Abstract:
An apparatus for mounting an expansion card module to a motherboard having a number of sockets includes a supporting frame and a fixing bracket slidably mounted to the supporting frame and fixed to an end of the expansion card module. The expansion card module can be inserted into any one of the card slots, with the fixing bracket able to slide along the supporting frame, to any desired position, before fixing the expansion card module in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for mounting peripheral component interconnect (PCI) cards. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A number of expansion cards can be in a computer and engaged in the card slots of the motherboard of the computer to enhance functions of the computer. In mounting the expansion cards, the expansion cards are fixed to a fixing bracket at an end of the computer with a plurality of screws. However, the expansion cards can only be fixed in one particular position, making it very inflexible in the mounting of the expansion card. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0006]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are exploded views of an embodiment of a mounting apparatus, an expansion card, a riser card, and a chassis, but shown from different perspectives, wherein the mounting apparatus includes a supporting frame and a fixing bracket. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of the fixing bracket of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIGS. 4 and 5  are assembled views of the items of  FIG. 1 , showing the expansion card mounted in different positions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” 
         [0010]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a mounting apparatus mounts an expansion card module  400  to a chassis  300  of a computer. In the embodiment, the expansion card module  400  includes an expansion card  100  and a riser card  200 . The mounting apparatus includes a supporting frame  10  and a fixing bracket  20 . 
         [0011]    A motherboard  301  is mounted in the chassis  300 , and includes a plurality of parallel sockets  302 . 
         [0012]    The expansion card  100  includes an L-shaped mounting piece  101  at end of the expansion card  100 . The mounting piece  101  includes a mounting portion  102  and a bent portion  103  perpendicularly extending from an end of the mounting portion  102 . A locating notch  1031  is defined in a top side of the bent portion  103 . 
         [0013]    The riser card  200  includes a socket  201  and defines an adjacent fixing hole  203  in a rear end of the riser card  200 . 
         [0014]    The supporting frame  10  is fixed to a rear end of the chassis  300 . The supporting frame  10  includes a rectangular sidewall  11  facing the motherboard  301 , a top wall  12  perpendicularly extending rearward from a top side of the sidewall  11 , and a bottom wall  13  perpendicularly extending rearward from a bottom side of the sidewall  12 . The sidewall  11  defines a plurality of connector holes  114  and a plurality of vents  116  adjacent to an end of the sidewall  11 . A mounting opening  112  is defined in the sidewall  11  through the top wall  12  and aligned with the sockets  302  of the motherboard  301 . A guide rail  123  is connected to the top wall  12  and extends the length of a side of the mounting opening  112 . 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the fixing bracket  20  includes a shielding plate  23 , a blocking plate  21  perpendicularly extending down from a middle of the shielding plate  23 , a substantially L-shaped first locating plate  22  perpendicularly extending rearwards from a first end of the blocking plate  21 , and a second locating plate  24  perpendicularly extending down from a second end of the shielding plate  23 . The second locating plate  24  is perpendicular to, and in front of, the blocking plate  21 . A lengthwise alignment opening  212  is defined in the blocking plate  21 . The blocking plate  21  includes a hook  214 , extending rearward from a side bounding the bottom side of the alignment opening  212 . A bridge-shaped tab  213  protrudes from a front side of the blocking plate  21 , adjacent to an end of the alignment opening  212  and near the second locating plate  24 . A bar  231  protrudes from a bottom of the shielding plate  23  and extends along the underside of the shielding plate  23 . The bar  23  longitudinally defines a slide slot  233 . A standoff  221  protrudes from an outside of the first locating plate  22 . The second locating plate  24  defines a locating hole  241 . 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in assembly, the riser card  200  abuts the outside of the second locating plate  24 , with the fixing hole  203  of the riser card  200  aligned with the locating hole  241  of the second locating plate  24 . A screw  801  extends through the locating hole  241 , for fastening in the fixing hole  203 , to fix the riser card  200  to the fixing bracket  20 . 
         [0017]    The expansion card  100  is inserted into the socket  201  of the riser card  200 . The mounting portion  102  abuts the front side of the blocking plate  21  and is aligned with the alignment opening  212  of the blocking plate  21 . An end of the mounting portion  102  furthest away from the bent portion  103  is engaged between the tab  213  and the blocking plate  21 . The bent portion  103  of the mounting piece  101  abuts the first locating plate  22 , with the standoff  221  engaging in the locating notch  1031  of the bent portion  103 , to fix the expansion card  100  to the fixing bracket  20 . 
         [0018]    The expansion card module  400  is mounted in the chassis  300 , with the riser card  200  inserted in one of the sockets  302 . The fixing bracket  20  is received in the mounting opening  112 , with a sidewall bounding a bottom side of the mounting opening  112 , and slidably engaged with the hook  214  of the fixing bracket  20  and the guide rail  123  being slidably engaged in the slide slot  233  of the fixing bracket  20 . 
         [0019]    Since the fixing bracket  20  can slide along the mounting opening  112  of the supporting frame  10 , the position of the fixing bracket  20  is adjustable to the same extent as to enable the riser card  200  to be inserted into any one selected socket  302  of the motherboard  301 . 
         [0020]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.