# US 7,072,176 B2 · Mounting apparatus for circuit board > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,072,176 B2 - Document ID: US7072176B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/389,732 - Filed: 2003-03-13 - Published: 2004-07-01 - Granted: 2006-07-04 - Earliest claimed: 2002-12-31 - Assignees: HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.; Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lin; Da-Long Sun; Li Tong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7072176B2 ## CPC - G06F 1/184: Mounting of motherboards - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract A motherboard mounting apparatus (10) includes a chassis (50) having a bottom panel (51), a support plate (40) attached to a solder side of a motherboard (60), and a clip (30) mounted to the support plate for fastening the support plate to the bottom panel. The bottom panel defines a plurality of catch slots (52) each having a locking portion (524), and forms two blocks (54). The support plate includes a plurality of catches (44) engaging in the locking portions respectively. An opening (46) is defined in the support plate. The clip includes two recessed portions (34) disposed below the opening. When the support plate is slid forwardly, the recessed portions snappingly engage with the blocks respectively, so that the catches are retained in the locking portions. The support plate is securely attached to the bottom panel. The motherboard is thus securely mounted to the chassis. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mounting apparatus for a circuit board, comprising: a panel defining a plurality of slots therein; a support member having one side adapted for positioning the circuit board thereon, and comprising a plurality of catches at an opposite side thereof, the catches slidably engaging in the slots respectively; and a deflectable clip snappingly engaged between the support member and the panel to retain the support member on the panel, wherein a block is formed on the panel, and the clip has a recessed portion for engaging with the block; whereby the circuit board is securely mounted to the panel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the clip comprises a main body fixedly mounted to the support member, and a tab extending from one side of the main body for releasing the support member from the panel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the support member defines an opening, and the recessed portion extending through the opening and engaging with the block. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the recessed portion comprises an engaging portion abutting the block. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein each of the slots comprises a locking portion, and each of the catches comprises a neck portion engaging in a corresponding locking portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the support member comprises a bent plate at a side thereof for facilitating manual operation. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the panel comprises a recessed edge portion, and the block is provided on the recessed edge portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the clip is fixedly mounted on the support member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The mounting apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein the clip is deflectable in a vertical direction. ### Claim 10 A circuit board assembly comprising: a panel with a block formed thereon; a circuit board; a support member fixedly mounted to a solder side of the circuit board, the support member slidably attached to the panel and located between the circuit board and the panel; and a clip fixedly mounted to the support member, the clip comprising latch means snappingly engaging with the block to prevent the support member from moving in a first direction. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the panel defines a plurality of slots therein, and the support member comprises a plurality of catches slidably engaged in the slots respectively. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The assembly as described in claim 11, wherein each of the slots has a locking portion, and each of the catches comprises a neck portion engaging in a corresponding locking portion to prevent the support member from moving in a second direction the is opposite to the first direction. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the latch means comprises an engaging portion extending from the clip, the engaging portion abutting the block. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the panel comprises a recessed edge portion, and the block is provided on the recessed edge portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the clip comprises a main body fixedly mounted to the support member, and a tab extends from one side of the main body for releasing the support member from the panel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The assembly as described in claim 10, wherein the support member comprises a bent plate at a side thereof for facilitating manual operation.