Joints and connections – Having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-10
2001-08-28
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Having a joining piece extending through aligned openings in...
C403S326000, C248S222110, C361S709000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06280116
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a fixing device, and particularly to a fixing device for attaching a heat sink to a CPU package, supporting the heat sink on a circuit board and preventing vibration of the heat sink during operation.
During operation of a computer, excessive heat is generated by electrical elements thereof. Since the processing speed of a CPU is increasing, more heat is generated. Thus, cooling the CPU package is an important consideration facing computer designers. Generally, a heat sink is employed to dissipate heat generated by the CPU package. The more heat generated, the larger the heat sink required. A fixing device is commonly used to attach the heat sink to the CPU package, support the heat sink on a circuit board and prevent vibration of the heat sink during operation.
A conventional fixing device comprises a first locking member, a second locking member and a pair of locking nuts. Generally, a pair of positioning posts is formed on a bottom surface of the second locking member, and the conventional positioning post is hollow. Each positioning post has a uniform inner diameter and engages a corresponding locking hole of a circuit board. The positioning post cannot provide adequate interference with the locking hole when engaging with a locking nut. Thus, vibration of the heat sink results during operation.
Thus, there is a need for an improved fixing device for reliably attaching a heat sink to a CPU package.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A main object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device for engaging with a circuit board and securely attaching a heat sink to a CPU package.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a fixing device for preventing vibration of the heat sink during operation.
To fulfill the above-mentioned object, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a fixing device comprises a first locking member, a second locking member and a pair of locking nuts. The first locking member includes a base portion, four engaging posts and a pair of positioning posts. A pair of platforms is formed on lateral ends of the base portion. Each platform forms a locking hole for receiving the corresponding locking nut. Rotation of the locking nut is limited by the platform to ensure proper positioning of a cap of the locking nut. The engaging posts are equidistantly disposed on the base portion, and each engaging post forms a circular neck. Each positioning post downwardly extends from the corresponding platform, and has a hollow body communicating with the receiving hole. A slot is formed in each positioning post. Each positioning post has an upper portion defining a hole having a diameter larger than that defined by a lower portion of the positioning post. A subulate portion is formed on a bottom of each positioning post for engaging with the circuit board.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2941439 (1960-06-01), Rapata
patent: 3078064 (1963-02-01), Turnbull
patent: 3148578 (1964-09-01), Gapp
patent: 3765295 (1973-10-01), Ptak
patent: 4579473 (1986-04-01), Brugger
patent: 5054977 (1991-10-01), Schultz
patent: 5748446 (1998-05-01), Feightner et al.
patent: 6104614 (2000-08-01), Chou et al.
Chung Wei Te
Hon Hai - Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
Kim Harry C.
LandOfFree
Fixing device does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fixing device, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fixing device will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2491873