Supports – Miscellaneous
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-05
2001-04-17
Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)
Supports
Miscellaneous
C361S689000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216999
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to mechanical mounting structures, and more particularly to a floating mount for attaching a device to a chassis, and for facilitating the alignment of the device with another structure fixed with respect to the chassis.
2. Description of the Background Art
In modern manufacturing processes, products are typically manufactured of individual components which must be assembled into a final product. For example, a television set includes a cathode ray tube (CRT), speakers, electronic circuits, and user controls. These components are mounted to one or more sub-chassis, which are then interconnected and enclosed in a housing. For both aesthetic and functional reasons, the CRT, the speakers, and the user controls must be properly aligned with associated openings in the housing.
Because mechanical tolerances are cumulative, the problem of aligning the various components with the housing is exacerbated as the number of sub-chassis increases. For example, if the user controls are mounted to a first sub-chassis with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm, then the first sub-chassis is mounted to a main chassis (e.g., with the rest of the electronic circuits) with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm, and then the main chassis is mounted in the housing with a tolerance of ±0.5 mm, the result is that the tolerance between the user controls and the housing through which they protrude adds to ±1.5 mm.
Such cumulative tolerances often preclude otherwise desirable and advantageous assembly processes. What is needed is a mount for attaching a device (e.g., user controls) to a chassis which facilitates easy alignment of the device with respect to another structure (e.g., an external housing) mounted to the chassis.
SUMMARY
The present invention overcomes the problems of the prior art by providing a floating mount for attaching a device (e.g., a CD ROM drive) to a chassis, and for facilitating the alignment of the device with respect to another structure (e.g., a housing bezel). The floating mount includes a biasing member (e.g., a spring) fixed to the chassis, and a carrier to which the device is mounted.
The carrier includes an engaging portion for engaging the biasing member, and an aligning surface for abutting a complementary aligning surface of the other structure. The biasing member exerts a retaining force on the carrier, urging the carrier in the direction of the other structure. When the chassis is fixed with respect to the other structure, the other structure exerts an aligning force on the carrier. The aligning force is sufficient to overcome the retaining force, and displaces the carrier and the mounted device into proper alignment along a first direction with the other structure. Optionally, the aligning surface of the carrier plate includes a non-planar surface (e.g., a tapered aperture), which cooperates with an associated surface (e.g., a cruciform projection) of the other structure to align the device with the other structure, along a second direction and along a third direction.
In a particular embodiment, the carrier includes a retainer (e.g., a hook), and the chassis includes a complementary retainer (e.g., a slot). Together, the retainer and the complementary retainer hold the carrier in the chassis.
In another particular embodiment, the floating mount includes a support member (e.g., a leaf spring) disposed to transfer at least a portion of the weight of said device to said chassis.
A method for assembling a system is also disclosed. The method includes providing a chassis with a biasing member and a retainer; providing a carrier with an engaging portion and a complementary retainer; mounting a device to the carrier; positioning the carrier into the chassis such that the engaging portion engages the biasing member; aligning the retainer of the chassis with the complementary retainer of the carrier; and releasing the carrier such that the biasing member displaces the carrier, moving the retainer into engagement with the complementary retainer. In a more particular method, the carrier includes an aligning surface, and the method further includes mounting the chassis to another structure with a complementary aligning surface, so that the complementary aligning surface engages the aligning surface, moving the carrier into proper alignment with the other structure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5124887 (1992-06-01), Kobayashi
patent: 5397462 (1995-03-01), Higashijima et al.
patent: 5548480 (1996-08-01), Rudi et al.
patent: 5712761 (1998-01-01), Dials et al.
patent: 5748453 (1998-05-01), Carney et al.
patent: 5995365 (1999-11-01), Broder et al.
patent: 5999416 (1999-12-01), McAnally et al.
patent: 6053586 (2000-04-01), Cook et al.
patent: 6056280 (2000-05-01), Dials et al.
Hoenig David V.
Novak Christopher J.
Olson Robert Norman
Sudderth Brian Thomas
Walters Glen T.
Apple Computer Inc.
Henneman & Saunders
Henneman, Jr. Larry E.
Ramirez Ramon O.
Szumny Jon
LandOfFree
Floating mount and method for mounting a device to a chassis... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Floating mount and method for mounting a device to a chassis..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Floating mount and method for mounting a device to a chassis... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2494538