IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,313,913
Granted Patent B2
US 9,313,913 · App. 14/336,700 · Granted Apr 12, 2016

Connector alignment system

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,313,913
App. No.
14/336,700
Granted
Apr 12, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A stacked connector alignment system includes a board with processor and a board connector coupled to the processor. An alignment element is mounted to the board adjacent the board connector. The alignment element includes first alignment members and second alignment members that are spaced apart from the first alignment members. A first component includes a primary first component connector and a secondary first component connector that is located on an opposite surface of the first component from the primary first component connector, and the first alignment members are configured to engage the first component to align the primary first component connector with the board connector. A second component includes a second component connector, and the second alignment members are configured to engage the second component to align the second component connector with the secondary first component connector when the primary first component connector is connected to the board connector.

Claims (37)

1. A stacked connector alignment system, comprising:

a base member that defines a board connector channel and that includes at least one board mounting feature that is configured to mount the base member to a board that includes a board connector such that the board connector is located immediately adjacent the board connector channel;

a plurality of first alignment members that extend from the base member on opposite sides of the board connector channel, wherein the plurality of first alignment members define a first alignment channel that is configured to align a primary first component connector on a first component with the board connector along a first axis when the base member is mounted to the board; and

a plurality of second alignment members that extend from the base member in a spaced apart relationship from the plurality of first alignment members, wherein the plurality of second alignment members define a second alignment channel that is configured to align a second component connector on a second component with a secondary first component connector on the first component along the first axis when the primary first component connector on the first component is connected to the board connector.

2. The stacked connector alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second alignment members include an alignment feature that is configured to align the primary first component connector on the first component with the board connector along a second axis that is different than the first axis when the base member is mounted to the board.

3. The stacked connector alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second alignment members include an alignment feature that is configured to align the second component connector on the second component with the secondary first component connector on the first component along a second axis that is different than the first axis when the primary first component connector on the first component is connected to the board connector.

4. The stacked connector alignment system of claim 1 , further comprising:

the board including the board connector, wherein the base member is mounted to the board and at least one guide member extends from the board adjacent the board connector and into the board connector channel.

5. The stacked connector alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first alignment members each include a beveled edge, and the beveled edges are configured engage the first component to align the primary first component connector with the board connector along the first axis when the base member is mounted to the board.

6. The stacked connector alignment system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of second alignment members each include a plurality of beveled edge that provide a first set of beveled edges that are configured to engage the first component to align the primary first component connector with the board connector along the second axis when the base member is mounted to the board and to engage the second component to align the second component connector with the secondary first component connector along the first axis when the primary first component connector on the first component is connected to the board connector, and a second set of beveled edges that are configured to engage the second component to align the second component connector with the secondary first component connector along the second axis when the primary first component connector on the first component is connected to the board.

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

a board including a processor and a board connector that is coupled to the processor;

an alignment element that defines a board connector channel and that is mounted to the board adjacent the board connector such that the board connector is located immediately adjacent the board connector channel, wherein the alignment element includes a plurality of first alignment member that extend from a base of the alignment element on opposite side of the board connector channel and define a first alignment channel, and wherein the alignment element includes a plurality of a second alignment members that extend from the alignment in a spaced apart relationship from the plurality of first alignment members and defines a second alignment channel;

a first component including a primary first component connector and a secondary first component connector that is located on an opposite surface of the first component from the primary first component connector, wherein the plurality of first alignment members are configured to engage the first component when the first component is moved through the first alignment channel to align the primary first component connector with the board connector; and

a second component including a second component connector, wherein the plurality of second alignment members are configured to engage the second component when the second component is moved through the second alignment channel to align the second component connector with the secondary first component connector when the primary first component connector is connected to the board connector.

8. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the first component includes a card and the second component includes a cabling system.

9. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of second alignment members are configured to engage the first component to align the primary first component connector with the board connector along a second axis that is different than the first axis.

10. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of second alignment members are configured to engage the second component to align the second component connector with the primary first component connector along a second axis that is different than the first axis when the primary first component connector is connected to the board connector.

11. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein at least one guide member extends from the board adjacent the board connector, and wherein the first component defines at least one guide channel that is configured to engage the at least one guide member.

12. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein at least one guide member extends from the first component adjacent the secondary first component connector, and wherein the second component defines at least one guide channel that is configured to engage the at least one guide member.

13. The IHS of claim 7 , wherein the board defines a board retention channel and the first component defines a first component retention channel, and wherein the second component includes a retention member that is configured to extend through the first component retention channel and engage the board retention channel to secure the primary first component connector to the board connector and to secure the second component connector to the secondary first component connector.

14. A method for aligning connectors, comprising:

providing a board that includes a board connector and an alignment device that defines a board connector channel and that is mounted to the board adjacent the board connector such that the board connector is located immediately adjacent the board connector channel, wherein the alignment device further includes a plurality of first alignment members that extend from a base of the alignment device on opposite side of the board connector channel and define a first alignment channel, and wherein the alignment device further includes a plurality of a second alignment members that extend from the base of the alignment device in a spaced apart from the plurality of first alignment members and define a second alignment channel;

engaging a first component with the plurality of first alignment members when the first component is moved through the first alignment channel to align a primary first component connector on the first component with the board connector along a first axis, and connecting the aligned primary first component connector to the board connector; and

engaging a second component with the plurality of second alignment members when the second component is moved through the second alignment channel to align a second component connector on the second component with a secondary first component connector on the first component along the first axis, and connecting the aligned second component connector to the secondary first component connector.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the first component includes a card and the second component includes a cabling system.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

engaging the first component with the plurality of second alignment members to align the primary first component connector with the board connector along a second axis that is different than the first axis, and connecting the aligned primary first component connector to the board connector.

17. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

engaging the second component with the plurality of second alignment members to align the second component connector with the secondary first component connector along a second axis that is different than the first axis, and connecting the aligned second component connector to the secondary first component connector.

18. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

engaging at least one guide member that extends from the board adjacent the board connector with at least one guide channel that is defined by the first component.

19. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

engaging at least one guide member that extends from the first component adjacent the secondary first component connector with at least one guide channel that is defined by the second component.

20. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:

extending a retention member that is included on the second component through a first component retention channel defined by the first component; and

engaging the retention member with a board retention channel that is defined by the board to secure the primary first component connector to the board connector and to secure the second component connector to the secondary first component connector.

Assignments (15)
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: DELL USA L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; 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: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
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: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF REEL 033625 FRAME 0688 (TL) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0757 →
RELEASE OF REEL 033625 FRAME 0748 (NOTE) Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040027/0050 →
RELEASE OF REEL 033625 FRAME 0711 (ABL) Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
Reel/Frame 040016/0903 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033625/0748 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 033625/0711 →
SUPPLEMENT TO PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Aug 27, 2014
From: COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; SECUREWORKS, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 033625/0688 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 21, 2014
From: JIMENEZ, SALVADOR D., III; HARTMAN, COREY DEAN; STRMISKA, BERNARD
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 033355/0018 →