Screwless technique for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system

• US 6,141,222 A
• Filed: 10/23/1998
• Issued: 10/31/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Flextronics International PA, Inc. (Flex, Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Palo Alto Design Group
• Inventors: Toor, John, Curtis, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, TUNG M
• Application Number:
  US09/177,773
• Time in Patent Office: 739 Days
• Field of Search: 361/724, 361/725, 361/726, 361/727, 361/683, 361/686, 364/705.01, 364/708.1, 312/223.1, 312/223.2
• US Class Current: 361/726
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/14 Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack

Abstract

An improved apparatus for and method of attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system uses spring-urged protrusions to attach the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system without screws or other traditional hardware fasteners. Preferably, the spring-urged protrusions are configured to allow quick and easy installation and removal without the need for tools. Further, the apparatus is preferably configured to use standard mounting holes included in most peripheral electronic components. Therefore, the apparatus does not require costly custom modification for use with a variety of peripheral electronic components. More particularly, the apparatus is preferably electrically conductive to ground the chassis of the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system. In addition, the apparatus uses the spring-urged protrusions to reduce or eliminate the transmission of vibration between the peripheral electronic component and the electronic system. The apparatus preferably includes a manually operable mechanism for releasing the spring-urged protrusions to allow quick removal of the peripheral electronic component from the electronic system without the use of tools.

Claims

1. An apparatus for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system without screws, wherein the peripheral electronic component has an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations and the electronic system includes a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations, the apparatus comprising:

a bracket for mounting to a portion of the exterior enclosure, the bracket having an inside surface and an outside surface, a plurality of first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and for engaging the first apertures, wherein the first protrusions are spring urged toward the peripheral electronic component for mounting the bracket to the peripheral electronic component without screws and a plurality of second protrusions corresponding to the second locations and for engaging the second apertures, wherein the second protrusions are spring urged toward the electronic system for mounting the bracket and the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system without screws.

2. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a conduction means for electrically coupling the exterior enclosure to the electronic system.

3. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a toolless release means for removing the peripheral electronic component from the electronic system including a manually operable retractor for the second protrusions.

4. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first protrusions are inwardly spring urged and located on the inside surface and the second protrusions are outwardly spring urged and located on the outside surface.

5. An apparatus for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system without screws, wherein the peripheral electronic component has an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations and a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations and the electronic system includes a plurality of third apertures in predetermined third locations, the apparatus comprising:

a bracket for mounting to a portion of the exterior enclosure, the bracket having an inside surface and an outside surface, a plurality of first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and for engaging the first apertures, wherein the first protrusions are spring urged toward the peripheral electronic component for mounting the bracket to the peripheral electronic component without screws, a plurality of second protrusions positioned corresponding to the second locations and for engaging the second apertures, wherein the second protrusions are rigid and are directed toward the peripheral electronic component for mounting the bracket to the peripheral electronic without screws, and a plurality of third protrusions corresponding to the third locations and for engaging the third apertures, wherein the third protrusions are spring urged toward the electronic system for mounting the bracket and the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system without screws.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the second protrusions are located opposite the first protrusions whereby the second apertures and the second protrusions are pushed toward each other when the first protrusions are engaged in the first protrusions.

7. An apparatus for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system without screws, wherein the peripheral electronic component has an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations, the apparatus comprising:

a. a chassis for mounting in the electronic system, the chassis having a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations; and

b. a bracket for mounting to a portion of the exterior enclosure, the bracket having an inside surface and an outside surface, a plurality of first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and for engaging the first apertures, wherein the first protrusions are inwardly spring urged toward the peripheral electronic component for mounting the bracket to the peripheral electronic component without screws and a plurality of outwardly spring urged second protrusions corresponding to the second locations and for engaging the second apertures for mounting the bracket and the peripheral electronic component to the chassis without screws.

8. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a conduction means for electrically coupling the exterior enclosure to the electronic system.

9. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a toolless release means for removing the peripheral electronic component from the electronic system including a manually operable retractor for the second protrusions.

10. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the chassis includes a first wall and a second wall.

11. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein the second wall is oriented opposing and parallel to the first wall.

12. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 11, further comprising;

a. a horizontal edge on the bracket;

b. a tab-shaped protrusion on the bracket;

c. a C-shaped protrusion on the bracket;

d. a chassis protrusion on the first wall for supporting the horizontal edge;

e. an indentation on the first wall for accepting the tab-shaped protrusion; and

f. a tapered slot on the second wall for accepting the C-shaped protrusion.

13. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 12, further comprising at least two closely spaced tabs on the horizontal edge for engaging on each side of the chassis protrusion thereby reducing lateral movement of the bracket with respect to the chassis.

14. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 13, where the outwardly spring urged protrusion is configured to absorb vibration thereby reducing the transmission of vibration between the peripheral electronic component and the electronic system.

15. An apparatus for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, wherein the peripheral electronic component has an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations the apparatus comprising:

a. a chassis attached to the electronic system, the chassis having a first wall and a parallel opposing second wall, the first wall having a chassis protrusion and an indentation, the second wall having a tapered slot and a second aperture in a second predetermined location; and

b. a bracket coupled to the first wall and the second wall, the bracket having;

(1) a horizontal edge which rests on the chassis protrusion;

(2) a plurality of inwardly spring urged first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and for engaging the first apertures;

(3) an outwardly spring urged second protrusion positioned corresponding to the second location and for engaging the second aperture;

(4) a tab shaped protrusion which rests on the indentation; and

(5) a C-shaped protrusion which rests in the tapered slot.

16. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 15, wherein the horizontal edge further includes tabs closely located on either side of the chassis protrusion thereby reducing lateral movement of the bracket with respect to the chassis.

17. The apparatus, as claimed in claim 16, wherein the outwardly spring urged protrusion is configured to absorb vibration thereby reducing the transmission of vibration between the peripheral electronic component and the electronic system.

18. An apparatus for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, wherein the peripheral electronic component has an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations and a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations, the apparatus comprising:

a. a chassis attached to the electronic system, the chassis having a first wall and a parallel opposing second wall, the first wall having a chassis protrusion and an indentation, the second wall having a tapered slot and a third aperture in a third predetermined location; and

b. a bracket coupled to the first wall and the second wall, the bracket having;

(1) a horizontal edge which rests on the chassis protrusion;

(2) a plurality of inwardly spring urged first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and for engaging the first apertures;

(3) a plurality of inwardly directed second protrusions positioned corresponding to the second locations and for engaging the second apertures;

(4) an outwardly spring urged third protrusion positioned corresponding to the third location and for engaging the third aperture;

(5) a tab shaped protrusion which rests on the indentation; and

(6) a C-shaped protrusion which rests in the tapered slot.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the second protrusions are rigid relative to the bracket and are located opposite the first protrusions for and wherein the first protrusions are flexible relative to the bracket and configured for creating a spring force to urge the first protrusions and the second protrusions toward each other.

20. An improved peripheral electronic component for attaching to an electronic system without screws, wherein the electronic system includes a plurality of apertures in predetermined locations, the improved peripheral electronic component comprising:

an exterior enclosure having a plurality or protrusions positioned corresponding to the predetermined locations and for engaging the apertures, wherein the protrusions are outwardly spring-urged toward the electronic system for mounting the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system without screws.

21. The improved peripheral electronic component as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a conduction means for electrically coupling the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system.

22. The improved peripheral electronic component as claimed in claim 20, wherein the exterior enclosure further includes a toolless release means for removing the peripheral electronic component from the electronic system including a manually operable retractor for the protrusions.

23. An electronic subsystem for attaching to an electronic system without screws, wherein the electronic system includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations, the electronic subsystem comprising:

a. a peripheral electronic component with an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations; and

b. a bracket mounted to a portion of the exterior enclosure, the bracket having a plurality of first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and for engaging the first apertures.

24. The electronic subsystem, as claimed in claim 23, wherein the bracket is screwed to the exterior enclosure.

25. The electronic subsystem, as claimed in claim 23, wherein the bracket further includes a plurality of second protrusions corresponding to the second locations and engaging the second apertures wherein the second protrusions are spring urged toward the peripheral electronic component thereby mounting the peripheral electronic component to the bracket without screws.

26. An electronic system for attaching a peripheral electronic component using a bracket, wherein the peripheral electronic component includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations and the bracket includes a plurality of spring urged first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and a plurality of spring urged second protrusions positioned in predetermined second locations, the electronic system comprising a chassis having a plurality of second apertures positioned corresponding to the second locations and for engaging the second protrusions for mounting the bracket and the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system.

27. An electronic system for attaching a peripheral electronic component without screws, wherein the peripheral electronic component includes a plurality of apertures in predetermined locations, the electronic system comprising:

a. a chassis; and

b. a plurality of protrusions attached to the chassis, positioned corresponding to the locations and for engaging the apertures wherein the protrusions are spring urged toward the peripheral electronic component for mounting the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system without screws.

28. An electronic system comprising:

a. a peripheral electronic component including a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations;

b. a chassis including a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations; and

c. a bracket including;

(1) a plurality of first protrusions positioned corresponding to the first locations and engaging the first apertures wherein the first protrusions are spring urged toward the peripheral electronic component thereby attaching the bracket to the peripheral electronic component without screws; and

(2) a plurality of second protrusions positioned corresponding to the second locations and engaging the second apertures wherein the second protrusions are spring urged toward the chassis thereby attaching the peripheral electronic component and the bracket to the chassis without screws.

29. The electronic system, as claimed in claim 28, wherein the bracket further comprises:

a. a horizontal edge;

b. a tab-shaped protrusion attached to the bracket; and

c. a C-shaped protrusion attached to the bracket.

30. The electronic system, as claimed in claim 29, wherein the chassis further comprises:

a. a first wall attached to the chassis, the first wall including;

(1) a chassis protrusion supporting the horizontal edge; and

(2) an indentation engaged with the tab-shaped protrusion; and

b. a second wall attached to the chassis and positioned opposite and parallel to the first wall, the second wall including;

(1) a tapered slot for engaging the C-shaped protrusions; and

(2) wherein the second protrusions are provided on the second wall of the chassis.

31. An electronic system comprising:

a. a chassis including a plurality of apertures in predetermined locations; and

b. a peripheral electronic component including a plurality of protrusions positioned corresponding to the locations and engaging the apertures, wherein the protrusions are spring urged toward the chassis thereby attaching the peripheral electronic component to the chassis without screws.

32. An improved method of attaching a peripheral electronic component to a bracket without screws wherein the peripheral electronic component has an exterior enclosure which includes a plurality of apertures in predetermined locations and the bracket includes a plurality of inwardly spring urged protrusions corresponding to the locations, the improved method comprising the steps of:

a. retracting the spring urged protrusions;

b. aligning the spring urged protrusions with the apertures; and

c. releasing the spring urged protrusions into the apertures.

33. An improved method of attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system without screws, the peripheral electronic component having a plurality of first apertures at predetermined first locations, and the electronic system having a plurality of second apertures at predetermined second locations, the improved method comprising the steps of:

a. providing a bracket having a plurality of inwardly spring urged first protrusions corresponding to the first locations and a plurality of outwardly spring urged second protrusions corresponding to the second locations

b. retracting the first protrusions;

c. aligning the first protrusions with the first apertures;

d. releasing the first protrusions into the first apertures, thereby attaching the bracket to the peripheral electronic component;

e. aligning the bracket in the electronic system; and

f. rotating the bracket past a position where the second protrusions are retracted and inserted into the second apertures, thereby attaching the peripheral electronic component with the bracket attached to the electronic system.

34. The improved method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising the step of electrically coupling the peripheral electronic component to the electronic system.

