← Back to Patent Explorer
US5734557A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Mounting assembly for electronic equipment

Assignee: Dell USA LP
•
Filing: 1996-09-13
•
Granted: 1998-03-31
•
Expires: 2016-09-13
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure for electronic equipment, such as a computer, and having at least one mounting plate. The mounting assembly includes a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one aligmnent member engaging the component and attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component. A portion of the alignment member protrudes outwardly from the plane of the spring member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.

Inventors

  • 👤 Andrew McAnally
  • 👤 Stephen Cook

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 20:29
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G11B33/121; G11B33/123; G11B33/124; G11B33/14; G11B33/1493; G11B33/125; G11B33/127; G11B33/128

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and directly attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 119 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and directly attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 43 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein the component comprises a bottom plate and two walls and wherein the sled member comprises a bottom plate extending under the bottom plate of the component, and two walls extending adjacent the respective walls of the component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The computer of claim 2 wherein the bottom plate of the sled member is attached to the bottom plate of the component.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 45 words
The computer of claim 2 wherein there are two alignment members extending along the respective walls of the component and engaging the respective walls of the sled member; and wherein there are two mounting plates which respectively engage the protruding portions of the alignment members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 107 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and directly attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 107 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and directly attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 43 words
The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein the component has a bottom plate and two walls and the sled member comprises a bottom plate extending under the bottom plate of the component, and two walls extending adjacent the respective sidewalls of the component.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 23 words
The mounting assembly of claim 6 wherein the bottom plate of the sled member is attached to the bottom plate of the component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 46 words
The mounting assembly of claim 5 wherein there are two alignment members extending along the respective walls of the component and engaging the respective walls of the sled member; and wherein there are two mounting plates which respectively engage the protruding portions of the alignment members.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 143 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member extending along a side wall of the component and comprising a tab engaging the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to pivot the tab out of engagement with the component, to secure the component in the enclosure, and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 143 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member extending along a side wall of the component and comprising a tab engaging the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to pivot the tab out of engagement with the component, to secure the component in the enclosure, and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 150 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component and having a tab protruding therefrom, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and having a slot for receiving the tab to locate the sled member relative to the alignment member and therefore to the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 150 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component and having a tab protruding therefrom, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and having a slot for receiving the tab to locate the sled member relative to the alignment member and therefore to the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 146 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure and having a slot; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, the alignment member having a boss extending therefrom and a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the aligmnent member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate and the boss of the alignment member extends in the slot of the mounting plate, to secure the component to the plate and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 146 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure and having a slot; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, the alignment member having a boss extending therefrom and a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the aligmnent member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate and the boss of the alignment member extends in the slot of the mounting plate, to secure the component to the plate and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 134 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member having a tab at one end thereof which extends over the corresponding end of the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 134 words
A computer comprising an enclosure; at least one mounting plate disposed within the enclosure; a component; and a mounting assembly for mounting the component to the mounting plate, the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member having a tab at one end thereof which extends over the corresponding end of the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 130 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member extending along a side wall of the component and comprising a tab engaging the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to pivot the tab out of engagement with the component, secure the component in the enclosure, and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 130 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member extending along a side wall of the component and comprising a tab engaging the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to pivot the tab out of engagement with the component, secure the component in the enclosure, and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 138 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component and having a tab projecting therefrom, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and having a slot for receiving the tab to locate the sled member relative to the alignment member and therefore to the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 138 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component and having a tab projecting therefrom, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and having a slot for receiving the tab to locate the sled member relative to the alignment member and therefore to the component, the alignment member being attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate to secure the component in the enclosure and establish an electrical ground.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 129 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate provided with a slot; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, the alignment member having a boss projecting therefrom and a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate, and the boss of the alignment member extends in the slot of the mounting plate to secure the component to the plate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 129 words
A mounting assembly for mounting a component in an enclosure having at least one mounting plate provided with a slot; the mounting assembly comprising a sled member extending around a portion of the component, and at least one alignment member engaging the component and attached to the sled member for locating the sled member relative to the component, the alignment member having a boss projecting therefrom and a portion of the alignment member protruding outwardly from the plane of the alignment member, so that, when the component, and therefore the mounting assembly, are advanced towards the mounting plate, the protruding portion is engaged by the mounting plate, and the boss of the alignment member extends in the slot of the mounting plate to secure the component to the plate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 46 words
The computer as in one of claims 9-15 wherein the component comprises a bottom plate and two walls and wherein the sled member comprises a bottom plate extending under the bottom plate of the component, and two walls extending adjacent the respective walls of the component.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 22 words
The computer of claim 16 wherein the bottom plate of the sled member is attached to the bottom plate of the component.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 45 words
The computer of claim 16 wherein there are two alignment members extending along the respective walls of the component and engaging the respective walls of the sled member; and wherein there are two mounting plates which respectively engage the protruding portions of the alignment members.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4979909A Cited
US5123721A Cited
US5262923A Cited
US5325263A Cited
US5340340A Cited
US5317483A Cited
US5398157A Cited
US5404268A Cited
US5564804A Cited
US5497292A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-03-30 2001-09-29 2002-03-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-03-30 2005-09-29 2006-03-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-03-30 2009-09-29 2010-03-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag