Apparatus, system, and method for aligning and supporting line cards within telecommunications systems
AssigneeJuniper Networks, Inc.
InventorsKeith Hocker, Franklin D. Boyden, Seongchul C. Kim, Gilbert W. VanHoy
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The disclosed apparatus may include (1) at least one receptacle that (A) is coupled to a line card that facilitates communication among computing devices and (B) mates with at least one member coupled to a backplane of a telecommunications system to physically support the line card upon installation in the telecommunications system and (2) at least one spring that (A) is coupled to the receptacle and (B) applies, when the member is inserted into the receptacle, a force on the member to lift the line card in an upward direction. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.
Claims16
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one receptacle that:
- is coupled to a line card that facilitates communication among computing devices;
- and
- mates with at least one member coupled to a backplane of a telecommunications device to physically support the line card upon installation in the telecommunications device;
- and
- a plurality of leaf springs that:
- are secured to the receptacle by a U-bracket;
- reside between the receptacle and the U-bracket;
- are arranged vertically relative to one another such that one of the leaf springs is secured to a top side of the receptacle relative to a horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device and another one of the leaf springs is secured to a bottom side of the receptacle relative to the horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device;
- and
- when the member coupled to the backplane is inserted into the receptacle, apply a force on the member coupled to the backplane to lift the line card in an upward direction.
A system comprising:
- a line card that facilitates communication among computing devices;
- and
- at least one receptacle that:
- is coupled to the line card;
- and
- mates with at least one member coupled to a backplane of a telecommunications device to physically support the line card upon installation in the telecommunications device;
- and
- a plurality of leaf springs that:
- are secured to the receptacle by a U-bracket;
- reside between the receptacle and the U-bracket;
- are arranged vertically relative to one another such that one of the leaf springs is secured to a top side of the receptacle relative to a horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device and another one of the leaf springs is secured to a bottom side of the receptacle relative to the horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device;
- and
- when the member coupled to the backplane is inserted into the receptacle, apply a force on the member coupled to the backplane to lift the line card in an upward direction relative to a horizontal cross section.
A method comprising:
- securing, by way of a U-bracket, a plurality of leaf springs to a receptacle that mates with at least one member coupled to a backplane of a telecommunications device, the plurality of leaf springs:
- residing between the receptacle and the U-bracket;
- and
- being arranged vertically relative to one another such that one of the leaf springs is secured to a top side of the receptacle relative to a horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device and another one of the leaf springs is secured to a bottom side of the receptacle relative to the horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device;
- and
- coupling the receptacle to a line card that facilitates communication among computing devices within a network such that, when the member coupled to the backplane is inserted into the receptacle, the plurality of leaf springs secured to the receptacle apply a force on the member coupled to the backplane to lift the line card in an upward direction relative to a horizontal cross section of the telecommunications device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.