Having Biased Clip Holding Means Patents (Class 248/27.3)
  • Patent number: 7327565
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a bracket (50) for receiving a storage device (60) therein. A position-translating member (10) is attached to outside of the bracket selectively at first and second positions. A slidable member (30) is slidably attached to the position-translating member. A retention member (20) is received in the slidable member. The retention member includes four latches (213) for engaging in the storage device at the first and second positions thereby securely attaching the storage device in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Tsung Chen, Shao-Bo Han
  • Patent number: 7318571
    Abstract: A fixation member, made of a single piece of elastic material, used for mounting an object to a frame, and in particular for mounting an automotive lamp in a reflector housing, includes a first portion and a second portion interconnected by first spring means. The first portion comprise first catch means for engaging with a frame to which the fixation member is to be fixed after the first portion is pushed towards the second portion, while the first spring means pushes the second portion against the frame. The first portion furthermore comprises second catch means for engaging with corresponding catch means of the second portion when the first portion is pushed further towards said second portion against an increasing force of the first spring means, whereby the catch means retracts and thereby disengages from the frame. The second portion is provided with second spring means for abutting against the frame thereby pushing the second portion in a direction away from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Petrus Johannes Antonius Linssen
  • Patent number: 7303170
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a bracket (10), a cage (20), a front panel (30), and two sliding members (40). The bracket defines two locking openings (122) therein. The cage is slidably attachable to the bracket. The front panel is slidably attachable to the cage, and has a first sliding direction along which the cage slides into the bracket. Two operating poles (36) are formed on the front panel. Two sliding members are slidably disposed in the cage, and have a second sliding direction perpendicular to the first sliding direction. The sliding members are driven by the operating poles of the front panel for engaging into the locking openings of the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lu Fan, Chieh Yang, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7243882
    Abstract: An assembly for attaching gauges or other accessories to vehicles provides a rampart member for securing the assembly to a vehicle surface and a gauge display member secured to the rampart member for receiving and displaying gauges and other instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Gauge Works, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory E. Day, Dwight C. Green
  • Patent number: 7201356
    Abstract: The invention discloses a mounting apparatus of displayer suitable for external installation and inset installation by applying a modularized design with two aspects of installation method. One of the methods is that a displayer frame is fastened on a supporting rack by means of a joint portion located at the backside of displayer frame to form a displayer frame for an external displayer. On the other hand, the modularized displayer frame is also applicable to a mounting apparatus of displayer for inset installation. This method is first to provide a pair of removable fastening sheets at two sides of displayer frame so as to form an assembling area at the outer wall of two sides of displayer frame. Then, a pair of positioning members will be joined together through two sides of a base so that a connecting portion with flexibility provided as a protrusion can be formed at the inner wall of each of two sides of base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Inventor: Kai-Cheng Huang
  • Patent number: 7040686
    Abstract: A vehicle interior trim panel comprising a mounting opening with opposing walls for slidably engaging a component into fixed relationship with the mounting opening wherein molded features in the walls of the mounting opening engage the component to align and fixedly retain the component in the mounting opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.
    Inventor: Kelvin L. Kapteyn
  • Patent number: 6982868
    Abstract: A display device for a motor vehicle. In order to allow a compact, space-saving and cost-effective design and a rotation of the display with little change in position, the display device includes a display housing for mounting on a vehicle dashboard; and a display frame for accommodating a display. The display is rotatable with respect to the display housing. The display device further includes a driven element affixed on the display housing; and a drive device affixed on the display frame, having an electric motor, a worm gear and a gear-output shaft for engaging with the driven element. The electric motor arranged in a center region of the display frame and the engagement of the gear-output shaft with the driven element occurs outside the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Schach, Walter Koch, Bernhard Herzog, Gunter Veigel, Volker Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 6938859
    Abstract: A gauge mounting device (20) for an improved mounting a gauge (17) to an instrument panel (19) including an annular gauge bracket assembly comprised of a gauge bracket having an inner tapering thread profile forming a helical pitch, a gripper ring disposed within the inner tapering thread profile having a plurality of gripping teeth radially aligned on a inner surface of the gripper ring and freely moveable along the inner tapering thread profile. The gauge bracket engaged onto a conical or cylindrical gauge housing having a gauge disposed therein and preventing further rotation of the conical gauge housing forming a stationery helix. The gauge bracket rotated causing forward movement by the helical pitch traveling along the stationery helix from the gripper ring resulting in increasing gripping force applied to the conical or cylindrical gauge housing and increasing sandwiching force between the gauge bracket and the conical or cylindrical gauge housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Thomas G. Faria Corp.
