Multi-direction wedge clamp

A circuit card clamp, comprising:

• a base member having an elongated shape configured for insertion in a circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one first wedge member movable relative to said base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one second wedge member movable relative to said base member, in response to a second actuator, between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position, and configured for releasably securing said circuit card in said circuit card chassis slot;
• and
• a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member, said thermally conductive membrane having slack for permitting said at least one first wedge member to move relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position for releasably securing a circuit card in said circuit card chassis slot.

A circuit card clamp, comprising:

• a base member having an elongated shape configured for insertion in a circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one first wedge member movable relative to said base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one third wedge member having an elongated planar conduction surface for engaging said chassis slot in response to said first actuator;
• and
• a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member, said thermally conductive membrane having slack for permitting said at least one first wedge member to move relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position for releasably securing a circuit card in said circuit card chassis slot.

A circuit card clamp, comprising:

• a base member having an elongated shape configured for insertion in a circuit card chassis slot;
• a plate coupled said base member;
• at least one first wedge member movable relative to said base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• and
• a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member, said thermally conductive membrane having slack for permitting said at least one first wedge member to move relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position for releasably securing a circuit card in said circuit card chassis slot;
• wherein said thermally conductive membrane is at least partially disposed between said plate and said base member.

A circuit card clamp, comprising:

• a base member having an elongated shape configured for insertion in a circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one first wedge member movable relative to said base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• a plate coupled to said at least one first wedge member and
• a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member, said thermally conductive membrane having slack for permitting said at least one first wedge member to move relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position for releasably securing a circuit card in said circuit card chassis slot;
• wherein said thermally conductive membrane is at least partially disposed between said plate and said at least one first wedge member.

A method for providing a plurality of thermal conduction paths between a circuit card and a chassis, comprising the steps of:

• removably clamping a circuit card in a chassis slot using at least one first wedge member movable in a first direction relative to a base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• and
• forming a first thermal conduction path between a circuit card and said circuit card chassis slot by using a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member;
• forming a second thermal conduction path using at least one second wedge member movable in a second direction relative to said base member in response to a second actuator, said second direction being perpendicular to said first direction;
• and
• facilitating a relative movement of said at least one first wedge member relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position by providing a slack in said membrane.

A method for providing a plurality of thermal conduction paths between a circuit card and a chassis, comprising the steps of:

• removably clamping a circuit card in a chassis slot using at least one first wedge member movable relative to a base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• and
• forming a first thermal conduction path between a circuit card and said circuit card chassis slot by using a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member;
• providing a second thermally conductive path using at least one second wedge member having an elongated planar clamping surface for applying a clamping force to a circuit card in response to a second actuator;
• and
• facilitating a relative movement of said at least one first wedge member relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position by providing a slack in said membrane.

A circuit card clamp, comprising:

• a base member having an elongated shape configured for insertion in a circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one first wedge member movable relative to said base member in response to a first actuator for engaging said circuit card chassis slot;
• at least one second wedge member having an elongated planar conduction surface for engaging said chassis slot in response to said first actuator;
• and
• a thermally conductive membrane coupled to said base member and said at least one first wedge member, said thermally conductive membrane having slack for permitting said at least one first wedge member to move relative to said base member between a first clamped position and a second unclamped position for releasably securing a circuit card in said circuit card chassis slot;
• wherein said thermally conductive membrane defines a first thermal conductive path between a circuit card secured by said circuit card clamp and said circuit card chassis slot.