Component retention mechanism

Abstract

A method and apparatus for retaining a component within a base structure is provided. The component retention mechanism, in accordance with one example embodiment of the present invention, has a bolt receiver mounted to a base structure into which the component to be installed mounts. The base structure can be, e.g., a computer hardware rack structure. A spring casing mounts to the component to be installed. A spring having a first end and a second end mounts within the spring casing. At least one bolt extends from one of the first and second ends of the spring, such that the bolt engages with the bolt receiver to retain the component in the base structure as desired.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A component retention mechanism, comprising: 
 a bolt receiver;    a spring casing coupled to said component; and    a spring assembly having a first end and a second end, said spring mounted within said spring casing;    wherein at least one of said first and second ends engages with said bolt receiver to couple said spring casing to said bolt receiver.    
     
     
         2 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one lever provided on at least one of said first and second ends of said spring.  
     
     
         3 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one finger hole provided on at least one of said first and second ends of said spring.  
     
     
         4 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said spring assembly comprises a first locking bolt portion extending from said first end and a second locking bolt extending from said second end.  
     
     
         5 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 2 , further comprising a first lever integral with said first end of said spring assembly and a second lever integral with said second end of said spring assembly, said first and second levers enabling spring compression.  
     
     
         6 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said bolt receiver comprises at least one support arm having a ramp for engaging said locking bolt when in a locked position.  
     
     
         7 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said bolt receiver comprises a first support arm having a first ramp and a second support arm having a second ramp, said first and second ramps for engaging with a first and second locking bolt.  
     
     
         8 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said bolt receiver comprises at least one support arm having a beveled tip for receiving said at least one locking bolt.  
     
     
         9 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said spring casing slidably supports said spring and said at least one locking bolt.  
     
     
         10 . The component retention mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein said component retention mechanism is made of plastic.  
     
     
         11 . A computer hardware rack structure, comprising: 
 at least one component retention mechanism for mounting and locking components in place within said rack structure, said component retention mechanism comprising: 
 a bolt receiver mounted to said rack structure;  
 a spring casing mounted to said at least one component; and  
 a spring having a first end and a second end, said spring mounted within said spring casing;  
 at least one locking bolt extending from one of said first and second ends of said spring;  
 wherein said locking bolt engages with said bolt receiver to retain said component in said base structure.  
   
     
     
         12 . The rack structure of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one lever coupled with said spring and said at least one locking bolt.  
     
     
         13 . The rack structure of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one finger hole integral with said print and said at least one locking bolt.  
     
     
         14 . The rack structure of  claim 11 , wherein said bolt receiver comprises at least one support arm having a ramp for engaging said locking bolt when in a locked position.  
     
     
         15 . The rack structure of  claim 14 , wherein said support arm further comprises a beveled tip for receiving said locking bolt.  
     
     
         16 . The rack structure of  claim 14 , wherein said component retention mechanism is made of plastic.  
     
     
         17 . A method of mounting a component in a base structure, comprising the steps of: 
 pinching at least one lever in a spring casing to compress at least one spring and retract at least one locking bolt;    placing said component having a spring casing mounted thereto into said base structure; and    releasing said at least one lever in said spring casing to expand said spring and extend said at least one locking bolt to engage with a bolt receiver locking said component in place.    
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said pinching step comprises pinching two levers to compress two springs and retract two locking bolts.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said releasing step comprises releasing said two levers to expand said two springs and extend said two locking bolts to engage with said bolt receiver.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said placing step comprises first inserting one end of said component into a retention clip.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said placing step comprises substantially simultaneously snapping said component into a retention clip and said bolt receiver.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein said placing step comprises snapping aid component into said retention clip after completing said releasing step.