US5587889A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Edge connector for securing a mountable electronic component to a device with receiving apertures for edge connector
Assignee: Flextronics AP LLC
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Filing: 1994-05-17
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Granted: 1996-12-24
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Expires: 2014-05-17
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and screwless method for rack mounting an independent rail to a peripheral electronic component or primary rail. First, a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface is engaged by depressing the convex surface, the arch further having an engaged state and disengaged state, two legs, each of the legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of the arch. Second, the two legs are individually directed through two apertures in the independent rail. Third, the two legs are subsequently directed into two apertures in the peripheral electronic component. Finally, when the convex surface is released, the two legs retract and clamp the peripheral electronic component within the apertures of the peripheral electronic component.
Inventors
- 👤 Jim Sacherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:02
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/121; G11B33/123; G11B33/124; H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/0204
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for rack mounting a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, said apparatus comprising: a. a primary rail means coupled to said electronic system; b. an independent rail means designed to attach to said primary rail means; and c. a screwless clamping means for coupling said independent rail to said peripheral electronic component comprising of: an elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface, said arch further having an engaged state and a disengaged state, said arch being in the engaged state when the convex surface is depressed, said arch being in the disengaged state when the convex surface is not depressed; and two legs for clamping an object placed therebetween, each of said legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch, said two legs only clamping when said arch is in the disengaged state.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for rack mounting a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, said apparatus comprising: a. a primary rail means coupled to said electronic system; b. an independent rail means designed to attach to said primary rail means; and c. a screwless clamping means for coupling said independent rail to said peripheral electronic component comprising of: an elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface, said arch further having an engaged state and a disengaged state, said arch being in the engaged state when the convex surface is depressed, said arch being in the disengaged state when the convex surface is not depressed; and two legs for clamping an object placed therebetween, each of said legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch, said two legs only clamping when said arch is in the disengaged state.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for rack mounting a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, said peripheral electronic component having a chassis and at least two threaded apertures, said electronic system having a ground, said apparatus comprising: a. a primary rail means coupled to said electronic system; b. an independent rail means designed to attach to said primary rail means; and c. a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface, said arch further having two legs, each of said two legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch, whereby the two legs can slide into the two apertures when the convex surface is depressed, whereby the two legs can clamp the peripheral electronic component within the two apertures when the convex surface is not depressed for coupling the rail to the peripheral electronic component.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
145 words
An apparatus for rack mounting a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, said peripheral electronic component having a chassis and at least two threaded apertures, said electronic system having a ground, said apparatus comprising: a. a primary rail means coupled to said electronic system; b. an independent rail means designed to attach to said primary rail means; and c. a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface, said arch further having two legs, each of said two legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch, whereby the two legs can slide into the two apertures when the convex surface is depressed, whereby the two legs can clamp the peripheral electronic component within the two apertures when the convex surface is not depressed for coupling the rail to the peripheral electronic component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the apparatus further includes a conduction means for electrically coupling the chassis of the peripheral electronic component to the ground of the electronic system.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for rack mounting a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, said peripheral electronic component having a chassis and at least two threaded apertures, said electronic system having a ground, said apparatus comprising: a. a carrier; and b. a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface, said arch further having two legs, each of said two legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch, whereby the two legs can slide into the two apertures when the convex surface is depressed, whereby the two legs can clamp the peripheral electronic component within the two apertures when the convex surface is not depressed for coupling the carrier to the peripheral electronic component.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
125 words
An apparatus for rack mounting a peripheral electronic component to an electronic system, said peripheral electronic component having a chassis and at least two threaded apertures, said electronic system having a ground, said apparatus comprising: a. a carrier; and b. a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface, said arch further having two legs, each of said two legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch, whereby the two legs can slide into the two apertures when the convex surface is depressed, whereby the two legs can clamp the peripheral electronic component within the two apertures when the convex surface is not depressed for coupling the carrier to the peripheral electronic component.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the apparatus further includes a conduction means for electrically coupling the chassis of the peripheral electronic component to the ground of the electronic system.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
136 words
An improved method for mounting an independent rail means to a peripheral electronic component, said independent rail means having at least two first apertures, said peripheral electronic component having at least two second apertures, said improved method comprising the steps of: a. engaging a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface by depressing the convex surface, said arch further having two legs, each of said legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch; b. directing the two legs individually through two of the first apertures; c. directing the two legs individually into two of the second apertures; and d. disengaging said arch by releasing said convex surface, wherein the two legs retract and clamp the peripheral electronic component within the two second apertures.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
136 words
An improved method for mounting an independent rail means to a peripheral electronic component, said independent rail means having at least two first apertures, said peripheral electronic component having at least two second apertures, said improved method comprising the steps of: a. engaging a spring-urged elongated arch having a convex surface and a concave surface by depressing the convex surface, said arch further having two legs, each of said legs being placed at an opposite end of the concave surface and angled inward of said arch; b. directing the two legs individually through two of the first apertures; c. directing the two legs individually into two of the second apertures; and d. disengaging said arch by releasing said convex surface, wherein the two legs retract and clamp the peripheral electronic component within the two second apertures.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
EP0270065A2
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-12-24 | 2000-06-24 | 2000-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-24 | 2004-06-24 | 2004-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-24 | 2008-06-24 | 2008-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |