Mounting apparatus for input/output ports

[0001] The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for an input/output port holder.

[0002] Computer system usually includes input/output ports for a keyboard, mouse, joystick, microphone, video feed, video monitor, audio device and USB (Universal Serial Bus) connectors etc., thereby enhancing additional functions of the computer system. All the I/O ports should be secured onto the computer housing and accessable.

[0003] A conventional computer I/O connector assembly uses connector port holders that can be snapped into a metal retaining bracket. The connector assembly can then be attached onto the interior chassis of a computer housing. If desired, individual connector port holders can alternatively be snapped out of the bracket and replaced with other connector holders. The bracket is mounted on front of a computer tower. Connected to the bracket is a first connector port holder with two USB ports, a second connector port holder with an IEEE 1394 high speed communication port, a third connector port holder with three audio ports and a fourth connector holder with two video ports. Each connector port holders include movable cantilever strips with lock tabs formed on two upper corner and two lower corner thereof, which firmly snap into locking holes in the bracket for mounting.

[0004] However, it is time-consuming to install four individual I/O port holders and inconvenient to simultaneously press down on the upper and lower locking tabs until they clear the locking hole for removing the I/O port holders from the bracket.

[0005] What is needed, therefore, is a mounting assembly for I/O port holder allowing convenient assembly and disassembly.

[0006] A mounting apparatus for I/O ports of a computer includes an I/O port holder for holding the I/O ports and a bracket for holding and securing the I/O port holder. The bracket includes a front panel and side panels extending from the front panel, a housing space configured by the front panel and the side panels being isometric to the I/O port holder for encasing the I/O port holder therein, at least an arc-shaped jut is formed on an interior surface of the enclosure panel. At least an arc-shaped recess engaging with the arc-shaped jut of the bracket is formed on an exterior surface of the I/O port holder for securing the I/O port holder.

[0007] Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with attached drawings, in which:

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a mounting apparatus for I/O ports includes an I/O port holder 10 and a bracket 20 incorporated into a computer which receives the I/O port holder 10.

[0012] The I/O port holder 10 includes a holding body 12 for holding various I/O ports 14 and protrusions 16 protruding from the holding body 12. The body 12 includes a front wall 121, a pair of parallel first side walls 123 and a pair of parallel second side walls 125. The I/O ports 14, including four USB ports, three audio ports, three video ports and an IEEE 1394 port protrude from the front wall 121. A plurality of arc-shaped recesses 1231 is defined in the first side walls 123. A fixing notch 1251 is defined in each of the second sidewalls 125.

[0013] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the bracket 20 includes a front panel 21, a pair of first side panels 23 extending perpendicularly from an upper edge and a lower edge of the front panel 21 respectively, and a pair of second side panels 25 extending perpendicularly from a left edge and a right edge of the front panel 21 respectively. A housing space formed by the front panel 21, the first side panels 23, and the second side panels 25 of the bracket 20 is shaped similarly to the holding body 12 of the I/O port holder 10 for accommodating the holding body 12 therein. A plurality of port openings 212 adapted for the I/O ports 14 respectively are defined in the front panel 21 of the bracket 20. A plurality of resilient pieces 231 is formed in the side panels 23. An arc-shaped jut 2312 corresponding to the arc-shaped-shaped recesses 1231 is protruding from the central part of the resilient piece 231 for engaging with the arc-shaped recess 1231. A resilient “L” shaped handle 251 is defined in each second side panel 25 of the bracket 20. The handle 251 includes a body 2512 and a bent portion 2514 extending perpendicularly from the body 2512. A fixing block 2516 for engaging in the fixing notch 1251 is formed on an interior surface of the body 2512 of each handle 251. Each fixing block 2516 is a slanting ascending protrusion protruding in from the corresponding handle 251 for facilitating pushing the I/O port holder 10 into the bracket 20. A thick end of each fixing block 2516 is near to the bent portion 2514 of the handle 251 (Showed in FIG. 3).

[0014] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in assembly, the I/O port holder 10 is pushed into the bracket 20, the resilient pieces 231 and the handles 251 of the bracket 20 are elastically deformed outwards for allowing entrance of the I/O port holder 10. When the arc-shaped juts 2312 of the bracket 20 wedge into the arc-shaped recesses 1231 of the I/O port holder 10 and the fixing blocks 2516 of the bracket 20 wedge into the fixing notches 1251 of the I/O port holder 10, the resilient pieces 231 of the bracket 20 and the handles 251 of the bracket 20 return to their original shape. The thick ends of the fixing blocks 2516 resist against the fixing notches 1251 of the I/O port holder 10 for securing the I/O port holder 10. The holding block 12 of the I/O port holder 10 is encased in and secured to the bracket 20. The protrusions 16 of the I/O port holder 10 protrude outward. The I/O ports 14 are extended through the port openings 212 of the bracket 20 respectively.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 3, in removing the I/O port holder 10 from the bracket 20, the bent portions 2514 of the handles 251 are turned outward until the fixing blocks 2516 of the bracket 20 disengage with the fixing notches 1251 of the I/O port holder 10, the I/O port holder 10 is removed out from the bracket 20 by pulling the protrusion 16 of the I/O port holder 10.

[0016] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of a preferred embodiment, together with details of the structure and function of the preferred embodiment, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.