ELECTRONIC CARD RETAINING DEVICE

Abstract

An electronic card retaining device includes a seat mounted on a motherboard and having stopper sections; and a movable retaining member pivotally connected to the seat and having a retaining end facing toward a position to where an electronic card is to be fixed, and an operating end provided with guide sections, which can pass the stopper sections to move between a retaining and a releasing position when the movable retaining member rotates pivotally. The electronic card has an end electrically connected to the motherboard and another end for engaging with the retaining end of the movable retaining member. To retain the electronic card, simply push the engaging end thereof downward and the guide sections will move to the retaining position. To release the electronic card, simply sidewardly deform the elastic arm for the guide sections to move from the retaining position to the releasing position.

Claims

1. An electronic card retaining device, comprising: a seat (1) having stopper sections (14) provided thereon; and a movable retaining member (2) being pivotally connected at a middle portion to the seat (1) and having axially spaced front and rear ends, which are a retaining end (21) and an operating end (22), respectively; the retaining end (21) being extended toward a position to where an electronic card (3) is to be fixed, and the operating end (22) having at least one elastic arm (221), on which a guide section (222) is provided; the guide section (222) being so configured that it is able to contact with the stopper sections (14) and cause the elastic arm (221) to deform when the movable retaining member (2) is turned pivotally on and relative to the seat (1), such that the guide section (222) is allowed to pass through the stopper sections (14) and switch between a releasing position and a retaining position; and the retaining end (21) being engaged with the electronic card (3) to retain the latter in place when the guide section (222) is located at the retaining position, and the retaining end (21) being disengaged from the electronic card (3) when the guiding section (222) is located at the releasing position.

2. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the operating end (22) has a rear end surface formed into a recess portion (24), and at least one of two lateral sides of the recess portion (24) being formed into an extended elastic arms (221); and the guiding section (222) being separately provided on two side surfaces of the two parallel elastic arms facing away from the recess portion (24).

3. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (1) internally defines a recessed receiving space (13); the receiving space (13) being provided on at least one of two sidewalls with a curved limiting guide slot (12) corresponding to a moving path of the guiding section (222); and the stopper portions (14) being located to one end of the limiting guide slot (12) closer to an open top of the seat (1).

4. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seat (1) internally defines a recessed receiving space (13); the receiving space (13) being provided on at least one of two sidewalls with a curved limiting guide slot (12) corresponding to a moving path of the guiding section (222); and the stopper portions (14) being located to one end of the limiting guide slot (12) closer to an open top of the seat (1).

5. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receiving space (13) is provided on two sidewalls with two corresponding pivot receiving sections (11), and the movable retaining member (2) being provided at the middle portion on two sidewalls with two pivot sections (23) for pivotally engaging with the pivot receiving sections (11); the movable retaining member (2) having a torque applied by the operating end (22) on the pivot sections (23) larger than a torque applied by the retaining end (21) on the pivot sections (23), such that the retaining end (21) maintains at the releasing position in a tipped upward state when the movable retaining member (2) is in a natural state without being subjected to any applied force.

6. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiving space (13) is provided on two sidewalls with two corresponding pivot receiving sections (11), and the movable retaining member (2) being provided at the middle portion on two sidewalls with two pivot sections (23) for pivotally engaging with the pivot receiving sections (11); the movable retaining member (2) having a torque applied by the operating end (22) on the pivot sections (23) larger than a torque applied by the retaining end (21) on the pivot sections (23), such that the retaining end (21) maintains at the releasing position in a tipped upward state when the movable retaining member (2) is in a natural state without being subjected to any applied force.

7. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pivot receiving sections (11) are shaft holes, and the pivot sections (23) being two sidewardly projected shafts for extending into and engaging with the pivot receiving sections (11); and the receiving space (13) being provided on inner sides of the two sidewalls with two open recesses (111), and the open recesses (111) being extended from the pivot receiving sections (11) toward a front opening of the receiving space (13).

8. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each guide section (222) is provided at two opposite sides, which are located sequentially in a moving direction thereof, with a beveled surface (223) and a curved surface (224); the beveled surface being pressed against the stopper sections (14) when the guide section (222) is moved from the releasing position to the retaining position, such that the elastic arm (221) is pushed by the guide section (222) to deform and bend gradually, allowing the guide section (222) to pass the stopper sections (14) to the retaining position; and wherein each guide section (222) is movable from the retaining position to pass the stopper sections (14) and return to the releasing position when an external force is applied sidewardly to deform and bend the elastic arm (221) and allow the curved surface (224) of each guide section (222) to slide through the stopper sections (14) with the aid of a tip-up elastic force of the electronic card (3).

9. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each guide section (222) is provided at two opposite sides, which are located sequentially in a moving direction thereof, with a beveled surface (223) and a curved surface (224); the beveled surface being pressed against the stopper sections (14) when the guide section (222) is moved from the releasing position to the retaining position, such that the elastic arm (221) is pushed by the guide section (222) to deform and bend gradually, allowing the guide section (222) to pass the stopper sections (14) to the retaining position; and wherein each guide section (222) is movable from the retaining position to pass the stopper sections (14) and return to the releasing position when an external force is applied sidewardly to deform and bend the elastic arm (221) and allow the curved surface (224) of each guide section (222) to slide through the stopper sections (14) with the aid of a tip-up elastic force of the electronic card (3).

10. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein each guide section (222) is provided at two opposite sides, which are located sequentially in a moving direction thereof, with a beveled surface (223) and a curved surface (224); the beveled surface being pressed against the stopper sections (14) when the guide section (222) is moved from the releasing position to the retaining position, such that the elastic arm (221) is pushed by the guide section (222) to deform and bend gradually, allowing the guide section (222) to pass the stopper sections (14) to the retaining position; and wherein each guide section (222) is movable from the retaining position to pass the stopper sections (14) and return to the releasing position when an external force is applied sidewardly to deform and bend the elastic arm (221) and allow the curved surface (224) of each guide section (222) to slide through the stopper sections (14) with the aid of a tip-up elastic force of the electronic card (3).

11. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 4, wherein each guide section (222) is provided at two opposite sides, which are located sequentially in a moving direction thereof, with a beveled surface (223) and a curved surface (224); the beveled surface being pressed against the stopper sections (14) when the guide section (222) is moved from the releasing position to the retaining position, such that the elastic arm (221) is pushed by the guide section (222) to deform and bend gradually, allowing the guide section (222) to pass the stopper sections (14) to the retaining position; and wherein each guide section (222) is movable from the retaining position to pass the stopper sections (14) and return to the releasing position when an external force is applied sidewardly to deform and bend the elastic arm (221) and allow the curved surface (224) of each guide section (222) to slide through the stopper sections (14) with the aid of a tip-up elastic force of the electronic card (3).

12. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 5, wherein each guide section (222) is provided at two opposite sides, which are located sequentially in a moving direction thereof, with a beveled surface (223) and a curved surface (224); the beveled surface being pressed against the stopper sections (14) when the guide section (222) is moved from the releasing position to the retaining position, such that the elastic arm (221) is pushed by the guide section (222) to deform and bend gradually, allowing the guide section (222) to pass the stopper sections (14) to the retaining position; and wherein each guide section (222) is movable from the retaining position to pass the stopper sections (14) and return to the releasing position when an external force is applied sidewardly to deform and bend the elastic arm (221) and allow the curved surface (224) of each guide section (222) to slide through the stopper sections (14) with the aid of a tip-up elastic force of the electronic card (3).

13. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

14. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 2, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

15. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

16. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

17. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

18. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

19. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

20. The electronic card retaining device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the seat (1) is mounted on a motherboard (30); the electronic card (3) having an engaging end (31) provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch (310), and an opposite electrical connecting end (32) electrically connected to a terminal block (40) provided on the motherboard (30); and the retaining end (21) of the movable retaining member (2) including a locating protrusion (211) for engaging with the locating notch (310) on the electronic card (3), and a pressing section (212) located above the locating protrusion (211) for abutting on areas surrounding the locating notch (310).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electronic card retaining device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 2 is an assembled perspective view of the electronic card retaining device of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a first sectional side view showing the electronic card retaining device of the present invention before an electronic card is held in place by a movable retaining member thereof;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a second sectional side view showing the electronic card retaining device of the present invention, wherein the electronic card pushes against the movable retaining member when being installed;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a third sectional side view of the electronic card retaining device of the present invention showing the movable retaining member thereof is in a retaining position to hold the electronic card in place;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a top view showing how the electronic card retaining device of the present invention is operated to release the electronic card from the movable retaining member; and

[0020] FIG. 7 is a fourth sectional side view of the electronic card retaining device of the present invention showing the movable retaining member thereof returns to a releasing position when the electronic card is released therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Please refer to FIGS. 1 to 3. An electronic card retaining device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a seat 1 and a movable retaining member 2. The seat 1 can be glued, welded, or connected via other element to a motherboard 30 at a position to one side of an electronic card 3, which can be, for example, a solid state drive (SSD).

[0022] The seat 1 internally defines an open-topped recessed receiving space 13. The receiving space 13 is provided on two sidewalls with two corresponding pivot receiving sections (such as two shaft holes) 11; two open recesses 111 extending from the pivot receiving sections 11 toward a front opening of the receiving space 13; two arcuate limiting guide slots 12 located adjacent to the pivot receiving sections 11; and two stopper sections 14 formed on the sidewalls at two upper rear ends thereof.

[0023] The movable retaining member 2 is provided at a middle portion with a pivot section 23 in the form of two sidewardly projected shafts, which move through the two open recesses 111 to set in and engage with the two pivot receiving sections 11, such that the movable retaining member 2 is pivotally connected to the seat 1.

[0024] The movable retaining member 2 has axially spaced front and rear ends, namely, a retaining end 21 and an operating end 22, respectively. The operating end 22 has a rear end surface formed into a recess portion 24, two lateral sides of which form into two parallelly extended elastic arms 221. The elastic arms 221 are provided on their outer surfaces facing away from the recess portion 24 with a laterally protruded guide section 222 each. The guide sections 222 move along paths defined by the limiting guide slots 12, such that the guide sections 222 are engaged with and guided by the limiting guide slots 12 to slide reciprocatingly.

[0025] In the above structure, the guide sections 222 are stopped by the stopper sections 14 to stay at one of a retaining position (or a locked state) and a releasing position (or a free state); and two opposite sides of each guide section 222 located sequentially in a moving direction thereof are a retaining side 2231 and a releasing side 2241, respectively. The retaining side 2231 is provided with a beveled surface 223 according to actual need; and the releasing side 2241 is provided with a curved surface 224 according to actual need.

