Heat sink element coupling structure

Abstract

An improved heat sink element coupling structure comprised of a minimum of one or more folded appendages that are formed by bending along the upper or lower lateral edges, the middle, or other suitable position of a single heat sink element or along the two sides of one lateral edge or middle position of a single heat sink element; an opening disposed at the confluence of the folded appendage and the single heat sink element plate that penetrates the folded appendage to form a perforated construct; and a linking member that extends outward from the folded appendage and, furthermore, is positioned at the distal extremity of the single heat sink element plate. The features of the present invention include the following innovations. The linking member also has two lock tabs along its two sides that extend from the two sides at the leading extremity of the linking member. During interconnection, the lock tabs along the two sides of the linking member on single heat sink elements are articulated into an O shape and engaged into the opening of another immediately adjacent single heat sink element. Furthermore, the linking member and the two lock tabs at its two sides are formed into a horizontal S shape or an inverted horizontal S-shaped arrangement such that they are crimped onto the other single heat sink element plate and also firmly secured against the two lateral edges of the opening to prevent unintentional dislodging.

1 . An improved heat sink element coupling structure comprised of: 
 a minimum of one or more folded appendages that are formed by bending along the upper or lower lateral edges, the middle, or other suitable position of a single heat sink element;    an opening disposed at the confluence of the said folded appendage and the plate of the said single heat sink element that penetrates the said folded appendage to form a perforated construct; and a linking member that extends outward from the said folded appendage and, furthermore, is positioned at the distal extremity of the said single heat sink element plate, the features of which are:    the said linking member also has two lock tabs along its two sides that extend from the two sides at the leading extremity of the said linking member; during interconnection, the said lock tabs along the two sides of the said linking member on a said single heat sink element are articulated into an O shape and engaged into the said opening of another immediately adjacent said single heat sink element and, furthermore, the said linking member and the said two lock tabs at its two sides are formed into a horizontal S shape or an inverted horizontal S-shaped arrangement such that they are crimped onto the other said single heat sink element plate and also firmly secured against the two lateral edges of the said opening to prevent unintentional dislodging.    
   
   
       2 . As mentioned in  claim 1  of the improved heat sink element coupling structure of the invention herein, the one or more said folded appendages can be disposed on one lateral edge, two sides, or a middle position of a said single heat sink element and have one or more said linking members, with two said lock tabs that extend from the two sides at the leading extremity of each said linking member.  
   
   
       3 . As mentioned in  claim 1  and  claim 2  of the improved heat sink element coupling structure of the invention herein, the said linking member can be fabricated with one said lock tab that extends from the left or the right side of the leading extremity of the said linking member.  
   
   
       4 . As mentioned in  claim 1 ,  claim 2 , and  claim 3  of the improved heat sink element coupling structure of the invention herein, the planar profile of the said lock tabs includes rectangular, U-shaped, and triangular arrangements.