A server rack includes a server and a connector dock. The server includes first signal connector receptacles and first power connector receptacles. The connector dock includes blind signal connectors that mate with the first signal connector receptacles and blind power connectors that mate with the first power connector receptacles when the server is installed into the server rack. The connector dock further includes second signal connector receptacles facing a back of the server rack, where each second signal connector receptacle is connected to an associated one of the blind signal connectors; and second power connector receptacles facing the back of the server rack, where each second power connector receptacle is connected to an associated one of the blind power connectors.

A data connection apparatus of a supporting apparatus includes a stationary part and a movable part. One of the stationary and movable parts has a circuit board having a number of electrically conductive pads, and the other has a receptacle within which the circuit board is received, such as when a circuit interrupter is moved to an installed position within a cassette of a draw-out switchgear cabinet. The data connection apparatus includes a housing within which the receptacle is formed, with the housing having a plurality of electrical contacts within the receptacle. The housing and the circuit board each have relieved regions in the exemplary form of ramped surfaces and edges that facilitate reception of the circuit board in the receptacle. Moreover, the circuit board and the housing are situated on structured that afford a certain level of flexibility to further facilitate reception of the circuit board in the receptacle.

A circuit board includes a first locking mechanism configured to secure the circuit board to a chassis. The circuit board also includes a connector disposed at an inboard end of the circuit board. The connector is configured to be electrically connected to a mating connector on either a backplane or a circuit board. The circuit board also includes a second locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism is configured to secure the connector of the circuit board to the mating connector of the backplane or the circuit card.

An alignment member for aligning electrical components. The alignment member includes a base, a telescoping portion and a spring. The base has a first spring receiving cavity which extends from a first end of the base to a spring engaging shoulder. The telescoping portion has a second spring receiving cavity with a spring cooperating surface. The spring is positioned in the first spring receiving cavity of the base and in the second spring receiving cavity of the telescoping portion. The spring has a length which is approximately equal to or slightly larger than the length of a cavity formed by the spring receiving cavity and the base receiving cavity when the alignment member is in an extended position. The spring is retained in a biased position to keep the telescoping portion extended until a force is applied to the telescoping portion by the mating alignment member.

A connector assembly includes a connector module having a connector body with side edges and end edges. The connector body has contact channels holding contacts. The connector assembly includes a mounting frame having side walls and an end wall opposite a window between the side walls. The window is open to and provides access to a passage that receives the connector module. The mounting frame includes a connector module support structure for supporting the connector module in the passage that defines a confined space oversized relative to the connector body of the connector module to allow a limited amount of floating movement in the confined space in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the mating direction.

A data connection apparatus of a supporting apparatus includes a stationary part and a movable part. One of the stationary and movable parts has a circuit board having a number of electrically conductive pads, and the other has a receptacle within which the circuit board is received, such as when a circuit interrupter is moved to an installed position within a cassette of a draw-out switchgear cabinet. The data connection apparatus includes a housing within which the receptacle is formed, with the housing having a plurality of electrical contacts within the receptacle. The housing and the circuit board each have relieved regions in the exemplary form of ramped surfaces and edges that facilitate reception of the circuit board in the receptacle. Moreover, the circuit board and the housing are situated on structured that afford a certain level of flexibility to further facilitate reception of the circuit board in the receptacle.

A connector assembly includes a connector module having a connector body with side edges and end edges. The connector body has contact channels holding contacts. The connector assembly includes a mounting frame having side walls and an end wall opposite a window between the side walls. The window is open to and provides access to a passage that receives the connector module. The mounting frame includes a connector module support structure for supporting the connector module in the passage that defines a confined space oversized relative to the connector body of the connector module to allow a limited amount of floating movement in the confined space in a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the mating direction.

A communication system includes first and second circuit card assemblies each having a PCB and an electrical connector having a mating end and contacts. The first electrical connector has a receptacle housing and a mating housing received in the receptacle housing with cam levers therebetween. The second electrical connector has a header housing and driving elements interfacing with the cam levers to actuate the mating housing relative to the receptacle housing. The PCB includes a slot receiving the other PCB in a board loading direction and the header housing is coupled to the receptacle housing in the board loading direction to interface the driving elements with the cam levers. The mating housing is movable away from the second mating end to a preloaded position by the driving elements and is movable toward the second mating end to a mated position by the driving elements.

A circuit board includes a first locking mechanism configured to secure the circuit board to a chassis. The circuit board also includes a connector disposed at an inboard end of the circuit board. The connector is configured to be electrically connected to a mating connector on either a backplane or a circuit board. The circuit board also includes a second locking mechanism. The second locking mechanism is configured to secure the connector of the circuit board to the mating connector of the backplane or the circuit card.

A storage device includes a casing; a drive that records data; a controller that controls a data processing of the drive; and a midplane that connects the drive to the controller, in which the midplane includes a plurality of split midplanes which are replaceable, a drive side connector is disposed on a drive side of the split midplane, and the drive side connector is connected to the drive.