[0026] In an operable embodiment, the electronic card 3 has an engaging end 31 provided on an edge thereof with a locating notch 310, and the retaining end 21 of the movable retaining member 2 extends toward the electronic card 3. The retaining end 21 includes a locating protrusion 211 provided on an end surface thereof corresponding to the locating notch 310, and a pressing section 212 located above the locating protrusion 211 to project toward the electronic card 3. It is noted a torque applied by the operating end 22 of the movable retaining member 2 on the pivot sections 23 is larger than that applied by the retaining end 21 on the pivot section 23, such that the movable retaining member 2 in a natural state without being subjected to any force can maintain at the releasing position and the retaining end 21 is in a tipped upward position, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0027] In practical use of the electronic card retaining device of the present invention, first install the electronic card 3 by plugging an electrical connecting end 32 thereof in a terminal block 40 on the motherboard 30. At this point, the engaging end 31 of the electronic card 3 having the locating notch 310 is in an elastically tipped upward state and the movable retaining member 2 is in a releasing position, as shown in FIG. 3. Then, slowly press the engaging end 31 of the electronic card 3 against the locating protrusion 211 for the latter to slide downward. At this point, the movable retaining member 2 pivotally rotates about the pivot section 23 while bringing the operating end 22 (i.e. the guide sections 222) to move along the limiting guide slots 12 toward the stopper sections 14, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0028] In the process of slowly pressing the electronic card 3 against the locating protrusion 211, when the retaining sides 2231 of the guide sections 222 of the movable retaining member 2 are in contact with the stopper sections 14 (i.e. inner sidewall surfaces of the seat 1), the beveled surfaces 223 would cause the two elastic arms 221 to elastically deform and bend toward the recess portion 24, such that the guide sections 222 can pass the stopper sections 14 gradually. When the electronic card 3 is kept pressing against the movable retaining member 2 until the locating protrusion 211 is engaged with the locating notch 310 and the pressing section 212 is abutted on a top of the edge of the electronic card 3 having the locating notch 310, the electronic card 3 is stably held (locked) in place. Meanwhile, the locating protrusion 211 is engaged with the locating notch 310 to prevent the electronic card 3 from moving sidewardly, lest any undesired sideward bias of the electronic card 3 should cause trouble to the electrical connecting end 32. At this point, the guide sections 222 are moved through the stopper sections 14 to displace from the releasing position to the retaining position and are stopped by the stopper sections 14 from returning to the releasing position easily, as shown in FIG. 5, so that the electronic card 3 is maintained at a retained state.

[0029] When it is desired to dismount the electronic card 3 from the motherboard 30, simply apply an external force to the elastic arms 221 of the movable retaining member 2 for the elastic arms 221 to elastically deform and bend toward the recess portion 24, as shown in FIG. 6. With the electrical connecting end 32 plugged in the terminal block 40, the engaging end 31 of the electronic card 3 is and keeps in an elastically tipped upward state when the movable retaining member 2 is in a natural state. Due to the curved surfaces 224 of the releasing sides 2241, the guide sections 222 can be successfully guided by the releasing sides 2241 to slide through the stopper sections 14, allowing the operating end 22 to return from the retaining position to the releasing position. At this point, the locating protrusion 211 and the pressing section 212 are moved away from the locating notch 310 of the electronic card 3, and an elastic force restored at the electrical connecting end 32 connected to the terminal block 40 enables the engaging end 31 of the electronic card 3 having the locating notch 310 to tip upward elastically to a position that allows a user to easily dismount the electronic card 3 from the motherboard 30, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0030] It is noted, in the event the seat 1 of the electronic card 3 has only one stopper section 14 and one limiting guiding slot 12 provided thereon, and the movable retaining member 2 of the electronic card retaining device has only one elastic arm 221 and one guide section 222 provided thereon, the present invention in practical application can still be operated in a similar way to achieve the same effect as the illustrated preferred embodiment.

[0031] The present invention with the above described structure has the following characteristics:

[0032] (1) Compared to the prior art structures, no elastic element (i.e. spring) is needed between the seat 1 and the movable retaining member 2 of the present invention, which advantageously enables reduced parts cost and reduced difficulty in assembling the electronic card retaining device.

[0033] (2) The movable retaining member 2 of the present invention is properly designed to have good gravitational torque distribution, so that the retaining end 21 of the movable retaining member 2 can maintain at the tipped upward releasing position when the movable retaining member 2 is in a natural state without being subjected to any force. No other structure is needed in the structural design of the present invention for raising the retaining end 21, which largely simplifies an overall structure of the electronic card retaining device.

[0034] (3) With the present invention, the electronic card 3 can be dismounted simply by pushing the elastic arms 221 to bend them with one hand before subsequent dismounting step without using any tool. Therefore, the present invention is convenient for use.

[0035] In conclusion, the electronic card retaining device according to the present invention indeed has the advantages of simplified structure, easy to assemble, and convenient to operate to meet the requirements of novelty and improvement for granting a patent. It is also understood the present invention has been described with a preferred embodiment thereof and many changes and modifications in the described embodiment can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the invention that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims.