For Cooperating With Aperture In Supporting Structure Or Structure-to-be-secured Patents (Class 24/458)
  • Patent number: 6705795
    Abstract: An attachment mechanism for connecting a cooling device with a component to be cooled and carried by a connector is disclosed. The attachment mechanism includes a plate, a bore that connects with a portion of the cooling device, a hinge that can be removably hinged on the connector, and a latch assembly that includes tilt relief profiles that allow the latch assembly to pivot on the plate so that a latch profile on the latch assembly can be removably latched on the connector. The latch assembly further includes a spring locator and a spring that are positioned within a slot in the latch assembly and hold the spring pre-loaded in compression. When the latch assembly is tilted on the plate, the latch profile is pivoted outward to facilitate latching onto the connector. After latching onto the connector, the spring is further compressed and exerts a load between the cooling device and the component to be cooled such that contact resistance is reduced and thermal transfer is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Shankar Hegde
  • Patent number: 6707672
    Abstract: A heat sink clip assembly includes a clip (10) and a frame (50). The clip is formed from a single strand of resilient metallic material that is bent and coiled to become generally U-shaped. The clip includes a retaining bar (11), and two confining poles (12) extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the retaining bar. Each confining pole comprises a first resilient section (14) near a distal end of the confining pole, a fastener (18) at the distal end of the confining pole, and a second resilient section (16) adjacent the retaining bar. Each first resilient section has a pressed head (142) with a handle (30) attached thereon. The frame comprises a plurality of locking fingers (52) extending perpendicularly from a flat rectangular board. Each locking finger has a hook (53, 54) for respectively locking the retaining bar or one of the fasteners of the clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HouBen Liu
  • Patent number: 6700782
    Abstract: A clip which can be used to retain a component assembly in a carrier during pick-and-place and thermal assembly operations is provided. The clip comprises an elongate bridgepiece having opposed ends; a pair of legs, each depending from one of the opposed ends of the bridgepiece, the legs being shaped in dimensions to mate with complementary apertures in the carrier to releasably lock the bridgepiece to the carrier at a fixed height therefrom; and a plurality of deformable formations on an underside of the bridgepiece in between the legs, the deformable formations being shaped, dimensioned, and positioned to deform when brought to bear against a component in the carrier in a manner that regularly inward forces are applied to the component along at least two intersecting axes, the forces being symmetrically distributed with respect to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy F. Bopp, Kyle W. Kippes
  • Publication number: 20040032720
    Abstract: A retention device (6) includes a main frame (60), a front and a rear foldable plates (61, 62) assembled to the main frame, a spring clip (65) and an actuating lever (66). The main frame is arranged for surrounding a package upon a socket (not shown). The spring clip is pivotably assembled to the rear foldable plate. The actuating lever is pivotably assembled to the front foldable plate. The actuating lever is rotated to lock the spring clip thereby the spring clip retaining a heat sink module (5) upon the package and the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventors: Robert G. McHugh, Hao-Yun Ma
  • Publication number: 20040027790
    Abstract: A protective cover mounting apparatus for a hermetic compressor for removably mounting a protective cover to protect electrical parts disposed on a terminal portion of a hermetic compressor casing comprises a pair of first protrusions respectively formed on two facing sides of the protective cover for protecting electrical parts disposed on a terminal portion of a hermetic compressor casing, a second protrusion formed on a side that is removed from the casing when the protective cover is mounted on the casing, a clamp pivotably disposed on the casing and including a pressing portion and a holding portion formed to correspond to the first and second protrusions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: Seung-Don Seo
  • Patent number: 6684476
