Printed circuit board stiffener

• US 20030038096A1
• Filed: 07/26/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Silicon Graphics Incorporated (Graphics Properties Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cermak, Stephen III, Crapisi, Thomas Alex, Bowen, Stephen A., Gruber, David Paul, Cogner, Jeffrey Scott, Dobbs, Bonnie Kay, Ruesch, Rodney
• Granted Patent: US 6,771,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/41.17
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/0271 Arrangements for reducing stress or warp in rigid printed circuit boards, e.g. caused by loads, vibrations or differences in thermal expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1461 Slidable card holders; Card stiffeners; Control or display means therefor

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for reducing circuit board flexing is presented. The apparatus is fastened to a printed circuit board to provide rigid support for reducing bending and flexing. In one embodiment, a rigid frame is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one or more components and to be fastened to a printed circuit board. The frame is adapted to elevate the attached component from the PCB surface allowing components to be mounted on the PCB therewith. The frame is adapted to occupy minimal printed circuit board surface area so as not to displace electronic components. In another embodiment, an elongated truss-like stiffener is provided that is adapted to be fastened to one side of the printed circuit board and adapted to span the printed circuit board. The elongated stiffener is adapted to have an open structure to minimize cooling flow disturbance and weight. The elongated stiffener includes a plurality of legs forming a truss-like structure. The stiffener supports the printed circuit board to resist bending and flexing stresses. In yet another embodiment, a combination of one or more stiffeners and one or more frames are provided such that the printed circuit board resists bending and flexing stresses.

Claims

1. A printed circuit board stiffener, comprising:

an elongated frame, the frame comprising a plurality of legs each having a lip, the legs positioned such that the frame has an inwardly extending lip, the frame further comprising one cross member, the legs and one cross member defining a rectangular aperture and a partial rectangular aperture, the frame further comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, the legs having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the legs defining an inwardly extending lip about one side such that the frame has and inwardly extending lip about the top side, the frame top side adapted to attachably receive a component and the frame bottom side adapted to attachably receive a printed circuit board.

2. The printed circuit board stiffener of claim 1, wherein the legs further comprising through-holes adapted to receive printed circuit board fastening means, and pilot holes adapted to receive component fastening means.