Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2002-01-16
2003-06-17
Martin, David (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S747000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06580607
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
Many electronic apparatus have modular type components which are mounted in a mounting bracket of the electronic apparatus. An example of such an electronic apparatus is a so called “rack mount” computer system in which various electronic components mounted on pairs of rails are slid into a rack unit which supports and grounds the components and also electrically connects the components to the rest of the computer system. Another example is an automotive electrical system which has exchangeable stereo, compact disk drive, and tape deck units. The units are mounted on rails and slide into and out of a bracket mounted on the car dash board. When fully inserted a unit is electrically connected to the automotive electrical system.
The rails attached to electronic components have traditionally been attached by screws received in threaded bores in the sidewalls of the electronic components. Other means for attaching rails to electronic components are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,889, issued Dec. 24, 1996 of Sacherman and U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,949, issued Sep. 15, 1998 of Johnson, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all that is disclose therein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment the invention comprises an electronic apparatus including: an electronic component; a rail member positioned adjacent the electronic component; an elongated resilient member extending through the rail member and having an intermediate portion and having first and second end portions engaging the electronic component and applying opposite, outwardly directed forces thereto.
In another embodiment the invention comprises a device for attaching a rack mount slide rail to an electronic component having a pair of spaced apart apertures on one side thereof including: a unitary wire member having a first end portion and a second end portion sized to be received in the spaced apart apertures; the wire member having an unstressed operating state wherein the first and second end portions are spaced apart at a distance greater than the distance between the apertures and having an elastically strained operating state wherein the first and second end portions are spaced apart at substantially the same distance as the distance between the apertures.
In another embodiment the invention comprises a guide rail assembly for use in mounting an electronic component to an electronic apparatus including: an elongated resilient guide rail member having first and second apertures therein; a generally U-shaped wire member having an elongated central body portion and outwardly flared arm portions, the arm portions being received in the first and second apertures.
In another embodiment the invention comprises a method of mounting a rack mount slide rail to an electronic component comprising: attaching an elongated resilient member to the slide rail; elastically inwardly displacing opposite end portions of the resilient member; inserting the elastically inwardly displaced end portions of the resilient member into apertures in the electronic component.
In another embodiment the invention comprises a method of mounting an electronic component in an electrical system including: attaching an elongated resilient member to a slide rail; applying a deforming force to elastically inwardly displace opposite end portions of the resilient member; inserting the inwardly displaced end portions of the resilient member into apertures in the electronic component; releasing the deforming force so that the end portions deflect outwardly and engage the side walls of the apertures applying outwardly directed force thereto.
In another embodiment the invention comprises an electronic apparatus including: means for receiving at least one electronic components therein; means for slidingly supporting an electronic component received in the means for receiving; means for tensioningly engaging the electronic component for attaching the component to the means for slidingly supporting the component.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5112119 (1992-05-01), Cooke et al.
patent: 5587889 (1996-12-01), Sacherman
patent: 5806949 (1998-09-01), Johnson
patent: 6275377 (2001-08-01), Liu et al.
patent: 6330147 (2001-12-01), Adams et al.
patent: 6418012 (2002-07-01), Dials et al.
patent: 6469889 (2002-10-01), Gan
patent: 6473300 (2002-10-01), Youngquist et al.
Hewlett--Packard Development Company, L.P.
Martin David
Vu Phuong T.
LandOfFree
Electronic component mounting assembly and portions thereof does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Electronic component mounting assembly and portions thereof, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic component mounting assembly and portions thereof will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3147293