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for assembling heat sink fastening structure. Each of the components in the heat sink fastening structure is composed of elastic materials. The method includes the following steps: (A) first, forming a control lever and a relating lever in one-piece type, the control lever has an operating end, a positioning hole, two lock slots, a pressing ring, and a first gripping jaw; the relating lever has an operating end, a spring, two lock blocks, and a second gripping jaw; (B) second, pushing the two lock blocks up to two corresponding lock slots and making the spring sealed between the control lever and the relating lever; (C) finally, pushing the spring into the positioning hole and putting two lock blocks into two corresponding lock slots. Therefore, the heat sink fastening structure is assembled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Datech Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Che-Min Yu
  • Publication number: 20040006855
    Abstract: A clip for retaining an accessory on an edge of an automobile member has a block element for location adjacent the edge of one side of the automobile member. The clip has a plug for engaging a hole in the accessory and extending into an aperture in the block element, and a jaw for engaging the block element and a second opposed side of the automobile member. The clip is secured to the automobile member's edge by inserting a fastener through the jaw and into the block element and tightening the fastener. The fastener also engages and fixes the plug within the block member, thereby securing the accessory to the block portion and thus to the automobile member's edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Stanley Grant Kinzel
  • Patent number: 6671934
    Abstract: A retention clip for securing a trim piece to a vehicle. The retention clip includes a trim piece affixing portion, a first leg member, and second leg member that extends from a head portion. The trim piece affixing portion is defined by at least one pair of grips that includes a plurality of retention barbs. Each first and second leg member is defined by a first leg portion, an intermediate knee portion, and a second leg portion. Each second leg portion is defined by a first and second length and a first and second deployment angle, respectively. The retention clip has a resilient retention feature that allows the retention clip to deform inwardly to during installation, then outwardly when affixing a trim piece to a vehicle in order to provide a perpendicular biasing force and a later, outboard biasing force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley J. Wenzlick, Walter P. Kornylo
  • Publication number: 20040001318
    Abstract: A heat sink retaining assembly includes a retaining module (1) and a pair of clips (3). Two retaining portions (12) are respectively formed on each of two opposite sidewalls (17′) of the retaining module. Bifurcated block portions (13) are integrally formed on interior faces of each of four sidewalls (17, 17′) of the retaining module. A gap (15) is defined between each block portion and its corresponding sidewall, and each gap receives a resilient member (14). Each resilient member includes a guide portion (19) and a pressing portion (18). A heat sink (2) is received in the retaining module via the guide portions. The heat sink is restricted by the pressing portions from sliding in lateral directions relative to the retaining module. The clips are engaged with the retaining portions. The heat sink is thereby securely fastened to the retaining module and to an associated CPU package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Inventor: Hao-Yun Ma
  • Patent number: 6668431
    Abstract: A clip is disclosed which is capable of applying significant retention force via a rotatable cam arm while being easily removable due to the cam arm and a separate removal arm. A method of using the clip is also disclosed which uses the advantages of the clip, particularly in the context of computer design and construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Franke, Donald J. Hall, Jeffrey A. Lambert
  • Patent number: 6667884
    Abstract: A heat dissipating assembly includes a CPU (35) mounted on a motherboard (30), a fan (20), two clips (60), a heat sink (10), two fasteners (50), a back plate (40) and two posts (70). The heat sink includes a base (12) and a plurality of fins (14). Two ears (16) are formed at respective opposite sides of the base. The clips mount the fan to the heat sink. The back plate is placed under the motherboard, and the posts are sequentially extended through the back plate, the motherboard and the ears of the heat sink. The fasteners are retained on the ears of the heat sink around the respective posts. The fasteners are rotated, causing the posts to resiliently press the fasteners on the ears, and resiliently press the back plate on the motherboard. Thus the heat sink is securely attached to the CPU on the motherboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsieh Kun Lee, DongYun Lee, Zhijie Zhang
  • Patent number: 6662412
    Abstract: A buckle of an IC heat dissipating device for installing a heat dissipating fin device to a top surface of an IC located in an IC socket comprises a pair of clamping arms; a supporting frame being fixed to a top of the heat dissipating fin device; and an operation rod having a camshaft and a lever for rotating the camshaft. The camshaft passes through the supporting frame and is capable of rotating freely. In operation position, the cam of the camshaft will eject the pivotal connection of the clamping arms and the clamping arms will bend and deform. By the restoring force of these clamping arms, the ears at two ends of the clamping arms have sufficient forces to hook the hooks at two sides of the IC socket. In installing the present invention, the user only needs to press an operation portion slightly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventors: Tsan-Wen Chuang, Jr. Chou
  • Patent number: 6661663
    Abstract: A combination device includes an optical fiber guide connected to a fastener for attaching a heatsink to a component and/or to be printed circuit board. As a component on a printed circuit board usually needs to be fastened to a heatsink for cooling, combining a heatsink fastener and a fiber guide allows a more efficient use of board space than using a fiber guide and a heatsink fastener separately. In one embodiment, the device includes a frame, one or more fiber guides attached to the frame, and one or more fasteners (e.g., a snap-on mechanism) connected to the frame. The frame may generally have a rectangular shape, with fiber guides attached to the four corners of the rectangular frame and fasteners attached to the side of the rectangular frame. The fiber guide may be designed to protect the fragile optical fiber and prevent bending of the cable beyond its minimum bend radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Calix Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew K. Meeker
  • Patent number: 6654246
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes a fan (10), two fixing members (20), a heat sink (30), and a plurality of screws (40, 50). The fan is generally parallelepiped, and defines four mounting holes (102) in corners thereof. Each fixing member has a first plate (202) defining a pair of first fixing holes (212), and a second plate (204) extending perpendicularly from a top edge of the first plate. An ear (203) defining a second fixing hole (214) corresponding to one of the mounting holes of the fan extends from each of opposite ends of the second plate. A pair of locking holes (302) is defined in a top portion of an outmost fin (304) at each of opposite sides of the heat sink, corresponding to the first fixing holes of one of the fixing members. The fan, the fixing members and the heat sink are fastened together by the screws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Wow Wu
  • Patent number: 6654254
    Abstract: A printed circuit board assembly includes a printed circuit board (10), a retention module (20) mounted on the printed circuit board, and a back plate (30) attached to an underside of the printed circuit board opposite the retention module. The printed circuit board defines a plurality of through holes (16). The retention module defines a plurality of countersunk holes (25) therein, corresponding to the through holes of the printed circuit board. The back plate includes a base (32), and a plurality of latching posts (34) extending upwardly from the base. The latching posts extend through the through holes of the printed circuit board and engage in the countersunk holes of the retention module, thereby fixing the retention module to the printed circuit board. A plurality of fasteners (40) engages in the latching posts, thereby facilitating resilient engagement of the latching posts in the countersunk holes of the retention module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-Lun Szu, Sen-Jong Chen
  • Patent number: 6646881
    Abstract: A mounting assembly for securing a heat sink (10) to an electronic package (50) mounted on a circuit board (40) includes a back plate (20), a clip (30), and two screws (70). The back plate abuts an underside of the circuit board. The back plate includes a cross-shaped main body (22), and two first positioning posts (24) and two second positioning posts (26). An annular groove (242) and a threaded hole (262) are defined in each first and each second positioning post respectively. The clip includes a horizontal portion (32), and two first legs (34) and two second legs (36). A guiding hole (342) and a communicating positioning slot (344) are defined in each first leg, the positioning slot engagingly receiving a corresponding first positioning post. A fastening slot (362) is defined in each second leg. The screws are inserted through the fastening slots into the corresponding threaded holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheng-Tien Lai, ShengHua Wang
  • Patent number: 6646880
    Abstract: A heat sink clip (10) includes two side plates (104), and two pressing portions (102) connecting between opposing ends of the side plates. Each pressing portion is generally arcuate, which enables it to resiliently press a heat sink. Each side plate is sloped slightly inwardly from top to bottom. This enables the side plates to resiliently clamp a mounting frame. Two first handles (114) are upwardly formed from top edges of the side plates respectively. Two second handles (124) extend outwardly in respective opposite directions from opposite side edges of each side plate. Two legs (134) depend from opposite ends respectively of a bottom edge of each side plate. Two spaced hooks (136) are inwardly formed from a free end of each leg. Two openings (144) are defined in the opposite ends of each side plate respectively, for insertion of a screwdriver thereinto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HeBen Liu
  • Patent number: 6643133
    Abstract: A buckling device of a heat dissipating module comprises a retaining seat, a connecting element and a pressing element. The retaining seat has a plurality of legs extended from two opposite sides, each leg having a buckling hole. The connecting element has a plurality of extending arms at two opposite sides, an end portion of each extending arm being installed with a hook. The pressing element has a slot and a protrusion at first end, and second end of the pressing element being pivotally connected to the slot of the connecting element; and when rotating the pressing element, the lower side of the protrusion moving upwards or downwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Inventor: Jefferson Liu
  • Patent number: 6631927
    Abstract: A ski pole handle with a possibility of adjusting the effective length of a strap (3) fastened to the handle (1), said handle (1) having in its upper portion a throughgoing cavity (9) through which the strap (3) is threaded, and an element (12) is adapted to be pressed down into the cavity (9) in order to clamp the strap (3) against the walls of a downwardly tapering portion of the cavity (9). The element (12) is situated on a control knob (4) which is mounted at the top of the handle (1) and which can be pushed down and raised relatively to the handle (1), for fastening and releasing the strap (3), respectively, said knob (4) having a throughgoing aperture or apertures (8) for the strap (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Swix Sport
    Inventor: Per Erik Vold
  • Patent number: 6621704
    Abstract: A clip (1) for securing a heat sink (10) to an electronic device includes a fastener (30) and a handle (40). The fastener includes a lower engaging portion (31), a horizontal U-shaped spring portion (32) extending from the engaging portion, and an inverted U-shaped suspending portion (33) extending from the spring portion. An opening (311) is defined in a lower part of the engaging portion. A horizontal slot (312) is defined in a middle part of the engaging portion. The handle comprises a horizontal base portion (41), a pair of parallel fingers (42) extending from one side of the base portion, and a pressing portion (43) extending from an opposite side of the base portion. The fingers of the handle are deformably received through the slot of the fastener, such that the handle is movably held in the fastener and cannot be accidentally disengaged therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: HeBen Liu
  • Patent number: 6618907
    Abstract: Safety glasses holders and eye glass holders for securing to safety hats or fabric comprising a clip on design and a nonremovable fastening design, wherein the fastening design in one embodiment comprises a removeable frame secured to the sides of a safety hat; and in the second embodiment, a nonremoveable design which may be either a first and second elastic cord or pin penetrating the hat and secured to the frame, and a strip disposed between the first and second elastic cords or pins for holding the arm of a pair of safety glasses or, in a second embodiment of the permanently fixed holder, comprises a planar member attached to the safety hat by a spring which serves to hold the clip in place and provide a securing force to engage the arm of a pair of eyeglasses between the clip and safety hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2003
    Inventor: Russell Earl Morris
  • Patent number: 6611999
    Abstract: The detent means for a heat sink is provided thereon with an elastic member in connecting with two side clamp holders, the elastic member is bent to render the bending area to be the force bearing point which is communicating in force with the two side clamp holders, the thickness of a lateral arm between the bending area and one of the two side clamp holders is gradually reduced toward the side clamp holder; the lateral arm of the elastic member can be slightly bent and fixed in shape by the force exerting on the elastic member, after being fixed in shape, the elastic variable thereof is fixed for firmly holding by clamping; the detent means can prevent cracking of the main body of the heat source due to an overly large clamping force, and can largely increase the extent of application of the detent means in mating with any of various main bodies of heat sources and heat sinks of different thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Glacialtech, Inc.
