US6118657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fan attachment clip for heat sink
Assignee: Aavid Thermalloy LLC
•
Filing: 1997-06-04
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Granted: 2000-09-12
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Expires: 2017-06-04
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
2026-11-06 20:25
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W40/00; H10W40/40; H10W40/43; H10W40/20; H10W40/22; H10W40/226; H10W40/60; H10W40/641; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/44; Y10T24/44017; Y10T24/44026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
The combination of a heat sink and a clip for securing said heat sink to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a clip having a rectangular, open, frame; a blade extending downwardly from said frame; a tab extending outwardly from said blade; a heat sink having rows and columns of upstanding fins; and a projection on at least one of said fins of said heat sink, said tab engaging said projection for holding said frame on said heat sink.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
The combination of a heat sink and a clip for securing said heat sink to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a clip having a rectangular, open, frame; a blade extending downwardly from said frame; a tab extending outwardly from said blade; a heat sink having rows and columns of upstanding fins; and a projection on at least one of said fins of said heat sink, said tab engaging said projection for holding said frame on said heat sink.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein the projection on said heat sink is a ridge on at least one of said upstanding fins.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination recited in claim 1 wherein the projection on said heat sink is a side of a notch in at least one of said fins.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The combination recited in claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of said blades on said clip; and a projection on a plurality of said fins, a tab on each blade engaging projections on a fin to hold said frame in said heat sink.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
93 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel fins to a fan for cooling said sink comprising: a rectangular, open, frame; 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 fins to secure said frame on said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cutout which accommodates a wire clip adapted for securing said heat sink to a socket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel fins to a fan for cooling said sink comprising: a rectangular, open, frame; 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 fins to secure said frame on said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cutout which accommodates a wire clip adapted for securing said heat sink to a socket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The clip recited in claim 5 wherein said frame includes two blades extending downwardly from opposite sides of said frame.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The clip recited in claim 5 further comprising: means adapted to lock said frame to the fins of said heat sink.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The clip recited in claim 6, 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 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The clip recited in claim 5 wherein said frame is formed from a sheet of resilient metal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clip recited in claim 5 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 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The clip recited in claim 10 wherein each corner post is bifurcated.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The clip recited in claim 11 wherein each corner post has a barb at the top thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The clip recited in claim 5 wherein at least one edge of said frame is turned upwardly to form a strengthening rib to provide stability to said frame.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
93 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a rectangular, open, frame; means adaptive to secure said fan to said frame including upstanding corner posts on said frame adapted to engage said fan to secure to said frame; a blade extending downwardly from said frame adapted to bear against said fins to secure said frame on said heat sink, and at least one tab extending outwardly from said blade to lock said frame in said heat sink after it has been inserted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
93 words
A clip for securing a heat sink having upstanding parallel to a fan for cooling said heat sink comprising: a rectangular, open, frame; means adaptive to secure said fan to said frame including upstanding corner posts on said frame adapted to engage said fan to secure to said frame; a blade extending downwardly from said frame adapted to bear against said fins to secure said frame on said heat sink, and at least one tab extending outwardly from said blade to lock said frame in said heat sink after it has been inserted.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The clip recited in claim 14 wherein said frame is formed from a sheet of said resilient metal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The clip recited in claim 15 wherein the width of said sheet forms said blades, said blades abeing adapted to between said columns of pin fins.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The clip recited in claim 16 wherein said blade is adapted to span at least two rows of pin fins.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The clip recited in claim 14, 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 22
Dependent Claim
12 words
The clip recited in claim 18 wherein each corner post is bifurated.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The clip recited in claim 18 wherein each corner post has a barb at the top thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The clip recited in claim 14 wherein at least one edge of said frame is turned upwardly to form a strengthening rib to provide stability to said frame.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The clip recited in claim 14 wherein said blade has a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates a wire clip adaptive for securing said heat sink to a socket.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
102 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 rectangular, open frame; 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 on said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates a wire clip to trap said wire clip in said heat sink.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
102 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 rectangular, open frame; 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 on said heat sink, said blade having a downwardly facing arcuate cut-out which accommodates a wire clip to trap said wire clip in said heat sink.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
98 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 rectangular, open frame; 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, and at least one tab extending outwardly from said blade to lock said frame in said heat sink.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
98 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 rectangular, open frame; 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, and at least one tab extending outwardly from said blade to lock said frame in said heat sink.
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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) | 2003-09-12 | 2004-03-13 | 2004-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-12 | 2008-03-13 | 2008-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-12 | 2012-03-13 | 2012-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |