IP Library Granted Patent US 12,648,075
Granted Patent B2
US 12,648,075 · App. 18/491,015 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Computer hardware installation and removal tool

Inventors: Wayne A. Barringer (Wallkill, NY); Eric James McKeever (Pleasant Valley, NY); David P. Graybill (Staatsburg, NY); Edward J. Seminaro (Milton, NY)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
H05K1/02H05K2201/09063
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,648,075
App. No.
18/491,015
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a circuit board includes a substrate including a slot, electronic components connected to the substrate, a board connector connected to the substrate and communicatively connected to the electronic components, and an installation tool including a lug and a pedestal. The pedestal is positioned through the slot and the lug is positioned in the slot to slidably connect the installation tool to the substrate, and the installation tool extends beyond an end of the substrate.

Claims (59)

1 . A computing system comprising:

a server comprising a card connector; and

a circuit board connected to the card connector, the circuit board comprising a substrate, a board connector connected to the substrate, and an installation tool slidably connected to the circuit board in a sliding direction that is parallel to a connecting direction that the card connector connects to and disconnects from the board connector,

wherein:

the installation tool is movable between an insertion position and an extraction position,

the installation tool is configured to solely contact the circuit board when the installation tool is moved between the insertion position and the extraction position,

the installation tool comprises:

a bar,

a pedestal extending from a side of the bar,

a lug extending from the side of the bar, and

a detent extending from the side of the bar, and

the circuit board comprises:

a slot configured to receive the pedestal and the lug; and

a detent feature configured to receive the detent.

2 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein;

the installation tool extends beyond an end of the substrate.

3 . The computing system of claim 2 , wherein the server further comprises a motherboard to which the card connector is connected, wherein the installation tool does not extend beyond a side of the motherboard.

4 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein:

the lug contacts a first end of the slot when the installation tool is in the insertion position; and

the pedestal contacts a second end of the slot when the installation tool is in the extraction position.

5 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein

the installation tool extends alongside the substrate.

6 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein:

the installation tool further comprises a tab extending from the side of the bar;

the tab is configured for a user to grasp; and

the pedestal is positioned between the tab and the lug.

7 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the bar is curved such that the side of the bar is concave.

8 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein the installation tool extends alongside the substrate.

9 . The computing system of claim 1 , wherein:

the pedestal includes a shaft and a head; and

the head is wider than a width of the slot in a first direction and narrower than the width of the slot in a second direction that is different than the first direction.

10 . A circuit board comprising:

a substrate;

a board connector connected to the substrate; and

an installation tool slidably connected to the circuit board in a sliding direction that is parallel to a connecting direction that a card connector connects to and disconnects from the board connector,

wherein:

the installation tool is movable between an insertion position and an extraction position,

the installation tool is configured to solely contact the circuit board when the installation tool is moved between the insertion position and the extraction position,

the installation tool comprises:

a bar,

a pedestal extending from a side of the bar,

a lug extending from the side of the bar, and

a detent extending from the side of the bar, and

the circuit board comprises:

a slot configured to receive the pedestal and the lug; and

a detent feature configured to receive the detent.

11 . The circuit board of claim 10 , wherein:

the lug contacts a first end of the slot when the installation tool is in the insertion position; and

the pedestal contacts a second end of the slot when the installation tool is in the extraction position.

12 . The circuit board of claim 10 , wherein the installation tool extends alongside the substrate.

13 . The circuit board of claim 10 , wherein:

the installation tool further comprises a tab extending from the side of the bar;

the tab is configured for a user to grasp; and

the pedestal is positioned between the tab and the lug.

14 . The circuit board of claim 10 , wherein the bar is curved such that the side of the bar is concave.

15 . The circuit board of claim 10 , wherein the installation tool extends alongside the substrate.

16 . The circuit board of claim 10 , wherein:

the pedestal includes a shaft and a head; and

the head is wider than a width of the slot in a first direction and narrower than the width of the slot in a second direction that is different than the first direction.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 20, 2023
From: BARRINGER, WAYNE A.; MCKEEVER, ERIC JAMES; GRAYBILL, DAVID P.; SEMINARO, EDWARD J.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 065293/0103 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250133648A1 · Apr 24, 2025
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