Abstract:
A latch for installing and removing a disk drive from an enclosure. The latch comprises a pair of guide members ( 14, 16 ), a disk drive support ( 12 ), and an actuator ( 40, 140 ). The actuator includes a pair of pinions ( 42, 142 ) in meshing engagement with teeth on the guide members ( 14, 16 ) for moving the disk drive in a linear direction.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a national phase application filed under 35 U.S.C. § 371 BASED ON International Application Number PCT/US99/08234, filed on Apr. 14, 1999, which claims the benefit of the priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/082,161, filed on Apr. 17, 1998. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to latching devices for carrying, installing, ejecting and/or securing a disc drive within an enclosure, such as cabinet. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Disc drives are utilized to store computer software and other data and are typically integrated with other computer hardware. In some applications, disc drives are capable of being connected with hardware, such as a motherboard, as well as capable of subsequent disconnection for repair or replacement. In these applications, problems can occur during the process of connecting and disconnecting the disc drive relative to other hardware. For example, memory loss or other damage can result from vibration or impact on the disc drive or motherboard. Also, typically, all equipment is shut down during this time to avoid damage to adjacent equipment. 
     The present invention has been developed in view of the foregoing and to overcome the deficiencies in the prior art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention discloses a latch for a disc drive as well as other similar devices, such as compact disc players or recorders, tape players, etc. For this purpose, the present invention comprises in one embodiment a support adapted for retaining a disc drive, a guide, means connecting said support and said guide for relative movement and an actuator assembly for moving said support between open and closed positions relative to said guide. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a disc drive latch in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating a portion of a disc drive support of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional partial fragmentary top plan view of the disc drive support of FIG. 1 taken along the line  3 — 3  and illustrating an embodiment of an actuator assembly. 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional partially fragmentary view of another embodiment of an actuator assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional partially fragmentary view of another embodiment of an actuator assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is an isolated top plan view of another embodiment of an actuator in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a cabinet into which the disc drive latch of the present invention is mounted. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of the cabinet of FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 an embodiment of a disc drive latch  10  in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the disc drive latch  10  includes, as portions thereof, a disc drive support  12  and a guide, which in this embodiment comprises two guide members  14  and  16 . The details of each of these elements will be described in more detail below. 
     Each of the guide members  14  and  16  in this embodiment include means for mounting, means for receiving the disc drive support  12 , and means for moving the disc drive support  12  between open and closed positions. The guide members  14  and  16  in this embodiment are each in the form of a rail generally rectangular in configuration, although other suitable configurations can also be used. The mounting means in the present embodiment comprises at least one and preferably two substantially rigid guide tabs  18  extending from a first end of each of the guide members  14  and  16 . In addition, in this embodiment, the mounting means also includes at least one substantially flexible tab  20  extending from proximate a second end of the guide members  14  and  16 . Further, in this embodiment, the mounting means can also include a guide support  22 , which in this embodiment comprises a generally cylindrical pin extending from an outer surface of each of the guide members  14 ,  16  proximate the second end. 
     The means for receiving the disc drive support  12  in the present embodiment comprises a channel  24  extending the longitudinal axis of each of the guide members  14  and  16  (which is only visible with respect to the guide member  14 ). In this embodiment, each of the channels  24  are generally rectangular in configuration, although any other suitable configuration can also be used. 
     The means for moving the disc drive support  12  between its open and closed positions in the present embodiment comprises a section of teeth or serrations  26  positioned proximate the second end of each of the guide members  14  and  16  (which is only visible with respect to the guide member  14 ). The section of teeth  26  in this embodiment can be provided as a separate element attached with the inner surface of the guide members  14  and  16  or provided as one-piece integrally connected to each of the guide members. Although not shown, other configurations for the moving means can be provided for the same purpose as that provided by the teeth  26 . 
     The guide members  14  and  16  can be made of any suitable material and from any suitable manufacturing processes. For example, the guide members  14  and  16  can each be of molded plastic construction. 
     The disc drive support  12  in this embodiment is generally U-shaped in configuration defining a pair of opposing frame members  30  and a body  32  connected with each of the frame members  30 . In the present embodiment, each of the frame members  30  are elongated in length and generally rectangular in configuration, although any other suitable configuration can also be used. In addition, each of the frame members  30  include a platform  34  extending outward from an outer surface (only one of the platforms  34  is seen in FIG.  1 ). In the present embodiment, the platform  34  is substantially square shaped in cross-section and extends substantially the length of each of the frame members  30 . The platforms  34  are preferably provided as one-piece integrally connected to the outer surface of each of the frame members  30 , however, the platforms  34  can also be provided as separate elements attached to the frame members  30 . In addition, in the present embodiment, the disc drive support  12  includes means for retaining a disc drive, which in the present embodiment comprises two screw receiving apertures  36  extending through each of the platforms  34  and frame members  30 . Although not shown, in operation a conventional disc drive is secured to the disc drive support  12  by screws which are inserted through the screw receiving apertures  36 . 
     The body  32  in this embodiment is generally rectangular in configuration and is attached at opposing ends to the frame members  30 . In this embodiment, the body  32  is preferably integrally connected as one-piece with each of the frame members  30 , however, the body  32  can also be provided as a separate element attached to respective frame members  30 . In accordance with the present invention, the body  32  houses an actuator assembly which in combination with the section of teeth  26  of the guide members  14  and  16  accommodate the movement of the disc drive support  12  between its open and closed positions, which will be described in more detail below. Generally, the actuator assembly comprises an actuator, drive means for engaging each of the sections of teeth  26  of the guide members  14  and  16 , and means between the actuator and drive means for operating the drive means on movement of the actuator. An embodiment of the actuator assembly in accordance with the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, which is described in detail below. 
     In the present embodiment, the actuator comprises a handle  40 , the drive means comprises at least one and in this embodiment two pinions or gears  42  and the means between the handle  40  and gears  42  for driving the gears  42  on movement of the handle comprises a block  44 . The handle  40  in this embodiment is attached to the block  44  by a pin  41  or similar member extending from the handle  40  and into a generally elongated slot  43  through the block  44 . The block  44  in this embodiment is generally rectangular in configuration and includes a section of teeth or serrations at opposing ends. In addition, preferably the block  44  includes a platform extending or depending from a lower surface as shown in FIG. 3 which is received into or receives a guide  46  shown in dotted lines. The gears  42  are attached to the body  32  for rotation, such as by separate or integral pins or similar member, and are positioned so that the gear teeth are adapted to engage the teeth of the block  44 . In addition, as best shown in FIG. 1, preferably each of the gears  42  are positioned so that at least a portion of the gear teeth extend out through a window  48  provided on opposite sides of the body  32 . In addition, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, a biasing means such as a coil spring  50 , for example, can be provided within the body  32  and having one end in engagement with the block  44 . In operation, the handle  40  is rotated between an open position shown in FIG. 3 and a dosed position, for example, generally 90°-180° from its closed position, which is illustrated in dotted lines. Generally, movement of the handle  40  from its open position to its closed position provides corresponding movement of the block  44  inward in the direction of arrow  60  and against the bias of the spring  50 . Movement of the block  44  in turn drives the gears  42  in a direction of arrows  62  through the engagement between the respective teeth portions. Similarly, on rotational movement of the handle  40  from its closed to its open position, the block  44  is moved rearward in the direction of arrow  64 , which provides corresponding rotation of the gears  42  in the direction of arrows  66 , opposite that of the arrows  62 . 
     The body  32  in this embodiment also includes opposing upper and lower cover portions  70  (only the upper portion is shown in FIG.  1 ). The cover portions  70  can be attached by any suitable means to the body  32 , such as a snap-fit connection by tab portions. In this embodiment, each of the cover portions  70  include a depression  72  which is generally rectangular in this embodiment for grasping by the fingers of a user, which will be described in more detail below. As should be understood, the finger engaging portions can be provided in other configurations as well, such as ergonomically shaped or an aperture extending entirely through the body  32 . 
     The disc drive support  12  can be comprised of any suitable materials and made from any suitable manufacturing processes. For example, the disc drive support  12  can be made from molded plastic, however, any other suitable materials can also be used for the same purpose. 
     The assembly and operation of the various components of the disc drive latch will now be described. The guide members  14  and  16  are attached by the mounting means to an enclosure for housing the disc drive. An example of an enclosure into which the guide members  14  and  16  can be mounted is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 comprising the cabinet  82 . The cabinet  82  in this embodiment defines an enclosure comprising opposing side walls  86 , upper and lower walls  84  and a rear wall  88 . Although not shown, a circuit board such as a mother board is positioned adjacent to the rear wall  88 . The rear wall  88  includes at least one and in this embodiment a plurality of apertures  9 o generally rectangular in this embodiment which enable connection of the circuit board to the disc drive attached to the disc drive support  12 , which will be described in more detail below. In this embodiment, for mounting of the guide members  14  and  16  to the cabinet  82 , the guide tabs  18  are received into two apertures  92  extending through the rear wall  88 , the tabs  20  are snap-fit into generally elongated slots  94  provided through the side walls  86  and the guide supports  22  are also received within the slots  94 . 
