Apparatus for retaining a computer card

1. An apparatus for selectively retaining computer cards of at least two sizes in a computer having a riser card, each of said computer cards having a first card side and a second card side and a first connector mounted on said first card side, comprising:

a bracket for receiving one of said computer cards, comprising a base plate and at least two engaging members mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, each engaging member corresponding to one of said computer cards of at least two sizes, wherein said bracket is fastened to said riser card and said riser card has a second connector mounted thereon for mating with said first connector; and

a retaining member pivotly mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, comprising a first arm for engaging one of said at least two engaging members and a second arm for engaging said second card side, wherein a compression of said first arm and said second arm provides a preload force on said computer card substantially toward said second connector.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said preload force is in a proportional relationship with an angle between said first arm and said second arm.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of said at least two engaging members is a protrusion with an engaging plane for engaging with said first arm, and said protrusion is half sheared to form said engaging plane.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said protrusion further comprises a tab for securing said first arm in a secure position in response to said first arm engaging with said protrusion.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein said second arm further comprises a hook portion substantially perpendicular to said second arm for securely engaging with said second card side.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein said hook portion of said second arm engages with said second card side, said first arm engages with said engaging plane of said engaging member and said tab secures said first arm in said secure position compressing said retaining member and providing said preload force toward said computer card.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said base plate of said bracket is substantially perpendicularly fastened to said riser card, said second connector is mounted on a surface of said riser card and said base plate and said computer card are substantially parallel when said computer card is retained in said retaining apparatus.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said riser card is mounted on a motherboard, and said bracket receives said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard, and said preload force is exerted on said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first arm and second arm are metal or spring wire arms.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said preload force is substantially toward said second connector.

11. An apparatus for retaining a computer card in a computer having a riser card, said computer card having a first card side and a second card side and a first connector mounted on said first card side, comprising:

a bracket for receiving said computer card, comprising a base plate and an engaging member mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, wherein said bracket is fastened to said riser card and said riser card has a second connector mounted thereon for mating with said first connector; and

a retaining member pivotly mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, comprising a first arm for engaging said engaging member and a second arm for engaging said second card side.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said engaging member is a protrusion with an engaging plane for engaging with said first arm, and said protrusion is half sheared to form said engaging plane.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein said protrusion further comprises a tab for securing said first arm in a secure position in response to said first arm engaging with said protrusion.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein said second arm further comprises a hook portion substantially perpendicular to said second arm for securely engaging with said second card side.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein said hook portion of said second arm engages with said second card side, said first arm engages with said engaging plane of said engaging member and said tab secures said first arm in said secure position compressing said retaining member and providing said preload force toward said computer card.

16. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said base plate of said bracket is substantially perpendicularly fastened to said riser card, said second connector is mounted on a surface of said riser card and said base plate and said computer card are substantially parallel when said computer card is retained in said retaining apparatus.

17. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said riser card is mounted on a motherboard, and said bracket receives said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard, and said preload force is exerted on said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard.

18. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said first arm and second arm are metal or spring wire arms.

19. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein a compression of said first arm and second arm provides a preload force on said computer card and said preload force is in a proportional relationship with an angle between said first arm and said second arm.

20. The apparatus according to claim 19 , wherein said preload force is substantially toward said second connector.

21. A data processing system, comprising:

a motherboard;

a riser card mounted on said motherboard; and

an apparatus for selectively retaining computer cards of at least two sizes, each of said computer cards having a first card side and a second card side and a first connector mounted on said first card side, comprising:

a bracket for receiving one of said computer cards, comprising a base plate and at least two engaging members mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, each engaging member corresponding to one of said computer cards of at least two sizes, wherein said bracket is fastened to said riser card and said riser card has a second connector mounted thereon for mating with said first connector; and

a retaining member pivotly mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, comprising a first arm for engaging one of said at least two engaging members and a second arm for engaging said second card side, wherein a compression of said first arm and second arm provides a preload force on said computer card substantially toward said second connector.

22. The data processing system according to claim 21 , wherein said preload force is in a proportional relationship with an angle between said first arm and said second arm, said bracket receives said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard and said preload force is exerted on said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard.

23. A data processing system, comprising:

a motherboard;

a riser card mounted on said motherboard; and

an apparatus for retaining a computer card, said computer card having a first card side and a second card side and a first connector mounted on said first card side, comprising:

a bracket for receiving said computer card, comprising a base plate and an engaging member mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, wherein said bracket is fastened to said riser card and said riser card has a second connector mounted thereon for mating with said first connector; and

a retaining member pivotly mounted on said base plate and facing said computer card, comprising a first arm for engaging said engaging member and a second arm for engaging said second card side.

24. The data processing system according to claim 23 , wherein a compression of said first arm and second arm provides a preload force on said computer card substantially toward said second connector and said preload force is in a proportional relationship with an angle between said first arm and said second arm.

25. The data processing system according to claim 24 , wherein said bracket receives said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard, and said preload force is exerted on said computer card in a direction substantially parallel to said motherboard.