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US6101096A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Heat sink clip for an electronic assembly

Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 1999-06-10
•
Granted: 2000-08-08
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Expires: 2019-06-10
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Abstract

Abstract A fastener for an electronic assembly. The fastener may have a spring arm that extends from a stem. The fastener can attach a cover to a heat sink of an electronic assembly. The stem may be inserted into a boss of the cover. The spring arm may exert a force onto the heat sink to press the sink into an integrated circuit package of the assembly.

Inventors

  • 👤 Mike MacGregor
  • 👤 Michael T. Crocker
  • 👤 Thomas Wong
  • 👤 Peter Davison
  • 👤 Rolf A. Konstad
  • 👤 David A. Jones

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 11:29
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/14; H05K7/1417; H05K7/142; H05K7/1422; H05K7/1427; H05K7/1429; H05K7/1431; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/42; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/75

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 49 words
A fastener for an electronic assembly, comprising: a stem including a stop and a barbed portion; and, a spring arm that extends in a generally concave shape from said stem so that a portion of said spring arm extends over said stem between said barbed portion and said stop.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 49 words
A fastener for an electronic assembly, comprising: a stem including a stop and a barbed portion; and, a spring arm that extends in a generally concave shape from said stem so that a portion of said spring arm extends over said stem between said barbed portion and said stop.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The fastener of claim 1, wherein said stem and said spring arm are constructed as an integrally molded plastic part.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 102 words
A fastener for an electronic assembly, comprising: a first stem including a first end having a barbed portion, a stop, and a second end; a first spring arm having a portion that extends over said first stem between said barbed portion and said stop; a second stem including a first end having a barbed portion, a stop, and a second end; a second spring arm having a portion that extends over said second stem between said barbed portion and said stop; and, a connecting rod to connect said second end of said first stem to said second end of said second stem.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 102 words
A fastener for an electronic assembly, comprising: a first stem including a first end having a barbed portion, a stop, and a second end; a first spring arm having a portion that extends over said first stem between said barbed portion and said stop; a second stem including a first end having a barbed portion, a stop, and a second end; a second spring arm having a portion that extends over said second stem between said barbed portion and said stop; and, a connecting rod to connect said second end of said first stem to said second end of said second stem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 20 words
The fastener of claim 3, wherein said first spring arm extends in a generally concave shape from said first stem.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
The fastener of claim 3, wherein said second spring arm extends in a generally concave shape from said second stem.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 13 words
The fastener of claim 3, wherein said connecting rod includes a truss portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 92 words
An electronic assembly, comprising: a cover; a thermal element; a substrate located between said cover and said thermal element; a fastener that attaches said cover to said thermal element, said fastener includes (i) a stem including a stop and a barbed portion, said stem attached to said cover; and (ii) a spring arm which extends in a generally concave shape from said stem so that a portion of said spring arm extends over said stem between said stop and said barbed portion, said spring arm exerts a force onto said thermal element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 92 words
An electronic assembly, comprising: a cover; a thermal element; a substrate located between said cover and said thermal element; a fastener that attaches said cover to said thermal element, said fastener includes (i) a stem including a stop and a barbed portion, said stem attached to said cover; and (ii) a spring arm which extends in a generally concave shape from said stem so that a portion of said spring arm extends over said stem between said stop and said barbed portion, said spring arm exerts a force onto said thermal element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 26 words
The assembly of claim 7, wherein said barbed portion of said stem extends into a boss of said cover to attach said stem to said cover.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 33 words
The assembly of claim 8, wherein said stop of said stem is in contact with said thermal element when said barbed portion of said stem is placed in said boss of said cover.
Claim 13
Independent Claim 101 words
A method for assembling an electronic assembly, comprising: inserting a barbed portion at a first end of a stem of a fastener through a clearance hole of a thermal element; inserting the barbed portion of the stem through a clearance hole of a substrates; and inserting the barbed portion of the stem into a boss of a cover so that a spring arm of the fastener, arranged in a generally concave shape from the stem so that a potion of the spring arm extends over the stem between the barbed portion and a stop, exerts a force onto the thermal element.
Claim 14
Independent Claim 101 words
A method for assembling an electronic assembly, comprising: inserting a barbed portion at a first end of a stem of a fastener through a clearance hole of a thermal element; inserting the barbed portion of the stem through a clearance hole of a substrates; and inserting the barbed portion of the stem into a boss of a cover so that a spring arm of the fastener, arranged in a generally concave shape from the stem so that a potion of the spring arm extends over the stem between the barbed portion and a stop, exerts a force onto the thermal element.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 44 words
A fastener for an electronic assembly, comprising: a stem including a stop and a barbed poxton; and, a spring arm that extends from said stem so that a portion of said spring arm extends over said stem between said barbed portion and said stop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 44 words
A fastener for an electronic assembly, comprising: a stem including a stop and a barbed poxton; and, a spring arm that extends from said stem so that a portion of said spring arm extends over said stem between said barbed portion and said stop.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2003-08-08 2004-02-07 2004-08-08 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2007-08-08 2008-02-07 2008-08-08 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2011-08-08 2012-02-07 2012-08-08 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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