IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,743,562
Granted Patent B2
US 8,743,562 · App. 13/344,386 · Granted Jun 3, 2014

Modular cam system

Inventors: Corey D. Hartman (Hutto, TX); Alejandro Z. Rodriguez (Round Rock, TX); Russell Smith (Taylor, TX)
Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,743,562
App. No.
13/344,386
Filed
Jan 5, 2012
Granted
Jun 3, 2014
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2835
USPC
361/792
Abstract

A cam system includes a beam including a plurality of coupling features. A first handle is operable to be coupled to the beam using the coupling features. A plurality of cam elements are each operable to be coupled to the beam at different locations along the beam using the coupling features. A plurality of cam brackets are each operable to be mounted to a first member having a first connector. The coupled-together beam, first handle, and cam elements are operable to be coupled a second member having a second connector such that, with the cam brackets mounted to the first member, the engagement of the cam elements with the cam brackets mate the first connector and the second connector.

Claims (37)

1. A cam system, comprising:

a beam including a plurality of coupling features;

a first handle that is configured to be coupled to the beam using the coupling features;

a second handle that is configured to be coupled to the beam using the coupling featuers;

a plurality of cam elements that are each configured to be coupled to the beam at different locations along the beam using the coupling features; and

a plurality of cam brackets that are each configured to be mounted to a first member having a first connector, wherein the coupled-together beam, first handle, and cam elements are configured to be coupled a second member having a second connector such that, with the cam brackets mounted to the first member, the engagement of the cam elements with the cam brackets mate the first connector and the second connector, and wherein the coupled-together beam, second handle, and cam elements are configured to be coupled a third member having a third connector such that, with the cam brackets mounted to the first member, the engagement of the cam elements with the cam brackets mate the first connector and the third connector.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first handle includes a plurality of legs coupled together by an adjustable portion that is configured to vary the distance between the plurality of legs.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first handle is configured to be coupled to the beam at different locations along the beam using the coupling features.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of cam elements includes a pivotable coupling that is configured to pivotably couple the cam element to the second member or the third member.

5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the second member includes a plurality of pivotable couplers that are each configured to pivotally couple the pivotable coupling on a respective one of the plurality of cam elements to the second member; and wherein the third member include a plurality of pivotable couples that are each configured to pivotally couple the pivotable coupling on a respective one of the plurality of cam elements to the third member.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cam elements includes a detent feature.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first member, the second member, and the third member are circuit boards.

8. An information handling system (IHS), comprising:

a chassis;

a board located in the chassis and including a processor, memory coupled to the processor, and a first connector coupled to the processor;

a plurality of cam brackets mounted to the board;

a first component including a second connector; and

a cam system coupled to the first component and mating the first connector and the second connector, wherein the cam system includes:

a beam including a plurality of coupling features;

a first handle that extends from the beam; and

a plurality of cam elements that are each coupled to the beam using the coupling features, wherein each of the plurality of cam members is configured to be coupled to the beam at different locations along the beam, and wherein each of the plurality of cam features includes a pivotable coupling that is pivotally coupled to a respective pivotable coupler on the first component, and wherein the cam elements engage respective cam brackets to mate the first connector and the second connector.

9. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the first handle includes a plurality of legs coupled together by an adjustable portion that is configured to vary the distance between the plurality of legs.

10. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the first handle is configured to be coupled to the beam at different locations along the beam using the coupling features.

11. The IHS of claim 8 , further comprising:

a second handle that is configured to be coupled to the beam using the coupling features, wherein the coupled-together beam, second handle, and cam elements are configured to be coupled a second component having a third connector such that, with the cam brackets mounted to the board, the engagement of the cam elements with the cam brackets mate the first connector and the third connector.

12. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein at least one of the plurality of cam elements includes a detent feature.

13. The IHS of claim 8 , wherein the first component is a board.

14. A method for mating connectors, comprising:

providing a first member having a first connector and a second member having a second connector;

mounting a plurality of cam brackets on the first member;

coupling a plurality of cam elements at different locations on a beam using a plurality of coupling features on the beam to provide a cam system, wherein the different locations are selected at least partially based on the mounting of the cam brackets on the first member;

pivotally coupling the cam system to the second member by coupling each of a plurality of pivotable couplers on the second member with a respective pivotable coupling on each of the plurality of cam elements such that the plurality of cam elements are pivotally coupled to the second member; and

engaging the plurality of cam elements with respective cam brackets to mate the first connector and the second connector.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

coupling a handle to the beam.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the handle includes a plurality of legs coupled together by an adjustable portion, the method further comprising:

adjusting the adjustable portion to vary the distance between the plurality of legs.

Assignments (16)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 14, 2014
From: HARTMAN, COREY D.; RODRIGUEZ, ALEJANDRO Z.; SMITH, RUSSELL
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 034171/0116 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2012
From: HARTMAN, COREY D.; RODRIGUEZ, ALEJANDRO Z.; SMITH, RUSSELL
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 027488/0255 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20130176702A1 · Jul 11, 2013