IP Library › Granted Patent US 12706416

Granted Patent B1

US 12706416 · App. 17/991,108 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Floating interconnect solution for small de-mate connectors

Inventors: Mahesh Kumar Varrey (Secaucus, NJ); Chen An (Secaucus, NJ)

Assignee: AMD Design, LLC

H01R13/621 H01R13/62972 H01R13/6315 H01R13/62938

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 12706416
App. No.: 17/991,108
Granted: Aug 11, 2026
Kind: B1

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Abstract

Embodiments described within disclose a floating interconnect in which two connectors on a carrier float a small amount in the direction of connection. Cam handles on the carrier provide leverage that overcomes an initial mating force and lever the carrier connections most or all of the way to full seat against the mating board connectors. Then, for each connector, a thumb screw passes through the connector and is screwed into the mating connector. As the thumbscrew is fastened, a shoulder on the thumbscrew draws the connected down and fully seats it against the board connector with move of the carrier connector being accommodated by the float of the connector with respect to the carrier. This reduces or prevents the compressive stress on the carrier that would otherwise result from having the connections made solely by forcing the carrier against the mating connectors.

Claims (71)

1 . An apparatus comprising:

a carrier plate having a surface;

a first fastener including a first threaded end and a first shoulder;

a first connector slidably connected to the carrier plate such that the first connector is slidable relative to the surface of the carrier plate, wherein, when the carrier plate is engaged within a device slot of a chassis:

the first connector is positioned on the carrier plate such that the first connector opposes a second connector of the chassis; and

the first fastener is extended through the first hole and secured into a first threaded hole in the second connector and causes the first shoulder to abut the first connector and hold the first connector against the second connector.

2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a first lever including a first upper tooth and a first lower tooth and pivotably connected to the carrier plate, wherein, when the carrier plate is engaged within the device slot of the chassis:

the first lever is pivoted in a first direction and causes the first lower tooth to engage a first lip of the chassis and drive the carrier plate toward the second connector a first distance causing the first connector to at least partially engage the second connector.

3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein:

the first connector being connected to the carrier plate includes the first connector being slidably connected to the carrier plate such that, when the first fastener is screwed into the first threaded hole and the first shoulder abuts the first connector and holds the first connector against the second connector, movement of the first connector is not transmitted to the carrier plate.

4 . The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein:

the carrier plate includes a first slot;

the first connector being connected to the carrier plate includes a third fastener passing through the first slot into the first connector; and

when the first fastener is screwed into the first threaded hole and the first shoulder abuts the first connector and holds the first connector against the second connector, movement of the first connector with respect to the carrier plate is accommodated by the third fastener traveling within the first slot.

5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , further comprising:

a first tray connected to the first fastener and connected to the carrier plate; wherein:

the first fastener is slidable and rotatable with respect to the first tray.

6 . The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:

the first fastener includes a first flange;

a first spring is provided within the first tray and configured to bias the first fastener away from the first connector; and

extending the first fastener through the first hole includes pushing a first fastener head with a force sufficient to overcome the first spring and cause the first fastener to enter the first hole, travel through the first connector, and emerge from the first hole.

7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein:

the carrier plate includes a second slot;

the first tray being connected to the carrier plate includes a fourth fastener passing through the second slot into the first tray connector; and

when the first fastener is screwed into the first threaded hole and the first shoulder abuts the first connector, the first fastener head abuts the first tray; and

movement of the first tray caused by movement of the first fastener is accommodated by the fourth fastener traveling within the second slot.

8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a second fastener including a second threaded end and a second shoulder;

a third connector connected to the carrier plate and including a second hole; and

cabling connecting the first connector and the third connector, wherein, when the carrier plate is within the device slot of the chassis:

the first connector is positioned on the carrier plate such that the first connector opposes the second connector of the chassis;

the third connector is positioned on the carrier plate such that the third connector opposes a fourth connector of the chassis;

the first fastener is extended through the first hole and secured into the first threaded hole in the second connector and causes the first shoulder to abut the first connector and hold the first connector against the second connector;

the second fastener is extended through the second hole and secured into the second threaded hole in the fourth connector and causes the second shoulder to abut the third connector and hold the third connector against the fourth connector; and

the cabling completes a connection between the second connector and the fourth connector.

9 . The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising:

a first lever including a first upper tooth and a first lower tooth and pivotably connected to the carrier plate, wherein, when the carrier plate is engaged within the device slot of the chassis:

the connector is pivoted in a first direction and causes the first lower tooth to engage a first lip of the chassis and drive the carrier plate toward the second connector a first distance causing the first connector to at least partially engage the second connector.

10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:

11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:

the carrier plate includes a first slot;

the first connector being connected to the carrier plate includes a third fastener passing through the first slot into the first connector; and

12 . The apparatus of claim 11 , further comprising:

a first tray connected to the first fastener and connected to the carrier plate; wherein:

the first fastener is slidable and rotatable with respect to the first tray.

13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:

the first fastener includes a first flange;

a first spring is provided within the first tray and configured to bias the first fastener away from the first connector; and

14 . The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:

the carrier plate includes a second slot;

the first tray being connected to the carrier plate includes a fourth fastener passing through the second slot into the first connector; and

when the first fastener is secured into the first threaded hole and the first shoulder abuts the first connector, the first fastener head abuts the first tray; and

movement of the first tray caused by movement of the first fastener is accommodated by the fourth fastener traveling within the second slot.

15 . An apparatus comprising: a carrier plate; a first fastener including a first threaded end and a first shoulder; a second fastener including a second threaded end and a second shoulder; a first connector slidably connected to the carrier plate such that the first connector is slidable relative to the surface of the carrier plate; a third connector slidably connected to the carrier plate such that the second connector is slidable relative to the surface of the carrier plate; and cabling connecting the first connector and the third connector, wherein, when the carrier plate is engaged within a device slot of a chassis: the first connector is positioned on the carrier plate such that the first connector opposes a second connector of the chassis; the third connector is positioned on the carrier plate such that the third connector opposes a fourth connector of the chassis; the first fastener is extended through a first hole in the first connector and secured into a first threaded hole in the second connector and causes the first shoulder to abut the first connector and hold the first connector against the second connector; the second fastener is extended through a second hole in the third connector and secured into a second threaded hole in the fourth connector and causes the second shoulder to abut the third connector and hold the third connector against the fourth connector; and the cabling completes a connection between the second connector and the fourth connector.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , further comprising:

a first lever including a first upper tooth and a first lower tooth and pivotably connected to the carrier plate; and

a second lever including a second upper tooth and a second lower tooth and pivotably connected to the carrier plate, wherein, when the carrier plate is engaged within the device slot of the chassis:

the first lever and the second lever are pivoted such that the first lower tooth engages a first lip of the chassis and the second lower tooth engages a second lip of the chassis and drive the carrier plate a first distance causing the first connector to at least partially engage the second connector and the third connector to at least partially engage the fourth connector.

17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein:

the third connector being connected to the carrier plate includes the third connector being slidably connected to the carrier plate such that, when the second fastener is screwed into the second threaded hole and the second shoulder abuts the third connector and holds the third connector against the fourth connector, movement of the third connector is not transmitted to the carrier plate.

18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein:

the carrier plate includes a first slot and a second slot;

the first connector being connected to the carrier plate includes a third fastener passing through the first slot into the first connector;

the third connector being connected to the carrier plate includes a fourth fastener passing through the second slot into the third connector;

when the second fastener is screwed into the second threaded hole and the second shoulder abuts the third connector and holds the third connector against the fourth connector, movement of the third connector with respect to the carrier plate is accommodated by the fourth fastener traveling within the second slot.