CN211956364U - Device for fixing multiple cards on rack and system for receiving multiple cards - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model discloses a be used for with multiple card fixed in the device in a frame and be used for receiving the system of multiple card, the device contains: a fixing element; a support frame; at least one hinge configured to hold the fixing element to the support frame such that the fixing element has an axis of rotation about the support frame, wherein a space between the fixing element and the support frame is configured to hold a portion of the multi-card.

Description

Device for fixing multiple cards on rack and system for receiving multiple cards

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The present invention relates generally to systems for securing add-on cards (add-on cards) within a computing device. More particularly, aspects of the present invention relate to an apparatus for securing multiple cards to a rack and a system for receiving multiple cards.

[ background of the invention ]

Servers are heavily used for network-based high-demand applications, such as network-based systems or data centers. The server may contain a number of components that are interchangeable. For example, when upgrading the hardware components of the server, the hard drive of the server may be removed and replaced with another hard drive. Dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) of the server may be removed and replaced with higher capacity or higher speed dual in-line memory modules. The various cards of the server may be replaced with various other cards and the like. The server may have a motherboard that supports one or more bus standards including Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), peripheral component interconnect Express (PCIe), Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP), and the like.

Computing systems, such as servers, may support hot-swappage (hot-swappaping) of components using one or more of the bus standards described above. To facilitate hot-plugging, a computing system is needed that can accept and release cards on demand. For example, when installing a PCIe card on a traditional server, only one PCIe card can be installed at a time. Each card is mechanically fixed to the rack of the server (e.g., by screws). The process of installing PCIe cards can become time consuming for a technician, especially when many such cards need to be installed on multiple servers. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to reducing the time required to install and remove cards from computing systems.

[ Utility model ] content

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a device for securing multiple cards to a rack. The device comprises a fixing element, a support frame and at least one hinge. The at least one hinge is configured to hold the fixing element to the support frame such that the fixing element has a rotation axis with respect to the support frame. The spacing between the retaining member and the support bracket is configured to retain a portion of the multi-card.

In one embodiment, the axis of rotation is parallel to the length of the support frame. In one embodiment, the axis of rotation is orthogonal to the length of the support frame. In one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one screw for holding the fixing element to the support frame. The at least one screw is configured to prevent rotation of the retaining member about the axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the fixing element rotates in a plane parallel to the top surface of the support frame.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one spring positioned in the space between the fixing element and the support frame. In one embodiment, the fixing element is configured to slide along the support frame, thereby increasing or decreasing the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame. In one embodiment, the at least one hinge is configured to slide along the support frame in response to the securing element sliding along the support frame. In one embodiment, the fixation element is further configured to be placed in at least one of three positions, the three positions including: (a) a first position in which the top surface of the fixing element is parallel to the top surface of the support frame and the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame is at a first height; (b) a second position in which the top surface of the fixing element is parallel to the top surface of the support frame and the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame is at a second height greater than the first height; and (c) a third position in which the top surfaces of the fixing member and the support frame are not parallel to each other.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that includes a frame and a device for securing a plurality of cards to the frame. The device comprises a fixing element, a support frame and at least one hinge. The at least one hinge is configured to hold the fixing element to the support frame such that the fixing element has a rotation axis with respect to the support frame. The spacing between the retaining member and the support bracket is configured to retain a portion of the multi-card. The support frame is secured to the frame at one or more interfaces.

In one embodiment, the support frame is secured to the frame at the one or more interfaces by one or more rivets. In one embodiment, a portion of the frame is received in a space between the fixing element and the supporting frame.

In one embodiment, the axis of rotation is parallel to the length of the support frame. In one embodiment, the axis of rotation is orthogonal to the length of the support frame. In one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one screw for holding the fixing element to the support frame. The at least one screw is configured to prevent rotation of the retaining member about the axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the fixing element rotates in a plane parallel to the top surface of the support frame.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises at least one spring positioned in the space between the fixing element and the support frame. In one embodiment, the fixing element is configured to slide along the support frame, thereby increasing or decreasing the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame. In one embodiment, the at least one hinge is configured to slide along the support frame in response to the securing element sliding along the support frame. In an embodiment, the fixation element is further configured to be in at least one of three positions, the three positions including: (a) a first position in which the top surface of the fixing element is parallel to the top surface of the support frame and the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame is at a first height; (b) a second position in which the top surface of the fixing element is parallel to the top surface of the support frame and the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame is at a second height greater than the first height; and (c) a third position in which the top surfaces of the fixing member and the support frame are not parallel to each other.

The above summary is not intended to represent each embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Rather, the foregoing summary merely provides an example of some of the innovative aspects and features presented herein. The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and modes for carrying out the invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

[ description of the drawings ]

The invention will be more understood from the following description of embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Fig. 1A illustrates components of an apparatus for securing one or more cards to a rack according to some embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B depicts a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1A when assembled.

Fig. 1C, 1D, and 1E illustrate a top view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, of the assembled device of fig. 1B.

Fig. 2 illustrates the device of fig. 1B attached to a rack in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a process of unlocking the device of FIG. 1B to receive one or more cards.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate a process of mounting multiple cards to a rack and securing the mounted cards using the device of fig. 1B according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 5A illustrates components of an apparatus for securing one or more cards to a frame according to some embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 5B depicts a perspective view of the device of fig. 5A when assembled.

Fig. 5C, 5D, and 5E illustrate top, front, and side views, respectively, of the assembled device of fig. 5B.

Fig. 6 and 7A illustrate the device of fig. 5B attached to a frame according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 7B-7D illustrate a process of unlocking the device of fig. 5B to receive one or more cards according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 8A-8C illustrate a process of mounting multiple cards to a rack and securing the mounted cards using the device of fig. 5B according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms. Representative embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

[ notation ] to show

102,102L,102R, 502L,502R fixing structure

104,104L,104R,504,504L,504R support frame

106,506,506L hinge

108,108L,108R,508,508L,508R locking mechanism

110 annular part

112,114,510,511,512,514,514L opening

116,118,218,516,518 hole

201,301,601,701 framework

320L,426R,724L,724R clockwise

320R,720L,720R, counterclockwise

322L,322R,424L,424R arrow

402L,402R,802L,802R multiple add-on cards

413L,413R,813L,813R

503,503L spring

722L direction

[ detailed description ] embodiments

The present invention may be embodied in many different forms. Representative embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail. The present invention is an example or illustration of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the invention to the exemplary embodiments. To the extent that the above is disclosed, for example, in the abstract, summary, and detailed description section, elements and limitations in the claims are not explicitly disclosed, they are not intended to be incorporated into the claims, either individually or collectively, by implication, inference, or otherwise. For the purposes of this detailed description, unless specifically disclaimed, singular terms include plural connotations and vice versa; the term "comprising" is intended to mean "including, but not limited to. Moreover, approximating language, such as "about," "approximately," "substantially," "approximately," and the like, may be used herein to mean, for example, "within" 3% -5%, or within an acceptable manufacturing tolerance, or any logical combination of the foregoing.

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for simultaneously retaining and securing multiple add-on cards. A securing mechanism such as a screw may be used to lock the securing structure that holds the add-on card in place. The mounting structure may be displaced (display) in a controlled manner to insert or remove an add-on card. This displacement may include swinging the securing structure from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position, the add-on card is held in place; in the second position, the add-on card can be removed. Manual screws may also be used to secure the securing structure.

Fig. 1A illustrates components of an apparatus for securing one or more cards to a rack according to some embodiments of the present invention. The device includes a fixed structure 102 (or fixed member), a support bracket 104, a hinge 106, and a locking mechanism 108. The fixed structure 102 and/or the support bracket 104 may be metal components. The hinge 106 is configured to hold (hold) the fixed structure 102 to the support bracket 104. The hinge 106 may be shaped such that the hinge 106 has a larger end and a smaller end. The smaller end of the hinge 106 is configured to couple with an opening 114 in the support bracket 104. The larger end of the hinge 106 is configured to be positioned within a loop 110 such that at least a portion of the fixed structure 102 is sandwiched between the larger end of the hinge 106 and the support bracket 104.

When the fixed structure 102 is attached to the support bracket 104 using the hinge 106, the fixed structure 102 is configured to rotate or pivot about the hinge 106. The axis of rotation of the pivot is perpendicular to the top surface of the fixed structure 102. In some embodiments, the axis of rotation is on the major axis of the hinge 106. While the design of the ring portion 110 is provided, alternative designs without the ring portion 110 are also contemplated as long as the fixed structure 102 is allowed to pivot about the hinge 106.

The device of FIG. 1A also includes a locking mechanism 108. The locking mechanism 108 is shown as a captive screw (captive screw) that can be tightened or loosened by hand. The locking mechanism 108 is received at an opening 112 on the fixed structure 102 such that when the locking mechanism 108 is installed, the locking mechanism 108 mechanically couples the fixed structure 102 and the support bracket 104. The mechanical coupling of the fixed structure 102 to the support bracket 104 via the locking mechanism 108 prevents the fixed structure 102 from rotating about the hinge 106. Although the locking mechanism 108 is provided as a captive screw, other methods of locking the fixation structure 102 to the support bracket 104 are contemplated. For example, mechanical fasteners such as latches may be employed as the locking mechanism 108.

The support stand 104 includes one or more interfaces for securing the support stand 104 to a rack. For example, the support bracket 104 may include holes 116 on either side of the support bracket 104 for receiving rivets to secure the support bracket 104 to a vertical wall of a rack. The support bracket 104 may also include holes 118 on the top surface of the support bracket 104 for receiving rivets to secure the support bracket 104 to the horizontal wall of the rack.

FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the device of FIG. 1A when the fixed structure 102 is secured to the support bracket 104 by the locking mechanism 108. Fig. 1C, 1D and 1E illustrate a top view, a front view and a side view, respectively, of the assembled device of fig. 1B. From the front view of fig. 1D, the long sides of the fixed structure 102 are substantially parallel to the long sides of the support stand 104, such that a space is formed between the long sides of the fixed structure 102 and the long sides of the support stand 104. The short sides of the fixed structure 102 are substantially parallel to the short sides of the support bracket 104. The short side of the fixing structure 102 is directly abutted against the short side of the supporting frame 104 by the locking mechanism 108.

Fig. 2 illustrates the device of fig. 1B attached to a rack 201 in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The rack 201 may be a rack of a desktop, a server, a measurement device, or some other computing apparatus. The housing 201 is shown to include a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. Some horizontal portions of the frame 201 are mounted in the space between the fixed structure 102 and the support bracket 104. The support bracket 104 is attached to the vertical portion of the frame 201 at the interface where the aperture 116 is located. The support bracket 104 is also attached to some horizontal portion of the frame 201. The housing 201 includes one or more interfaces at the horizontal portion for securing the support bracket 104. For example, a plurality of holes 218 are provided in the frame 201 such that the holes 218 may substantially match the holes 118 in the support bracket 104. Rivets may be used through the holes 116 and/or holes 218 to secure the support bracket 104 to the frame 201.

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a process of unlocking the device of FIG. 1B to receive one or more cards. In fig. 3A, the chassis 301 has two positions (left position L and right position R) for receiving one or more cards. According to some embodiments of the invention, each location has one device as in fig. 1B attached to the rack 301. The reference numeral 1XX corresponds to the reference numeral 1XX already described in connection with fig. 1A. In fig. 3A, an identifier L or R is appended to each reference numeral to indicate a left position L or a right position R, respectively.

Each of the devices of fig. 1B is shown in a locked position in fig. 3A and in an unlocked position in fig. 3B. In the locked position, the installed card is secured and the card that has not yet been installed cannot be installed. The locking mechanism 108 is released (as shown in fig. 1C-1E) to transition from the locked position to the unlocked position. For example, referring to FIG. 3A, if the locking mechanism 108R is a captive screw, to release the captive screw, the locking mechanism 108R is rotated in a counterclockwise direction 320R and the locking mechanism 108L is rotated in a clockwise direction 320L. The direction of rotation is provided as an example only. Releasing the locking mechanisms 108L and 108R causes the fixed structures 102L and 102R to be mechanically disengaged (decoupled) from the supports 104L and 104R at the location of the locking mechanisms 108L and 108R, respectively. The fixed structures 102L and 102R may be pivoted at their respective hinges by mechanically disengaging the fixed structures 102L and 102R from the support brackets 104L and 104R, respectively. FIG. 3B shows the fixed structures 102L and 102R moving in the directions indicated by arrows 322L and 322R, respectively. The fixed structures 102L and 102R are moved to a position where the horizontal portion of the frame 301 is exposed.

Fig. 4A and 4B illustrate the process of mounting multiple add-on cards 402L and 402R to rack 301 and securing the mounted multiple add-on cards 402L and 402R according to some embodiments of the present invention. In fig. 4A, multiple add-on cards 402L and multiple add-on cards 402R are mounted to chassis 301 at the same time and are integrated into a single unit. Portions 413L and 413R of multiple add-on cards 402L and 402R are placed on and parallel to the exposed horizontal portion of chassis 301, respectively. When multiple add-on cards 402L and 402R are properly installed, the securing structures 102L and 102R are able to pivot about their respective hinges in the directions indicated by arrows 424L and 424R, respectively. Fig. 4B shows an enlarged view of the right position of the chassis 301. After fixed structure 102R is pivoted into position, fixed structure 102R substantially covers portion 413R of multiple add-on cards 402R located on the horizontal portion of chassis 301. When in the position shown in fig. 4B, securing structure 102R prevents multiple add-on cards 402R from falling out of chassis 301. By rotating the locking mechanism 108R in the clockwise direction 426R, the locking mechanism 108R may be secured or tightened.

In FIG. 4B, a single locking mechanism 108R secures multiple add-on cards, thus facilitating quick removal and installation of the add-on cards. The freedom of motion of the fixed structure 102R is limited to pivoting about a hinge, such as hinge 106 of fig. 1A. Fig. 5A illustrates components of a device with a higher degree of freedom of motion according to some embodiments of the present invention.

The device of fig. 5A includes a fixed structure 502 (or fixed member), a support bracket 504, at least one hinge 506, and at least one locking mechanism 508. The securing structure 502 and/or the support bracket 504 may be metal components. Each hinge 506 is configured to retain the fixed structure 502 to the support 504. Each hinge 506 may be shaped in a similar manner as the hinge 106 described in fig. 1A. Each hinge 506 may be configured to retain the fixed structure 502 to the support bracket 504 through an opening 514 on the support bracket 504 and an opening 510 on the fixed structure 502, respectively.

When the fixed structure 502 is attached to the support bracket 504 using the at least one hinge 506, the fixed structure 502 is configured to rotate or pivot about the at least one hinge 506. The axis of rotation of the pivot is parallel to the top surface of the support bracket 504. A substantially oval shaped opening 514 may be provided to allow the at least one hinge 506 to slide up and down within the substantially oval shaped opening 514. Sliding the at least one hinge 506 up (or down) the opening 514 causes the fixed structure 502 to move away from (or toward) the support bracket 504.

In some embodiments, one or more springs 503 are provided in the space between the fixed structure 502 and the support bracket 504. The spring 503 may be a metal spring, which may facilitate contact between the support bracket 504, the securing structure 502, and any card to be installed in the device of FIG. 5A. The contacts formed may form an equipotential between the metal or conductive components of the spring 503, the fixed structure 502, and the support bracket 504. The equipotential of the dissimilar metal or conductive components may act as an electromagnetic interference shield.

