Fastener with integral spring clip

Supports – Brackets – Specially mounted or attached

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C248S226110, C248S227200, C248S231410, C248S300000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06189848

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fasteners, and more particularly to a fastener with an integral spring clip for use in reducing electromagnetic interference emissions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic equipment, particularly in the field of telecommunications, is generally housed within a chassis which is positioned on a shelf within a rack. The equipment, such as, for example, rectifiers may generate undesirable electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions which can be reduced by utilizing a gasket strip attached to the chassis to ensure good metal to metal contact between the chassis and the shelf. The strip is compressed by the weight of the chassis when inserted onto the shelf. In the case of a shelf not having a top, it is not possible to sufficiently press the gasket under the weight of the chassis, resulting in insufficient contact between the chassis and shelf to provide insufficient EMI emission reduction. Further, in the case of a topless shelf, there is insufficient vertical restraint on the chassis, such that the chassis is not properly mounted to the shelf.
A need thus exists for a fastener for providing sufficient EMI contact pressure and vertical restraint between a chassis and a shelf of an electronic equipment rack to prevent vertical movement of the chassis on the shelf. Additionally, a need has arisen for a fastener for mounting a panel to the chassis wherein the panel may include, such as for example, a fan.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a fastener for removably attaching a housing to a shelf having an edge portion, wherein the housing includes a bottom panel having an edge portion is provided. The fastener includes a base having an upper surface and a lower surface adapted for connection to the bottom panel of the housing at the edge portion of the housing. The base includes a front edge and a rear edge. The base further includes a portion extending from the base front edge and turned under the base and being spaced apart from and disposed adjacent to the lower surface of the base to form a spring clip for engaging the shelf edge portion between the base lower surface and the portion extending from the base front edge.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, in a conductive shelf and housing combination wherein the housing is supported by the shelf with a fastener removably attached to a portion of the housing and mountable with the housing on a portion of the shelf in electrical contact with the housing and the shelf, the housing having an edge portion formed from a bottom panel and the housing having a space above the bottom panel for mounting electrical components therein, an improved fastener is provided. The fastener includes a conductive elongated base having an upper surface adapted for connection in support of the bottom panel mounted at the edge portion of the housing. The elongated base includes a lower surface which faces away from the bottom panel. A portion of the elongated base extends away from the edge portion of the housing and is turned under the base to face the lower surface of the base and form a clip which removable positions the housing in electrical contact with the shelf.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a system for reducing electromagnetic interference emissions is provided. The system includes a housing having a bottom panel having an edge portion. An electrically conductive shelf is provided for supporting the housing. An electrically conductive fastener selectively attaches the housing to the shelf along the edge portion of the shelf. The fastener includes a base having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge portion and a rear edge portion. The upper surface of the base is disposed adjacent to the bottom panel, and the lower surface of the base is disposed adjacent to the shelf. The front edge portion of the base is disposed adjacent to the housing edge portion. The base includes a portion extending from the front edge portion and is turned under the base and is spaced apart from and disposed adjacent to the lower surface to form a clip for engaging the shelf edge portion between the base lower surface and the portion extending from the base front edge to thereby mount the housing to the shelf and such that the fastener provides electromagnetic interference emission coupling between the housing and the shelf.


REFERENCES:
patent: 1939086 (1933-12-01), Shafer, Jr.
patent: 2809004 (1957-10-01), Kaufman et al.
patent: 3035803 (1962-05-01), Miller
patent: 3921253 (1975-11-01), Nelson
patent: 5676486 (1997-10-01), Keith
patent: 6073896 (2000-06-01), McFadden
patent: 6094347 (2000-07-01), Bhatia

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