Dell USA L P

Other

Gilberto Hernandez

Erica J Scholder

John A Jeffries

Stephen C Cook

Robert D Hrehor, Jr

Daniel L Bouvier

Andrew Lafayette McAnally

Russell Conley Smith

Richard Eddings

Doug Thompson

David Hernandez

A method and apparatus is described for mounting a component in a computer chassis. The present embodiment includes an embodiment in which the component is associated with a heat sink. A mounting bracket, including at least one slot, is disposed on a component. At least one fastener affixes the mounting bracket and component to the chassis. In an alternative embodiment, the component can be secured to an interposer plate affixed to the chassis. The plate includes threaded openings for engaging the fasteners. A second supporting means engages the mounting bracket also. In the present embodiment, the second supporting means is a cover including at least one tab. When the cover is coupled with the chassis, the tabs align with and engage the slots of the mounting bracket. A guide is described for aligning an electrical connector of the component with a corresponding connector of the computer, wherein the connectors make the electrical connection as the component is secured to the chassis.

Method and apparatus for mounting a component and heat sink

Method and apparatus for articulating a power supply in a computer

A bracket support includes a chassis and a bracket movably mounted in the chassis. A locking tab is mounted on the bracket and is movable between an engaged position with the chassis and a released position with the chassis. A door is mounted on a surface of the chassis and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a tab securing slot. An arm extends from the door. The door urges the locking tab to the engaged position when the door is in the closed position. The arm moves the locking tab to the released position and partially extracts the bracket from the chassis when the door is moved to the open position. The tab securing slot secures the locking tab into the engaged position when the door is in the closed position.

Screwless front loading hard drive bracket

A return device for an electronic system push button. The return device includes a torsion bar for storing torsion energy when a push button is moved from a non actuating position to an actuating position. The return device includes an arm extending from the torsion bar for receiving a user generated force on the push button and for providing a return force for the push button. One end is rotatably coupled to a housing panel and the other end is coupled to the panel to restrict rotation of the end with respect to the housing. In one example of a return device, the push button and an actuator are fixably coupled to the arm. The return device can be used with a variety of push buttons which perform different operations for an electronic system. For example, a return device may be utilized with a push button that actuates a panel retention mechanism of a housing.

Torsion enhanced return device for electronic system push button

A computer having a retention module connected to the circuit board of the module for receiving a cartridge containing a microprocessor. The retention module has a base member for mounting to the chassis, and a retention member formed integrally with the base member for receiving a nut for engaging a post on the chassis to mechanically connect the retention module to the chassis. The retention member retains the nut and aligns the nut with the post when the retention module is placed on the chassis prior to the nut being threadedly connected to the post.

Method and apparatus for mounting a microprocessor module in a computer

A computer chassis includes a circuit board. A locating clip is mounted on the circuit board. The clip includes a first planar portion having a first fastener opening. A circuit board gripping leg extends from a terminal end of the first planar portion and is inserted into a receiver slot in the circuit board. A second portion of the clip is connected to extend from the first clip portion at an angular disposition. The second clip portion has a fastener portion including a second fastener opening. A fastener advanced through the first and second fastener openings, through the board and into the chassis, urges the first planar portion and the board to move relative to the second clip portion and the fastener.

Circuit board locating clip

A computer system includes a chassis and a support member mounted on the chassis. A heat sink is mounted on the support member. A resilient retainer is captively mounted on the heat sink and a fastener member is captively supported by the resilient retainer and removably secured to the support member. The retainer is a continuous strip of resilient material including fastener guide members and a fastener retention member. The fastener guide members include a first guide member aligned with a second guide member. The fastener retention member includes a slot aligned with the fastener guide members. Gripping members are provided to snap into engagement with the heat sink. The fastener member extends through the guides and the retention member and engages the support member.

Heat sink fastener retention apparatus and method for computer systems

A fan/finger guard assembly for a computer, or other types of electronic equipment in which a housing is provided for receiving a fan rotor and a motor and having at least one opening extending therethrough. The housing extends between, and in abutment with, a mounting plate attached to a wall of the enclosure and a finger guard for covering the fan rotor. At least one locking member extends from the mounting member and into the opening in the housing, and at least one locking member extends from the finger guard and into the opening in the housing and in engagement with the locking member of the of mounting plate. As a result, the assembly is locked to the wall of the enclosure.

Integrated cooling fan and finger guard assembly

A multi-positionable power supply mounting hinge device includes first and second chassis members. The second chassis member is movably connected to the first chassis member. A bracket is fixedly mounted on the first chassis member. A flexible hinge detent member is connected to the second chassis member and extends to movably engage the bracket. The hinge detent member includes a wavy surface of sequentially variable protrusions and depressions. The wavy surface is in continuous friction engagement with the bracket in response to the hinge member being deflected when the second chassis member is moved relative to the first chassis member.

Hinge detent mechanism in a computer system

An apparatus for the suspension of computer expansion cards away from a system planar in a computer chassis. The apparatus includes a card, an interface plate secured to the card, the interface plate having an opening, and a hanger extending from the chassis such that the hanger engages the interface plate through the opening to support the card away from the planar when the card is disconnected from the planar. The opening in the interface plate may have a first portion and a second portion, where the hanger engages the interface plate through the first portion of the opening and secures the interface plate to the chassis when the card is connected to the planar, and the hanger engages the interface plate through the second portion of the opening to support the card away from the planar when the card is disconnected from the planar. Alternatively, the interface plate may be omitted with the opening being placed in the expansion card.

Computer apparatus for suspension of computer expansion cards

A generally plate-shaped adapter device has an inner edge portion with spaced bosses thereon that may be snapped into tooling holes in a printed circuit board which is smaller than the circuit board originally designed to be secured to mounting portions formed on a computer chassis wall. The in-place adapter device forms an outward edgewise extension of the smaller circuit board and has an outer edge portion positioned and configured to cooperate with the chassis board mounting structure in a manner permitting the reduced size printed circuit board to be operatively mounted on the chassis wall without modification of its board mounting structure.

Adapter apparatus for use in connecting a printed circuit board to a

A webbed boss is integrally formed on and projects outwardly from the nominal surface of a wall portion of an injection molded plastic part and has a specially designed cross-section along its length that increases the strength of the boss, in both bending and twisting modes, without increasing the tendency of creating a sink mark on the cosmetic side surface of the wall portion beneath the boss. Representatively, along its length the boss has a generally cross-shaped cross section defined by four webs that meet, at inner cross-sectional ends thereof, at a square junction area of the boss. Each boss has an outer side edge portion with a thickness at the nominal wall side surface of about 60% of the wall portion thickness. From such outer side edge portion, the opposite sides of each of the bosses taper inwardly to the junction area in a manner such that the maximum thickness of the junction area parallel to the nominal side surface is about 60% of the wall portion thickness.

Growing community of inventors

Pflugerville, TX, United States of America

Gilberto Hernandez