US5457608A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable printed circuit board mounting appartus
Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1993-10-28
•
Granted: 1995-10-10
•
Expires: 2013-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A printed circuit board mounting apparatus for securing a printed circuit board within a chassis includes a track affixable to the chassis and a locking mechanism affixable to the printed circuit board. The track, which includes a plurality of locking points, is slidably received within the locking mechanism, which engages the track at any of the several locking points to secure the track within the locking mechanism. The mounting apparatus described herein enables the chassis to accommodate printed circuit boards of different sizes without mechanical modification of the chassis.
Inventors
- 👤 Erica Scholder
- 👤 Karl Steffes
- 👤 Robert Garrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 07:52
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
Adjustable apparatus for mounting a printed circuit board within a chassis, comprising: a track attachable to a chassis, said track defining a plurality of locking points; a locking mechanism attachable to a printed circuit board for locking onto said track at one of the plurality of locking points; wherein said locking means comprises: a housing with an opening for receiving and slidably embracing said track; and arms for releasably grasping said track at one of the plurality of locking points.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
Adjustable apparatus for mounting a printed circuit board within a chassis, comprising: a track attachable to a chassis, said track defining a plurality of locking points; a locking mechanism attachable to a printed circuit board for locking onto said track at one of the plurality of locking points; wherein said locking means comprises: a housing with an opening for receiving and slidably embracing said track; and arms for releasably grasping said track at one of the plurality of locking points.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said track comprises an elongated member having a plurality of pairs of notches formed therein, the notches of each such pair being formed on opposing sides of said elongated member and defining a locking point.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for securing a printed circuit board within a chassis, comprising: track means affixable to a chassis and including an elongated member having a plurality of pairs of notches formed therein, the notches of each such pair being formed on opposing sides of said elongated member; and engaging means affixable to a printed circuit board for engaging said track means, said engaging means including means for slidably receiving said track means and means for releasably gripping a pair of notches in said track means, whereby said apparatus is capable of securing the printed circuit board at a plurality of different positions relative to the chassis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for securing a printed circuit board within a chassis, comprising: track means affixable to a chassis and including an elongated member having a plurality of pairs of notches formed therein, the notches of each such pair being formed on opposing sides of said elongated member; and engaging means affixable to a printed circuit board for engaging said track means, said engaging means including means for slidably receiving said track means and means for releasably gripping a pair of notches in said track means, whereby said apparatus is capable of securing the printed circuit board at a plurality of different positions relative to the chassis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said track means further comprises a base portion, including, means for attaching said track means to the chassis, and means for spacing the elongated member away from the chassis, whereby the elongated member is slidably receivable within said track means without interference by the chassis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said receiving means comprises a housing member having a slot therethrough for embracing on at least three sides a portion of said track means received therein.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said gripping means comprises a pair of arms adapted for pivotal motion into and out of engagement with a pair of notches in said track means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said engaging means is formed of a plastic material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said track means is formed of a plastic material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said track means is formed integrally with the chassis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
84 words
Adjustable apparatus for mounting a printed circuit board within a chassis, comprising: a track attachable to a chassis, said track defining a plurality of locking points; a locking mechanism attachable to a printed circuit board for locking onto said track at one of the plurality of locking points; wherein said track comprises an elongated member having a plurality of pairs of notches formed therein, the notches of each such pair being formed on opposing sides of said elongated member and defining a locking point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
84 words
Adjustable apparatus for mounting a printed circuit board within a chassis, comprising: a track attachable to a chassis, said track defining a plurality of locking points; a locking mechanism attachable to a printed circuit board for locking onto said track at one of the plurality of locking points; wherein said track comprises an elongated member having a plurality of pairs of notches formed therein, the notches of each such pair being formed on opposing sides of said elongated member and defining a locking point.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-10-09 | 1999-04-10 | 1999-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-10-09 | 2003-04-10 | 2003-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-10-09 | 2007-04-10 | 2007-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |