Abstract:
A holding device ( 40 ) used for helping fasten an interface card ( 10 ) in a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector ( 20 ) includes a top wall ( 42 ), at least a pair of opposite sidewalls ( 44 ) for clamping the two sides of the PCI connector, and at least a pair of holding portions ( 48 ) for fastening the interface card. Wherein the sidewalls connect with the top wall, and the holding portions connect with the top wall.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention pertains to a holding device, and particularly to a holding device for a peripheral component interconnect. 
   DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
   Presently, an interface card is often electrically connected with a circuit board via a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector. Often a latching member is assembled on the circuit board for preventing the interface card disengaging from the PCI connector accidentally. 
   The latching member is usually mounted on the circuit board. But, with the development of integrated circuitry, space is at a premium and there is little room for the latching member. 
   Therefore, a need exists in the industry to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In an exemplary embodiment, a holding device used for helping fasten an interface card in a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector includes a top wall, at least a pair of opposite sidewalls used for clamping the two sides of the PCI connector, and at least a pair of holding portions used for fastening the interface card. Wherein the sidewalls connect with the top wall, and the holding portions connect with the top wall. 
   Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an assembled view of an electronic product in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the electronic product includes an interface card, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector, and a holding device; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the holding device of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of circled portion III of the  FIG. 2 ; and 
       FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but viewed from another aspect. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic product  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The electronic product  100  comprises a holding device  40 , a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) connector  20 , and an interface card  10  received in the PCI connector  20 . In this embodiment, the holding device  40  comprises plastic but other suitable material may be used. The PCI connector  20  comprises a front portion  22 , and a back portion  24  having a width greater than that of the front portion  22 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the holding device  40  comprises a top wall  42 , a pair of opposite sidewalls  44 , a back wall  46 , and a pair of opposite holding portions  48 . The sidewalls  44  connect with the top wall  42 , and the back wall  46  connects with the top wall  42  and the sidewalls  44 . The top wall  42  comprises a rectangular raised portion  422  projecting from an area extending from a middle of the top wall  42  to an edge away from the back wall  46 , and the raised portion  422  defines a plurality of through holes  424 . The raised portion  422  is used for receiving comparatively taller electronic components  12  on the interface card  10 , and supplying a space to provide effective heat dissipation for the electronic components  12  on the interface card  10 . Each sidewall  44  comprises a front-side wall  442  and a back-side wall  444 . In the exemplary embodiment, a distance between the two front-side walls  442  is equal to or slightly smaller than a width of the front portion  22  of the PCI connector  20 , and a distance between the two back-side portions  444  is equal to or slightly smaller than a width of the back portion  24  of the PCI connector  20 . In this way, when the holding device  40  is assembled onto the PCI connector  20 , the sidewalls  44  of the holding device  40  clamp the two sides of the PCI connector  20 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 3 , Each holding portion  48  comprises a resilient holding wall  486 , and a latching portion  484  protruding in from a distal end of the holding wall  486 . The holding walls  486  connect with the top wall  42  and the front-side wall  442 . Two slots  482  are respectively defined between the holding walls  486  and front-side walls  442 . A distance between the two holding walls  486  is equal to or slightly smaller than a width of the interface card  10 . In this way, the two holding walls  486  clamp the two sides of the interface card  10  in assembly. In an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each holding portion  48  comprises a plurality of holding walls  486 , and each holding wall  486  comprises a plurality of latching portions  484 . 
   Referring also to  FIG. 4 , the back wall  46  comprises a recessed portion  467  which makes the back wall  46  more flexible. The sidewalls  44 , the latching portion  484 , and the back wall  46  each comprises a bevel edge  448  at a lower portion thereof to make the holding device  40  convenient for assembly. 
   In assembly, the interface card  10  is inserted into the PCI connector  20 , then, the holding device  40  is pressed onto the PCI connector  20 , causing the holding walls  486  to flex outward with the holding portions  48  being pushed by the interface card  10  until the interface card  10  is received between the holding portions  48  and the holding walls  486  rebound. In this assembled state, the sidewalls  44  of the holding device  40  clamp the two sides of the PCI connector  20 ; the holding walls  486  of the holding device  40  clamp the two sides of the interface card; and the latching portions  484  of the holding device  40  supports a bottom of the interface card  10 . 
   Because the two sides of the PCI connector  20  are clamped by the sidewalls  44  of the holding device  40 , the pressure on the two sides of the interface card  10  imposed by the PCI connector  20  is strengthened. Thereby, the interface card  10  is stably clamped by the two sides of the PCI connector  20 . 
   Because the two sidewalls  44  of the holding device  40  clamp the two sides of the PCI connector  20 , and the latching portion  484  of the holding device  40  is latched under the bottom of the interface card  10  received in the PCI connector  20 , the holding device  40  is stably fixed on the PCI connector  20 . Thereby, the holding device  40 , the PCI connector  20 , and the interface card  10  cooperatively form a steady and interdependent connection, thus preventing accidental separation. 
   Because the holding device  40  is mounted on the PCI connector  20  without any external latching device or machining device, the holding device  40  does not take up any space of the circuit board, which the PCI connector  20  is positioned on. And because the holding device  40  can be assembled manually without any external tools, the cost of manufacture is lowered. 
   While exemplary embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only and not by way of limitation. Thus the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by the above-described exemplary embodiment, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.