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US5847928A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Strap spring for attaching heat sinks to circuit boards

Assignee: Aavid Thermalloy LLC
•
Filing: 1996-07-09
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Granted: 1998-12-08
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Expires: 2016-07-09
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Abstract

Abstract A strap spring for insertion into a circuit board for securing a heat sink to an electronic device is disclosed that has a body portion having two ends and a contact section and one or more engaging sections extending from said ends. The ends are inserted into an aperture in the circuit board and an aperture in the heat sink to anchor the circuit board to the heat sink. Electronic assemblies comprising a circuit board having a microprocessor and a heat sink having a surface larger than the microprocessor are also disclosed in which a strap spring is disposed on a side of the circuit board opposite the heat sink, and the strap extends through the circuit board to engage the heat sink.

Inventors

  • 👤 Howard G. Hinshaw
  • 👤 Matthew C. Smithers

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-08 02:54
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/60; H10W40/641; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44017; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49147; Y10T29/49151; Y10T29/49153

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 90 words
An electronic assembly comprising: a circuit board having a microprocessor; a heat sink having a surface larger than the microprocessor; and a strap spring disposed on a side of the circuit board opposite the heat sink, the strap spring having: a body portion having a central section that contacts the circuit board, said central section disposed proximate the circuit board relative to the heat sink; two ends extending through the circuit board the ends contacting the heat sink; and two spring arms extending from said central section to said ends.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 90 words
An electronic assembly comprising: a circuit board having a microprocessor; a heat sink having a surface larger than the microprocessor; and a strap spring disposed on a side of the circuit board opposite the heat sink, the strap spring having: a body portion having a central section that contacts the circuit board, said central section disposed proximate the circuit board relative to the heat sink; two ends extending through the circuit board the ends contacting the heat sink; and two spring arms extending from said central section to said ends.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 22 words
The electronic assembly recited in claim 1, wherein the strap spring comprises engaging sections that extend substantially perpendicular from said body portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 17 words
The electronic assembly recited in claim 2, wherein said engaging sections are bent into an arcuate cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 20 words
The electronic assembly recited in claim 2, wherein said engaging sections comprise a member for locking against said heat sink.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
The electronic assembly recited in claim 4, wherein said member comprises a flat undercut portion, whereby said strap spring can be disengaged from said heat sink.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 19 words
The electronic assembly recited in claim 4, wherein said member comprises a barb for permanently engaging the heat sink.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 37 words
The electronic assembly recited in claim 6, wherein the barb comprises a section of said ends bent at an included angle of less than 90° to create one or more barb points to engage said heat sink.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-12-07 2002-06-08 2002-12-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-12-07 2006-06-08 2006-12-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-12-07 2010-06-08 2010-12-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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