Securing bracket for peripheral cards

A peripheral card securing apparatus for removably securing a plurality of peripheral cards to a chassis. The apparatus can comprise a securing clamp comprising a top portion and a bottom portion. For example, the securing clamp can be slidably coupled to the chassis, and sliding the securing clamp from an open position to a locked position secures the plurality of peripheral cards to the chassis. In some implementations, the top portion can comprise a first sliding aperture, a second sliding aperture, and a securing portion. For example, the first sliding aperture can be slidably engaged with a first securing point, and the second sliding aperture can be slidably engaged with a second securing point, such that the securing portion secures the plurality of peripheral cards to the chassis in the locked position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 103132827, filed Sep. 23, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure generally relates to a securing bracket for removably securing a plurality of peripheral cards to a chassis.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, peripheral or accessory cards (e.g., PCIE cards) are secured to a computer chassis (e.g., server) using screws. The peripheral cards, typically in a parallel orientation with each other, are first coupled to a motherboard. The peripheral cards are then secured to the chassis one by one using screws. As is oftentimes the case, especially with regards to servers, many peripheral cards can be mounted and secured to a computer chassis to provide different functions, such as network communications, graphics processing, or other functions. However, securing many peripheral cards one by one in a server using screws can be burdensome and time consuming for the user.

SUMMARY

In some implementations, a peripheral card securing apparatus can be used to removably secure a plurality of peripheral cards to a chassis without using screws. The apparatus can comprise a securing clamp comprising a top portion and a bottom portion. For example, the securing clamp can be slidably coupled to the chassis, and sliding the securing clamp from an open position to a locked position secures the plurality of peripheral cards to the chassis. In some implementations, the top portion can comprise a first sliding aperture, a second sliding aperture, and a securing portion. For example, the first sliding aperture can be slidably engaged with a first securing point, and the second sliding aperture can be slidably engaged with a second securing point, such that the securing portion secures the plurality of peripheral cards to the chassis in the locked position. In some implementations, the second sliding aperture can be adapted to allow the securing clamp to rotate with respect to the first sliding aperture.

Particular implementations provide at least the following advantages: a plurality of peripheral cards can be removably secured to a chassis at the same time using a single securing apparatus; screws are not used, saving time and hassle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A-1Cillustrate an example peripheral card securing apparatus100for removably securing peripheral cards102to chassis104without using screws. Apparatus100can be adapted to slide from an open position (FIG. 1B) to a locked position (FIG.1A), such that in the locked position peripheral cards102are secured to chassis104. Sliding apparatus100back to the open position allows for removal of peripheral cards102. For example, the open position can be when apparatus100is not covering peripheral cards102(e.g.,FIG. 1B), and the closed position can be when apparatus100is covering peripheral cards102(e.g.,FIG. 1A). Peripheral cards102can include add-on cards, or accessory cards, such as network cards, PCIE cards, sound cards, video graphics cards, etc. Chassis104can be any type of computing chassis known in the art, including, but not limited to, server towers, server blade, server rack, etc.

In some implementations, apparatus100can comprise securing clamp106comprising top portion108and bottom portion110. Top portion108and bottom portion110can be substantially planar, flat, and rectangular in shape. In some implementations top portion108can be connected to bottom portion110through middle portion112. For example, securing clamp106can be machined from a single sheet of metal, alloy, plastic, or the like, such that top portion108, middle portion112, and bottom portion110are formed by bending or molding the single sheet into at least three sections. Bottom portion110can be substantially wider than top portion108, and middle portion112can be substantially as wide as lip114of chassis104. For example, lip114can comprise a portion of chassis104where flange116of peripheral cards102can be secured to chassis104. Flange116is a well-known feature in the art for securing a computing component, such as peripheral card102, to chassis104. For example, flange116can typically be a substantially planar and flat protrusion oriented orthogonally from the circuitry of the computing component, such that securing means can be used to secure the computing component (e.g., network card) to chassis104through flange116. In some implementations, lip114can protrude outward from chassis104.

Top portion108can comprise first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120for slidably moving securing clamp106with respect to chassis104. For example, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can comprise elongated holes machined into top portion108. First sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can be substantially similar in shape and size. In some implementations, first sliding aperture118can be located on first protrusion134, and second sliding aperture120can be located on second protrusion136. For example, first protrusion134and second protrusion136can comprise extended portions of top portion108that extend towards chassis104. First protrusion134and second protrusion136can be substantially similar in shape and size.

In some implementations, first sliding aperture118can be slidably engaged with first securing point122, and second sliding aperture120can be slidably engaged with second securing point124. For example, first securing point122and second securing point124can be located on lip114of chassis104. First securing point122and second securing point124can be substantially similar in shape and size. In some implementations, first securing point122and second securing point124can each comprise a securing bolt, which is bolted into lip114to slidably secure securing clamp106to chassis104. Securing bolt can also slidably engage with first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120to allow securing clamp106to slide with respect to chassis104.

In some implementations, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can define how far securing clamp106can slide with respect to chassis104. For example, the longer the length of first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120, the farther securing clamp106can slide along first securing point122and second securing point124. In some implementations, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can have the same width and the same length to allow for uniformity in the sliding motion of securing clamp106. For example, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can be rectangular in shape.

In some implementations, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can be defined such that middle portion112completely abuts lip114when securing clamp106is in the locked position. For example, middle portion112can be flush against lip114. In some implementations, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120can be defined such that securing clamp106remains slidably engaged with chassis104. For example, first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120prevent securing clamp106from being slidably removed from chassis104.

In some implementations, top portion108can slidably engage with a first elongated aperture126defined on lip114. For example, the first enlongated aperture126can be a slim and elongate hole defined on lip114. The first elongated aperture126can be adapted to receive top portion108to allow top portion108to slide through. For example, the first elongated aperture126can be about the same thickness as top portion108to allow top portion108to move through the first elongated aperture126. In some implementations, bottom portion110can slidably engage with a second elongated aperture128defined below the first elongated aperture126on chassis104. For example, the second elongated aperture128can be a slim and elongate hole defined below the first elongated aperture126on chassis104. The second elongated aperture128can be adapted to receive bottom portion110to allow bottom portion110to slide through. For example, the second elongated aperture128can be about the same thickness as bottom portion110.

In various embodiments, apparatus100can comprise either the first elongated aperture126only, the second elongated aperture128only, both the first elongated aperture126and the second elongated aperture128together, or neither the first elongated aperture126nor the second elongated aperture128. For example,FIGS. 1D and 1Eillustrate an embodiment comprising only the first elongated aperture126. Removing abutment138would obviate the need for the first elongated aperture126, while securing clamp106would still be able to perform its function. Additionally,FIG. 1Cillustrates an embodiment comprising the first elongated aperture126and the second elongated aperture128. Similarly, removing abutment138would obviate the need for the first elongated aperture126, while the second elongated aperture128would still be needed. In all of these cases, securing clamp106would be able to perform its intended function of securing peripheral cards102to chassis104.

In some implementations, top portion108can further comprise securing portion130for securing flanges116of peripheral cards102. For example, securing portion130can be defined as the section of top portion108between first sliding aperture118and second sliding aperture120. When securing clamp106slides into the closed position, securing portion130covers flanges116of peripheral cards102to secure peripheral cards102onto chassis104. In some implementations, securing portion130frictionally fits against flanges116to secure peripheral cards102to chassis104. For example, a gap can be defined between top portion108and bottom portion110such that the gap allows for top portion108and bottom portion110to frictionally fit against lip114and flanges116in the closed position.

In some implementations, bottom portion110can have a larger width than top portion108. For example, bottom portion110can extend farther towards chassis104than top portion108to allow for stability of securing clamp106in the open and the closed positions. This also helps to prevent securing clamp106from being slidably removed from chassis104.

In some implementations, top portion108can comprise securing protrusion132defined on top portion108past second sliding aperture120. For example, securing protrusion132can secure at least one flange116. Securing protrusion132can comprise an extension of top portion108. In some implementations, at least two flanges116are secured between first securing point122and second securing point124, with at least a third flange116secured by securing protrusion132.

In some implementations, securing clamp106can comprise handle135for facilitating opening of apparatus100. For example, handle135can be located on top portion108to provide grip to a user. Pulling on handle135can slide securing clamp106into the open position. Additionally, pushing against middle portion112can lock securing clamp106.

FIGS. 1D and 1Eillustrate apparatus100from a cross-sectional side view. In some implementations, first securing point122and second securing point124can each comprise locking point140for coupling with bottom portion110to secure securing clamp106in the locked position. For example, locking point140can be located underneath lip114, and can protrude out from lip114. In some implementations, bottom portion110can be adapted to frictionally fit against locking point140. For example, as bottom portion110is slid into the locked position, bottom portion110clamps over locking point140to secure securing clamp106in the locked position.

In some implementations, peripheral cards102are secured a uniform distance apart from each other on chassis104. For example, peripheral cards102are first coupled to a motherboard, which determines the spacing and orientation of peripheral cards102. Once the spacing and orientation are determined, securing clamp106can be used to secure peripheral cards102to chassis104.

FIGS. 2A and 2Billustrate an example peripheral card securing apparatus200for removably securing peripheral cards202to chassis204without using screws in a locked and open position. In the locked position, peripheral cards202are secured to lip214of chassis204. In some implementations, apparatus200can be adapted to slide to an open position, such that apparatus200rotates outward from chassis204in the open position. For example, the open position can be when apparatus200is not covering peripheral cards202. Peripheral cards202can include add-on cards such as network cards, PCIE cards, sound cards, video graphics cards, etc. Chassis204can be any type of computing tower known in the art, including, but not limited to, server towers.

In some implementations, as shown inFIG. 2B, pivot point224can be adapted to allow securing clamp206to rotate with respect chassis204. For example, pivot point224can be fixed on chassis204to allow sliding aperture234to engage and disengage to/from securing point222according to means commonly known in the art. Securing point222can be structurally identical to first securing point122as described above. This allows for additional maneuverability of securing clamp206to allow for flexibility in insertion and removal of peripheral cards202to/from chassis204.

In some implementations, apparatus200can comprise handle235for facilitating opening of apparatus200. For example, handle235can provide grip to a user. Pulling on handle235can slide apparatus200into the open position.

Apparatus200can function substantively the same as described in the above disclosure, and can include substantially the same parts to achieve the same result of securing a plurality of peripheral cards to a chassis. For example, apparatus200can comprise a securing clamp comprising a top portion and a bottom portion pursuant to the above disclosure to secure a plurality of peripheral card flanges to a lip of a chassis.

For clarity and simplicity, only one securing clamp is described. However, multiple securing clamps securing multiple peripheral cards can be supported by the above disclosure. For example, multiple securing clamps can be coupled to a chassis to secure multiple peripheral cards side-by-side according to the disclosure herein.