Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and incorporates by reference in its entirety, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/988,946, entitled, “METHOD OF MOUNTING A MOTHERBOARD TO A CHASSIS,” filed on Dec. 11, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,394. The subject matter of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09,935,388, entitled, “METHOD OF MOUNTING A MOTHERBOARD TO A CHASSIS,” filed Aug. 22, 2001, and U.S. Pat. 6,124,552 entitled “MOTHERBOARD SCREWLESS MOUNTING SPACER,” is related to this application. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to mounting spacers for circuit boards. More particularly, the invention relates to a device for easily and quickly mounting a motherboard to a computer chassis. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     During assembly of a computer, the computer motherboard must be fastened to the computer frame or chassis to secure the board during use against undesired movement relative to the chassis. In existing systems, the motherboard is mounted to the computer chassis using screws or bolts which are typically made of electrically conductive metal. The screws are inserted into any of several mounting holes in the motherboard, which are aligned with corresponding holes on the computer chassis. After insertion of the screws, an installer uses a screwdriver to tighten the screws and thereby securely mount the motherboard to the computer. 
     The mounting holes on the motherboard are often surrounded by a grounding pad. The grounding pad is a conductive surface that is used as an electrical ground for the motherboard. After mounting, the heads of the metal mounting screws contact the pads on the motherboard and thereby provide an electrical ground interface. 
     There are certain drawbacks associated with using screws to mount a motherboard to a computer chassis. One such drawback is the great amount of time it takes for an installer to insert the screws through the multiple mounting holes and then tighten each screw onto the motherboard. This process is tedious and time-consuming. It is also time-consuming to remove the screws in order to remove the motherboard from the chassis for purposes such as repairs or maintenance. 
     There is, therefore, a need for a device that may be used to easily and quickly mount a motherboard to a computer chassis. Preferably, the device should secure the motherboard to the chassis without requiring screws. Additionally, the device preferably should be usable with existing motherboard designs and should also be capable of providing an electrical ground interface for the motherboard. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the present invention. In one aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component to a chassis. The method comprises positioning a first fastener of a mounting device adjacent a mounting slot in the chassis, inserting the first fastener of the mounting device through the mounting slot in the chassis, releasing the mounting device so that the first fastener clamps onto the chassis through the mounting slot, positioning a second fastener of the mounting device adjacent a mounting hole on the planar electrical component, and inserting the second fastener of the mounting device into the mounting hole until the second fastener clamps onto the planar electrical component through the mounting hole. 
     Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component to a chassis. The method comprises inserting a first fastener of a mounting device into a mounting slot in the chassis so that the first fastener compresses the chassis between the first fastener and a spacer portion of the mounting device, and inserting a second fastener of the mounting device into a mounting hole in the planar electrical component so that the second fastener compresses the planar electrical component between the second fastener and the spacer portion. 
     In another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component to a chassis. The method comprises inserting a first fastener of a mounting device into a mounting hole of the planar electrical component so that the first fastener clamps onto the planar electrical component, and inserting a second fastener of the mounting device into a mounting slot in the chassis so that the second fastener clamps onto the chassis to thereby attach the planar electrical component to the chassis. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of removably mounting a planar electrical component to a chassis. The method comprises clamping the chassis between a first fastener and a spacer of a mounting device, and clamping the planar electrical component between a second fastener and the spacer of the mounting device so that the planar electrical component is spaced apart from the chassis by a distance substantially equal to the height of the spacer of the mounting device. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other features of the invention will now be described with respect to the drawings which are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention and in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motherboard mounted onto a computer chassis using the mounting spacers of the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the mounting spacer of the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the mounting spacer of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the mounting spacer of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the mounting spacer illustrating the first step in the process of installing the mounting spacer in a computer chassis; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the mounting spacer illustrating that device after installation onto a chassis; 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the mounting spacer illustrating the first step in the process of installing the mounting spacer onto a motherboard; 
     FIG. 8 is a side view of the mounting spacer illustrating the second step in the process of installing the mounting spacer onto a motherboard; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of a motherboard mounted onto a chassis using the mounting spacer of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a material blank that is formed into the mounting spacer of FIG.  2 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a planar motherboard  20  mounted onto a frame or chassis  22  of a computer using at least one mounting spacer  24  configured in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As discussed in detail below, an installer may use the mounting spacers  24  to easily and securely mount the motherboard  20  to the chassis  22  without the use of mounting screws. The motherboard  20  is also easily removed from the chassis  22  and the mounting spacers  24 , during repair, upgrade, or maintenance. Although described herein in the context of a motherboard  20  and computer chassis  22 , it will be appreciated that the mounting spacer  24  may be used to mount a motherboard  20 , or any other planar object, to any of a wide variety of structures having mounting slots. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, at least one mounting spacer  24  is used to attach the motherboard  20  to the chassis  22 . In particular, a top end  26  of the mounting spacer  24  mates or couples with a mounting hole  30  that extends through the motherboard  20 . The opposite or bottom end  32  (shown in phantom lines) of the spacer mates or coupled with a corresponding mounting slot  34  (FIG. 5) in the computer chassis  22  so that the motherboard  20  is separated from the chassis  22  by a distance equal to the height of the mounting spacer  24 . The mounting holes  30  in the motherboard  20  are arranged so that they may be aligned with the mounting slots  34  on the chassis  22 . The motherboard  20  and chassis  22  may be equipped with any number of mounting holes  30  and slots  34 , respectively. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, a grounding pad  36  is positioned around the periphery of each of the mounting holes  30  in the motherboard  20 . The top end  26  of the mounting spacer  24  contacts the grounding pad  36 . The grounding pad  36  functions as an electrical ground for the motherboard  20  in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Toward this end, one embodiment of the mounting spacer  24  is manufactured of an electrically-conductive material to provide an electrical ground connection between the mother board  20  and the chassis  22 . 
     FIGS. 2,  3 , and  4  are side, front, and top views, respectively, of one embodiment of the mounting spacer  24  of the invention. As shown, the mounting spacer  24  includes a spacer portion  40  comprising a wall that defines a substantially cylindrical shape and defines a hollow space  42  (FIG. 4) therein. The height and diameter of the spacer portion  40  may be varied to provide various spacing distances between the motherboard  20  and chassis  22 . 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, the mounting spacer  24  further comprises a thin and elongated clip member  44  having a central portion  46  (shown in phantom) that extends through the hollow space  42  within the spacer portion  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the central portion  46  extends substantially parallel to the axis of the spacer portion  40  and is aligned slightly offset from the center axis of the spacer portion  40 . As shown in FIG. 4, one end of the spacer portion  40  curves or coils into the hollow space  42  and integrally forms into the central portion  46  of the clip member. The coiled configuration reduces the likelihood of the mounting spacer  24  twisting during use. 
     With reference to FIG. 2, the clip member  44  further includes an upper clamp or fastener  50  that extends upward from the upper edge of the central portion  46  so as to protrude from the top of the spacer portion  40 . The upper fastener  50  is configured to removably clamp the mounting spacer  24  to the motherboard  20 , as described more fully below. 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, the upper fastener  50  includes a first bend  52  which defines a first arm  54  of the upper fastener  50  that is oriented at an angle θ relative to the central portion  46 . The upper fastener  50  further includes a second bend  56  that defines a second arm  60  that extends downwardly toward the spacer portion  40  substantially parallel to the central portion  46 . The second arm  60  has a lower tip  62  that is positioned flush against the peripheral upper edge of the spacer portion  40 . In one embodiment, the upper fastener  50  is biased or spring loaded so that the lower tip  62  of the second arm  60  is urged to press against the upper edge of the spacer portion  40 . In the illustrated embodiment, the second arm  60  is also bent at the lower tip  62  to provide the lower tip  62  with a rounded edge. 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the clip member  44  further includes a lower clamp or fastener  64  that extends downwardly from the bottom edge of the central portion  46 . The lower fastener  64  is configured to removably clamp the mounting spacer  24  to the computer chassis  22 , as described more fully below. The lower fastener  64  includes a first bend  66  which forms a first arm  70  that terminates at a tip  72  extending beyond the periphery of the spacer portion  40 . The first arm  70  of the lower fastener  64  is oriented at an angle α relative to the central portion  46 . The first arm  70  is biased or spring loaded toward the spacer portion  40 . Thus, when the first arm  70  is pulled away from the spacer portion  40 , it automatically springs back toward the spacer portion  40  and assumes its natural orientation, as shown in FIG.  2 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3, the width of the upper fastener  50  is slightly less than the width of the lower fastener  64 . However, it will be appreciated that the sizes of the upper and lower fasteners  50  and  64 , respectively, may be varied to fit within various mounting holes  30  and mounting slots  34  in a motherboard  20  and in a computer chassis  22 . In one embodiment, the mounting slots  34  slots have dimensions of 0.03″×0.19″. 
     Exemplary dimensions of one embodiment of the mounting spacer  24  are as follows. The width of the lower fastener  64  is approximately 0.17 inches and the width of the upper fastener  50  is approximately 0.08 inches. Referring to FIG. 2, the first bend  52  of the upper fastener  50  is spaced approximately 0.07 inches from the upper edge of the spacer portion  40 . The angle θ of the first arm  54  of the upper fastener  50  is approximately 42°. Additionally, the length of the first arm  54  of the upper fastener  50  is approximately 0.22 inches and the length of the second arm  56  of the upper fastener  50  is approximately 0.20 inches. 
     Regarding the lower fastener  64 , the angle a is approximately 68°. The first bend  66  in the lower fastener  64  is spaced approximately 0.10 inches from the lower edge of the spacer portion  40 . The length of the first arm  70  of the lower fastener  64  is approximately 0.26 inches. The foregoing dimensions have been found to provide secure fastening characteristics when the mounting spacer  24  is attached to a computer chassis  22  and motherboard  20 . However, it will be appreciated that the foregoing dimensions are merely exemplary and that the dimensions of the mounting spacer  24  may be varied based upon the circumstances. 
     FIGS. 5-9 illustrate the manner in which the mounting spacer  24  is used to mount the motherboard  20  to the chassis  22 . As shown in FIG. 5, an installer first pulls the first arm  70  of the lower fastener  64  away from the spacer portion  40  and then inserts the first arm  70  of the lower fastener  64  through the mounting slot  34  in the chassis  22 . As shown, the mounting spacer  24  is positioned at an angle relative to the plane of the chassis  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 6, the bias in the first arm  70  forces the mounting spacer  24  to pivot such that it orients substantially vertical relative to the chassis  22 . In this position, the chassis  22  is compressed between the lower fastener  64  and the lower edge of the spacer portion  40 . The mounting spacer  24  is thus secured to the chassis  22  via the lower fastener  64 . It will be appreciated that an installer may easily remove the mounting spacer  24  from the chassis  22  by pulling the lower fastener  64  out of the mounting slot  34  in the chassis  22 . 
     As shown in FIG. 7, the installer may then mount the motherboard  20  to the mounting spacer  24 . The installer first inserts the second bend  56  of the upper fastener  50  into the mounting hole  30  of the motherboard  20 . As shown in FIG. 8, the installer then presses the motherboard  20  downward onto the mounting spacer  24  so that the first and second arms  54  and  60  of the upper fastener  50  are compressed toward each other. When so pressed, the first and second arms  54  and  60  are oriented such that the lower tip  62  of the second arm  60  rises relative to the spacer portion  40 , thereby creating a gap  74  between the lower tip  62  of the second arm  60  and the upper edge of the spacer portion  40 . 
     As shown in FIG. 9, the installer then continues to push the motherboard  20  downward until the lower tip  62  of the second arm  60  exits the mounting hole  30 . At this point the second arm  60  springs to its natural orientation and the motherboard  20  is positioned within the gap  74 . The motherboard  20  is thus compressed between the lower tip  62  of the upper fastener  50  and the mounting spacer  24 . In this manner, the mounting spacer  24  securely retains the motherboard  20  in connection with the computer chassis  22 . The motherboard  20  may be easily and quickly removed by reversing the previously-described steps. 
     FIG. 10 shows a flat material blank  76  that may be used to form the mounting spacer  24 . The material blank  76  includes a main section  80  and two protrusions  82 . Prior to use, the main section  80  is rolled into the shape of a cylinder to form the spacer portion  40  of the mounting spacer  24 . The protrusions  82  are then folded at the broken fold lines to form the upper and lower fasteners  50  and  64 . The mounting spacer  24  is preferably manufactured of an electrically-conductive material so that the mounting spacer  24  may be used as an electrical ground. 
     The mounting spacer  24  may thus be used to easily and securely mount a motherboard  20  to a computer chassis  22 . The mounting spacer  24  eliminates the need for screws and also provides an electrical ground interface for the motherboard  20 . It will be appreciated that the mounting spacer  24  may be used with an existing motherboard and computer chassis without the need for modifications to the motherboard or chassis. 
     Hence, although the foregoing description of the invention has shown, described, and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form of the detail of the apparatus and method as illustrated as well as the uses thereof, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Consequently, the scope of the invention should not be limited to the foregoing discussion, but should be defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 4