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.

Abstract: A computing system includes a frame and a drive mounting structure for mounting one or more drive units within the computing system, with the drive mounting structure being pivotally and removably mounted on the frame to move between an operating position, in which an internal end of a drive unit mounted within the drive mounting structure is held within the computing system, and a service position, in which the internal end of the drive unit extends outward from the computing system. In the service position, access is provided to an open end of the drive mounting structure, into which the drive unit can be installed, to the internal end of the drive unit, for attachment of a cable, and to a side of the drive mounting structure, through which fasteners are driven to mount the drive unit within the drive mounting structure.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism for installing a processor heatsink on a planar board space takes up a minimal amount of the planar board space. The heatsink is held down securely against the top of the processor with a substantial amount of force. This is accomplished through a screw and leaf spring mechanism at each side edge of the processor. The screw and leaf spring arrangement are rotated out of the way while the heatsink is installed and then returned to their original positions to retain the heatsink. The mechanism is partially assembled prior to the installation of the heatsink.

Abstract: A system and method of mounting components to a frame, such as a disk drive in the mounting frame of a personal computer shaped to receive the disk drive in a releasable fashion within the frame. A tubular spring member with a z-shaped base and outwardly-extending legs is made of a spring steel and formed with flattened leg ends fits within holes in the component to secure the component to a guide member, with the guide member mounted within the mounting frame. The disk drive component with the guide member secured by the Z-spring slides into a slot on the frame of the personal computer and is secured in place to provide a releasable assembly for replacement of the disk drive as desired.

Abstract: Disclosed is a media console which includes a base member and a drive housing that can be moved within the base member between an open position and a closed position. A spring is connected to a bottom of the base member and to the drive housing for biasing the drive housing in the open position. A pair of gear tracks are integrally formed in opposite sides of the base member for cooperating with a pair of geared dampers attached to opposite ends of the drive housing. The drive housing includes a direct access storage device disposed at a front end thereof and the direct access storage device has an opening for receiving a removable storage medium. The spring, gear tracks and geared dampers cooperate with each other (1) to allow the drive housing to move smoothly from the closed position to the open position wherein a user may access the opening, and (2) to allow the drive housing to move smoothly from the open position to the closed position.