    Inventor: Hsien-Keng Hsu
  • Patent number: 6611430
    Abstract: A miniature, self-locking, spring action, microwave T/R module retainer device includes a retainer body that holds a double arched spring and transfers the spring load to a coldplate. The double arched spring configuration is designed to contact an extended heat sink plate located on one side of the microwave T/R module. When in position, the deflection of the double arched spring of the retainer device imparts a force onto the extended heat sink, pressing the T/R module against the coldplate when the module retainer device is installed. If the position of the T/R module changes due to thermal or mechanical loads, the potential energy stored in the arched spring allows the spring to automatically re-adjust accordingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick K. Richard, Brian T. Drude, Hurley K. Blackwell, Lucinda G. Martin, H. Halley Lisle, David A. Herlihy
  • Patent number: 6607289
    Abstract: A reflector holder retains a reflector that has a hole in one of its ends. The holder includes a base with a quick-connect connector extending from the base. In one version, the quick-connect connector includes a semi-arcuate flange member that extends from the base. The member has a pair of edges extending between the base and the outward end of the flange member and a mid-portion between the edges. The member also has a concave side and a convex side. A connection post extends from the mid-portion of the concave side of the end of the member away from the base, and terminates in an outward end. A pair of lock ears extend from the outward end of the connection post, with one ear extending toward each of the edges of the flange member. Each lock ear terminates in a locking end that is spaced from one of the edges so as to define a gap between the locking end and edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: Leon Lassovsky
  • Patent number: 6604326
    Abstract: A holder comprising a rigid base bar having a pin end and a stabilizing end; a rigid stabilizing bar having a base end and an opposite end, with the base end of the rigid stabilizing bar being rigidly attached to the stabilizing end of the rigid base bar, and extending perpendicular to the rigid base bar; two nails being each having a head end and a pointed end, with the head end of the each nail being rigidly attached to separate points along the rigid stabilizing bar, and with the pointed end of the each nail being extended perpendicular to the rigid stabilizing bar and parallel with the rigid base bar and toward the perpendicular direction of the rigid base bar; and the rigid base bar having a bore through it in a direction parallel with the length of the rigid stabilizing bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: James Cooper Noble
  • Patent number: 6598275
    Abstract: A radiolucent surgical table is provided with a patient support member and includes a low shadow accessory interface profile formed by a plurality of interconnected curved surfaces disposed along the outer edge of the patient support member for selective attachment of a range of medical accessory devices. A clamping apparatus secures associated accessories to the outer edge, which has a top recess and an essentially planar and non-vertical side surface slanting inwardly from top to bottom and terminating in a flared lower edge extending beyond the bottom of the patient support member. The clamping apparatus includes an upper jaw member which has a downwardly projecting lip formed to conformably engage a section of the top recess. A lower jaw member is also included and has a hook region formed to surroundingly engage a section of the flared lower edge. A means is provided for joining the upper and lower jaw members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Steris, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Kolody, Ward L. Sanders, Victor M. Selig, Joseph T. Sestak, Yury Keselman, Viroon Mai Ujjin, John von Buelow, Vijendra Nalwad, Richard C. Blanchard, Jonathan Scheiner
  • Patent number: 6600652
    Abstract: A retention module includes a socket to connect to a package. At least one retention arm is coupled to the socket. At least one clamping bar is coupled to the at least one retention arm to secure placement of a heat sink against a surface of a package assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Biju Chandran, Carlos A. Gonzalez
  • Patent number: 6600654
    Abstract: A system for cooling a component in a computer system is disclosed. The system comprises a socket for receiving the component and for coupling the component to a planar. A heat dissipating element is coupled to the component and to the socket via a plurality of socket tabs coupled to the socket. At least two socket tabs include an embedded reinforcing strip which extends from the socket. A further aspect of the present invention provides securing the socket to the planar by extending the reinforcing strip from each of the at least two socket tabs through the socket and out of a bottom surface of the socket, and coupling the reinforcing strip from each of the at least two socket tabs to the planar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Beth Frayne Loebach
  • Publication number: 20030137806
    Abstract: A fastenerless clip attaches a system component to the inside of a chassis of a computer system. The clip is detachably mountable and includes a clip body with a resilient portion to provide a compressive force that securely holds the system component in position against a face of the chassis. The fastenerless clip is useful in attaching rotary cooling fans to a lateral face of a computer system chassis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: James Edward Cannon
  • Patent number: 6594870
    Abstract: A fastener for coupling a trim panel to a support member includes a mounting grommet with a funnel-shaped receiver communicating with an aperture for receiving one end of a fastener pin having a plurality of spaced annular ratcheting grooves formed thereon. The opposite or second end of the pin includes a pointed end with a pair of resilient locking arms, which extend divergently outwardly and away from an apex of the second end of the pin at an acute angle and at a spacing of about 180°, for insertion into an aperture of a support structure. Interposed between the first and second ends of the fastening pin is a resilient, generally cup-shaped seal which engages a surface of the support structure opposite the locking arms for providing a seal surrounding the aperture in the support structure to which the fastening pin is inserted. The grommet includes an annular slot defined by a collar on one side and a shoulder of the funnel-shaped receiver on the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Martin Lambrecht, Andrew Johnston, Kathy J. Jackson, Nicholas Jackson, Jr., Shawn E. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6588071
    Abstract: A clip member for sealing an opening in a sheet material includes a body which is fluid tight in an axial direction, at least one flange portion adapted to engage a surface of the sheet material, at least one resiliently deformable arm attached to the body and radially bendable relative to the body for facilitating introduction of the body into the opening and locking of the body in the opening, and a deformable film surrounding the arm. The film is tied on both the body and the flange portion to seal the opening and deformed concurrently with the deformation or bending of the arm. A locking portion is provided on the arm to engage an edge of the opening when the body is fit into the opening with a snapping action of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: ITW Automotive Products GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Gramss
  • Patent number: 6585287
    Abstract: A roof rail air bag assembly includes an air bag module having an air bag and an air bag inflator, and a hanger designed to attach the assembly to the roof rail of a vehicle. The installation of the roof rail air bag assembly is accomplished by an operator standing outside the vehicle, and without the use of external fasteners. A roof panel is attached to the vehicle roof rail to permanently fasten the hanger to the vehicle, while the air bag module can be easily removed for servicing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James R. Spaulding, Olimpia Maria Hernandez, Bruce R Koch
  • Publication number: 20030110603
    Abstract: A clip is disclosed which is capable of applying significant retention force via a rotatable cam arm while being easily removable due to the cam arm and a separate removal arm. A method of using the clip is also disclosed which uses the advantages of the clip, particularly in the context of computer design and construction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Gregory C. Franke, Donald J. Hall, Jeffrey A. Lambert
  • Publication number: 20030103332
    Abstract: A heat sink assembly includes an electronic device, a heat sink and a clip that compresses the heat sink against the electronic device. A spacer is mounted on the clip to restrain motion of the heat sink relative to the electronic device. A method of securing a heat sink to an electronic device includes compressing the heat sink against the electronic device with a clip, and attaching a spacer to the clip in order to restrain motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey J. Sopko, George R. Anderson, George Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20030103331
    Abstract: A heat dissipation device includes a heat sink (30), a metal plate (50), and a clip (20). The heat sink has a chassis (36) with thermally conductive material (40) applied thereunder. The metal plate is attached to the material in order to be in thermal contact with the chassis. The metal plate is then directly attached to a CPU (60). The clip is engaged with a socket (70) that supports the CPU, to facilitate the metal plate intimately contacting the CPU. The metal plate prevents the CPU from moving from the socket should the heat dissipation device be accidentally moved or displaced. This reduces any risk of damage to the CPU. In addition, heat generated from the CPU is efficiently removed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Hsieh Kun Lee, Donyun Lee
  • Patent number: 6556442
    Abstract: A CPU cooling structure is constructed to include a CPU holder holding a CPU, a heat sink mounted on the CPU holder in contact with the CPU, two fans at two sides of the heat sink, and a narrow elongated, substantially -shaped heat sink fastener bridged the heat sink and hooked on front and back hooks of the CPU holder to secure the heat sink in position, the heat sink fastener having a top center screw hole fastened to a top center locating hole of the heat sink by a hand screw, and two coupling end pieces respectively extended from the ends of two arms thereof and hooked on the hooks of the CPU holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Global WIN Technology Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Shih-Jen Lin
  • Patent number: 6550962
    Abstract: A thermal sensor incorporating an improved retention clip is disclosed herein. The improved retention clip is both easily fabricated from either sheet stock or wire stock and is designed to be easily and securely assembled to the sensor housing and provides a convenient easy to use retention system for attaching the sensor to a tubular or generally cylindrical conduit member. The retention clip includes a gently angled lead-in portion which aids in guiding the clip into the conduit with little force coupled with a more sharply angled retention portion that substantially increases the force required to dislodge the sensor once assembled. Additionally, the clips are designed to minimize contact surface engagement with the conduit so as to minimize crevice corrosion. Portions of the clips may be covered with a suitable material to further limit the possibility of localized corrosion as well as to insulate the clip from the conduit member while also resisting relative movement therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventors: Tung-Sheng Yang, James Krillenberger, Larry Russell, Bradley Funk, Jeffrey Mueck, Donald Cunitz
  • Patent number: 6552905
    Abstract: A heat sink retention assembly including a spring, a spring retainer, and a spring displacement limiter. The spring retainer maintains the spring in a compressed state in which a contact portion of the spring applies a force to the heat sink. The compressed state is characterized by a predetermined spring displacement and exerted force. The spring displacement limiting mechanism prevents displacement of the compressed spring substantially beyond the predetermined spring displacement. The displacement limiting mechanism may comprise a separate component such as a spacer structure or may be integrated into the configuration of the spring itself. In one spacer structure embodiment, the spacer has a vertical dimension that is determined by the difference between the total spring displacement possible and the predetermined spring displacement required to deliver the predetermined force to the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dean Frederick Herring, Joseph Anthony Holung, Beth Frayne Loebach
  • Publication number: 20030070265
    Abstract: A clip for holding a heat sink on an enclosure which surrounds a Pentium IV™ CPU and which has a plurality of holes defined therein. The clip includes a U-shaped resiliently flexible body having a curved bottom and a pair of butt ends. And each of the butt ends has an appendage formed with a barb to be snapped into corresponding one of the holes in the enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2001
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Jen-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 6542367
    Abstract: A heat sink retention frame is disposed about an electronic package, and a heat sink is disposed within the heat sink retention frame above the electronic package. A clip is mounted across a lateral edge surface of the heat sink and fastened to the heat sink retention frame. The clip can help hold the heat sink in place during normal operation and can retain the heat sink in the retention frame during mechanical shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David Shia, Thomas J. Wong
  • Patent number: 6526634
    Abstract: A fastener has a leg, a foot, an elastic portion and a flange formed on the leg, wherein the elastic portion has a ring around the leg and two bow arms oppositely connects two sides of the ring with two sides of the leg. The flange is higher than the ring of the elastic on the leg, so that the movement of the bow arms is limited by the flange. Therefore the fastener ensures the bow arms has elasticity after installation into the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventor: Hsin-Mao Hsieh
  • Patent number: 6529378
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved heat sink retention assembly, such that the heat sink is physically supported by a base rather than by an integrated circuit. Traditional heat sinks have an alignment feature that physically aligns and supports the heat sink by contact of the feature with an integrated circuit, and that transfers force applied to the heat sink to the integrated circuit. This transferred force may be seen as shear stress at the pins of integrated circuits such as pin-grid arrays, and may damage the integrity of the integrated circuit or its connection to an external circuit. The present invention provides alignment and support features remote from contact with the integrated circuit, and therefore provides support for the heat sink in a manner that does not place substantial stress on the integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Wong, Neal Ulen, Peter Davison, Ketan Shah
  • Publication number: 20030037418
    Abstract: A hybrid grounding clip formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The grounding clip includes a base having opposing ends, opposing sides and a slot defined therethrough. The clip further includes a set of attachment legs formed from downwardly bent portions of the base, and at least one contact flange formed from a portion of the base which is bent at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the base located inwardly from at least one of the opposing sides along the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Lenhart, Dennis Patrick Conroy, John Ramspacher, Jamie Jay Swift
  • Patent number: 6525941
    Abstract: A heat dissipating device includes a heat-dissipating fin module disposed in a base frame that is mounted on a circuit board and in heat-conductive contact with an electronic component on the circuit board. A fan module includes parallel positioning members connected to a fan. Each positioning member has a positioning end portion connected to the base frame. An operating member is coupled pivotally to a coupling end portion of each positioning member, and has opposite engaging end portions, and an intermediate pressing portion that is operable so as to rotate the engaging end portions to engage the base frame such that an abutting portion of each positioning member is pulled toward and applies pressure on the fin module, thereby enabling the fin module to contact tightly the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Tai-Sol Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yaw-Huey Lai
  • Patent number: 6519817
    Abstract: A hybrid grounding clip formed from a single piece of sheet metal. The grounding clip includes a base having opposing ends, opposing sides and a slot defined therethrough. The clip further includes a set of attachment legs formed from downwardly bent portions of the base, and at least one contact flange formed from a portion of the base which is bent at an angle of less than 90° with respect to the base located inwardly from at least one of the opposing sides along the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Lenhart, Dennis Patrick Conroy, John Ramspacher, Jamie Jay Swift
  • Patent number: 6522545
    Abstract: A heat sink retention frame is disposed about an electronic package, and a heat sink is disposed within the heat sink retention frame above the electronic package. A clip is mounted across a lateral edge surface of the heat sink and fastened to the heat sink retention frame. The clip can help hold the heat sink in place during normal operation and can retain the heat sink in the retention frame during mechanical shocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David Shia, Thomas J. Wong
  • Patent number: 6519153
    Abstract: An assembly is disclosed including a printed circuit board, a single piece heat sink retention frame secured to the printed circuit board, the frame comprising four structural members surrounding an aperture, an integrated circuit chip secured to the printed circuit board and positioned within the aperture and a heat sink secured to the frame, the heat sink positioned above the integrated circuit chip and at least partially within the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: David Shia, Thomas J. Wong
  • Patent number: 6519150
    Abstract: Linkage-type fixing device for heat-radiator of central processor including: at least two locating pins downward projecting from the bottom end of the heat-radiator; a first latch device having a latch board downward projecting from a first side thereof for hooking a projecting hook of the insertion seat of the central processor, the panel body of the first latch device being formed with at least two concentrically arranged latch slots for correspondingly latching with the locating pins of the heat-radiator; and a second latch device slidably disposed at a second lateral end of the first latch device. A hook board downward projects from a second side of the second latch device. The panel body of the second latch device is formed with a linkage slot. The distance between a first end of the linkage slot and the circular center of the latch slots is smaller than the distance between a second end of the linkage slot and the circular center of the latch slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Inventors: Hsin-Yi Chen, Hui-Chia Huang
  • Patent number: 6519155
    Abstract: A retainer device (1) for attaching a heat sink (30) to a CPU (40) includes a retention module (10) and a slider (20). The retention module has a non-symmetrical opening (12) in a side wall (14) thereof, thus defining a slanted surface (16) on the retention module. The slider defines a first slot (23) accommodating a flange (38) of the heat sink and the side wall of the retention module, and a second ramp slot (25) opposite to the first slot for accommodating the slanted surface of the retention module. A locking spring (27) is connected to the slider with a rotatable cam. The locking spring has a cantilever beam (28), and a pressing portion (29) pressing against the flange of the heat sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: William B. Walkup
  • Patent number: 6513205
    Abstract: An easily employed, highly efficient, multi-product holding and retaining member is achieved which engages the apertures of a plurality of blister package product bearing support cards, maintaining the plurality of independent cards in a secure, fully integrated compact configuration, preventing movement and unwanted damage during shipping. In addition the holding and retaining member enables a stock clerk to place the plurality of blister package product bearing support cards directly onto the elongated rod or hooks simultaneously in a single operation, enabling rapid transfer of the product for sale and distribution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2003
    Assignee: Acme United Corporation
    Inventor: David L. Mathieu