Apparatus and method for floatable electrical connection of semi-rigidly mounted devices

Apparatus for enabling the electronic connection between a device housed in a device frame and a motherboard with said device frame being semi-rigidly mounted to said motherboard, said apparatus comprising:

• a first connector rigidly attached to said motherboard;
• a second connector adapted to mate to said first connector;
• an opening formed in a wall of said device frame for movably receiving said second connector;
• means for inserting said second connector in said opening;
• means for enabling said second connector to float within said opening following said insertion into said opening;
• flexible wiring electrically attached to terminals of said second connector and physically attached to said device frame;
• and
• means for retaining said second connector within said opening.

A method for enabling a floating electronic connection between devices semi-rigidly mounted with respect to one another, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming flanges on a connector;
• forming an opening in a wall of a device;
• inserting said connector into said opening such that said flanges restrict the motion of said connector perpendicular to the plane of said opening in said wall of said device;
• retaining said connector within said opening such that said connector may freely float within the plane of said opening in said wall of said device;
• positioning tapered ridges at the edges of said opening in said wall of said device;
• and
• sliding said connector over said ridges such that said ridges flex apart said flanges on said connector, until said flanges slide past said ridges allowing said flanges to snap back to normal unflexed position.

A method for enabling a floating electronic connection between devices semi-rigidly mounted with respect to one another, said method comprising the steps of:

• forming flanges on a connector;
• forming an opening in a wall of a device;
• inserting said connector into said opening such that said flanges restrict the motion of said connector perpendicular to the plane of said opening in said wall of said device;
• and
• retaining said connector within said opening such that said connector may freely float within the plane of said opening in said wall of said device;
• positioning semi-circular sides in said opening in said wall of said device;
• inserting a first side of said connector into one of said semi-circular sides of said opening in said wall of said device;
• and
• twisting said connector such that the other side of said connector snaps into the other of said semi-circular sides of said opening in said wall of said device.