Single-piece molded module housing

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates generally to modules used in computers, such as single in-line memory modules (SIMMs) and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to a SIMM housing including a smaller printed circuit board to form a standard outline module.

#2. State of the Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art SIMM;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a SIMM adapter according to the present invention;

#FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic views of a reduced-size SIMM sized to fit within the SIMM adapter of FIG. 2;

#Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art, single in-line memory module (SIMM) 10 is illustrated and comprised of a module board 12, typically a printed circuit board, with a plurality of semiconductor devices 14 attached thereto. In a SIMM, each of the semiconductor devices 14 is usually the same type and size and arranged in a row longitudinally across the printed circuit board 12. The printed circuit board 12 is generally rectangular in shape and has a row of contacts 13 along a bottom edge 15 of the board 12. The printed circuit board 12 also includes holes 16 and 18 proximate each end 20 and 22 of the board 12, respectively, and a J-shaped notch 24 on the corner 26 of the board 12 to assist alignment of the contacts 13 with a SIMM socket or connector as is known in the art. As illustrated by dashed lines 28 and 30, the printed circuit board 12 material, typically FR-4, between the dashed line 28 and the end 20 and between the dashed line 30 and the end 22 is merely used to attach and align the SIMM 10 to a SIMM socket, and could be eliminated from the SIMM 10 without any loss of functionality. In order to properly attach and align the SIMM 10 to an industry standard SIMM socket, however, without the use of the adapter according to the present invention, the portions 17 and 19 of the board 12 extending beyond the lines 28 and 30 are needed.

#Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B, and 4, a first preferred embodiment of an adapter or housing 40 according to the present invention is illustrated. The housing 40, generally a rectangular box shape, is comprised of a first side wall 42 and a second side wall 44 depending from and extending between a first connector or retaining member 46 and a second connector or retaining member 48. The side walls 42 and 44 and the connectors 46 and 48 of the housing 40 form a chamber 41 into which a SIMM 60 or the like can be inserted (see FIGS. 3A and 3B), the side walls 42 and 44 being separated a distance sufficient to allow clearance for the SIMM 60 and any chips 66 or components 68 thereon. The side walls 42 and 44 may also include holes 43 and 45 and other features of a conventional SIMM 10 so that the housing 40 and the SIMM 60 therein properly fit within a SIMM socket as known in the art.

#To keep a SIMM 60 or the like securely positioned within the chamber 41, the connectors 46 and 48 define slots 50 and 52, respectively, that longitudinally extend along a length of each connector 46 and 48. The slots 50 and 52 are sized and spaced from one another so that a SIMM board 62 fits snugly therein. In addition, the connectors 46 and 48 include extended portions or tabs 54 and 56, respectively, that are aligned with and generally the same width as the slots 50 and 52, and thus generally the same width W as the SIMM board 62. As shown in FIG. 4, when the SIMM 60 is properly inserted into the housing 40, the tabs 54 and 56 extend substantially the same distance as the bottom edge 64 of the SIMM 60 so that the end surfaces 55 and 57 of the tabs 54 and 56, respectively, are substantially flush with the bottom edge 64. If desired, once the SIMM 60 is properly inserted, any spaces between the SIMM 60 and the inside of the housing 40 could be potted or otherwise filled with a potting or other compound known in the art to ensure that the SIMM 60 remains fixed to the housing 40.