Clamp for securing an encased power frame to a heat sink

Claim 1

In combination, a thermally conductive plate, a semi-conductor device resting on said plate in heat-transmitting contact therewith, and a clamp securing said device to said plate; said device comprising a lead frame embedded in a four-sided resinous block and connected within said block to an IC chip, said chip being in contact with a metallic strip which has a plate-contacting lower surface substantially flush with the underside of said block, said device further including a set of conductors electrically connected to said frame and provided with elongate portions projecting from one side of said block remote from said strip; said clamp comprising a body of resilient sheet metal forming a four-sided base offset from said block with legs bent down on three sides of said base to rest on said plate on a side of said block opposite said remote side thereof, said body being further provided with a stepped tongue extending integrally from the fourth side of said base toward said remote side of said block, said tongue having a rising part substantially perpendicular to said base at said fourth side and a free extremity substantially parallel to said base, the latter having an aperture traversed by a fastener engaging said plate, said extremity overlying said block in cantilevered fashion and having a downward projection bearing upon said block for holding said strip in firm contact with said plate.