IP Library Granted Patent US 8,638,566
Granted Patent B2
US 8,638,566 · App. 13/528,546 · Granted Jan 28, 2014

Method of forming an assembly for tool-less backplane retention for computer hardware

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,638,566
App. No.
13/528,546
Granted
Jan 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of forming an assembly for tool-less backplane retention and insertion thereof into a housing including a housing mating device through which an installation path for an assembly is defined with a space in which a first part is positioned is provided. The method includes coupling a hub and a backplane body having opposing faces on which a second part and a backplane mating device are respectively disposed. The coupling includes inserting a backplane mating device protruding from one of the opposing faces of the backplane body through a hub mating device defined in the hub. The method further includes forcing a first stage of a two-stage mating device, which includes first and second elastically coupled stages and which extends from the hub, to elastically hook onto the backplane body during a near-completion of the insertion.

Claims (12)

1. A method of forming an assembly, providing for tool-less backplane retention, for insertion thereof into a housing including a housing mating device through which an installation path for an assembly is defined with a space in which a first part is positioned, the method comprising:

coupling a hub and a backplane body having opposing faces on which a second part and a backplane mating device are respectively disposed;

the coupling comprising—by inserting a backplane mating device, which protrudes from a one of the opposing faces of the backplane body, through a hub mating device, which is defined in the hub; and

during a near-completion of the insertion of the backplane mating device through the hub mating device, forcing a first stage of a two-stage mating device, which includes first and second elastically coupled stages and which extends from the hub, to elastically hook onto the backplane body; and

further comprising installing or removing the assembly in or from the housing with the second stage of the two-stage mating device elastically hooked by the housing mating device and the first and second parts abutting one another, or with the second stage of the two-stage mating device released from the housing mating device and the first and second stages of the two-stage mating device biasing the hub and the backplane body to remain coupled.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the installing and the removing each generate forces on a second stage of the two-stage mating device, which is elastically coupled to the first stage, such that the hub is biased to remain coupled to the backplane body.

3. A method of forming an assembly for tool-less backplane retention and for insertion into a housing including a housing mating through which an installation path for an assembly is defined with a space in which a first part is positioned, the method comprising:

inserting a backplane mating device, which protrudes from one of opposing faces of a backplane body on which a second part and a backplane mating device are respectively disposed, through a hub mating device, which is defined in a hub;

forcing a first stage of a two-stage mating device, which includes first and second elastically coupled stages and which extends from the hub, to elastically hook onto the backplane body during a near-completion of the insertion of the backplane mating device through the hub mating device; and

installing or removing the assembly in or from the housing with one of:

the second stage of the two-stage mating device elastically hooked by the housing mating device and the first and second parts abutting one another, and

the second stage of the two-stage mating device released from the housing mating device and the first and second stages of the two-stage mating device biasing the hub and the backplane body to remain coupled.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 10, 2014
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: LENOVO INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
Reel/Frame 034194/0291 →