Printed circuit board adapter carrier for input/output cards
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorStephen E. Cottrell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A printed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier provides for the configuration of relatively increased electronics and circuitry for an input/output (I/O) card. The PCB adapter carrier positions an extension printed circuit board (PCB) with a host printed circuit board (PCB) within the package of the I/O card. The PCB adapter carrier includes a lead or leads supported by the PCB adapter carrier to provide for electrical connection between contact areas for the host PCB and the extension PCB, allowing the host PCB and the extension PCB to electrically interact with one another. With an increased amount of PCB real estate to support electronics and circuitry, the functional capabilities for an I/O card may be relatively enhanced. Dummy leads are also provided to increase mechanical rigidity.
Claims36
A printed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier for connecting a first printed circuit board (PCB) with a second printed circuit board (PCB) within a package for a PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card, said card being insertable into a socket within a data processing system, the first PCB having circuitry and a surface with a first contact area, the second PCB having circuitry and a surface with a second contact area, the PCB adapter carrier comprising:
- a support structure having a top for supporting the surface of the second PCB and having a bottom for connection to the surface of the first PCB;
- and
- a lead coupled to the support structure for electrical connection between the first contact area of the first PCB and the second contact area of the second PCB.
A printed circuit board (PCB) combination for connection to a first printed circuit board (PCB) within a package for a PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card, said card being insertable into a socket within a data processing system, the first PCB having circuitry and a surface with a first contact area, the PCB combination comprising:
- (a) a second printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry and a surface with a second contact area;
- and
- (b) a printed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier for connecting the first PCB with the second PCB, the PCB adapter carrier comprising:
- (i) a support structure having a top supporting the surface of the second PCB and having a bottom for connection to the surface of the first PCB, and
- (ii) a lead, coupled to the support structure and electrically connected to the second contact area of the second PCB, for electrical connection between the first contact area of the first PCB and the second contact area of the second PCB.
A PCMCIA input/output (I/O) card, said card being insertable into a socket within a data processing system, said card comprising:
- (a) a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly comprising:
- (i) a first printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry and a surface with a first contact area,
- (ii) a second printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry and a surface with a second contact area, and
- (iii) a printed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier comprising:
- (A) a support structure having a top supporting the surface of the second PCB and having a bottom connected to the surface of the first PCB, and
- (B) a lead coupled to the support structure and electrically connected to the first contact area of the first PCB and to the second contact area of the second PCB;
- and
- a PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card package for packaging the PCB assembly.
A primed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier for connecting a first printed circuit board (PCB) with a second printed circuit board (PCB) within a package for a PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card, said card being insertable into a socket within a data processing system, the first PCB having circuitry and a surface with a second contact area, the PCB adapter carrier comprising:
- support means for supporting the surface of the second PCB and for connection to the surface of the first PCB;
- and
- connector means coupled to the support means for providing electrical connection between the first contact area of the first PCB and the second contact area of the second PCB.
A printed circuit board (PCB) combination for connection to a first printed circuit board (PCB) within a package for a PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card, said card being insertable into a socket within a data processing system, the first PCB having circuitry and a surface with a first contact area, the PCB combination comprising:
- (a) a second printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry and a surface with a second contact area;
- and
- (b) printed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier means for connecting the first PCB with the second PCB, the PCB adapter carrier means comprising:
- (i) support means for supporting the surface of the second PCB and for connection to the surface of the first PCB, and
- (ii) connector means, coupled to the support means, for providing electrical connection between the first contact area of the first PCB and the second contact area of the second PCB.
A PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card, said card comprising:
- (a) a printed circuit board (PCB) assembly comprising:
- (i) a first printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry and a surface with a first contact area,
- (ii) a second printed circuit board (PCB) having circuitry and a surface with a second contact area, and
- (iii) a printed circuit board (PCB) adapter carrier means for connecting the first PCB with the second PCB, the PCB adapter carrier means comprising:
- (A) support means for supporting the surface of the second PCB and for connection to the surface of the first PCB, and
- (B) connector means, coupled to the support means for providing electrical connection between the first contact area of the first PCB and the second contact area of the second PCB;
- and
- (b) A PCMCIA compatible input/output (I/O) card package means for packaging the PCB assembly.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.