Systems and methods for mounting components of an information handling system

1. An information handling system, comprising:

at least two isolation apparatus, each of said isolation apparatus having a first end that comprises an insertable metal pin and a second end that comprises a body of elastomeric material with a central axis extending between said first end and said second end, said elastomeric material defining an insertable snap-fit retaining feature on said second end of said isolation apparatus;

a vibration-producing component, said vibration-producing component having first and second opposing sides, at least one opening being defined in each of said first and second sides;

first and second sidewalls supported in spaced relationship to each other, each of said first and second sidewalls having at least one opening having a longitudinal axis defined therein, said opening being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus;

wherein said vibration-producing component is disposed between said first and second sidewalls such that said opening defined in said first side of said vibration-producing component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said first sidewall, and such that said opening defined in said second side of said vibration-producing component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said second sidewall;

wherein an insertable metal pin of a first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first side of said vibration-producing component, wherein a body of said first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first sidewall by direct insertion of the second end of said first one of said isolation apparatus into said opening defined in said first sidewall in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said first sidewall and substantially parallel to said central axis extending between said first end and said second end of said isolation apparatus, and wherein said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said first sidewall is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said first one of said isolation apparatus;

wherein an insertable metal pin of a second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second side of said vibration-producing component, wherein a body of said second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second sidewall by direct insertion of the second end of said second one of said isolation apparatus into said opening defined in said second sidewall in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said second sidewall and substantially parallel to said central axis extending between said first end and said second end of said isolation apparatus, and wherein said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said second sidewall is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said second one of said isolation apparatus; and

wherein said vibration-producing component is substantially vibrationally isolated from said first and second sidewalls.

2. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein said information handling system component comprises a data drive component; and wherein said first and second sidewalls are coupled to an information handling system chassis.

3. The information handling system of claim 2 , further comprising a drive caddy coupled to said information handling system chassis, said drive caddy comprising said first and second sidewalls.

4. The information handling system of claim 2 , comprising four isolation apparatus, each of said four isolation apparatus having a first end that comprises an insertable metal pin and a second end that comprises a body of elastomeric material, said elastomeric material defining an insertable snap-fit retaining feature on said second end of said isolation apparatus; wherein said vibration-producing component comprises two openings defined on each of said first and second sides; wherein each of said first and second sidewalls has two openings having a longitudinal axis defined therein, each of said openings being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus; wherein said vibration handling system component is disposed between said first and second sidewalls such that each said two openings defined in said first side of said vibration handling system component is disposed adjacent one of said two openings defined in said first sidewall, and such that each of said two openings defined in said second side of said vibration handling system component is disposed adjacent each of said two openings defined in said second sidewall; and wherein an insertable pin of a respective one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in each of said openings defined in said first or second sides of said vibration handling system component, wherein a body of said respective one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in a corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall by direct insertion of the second end of said respective one of said isolation apparatus into said opening defined in said first or second sidewall in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said first of second sidewall; and wherein said internal retaining feature of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said respective one of said isolation apparatus.

5. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said isolation apparatus comprises at least one extending side section adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus; wherein said snap-fit retaining feature of each of said isolation apparatus comprises a ramped surface disposed on said extending side section at said second end of said isolation apparatus, and a step-down surface defining a retention channel between said ramped surface and said first end of said isolation apparatus; and wherein said internal retaining feature of each of said first and second sidewalls comprises a retaining shoulder, said retaining shoulder being received in said retention channel of a respective one of said isolation apparatus.

6. The information handling system of claim 1 , wherein each of said isolation apparatus comprises two opposing extending side sections adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus, each of said two opposing extending side sections comprising a snap-fit retaining feature; wherein each of said snap fit retaining features comprises a ramped surface disposed on a given one of said opposing extending side sections at said second end of said isolation apparatus, and a step-down surface defining a retention channel between said ramped surface and said first end of said isolation apparatus to form two opposing retention channels; and wherein said internal retaining features of each of said first and second sidewalls comprises two opposing retaining shoulders, each of said two opposing retaining shoulders being respectively received in said opposing retention channels of a respective one of said isolation apparatus.

7. An assembly for an information handling system, comprising:

an information handling system component, said information handling system component having at least one opening defined therein;

at least one isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends with a central axis extending between said first end and said second end and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus;

a mounting structure having at least one opening having a longitudinal axis defined therein, said opening provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said isolation apparatus;

wherein said insertable pin of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said at least one opening defined in said information handling system component; and

wherein said body of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said at least one opening of said mounting structure by direct insertion of the second end of said isolation apparatus into said at least one opening defined in said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said mounting structure and wherein said internal retaining feature of said mounting structure opening is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said isolation apparatus.

8. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein said isolation apparatus comprises an insertable metal pin coupled to a body of elastomeric vibration-dampening material.

9. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein said insertable metal pin is overmolded by said body of elastomeric vibration-dampening material.

10. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein said information handling system component comprises a vibration-inducing component; and wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one of an information handling system chassis or a chassis mounting module for an information handling system.

11. The assembly of claim 7 , wherein said information handling system component comprises a data drive component; and wherein said mounting structure comprises a drive caddy for said data drive component.

12. The assembly of claim 7 , comprising at least two isolation apparatus, each of said isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of each of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of each of said isolation apparatus;

wherein said mounting structure comprises first and second sidewalls supported in spaced relationship by at least one cross member, each of said first and second sidewalls having at least one opening having a longitudinal axis defined therein, said opening being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus;

wherein said information handling system component comprises first and second opposing sides, at least one opening being defined in each of said first and second sides;

wherein said information handling system component is disposed between said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure such that said opening defined in said first side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said opening defined in said second side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure;

wherein an insertable pin of a first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first side of said information handling system component, wherein a body of said first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure by direct insertion of the second end of said first one of said isolation apparatus into said at least one opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and wherein said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said first one of said isolation apparatus; and

wherein an insertable pin of a second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second side of said information handling system component, wherein a body of said second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure by direct insertion of the second end of said second one of said isolation apparatus into said at least one opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure, and wherein said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said second one of said isolation apparatus.

13. The assembly of claim 12 , comprising four isolation apparatus, each of said four isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of each of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of each of said isolation apparatus; wherein said information handling system component comprises two openings defined in each of said first and second sides; wherein each of said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure has two openings that each has a longitudinal axis defined therein, each of said mounting structure openings being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus; wherein said information handling system component is disposed between said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure such that each said two openings defined in said first side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent one of said two openings defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that each of said two openings defined in said second side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent each of said two openings defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure; and wherein an insertable pin of a respective one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in each of said openings defined in said first or second sides of said information handling system component, wherein a body of said respective one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in a corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure by direct insertion of the second end of said respective one of said isolation apparatus into said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure; and wherein said internal retaining feature of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said respective one of said isolation apparatus.

14. A method for mounting an information handling system component, comprising:

providing an information handling system component, said information handling system component having at least one opening defined therein;

providing at least one isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends with a central axis extending between said first end and said second end and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus;

providing a mounting structure having at least one opening having a longitudinal axis defined therein, said opening provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said isolation apparatus;

directly inserting said second end of said isolation apparatus at least partially into said at least one opening of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said mounting structure such that said internal retaining feature of said mounting structure opening is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said isolation apparatus; and

inserting said insertable pin of said isolation apparatus is at least partially into said at least one opening defined in said information handling system component.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein said isolation apparatus comprises an insertable metal pin coupled to a body of elastomeric vibration-dampening material.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein said information handling system component comprises a vibration-inducing component; and wherein said mounting structure comprises at least one of an information handling system chassis or a chassis mounting module for an information handling system.

17. The method of claim 14 , wherein said information handling system component comprises a data drive component; and wherein said mounting structure comprises a drive caddy for said data drive component; and wherein said method further comprises installing said drive caddy into a chassis bay of an information handling system.

18. The method of claim 14 , wherein said mounting structure comprises first and second sidewalls supported in spaced relationship by at least one cross member, each of said first and second sidewalls having at least one opening having a longitudinal axis defined therein, said opening being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus; wherein said information handling system component comprises first and second opposing sides, at least one opening being defined in each of said first and second sides; and wherein said method further comprises:

providing at least two isolation apparatus, each of said isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of each of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of each of said isolation apparatus;

disposing said information handling system component between said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure such that said opening defined in said first side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said opening defined in said second side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure;

inserting an insertable pin of a first one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into said opening defined in said first side of said information handling system component such that the second end of said first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received by direct insertion in said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said first one of said isolation apparatus; and

inserting an insertable pin of a second one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into said opening defined in said second side of said information handling system component such that the second end of said second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received by direct insertion in said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said second one of said isolation apparatus.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein said information handling system component comprises two openings defined in each of said first and second sides; herein each of said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure has two openings that each has a longitudinal axis defined therein, each of said mounting structure openings being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus; and wherein said method further comprises:

providing four isolation apparatus, each of said four isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of each of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of each of said isolation apparatus;

disposing said information handling system component between said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure such that each said two openings defined in said first side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent one of said two openings defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that each of said two openings defined in said second side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent each of said two openings defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure;

inserting an insertable pin of a respective one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into each of said openings defined in said first or second sides of said information handling system component; and

directly inserting a second end of said respective one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into a corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure such that said internal retaining feature of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said respective one of said isolation apparatus.

20. The method of claim 19 , said method further comprising:

providing each of said isolation apparatus such that it comprises two opposing extending side sections adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus, each of said two opposing extending side sections comprising a snap-fit retaining feature, wherein each of said snap fit retaining features comprises a ramped surface disposed on a given one of said opposing extending side sections at said second end of said isolation apparatus, and a step-down surface defining a retention channel between said ramped surface and said first end of said isolation apparatus to form two opposing retention channels, and wherein said internal retaining features of each of said first and second sidewalls comprises two opposing retaining shoulders; and

directly inserting a body of said respective one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into a corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure such that said internal retaining feature of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said retention channels of said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said respective one of said isolation apparatus.

21. An information handling system, comprising:

at least two isolation apparatus, each of said isolation apparatus having a first end that comprises an insertable metal pin and a second end that comprises a body of elastomeric material, said elastomeric material defining an insertable snap-fit retaining feature on said second end of said isolation apparatus;

a vibration-producing component, said vibration-producing component having first and second opposing sides, at least one opening being defined in each of said first and second sides;

first and second sidewalls supported in spaced relationship to each other, each of said first and second sidewalls having at least one opening defined therein, said opening being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus;

wherein said vibration-producing component is disposed between said first and second sidewalls such that said opening defined in said first side of said vibration-producing component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said first sidewall, and such that said opening defined in said second side of said vibration-producing component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said second sidewall;

wherein an insertable metal pin of a first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first side of said vibration-producing component, wherein a body of said first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first sidewall, and wherein said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said first sidewall is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said first one of said isolation apparatus;

wherein an insertable metal pin of a second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second side of said vibration-producing component, wherein a body of said second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second sidewall, and wherein said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said second sidewall is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said second one of said isolation apparatus; and

wherein said vibration-producing component is substantially vibrationally isolated from said first and second sidewalls; and

wherein each of said isolation apparatus comprises two opposing extending side sections adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus, each of said two opposing extending side sections comprising a snap-fit retaining feature; wherein each of said snap fit retaining features comprises a ramped surface disposed on a given one of said opposing extending side sections adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus, and a step-down surface defining a retention channel between said ramped surface and said first end of said isolation apparatus to form two opposing retention channels; and wherein said internal retaining features of each of said first and second sidewalls comprises two opposing retaining shoulders, each of said two opposing retaining shoulders being respectively received in said opposing retention channels of a respective one of said isolation apparatus.

22. A method for mounting an information handling system component, comprising:

providing an information handling system component, said information handling system component having at least one opening defined therein;

providing at least one isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus;

providing a mounting structure having at least one opening defined therein, said opening provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said isolation apparatus;

inserting said body of said isolation apparatus at least partially into said at least one opening of said mounting structure such that said internal retaining feature of said mounting structure opening is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said isolation apparatus; and

inserting said insertable pin of said isolation apparatus is at least partially into said at least one opening defined in said information handling system component;

wherein said mounting structure comprises first and second sidewalls supported in spaced relationship by at least one cross member, each of said first and second sidewalls having at least one opening defined therein, said opening being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus; wherein said information handling system component comprises first and second opposing sides, at least one opening being defined in each of said first and second sides, and wherein said method further comprises:

providing at least two isolation apparatus, each of said isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of each of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of each of said isolation apparatus,

disposing said information handling system component between said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure such that said opening defined in said first side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said opening defined in said second side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure,

inserting an insertable pin of a first one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into said opening defined in said first side of said information handling system component such that a body of said first one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said first one of said isolation apparatus, and

inserting an insertable pin of a second one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into said opening defined in said second side of said information handling system component such that a body of said second one of said isolation apparatus is at least partially received in said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that said internal retaining feature of said opening defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said second one of said isolation apparatus;

wherein said information handling system component comprises two openings defined in each of said first and second sides; wherein each of said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure has two openings defined therein, each of said mounting structure openings being provided with at least one internal retaining feature configured to receive and retainably engage an insertable snap-fit retaining feature of one of said isolation apparatus, and wherein said method further comprises:

providing four isolation apparatus, each of said four isolation apparatus having first and second opposing ends and comprising a body of vibration-dampening material, an insertable pin extending from said first end of each of said isolation apparatus, and at least one insertable snap-fit retaining feature provided adjacent said second end of each of said isolation apparatus,

disposing said information handling system component between said first and second sidewalls of said mounting structure such that each said two openings defined in said first side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent one of said two openings defined in said first sidewall of said mounting structure, and such that each of said two openings defined in said second side of said information handling system component is disposed adjacent each of said two openings defined in said second sidewall of said mounting structure,

inserting an insertable pin of a respective one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into each of said openings defined in said first or second sides of said information handling system component, and

inserting a body of said respective one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into a corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure such that said internal retaining feature of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said respective one of said isolation apparatus; and

wherein said method further comprises:

providing each of said isolation apparatus such that it comprises two opposing extending side sections adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus, each of said two opposing extending side sections comprising a snap-fit retaining feature, wherein each of said snap fit retaining features comprises a ramped surface disposed on a given one of said opposing extending side sections adjacent said second end of said isolation apparatus, and a step-down surface defining a retention channel between said ramped surface and said first end of said isolation apparatus to form two opposing retention channels, and wherein said internal retaining features of each of said first and second sidewalls comprises two opposing retaining shoulders, and

inserting a body of said respective one of said isolation apparatus at least partially into a corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure such that said internal retaining feature of said corresponding adjacent opening defined in said first or second sidewall of said mounting structure is retainably engaged by said retention channels of said insertable snap-fit retaining feature of said respective one of said isolation apparatus.