Circuit card insertion and removal system

Abstract

A system ( 22 ) for removably connecting a circuit card, such as an extension card ( 54 ), to an electronic device, comprises a sliding component ( 28 ) adapted to support the circuit card ( 54 ) and having a guiding edge ( 32 ) configured to be slidably inserted in a channel ( 26 ) disposed adjacent a connector ( 20 ) of the electronic device so as to position the card mating edge ( 56 ) in register with the connector ( 20 ). A lever ( 40 ) is provided for lowering the mating edge 56 of the extension card ( 54 ) until suitable connection is made between the card connector and the connector ( 20 ). Advantages of the present invention include the fact that the system allows for ergonomic insertion and removal of extension cards without the need for manual dexterity on behalf of the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted between to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator. 
     
     
       2. A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein in said first position, the connection portion of the circuit card is in register with the associated connector of the electronic device. 
     
     
       3. A system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis. 
     
     
       4. A system as defined in  claim 3 , wherein said actuator is effective for displacing said circuit card in a plane which is parallel to a loading plane of said circuit card within said electronic device. 
     
     
       5. A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface. 
     
     
       6. A system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member. 
     
     
       7. A system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein slotted guides are defined in said intermediate member, and wherein retaining means are provided for mounting said intermediate member to said sliding member, said retaining means being constrained to move in said slotted guides, thereby retaining said intermediate and sliding members together while allowing relative movements therebetween. 
     
     
       8. A system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said slotted guides linearly extend in a direction perpendicular to said guiding edge. 
     
     
       9. A system as defined in  claim 7 , for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for rotation about an axis intersecting a major plane of said circuit card for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator, the intermediate member being movable by said actuator independently of the position of the support assembly along said first axis wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface, and wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member, and wherein slotted guides are defined in said intermediate member, and wherein retaining means are provided for mounting said intermediate member to said sliding member, said retaining means being constrained to move in said slotted guides, thereby retaining said intermediate and sliding members together while allowing relative movements therebetween, and wherein a sliding membrane is disposed between said intermediate member and said sliding member. 
     
     
       10. A system as defined in  claim 6 , for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for rotation about an axis intersecting a major plane of said circuit card for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator, the intermediate member being movable by said actuator independently of the position of the support assembly along said first axis, and wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface, and wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member, and wherein said actuator includes a lever pivotally mounted to said sliding member, said lever defining a slot configured to receive a transmission member secured to said intermediate member for imparting movement to said intermediate member relative to said sliding member in response to pivotal movement of said lever. 
     
     
       11. A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said sliding and intermediate members are made in the form of plates. 
     
     
       12. A system for removably connecting a circuit card to a connector of an electronic device, comprising a support structure for loading said circuit card into said electronic device, said circuit card being supported by said support structure and displaceable relative thereto, said support structure being adapted to be slidably inserted along a first axis within the electronic device to a first position, and an actuator mounted to said support structure for rotation about an axis intersecting a major plane of said circuit card for selectively displacing the circuit card relative to the support structure along a second axis from said first position to a connection position of the circuit card where a connection portion of the circuit card is operatively coupled to the connector of the electronic device, and from said connection position to a disconnection position wherein the connection portion of the circuit card is disengaged from the connector of said electronic device, wherein said support structure includes a sliding member and an intermediate member, said intermediate member mounted to said sliding member and said card, said intermediate member being movable relative to said sliding member, the circuit card being mounted to said intermediate member for conjoint movement therewith in response to the activation of said actuator, the intermediate member being movable by said actuator independently of the position of the support assembly along said first axis wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said sliding member and interacts with said intermediate member to cause said intermediate member and said circuit card to move together in response to the activation of the actuator.  
     
     
       13. The system as defined in claim 12, wherein the actuator is moved in a direction along said second axis.  
     
     
       14. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein in said first position, the connection portion of the circuit card is in register with an associated connector of the electronic device.  
     
     
       15. A system as defined in claim 14, wherein said second axis is orthogonal to said first axis.  
     
     
       16. A system as defined in claim 15, wherein said actuator is effective for displacing said circuit card in a plane which is parallel to a loading plane of said circuit card within said electronic device.  
     
     
       17. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said intermediate member is mounted to a mounting surface of said sliding member, and wherein said intermediate member is movable relative to said sliding member in a plane parallel to said mounting surface.  
     
     
       18. A system as defined in claim 17, wherein said sliding member includes a guiding edge extending along an axis perpendicular to a direction of motion of said intermediate member relative to said sliding member.  
     
     
       19. A system as defined in claim 18, wherein slotted guides are defined in said intermediate member, and wherein retaining means are provided for mounting said intermediate member to said sliding member, said retaining means being constrained to move in said slotted guides, thereby retaining said intermediate and sliding members together while allowing relative movements therebetween.  
     
     
       20. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein said slotted guides linearly extend in a direction perpendicular to said guiding edge.  
     
     
       21. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein a sliding membrane is disposed between said intermediate member and said sliding member.  
     
     
       22. A system as defined in claim 19, wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said sliding member, said actuator defining a slot configured to receive a transmission member secured to said intermediate member for imparting movement to said intermediate member relative to said sliding member in response to pivotal movement of said lever.  
     
     
       23. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said sliding and intermediate members are made in the form of plates.  
     
     
       24. A system as defined in claim 12, wherein said actuator is pivotally mounted to said sliding member and interacts with said intermediate member to cause said intermediate member and said circuit card to move together in response to the activation of the actuator.