Mounting device for mounting a data storage device

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a mounting device for mounting a data storage device to a computer enclosure, and particularly to a mounting device having grounding fingers for providing a grounding function and fixing the data storage device to a computer.

[0004] 2. The Related Art

[0005] Data storage devices normally used in a personal computer include a hard disk drive (HDD), a floppy disk drive (FDD) and a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM). A data storage device is often fixed in a receiving bracket of a computer by bolts. When mounting the data storage device to the computer enclosure, an assembler must align the CD-ROM with the receiving bracket with one hand and tighten the bolts with the other hand. This process is tedious and laborious. Therefore, rails are attached to both sides of a CD-ROM to simplify the installation process.

[0006] Rails made from conductive material, such as metal, promote electrostatic discharge of the data storage device. However, rails made of insulative material, such as plastic, hinder the electrostatic discharge process. An additional discharge path must be formed between the data storage device and the computer enclosure for protecting the data storage device. Conventionally, the additional discharge path constitutes a spring member engaging between the data storage device and the computer enclosure. Such a spring member has fatigue problems leading to poor engagement between the data storage device and the computer enclosure. Examples of conventional mounting devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,142,447, 5,463,527 and 5,332,306 and Taiwan Patent Application Nos. 75211381, 77203641, 78211012, 79214336, 82202204, 83202972 and 83208448.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a mounting device for mounting a data storage device to a computer enclosure, comprising grounding fingers to form an effective grounding path.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting device for mounting a data storage device comprising spring fingers for facilitating the process of mounting the data storage device to a computer enclosure.

[0009] In accordance with the present invention, a mounting device for mounting a data storage device to a receiving bracket of a computer enclosure comprises a board body and at least one grounding clip. Two of the mounting devices are attached to opposite sides of the data storage device and engage with the receiving bracket. Each grounding clip includes a securing section, a first section and a second section. A bolt extends through a hole defined in the securing section of the grounding clip and a through hole defined in the board body for engaging with a screw hole defined in the data storage device thereby fixing the grounding clip and the board body to the data storage device. The first and second sections of each grounding clip form a plurality of fingers for respectively contacting the data storage device and the computer enclosure thereby forming a grounding path therebetween while fixing the data storage device to the computer enclosure.

[0010] In the drawings:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a mounting device in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the mounting device;

[0013] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a CD-ROM to be mounted to a computer enclosure by means of the mounting device of FIG. 2;

[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting device in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

[0015] FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a CD-ROM to be mounted to a computer enclosure by means of the mounting device of FIG. 4.

[0016] EMBODIMENTS A mounting device constructed in accordance with the present invention is used to mount a data storage device, such as a CD-ROM, an FDD or an HDD. To facilitate the description, a CD-ROM is used as an example to illustrate the function of the present invention.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a pair of mounting devices 10 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention mount a CD-ROM 50 to a computer enclosure 70. Each mounting device 10 comprises a board body 12 and grounding clips 14. The board body 12 is a rectangular plastic board abutting against one side of the CD-ROM 50. The board body 12 has a first surface 16, an opposite second surface 18 abutting against one side 51 of the CD-ROM 50, a barb 20, a pulling portion 22, two through holes 24 and two elongate slots 26.

[0018] Each grounding clip 14 comprises a first section 28, a second section 30 and a securing section 32. The first section 28 and the securing section 32 are connected by a step 34. The first section 28 and the second section 30 each form a plurality of first and second fingers 36, 40. The first and second fingers 36, 40 form convex arcs 37, 41 at free ends thereof. The securing section 32 forms a hole 38. The step 34 is received in the slot 26 with the first section 28 abutting against the first surface 16 of the board body 12 and the second section 30 and the securing section 32 abutting against the second surface 18 of the board body 12. The hole 38 of the securing section 32 is aligned with the corresponding hole 24 of the board body 12 for receiving a bolt 42 therethrough. The bolt 42 engages with a screw hole 52 of the CD-ROM 50 for fixing the mounting device 10 to the side 51 of the CD-ROM 50. The bolts 42 can be substituted by other means. For example a plastic post can be inserted through the holes 24, 38 and interferentially fit into the screw holes 52 of the CD-ROM 50. The CD-ROM 50 slides into a mounting bracket 72 of the computer enclosure 70 with the barbs 20 of the board bodies 12 engaging with slots 74 defined in the mounting bracket 72 thereby fixing the CD-ROM 50 to the mounting bracket 72.

[0019] The fingers 36, 40 of the grounding clip 14 respectively contact the computer enclosure 70 and the CD-ROM 50 after the CD-ROM 50 is mounted in the computer enclosure 70 thereby forming a grounding path between the computer enclosure 70 and the CD-ROM 50 for electrostatic discharge purposes. Furthermore, the fingers 36, 40 provide the grounding clip 14 with compliant properties thereby facilitating smooth engagement between the CD-ROM 50 and the mounting bracket 72 of the computer enclosure 70.

[0020] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the mounting device 110 of the present invention. The mounting device 110 comprises a board body 112 and a grounding clip 114. The board body 112 defines an elongate slot 116 and forms two securing posts 118 on opposite sides of the slot 116. The grounding clip 114 comprises a first section 120 and a pair of second sections 122 and securing sections 124 formed on opposite ends of the grounding clip 114. The first section 120 and the securing sections 124 are connected by steps 126. Each second section 122 forms fingers 123 each having an end convex free end 125. Each securing section 124 forms a hole 128 for extension of the corresponding securing post 118 therethrough. Each securing post 118 forms a slit 119 for facilitating engagement between the securing posts 118 and the screw holes 52 of the CD-ROM 50. Thus, the two of the mounting devices 110 are mounted to the opposite sides of the CD-ROM 50. The CD-ROM 50 is received in the mounting bracket 72 of the computer enclosure 70 with the first section 120 of the grounding clip 114 contacting the computer case 70 and the second sections 122 contacting the CD-ROM 50. The first section 120 forms a protruding rib 130 for effectively contacting the computer enclosure 70. The fingers 123 of the second sections 122 have excellent flexibility to ensure a firm contact with the CD-ROM 50 and form a grounding path for electrostatic discharge purposes.

[0021] The clips 14, 114 provide the CD-ROM 50 with an effective electrostatic discharge path and facilitate mounting the CD-ROM 50 to the computer enclosure 70.

[0022] While the present invention has been described in reference to specific embodiments thereof, the description is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting the invention. Various modifications to the present invention may be made to the preferred embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.