Screwless circuit board attachment

Abstract

A fastener for attaching a circuit board to a chassis has a head section for engaging the circuit board, a tail section for engaging the chassis, and a spring section to urge the head into engagement with the circuit board.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A fastener for attaching a circuit board to a chassis comprising: 
 a head section for engaging the circuit board;    a tail section for engaging the chassis; and    a spring section to urge the head into engagement with the circuit board.    
     
     
         2 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the head section the tail section and the spring section are included in one piece.  
     
     
         3 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the tail section includes a fulcrum in pivotal engagement with the chassis.  
     
     
         4 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a grounding arm.  
     
     
         5 . The fastener of  claim 4 , wherein the grounding arm further comprises a foot that electrically contacts the chassis.  
     
     
         6 . The fastener of  claim 1 , further comprising a fastener stop to hold the fastener generally upright when the fastener is disengaged from the circuit board.  
     
     
         7 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises die-stamped steel.  
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises plastic.  
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener electrically connects the circuit board to the chassis.  
     
     
         10 . A method for attaching a circuit board to a chassis comprising the steps of: 
 positioning one or more pivoting fasteners within the chassis, the one or more pivoting fasteners having a head section, a tail section, and a spring section;    connecting the tail section of the one or more pivoting fasteners to the chassis;    engaging one or more circuit board mounting holes with the head section of-the one or more pivoting fasteners; and    locking releasably the circuit board to the chassis.    
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of releasably locking the circuit board to the chassis is accomplished using a retainer.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the step of electrically connecting the circuit board to the chassis.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pivoting fastener electrically connects the circuit board to the chassis.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the head section the tail section and the spring section of the one or more pivoting fastener are included in one piece.  
     
     
         15 . A system for attaching a circuit board to a chassis comprising: 
 one or more pivoting fasteners connected to the chassis; and    a retainer to engage the circuit board.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more pivoting fasteners are aligned to mounting holes in the circuit board.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more pivoting fasteners are die-stamped steel.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more pivoting fasteners are formed of substantially different materials.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the retainer is configured to work in combination with the one or more pivoting fasteners to releasably hold the circuit board.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the one or more pivoting fasteners electrically connect the chassis to the circuit board.