Fixing apparatus for data storage devices

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to fixing apparatuses, and particularly to fixing apparatuses that readily attach data storage devices in brackets.

[0004] 2. Related Art

[0005] Various data storage devices are installed in computers for communication and handling of data. Such devices include, for example, hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, and CD-ROM drives.

[0006] A conventional data storage device is directly attached to a computer enclosure with bolts. However, attachment with bolts is unduly complicated and time-consuming.

[0007] Thus rails have been developed to mount a data storage device to a computer enclosure. Such rails are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,510,955. A drive bracket forms two pairs of leader rails on opposite sides thereof. Each pair of leader rails defines a pair of first coaxial holes. A pair of guide rails is respectively attached to opposite sides of a data storage device with bolts. Each guide rail comprises a pair of flanges defining a pair of second coaxial holes. The assembly of the storage device and the guide rails is inserted into the drive bracket by sliding the guide rails along the leader rails. A pair of locking pins is then extended through the first and second coaxial holes to thereby secure the storage device within the drive bracket. However, mounting the rails to the data storage device with bolts is unduly complicated and time-consuming. Furthermore, the drive bracket can only accommodate one storage device therein.

[0008] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fixing apparatus which can readily attach a plurality of data storage devices within a drive bracket.

[0009] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a fixing apparatus in accordance with the present invention comprises a drive bracket for installing storage devices therein, and a fixing plate attached on one side of the drive bracket. The drive bracket comprises a bottom panel, a first side panel extending from a side edge of the bottom panel, a step extending from an opposite side edge of the bottom panel, and a second side panel extending from a free edge of the step. The first side panel defines a plurality of grooves for slidingly receiving screws that are attached on opposite sides of the storage devices. The step and the second side panel define a plurality of grooves corresponding to the grooves of the first side panel. The fixing plate has a plurality of locking elements corresponding to the grooves of the drive bracket. Each locking element comprises a spring portion, a stop wall, and a handle. To insert a storage device, the screws are slid along opposite grooves. One screw outwardly presses a spring portion, and causes the spring portion to be elastically deformed. When that screw has slid beyond the spring portion, the spring portion elastically returns to its original position. The stop wall and the first side panel sandwich that screw therebetween. Three storage devices can be respectively supported on the support tabs, the step, and the bottom panel. Up to three storage devices are thus secured within the drive bracket. To remove a storage device, the handle is pulled outwardly. The screw is therefore released from the stop wall. The storage device is then readily slid out from the drive bracket.

[0010] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with attached drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a fixing apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, together with a data storage device;

[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixing plate of the fixing apparatus of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 3 is a fully assembled view of FIG. 1; and

[0014] FIG. 4 is a fully assembled view of a fixing apparatus in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention and a data storage device.

[0015] Referring to the attached drawings, FIG. 1 shows a fixing apparatus 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, together with a data storage device 80. The fixing apparatus 10 comprises a drive bracket 20 and a fixing plate 40. The data storage device 80 may be a CD-ROM drive, a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, and so on. For convenience, the data storage device 80 is hereinafter designated as a CD-ROM drive 80. A pair of screws 82 is threadedly engaged on opposite sides of the CD-ROM drive 80 respectively. Each screw 82 has a screw cap 84.

[0016] The drive bracket 20 comprises a bottom panel 22, a first side panel 24, a step 26, and a second side panel 27. The first side panel 24 extends perpendicularly upwardly from a side edge of the bottom panel 22. The step 26 comprises a vertical plate 26aextending perpendicularly upwardly from an opposite side edge of the bottom panel 22, and a horizontal plate 26bextending horizontally outwardly from a top edge of the vertical plate 26a. The second side panel 27 extends perpendicularly upwardly from a free edge of the horizontal plate 26bof the step 26. Three pairs of parallel grooves 28 are defined in the drive bracket 20, each pair of grooves 28 being for guiding the CD-ROM drive 80 or another data storage device into the drive bracket 20. A pair of bottom grooves 28ais respectively defined in the first side panel 24 and the vertical plate 26aof the step 26, slightly above the bottom panel 22. A pair of middle grooves 28bis respectively defined in the first side panel 24, and in a bottom portion of the second side panel 27 slightly above the horizontal plate 26bof the step 26. A pair of top grooves 28cis respectively defined in the first side panel 24 and a middle portion of the second side panel 27. Each groove 28 comprises a rear portion 32, and a front widened portion 30 for facilitating sliding entry of the screw cap 84 of the corresponding screw 82 of the CD-ROM drive 80. Each first and second side panel 24, 27 is stamped inwardly to form a pair of support tabs 33 below the top grooves 28c, for supporting the CD-ROM drive 80. The first side panel 24 is stamped outwardly to form a plurality of retaining protrusions 36. A pair of cutouts 38 is defined in the first side panel 24, below the groove 28band on opposite sides of one retaining protrusion 36 respectively. A pair of retaining apertures 39 is defined in a junction of the first side panel 24 and the bottom panel 22.