    Inventor: Gary Beausoleil
  • Patent number: 6892626
    Abstract: An in-wall coffee maker includes a coffee maker unit received in a mounting structure mounted within a wall cavity. The mounting structure includes engagement tabs to enable engagement of the mounting box to one or more wall structures and attachment flanges or tabs with apertures to receive fasteners from mating apertures in the coffee maker unit to attach the coffee maker unit in the mounting structure. The in-wall coffee maker unit can also include a metered water connection to facilitate a self-filling capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Inventor: William L. Spencer
  • Patent number: 6883759
    Abstract: A front panel operating apparatus and method of a vehicle display device such as a car audio can include a main chassis for accommodating an audio device, a front panel provided in the front side of the main chassis that opens or closes to allow access to a record medium for the audio device. The front panel can have a display part in the front side thereof. A supporting panel can be hinge-coupled to a lower side of the front panel to move a lower end of the front panel forward and backward by sliding from a prescribed location of the main chassis in forward and backward directions of the main chassis. A vertical guide can be formed at the front side of the main chassis, and a protrusion formed on the front panel can be inserted into the vertical guide for controllably moving an upper portion of the front panel up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chan Hoon Park, Sang Jin Youn, Jung Sik Kim
  • Patent number: 6799743
    Abstract: In a visor side bracket 5, a sun visor is arranged in a lower surface side, a shaft supporting portion 8 fitting a fixing shaft 4 to an upper surface side is protruded, and a guide portion 12 is formed near a peripheral wall portion of the shaft supporting portion 8. On the contrary, a guide groove 23 structured such that the guide portion 12 is inserted in a sliding manner by assembling the visor side bracket 5 is formed in a panel side bracket 6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Publication number: 20040164207
    Abstract: This invention provides a spring loaded mounting mechanism for easily mounting and removing a loudspeaker housing within an opening in a surface. The mounting mechanism includes a shaft connected to the loudspeaker housing. Attached to the shaft is a spring actuated arm. The actuated arm is compressed inward toward the housing by the side walls of the surface surrounding the opening when the housing is being positioned within the opening. At a certain point when the housing is inserted far enough into the opening, the actuated arm will lose contact with the side walls of the surface surrounding the opening and will expand to its open position. In its open position, the arm is positioned just behind or against the back face of the surface surrounding the opening, locking the housing into the opening in the surface. The invention further allows for the spring actuated arm to be tightened against or moved away from the back face of the surface by adjusting the positioning of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: William Andrew Decanio, Paul Nelson Adley, Bernard Hawkins
  • Patent number: 6757164
    Abstract: A positioning unit is provided for a computer housing-and-peripheral device assembly that includes a computer housing and a peripheral device. The positioning unit includes a positioning member disposed between the peripheral device and the computer housing, and including a thin plate that is stamped to form a bent spring arm having a first section which extends toward the casing, and a second section which bends from the first section and which extends toward the computer housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Mitac International Corp.
    Inventor: Chin-Tang Lin
  • Patent number: 6741452
    Abstract: A retaining device (20) for mounting a switch (10) to a computer enclosure (30) includes a main wall (22) and left and right side walls (24) cooperatively defining a space therebetween for accommodating the switch therein. A pair of pins (28) is stamped perpendicularly from the main wall. An extension tab (23) extends from the left side wall and defines a through aperture (25) therein. A bent tab (27) extends from the right side wall. In assembly, the switch is received in the retaining device with the pins being received in through holes of the switch. The combined retaining device and switch is then attached to a panel (32) of the enclosure (30). The bent tab is engagingly received in a locking aperture of the panel. A screw (40) is extended through the through aperture (25) to engage with the panel in a screw aperture (38) thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Alvin Liu, Yuan-Lin Hsu, Li Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 6698701
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for an electronic shelf label which is easy to install. The mounting apparatus includes a frame member defining an aperture through which an electronic shelf label is inserted having a top edge and a bottom edge, a bottom member extending behind the frame member from the bottom edge and including first teeth, and a top member extending behind the frame member from the top edge and including second teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Gary C. Dalton
  • Patent number: 6666414
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mounting bracket for a device comprising a resiliently-deformable surface, having a deforming element disposed therein, and a pair of attachment members disposed on opposite sides of and attached to the surface. The attachment members of the mounting bracket are adapted to interface with the device upon deformation of the deforming element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ronald Paul Dean, Kristina Lynn Mann, Sean William Tucker, David William Mayer
  • Patent number: 6651936
    Abstract: A pair of brackets for mounting an ISO audio component securely within a DIN aperture. Each bracket has a mounting component for abutting against a vertical side and a front reveal portion of the ISO component. A securing clip protrudes from the mounting component for detachably securing the ISO audio component within the DIN aperture, while an engaging component substantially engages a front edge of the ISO audio component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Metra Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Jacqueline S. Upson, R. Spencer Quilling, II
  • Patent number: 6637846
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an exit apparatus for computer modules, including a first lever that connects with a first elastic member; and a second lever that connects with a second elastic member. The second lever with the elasticity of the second elastic member hooks the first lever. And then, by pushing the second lever to release the first lever and the first lever is pushed forward by the elasticity of the first elastic member. When the user pushes the second lever horizontally, the first lever hooks the module and the module is pulled out with a short distance. The user can fully retrieve the module by pulling the first lever. The present invention replaces the conventionally complicated exit apparatus with simple mechanism, thus effectively reducing the manufacturing process, and lowering the production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignees: Wistron Corporation, Acer Incorporated
    Inventor: Chun-Fei Yang
  • Publication number: 20030160135
    Abstract: A front panel operating apparatus and method of a vehicle display device such as a car audio can include a main chassis for accommodating an audio device, a front panel provided in the front side of the main chassis that opens or closes to allow access to a record medium for the audio device. The front panel can have a display part in the front side thereof. A supporting panel can be hinge-coupled to a lower side of the front panel to move a lower end of the front panel forward and backward by sliding from a prescribed location of the main chassis in forward and backward directions of the main chassis. A vertical guide can be formed at the front side of the main chassis, and a protrusion formed on the front panel can be inserted into the vertical guide for controllably moving an upper portion of the front panel up and down.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chan Hoon Park, Sang Jin Youn, Jung Sik Kim
  • Publication number: 20030160134
    Abstract: A pair of brackets for mounting an ISO audio component securely within a DIN aperture. Each bracket has a mounting component for abutting against a vertical side and a front reveal portion of the ISO component. A securing clip protrudes from the mounting component for detachably securing the ISO audio component within the DIN aperture, while an engaging component substantially engages a front edge of the ISO audio component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: August 28, 2003
    Applicant: METRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jacqueline S. Upson, R. Spencer Quilling
  • Patent number: 6609619
    Abstract: A method of retaining a rack slide supported computer enclosure in a rack system having column flanges includes attaching a latch to the computer enclosure, sliding the computer enclosure into the rack system, and engaging a column flange with the latch as the computer enclosure is slid into the rack system. A method of releasing a rack slide supported computer enclosure in a rack system having column flanges pushing on a latch arm having two latch catch slots so that the latch arm clears a column flange, and pulling the computer enclosure outwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2003
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Ryan C Abbott
  • Patent number: 6607233
    Abstract: A retainer clip assembly for securing a variety of components interiorly in an automobile. The assembly includes a movable lever which secures the retainer clip assembly to a vehicle ceiling panel. The lever includes a release member that is accessible from the exterior of the retainer clip, so that the lever may be disengaged from the ceiling panel, whereby the component may be removed. A transportation clip is disclosed for use with the retainer clip assembly. The transportation clip connects the retainer clip to a headliner module during transportation to the final point of assembly. At the final point of assembly, the retainer clip can be pushed into its installed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: Crotty Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Beaver, Willard E. Crotty, III
  • Patent number: 6481682
    Abstract: A plate member mounting structure is used to mount a plate to a panel with an opening without forming a hole to the plate. The mounting structure is formed of a plate member to be attached to the panel and formed on the plate, and a clip to be disposed in the opening of the panel. The plate member has an insertion portion, and an engagement portion to project outwardly from an outer peripheral portion of the insertion portion. The clip includes an accommodating portion for receiving the insertion portion of the plate member, an engagement piece provided at the accommodating portion and engaging the engagement portion of the plate member, an anchor piece formed at one side of the clip to engage the panel, and a positioning piece formed at a head portion of the clip for engaging the panel together with the anchor piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventor: Hideya Miura
  • Patent number: 6406087
    Abstract: A panel fixation member of a bracket 31 for attaching a sun visor to a roof panel 33 has a pair of division walls 51a, 51b divided by slits S that divide lengthwise a surrounding wall formed substantially in a shape of a cylinder, and it is composed of a grommet screw 51 of which the diameter is expanded by insertion of a first conductive screw 43 into its inner surrounding portion in a state where it is inserted into a fitting hole 33a of the roof panel 33 thereby to be tightened in relation to the fitting hole 33a. Further, a protective wall 51c is extendedly provided for both side edges of the division wall 51a facing the slits S, which covers slit openings on a side face of the grommet screw 51 by extending in a flexible direction of the division wall 51b.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Sawayanagi
  • Publication number: 20020066832
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for operating the front panel of a car audio system. The apparatus includes a guide rack, a main chassis, a front chassis, a trim plate, a front panel and a linkage. The guide rack is comprised of a rack body and a slide link. The main chassis is provided at its right side with a plurality of rack shafts and a damper gear. The front chassis covers the open front of the main chassis, and is provided with two vertical link guide slots, two link tabs, a link guide recess, a spring holder and auxiliary spring holders. The trim plate covers the front surface of the front chassis, and is provided at its both sides with two vertical link guide slots. The front panel, to which a control panel is attached, is provided with a plurality of link holders and a link guide recess. The linkage connects the front chassis and the front panel, and selectively locks and unlocks the guide rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: HYUNDAI AUTONET CO., LTD.
    Inventor: O Tae Kwon
  • Patent number: 6398041
    Abstract: A latch for retaining a rack slide mounted computer in a rack system. The latch includes a resiliently bendable latch arm having catches configured for engagement with a column flange of a computer rack system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventor: Ryan C Abbott
  • Patent number: 6398168
    Abstract: An apparatus for operating the front panel of a car audio system. The apparatus includes a guide rack, a main chassis, a front chassis, a trim plate, a front panel and a linkage. The guide rack is comprised of a rack body and a slide link. The main chassis is provided at its right side with a plurality of rack shafts and a damper gear. The front chassis covers the open front of the main chassis, and is provided with two vertical link guide slots, two link tabs, a link guide recess, a spring holder and auxiliary spring holders. The trim plate covers the front surface of the front chassis, and is provided at its both sides with two vertical link guide slots. The front panel, to which a control panel is attached, is provided with a plurality of link holders and a link guide recess. The linkage connects the front chassis and the front panel, and selectively locks and unlocks the guide rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2002
    Assignee: Hyundai Autonet Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kwon O Tae
  • Patent number: 6396686
    Abstract: A mounting device for mounting a data storage device in a cage of a computer enclosure includes a board body and a plurality of fixing clips. The board body defines a plurality of mounting holes and receiving slots. Each fixing clip includes a inserting portion extending through the mounting hole of the board body and a corresponding side hole of the data storage device for attaching the board body to the data storage device, and first and second grounding fingers for respectively contacting the data storage device and the computer enclosure thereby forming a grounding path therebetween while fixing the data storage device to the computer enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Tai Liu, Yun-Long Chen, Alvin Liu
  • Patent number: 6371433
    Abstract: A damping device with a top element, a bottom element, and a viscoelastic element between the top and bottom elements. The damping device exerts significant shear displacement across the viscoelastic element upon deflecting. The damping device may have first and second ends and an intermediate portion between the first and second ends. The damping device may have a generally longitudinal extension with an elevation in the direction of the top element in the intermediate portion. The elevation may have a substantially triangular V-shape when the damping device is unloaded. A system in accordance with the principles of the present invention including a system cabinet, a plurality of carriers mounted in the system cabinet for receiving hard disk drives, and a plurality of damping devices according to the invention mounted between the carriers and the system cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Dale H. Anderson, Donald M. Connelly, Jr., Kenton C. Green
  • Patent number: 6366470
    Abstract: A device for locking cards or caches into place in the frame of a computer central unit A device for locking cards into place in the frame of a computer central unit, comprising latch windows (21-24) in the form of slots provided in the rear face of the frame (1) and a clipping window (25). A latch (4) comprises a body (47) bearing latch fingers (41, 44) joined to a transverse connecting branch (46) and a clamping clip (45).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: E2A Technology S.A.
