Electronic component retainers

Abstract

According to embodiments of the invention, an electronic component assembly may be provided. The electronic component assembly may include an electronic component body. The electronic component assembly may also include one or more elastic members affixed to the electronic component body. The electronic component assembly may also include a catch mechanism affixed to each elastic member adapted to allow insertion of the elastic member and the catch mechanism through a hole of a circuit board in an extended position, and upon release from the extended position, hold the electronic component body in a fixed position by the tension of the elastic member and the catch mechanism grasping an edge of a surface of the circuit board opposite a surface upon which the electronic component body rests.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly comprising:
 an electronic component body;   one or more elastic members affixed to the electronic component body, wherein the elastic members are adapted to extend away from the electronic component body when a tensile force is applied and upon removal of the tensile force return to a natural position; and   a catch mechanism affixed to each elastic member, wherein the catch mechanism is adapted to allow insertion of the elastic member and the catch mechanism through a hole of a circuit board in an extended position, and upon release from the extended position, hold the electronic component body in a fixed position by the tension of the elastic member, wherein the catch mechanism grasps an edge of a surface of the circuit board opposite a surface upon which the electronic component body rests.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising the circuit board with one or more holes adapted to receive the one or more elastic members and catch mechanisms. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic members are springs. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic members are made from a material selected from one of a metal and a plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the catch mechanism includes a member which is bifurcated at a distal end. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein an outer surface of the distal end of the member includes a flange. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component body contains an electronic component selected from one of a capacitor, an inductor, a diode, and a transistor. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component body contains two or more electronic components. 
     
     
         9 . An assembly comprising:
 an electronic component body;   one or more groups of one or more elastic filaments affixed to the electronic component body, wherein the elastic filaments are adapted to deform to a constricted position when a constrictive force is applied and upon removal of the constrictive force return to a natural position; and   a tube adapted to contain each group of filaments in the constricted position in order to allow insertion of the tube and the filaments into respective holes of a circuit board.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising the circuit board. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the natural position of the elastic filaments is a curved position. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the natural position of the elastic filaments is a coiled position. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the natural position of the elastic filaments is a crimped position. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the elastic filaments are made from a material selected from one of a metal and a plastic. 
     
     
         15 . A method comprising:
 providing an electronic component body; and   affixing one or more groups of one or more elastic filaments to the electronic component body, wherein the elastic filaments are adapted to deform to a constricted position when a constrictive force is applied and upon removal of the constrictive force return to a natural position; and   placing a tube over each group of one or more elastic filaments, wherein the tube is adapted to contain each group of filaments in the constricted position in order to allow insertion of the tube and the group of one or more elastic filaments into a hole of a circuit board.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising inserting each group of one or more elastic filaments and the tube into respective holes of the circuit board until the electronic component body contacts a surface of the circuit board. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising removing the tube from each group of one or more elastic filaments, wherein the elastic filaments are allowed to attempt to return to a natural position and therefore grasp an edge of the hole of the circuit board and thereby hold the electronic component body in a fixed position.