[0017] Referring also to FIG. 2, the fixing plate 40 is made of plastic material. The fixing plate 40 comprises three locking elements 44 corresponding to the grooves 28 of the first side panel 24. Each locking element 44 comprises an outside wall 46, a pair of top and bottom walls 48 respectively extending inwardly from opposite top and bottom edges of the outside wall 46, and a rear wall 50 connecting the top and bottom walls 48. An entry 52 is defined at a front end of the locking element 44 that is opposite to the rear wall 50. An opening 54 is defined in the outside wall 46 between the entry 52 and the rear wall 50. A bent spring portion 56 extends rearwardly and slightly inwardly from a rear edge of the outside wall 46 toward the rear wall 50 via the opening 54. A stop wall 58 extends perpendicularly outwardly from a free end of the spring portion 56. An arcuate handle 60 (see FIG. 1) extends outwardly and rearwardly from a free end of the stop wall 58. A plurality of hooks 62 is formed on the fixing plate 40, corresponding to the retaining protrusions 36 of the first side panel 24. A pair of inwardly extending vertical barbs 64 is formed on the fixing plate 40, corresponding to the cutouts 38 of the first side panel 24. A pair of inwardly extending horizontal barbs 65 is formed at a bottom of the fixing plate 40, corresponding to the retaining apertures 39 of the drive bracket 20.

[0018] Referring also to FIG. 3, in assembly, the fixing plate 40 is attached on the first side panel 24 of the drive bracket 20. The hooks 62 of the fixing plate 40 are engaged with the retaining protrusions 36 of the first side panel 24. The vertical barbs 64 and horizontal barbs 65 of the fixing plate 40 are respectively engaged in the cutouts 38 and retaining apertures 39 of the first side panel 24.

[0019] In use, the CD-ROM drive 80 is slid into the drive bracket 20. The screw caps 84 of the CD-ROM drive 80 respectively enter the top grooves 28cof the drive bracket 20 via the front widened portions 30. One screw cap 84 enters the entry 52 of the fixing plate 40 to slide into the locking element 44. The said one screw cap 84 outwardly presses the spring portion 56 of the locking element 44, causing the spring portion 56 to be elastically deformed. When the screw caps 84 arrive in the rear portions 32 of the top grooves 28c, the said one screw cap 84 has slid beyond the spring portion 56, and the spring portion 56 elastically returns to its original position. The said one screw cap 84 is thus sandwiched between the stop wall 58 of the locking element 44 and the first side panel 24 of the drive bracket 20. The CD-ROM drive 80 is supported on the support tabs 33. The CD-ROM drive 80 is thus securely attached within the drive bracket 20. Similarly, the CD-ROM drive 80 or another data storage device can be received between the pair of middle grooves 28band supported on the step 26, or received between the pair of bottom grooves 28aand supported on the bottom panel 22.

[0020] In removing the CD-ROM drive 80, the handle 60 of the fixing plate 40 is pulled outwardly. The said one screw cap 84 is thus released from the stop wall 58 of the locking element 44. The CD-ROM drive 80 is then readily slid out from the drive bracket 20.

[0021] FIG. 4 shows a fixing apparatus 10′ in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The fixing apparatus 10′ comprises a large drive bracket 20′, a small drive bracket 90 attached to an underside of the large drive bracket 20′, and a fixing plate 40′ attached on one side of the combined large and small drive brackets 20′, 90. The large drive bracket 20′ is similar to the drive bracket 20 of the preferred embodiment. The fixing plate 40′ is similar to the fixing plate 40 of the preferred embodiment. The large and small drive brackets 20′, 90 define a total of five pairs of parallel grooves 28′ therein. The fixing plate 40′ forms five locking elements 44′, corresponding to five grooves 28′ of one side of the combined large and small drive brackets 20′, 90. The locking elements 44′ are similar to the locking elements 44 of the preferred embodiment. Assembly and use of the fixing apparatus 10′, and removal of the CD-ROM drive 80 or another data storage device from the fixing apparatus 10′, are all performed similarly to the corresponding procedures described above in relation to the fixing apparatus 10 of the preferred embodiment.

[0022] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.