    Inventors: Fabien Goessel, Georges Taguay
  • Patent number: 6360999
    Abstract: A device for retaining an LED indicator on a computer enclosure includes a hole defined in a panel of the enclosure for receiving the LED indicator therein. The hole has a circumferential edge along which a perpendicular flange is formed for surface contacting and thus securely retaining the LED indicator. Two radially extending slits are defined in the panel in communication with the hole thereby forming a resilient tab therebetween. A nominal diameter of the hole is substantially corresponding to or slightly smaller than a diameter of the LED indicator whereby when the LED indicator is inserted into the hole, the resilient tab is deflected and thus applies a biasing force to the LED indicator for securely retaining the LED indicator. A round corner is formed between the flange and the edge of the hole for avoiding damaging the LED indicator and for guiding the LED indicator into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision IND Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Nien Chiang Liao
  • Patent number: 6341060
    Abstract: An optical disk drive assembly includes a hollow housing, an optical disk drive, and a control panel. The hollow housing has a bottom wall, two opposite side walls extending upwardly from two opposite sides of the bottom wall, a rear wall extending upwardly from a rear end of the bottom wall, and a front opening formed at a front end of the bottom wall and opposed to the rear wall. The optical disk drive is mounted inside the hollow housing. The optical disk drive is spaced apart from and is disposed above the bottom wall to define a clearance therebetween. The control panel is movably received in the clearance. The control panel has a front end, and a plurality of control keys disposed adjacent to the front end of the control panel and connected electrically to the optical disk drive for manipulation of the optical disk drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Compal Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kuei-Chu Chuang
  • Patent number: 6328177
    Abstract: A box, in particular for electrical devices, is built into a wall of any kind by fitting into an opening therein. The box includes a transverse flange which bears in the manner of a guard against the wall to be equipped and, beyond the flange, at least one elastically deformable lug projecting laterally to cooperate with the wall. The elastically deformable lug has two branches with a common root and extending in respective different directions, namely, referred to the insertion direction, a first or front branch extending globally away from the flange and a second or rear branch extending globally towards the flange. Applications include electrical devices, for example infrared radiation receiving cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignees: Legrand, Legrand SNC
    Inventor: Jean-Paul Goudal
  • Patent number: 6325335
    Abstract: A clip (10) is disclosed for mounting a optical fiber coupler (12) in a panel (14) of a device such as a horizontal coupler module (16). The clip (10) is formed of resilient spring steel and has first and second tabs (90, 100) with a portion (92, 102) extending away from the sides (86, 88) of the clip and a second portion (96, 106) which extends toward the sides. The clip (10) allows the clip and coupler (12) to be inserted from the front side (68) of the panel (14) and removed from the front side for inspection, testing and cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: CCS Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: J. D. Harvey
  • Patent number: 6318679
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting computer peripheral equipment, such as disk drives or CD ROMs, comprises a drive cage and rails. The drive cage, a part of a computer chassis, defines several bays for receiving disk drives or CD ROMs therein. The drive cage has side walls forming bends whereby each pair of bends defines a receiving channel in each bay, and spring tabs project into each bay. Two rails each having a leading end and spring fingers are attached to sides of the CD ROM for slidably mounting in the corresponding bay of the drive cage. The leading end of the rail facilitates alignment the receiving channel. The spring fingers abut against with the bend of the channel to prevent clearance from forming between the bend and the rail. When the CD ROM is fully inserted into the bay, the spring tabs are attached to the rail thereby providing good grounding and easy installation capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Andy K. Yang, Phillip Ting
  • Patent number: 6305217
    Abstract: A diagnostic test device for mounting to an automobile steering wheel comprises a housing having a control panel, an electronic circuit, and one or more supports adapted to mount the housing on the outer ring of the automobile steering wheel. The electronic circuit is contained within the housing and has an input for receiving diagnostic information from the automobile. One or more supports are located relative to the lower surface of the housing such that the lower surface is located above the center hub of the steering wheel when the housing is supported on the outer ring of the steering wheel by the supports. The distance between the lower surface of the housing and the geometric center of the outer ring of the steering wheel is greater than or equal to seventy percent (70%) of the radius of the outer ring at the closest point between the lower surface and the geometric center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Inventors: Jurgen Mansfeld, Eckhard Schulz
  • Patent number: 6302361
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for an electric switch is constructed of a single metal piece and does not require separate fasteners for holding the electric switch on the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Roger E. Schaefer, Michael T. Collins
  • Patent number: 6283417
    Abstract: Mounting device bodies 4 secured to both side faces of a car audio 2 and fitted into a vehicular audio mounting hole 1 together with the car audio are each provided with vertical positioning mechanisms 13 and 14 for positioning and fixing the car audio 2 vertically with respect to the audio mounting hole 1. Consequently, with only one kind of mounting device body 4, without requiring the use of any other separate component, the car audio 2 can be vertically positioned and fixed accurately with respect to the audio mounting hole 1, and thus car audio mounting accuracy is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Ikunami
  • Patent number: 6244544
    Abstract: A capacitor holder for mounting capacitors used in electronics assemblies into a fixture, as well as mounting other types of components in other panels. The capacitor holder includes a support for receiving the capacitor and a cover for covering the capacitor. The cover and the support are attached to each other without the use of separable fasteners. Typically, snap-fit tabs depending from the cover are used to attach the cover to the support with a capacitor there between to form an assembly. The assembly is mounted into a fixture panel without the use of separable fasteners. In another typically embodiment, the mounting members are push-in and twist or push-in and snap-fit members integral with the cover. Thus, the capacitor is mounted within a fixture without separable fasteners. A method of aligning the capacitor within the panel is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: MagneTek, Inc.
