Internal pci adapter card carrier

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a tool includes a carrier for supporting an adapter card, a lower retaining member extending from a lower portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier, and an upper retaining member extending from an upper portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier. In another embodiment, a system includes a tool and a computer system chassis having a feature for aligning the tool with a system board of the computer system. The tool includes a carrier for supporting an adapter card, at least one lower retaining member extending from a lower portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier, at least one upper retaining member extending from an upper portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier, and a positioning member extending from the carrier for aligning the tool.

1 . A tool, comprising:
 a carrier for supporting an adapter card, wherein the carrier is adapted to securely hold the adapter card during movement of the carrier and during placement of the adapter card in a computer system;   at least one lower retaining member extending from a lower portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier; and   at least one upper retaining member extending from an upper portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier.   
     
     
         2 . The tool as recited in claim I , further comprising:
 a handle portion coupled to the carrier near or at the upper portion of the carrier, wherein the handle portion is for positioning the tool; and   a positioning member on at least one of the carrier and the handle portion for aligning the tool with a chassis in the computer system.   
     
     
         3 . The tool as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the positioning member extends from at least the carrier or the handle portion, and wherein the positioning member is engageable to a feature of the chassis in the computer system. 
     
     
         4 . The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lower retaining member includes a slot for securing the adapter card, wherein the slot provides unilateral and univertical resistance of movement for the adapter card. 
     
     
         5 . The tool as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one upper retaining member includes either a latch or a clip for securing the adapter card, wherein the latch or clip is positionable to allow the adapter card to be secured to the carrier. 
     
     
         6 . The tool as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lateral retaining member positioned at or near a side portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier. 
     
     
         7 . A system comprising:
 a tool, comprising:
 a carrier for supporting an adapter card, wherein the carrier is adapted to securely hold the adapter card during movement of the carrier and during placement of the adapter card in a computer system; 
 at least one lower retaining member extending from a lower portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier; 
 at least one upper retaining member extending from an upper portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier; 
 a positioning member extending from the carrier for aligning the tool; and 
   a computer system chassis having a feature for aligning the tool with a system board of the computer system.   
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the carrier comprises a handle portion at or near the upper portion of the carrier, wherein the handle portion is for positioning the tool. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the positioning member is engageable with the feature of the computer system chassis. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one lower retaining member includes a slot for securing the adapter card, wherein the slot provides unilateral and univertical resistance of movement for the adapter card. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the at least one upper retaining member includes either a latch or a clip for securing the adapter card, wherein the latch or clip is positionable to allow the adapter card to be secured to the carrier. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the tool further comprises at least one lateral retaining member positioned at or near a side portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier. 
     
     
         13 . A method for placing an adapter card on a system board of a computer system, the method comprising:
 aligning a tool having an adapter card secured therewith to a slot on a system board of a computer system using a positioning member; and   seating the adapter card into the slot on the system board,   wherein the tool comprises:
 a carrier for supporting the adapter card; 
 at least one lower retaining member extending from a lower portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier; 
 at least one upper retaining member extending from an upper portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier; and 
 the positioning member coupled to the carrier. 
   
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising disengaging the adapter card from the tool by operating at least one upper retaining member of the tool. 
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the tool further comprises a handle portion coupled to the carrier at or near the upper portion of the carrier, wherein the handle portion is for positioning the tool. 
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , further comprising engaging the positioning member to a feature in a chassis of the computer system to align the adapter card to the slot on the system board. 
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one lower retaining member includes a slot for securing the adapter card, wherein the slot resists movement of the adapter card in the downward and sideway directions. 
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one upper retaining member includes either a latch or a clip for securing the adapter card, wherein the latch or clip is positionable to allow the adapter card to be secured to the carrier. 
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the tool further comprises at least one lateral retaining member positioned at or near a side portion of the carrier for securing the adapter card to the carrier. 
     
     
         20 . The method as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the adapter card remains secured to the tool after being seated into the slot on the system board.