Expansion card mounting bracket

Abstract

An expansion card mounting bracket includes a fixed frame, a pivot and a limiter. The fixed frame has an abutting surface configured for an expansion card to abut thereon. The pivot is disposed to the fixed frame. The limiter is slidably disposed on the pivot along an axial direction of the pivot and is configured to rotate with respect to the fixed frame through the pivot. The limiter is rotatable with respect to the fixed frame to be located at a releasing position or a waiting position. When the limiter is located at the releasing position, the limiter is spaced apart from a side of the expansion card away from the abutting surface. When the limiter is located at the waiting position, part of the expansion card is clamped between the limiter and the abutting surface, and the limiter is slidable with respect to the pivot to be moved from the waiting position to a limiting position. When the limiter is located at the limiting position, the limiter is fixed with respect to the fixed frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an expansion card mounting bracket, and more particularly to an expansion card mounting bracket that is easy to install. Prior Technology

[0002] With the development of technology, the demand for expansion cards in electronic devices such as servers is increasing, resulting in the need to install multiple expansion cards.

[0003] However, these expansion cards all need to be fixed inside the chassis. If screws are used in the traditional way to tighten them, it is not only time-consuming, but there is also a risk that screws may fall into the chassis and cause short circuits to other electronic components. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention provides an expansion card mounting bracket for convenient installation of expansion cards.

[0005] An expansion card mounting bracket disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention is adapted to accommodate at least one expansion card. The expansion card mounting bracket includes a fixed frame, at least one rotating shaft, and at least one limiting member. The fixed frame has a bearing surface for the at least one expansion card to rest against. The at least one rotating shaft is disposed on the fixed frame. The at least one limiting member is slidably disposed on the at least one rotating shaft along its axial direction and is rotatable relative to the fixed frame through the at least one rotating shaft. The at least one limiting member is rotatable relative to the fixed frame and can be located in a released position and a pre-limited position. When the at least one limiting member is in the released position, it disengages from the at least one expansion card and moves away from the bearing surface. When the at least one limiting member is in the pre-limited position, a portion of the at least one expansion card is sandwiched between the at least one limiting member and the bearing surface, and the at least one limiting member is slidable relative to the at least one rotating shaft from the pre-limited position to the limited position. When the at least one limiting member is in the limiting position, the at least one limiting member is fixed to the fixed frame.

[0006] According to the expansion card mounting bracket disclosed in the above embodiments, the limiting member, which is slidably disposed relative to the pivot and rotatably disposed relative to the fixed frame, allows the limiting member to switch between multiple positions, facilitating the installation of the expansion card. Furthermore, the installation process can be completed without tools, simplifying the installation procedure. Moreover, there is no possibility of screws or other mounting components falling off during installation, thus avoiding the risk of short circuits in other electronic components inside the chassis due to fallen mounting components.

[0007] The above description of the content of this invention and the following description of the embodiments are used to demonstrate and explain the principles of this invention, and to provide a further explanation of the scope of the patent application of this invention. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an expansion card mounting bracket according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the expansion card mounting bracket in Figure 1. Figures 3 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing the expansion card mounting bracket of Figure 1 with its limiting members in various positions. Implementation

[0009] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2, wherein Figure 1 is a perspective view of an expansion card mounting bracket according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded view of the expansion card mounting bracket of Figure 1.

[0010] The expansion card mounting bracket 10 provided in this embodiment is suitable for accommodating multiple expansion cards 20, wherein the expansion card 20 is, for example, a GPU card.

[0011] The expansion card mounting bracket 10 includes a fixed frame 11, two rotating shafts 12, multiple limiting members 13, multiple assembly heads 14, multiple elastic members 15, two buckles 16, and multiple fixing members 17. Please note that the present invention is not limited by the number of fixed frame 11, rotating shafts 12, limiting members 13, assembly heads 14, elastic members 15, buckles 16, and fixing members 17.

[0012] The mounting bracket 11 is, for example, a server chassis. The mounting bracket 11 has a bearing surface 111 and a plurality of positioning protrusions 112. The bearing surface 111 is used to support the expansion card 20. The positioning protrusions 112 protrude from the bearing surface 111. The positioning protrusions 112 are used to position a plurality of positioning recesses 24 of one of the mounting plates 22 of the expansion card 20.

[0013] The rotating shaft 12 is disposed on the fixed frame 11. The lengths of the rotating shafts 12 are different, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0014] The limiting member 13 is slidably disposed on the rotating shaft 12 along the axial direction of the rotating shaft 12 and is used to rotate relative to the fixed frame 11 through the rotating shaft 12. The limiting members 13 are respectively disposed on the rotating shaft 12; for example, the number of limiting members 13 is five, of which three limiting members 13 are disposed on the longer rotating shaft 12 and the other two limiting members 13 are disposed on the shorter rotating shaft 12; however, the present invention is not limited to this configuration.

[0015] The limiting member 13 has multiple assembly slots 131 and multiple convex structures 132. Each assembly slot 131 has an engaging section 1311 and a releasing section 1312. The convex structure 132 is located at the edge of the engaging section 1311 of the assembly slot 131 and protrudes away from the bearing surface 111.

[0016] The assembly head 14 protrudes from the bearing surface 111. The width of the assembly head 14 is greater than the width of the engaging section 1311, and the width of the assembly head 14 is less than the width of the releasing section 1312. The assembly head 14 is used to abut against the side of the protrusion structure 132 away from the bearing surface 111 to avoid damaging the engaging section 1311 when the assembly head 14 moves from the releasing section 1312 to the engaging section 1311.

[0017] The elastic element 15 is, for example, a compression spring. The elastic element 15 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 12. The opposite ends of the elastic element 15 are respectively connected to the fixed frame 11 and the limiting element 13.

[0018] The buckle 16 is, for example, a C-shaped buckle. The buckle 16 is fastened to one end of the rotating shaft 12 to prevent the rotating shaft 12 from detaching from the fixed frame 11.

[0019] The fastener 17 is, for example, a hand-turned screw. The fastener 17 is provided on the limiting member 13 and can rotate relative to the limiting member 13, thereby preventing the fastener 17 from falling into the fixing frame 11 when it is not locked and detached from the limiting member 13.

[0020] The following will describe the various positions of the limiting member 13. Please refer to Figures 3 to 6 together with Figures 1 to 2, where Figures 3 to 6 are schematic diagrams showing the various positions of the limiting member of the expansion card mounting bracket in Figure 1.

[0021] The limiting member 13 can rotate relative to the fixed frame 11 and be in a release position and a limit position.

[0022] When the limiting member 13 is in the released position, the limiting member 13 disengages from the expansion card 20 and moves away from one side of the bearing surface 111.

[0023] The release section 1312 of the assembly groove 131 of the limiting member 13 can be aligned with the assembly head 14, and the limiting member 13 can be rotated to the position to be limited.

[0024] When the limiting member 13 is in the position to be limited, the fixing plate 22 of the expansion card 20 is clamped between the limiting member 13 and the bearing surface 111.

[0025] The limiting member 13, which is located in the position to be limited and can slide relative to the rotating shaft 12, can be moved to a limiting position by the elastic member 15.

[0026] When the limiting member 13 is in the limiting position, the engaging section 1311 of the assembly groove 131 of the limiting member 13 is aligned with the assembly head 14, and the limiting member 13 is fixed to the fixed frame 11.

[0027] The operation of the expansion card mounting bracket 10 will be described below.

[0028] First, the limiting member 13 is in the released position and has not contacted the expansion card 20 and the bearing surface 111. At this time, the expansion card 20 can be placed against the bearing surface 111, and the positioning recess 24 of the fixing plate 22 of the expansion card 20 can be positioned to the positioning protrusion 112.

[0029] Next, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, an external force (such as the gripping force of an installer) is applied to move the limiting member 13 along the AA direction to compress the elastic member 15. Then, the limiting member 13 can be rotated, aligning the release section 1312 of its assembly slot 131 with the assembly head 14, and the limiting member 13 can be moved to the desired limiting position, as shown in Figure 5. Since the width of the assembly head 14 is smaller than the width of the release section 1312, the assembly head 14 can pass through the release section 1312 when the limiting member 13 is rotated.

[0030] When the limiting member 13 is in the position to be limited, the fixing plate 22 of the expansion card 20 is clamped between the limiting member 13 and the bearing surface 111.

[0031] Next, the external force applied to the limiting member 13 can be released. At this time, the limiting member 13 is moved to the limiting position by the restoring force of the elastic member 15, as shown in Figure 6.

