third Edge

[0047] 204B: Fourth Edge

[0048] 210,404: Motherboard

[0049] 400: Computing System

[0050] 402: Chassis Detailed Implementation

[0051] A computing system (such as a server) typically includes several different components housed in a chassis. These components may include a motherboard with several different elements. These different elements are electrically and / or physically coupled to the motherboard. These elements may include central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), storage devices (e.g., random access memory (RAM), flash storage, etc.), several different computer chips (e.g., a northbridge chip, a southbridge chip, etc.), input / output interfaces, a power supply, a fan module, etc. The motherboard may also include connectors fixed to its top surface. The connectors are fitted to receive expansion cards. Connectors are often oriented such that the expansion card received therein will be perpendicular to the motherboard (e.g., vertically oriented). An adapter board is a board that can be inserted into a connector on the motherboard and includes its own connector, capable of receiving expansion cards. An adapter board essentially repositions the motherboard's connectors to a more advantageous position and / or orientation. For example, the adapter board's connectors will often be positioned above the motherboard (e.g., spaced apart from the motherboard) and oriented such that the expansion card received therein is positioned parallel to the motherboard (e.g., horizontally oriented). This document discloses an apparatus including an adapter board and an adapter bracket. The adapter bracket is fitted to support the expansion card received by the adapter board.

[0052] Several embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote similar or identical elements. These drawings are not to scale and are provided merely to illustrate several aspects and features of the invention. While those skilled in the art will appreciate that several aspects and features may be implemented in other relationships or by other methods without requiring one or more specific details, many specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to fully understand the specific aspects and features of the invention. In some instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail for illustrative purposes. Because some actions may occur in a different order and / or simultaneously with other actions or events, the embodiments disclosed herein are not necessarily limited to the order of the described actions or events. Furthermore, not all described actions or events must be used to implement the specific aspects and features according to the invention.

[0053] For the purposes of this detailed description, unless otherwise specifically excluded, and where appropriate, the singular form includes the plural form and vice versa. The word "including" means "including without limitation." Furthermore, similar words such as "about," "almost," "substantially," "approximately," and the like may be used herein to mean "at," "near," "nearly at," or "within 3-5% of," or "within acceptable manufacturing tolerances," or any logical combination thereof. Similarly, the terms "vertical" or "horizontal" mean additionally included in "3-5%" in the vertical or horizontal direction, respectively. Additionally, directional terms such as "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "above," and "below" are intended to relate to the equivalent directions illustrated in the accompanying drawings, such as from the vertical relationship of the referenced object or element, for example from the general position of the object or element in use; or in other ways as described herein.

[0054] Figure 1A A schematic diagram of a device 100 for supporting an expansion card in a computing system is shown. Device 100 includes a riser board 110 and a riser bracket 120. The riser board 110 includes a connector 112 (preferably shown in…). Figure 2A (in the middle). The connector 112 of the adapter board 110 may be referred to as the adapter board connector. The adapter board 110 can be inserted into the connector of the motherboard (not shown). The adapter board 110 includes any required wiring and / or paths to electrically connect the motherboard's connector to the connector 112 of the adapter board 110.

[0055] The adapter bracket 120 includes a body 130 and a latch 150. The body 130 is coupled to an adapter plate 110. In the illustrated application, the body 130 is coupled to the adapter plate 110 via fasteners 131A to 131C. Fasteners 131A to 131C extend through both the body 130 and the adapter plate 110. Fasteners 131A to 131C can be pins, screws, or any other suitable type of fastener. Figure 1AAs can be seen, the adapter plate 110 is generally positioned below the main body 130 of the adapter bracket 120. Therefore, the surface 136 of the main body 130 generally forms the upper surface of the device 100 itself.

[0056] The main body 130 of the adapter bracket 120 includes a first side 132A, a second side 132B, a third side 134A, and a fourth side 134B. The second side 132B is opposite to the first side 132A, and the third side 134A is opposite to the fourth side 134B. In the illustrated application, the adapter plate 110 is coupled to the adapter bracket 120 along the first side 132A of the main body 130. The main body 130 includes a tab 138, generally located at the corner of the main body 130 where the first side 132A and the third side 134A intersect. The tab 138 is part of the main body 130 and extends generally downward relative to the main body 130 (for example, in the direction toward the connector 112).

[0057] The main body 130 also includes two openings 146A and 146B defined therein. The openings 146A and 146B are sized to allow at least one finger of the user to reach through them. During use of the device 100, the user can reach through the openings 146A and 146B to grasp the adapter board 110 and / or the expansion card received by the connector 112, insert the adapter board 110 into the connector of the motherboard, or remove the adapter board 110 from the connector of the motherboard.

[0058] The latch 150 is rotatably coupled to the plate 138, for example, by means of a fastener 151. The fastener 151 extends through the latch 150 and the plate 138. The fastener 151 can be a pin, screw, or any other suitable type of fastener. The latch 150 is thus generally located at a corner of the body portion 130 where the first side 132A and the third side 134A intersect. The latch 150 can rotate relative to the body portion 130 between a first position and a second position. Figure 1A In the first position, latch 150 extends substantially perpendicular to the main body 130. In the first position, latch 150 extends substantially relative to the page (…). Figure 1B Extending vertically and in opposition to the main body 130 and the adapter plate 110. When the expansion card is inserted into the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110 and the latch 150 is in the first position, the latch 150 does not contact the expansion card, so the expansion card can be removed from the connector 112. When the latch 150 moves to the second position, the latch 150 engages the expansion card. When the latch 150 engages the expansion card, the expansion card cannot be removed from the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110, so the latch 150 prevents at least a portion of the expansion card from drooping or sagging downward toward the motherboard. Thus, the latch 150 prevents the expansion card from being accidentally removed from the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110.

[0059] The latch 150 is formed by a first leg 152 and a second leg 154, with the second leg 154 extending from the first leg 152. The proximal end 153A of the first leg 152 is coupled to the body portion 130 and extends away from both the first side 132A of the body portion 130 and the adapter plate 110. The second leg 154 extends from the distal end 153B of the first leg 152 and is generally perpendicular to the first leg 152. When the latch 150 is in the position as... Figure 1A In the first position shown, the first leg 152 is perpendicular to the main body 130 and the second leg 154. The second leg 154 is thus separated from the main body 130 (for example, relative to...). Figure 1A The plane of the latch 150 is located above the main body 130 and parallel to the main body 130. The latch 150 is generally made of an elastic material (e.g., a material that can be bent, compressed, deformed, etc., to return to its original position). Therefore, the latch 150 can be bent or compressed relative to each other in several positions. For example, the second leg 154 can be bent relative to the first leg 152 (e.g., by the user), such that the second leg 154 is temporarily not perpendicular to the first leg 152. After the force causing the bending is removed, the second leg 154 will generally return to its perpendicular position relative to the first leg 152.

[0060] The adapter bracket 120 also includes a stopper 140 protruding from the main body 130. The stopper 140 contacts the latch 150 when the latch 150 moves from the first position to the second position. Figure 1A As shown, the stop member 140 extends from the piece 138 away from the third side 134A and the fourth side 134B. The latch 150 includes a ridge 156. The ridge 156 extends from the underside of the first leg 152 in a direction substantially the same as the direction in which the second leg extends from the first leg. When the latch 150 reaches the second position, the ridge 156 contacts the stop member 140, thus preventing the latch 150 from moving to any position beyond the second position.

[0061] Figure 1BAn enlarged schematic diagram of the latch 150 is shown. As shown, the latch 150 includes a tab 158 extending from the first leg 152. The tab 158 extends in a direction toward a fourth side 134B of the body 130. The tab 158 also extends beyond a third side 134A. Therefore, when the latch 150 (for example, when moved between a first position and a second position by a user or technician), the tab 158 will contact the edge of the body 130 at the third side 134A, temporarily preventing any further movement of the latch 150. However, when the user continues to apply force to move the latch 150 between the first and second positions, the tab 158 will deform or slightly compress, so that the latch 150 no longer contacts the body 130, and thus the latch 150 can continue to move between the first and second positions. The tab 158 thus prevents the user from unintentionally moving the latch 150 between the first and second positions. Generally, the force required to deform the latch 150 will be greater than the force applied to the latch 150 due to unintentional action (for example, unintentionally moving the latch 150 from the first position to the second position, or from the second position to the first position).

[0062] Re-reference Figure 1A The adapter bracket 120 also includes a tab 142 and a track 144. The tab 142 extends from the main body 130, and the track 144 is coupled to the tab 142. The tab 142 is formed at the corner of the main body 130 where the second side 132B and the fourth side 134B intersect. The tab 142 extends in a first direction away from the third side 134A and the fourth side 134B (for example, generally relative to...). Figure 1A (The plane is to the right). Plate 142 also extends in the second direction away from the third side 134A and the fourth side 134B (for example, roughly relative to the plane). Figure 1A (Plane facing downwards). Sheet 142 includes a protrusion 143 and a movable cover piece 145. The protrusion 143 extends outwards from sheet 142 away from the main body 130. The cover piece 145 is movably coupled to sheet 142 and can move between several different positions. Figure 1A In this configuration, the cover 145 is located in an open position, generally extending away from the sheet 142. In some applications, the cover 145 is rotatably coupled to the sheet 142, and thus rotates between several positions. However, in other applications, the cover 145 is coupled to the sheet 142 in a different manner and moves between several positions in a different manner. As described in more detail herein, the sheet 142, the protrusion 143, and the cover 145 can help secure the expansion card in place.

[0063] Track 144 extends from the lower end of piece 142 (the second side 132B of the main body 130) toward the first side 132A of the main body 130. At the first side 132A, track 144 connects to the main body 130. In some applications, the main body 130 may include an additional piece formed at the corner where the first side 132A and the fourth side 134B intersect. Track 144 may be coupled to this additional piece. In other applications, track 144 terminates in a vertical piece connecting track 144 to the first side 132A of the main body 130. Thus, track 144 is generally parallel to the fourth side 134B of the main body 130, but positioned below the main body 130. During use of device 100, track 144 can be used to support the edge of the expansion card and help prevent the expansion card from sagging or drooping.

[0064] Figure 2A A side view of the device 100 is shown with the latch 150 in the second position. As can be seen in more detail, the adapter plate 110 and connector 112 are located below the main body 130. The main body 130 includes a side portion 133 formed on a first side 132A. The side portion 133 extends downward (for example, from the top surface of the main body 130 in the direction toward the connector 112). A fastener 131A extends through the adapter plate 110 and at least partially through the side portion 133 to couple the adapter plate 110 to the main body 130.

[0065] When the latch 150 is in the second position, the first leg 152 is generally parallel to the main body 130 and relative to... Figure 2A The plane is located above the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110. The second leg 154 extends from the first leg 152, such that the second leg 155 is perpendicular to the first leg 152 (for example, the second leg 154 is perpendicular to the first leg 152). Figure 2A (The plane extends downward). When the latch 150 is in the second position, the stop 140 contacts the spine 156 of the first leg 152, thereby preventing the latch 150 from rotating beyond the second position.

[0066] Figure 2BAn enlarged schematic diagram of the distal end of the second leg 154 is shown. As shown, the second leg 154 includes a lip 160 extending from the second leg 154 such that the lip 160 is generally perpendicular to the second leg 154. The lip 160 extends generally rearward toward the connection between the body portion 130 and the latch 150. Thus, the lip 160 extends toward (i) the adapter plate 110, (ii) the first side 132A of the body portion 130, and (iii) the proximal end 153A of the first leg 152. As discussed in more detail here, the lip 160 forms an upper surface 162 fitted to support the edge of the expansion card inserted into the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110 when the latch 150 is in the second position.

[0067] Figure 3A This diagram illustrates the device 100 with an expansion card 200 received by connector 112 of adapter plate 110 and latch 150 in a first position. A first leg 152 of latch 150 extends upward away from the body 130 and expansion card 200. A second leg 154 of latch 150 is separated from the body 130 and expansion card 200. The body 130 is separated from the expansion card 200 (for example, located above the expansion card 200). A first edge 202A of expansion card 200 is inserted into connector 112. Generally, expansion card 200 will include one or more connectors. This one or more connectors are received by connector 112 along the first edge 202A (e.g., a gold finger connector). Neither the second edge 202B nor the third edge 204A of expansion card 200 is supported. The fourth edge 204B of expansion card 200 is along track 144 (e.g., ...). Figure 1A (As shown in the diagram) Slide. When the expansion card 200 is received by the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110, the track 144 thus supports the expansion card 200. The track 144 helps to prevent the expansion card 200 (or at least the fourth edge 204B of the expansion card 200) from drooping or sagging downwards (for example, due to gravity). The expansion card 200 includes a piece 206 corresponding to the piece 142 of the body portion 130. Figure 3A As shown, when the expansion card 200 is received by the connector 112, the protrusion 143 of the piece 142 is received in a groove defined in the piece 206. Since the latch 150 in the first position does not engage the expansion card 200 and the cover 145 remains in the open position, the expansion card 200 can be removed from the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110.

[0068] Figure 3B The diagram shows the latch 150 in the second position. Figure 3AA schematic diagram of the device 100. After the expansion card 200 is inserted into the connector 112, the latch 150 can rotate toward a second position to engage the expansion card 200. The latch 150 is made of a resilient material, so that the second leg 154 can be bent slightly outward (for example, by the user) to allow the distal end of the second leg 154 to move past the second edge 202B of the expansion card 200. The second leg 154 then returns to its normal position (for example, perpendicular to the first leg 152), so that the latch 150 can engage the expansion card 200.

[0069] When latch 150 is in the second position, the first leg 152 of latch 150 is separated from expansion card 200 (for example, located above expansion card 200). The first leg 152 extends from the first edge 202A across the width of expansion card 200 to the second edge 202B. Because the first leg 152 is separated from expansion card 200, the second leg 154 of latch 150 extends downward toward expansion card 200. The lip 160 of latch 150 ( Figure 2B The second edge 202B of the expansion card 200 engages. As discussed in more detail here, when the lip 160 engages the expansion card 200, the latch 150 blocks the expansion card 200, preventing it from being removed from the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110. The latch 150 also helps to prevent the expansion card 200 (for example, the second edge 202B) from drooping or sagging when the lip 160 engages the expansion card 200.

[0070] Figure 3B A schematic diagram illustrates the rotation of cover 145 to the closed position of its covering plate 142 and plate 206. In this configuration, plate 206 of expansion card 200 is located between plate 142 and cover 145. Protrusion 143 extends through an opening in cover 145, preventing cover 145 from accidentally rotating back to the open position. The presence of cover 145 helps prevent expansion card 200 from being removed from connector 112. Furthermore, because protrusion 143 extends through an opening in cover 145, cover 145 will not accidentally rotate back to the open position.

[0071] Figure 3C Draw Figure 3B A schematic diagram showing the device 100 coupled with a motherboard 210 including a connector 212. The connector 212 of the motherboard 210 may also refer to a motherboard connector. Figure 3C In the middle, the adapter plate 110 is along the relative Figure 3C The connector 212 is inserted into the motherboard 210 in the first direction, with the flat side facing left. Generally, the motherboard 210 is a component of a computing system (e.g., a server). The motherboard 210, device 100, and expansion card 200 are located within the chassis of the computing system. The connector 112 and expansion card 200 are separated from the motherboard 210 (for example, relative to...). Figure 3CThe adapter board 110 is positioned above the motherboard 210, creating an open space between the motherboard 210 and the expansion card 200. Other components of the motherboard 210 (such as a processor, storage device, etc.) can be placed in this open space. The adapter board 110 thus positions the expansion card 200 parallel to the motherboard 210 without obstructing any other components on the motherboard 210 that may extend upwards from it.

[0072] exist Figure 3C In the second position, latch 150 is in the stop 140. Contact between the stop 140 and the spine 156 of the first leg 152 of latch 150 prevents latch 150 from rotating beyond the second position. The body 130 and the first leg 152 of latch 150 are separated from connector 112 and expansion card 200 (for example, relative to...). Figure 3C The plane of the connector 112 is located above the expansion card 200, thus defining an open space therein. Therefore, if the expansion card 200 includes any upwardly extending elements, the body portion 130 and the latch 150 will not contact these elements. As shown, the first edge 202A of the expansion card 200 is received by the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110. The second edge 202B of the expansion card 200 engages via the lip 160 of the latch 150 extending from the second leg 154.

[0073] Figure 3D Draw Figure 3C An enlarged schematic diagram shows the details of the engagement between the lip 160 and the second edge 202B of the expansion card 200. The second edge 202B rests on the upper surface 162 formed by the lip 160. The second edge 202B is thus located between (i) the lip 160 and (ii) the first leg 152 of the latch 150 (as shown in the diagram). Figure 3C As shown in the diagram). Due to the latch 150, the stop member 140 and the ridge 156 ( Figure 3C The latch 150 prevents any further rotation from being made due to contact between the two sides, and the lip 160 of the latch 150 supports the second edge 202B of the expansion card 200. The latch 150 thus helps to prevent the second edge 202B from drooping or sagging downward toward the main board 210 and away from the main body 130 (for example, due to gravity).

[0074] Re-reference Figure 3C The expansion card 200 is also located between (i) the connector 112 of the adapter plate 110 and a portion of the second leg 154 of the latch 150, because the second leg 154 extends beyond and is located below the second edge 202B. The latch 150 thus prevents movement of the expansion card 200, making it impossible to remove the expansion card 200 from the connector 112. The latch 150 thus helps to prevent the expansion card 200 from being accidentally moved in the second direction (e.g., relative to...). Figure 3CThe expansion card 200 is pulled out from connector 112 in the plane to the right. The second direction is opposite to the first direction. The expansion card 200 is inserted into connector 112 in the first direction. Any movement of the expansion card 200 in the second direction will cause the expansion card 200 to press against the second leg 154. Because the latch 150 is coupled to the body 130, and the body 130 is connected to the motherboard 210 via the adapter plate 110, the latch 150 maintains the position of the expansion card 200.

[0075] As mentioned herein, latch 150 is made of a resilient material. Therefore, in order to remove expansion card 200 from connector 112, second leg 154 can bend outwards, away from expansion card 200. In this position, lip 160 no longer supports the second edge 202B of expansion card 200, and latch 150 can rotate away from the second position. Thus, expansion card 200 is removable and can be removed from connector 112.

[0076] although Figure 3C and Figure 3D The illustration shows a lip 160 providing an upper surface 162, and a second edge 202B of the expansion card 200 being positioned on the upper surface 162 to engage the expansion card 200; this engagement can also be accomplished in other ways. For example, in some applications, the latch 150 may include one or more fasteners fitted to temporarily hold the expansion card 200.

[0077] Furthermore, despite Figure 1A and Figure 3A The diagram illustrates that when the latch 150 is in the first position, the first leg 152 of the latch 150 is perpendicular to the body portion 130. Other positions of the latch 150 can be considered as the first position. Generally, the first position is any position where the latch 150 is not engaged with the expansion card 200 and / or where movement of the expansion card 200 is prevented.

[0078] In the illustrated figures, the interlocking tabs 142 and 206 facilitate securing the expansion card 200 to the body portion 130 along the fourth side 134B of the body portion 130. However, other mechanisms or techniques may be used in other applications. The expansion card 200 and / or the body portion 130 may have any kind of matching features that interact with each other to facilitate securing the expansion card 200 to the body portion 130, such as snaps, screws, clips, etc.

[0079] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating an example computing system 400 that can be used with device 100 is shown. The computing system 400 includes a housing 402, a motherboard 404 disposed inside the housing 402, an expansion card 406 disposed inside the housing 402, and a device 100 disposed inside the housing 402. The motherboard 404 may be the same as or similar to... Figure 3CThe motherboard 210 in the middle. The expansion card 406 may be the same as or similar to the motherboard 210 in the middle. Figures 3A to 3D The expansion card 200 is included. The computing system 400 may include one or more additional components disposed inside the housing 402. These other components may include components disposed on the motherboard 404, components not disposed on the motherboard 404 but otherwise electrically connected to the motherboard 404, or any combination thereof.

[0080] Device 100 is coupled to motherboard 404 and includes an adapter plate 110 and an adapter bracket 120. Adapter plate 110 includes a connector 112, and adapter bracket 120 includes a body portion 130 and a latch 150. As described herein, when latch 150 is in a first position, expansion card 406 can be removed from connector 112 of adapter plate 110. When latch 150 is in a second position, latch 150 engages expansion card 406, preventing expansion card 406 from being removed from connector 112 of adapter plate 110. Latch 150 in the second position also supports expansion card 406, preventing expansion card 406 from drooping or sagging downward toward motherboard 404, for example, due to gravity. Therefore, latch 150 can be used to prevent expansion card 406 from being accidentally removed from motherboard 404.

[0081] While the disclosed embodiments have been illustrated and described with reference to one or more applications, equivalent changes and modifications will be made, or equivalent changes and modifications will be known to those skilled in the art, based on reading and understanding of this specification and the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, although a particular feature of the invention may be disclosed with reference to only one of several applications, this feature may be combined with one or more other features of other applications to meet the needs and advantages of any given or particular application.

[0082] Although several embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments may be made based on the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the breadth and scope of the invention should not be limited to any of the embodiments described above. The scope of the invention should instead be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. In summary, although the invention has been disclosed above by way of example, it is not intended to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains can make various modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this invention should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for supporting an expansion card electrically connected to a motherboard, the device comprising: An adapter board, having an adapter board connector, is assembled to receive the expansion card; as well as Adapter bracket, coupled to the adapter plate, the adapter bracket includes: The main body is coupled to the adapter plate, thereby separating the main body from the adapter plate connector; and A latch, rotatably coupled to the main body, is configured to rotate between a first position and a second position. When the latch is in the first position and the expansion card is received by the adapter connector, the expansion card can be removed from the adapter connector. When the latch is in the second position and the expansion card is received by the adapter connector, the latch engages the expansion card, preventing the expansion card from being removed from the adapter connector. in, The latch includes a first leg and a second leg, the second leg extending from the first leg, and the latch is made of an elastic material, allowing the second leg to bend relative to the first leg; The latch also includes a lip extending from the second leg toward the proximal end of the first leg; When the latch is in the first position, the first leg is perpendicular to the main body, and the second leg is parallel to the main body; When the latch is in the second position and the expansion card is received by the adapter connector, the first leg is parallel to the main body, the second leg is perpendicular to the main body, and one edge of the expansion card rests on the lip and is located between the first leg and the lip.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adapter connector is fitted to receive the expansion card in a first direction, wherein when the latch is in the second position, the latch prevents the expansion card from being removed from the adapter connector in a second direction parallel to and opposite to the first direction.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the expansion card is received by the adapter connector, the main body is separated from the expansion card.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the latch is in the second position and the expansion card is received by the adapter connector, the first leg of the latch is separated from the expansion card, and the second leg of the latch extends toward the expansion card.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a first side and a second side, wherein the proximal ends of the adapter plate and the first leg of the latch are coupled to the first side of the main body, wherein the first leg of the latch extends away from the adapter plate and the first side of the main body, and wherein the second leg of the latch extends from the distal end of the first leg of the latch.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adapter bracket further comprises: A stop member extends from the main body and contacts the latch when the latch rotates from the first position to prevent the latch from rotating beyond the second position.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the adapter bracket further comprises: A track is located below the main body and is fitted to support the edge of the expansion card in response to the adapter connector receiving the expansion card.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch includes a plate extending from the latch, the plate contacting the body portion in response to movement of the latch between the first position and the second position, wherein the plate is fitted to deform such that the plate does not contact the body portion, and the latch can continue to move between the first position and the second position.

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