Expansion card mounting apparatus

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for readily and securely mounting expansion cards in a computer enclosure.

2. General Background

Many computer systems comprise not only a motherboard, but also one or more expansion cards electrically connected to the motherboard to provide specialized functions. It is required that the expansion cards be reliably retained within the computer enclosure to prevent disengagement from the motherboard when the computer is subjected to shock and vibration during delivery and use thereof.

A conventional mounting apparatus includes a pressing body having one end pivotably mounted to a support plate of the chassis. After the pressing body is pivoted to a position in which slot covers of the expansion cards are sandwiched between the pressing body and the support plate, the other end of the pressing body is fastened to the support plate with a screw. The expansion cards are thus secured to chassis.

Another conventional mounting apparatus has a plurality of spring fingers and a mounting portion. After the mounting apparatus is disposed in a position in which the spring fingers respectively press corresponding slot covers of expansion cards, the mounting portion is screwed to the chassis. The expansion cards are thus secured to the chassis.

Both of the above-mentioned apparatuses can mount a plurality of expansion cards at one time. However, when installing or removing several expansion cards, manipulating the screw is unduly laborious and time-consuming. In addition, a tool such as a screwdriver or a wrench is usually required.

What is desired, therefore, is a mounting apparatus which conveniently and securely locks an expansion card in a computer enclosure.

In one preferred embodiment, a mounting apparatus for holding an expansion card with a slot cover is provided. The mounting apparatus comprises a rear panel and a fastener. The rear panel defines a slot, and forms a holder above the slot. The holder forms a pivoting axis from a free end thereof, and the pivoting axis is parallel with the rear panel. The fastener is pivotably attached to the pivoting axis, and comprises a pressing portion pressing the slot cover to the holder and a locking portion locked to the rear panel.

Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with a plurality of expansion cards, the mounting apparatus including a rear panel and a fastener;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the fastener of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged inverted view of the fastener of the mounting apparatus of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of FIG. 1 , showing an unlocked state; and

FIG. 5 is an assembled view of FIG. 1 , showing a locked state.

Referring to FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a mounting apparatus is provided for holding a plurality of functional components like expansion cards 10 to an enclosure of an electronic device like a computer. The mounting apparatus includes a rear panel 20 and a fastener 30 . A slot cover 12 is attached to an end of each expansion card 10 . Each slot cover 12 includes a bent end portion 122 with an insertion end 124 extending therefrom.

A flange 22 defining a locking hole 222 therein is formed from an edge of the rear panel 20 . A plurality of expansion slots 23 are defined in the rear panel 20 , and a holder 24 is formed from the rear panel 20 above the expansion slots 23 . A pivoting axis 242 is formed from a free end of the holder 24 , in parallel with the rear panel 20 . Two mounting holes 244 are defined in the holder 24 near the pivoting axis 242 . A plurality of insert holes 246 is defined in the holder 24 in parallel with the pivoting axis 242 . The rear panel 20 defines a recessed portion 26 above the holder 24 , and a plurality of elastic fingers 262 are formed on the recessed portion 26 to resist against the fastener 30 . The recessed portion 26 is provided so that when the fastener 30 is in a locked state an exposed side of the fastener 30 is flush with exterior surfaces of the rear panel 20 .

Referring also to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , in this embodiment the fastener 30 is made of metal. The fastener 30 includes a pressing portion 32 , a connecting portion 34 extends perpendicularly from a side of the pressing portion 32 , an arcuate pivoting portion 38 extends from an opposite side of the pressing portion 32 , and a locking portion 36 extends perpendicularly from a free side of the connecting portion 34 . Two holding tabs 382 corresponding to the mounting holes 244 extend out from the pivoting portion 38 near the pressing portion 32 . A pair of locating pieces 324 extends down from two opposite ends of the pressing portion 32 . A plurality of V-shaped cantilevered pressing sections 328 for pressing the expansion cards 10 extend out from the pressing portion 32 near the connecting portion 34 . A distal end of the locking portion 36 is rolled to form a handle 362 . Two mounting sections are extruded from the locking portion 36 , and the mounting sections are two protrusions 364 .

Referring also to FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 , in assembly, the pivoting portion 38 of the fastener 30 is joined with the pivoting axis 242 of the holder 24 , and the pivoting axis 242 of the holder 24 is received and enclosed by the pivoting portion 38 . The holding tabs 382 of the pivoting portion 38 are bent until they pass through the mounting holes 244 respectively to engage a free side of the pivoting portion 38 , thus the fastener 30 is pivotably attached to the pivoting axis 242 of the holder 24 .

The slot covers 12 of the expansion cards 10 are put into the slots 23 of the rear panel 20 , and the bent end portions 122 are retained on the holder 24 . The insertion ends 124 are inserted into the insert holes 246 respectively. The fastener 30 is pivoted toward the rear panel 20 until the locking portion 36 is locked to the flange 22 of the rear panel 20 , and the protrusions 364 of the locking portion 36 engage in the locking hole 222 of the flange 22 for locating the fastener 30 . Further, the rolled handle 362 slightly deforms and then rebounds to snappingly engage with a far side of the flange 22 . A cover 40 covers the computer enclosure, and retains the locking portion 36 of the fastener 30 on the flange 22 of the rear panel 20 . Thus the slot covers 12 of the expansion cards 10 are pressed firmly against the holder 24 by the pressing portion 32 of the fastener 30 . The connecting portion 34 of the fastener 30 is disposed in the recessed portion 26 of the rear panel 20 , and presses the elastic fingers 262 of the recessed portion 26 . The resistance from the elastic fingers 262 against the fastener 30 ensures a snug fit between the protrusions 364 and the locking hole 222 and the rolled handle 362 and the far side of the flange 22 , thus preventing vibration of the fastener 30 . Thus, the expansion cards 10 are mounted to the computer enclosure.

To detach the expansion cards 10 from the rear panel 20 , the cover 40 is taken away from the computer enclosure, and the handle 362 of the locking portion 36 is pulled away from the flange 22 . The fastener 30 is rotated round the pivoting axis 242 of the holder away from the rear panel 20 until the pressing portion 32 of the fastener 30 is separated from the slot covers 12 of the expansion cards 10 . Thus the expansion cards 10 are easily taken out from the rear panel 20 .

It is believed that the present embodiment and its advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the example hereinbefore described merely being a preferred or exemplary embodiment.