[0032] During the process of the limiting member 13 moving from the position to the limiting position, the assembly head 14 moves from the release section 1312 to the engagement section 1311. Since the width of the assembly head 14 is greater than the width of the engagement section 1311, the rotation of the limiting member 13 is restricted, and the fixing plate 22 of the expansion card 20 is continuously clamped between the limiting member 13 and the bearing surface 111.

[0033] Next, the fixing member 17 can be rotated by an external force (such as the gripping force of the installer) to lock the limiting member 13 to the fixing frame 11 and keep the fixing plate 22 of the expansion card 20 in a clamped state. In this way, the installation and positioning of the expansion card 20 can be completed.

[0034] According to the expansion card mounting bracket of the above embodiment, the limiting member, which is slidably disposed relative to the pivot and rotatable relative to the fixed frame, allows the limiting member to switch between multiple positions, facilitating the installation of the expansion card. Furthermore, the installation process can be completed without tools, simplifying the installation procedure. Moreover, there is no possibility of screws or other mounting components falling out during installation, thus avoiding the risk of short circuits in other electronic components inside the chassis due to fallen mounting components.

[0035] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Anyone skilled in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of patent protection of the present invention shall be determined by the scope of the patent application attached to this specification.

[0036] 10: Expansion Card Mounting Bracket 11: Fixed frame 111: Support surface 112: Positioning convex part 12: Shaft 13: Limiting component 131: Assembly slot 1311: Card He Section 1312: Release Section 132: Convex Hull Structure 14: Assembly Head 15: Elastic component 16: Buckle 17: Fasteners 20: Expansion Card 22: Fixing plate 24: Positioning the recess AA: Direction

Claims

1. An expansion card mounting bracket adapted to accommodate at least one expansion card, the expansion card mounting bracket comprising: A fixed frame has a support surface for receiving at least one expansion card; at least one rotating shaft is disposed on the fixed frame; at least one limiting member is slidably disposed on the at least one rotating shaft along the axial direction of the at least one rotating shaft and is rotatable relative to the fixed frame through the at least one rotating shaft; and at least one fixing member is used to fix the at least one limiting member to the fixed frame; wherein the at least one limiting member is rotatable relative to the fixed frame and is located in a released position and a waiting position. In the following positions, when the at least one limiting member is in the release position, the at least one limiting member is disengaged from the at least one expansion card and away from the side of the support surface. When the at least one limiting member is in the position to be limited, a portion of the at least one expansion card is sandwiched between the at least one limiting member and the support surface. The at least one limiting member can slide relative to the at least one pivot and move from the position to be limited to a limiting position. When the at least one limiting member is in the limiting position, the at least one limiting member is fixed to the fixing frame.

2. The expansion card mounting bracket as described in claim 1 further includes at least one assembly head protruding from the abutment surface, the at least one limiting member having at least one assembly groove having an engaging section and a releasing section, the width of the at least one assembly head being greater than the width of the engaging section and the width of the at least one assembly head being less than the width of the releasing section, the at least one limiting member being located at the limiting position when the engaging section of the at least one assembly groove of the at least one limiting member is aligned with the at least one assembly head, and the at least one limiting member being located at the position to be limited when the releasing section of the at least one assembly groove of the at least one limiting member is aligned with the at least one assembly head.

3. The expansion card mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one limiting member has at least one protrusion structure at the edge of the engaging section of the at least one assembly slot that protrudes away from the bearing surface, and the at least one assembly head is used to abut against the side of the at least one protrusion structure away from the bearing surface.

4. The expansion card mounting bracket as described in claim 1 further includes at least one elastic member, the at least one elastic member being sleeved on the at least one pivot, the opposite ends of the at least one elastic member being respectively connected to the fixed frame and the at least one limiting member, and being used to drive the at least one limiting member to move to the limiting position.

5. The expansion card mounting bracket as described in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a hand-turned screw.

6. The expansion card mounting bracket as described in claim 1 further includes at least one retainer that engages with one end of the at least one pivot.

7. The expansion card mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting bracket has at least one positioning protrusion protruding from the bearing surface, the at least one positioning protrusion being positioned by at least one positioning recess of a mounting plate of the at least one expansion card.

8. The expansion card mounting bracket as described in claim 1, wherein the number of the at least one pivot is two, the number of the at least one limiting member is multiple, and the limiting members are respectively disposed on the two pivots.

9. The expansion card mounting bracket as described in claim 8, wherein the two shafts have different lengths.

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