WO2011048358A1

WO2011048358A1 - A fastener system

Info

Publication number: WO2011048358A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/001921
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paul Martin
Original assignee: Psm International Limited
Priority date: 2009-10-19
Filing date: 2010-10-19
Publication date: 2011-04-28
Also published as: GB0918254D0; GB2474509A

Abstract

The invention relates to a fastener system (22); for fastening an internal PCB (20) of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel (18) of an LCD TV (10), and grounding the PCB to the panel. The fastener system (22) comprises four pins (24, 26, 28, 30), and four resiliently deformable clips/springs (32, 34, 36, 38). Each pin is electrically conductive and for attaching to an internal printed circuit board support panel of an LCD TV. The resiliently deformable clips/springs (32, 34, 36, 38) are electrically conductive and for attaching to an internal PCB of an LCD TV. Each clip/spring (32, 34, 36, 38) defines a keyhole-like socket (54) for a pin. The socket (54) has a larger opening (80) in communication with smaller opening (84, 86, and 88). Each pin (24, 26, 28, 30) has an enlarged head (44), designed for passing through a hole in a PCB (20), and for axial entry to larger opening (80) of corresponding socket (54). Transverse movement of the clip/spring (32, 34, 36, 38) relative to the pin (24, 26, 28, 30), to move pin towards the smaller opening (84, 86, 88) is able to cause an axial and/or a radial force on each clip/spring, for pressing each clip/spring (32, 34, 36, 38) against the pin and a PCB, for fixing the position of a PCB with respect to a printed circuit board support panel, and for electrically grounding a PCB to a PCB support panel, via contact between each clip/spring and each metal pin.

Description

A FASTENER SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a fastener system for fastening a printed circuit board to a printed circuit board support panel of an electrical appliance such as a liquid crystal display television.

Currently, screws are used to mount Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) to a metal printed circuit board support panel at the back of a liquid crystal display (LCD) television (TV). Sometimes the screws are installed into metal bushes, other times the pressing is locally upset and tapped. The later method does give screw assembly problems. Currently the PCB has a simple flat electrical grounding panel attached to the PCB at each of the screw fixing points. Four or six screws attach each PCB to the printed circuit board support panel.

An aim of the invention is to provide an improved, or simpler, or quicker, or easier to attach or detach, festening system, or at least an alternative fastening system.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener system for festening an internal PCB of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support panel of an LCD TV and electrically grounding the PCB to the panel.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener system for fastening an internal PCB of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support panel of an LCD TV, wherein the fastener system comprises one or a plurality of male fastening parts, and one or a plurality of female fastening parts, at least one male festening part or at least one female fastening part being resiliently deformable, at least one female fastening part defining a socket for a male festening part, at least one male festening part being arranged to enter the socket, the male and female parts being designed so that transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male festening part resiliently deforms at least one of the male fastening part or female fastening part so as to cause a retaining force, which force is suitable for fixing the position of a PCB with respect to an internal printed circuit board support panel.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a fastener system in accordance with Claim 1. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a PCB in accordance with Claim 14, or comprising a fastener system in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention. According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a PCB in accordance with Claim 17.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention there is provided an internal printed circuit board support panel in accordance with Claim 18, or comprising a fastener system in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention there is provided an electrical appliance such as a television in accordance with Claim 19, or comprising a fastener system in accordance with the first or second aspect of the invention.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of fitting, and electrically grounding, a PCB to a printed circuit board support panel of an electrical appliance such as an LCD television in accordance with Claim 21, or a method in line with the aforementioned aspects of the invention.

Optional and preferred features are set out in the dependent claims and description below.

The fastening system of the invention is improved, in that it is simpler to set up and attach, quicker to assemble, and easier to detach the PCB from the panel.

A fastening system will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an LCD TV, partly exploded, to show a PCB connected to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel by a fastener system in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV, having male (panel) fastening parts connected thereto, Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of a PCB of an LCD TV, having female (PCB) fastening parts connected thereto, Figure 4 is a detailed side view, partly in cut-away, of a male fastening part,

Figure 5 is a detailed side view, partly in hidden detail, of a female fastening part, Figure 6 is a detailed plan view of the female fastening part of Figure 5,

Figure 7 is apian view of part of a PCB, showing female fastening parts connected thereto,

Figure 8 is a side view of the part of a PCB of Figure 7, arranged over a corresponding part of a printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV, having male fastening parts connected thereto,

Figure 9 is a plan view of part of a PCB, showing female fastening parts connected thereto,

Figure 10 is a side view of the part of a PCB of Figure 7, arranged over a corresponding part of a printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV, having a different style of panel and a different style of male fastening parts connected thereto,

Figure 11 is a plan view of the part of a PCB of Figure 7, showing male fastening parts in the corresponding openings in the PCB and openings in the female fastening parts,

Figure 12 is a further side view of the part of a PCB of Figure 8, showing male fastening parts passing through corresponding openings in the PCB and openings in the female fastening parts,

Figure 13 is a further side view of the part of a PCB of Figure 8, showing male fastening parts after they have passed along corresponding openings in the PCB and openings in the female fastening parts, to a fully retained position, Figure 14 is a plan view of the part of a PCB of Figure 7, showing male fastening parts in corresponding openings in the PCB and openings in the female fastening parts, in a fully retained position, Figure 15 is a close up plan view of a female fastening part and the male fastening part of Figure Π,

Figure 16 is a close up side view of the male fastening part and female fastening part of Figure 12,

Figure 17 is a further close up plan view of the female fastening part and the male fastening part of Figure 11, showing the female fastening part move with respect to the male fastening part,

Figure 18 shows the parts of Figure 17 from the side,

Figure 19 shows the parts of Figure 17, after further relative movement, Figure 20 shows the parts of Figure 19, from the side, Figure 21 shows the parts of Figure 19, after further relative movement, Figure 22 shows the parts of Figure 21, from the side, Figure 23 shows the parts of Figure 21, after further relative movement,

Figure 24 shows the parts of Figure 23, from the side,

Figure 25 shows the parts of Figure 23, after still further relative movement, Figure 26 shows the parts of Figure 25, from the side,

Figure 27 shows the parts of Figure 25, after final relative movement,

Figure 28 shows the parts of Figure 27, from the side, Figure 29 is a plan view of another design of female fastening part, Figure 30 is a side view of the female fastening part of Figure 29,

Figure 31 is an end view of the female fastening part of Figure 29, and

Figure 32 is a plan view of part of a PCB having openings suitable for connecting the female fastening part of Figures 29 to 31.

Referring to Figure 1, an LCD TV 10 comprises a front surface 12 for the screen and a rear surface 14. The rear surface 14 is covered by a plastics cover 16 fitted using conventional screw fastening means (not shown). Still referring to Figure 1, a metal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel or plate 18 for electrically earthing or grounding internal PCB components of the LCD TV 10 is arranged on the rear surface 14 of the TV, under the plastics cover 16. A printed circuit board (hereinafter referred to as a "PCB") 20 is connected to the printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel 18 by a fastening system 22 described in detail below. In the embodiment shown two PCB's are connected to the printed circuit board support panel 18.

Referring to Figure 2 and 3, in accordance with the invention, the fastening system 22 comprises one or more, in this embodiment four, male fastening parts 24, 26, 28, 30 mounted on the printed circuit board support panel 18.

Referring to Figure 3, and also in accordance with the invention, the fastening system 22 comprises a number of female fastening parts 32, 34, 36, 38 corresponding to the number of male fastening parts 24, 26, 28, 30, in this embodiment four, mounted on the PCB 20, in positions corresponding to the positions of the male fastening parts 24, 26, 28, 30. The female fastening parts 32, 34, 36, 38 are conveniently located in each corner of the PCB.

Referring to Figure 4, each male fastening part 24, 26, 28, 30 is in the form of an elongate pin (and the terms will be used interchangeably throughout). The pins 24, 26, 28, 30 are made of metal to allow electricity to be conducted from components on the PCB 20 to them via the female fastening parts 32, 34, 36, 38. Each elongate pin 24, 26, 28, 30 comprises a body part 40, a shoulder part 41, a neck part 42, and a head part 44. A leading edge of the head part 44 is tapered to assist in locating the pin in the PCB and female fastening parts 32, 34, 36, 38. The end of each pin 24, 26, 28, 30 remote from the head part 44 has a reduced dimension so as to define a skirt 46 and a shank 48. The body part 40 is hollow substantially along its length to end of the pin 24, 26, 28, 30 remote from the head part 44. Looking along longitudinal axis A of pin 24, 26, 28, 30, from end remote from head 44, the shank 48 has a ring-like cross section with a circular inside surface and a knurled and therefore roughly circular outer surface. Referring to Figure 8, each pin 24, 26, 28, 30 is arranged on the printed circuit board support panel 18 (only two pins 26, 28 are shown for clarity), so that the longitudinal axis A of pins are perpendicular to the plane P of the printed circuit board support plate 18. The shank 48 of each pin 24, 26, 28, 30 passes through the printed circuit board support plate 18, which is substantially flat in this embodiment, so that the skirt 46 sits on the surface of the plate 18, and the shank 48 of the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 is secured by riveting. Alternative methods could be used to attach the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 to the printed circuit board support plate 18 such as clinching, welding or another suitable method.

Referring to Figure 10, alternatively the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 can be embossed on the panel 18. Since this causes the surface of the panel 18 to protrude, the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 can be shorter than in Figure 8. As seen in Figure 10, the printed circuit board support plate 18 is not necessarily flat across its surface. It may be substantially plate-like or not, but it is a metal substrate that bears a PCB or PCB's 20 and allows it or them to be earthed. Indeed, the printed circuit board support panel 18 can be made of a non-metallic material such as plastics, with localized (metal) electrical contact and conductions points.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, each female fastening part 32, 34, 36, 38 comprises an approximately planar thin sheet 50. The female fastening parts 32, 34, 36, 38 are made of metal to allow electricity to be conducted from the PCB 20 to the plate 18 via the pins 24, 26, 28, 30. Each sheet 50 is machined to produce a plurality of terminals 52 (five in this embodiment), a complex shaped keyhole-like opening 54, resiliently deformable walls 56, 58, and cut-outs that function as deformation absorbing channels 60, 62, allowing local expansion of the resiliently deformable walls 56, 58 into the deformation channels 60, 62. With reference to Figure 6, the keyhole-like opening 54 comprises a large radius opening 80, sized to allow the head 44 of a pin 24, 26, 28, 30 to pass freely through it but not the shoulder 41. The large radius opening 80 leads to a radial channel 81, in turn leading to a tapered part 82, followed by a first restriction 84, a retaining part 86, made of two arcs defined by resiliently deformable walls 56, 58 and which functions like a cir-clip or snap ring, and a second restriction 88. The first restriction 84, the retaining part 86 and the second restriction 88 are defined by resiliently deformable walls 56, 58.

Referring to Figure 5, the sheet 50 is deformed for two reasons. Firstly, each terminal 52 is deformed to create a loop 64 in the material of the sheet 50 and a corresponding cavity 66, which can assist in connecting each terminal 52 to an electrical circuit (not shown for simplicity). Secondly, the sheet 50 is deformed to form a first inclined surface 68 between channel 81 (as shown in Figures 6, 19 and 20) and centre line of retaining part 86 (as shown in Figures 6, 27 and 28), and a second inclined surface 69 between centre line of retaining part 86 and adjacent end of opening 54 remote from large radius opening 80. The first and second inclined surfaces 68, 69 are oppositely inclined, and together they define a crest 70, the line of which is aligned with a centre line of the retaining part 86. The inclined surfaces 68, 69 and crest 70 are resiliently deformable. In this embodiment, the female fastening parts 32, 34, 36, 38 function as clips (and the term will be used interchangeably throughout).

Turning to Figures 8 and 10, the clips 32, 34, 36, 38 are mounted on the surface of the PCB, with the plane of the sheets 50 parallel to the plane P of the PCB 20 and flush with the surface of the PCB. The clips 32, 34, 36, 38 sit above holes 89 machined in the PCB 20, which correspond with the shape of the keyhole shaped recesses 54, and can be slightly larger than keyhole shaped recesses. Figure 10 shows that the crests 70 of the clips 32, 34, 36, 38 are uppermost, and aligned with the centre lines of the retaining parts 86. The clips 32, 34, 36, 38 are then soldered in position. In another embodiment, depending on the board type, the method of attachment may be by soldering, or mechanical attachment or a combination of soldering and mechanical attachment. Figures 29 to 32 illustrate a single layer PCB 90, in which legs 94 of the clip protrude through holes 96 in the PCB 92 and are folded back around the PCB on the other side of the hole 96, in the same way that legs of a staple pass through paper and fold back. Referring to Figures 7 to 10, to assemble the printed circuit board support plate 18 to the PCB 20, the keyhole shaped recesses 54 of the clips 32, 34, 36, 38 are placed over the heads 44 of the pins 24, 26, 28, 30. The headed pins are positioned on centres to match the key holes in the board.

Referring to Figure 11 and 12, the PCB 20 is then dropped so that the heads of the pins pass through openings in the PCB and the keyhole shaped recesses 54, and the shoulder part 41 of the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 abut against the underside of the PCB (the shoulder is omitted in Figure 11 for simplification). Figure 16 clearly shows that the space between the shoulder 41 and underside of head 44 is greater than the width of the PCB 20 and clip 32, 34, 36, 38 at this point.

As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the PCB 20 is then moved to the left with respect to the plate 18 to a retained and grounded position. In detail, when the PCB 20 is moved to the left with respect to the plate 18 the necks 42 of the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 move in the keyhole shaped recesses 54. Referring to Figure 19, the reduced diameter necks 42 of the pins enter the radial channel 81 of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38. The movement continues uninhibited until the rightmost part of head 44 comes into contact with the inclined surface 68 of clip 32, 34, 36, 38, as shown in Figure 20 where the space between shoulder 41 and underside of head 44, at rightmost part of head, is less than the width of the PCB 20 plus the clip 32, 34, 36, 38. Referring to Figures 22 and 24, with continued pressure, the underside of the head 44, is forced over the inclined surface 68 and the crest 70 of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38, causing the clip to begin to compress axially as indicated by arrow. As shown in Figure 23, the movement continues until the neck 42 of the pin 24, 26, 28, 30 reaches the tapered part 82 of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38. It can be clearly seen the neck 42 of the pin 24, 26, 28, 30 is wider than the first restriction 84. So, at this point, additional manual force is required to continue the movement of the PCB 20, i.e. for the neck 42 of the pin to overcome the first restriction 84. Referring to Figures 25 and 26, continued pressure causes neck 42 to locally expand the resiliently deformable walls 56, 58 of the clips outwards into the deformation channels 60, 62, allowing the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 to snap fit into the retaining part 86, before the second restriction 88, as shown in Figures 27 and 28. In the embodiment shown, the dimensions of the deformation channels 60, 62 are at least as great as the difference between the neck 42 of the pin 24, 26, 28, 30 minus the width of the keyhole at the thinnest points, i.e. at the first restriction 84 or the second restriction 88. In this stable retained position, the necks 42 of the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 apply a radial expansion force on the walls 56, 58 of the clips indicated by arrows in Figure 27. Further movement is prevented by the second restriction 88 of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38. This movement may also be prevented by the geometry of the hole in the PCB 20. Referring to Figures 13 and 28, when the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 snap fit into the retaining part 86, the pins axially compress the clip 32, 34, 36, 38, indicated by arrows B, the underside of the head 44 of the pins compressing the clip 32, 34, 36, 38 and pushing the PCB 20 down onto the shoulder 41 of the pin 24, 26, 28, 30, holding the PCB 20 in position with respect to the plate 18. The combination of the axial compression and radial force is designed to provide a good resistance to PCB 20 movement during the use and testing of the LCD TV 10 whilst also achieving electrical grounding of the PCB 20 via contact between the PCB 20, clips 32, 34, 36, 38, and the metal pins 24, 26, 28, 30. Referring to Figure 14, removal of the PCB 20 for repair or replacement is a simple reversal of the manual sliding action. This disengages the necks 42 of the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 from the retaining parts 86, past the first restrictions 84 and along the tapered parts 82 of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38, and channels 81 to the large openings 80. Referring to Figure 28, as the heads 44 of pins 24, 26, 28, 30 climb back over the crest 70, and inclined surfaces 68, of clips 32, 34, 36, 38 the axial force is alleviated. The PCB 20 can then be freely removed from the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 by extracting the heads 44 from the large openings 80.

Local radial expansion of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38 could be achieved by a localised narrowing of the clip, due to the resilience of the material, without the above mentioned cut-outs. The objective is to produce a controlled expansion of the clip to allow the pin to seat.

Also, in accordance with the invention, the plate 18 can be attached to the PCB 20 purely by an axial compression of the upper face of the clip (i.e. no radial force). The fastening system 22 in accordance with the invention can use radial deformation of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38 and/or axial compression of the clip 32, 34, 36, 38, dependant on grounding and retention requirements. Generally a PCB 20 will have four attachment points 24, 32; 26, 34; 28, 36; and 30, 38 or six attachment points, although other number are easily envisaged.

In the embodiment of the invention shown, the pins 24, 26, 28, 30 and clips 32, 34, 36, 38 in accordance with the invention are used in each of the fixing points, but one or some of the attachment points can use an alternative male/female fixing such as a pin and a slot. In one example, the one or more attachment points which do not have pins and clips in accordance with the invention may have female fastening parts with a simplified key hole fixing which does not apply a radial force on the pin or vice versa and male or female fastening parts which do not apply an axial force on the PCB. This would be determined by the level of electrical grounding or level of retention required.

Referring to Figures 29 to 32, in another embodiment of the invention, a resilient clip 90 is mounted to the board 92 using five legs 94 that pass through holes 96 in the PCB 92. The keyhole 100 comprises a larger radius hole 102 connected to a smaller radius hole 106 by a straight sided, uniform width, channel 104. Two ramps 108, 110 (like the first inclined surface 68 and second inclined surface 69 above) are arranged along the channel 104. At the end of the closing movement, the head of the pin (not shown) goes beyond the downward ramp 110 section and the head of the pin sits on a flat retaining part 112 of the clip. As can be seen in Figure 30, the retaining part 112 is arranged fractionally higher than the engagement part 114 of the clip in the region of the larger radius hole 102, and the pin head is appropriately sized so that the clip is under axial compression when the head of the pin sits on a flat retaining part 112 of the clip. The downward ramp 110 is design the further prevent movement of the PCB in normal application. No radial force is applied in the resting position. Transverse movement of the clip relative to the pin resiliency deforms clip so as to move to a retaining position on the flat lower section 112 in which clip is slightly resiliently deformed axially.

An advantage of the fastening system 22 of the invention is that it removes the requirement for screws, setting up a corresponding thread, and screw assembly time.

In another embodiment of the invention (not shown for conciseness), the male fastening part(s) can be applied to the PCB 20, and the female fastening part(s) can be applied to the printed circuit board support panel 18. In a further embodiment of the invention (not shown), holes in the PCB 20 like holes 89 can define a first and/or second restriction like first and second restriction 84, 88 and/or define a retaining part like retaining part 86. In such a situation, the PCB provides a radial holding force. The clip keyhole opening can be correspondingly simplified. Alternatively, the PCB can have resilient openings which cooperate with rigid pins, so that again the PCB provides the radial holding force.

The fastening system 22 can be applied to any electrical appliance, particularly for domestic use.

Claims

1. A fastener system for fastening an internal PCB of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV, and grounding the PCB to the printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel, wherein the fastener system comprises at least one male fastening part, and at least one female fastening part, at least one male fastening part or at least one female fastening part being resiliently defbrmable, at least one male fastening part and at least one female fastening part being electrically conductive, at least one female fastening part defining a socket for a male fastening part, at least one male fastening part being designed to enter the socket, the male and female parts being designed so that transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male fastening part can resiliently deform at least one of the male fastening part or female fastening part so as to cause a retaining force, which force is suitable for fixing the position of a PCB with respect to an internal printed circuit board support panel, and for electrically grounding a PCB to an internal printed circuit board support panel, via contact between at least one female fastening part and at least one male fastening part.

2. A fastener system according to Claim 1, wherein at least one male fastening part is designed for axial entry to socket, and transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male fastening part is designed to cause at least one female fastening part to apply an axial force.

3. A fastener system according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the socket has a larger opening in communication with a smaller opening, and at least one male fastening part has an enlarged head designed for axial entry to larger opening of corresponding socket, enlarged head larger than smaller opening, and transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male fastening part towards the smaller opening being designed for an underside of the head to resiliently deform at least one female fastening part to apply an axial force.