The device of fig. 5A may also include one or more locking mechanisms 508. The locking mechanism 508 provides similar functionality as the locking mechanism 108. When the locking mechanism 508 is mechanically coupled to the fixed structure 502 and the support bracket 504, the locking mechanism 508 prevents the fixed structure 502 from moving toward or away from the support bracket 504. The locking mechanism 508 is shown as a captive screw in FIG. 5A. The captive screws are connected to the mounting structure 502 through the openings 512 and then to the support bracket 504 through the openings 511. Two captive screws are used as an example, but any number of captive screws (e.g., 1,3, 5, etc.) may be used as the locking mechanism 508. Similar to fig. 1A, other types of mechanical couplings may be used as the locking mechanism 508 rather than just captive screws.

The support bracket 504 includes one or more interfaces that secure the support bracket 504 to the rack. For example, the support bracket 504 may include holes 516 on either side thereof to receive rivets to secure the support bracket 504 to a vertical wall of a rack. The support bracket 504 may also include holes 518 in the top surface of the support bracket 504 for receiving rivets to secure the support bracket 504 to the horizontal wall of the rack.

Fig. 5B illustrates a perspective view of the device of fig. 5A when the fixed structure 502 is fixed to the support bracket 504 via the locking mechanism 508. Fig. 5C, 5D, and 5E illustrate top, front, and side views, respectively, of the assembled device of fig. 5B. From the front view of fig. 5D, the long sides of the fixed structure 502 are substantially parallel to the long sides of the support bracket 504, such that a space is created between the long sides of the fixed structure 502 and the long sides of the support bracket 504. The one or more springs 503 are compressed to fit within the height of the gap. Two short sides of the fixing structure 502 are substantially parallel to two short sides of the supporting frame 504. The short side of the fixed structure 502 is directly against the short side of the support bracket 504 by means of the at least one hinge 506.

Fig. 6 illustrates the device of fig. 5B attached to a frame 601 according to some embodiments of the present invention. The frame 601 is shown as including a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. Some horizontal portions of the frame 601 are mounted in the resulting space between the fixed structure 502 and the support bracket 504. The one or more springs 503 are located within the gap and on top of the horizontal portion of the frame 601. The support bracket 504 is attached to the vertical portion of the frame 601 at the interface where the aperture 516 is located. The support bracket 504 is also attached to some horizontal portion of the frame 601. The support bracket 504 may be attached to the horizontal portion of the frame 601 as described in fig. 2. Rivets may be used in holes 516 and/or 518 to secure support bracket 504 to frame 601. The device secured to the housing 601 is in an unlocked position wherein the locking mechanism 508 is not coupled to the opening 511.

Fig. 7A shows a chassis 701 having two positions (left position L and right position R) for receiving one or more cards. According to some embodiments of the invention, each location has one of the devices of fig. 5B attached to the frame 701. Reference numeral 5XX corresponds to reference numeral 5XX already described in connection with fig. 5A. In fig. 7A, an identifier L or R is appended to each reference numeral to indicate a left position L or a right position R, respectively.

Fig. 7B-7D illustrate a process of unlocking the two devices of fig. 7A to receive one or more cards according to some embodiments of the present invention. In FIG. 7B, the locking mechanisms 508L and 508R are released (e.g., a screwdriver may be used to rotate the captive screws in counterclockwise directions 720L and 720R). Releasing the locking mechanisms 508L and 508R allows the securing structures 502L and 502R to move away from the supports 504L and 504R, respectively. When the fixed structures 502L and 502R are slid away from the supports 504L and 504R, respectively, each of the spaces between the fixed structures 502L and 502R and the supports 504L and 504R becomes larger, respectively.