     From the position of the guide members  14  and  16  mounted within the cabinet  82 , the disc drive support  12  including the disc drive mounted therein is then attached with the guide members  14  and  16 . With reference to FIG. 1, the disc drive support  12  is connected with the guide members  14  and  16  through engagement of the platforms  34  of the frame members  30  within the channels  24  of the guide members  14  and  16 . In this manner, the disc drive support  12  can be moved between open and closed positions in an inward and outward direction relative to the guide members  14  and  16 . For example, the disc drive support  12  is moved in an inward direction to its closed position for installation of the disc drive and the disc drive support  12  is moved in an outward direction to its open position for access to and/or for removal of the disc drive, which will be described in more detail below. 
     The operation will now be described for installation of the disc drive. The handle  40  is preferably in its open position as the disc drive support  12  is moved inward for installation of the disc drive. In operation, a user typically will push the disc drive support  12  in the inward direction until the gears  42  come into engagement with the sections of teeth  26  on the guide members  14  and  16 . Thereafter, continued inward movement of the disc drive support  12  for installation of the disc drive unit connected with the mother board is accomplished by rotation of the handle  40  to its closed position, which provides corresponding rotation of the gears  42  in the direction of arrows  62  when positioned within the sections of teeth  26 . 
     For opening of the disc drive support  1 . 2 , the handle  40  is moved from its closed position to its open position, which provides corresponding rotation of the gears  42  in the direction of arrows  66 , and retraction of the disc drive support  12  through the engagement by the gears  42  with the teeth  26 , resulting in disconnection of the disc drive from the mother board. In this embodiment, when the handle  40  is in its fully open position, the disc drive support  12  can be further moved in an outward direction towards its open position, such as by the operator grasping the depressions  72  within the body  32  and pulling the disc drive support  12  outward. If desired, the operator can disconnect the disc drive support  12  from the guide members  14  and  16 , such as for carrying the disc drive to another location and/or for repair or replacement of the disc drive. 
     Other arrangements can also be provided for the actuator assembly. Some examples of which are illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 4, a belt  144  is used rather than the block  44  in FIG.  3 . The belt  144  can be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or rubber, and received around the handle  140  and each of the gears  42 . In this embodiment, the belt  144  operates to translate motion of the handle  140  to the respective gears  142 . 
     In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a belt  244  is provided having a series of projections extending therefrom or through holes within. The belt  244  is attached to the handle  240  and extends out through the opposing windows  248  within the body  232 . The belt  244  can be retained in its position by any suitable means, such as one or more pins. In operation, movement of the handle  240  provides corresponding movement of the belt  244 , and the portion of the belt  244  extending out through the windows  248  in the body  232  operate to engage a section of teeth such as shown in FIG. 1 or similar portion within the respective guide members. 
     In FIG. 6 is shown a wheel  340  which can be incorporated as an actuator rather than the handles  40 ,  140  and  240  described above. As should be understood, any other suitable actuator component can also be used. 
     In view of that set forth above, it should be understood that there are several advantages of the present invention. One advantage is that the interaction between the actuator assembly and guide members provides for smooth motion with low vibration. Also, the disc drive latch of the present invention provides inward and outward motion to ascertain defined distances, providing a positive length of engagement for the disc drive unit. In addition, high extraction and insertion forces are provided for attachment and disconnection of the disc drive to the motherboard. For example, in the disclosed embodiments, the disc drive latch preferably provides four pounds of insertion force and eight pounds of extraction force, although any other suitable levels of force can also be provided. The combination of high insertion and extraction forces as well as smooth motion with very little vibration are important to avoid damage to the disc drive or mother board, such as memory loss. In addition, a series of disc drive latches can be provided adjacent to one another to accommodate a series of disc drives, such as mounted within the cabinet  82  shown in FIG.  8 . In this arrangement, the present invention can accommodate extraction and/or insertion of one disc drive without affecting an adjacent disc drive, for example, the disc drive latch of the present invention can be used for changing a disc drive unit even when a computer is running. It also should be understood that the disc drive latch of the present invention can be used in other applications as well, such as with compact disc players or recorders, tape players, etc, and for this reason, the term “disc drive” should be broadly construed. 
     It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made by the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications which are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.