    Inventors: John Kitscha, Jim Pomes
  • Publication number: 20010002018
    Abstract: A box, in particular for electrical devices, is built into a wall of any kind by fitting into an opening therein. The box includes a transverse flange which bears in the manner of a guard against the wall to be equipped and, beyond the flange, at least one elastically deformable lug projecting laterally to cooperate with the wall. The elastically deformable lug has two branches with a common root and extending in respective different directions, namely, referred to the insertion direction, a first or front branch extending globally away from the flange and a second or rear branch extending globally towards the flange. Applications include electrical devices, for example infrared radiation receiving cells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 1999
    Publication date: May 31, 2001
    Inventor: JEAN-PAUL GOUDAL
  • Patent number: 6227500
    Abstract: A meter is mounted to an instrument panel. The meter has an engaging portion in the form of a projection-like rotation shaft and projections located on the side walls of the meter. The instrument panel has a support groove and guide grooves. The meter is inserted into the instrument panel so that the projection-like rotation portion engages with the support groove of the panel. The meter is rotated about the projection-like rotation portion while the projections on the side wall of the meter engage with the guide grooves of the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Inaba, Kazuhiro Morishita
  • Patent number: 6227501
    Abstract: A mounting for attaching a sensor (10) in a vehicle bumper comprises a housing (12) within which a sensor holder (14) can be angularly adjusted. The sensor holder (14) has a part-spherical surface which is biased against a part-spherical seat (22) within the housing (12) by means of a spring (28) acting through a bearing rest (26) and a bearing cup (24), these parts being retained within the housing (12) by a thrust washer (30) and a retaining clip (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Donald Allan Malcolm
  • Patent number: 6216992
    Abstract: A sink mounting device includes a weld bracket, a movable clip member and a hanger assembly used to movably couple the clip member to the weld bracket. The weld bracket is secured to a side portion of a sink bowl and the movable clip is used to engage an overhanging portion of the underside of the countertop. The clip includes a base having an axially positioned through-opening, an elongated arm member which extends longitudinally in a direction axially from the base, a projecting finger, which extends laterally from the end of the arm remote from the base, and includes a locating flange which, when the sink mounting device is operated, engages the hanger assembly, weld bracket and/or sink bowl at a limit position to prevent further rotation of the movable arm about the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Elkay Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Rudy Y. Bisonaya, Phillip J. Baranek, Richard H. Dickson, Daniel Erickson, Gerald J. Farrell, Paul Randolph Payne, Edward Adam Przeklasa, Dimitry Roytberg, Anna Svehla, Garry Perryman, Doug Odendahl, Frank J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6179366
    Abstract: A sunshade mounting clip assembly for a vehicle includes a mounting clip adapted to be disposed adjacent a headliner covering a roof of a vehicle for cooperating with a sunshade. The mounting clip has a shaft extending outwardly therefrom. The sunshade mounting clip assembly also includes a mounting support adapted to be disposed adjacent the headliner on a side opposite the mounting clip and having an aperture extending therethrough to receive the shaft. The sunshade mounting clip assembly further includes a retainer disposed adjacent the mounting support having an aperture to receive the shaft and preventing the shaft from exiting the mounting support. The mounting support extends laterally and longitudinally to form a footprint greater than a footprint of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Hansz