Mounting apparatus for expansion cards

1. Technical Field

The disclosure relates to an apparatus for mounting expansion cards.

2. Description of Related Art

Computer systems include expansion cards to expand the capability of the computer systems. Expansion cards are mounted to expansion slots of the computer systems, which are easily damaged when the computer systems receive an electrical shock.

Many aspects of the present 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 present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a mounting apparatus, together with a plurality of expansion cards.

FIG. 2 is an assembled, isometric view of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 , taken along the line of III-III.

The disclosure, including the accompanying drawings, is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. 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.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary embodiment of a mounting apparatus is provided to mount a plurality of expansion cards 100 to a circuit board 200 of an electronic device, such as a computer. The circuit board 200 includes a plurality of expansion slots 201 formed on the circuit board 200 . The mounting apparatus includes a bracket 10 and a plurality of mounting members 20 .

The bracket 10 is fixed on the circuit board 200 around the plurality of expansion slots 201 . The bracket 10 includes two opposite supporting racks 12 and a side plate 14 connected in a substantially perpendicular manner between corresponding sides of the supporting racks 12 . Each supporting rack 12 includes a mounting piece 122 fixed to the circuit board 200 , a plurality of spaced and parallel bars 124 extending up in a substantially perpendicular manner from one side of the mounting piece 122 , and a connecting piece 126 connecting the tops of the bars 124 . The mounting pieces 122 are fixed to the circuit board 200 beside the expansion slots 201 by screwing or riveting. The bars 124 face and align with the corresponding expansion slots 201 . Each bar 124 defines a plurality of mounting holes 1242 from top to bottom.

Each mounting member 20 includes a fixing plate 22 and a locking portion 24 formed from a top end of the fixing plate 22 . A plurality of pegs 221 protrude on an outer surface of the fixing plate 22 from up to bottom. Two elongated raised portions 222 protrude on an inner surface of the fixing plate 22 from up to bottom, parallel to each other. A block 242 protrudes on an inner side of the locking portion 24 . A reinforcing rib 244 protrudes on an outer side of the locking portion 24 .

A handle 30 is fixed to a top of each expansion card 100 . The handle 30 includes a clipping portion 31 clipping the top of the expansion card 100 and an arc-shaped operation portion 32 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , in assembly, the mounting pieces 20 are fixed to inner surfaces of the corresponding bars 124 through the pegs 221 fixed in the mounting holes 1242 . The locking portions 24 are located above the corresponding bars 124 . The expansion cards 100 are inserted in the corresponding expansion slots 201 . Each of two opposite ends of each expansion card 100 is locked between the raised portions 222 of the corresponding mounting member 20 . The block 242 presses the top of each expansion card 100 .

To detach each expansion card 100 , two opposite mounting members 20 are deformed out to release the locking portions 24 from the expansion card 100 . The operation portion 32 is pulled to detach the corresponding expansion card 100 .

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of certain embodiments have been set forth in the foregoing description, 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 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.