Integrated add-in card retention mechanism
In one embodiment of the invention, the apparatus includes a socket connector. In one embodiment of the invention, the socket connector is to connect to a circuit board. The socket connector includes a housing to contain contacts, a socket disposed within the housing to receive an add-in card, and a retaining tab coupled to the housing to retain the add-in card in the socket. The retaining tab includes a lobe to mate with a retaining notch of the add-in card.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a socket connector coupled to a circuit board, the socket connector including,
a housing; and
only one retaining tab coupled to the housing, the only one retaining tab including a lobe, the lobe being positioned on a first end of the housing; and
an add-in card coupled to the socket connector, the add-in card including,
first and second portions, the first portion being longer than the second portion;
a mounting bracket coupled to an end of the first portion opposing the first end of the housing to connect to a chassis; and
a retaining notch on an end of the second portion adjacent to the first end of the housing coupled to the lobe to retain the add-in card in the socket connector.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the add-in card is longer than the socket connector.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lobe mates with the retaining notch above the housing.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the add-in card is an Arapahoe card.
5. A system comprising:
a circuit board;
a random access memory unit coupled to the circuit board;
a processor coupled to the circuit board;
a socket connector coupled to the circuit board, the socket connector including,
a housing to contain signal contacts;
a socket disposed within the housing;
only one retaining tab coupled to the housing, the only one retaining tab including a lobe positioned on a first end of the housing; and
an add-in card coupled to the socket, the add-in card including first and second portions, the first portion being longer than the second portion;
a mounting bracket coupled to an end of the first portion opposing the first end of the housing to connect to a chassis; and
a retaining notch on an end of the second portion adjacent to the first end of the housing coupled to the lobe to retain the add-in card in the socket.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the lobe is cylindrically shaped.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the retaining tab is movable about a pivot point at the base of the housing.
8. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the retaining tab is on a lateral end of the housing, and wherein the lobe sits above the housing.
9. A method comprising:
inserting an add-in card including first and second portions, the first portion being longer than the second portion, and a retaining notch on a first end of the second portion into a socket connector, the socket connector including only one retaining tab on an end thereof adjacent to the first end of the second portion of the add-in card for retaining the add-in card in the socket connector, the retaining tab including a lobe, wherein the lobe mates with retaining notch of the add-in card; and
connecting an end of the first portion of the add-in card to a chassis with a mounting bracket.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the lobe is cylindrically shape.