Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-17
2004-03-30
Martin, David (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S801000, C361S802000, C439S717000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06714417
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a module holder.
2. Background of the Related Art
In general, various types of equipment, such as communication equipment, include circuit boards classified by their functions and in the form of modules or units electrically connected to a common bus for transmitting data. In such equipment, each module or unit required for each function is detachably mounted on/in a holder and connected to the common bus, so that the module or the unit can be easily attached or removed.
In the case of large-scale equipment, the holder is provided in the form of a rack or racks in a cabinet. Meanwhile, in the case of small-scale equipment, a module holder is used so that the equipment can be easily installed at a desk.
The module holder in accordance with a conventional art will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a conventional module holder.
FIG. 2
is a drawing illustrating a state in which a module is mounted using the conventional module holder of FIG.
1
.
The conventional module holder includes a slot unit
104
configured to receive a plurality of modules
102
at an upper portion thereof and to be electrically connected to each of the modules. A first foot
106
is formed at one end of the slot unit
104
and extends in a vertical direction supporting one side of a module
102
. A second foot
112
is formed at another end of the slot unit
104
and extends in a vertical direction. The second foot
112
has a through hole
108
at a central portion thereof. An operating rod
114
for fixing the plurality of modules
102
is linearly and movably inserted into the through hole
108
of the second foot
112
and is aligned with an upper portion of the slot unit
104
. A coil spring
116
configured to be inserted between the operating rod
114
and the second foot
112
provides an elastic force that presses the operating rod
114
in the direction of the first foot
106
.
The slot unit
104
is formed with a maximum size anticipating the maximum number of modules
102
to be mounted therein. The stopper
110
is integrally formed with the second foot
112
, so as to prevent the operating rod
114
from releasing due to the elastic force of the coil spring
116
and to lock the position of the operating rod
114
.
The operation of the module holder constructed as described above will now be explained.
FIG. 2
is a drawing illustrating a state in which a module is mounted using the conventional module holder of FIG.
1
.
An adequate number of modules
102
required for construction of a system are mounted at an upper surface of the slot unit
104
. That is, as many modules as are required are sequentially mounted from the first foot
106
. And then, when the operating rod
114
is released from a locked position by operating the stopper
110
, the operating rod
114
is linearly moved due to the elastic force of the coil spring
116
and is supported at a side of the modules
102
mounted in the slot unit
105
, to thereby fix the modules
102
in place.
At this time, the operating rod
114
supports the module
102
due to the elastic force of the coil spring
116
. If an external force stronger than the elastic force of the coil spring
116
is applied, the stopper
110
locks the operating rod
114
so as to prevent the modules
102
from being released.
However, the conventional module holder has the following problems. That is, the maximum number of modules to be mounted therein must be predicted in designing the pertinent equipment and the module holder must be formed to a suitable size. Thus, the equipment occupies a large amount of space, and accordingly, a space utilization of the equipment is degraded.
In addition, since the slot unit must be formed to have a maximum size so that it can hold an adequate number of modules, the slot unit is enlarged in its size and fabrication cost is increased.
The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to solve at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described hereinafter.
Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a module holder that is capable of minimizing a space occupied by the equipment, increasing a space utilization of the equipment and minimizing fabrication cost.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a module holder according to an embodiment of the invention is provided which includes a first foot for supporting one side of a module, a second foot for supporting another side of a module, and at least one slot detachably assembled between the first foot and the second foot. The at least one slot may comprise a plurality of slots. As many slots may be provided as are modules to be detachably assembled and mounted.
In a module holder according to an embodiment of the invention, an engaging unit may be formed between the first foot and the at least one slot, and between the at least one slot and the second foot which fixes each component detachably. The engaging unit may include a first engaging portion formed on an inner side of the first foot and being detachably engaged with one side of the at least one slot, a second engaging portion formed on one side of the at least one slot and being detachably engageable with the first engaging portion, a third engaging portion formed on another side of the at least one slot, and being detachably engageable with the second foot or being engaged with the second engaging portion, and a fourth engaging portion being formed at an inner side of the second foot and being detachably engageable with the third engaging portion.
Further, the first engaging portion may include a plurality of hooks which protrude at regular intervals in a longitudinal direction at the side of the first foot which contacts the at least one slot, and engaging holes formed between the hooks. The second engaging portion may include hooks, which protrude at one side of the at least one slot, configured to engage with the engaging holes of the first engaging portion so as to be inserted into the engaging holes of the first engaging portion, and engaging holes, which are formed between the hooks, configured to engaged with the hooks of the first engaging portion so that the hooks of the first engaging portion can be inserted therein. Each hook may protrude at a right angle from the inner side of the first foot, the second foot, and both sides of the at least one slot, and may be bent at a right angle downwardly from the end portion. The engaging hole may include a large insertion portion in which the hook is inserted and a small hooking portion in which the hook is insertedly combined.
The third engaging portion may be formed having the same structure as that of the first engaging portion. The fourth engaging portion may be formed having the same structure as that of the second engaging portion.
In a module holder according to an embodiment of the invention, a position fixing unit may be provided between the first foot and the at least one slot, and between the at least one slot and the second foot, so as to fix an assembled position when they are assembled by the engaging unit. The position fixing unit may include a position fixing protrusion and position fixing groove that are configured to mate with each other when parts are assembled, provided between the first foot, the second foot, and the at least one slot.
In a module holder according to an embodiment of the invention, the first foot and the second foot may be formed in such a manner that one side which supports a module is planar and the other side is sloped gradually widening toward the bottom so as to stably support a module.
In a module holder according to an embodiment of the invention, the at le
Fleshner & Kim LLP
LG Electronics Inc.
Martin David
Phan Thanh S.
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