Mounting apparatus for storage device

Relevant subject matter is disclosed in the co-pending U.S. patent application 12/191,279 filed on the same date and having a same title with the present application, which is assigned to the same assignee with this patent application.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses and, more particularly, to a mounting apparatus for a storage device.

2. Description of Related Art

An electronic apparatus, such as a typical desktop computer, tower computer, server, or the like, usually includes storage devices, such as hard disk drives, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives, digital video disc (DVD) drives, floppy disk drives, and the like. These devices are typically added to increase the functionality of the electronic apparatus as desired by a user.

The installation of a hard disk drive in a computer typically involves the use of screws to attach the hard disk drive to a bracket of a computer chassis. However, these screws are usually too small and difficult to handle, the installation of the hard disk drive in the computer is labor-intensive. Additionally, because of their small size, the screws are easily dropped by an assembler into the computer.

What is needed, therefore, is a mounting apparatus which facilitates convenient and quick mounting of a storage device.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus with a storage device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is similar to FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect.

FIG. 3 is an isometric, assembled view of FIG. 2 .

FIGS. 4 to 7 are cross-sectional views of FIG. 3 , but viewed from another aspect, and showing different states of the mounting apparatus.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , a mounting apparatus for a storage device is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket 20 for receiving a storage device 10 , an operating device 30 , a cover 50 , and a handle 60 .

The storage device 10 includes two opposite lateral sides 12 , and each lateral side 12 defines two spaced fixing holes 123 therein.

The bracket 20 includes a first fixing arm 21 , and a second fixing arm 22 opposite to the first fixing arm 21 . Two pairs of protruding latching portions 211 , 221 are formed on inside surfaces of the first and second fixing arms 21 , 22 respectively. The first fixing arm 21 includes a receiving arm 24 perpendicularly extending out from the front end thereof. The receiving arm 24 includes two parallel plates 241 , 242 connected to the upper and bottom edges of the first fixing arm 21 respectively. A block 244 is perpendicularly formed between the plates 241 , 242 . Two stoppers 243 , 245 are formed between front edges, and rear edges of the plates 241 , 242 respectively. A receiving space is defined among the plates 241 , 242 , and the stoppers 243 , 245 . A pivoting portion 246 extends from the front edges adjacent free ends of the plates 241 , 242 . A pivoting hole 247 is defined in the pivoting portion 246 along a vertical direction. Each of the plates 241 , 242 defines a through hole 249 adjacent the pivoting portion 246 . The second fixing arm 22 includes a sliding arm 26 perpendicularly extending out from the front end thereof. The sliding arm 26 includes two parallel plates 261 , 262 connected to the upper and bottom edges of the second fixing arm 22 respectively. A notch 263 is defined in a free end of each of the plates 261 , 262 . A sliding slot 264 is defined in each of the plates 261 , 262 , with a first end adjacent the second fixing arm 22 , and a second end away from the second fixing arm 22 . A locking portion 267 is perpendicularly formed between the plates 261 , 262 .

The operating device 30 includes a main body 32 , and an operating portion 34 . A protrusion 322 extends out from the main body 32 , and a pivoting hole 323 is defined in the protrusion 322 . The main body 32 includes an engaging surface 321 opposite to the protrusion 322 . A curved recess 324 is defined in a middle portion of the engaging surface 321 . A side of the recess 324 forms an arcuate corner 325 , and the operating portion 34 extends from the opposite side of the recess 324 .

The cover 50 is installable on the front of the receiving arm 24 of the first fixing arm 21 of the bracket 20 . The cover 50 defines an opening 51 .

The handle 60 includes two sidewalls 62 , and a receiving space is defined between the sidewalls 62 . A hook 61 protrudes from an end of the handle 60 . The sidewalls 62 each define a pivoting hole 63 away from the hook 61 .

Referring further to FIGS. 3 and 4 , in assembly, the sliding arm 26 of the second fixing arm 22 is inserted into the receiving space of the receiving arm 24 of the first fixing arm 21 , until the notches 263 of the sliding arm 26 engage with the block 244 of the receiving arm 24 . The through holes 249 of the receiving arm 24 align with the first ends of the sliding slots 264 of the sliding arm 26 . The operating device 30 is placed between the plates 261 , 262 of the sliding arm 26 , with the operating portion 34 being exposed out of the sliding arm 26 , and the pivoting hole 323 of the operating device 30 aligning with the through holes 249 of the receiving arm 24 . A post 80 is inserted into the through holes 249 of the receiving arm 24 , the sliding slots 264 of the sliding arm 26 , and the pivoting hole 323 of the operating device 30 . Thereby, the second fixing arm 22 is slidably connected to the first fixing arm 21 , and the operating device 30 is rotatably attached to the first fixing arm 21 . The operating portion 34 is pushed toward the first fixing arm 21 to drive the main body 32 of the operating device 30 to rotate, until the recess 324 of the main body 32 engages with the locking portion 267 of the sliding arm 26 , thereby the second fixing arm 22 is locked to the first fixing arm 21 . The cover 50 is installed on the front of the receiving arm 24 , and the operating portion 34 of the operating device 30 is exposed out of the opening 51 of the cover 50 . The sidewalls 62 of the handle 60 sandwich the pivoting portion 246 of the receiving arm 24 . A post 70 is inserted into the pivoting holes 63 , 247 of the sidewalls 62 of the handle 60 , and the pivoting portion 246 . Thereby the handle 60 is pivotably connected to the bracket 20 . Thereafter, the handle 60 is rotated to make the hook 61 engage in the cover 50 .

Referring to FIG. 5 , to assemble the storage device 10 , the handle 60 is rotated outward to disengage from the cover 50 . Referring further to FIG. 6 , the operating portion 34 is rotated outward, until the recess 324 of the main body 32 disengages from the locking portion 267 of the second fixing arm 26 , and the corner 325 gets past the locking portion 267 . The second fixing arm 22 is unlocked from the first fixing arm 21 . Referring to FIG. 7 , the second fixing arm 22 is pulled away from the first fixing arm 21 , until the second ends of the sliding slots 264 of the sliding arm 26 engage with the post 80 . The storage device 10 is disposed between the first and second fixing arms 21 , 22 , with the latching portions 211 of the first fixing arm 21 engaging in the corresponding fixing holes 123 of the storage device 10 . Referring to FIG. 6 , the second fixing arm 22 is pushed toward the first fixing arm 21 , until the notches 263 of the sliding arm 26 engage with the block 244 of the receiving arm 24 . The first ends of the sliding slots 264 engage with the post 80 . The latching portions 221 of the second fixing arm 22 engage in the corresponding fixing holes 123 of the storage device 10 . Referring to FIG. 5 , the operating portion 34 is rotated toward the first fixing arm 21 , the corner 325 of the operating device 30 gets past the locking portion 267 of the sliding arm 26 of the second fixing arm 22 , and the recess 324 of the operating device 30 engages with the locking portion 267 . Thereby, the second fixing arm 22 is locked to the first fixing arm 21 , and the storage device 10 is locked. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the handle 60 is rotated to be locked to the cover 50 . The operating portion 34 is received in the receiving space of the handle 60 , protected from accidental operation.

To detach the storage device 10 , the handle 60 and operating portion 34 of the operating device 30 are rotated outward in turn, to unlock the second fixing arm 22 from the first fixing arm 21 . Then the second fixing arm 22 is pulled away from the first fixing arm 21 ; thereby the storage device 10 can be taken out.

In this embodiment, the main body 32 of the operating device 30 has a pentagonal cross-section. In other embodiments, the main body 32 may have a generally circular cross-section or polygonal cross-section.

It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.