Memory system including guides that receive memory modules

A guide assembly for a computer system that includes a circuit board and a plurality of sockets for receiving memory modules comprising:

• a first guide disposed proximate to one end of said plurality of sockets, said first guide including a plurality of slots adapted to receive said memory modules;
• a second guide disposed proximate to an opposite end of said plurality of sockets, said second guide including a plurality of slots adapted to receive said memory modules;
• and
• a plurality of latches pivotally coupled to said first guide and said second guide and disposed above said plurality of slots such that each of said plurality of latches is operable to pivot in the main plane of the circuit board to engage an opening located in a top surface and separated from the top surface of one of said memory modules and a notch on a side surface of said one of said memory modules for holding said one of said memory modules securely in place, said plurality of latches adapted to engage side surfaces of said memory modules for facilitating insertion and removal of said memory modules.

A memory system comprising:

• a circuit board;
• a plurality of sockets coupled to said circuit board;
• a memory module including a circuit card having a top surface and a first side surface and a second side surface, said memory module including a card edge connector adapted to electrically couple said memory module to ones of said plurality of sockets, said top surface of said circuit card having a first opening forming a first tab and a second opening forming a second tab, said first side surface having a first notch disposed therein and separated from the top surface and said second side surface having a second notch disposed therein and separated from the top surface;
• a first guide disposed proximate to one end of said plurality of sockets, said first guide including a plurality of slots adapted to receive said memory module;
• a second guide disposed proximate to an opposite end of said plurality of sockets, said second guide including a plurality of slots adapted to receive said memory module;
• and
• a first latch and a second latch pivotally coupled to said first guide and said second guide and disposed above said plurality of slots, said first notch and said first opening operable to receive said first latch, pivoted in the main plane of the circuit board for securing said memory module, said second notch and said second opening operable to receive, said second latch for securing said memory module, said first latch and said second latch adapted to engage said first notch and said second notch for facilitating insertion and removal of said memory module.

A method for coupling a memory module to a circuit board having a plurality of sockets disposed thereon, said method comprising:

• providing a first guide coupled to said circuit board, said first guide disposed proximate to one end of said plurality of sockets, said first guide including a plurality of slots each adapted to receive said memory module;
• providing a second guide coupled to said circuit board, said second guide disposed proximate to an opposite end of said plurality of sockets, said second guide including a plurality of slots each adapted to receive said memory module;
• providing a first latch and a second latch pivotally coupled to said first guide and said second guide and disposed above said plurality of slots;
• inserting said memory module into one of said plurality of slots associated with said first latch and said second latch;
• and
• rotating said first latch and said second latch, which are both so as to engage a first notch and a second notch which are both located on opposite sides of said memory module and separated from its top surface and to engage a first opening and a second opening on said top surface of said memory module for holding said memory module securely in place.