Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-19
2002-07-09
Schuberg, Darren (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S724000, C360S097010, C248S635000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06418012
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to an assembly for components, and more particularly, to an assembly for peripheral electronic components which may be mounted into a computer housing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Component assembly is commonly known in many different fields, particularly for internal mounting within the housing of electronics, such as computers. Computers are constructed in a manner which allows for internal mounting of peripheral electronic components, such as a CD-ROM (CD) or a Floppy Disk Drive (floppy), within the computer's housing. Conventional assembly and mounting approaches generally require several screws in order to secure a component to a chassis.
A conventional method may include the use of horizontal slide rails which are punched during molding at the side walls of a receiving space of a computer housing so that components may be slid into the receiving spaces. Several screws would then be used to pass from the outer walls of the housing into pre-formed holes and into the component itself, such as a disk drive, in order to secure the component into position. Other methods utilizing various types of carriers for holding a component must also use screws to attach the component to the carrier.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,768,099 by Radloff et al. entitled, “Computer With An Improved Disk Drive Mounting Assembly”, issued Jun. 16, 1998, illustrates a conventional component assembly approach.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of the embodiment of the conventional component assembly. As depicted in
FIG. 1
, a component
10
is attached to a housing side wall
12
using a support plate
14
having tabs
16
located on the support plate
14
. In this approach, tabs
16
engage the sides of a component
10
and two screws (not shown) are then used to secure the tabs
16
to each side of the component
10
by inserting them through mounting holes
20
. In this approach the assembly requires several screws to attach the component to the support plate.
Such a conventional mounting method which uses several screws in the component assembly process is problematic because the screws are quite small and generally difficult to handle during the assembly process. Additionally, many manufacturers do not keep a tool on the build line of the assembly process for the tiny screws. Therefore, conventional component assembly using several screws is time consuming, and expensive from a manufacturing standpoint.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,889 by Sacherman entitled, “Edge Connector For Securing A Mountable Electronic Component To A Device With Receiving Apertures For Edge Connector”, issued Dec. 24, 1996, an assembly is described which minimizes the number of screws required.
FIG. 2
a
is a perspective view of this conventional component assembly.
FIG. 2
b
is a cross sectional view of an arch holding a component of the component assembly of
FIG. 2
a
. Referring to
FIG. 2
a
, arch
120
has a convex surface
121
, a concave surface
122
, and two legs
123
. The arch
120
is engaged by applying force to the convex surface
121
so that legs
123
can be inserted into a carrier
150
and holes on the component. As shown in
FIG. 2
b
, once the force is removed from the convex surface
121
and the arch
120
is released, the two
123
of the arch
120
retract to secure the component
110
within the mounting holes
140
of component
110
.
This conventional assembly approach is problematic because the stability of the component assembly depends upon the tension of the arch which is formed by the concave and convex surfaces of the arch. Additionally, this assembly requires the use of either a pair of interlocking rails, or a carrier, in combination with two arches for attaching a component on each side.
Accordingly, what is needed is an improved component assembly which eliminates the use of the screws typically required to assemble components onto a mounting bracket and also allows for a very robust design when the assembly is mounted within a housing. The present invention addresses such a need.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A component assembly in accordance with the present invention is disclosed. In a first aspect, the assembly includes at least one component and a bracket for holding at least one component. The bracket has a first side, a second side, and formed features for holding at least one component to the first side of the bracket. The assembly includes a wire spring assembly for securing at least one component to the second side of the bracket.
In a second aspect, the component assembly comprises a first component and a second component. The component assembly further includes a bracket for holding. the first and second components on the first and second sides of the bracket. The first and second sides of the bracket are oppositely disposed to each other. The bracket includes formed features on the first and second sides for retaining the first and second components. The system further includes first and second wire spring assemblies on each of the first and second sides for securing the first and second components to the bracket.
Accordingly, an improved assembly for components and method for mounting is described which overcomes the problems of conventional component assembly and mounting methods. By providing an assembly for components utilizing an improved bracket designed with formed features, and a wire spring assembly, the use of screws associated with mounting the components are minimized. In addition, the components can be attached to the bracket quickly and easily. The assembly is less expensive since the number of parts necessary for assembly is reduced. Finally, the design of the bracket allows for a robust design when mounting the component assembly within a housing.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5229919 (1993-07-01), Chen
patent: 5587889 (1996-12-01), Sacherman
patent: 5599080 (1997-02-01), Ho
patent: 5680293 (1997-10-01), McAnally et al.
patent: 5682291 (1997-10-01), Jeffries et al.
patent: 5768099 (1998-06-01), Radloff et al.
patent: 5801920 (1998-09-01), Lee
patent: 5828547 (1998-10-01), Francovich et al.
patent: 5921644 (1999-07-01), Brunel et al.
patent: 6088221 (2000-07-01), Bolognia
patent: 6130817 (2000-10-01), Flotho et al.
patent: 19544186 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 29713122 (1997-07-01), None
Dials Edward N.
Dittus Karl K.
Huck Michael J.
King Ronald G.
Pail Suzanne E.
Duong Hung Van
Sawyer, Jr. Joseph A.
Schuberg Darren
LandOfFree
Assembly for components and method for mounting does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Assembly for components and method for mounting, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Assembly for components and method for mounting will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2868478