35. The improved method as claimed in claim 33, further comprising the step of removing the peripheral electronic component with the bracket attached from the electronic system by retracting the second protrusions and removing the second protrusions from the second apertures.

36. An improved method of attaching an electronic subsystem to an electronic system without screws, the electrical subsystem having a plurality of outwardly spring-urged protrusions in predetermined locations and the electrical system having a plurality of apertures corresponding to the locations, the improved method comprising the steps of:

a. aligning the electronic subsystem within the electronic system;

b. retracting the outwardly spring-urged protrusions; and

c. releasing the outwardly spring-urged protrusions into the apertures.

37. The improved method as claimed in claim 36, wherein the step of retracting the outwardly spring urged protrusions comprised the step of rotating the electronic subsystem past a position where the outwardly spring urged protrusions are retracted and inserted into the apertures.

38. The improved method as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the steps of retracting the outwardly spring-urged protrusions and removing the outwardly spring-urged protrusions from the apertures to remove the electronic subsystem from the electronic system.

39. A computer comprising:

a. a peripheral electronic component including a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations and a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations;

b. a chassis comprising;

(1) a first wall attached to the chassis including at least one indentation and at least one chassis protrusion; and

(2) a second wall attached to the chassis and oriented parallel and opposing the first wall including at least one tapered slot and a plurality of third apertures in predetermined third locations; and

c. a bracket including an inside surface and an outside surface and comprising;

(1) a bracket body including a horizontal edge with at least two closely spaced tabs corresponding in position to and engaging around the chassis protrusion, at least one tab-shaped protrusion corresponding in position to and engaging the indentation, at least one C-shaped protrusion positioned corresponding to and engaging the tapered slot, at least one notch, at least one opening and a plurality of inwardly directed first protrusions corresponding in location to the first locations and engaging the first apertures;

(2) a spring clip attached to the bracket body comprising a plurality of inwardly directed second protrusions positioned corresponding to the second locations and engaging the second apertures, at least one attachment protrusion corresponding in position to and engaging the opening, at least one L-shaped tab positioned corresponding to and engaging the notch, at least one inward spring portion, at least one outward spring portion and a plurality of outwardly spring urged third protrusions positioned on the outward spring portion corresponding to the third locations and engaging the third apertures; and

(3) a manually operable release means attached to the spring clip for retracting the outward spring portion to disengage the third protrusions from the third apertures thereby releasing the peripheral electronic component with the bracket attached from the chassis of the computer.

40. A bracket for attaching a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system wherein the peripheral electronic component includes a plurality of first apertures in predetermined first locations and a plurality of second apertures in predetermined second locations and the electronic system includes a plurality of third apertures in predetermined third locations, the bracket comprising:

a. a bracket body having an inside surface and an outside surface and including;

(1) a horizontal edge with at least two closely spaced tabs;

(2) at least one tab-shaped protrusion;

(3) at least one C-shaped protrusion;

(4) at least one notch;

(5) at least one opening; and

(6) a plurality of inwardly directed first protrusions corresponding in location to the first locations and engaging the first apertures for attaching the peripheral electronic component to the bracket;

b. a spring clip attached to the bracket body comprising;

(1) a plurality of inwardly directed second protrusions positioned corresponding to the second locations and engaging the second apertures for attaching the bracket to the peripheral electronic component;

(2) at least one attachment protrusion corresponding in position to and engaging the opening;

(3) at least one L-shaped tab positioned corresponding to and engaging the notch;

(4) at least one inward spring portion;

(5) at least one outward spring portion; and

(6) a plurality of outwardly spring urged third protrusions positioned on the outward spring portion corresponding to the third locations and engaging the third apertures for mounting the peripheral electronic component and the bracket to the electronic system; and

c. a manually operable release means attached to the spring clip for retracting the outward spring portion to disengage the third protrusions from the third apertures thereby releasing the peripheral electronic component with the bracket attached from the chassis of the computer.