FIG. 7C illustrates the locking mechanism 508L in the locked position to hold the fixed structure 502L closer to the support bracket 504L. FIG. 7C also shows that the spacing between the mounting structure 502L and the support bracket 504L is widened after the locking mechanism 508L is released. As shown in fig. 7C, the hinge 506L moves vertically along the oval-shaped opening 514L. When the locking mechanism 508L is released, the spring 503L helps to push open or maintain a wider spacing between the fixed structure 502L and the support bracket 504L. In fig. 7D, the fixed structure 502L is rotatable about an axis of rotation defined by the position of the hinge 506L. The fixed structure 502L is rotated in the direction 722L to expose the horizontal portion of the frame 701.

Fig. 8A-8C illustrate a process of mounting multiple add-on cards 802L and 802R to a rack 701 and securing the mounted multiple add-on cards 802L and 802R according to some embodiments of the present invention. Similar to fig. 4A, multiple add-on cards 802L and 802R may be installed simultaneously once the horizontal portion of the rack 701 is exposed. In FIG. 8B, the securing structures 502L and 502R are rotated to cover portions 813L and 813R of multiple add-on cards 802L and 802R, respectively. The screwdrivers can be rotated clockwise 724L and 724R to fix the fixing structures 502L and 502R to the supporting brackets 504L and 504R.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a tool-less device for fixing a PCIe card to a chassis. The device can fix multiple cards at the same time. Captive screws may be used instead of ordinary screws to reduce the risk of losing screws. That is, when the captive screws are loosened, they are always attached to at least one of the fixed structure or the support bracket of the device. The embodiment of the utility model provides a solve the screw height in the frame for limited spaced at least one problem.

As used herein, the terms "component," "module," "system" and the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-related entity, either hardware (e.g., a circuit), a combination of hardware and software, or an entity associated with a machine having one or more particular functionalities. For example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a program executing on a processor (e.g., a digital signal processor), a processor, an object (object), an executable, a thread (thread), a program, and/or a computer. By way of example, both an application executing on a controller and the controller can be a component. One or more components may reside within a program and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Further, "device" may be specially designed hardware; general purpose hardware specialized for executing specific functions by software thereon; software stored on a computer readable medium; or a combination thereof.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, singular forms such as "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "includes," "including," "includes," "has," "with," or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and/or the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term "comprising" as used herein.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Furthermore, words such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments. Rather, the scope of the invention should be defined in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims (10)

1. An apparatus for securing a plurality of cards to a frame, comprising:

a fixing element;

a support frame;

at least one hinge configured to hold the fixing element to the support frame such that the fixing element has an axis of rotation about the support frame, wherein a space between the fixing element and the support frame is configured to hold a portion of the multi-card.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rotation axis is parallel to a length of the support frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the axis of rotation is orthogonal to a length of the support frame.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one spring is positioned in the space between the fixing element and the support frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the securing element is configured to slide along the support frame to increase or decrease the spacing between the securing element and the support frame.

6. A system for receiving multiple cards, comprising:

a frame;

a device for fixing the multiple cards on the frame, the device comprises a fixing element, a supporting frame and at least one hinge,

wherein the at least one hinge is configured to hold the securing element to the support frame such that the securing element has an axis of rotation about the support frame, a space between the securing element and the support frame is configured to hold a portion of the multi-card, and the support frame is secured to the chassis at one or more interfaces.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the device further comprises at least one spring positioned in the space between the securing element and the support bracket.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the securing element is configured to slide along the support frame to increase or decrease the spacing between the securing element and the support frame.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one hinge is configured to slide along the support frame in response to the securing element sliding along the support frame.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the fixation element is further configured to be in at least one of three positions, the three positions comprising:

(a) a first position in which a top surface of the fixing element is parallel to a top surface of the supporting frame and the spacing between the fixing element and the supporting frame is at a first height,

(b) a second position in which the top surface of the fixing element is parallel to the top surface of the support frame and the spacing between the fixing element and the support frame is at a second height greater than the first height, an

(c) A third position in which the top surface of the fixing element and the top surface of the supporting frame are not parallel to each other.

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