FIXING APPARATUS OF DATA STORAGE DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to fixing apparatuses of data storage devices, and particularly to a fixing apparatus which readily mounts a data storage device in a bracket.

[0002] Generally speaking, when a computer is assembled, a drive bracket is mounted in a computer enclosure, and then data storage devices are fixed to the drive bracket. The data storage devices comprise various combinations of hard disk drives (HDDs), floppy disk drives (FDDs), and compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) drives.

[0003] A conventional data storage device is generally attached to a drive bracket by bolts or rails. However, fixing a data storage device to a drive bracket with bolts is unduly laborious and time-consuming. Furthermore, the computer enclosure needs extra operating space for carrying out the fixing operation. Fixing a data storage device in a drive bracket using rails is more convenient than using the above-described bolts. However, certain bolts are still needed to fix the rails to the drive bracket. Additionally, mounting systems using rails require a clearance between the data storage device and the drive bracket. This may cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems, and may lead to accumulation of static charges on the computer enclosure. Furthermore, the rails are generally made of plastic. This not only restricts grounding connection options between the data storage device and the drive bracket, but also tends to lead to extra maintenance because of the plastic rails easily wearing out and needing replacement.

[0004] What is desired, therefore, is to provide a fixing apparatus which readily attaches a data storage device in a drive bracket.

[0005] In one preferred embodiment, a fixing apparatus is provided for holding a data storage device defining a pair of holes in a sidewall thereof. The fixing apparatus includes a bracket, a sliding member, a rotating member, a pair of latch members, and a resilient member. The bracket includes a side panel defining a pair through holes therein. The sliding member is slidably attached to the side panel. The rotating member is rotatably attached to the sliding member. The resilient member is disposed between the sliding member and the rotating member. The latch members are pivotably attached to the rotating member and movably extend through the through hole of the bracket to engage in the holes of the data storage device.

[0006] Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drafting, in which:

[0011] Referring to FIG. 1, a fixing apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided to attach a data storage device 10 to an electronic device (not shown) such as a computer. The fixing apparatus includes a bracket 20 for receiving the data storage device 10, a sliding member 30, a rotating member 40, a pair of latch members 50, and a resilient member 60. A pair of holes 12 is defined in a sidewall of the data storage device 10.

[0012] Referring also to FIG. 2, the bracket 20 includes a side panel 22. The side panel 22 includes a recessed portioned portion 23. A pair of posts 24 perpendicularly extends outward from the recessed portion 23. Each of the posts 24 defines a through hole 242 therein, corresponding to the holes 12 of the data storage device 10 respectively. Two pairs of spaced hooks 26 extend from the recessed portion 23 outward adjacent the posts 24. Each pair of the hooks 26 is arranged face to face, cooperatively defining a sliding railway. A blocking protrusion 28 extends outward from the recessed portion 23 adjacent a right side of one of the pair of hooks 26 nearest a rear of the side panel 22.

[0013] The sliding member 30 includes a pair of wings 32 in alignment with each other, and a pair of spaced plates 34 extending perpendicularly in parallel from a middle portion of the wings 32. A pair of short shafts 342 extends outwardly from outer surfaces of the plates 34, respectively. A fixing tab 344 extends perpendicularly from a right edge of a lower plate 34, for fixing the resilient member 60 therearound.

[0014] Referring also to FIG. 3, the rotating member 40 includes a base wall 42, and a pair of flanges 47 extending perpendicularly from the base wall 42. Each of the flanges 47 generally has a triangular configuration and includes an actuating end 44. Two poles 472 extend perpendicularly from outer surfaces of the flanges 47 respectively. Two pivoting holes 474 are defined in the flanges 47 respectively adjacent the poles 472, for receiving the shafts 342 of the rotating member 40 therein. A slot 46 is defined in the base wall 42. A handgrip portion 424 and a pair of positioning blocks 442 are separately formed at two opposite ends of the base wall 42.

[0015] Each of the latch members 50 includes a block 54, and a rod 52. The rod 52 extends from the block 54, for movably extending through the through hole 242 of the corresponding post 24 of the bracket 20 to engage in the corresponding hole 12 of the data storage device 10. The block 54 defines a pivoting hole 542 therein, for pivotably engaging with the corresponding pole 472 of the rotating member 40.

[0016] Referring also to FIGS. 4 and 5, in assembly, the sliding member 30 is attached to the rotating member 40, with the plates 34 extending into the slot 46 and abutting inside surfaces of the flanges 47. The shafts 342 are pivotably received in the pivoting holes 474, respectively. The resilient member 60 is fixed around the fixing tab 344 of the sliding member 30, with two free ends thereof abutting against the Left wing 32 of the sliding member 30 and an outside surface of the base wall 42 of the rotating member 40, respectively. The latch members 50 are pivotably attached to the rotating member 40, with the pivoting holes 542 pivotably receiving the poles 472 of the rotating member 40. The assembled sliding member 30 and the rotating member 40 are slidably attached to the side panel 22 of the bracket 20, with the hooks 26 engaging with edges of the wings 32 of the sliding member 30 and the rods 52 of the latch members 50 extending through the through holes 242 of the posts 24 of the bracket 20.

[0017] Before installation of the data storage device 10, the rotating member 40 is rotated by manipulating the handgrip portion 424 outward thereof. The resilient member 60 is squeezed and the rods 52 of the latch members 50 retract into the through holes 242 of the posts 24 of the bracket 20. The actuating ends 44 of the rotating member 40 abut against a left wing 32 of the sliding member 30 to move the sliding member 30 rightward until a free end of the right wing 32 is blocked by the blocking protrusion 28 of the bracket 20. Distal ends of the rods 52 are completely withdrawn into the through holes 242 of the posts 24. The positioning blocks 442 abut against the right wing 32 of the sliding member 30. The data storage device 10 is then inserted into the bracket 20 to a predetermined position. The rotating member 40 is released. The resilient member 60 rebounds. The rotating member 40 and the sliding member 30 move back. The rods 52 of the latch members 50 move inward and engage in the holes 12 of the data storage device 10. The data storage device 10 is thus located and fixed in the bracket 20.

[0018] In disassembly, the rotating member 40 is rotated once again to squeeze the resilient member 60. The sliding member 30 is moved rightward. The rods 52 of the latch members 50 disengage from the holes 12 of the data storage device 10. Then the data storage device 10 can be easily taken out from the bracket 20.

[0019] It is believed that the present embodiment and its 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 example hereinbefore described merely being a preferred or exemplary embodiment.