4. A fastener system according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one female fastening part comprises an inclined portion which allows axial force to be generated.

5. A fastener system according to any preceding claim, wherein the socket has a larger opening in communication with a smaller opening, and transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male fastening part towards the smaller opening being designed to cause at least one male fastening part to resiliently deform at least one female fastening part so as to exert a radial force on at least one of the male fastening parts.

6. A fastener system according to Claim 5, wherein at least one female fastening part comprises one or more cut-out which allow resilient deformation of at least one female fastening part, and thus allow radial force to be generated.

7. A fastener system according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein at least one female fastening part comprises a first restriction and second restriction between larger opening and smaller opening, and a retaining position between the first restriction and the second restriction, the retaining position defines a space wider than the first restriction and the second restriction, to receive and retain male fastening part.

8. A fastener system according to claim 7, wherein at least one male part and at least one female part designed so that when male fastening part is retained in retaining position, the female part is applying a maximum axial force.

9. A fastener system according to preceding claim, wherein the male fastening part and the female fastening part are designed so that opposing transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male fastening part causes radial and/or axial pressure to be relieved.

10. A fastener system according to any preceding claim, wherein a male fastening part has positive attachment means for attaching the male iastening part to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV.

11. A fastener system according to any preceding claim, wherein the fastener system comprises a plurality of male fastening parts and a plurality of female fastening parts.

12. A pin for cooperation with a clip to fasten an internal PCB of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. A clip for cooperation with a pin to fasten an internal PCB of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. A PCB comprising a fastener system according to any of Claims 1 to 11 fitted thereto, wherein the PCB has at least one hole, position corresponding position of male fastening part and opening of female fastening part.

15. A PCB according to Claim 14, where at least one hole in the PCB provides a radial holding force on the male fastening part.

16. A PCB according to claim 15, wherein at least one PCB hole comprises a resilient opening to receive the male fastening part and apply a radial holding force on the male fastening part.

17. A PCB comprising a fastener system fitted thereto for fastening an internal PCB of an LCD TV to an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an LCD TV, and grounding the PCB to the printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel, wherein the fastener system comprises at least one male fastening part, and at least one female fastening part mounted on a PCB, at least one female fastening part defining an opening for a male fastening part, the PCB having at least one opening, the position of the PCB opening corresponding to the position of the opening of the female fastening part, at least one male fastening part and at least one female fastening part or PCB opening being electrically conductive, the PCB opening being resiliently deformable, the at least one male fastening part being designed to enter the openings in PCB and female fastening part, the male and female fastening parts and PCB opening being designed so that transverse movement of the female fastening part relative to the male fastening part can resiliently deform the PCB opening so as to cause a retaining force, which force is suitable for fixing the position of a PCB with respect to an internal printed circuit board support panel, and suitable for electrically grounding the PCB to an internal printed circuit board support panel, due to electrical contact between at least one female fastening part or PCB opening and at least one male fastening part.

18. An internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel for an electrical appliance such as an LCD television, wherein the panel comprises a PCB fitted thereto, and a fastener system according to any of Claims 1 to 11.

19. An electrical appliance such as a television comprising a fastener system, PCB or internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel in accordance with any one or more of Claims 1 to 18.

20. A television comprising a PCB earthing and connection system substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. A method of fitting, and grounding, a PCB to a printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an electrical appliance such as an LCD television, comprising the following steps:

Providing an internal printed circuit board support and electrical grounding panel of an electrical appliance,

Providing a PCB, with at least one opening in the PCB,

Arranging at least one resiliently deformable metal clip on the PCB, so that an opening of at least one resiliently deformable metal clip is in a position corresponding to at least one opening in PCB,

Placing at least one metal pin axially through the opening in the PCB and the opening in at least one resiliently deformable clip, so that head of pin passes through openings, but shoulder does not, and

Moving at least one metal clip transversely with respect to at least one pin, so that neck of pin slides along opening until pin resiliently deforms at least one metal clip axially and/or radially, so as to fix position of PCB relative to printed circuit board support and grounding panel, and ground PCB to panel via at least one clip and at least one pin.