Modular computer system with integral electronic bus

A modular computer system with integral bus, comprising:

• one or more components modules each including:
• (a) a computer component;
• (b) a casing containing said component, said casing including opposing first and second surfaces of equivalent dimension;
• (c) a bus assembly for electrical interconnection with an adjacent component module, said bus assebly including an array of surface-mount printed circuit board connectors extending outwardly from said first surface of said casing, forming a first array of leaf spring electrical contacts for abutting and establishing electrical connection with a corresponding array of surface contacts of an adjacent component module with minimal frictional resistance and a receptacle extending into said casing from said second surface thereof, having a second array of electrical surface contacts disposed therein for abutting and establishing electrical connection with a corresponding array of leaf spring contacts of an adjacent component module with minimal frictional resistance, said connector and receptacle being disposed in substantial alignment at opposing locations on said first and second surfaces of said casing, said first and second arrays of electrical contacts being arranged in aligned pairs at opposing locations on said connector and said receptacle, each of said aligned pairs of electical contacts being electrically interconnected and wherein a number of said electrical contacts are electrically connected to each said computer component;
• and
• (d) means for securing said front surfaces of each said modular component to a rear surface of an adjacent component module;
• a power supply module including:
• (a) a power supply
• (b) a casing containing said power supply, said casing including a front surface having dimensions substantially equivalent to said first and second surfces of said component module;
• and
• (c) a power supply connector having one or more printed circuit board surface connectors each with leaf spring electtrical contacts electrically connected to said power supply engaging predetermined electrical surface contacts of said second array of computer module contacts;
• an input/output module including:
• (a) a visual display
• (b) a keyboard interface;
• (c) a casing containing said visual display and said keyboard interface, including a front surface having dimensions substantially equivalent to said first and second surfaces of said component module;
• and
• (d) a receptacle having an array of electrical surface contacts disposed therein, each in engagement with one of said electrical contacts of said first array of contacts of said computer module connectors, a number of said electrical contacts of said input/output moddle receptacle being electrically connected to said visual display and said keyboard;
• and
• means for mechanically interconnecting each said component module to an adjacent component module.

A modular computer system, including a plurality of peripheral components, each housed in a module comprising:

• a rectangular casing, including front and rear surfaces having a predetermined height and width;
• an integral bus assembly extending between the front and rear surfaces of said casing at a predetermined location for facilitating electrical interconnection of said peripheral components, said bus assembly including an array of surface-mount printed circuit board connectors extending outwardly of said front surface of said casing, one or more connectors incorporating a conductor having an end portion forming a leaf spring contact for abutting and establishing electrical connection with a surface contact of an adjacent module with minimal frictional resistance, a receptacle portion extending inwardly from said rear surface of said casing having an array of surface contacts for engaging leaf spring contacts of the connectors of an adjacent module, and further including a predetermined arrangement of individual bus lines extending between the contacts of sid connectors and said receptacle;
• a peripheral component housed within said casing;
• and
• a printed circuit board, housed within said casing and substantially parallel to said front and rear surfaces thereof, electrically connecting said peripheral component to a number of said individual bus lines of said bus assembly, wherein said module casing further includes a switch means for establishing electrical continuity of one or more of said individual bus lines.

A modular computer system with integral bus, comprising:

• one or more component modules each including:
• (a) a computer component;
• (b) a casing containing said component, said casing including opposing first and second surfaces of equivalent dimension;
• (c) a bus assembly for electrical interconnection with an adjacent component module, said bus assembly including a connector extending outwardly from said first surface of said casing, having a first array of electrical contacts disposed thereon, and a receptacle extending into said casing from said second surface thereof, having a second array of electrical contacts disposed therein, said connector and receptacle being disposed in substantial alignment at opposing locations on said first and second surfaces of said casing, said first and second arrays of electrical contacts being arranged in aligned pairs at opposing locations on said connector and said receptacle, each of said aligned pairs of electrical contacts being electrically interconnected and wherein a number of said electrical contacts are electrically connected to said computer comonents;
• and
• (d) means for securing said front surfaces of each said modular component to a rear surface of an adjacent component module;
• a power supply module including:
• (a) a power supply
• (b) a casing containing said power supply, said casing including a front surface having dimensions substantially equivalent to said first and second surfaces of said component module;
• and
• (c) a power supply connector having one or more electrical contacts electrically connected to said power supply for engagement with predetermined electrical contacts of said second array of computer module contacts;
• an input/output module including:
• (a) a visual display
• (b) a keyboard interface;
• (c) a casing containing said visual display and said keyboard inteface, including a front surface having dimensions substantially equivalent to said first and second surfaces of aid component module;
• and
• (d) a receptacle having an array of electrical contacts disposed therein, each in engagement with said electrical contacts of said first array of contacts of said computer module connector, a number of said electrical contacts of said input/output module receptacle being electrically connected to said visual display and said keyboard;
• means for mechanically interconnecting each said component module to an adjacent component module;
• a pin member extending outwardly from said rear surface of said input/output module at a predetemined location;
• a pin member slidably mounted within an aperture extending between said first and second surfaces of each said component module, for abutting said first pin member as said computer component is mechanically connected to said input/output module, thereby causing said second pin member to extend from said second surface of said computer module;
• an aperture extending through said front surface of said power supply module for receiving said second pin member;
• and
• a switch disposed within said power supply module for enabling the supply of power from said power supply to said electrical contacts of said power supplycconnector in response to the insertion of said second pin member into said aperture of said power supply module.