US5590025A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fan attachment clip for heat sink
Assignee: Aavid Thermalloy LLC
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Filing: 1995-06-07
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Granted: 1996-12-31
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Expires: 2015-06-07
Abstract
Abstract A clip secures a pin fin heat sink to a fan. The clip includes a frame having a width which can be wedged between the fins of the heat sink. Blades extend downwardly from the frame and bear against the heat sink fins to secure the frame to the heat sink. The clip is locked in place by barbs which extend upwardly to engage the fins of the heat sink when the clip is urged in a direction which would free it of the heat sink.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Clemens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:42
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B99/00; H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/40; H10W40/43; F; F28; F28F; F28F7/00; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H10W40/60; H10W40/641; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44017; Y10T24/44026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel fins to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a frame having a width adapted to be wedged between said fins of said heat sink; means adapted to secure said fan to said frame including upstanding corner posts on said frame adapted to engage said fan to secure it to said frame; and a blade extending downwardly from said frame adapted to bear against said fins to secure said frame to said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates a wire clip adapted for securing said heat sink to a socket.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
107 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel fins to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a frame having a width adapted to be wedged between said fins of said heat sink; means adapted to secure said fan to said frame including upstanding corner posts on said frame adapted to engage said fan to secure it to said frame; and a blade extending downwardly from said frame adapted to bear against said fins to secure said frame to said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates a wire clip adapted for securing said heat sink to a socket.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The clip recited in claim 1 wherein said frame includes two blades extending downwardly from opposite sides of said frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The clip recited in claim 1 further comprising: means adapted to lock said frame between the fins of said heat sink.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
The clip recited in claim 3, wherein said means adapted to lock includes tabs extending from said blade, said tabs extending upwardly and outwardly from a bend line along which said tabs are bent out of the plane of said blade to lockingly engage said fins against movement in the upward direction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The clip recited in claim 1 wherein said frame is resilient metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The clip recited in claim 5 wherein said frame is formed from a sheet of said resilient metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The clip recited in claim 6 wherein the width of said sheet forms said blades, said blades being adapted to fit between said columns of pin fins.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The clip recited in claim 1 wherein said blade is adapted to span at least two rows of pin fins.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clip recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said fan to said frame includes upstanding corner posts adapted to engage said fan to secure it to said frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The clip recited in claim 9 wherein each corner post is bifurcated.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The clip recited in claim 10 wherein each corner post has a barb at the top thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The clip recited in claim 1 wherein at least one edge of said frame is turned upwardly to form a strengthening rib to provide stability to said frame.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
114 words
An assembly including: a pin fin heat sink having upstanding parallel fins; a fan for cooling said heat sink; a socket; an electronic device between said socket and said heat sink; and a clip for securing said heat sink to said fan comprising: a frame having a width which can be wedged between said fins of said heat sink; means on said frame for securing said fan to said frame; and a blade extending downwardly from said frame, said blade bearing against said fins to secure said frame to said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates said wire clip to trap said wire clip in said heat sink.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
114 words
An assembly including: a pin fin heat sink having upstanding parallel fins; a fan for cooling said heat sink; a socket; an electronic device between said socket and said heat sink; and a clip for securing said heat sink to said fan comprising: a frame having a width which can be wedged between said fins of said heat sink; means on said frame for securing said fan to said frame; and a blade extending downwardly from said frame, said blade bearing against said fins to secure said frame to said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates said wire clip to trap said wire clip in said heat sink.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
137 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel fins to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a frame having a width adapted to be wedged between said fins of said heat sink; means adapted to secure to secure said fan to said frame including upstanding corner posts on said frame to engage said frame to secure it to said frame; a blade extending downwardly from said frame adapted to bear against said fins to secure said frame to said heat sink; and tabs extending from said blade adapted to lock said frame between the fins of said heat sink, said tabs extending upwardly and outwardly from a bend line along which said tabs are bent out of the plane of said blade to lockingly engage said fins against movement in the upward direction.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
137 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel fins to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a frame having a width adapted to be wedged between said fins of said heat sink; means adapted to secure to secure said fan to said frame including upstanding corner posts on said frame to engage said frame to secure it to said frame; a blade extending downwardly from said frame adapted to bear against said fins to secure said frame to said heat sink; and tabs extending from said blade adapted to lock said frame between the fins of said heat sink, said tabs extending upwardly and outwardly from a bend line along which said tabs are bent out of the plane of said blade to lockingly engage said fins against movement in the upward direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The clip recited in claim 14 wherein said blade has a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates a wire clip for securing said heat sink to a socket.
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) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |