Multilayer computer chassis having integral circuit board mounting and grounding structure

A method of mounting a circuit board to a chassis, comprising the steps of:

• bringing an outer chassis portion into proximity with an inner chassis portion, said outer chassis portion composed of a conductive material and having a plurality of associated pairs of integral circuit board mounts and outer chassis apertures formed in a substantially planar wall thereof, said circuit board mounts protruding toward an interior of said outer chassis portion, said inner chassis portion having a plurality of associated pairs of integral spring members and inner chassis apertures formed in a substantially planar wall thereof, said plurality of circuit board mounts registerable with said plurality of inner chassis apertures to allow said plurality of circuit board mounts to pass through said plurality of inner chassis apertures as said wall of said inner chassis portion is brought into proximity with said wall of said outer chassis portion, said wall of said inner chassis portion substantially occluding said outer chassis apertures and said wall of said outer chassis portion substantially occluding said inner chassis apertures to form an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield;
• and
• coupling a circuit board to said plurality of circuit board mounts and said plurality of spring members, said circuit board thereby removably mounted to said chassis, said plurality of circuit board mounts and said plurality of spring members providing a grounding path from said circuit board to said chassis for electrical currents associated with said circuit board;
• wherein each of said plurality of circuit board mounts comprises a hook portion, the method further comprising the step of bearing against a first surface of said circuit board with an inner surface of said hook portion to retain said circuit board in proximity with said inner chassis portion.

A chassis assembly comprising:

• a circuit board;
• an outer chassis portion composed of a conductive material and having a plurality of integral circuit board mounts formed in a substantially planar wall thereof, said circuit board mounts protruding toward an interior of said outer chassis portion;
• and
• an inner chassis portion having a plurality of integral spring members formed in a substantially planar wall thereof, said plurality of circuit board mounts registerable with a plurality of inner chassis apertures in said inner chassis portion to allow said plurality of circuit board mounts to pass through said plurality of inner chassis apertures as said wall of said inner chassis portion is brought into proximity with said wall of said outer chassis portion, said plurality of circuit board mounts and said plurality of spring members cooperable to pass through corresponding apertures in said circuit board, said plurality of circuit board mounts and spring members providing opposing forces to mount said circuit board to said chassis and to provide a grounding path, from said circuit board to said chassis via said plurality of spring members, for electrical currents associated with said circuit board;
• wherein each of said plurality of circuit board mounts comprises a hook portion, an inner surface of said hook portion bearable against a first surface of said circuit board to retain said circuit board in proximity with said inner chassis portion.

A method of mounting a circuit board to a chassis, comprising the steps of:

• bringing an outer chassis portion into proximity with an inner chassis portion, said outer chassis portion composed of a conductive material and having a plurality of integral circuit board mounts and outer chassis apertures formed in a substantially planar wall thereof, said circuit board mounts protruding toward an interior of said outer chassis portion, said inner chassis portion having a plurality of integral spring members formed in a substantially planar wall thereof, said plurality of circuit board mounts registerable with a plurality of inner chassis apertures in said inner chassis portion to allow said plurality of circuit board mounts to pass through said plurality of inner chassis apertures as said wall of said inner chassis portion is brought into proximity with said wall of said outer chassis portion;
• and
• coupling a circuit board to said plurality of circuit board mounts and said plurality of spring members, said circuit board thereby removably mounted to said chassis, said plurality of circuit board mounts and said plurality of spring members cooperable to pass through corresponding apertures in said circuit board, said plurality of circuit board mounts and spring members providing opposing forces to mount said circuit board to said chassis and to provide a grounding path, from said circuit board to said chassis via said plurality of spring members, for electrical currents associated with said circuit board;
• wherein each of said plurality of circuit board mounts comprises a hook portion, the method further comprising the step of bearing against a first surface of said circuit board with an inner surface of said hook portion to retain said circuit board in proximity with said inner chassis portion.