Abstract:
A computer enclosure comprises a control panel portion with a moveable dust-proof cover, a U-shaped top cover, a base having a slideway, and a computer chassis. The computer chassis can insert in or draw out of between the U-shaped top cover and the base. A bottom portion of the computer chassis has a slide thereon, corresponding to the slideway of the base. A supporting plate is mounted on a middle portion of the top cover for supporting the power supply. A front portion of the top cover has a securing plate for mounting a plurality of brackets thereon. The securing plate defines an upper opening and a low opening therein, corresponding to the brackets. A plurality of truckles is mounted on a bottom position of the base for convenient movement of the base.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a computer enclosure, and more particularly to a computer enclosure incorporating a mounting apparatus for readily and securely mounting a plurality of disk drives therein. 
   2. Description of Related Art 
   A conventional computer enclosure includes a plurality of mounting apparatuses receiving hard disk drives (HDDs), floppy disk drives (FDDs) or CD-ROM drives. As disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 77200511, a typical mounting apparatus is fixed in a computer enclosure. A plurality of disk drives is secured in the mounting apparatus by means of a plurality of screws. Each disk drive must be individually screwed into place. Fixing a plurality of screws is unduly laborious and time-consuming, as is removing the screws in disassembly. In addition, when the screws are being manipulated, an operator is prone to bump and damage other nearby components fixed in the computer enclosure because of the confined space within a typical computer enclosure. 
   Another typical mounting apparatus is disclosed in Taiwan Patent Application No. 89202464. Firstly, a plurality of disk drives is secured in a mounting apparatus. The mounting apparatus including the disk drives therein is fixed in a computer enclosure via a plurality of screws. Again, assembly and disassembly are unduly laborious, time-consuming and unsafe. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a computer enclosure incorporating a mounting apparatus for readily and firmly mounting a plurality of disk drives therein. 
   To achieve the above-mentioned object, a computer enclosure comprises a chassis, a mounting apparatus and a movable plate pivotably. The chassis comprises a bottom plate and a front plate. The mounting apparatus is fixedly mounted to the front plate and comprises a first bracket receiving a plurality of disk drives and a fixed plate below the first bracket. The movable plate is attached to the front plate below the first bracket opposite to the fixed plate. The movable plate comprises a first flange and a second flange at two opposite ends thereof for attaching to the bottom plate and the first bracket securely. Wherein the fixed plate and the movable plate cooperates to form a second bracket for receive a plurality of disk drives therein securely. In assembly, the movable plate is attached to the first bracket and the bottom plate securely. 
   Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a computer enclosure in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged, isometric view of a movable plate of the computer enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged, isometric view of the movable plate of the computer enclosure of  FIG. 1 , viewed from another aspect; 
       FIG. 4  is a partly assembled view of  FIG. 1 , but showing the computer enclosure oriented such that a side plate thereof is bottommost; 
       FIG. 5  is a fully assembled view of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded, isometric view of a computer enclosure in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged, isometric view of a movable plate of the computer enclosure of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  is an enlarged, isometric view of the movable plate of the computer enclosure of  FIG. 6 , viewed from another aspect; 
       FIG. 9  is a partly assembled view of  FIG. 6 , but showing the computer enclosure oriented such that a side plate thereof is bottommost; and 
       FIG. 10  is a fully assembled view of  FIG. 9 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1–5 , a computer enclosure in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a chassis  10 , a mounting apparatus  40  and a movable plate  70 . The computer enclosure receives a plurality of disk drives  100 , each defining a plurality of apertures (not labeled) in a respective side wall thereof. 
   The chassis  10  comprises a bottom plate  12 , a side plate  14 , a top plate  16 , and a front plate  18 . The bottom plate  12  and the top plate  16  extend perpendicularly from the side plate  14  in a same direction. The front plate  18  is fixed at respective ends of the bottom plate  12 , the side plate  14  and the top plate  16 . Two protrusions  22  are stamped inwardly from a portion of the bottom plate  12  distal from the side plate  14 , thereby defining two cavities  23 . A first locking hole  24  is defined in the bottom plate  12  near one of the protrusions  22 . A plurality of vertically aligned receiving openings  32  is defined in one side of a lower portion of the front plate  18  distal from the side plate  14 . 
   The mounting apparatus  40  is fixedly mounted to an inside of the front plate  18  of the chassis  10 . The mounting apparatus  40  includes a first bracket  42  and a fixed plate  60 . The first bracket  42  comprises a bottom panel  44 , and two parallel side panels  46 ,  48 . The bottom panel  44  extends integrally from a bottom end of the side panel  46 . The side panel  48  is stamped perpendicularly from the front plate  18  above the receiving openings  32 . The fixed plate  60  integrally depends from a side of the bottom panel  44  adjacent the side panel  46 , and is perpendicular to the front plate  18 . The fixed plate  60 , the side panel  46  and the bottom panel  44  are thus formed as a single piece. This single piece is fixed to the top plate  16 , the bottom plate  12  and the front plate  18 . The bottom panel  44  comprises a transverse bar  45  interconnecting the side panels  46 ,  48 . A second locking hole  50  is defined in a distal end of the bar  45 . The bar  45  is attached to a bottom end of the side panel  48  by means of a fastener such as a screw or a rivet. The bottom panel  44  and the side panels  46 ,  48  thereby cooperatively form the first bracket  42 . A plurality of first supporting tabs  62  is stamped inwardly from the fixed plate  60 , one above the other. A first receiving section  64  is defined between each two adjacent first supporting tabs  62 , for receiving a respective disk drive  100  thereat. Two spaced positioning pins  66  are stamped inwardly from the fixed plate  60  generally between each two adjoining first supporting tabs  62 , for insertion into the apertures of the side wall of the respective disk drive  100 . For each said two positioning pins  66 , a front one thereof is oriented vertically, and a rear one thereof is oriented horizontally. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2–3 , the movable plate  70  is detachably attached to the front plate  18 , and comprises a main body  72 . A plurality of second supporting tabs  74  is stamped inwardly from the main body  72 , corresponding to the first supporting tabs  62 . A second receiving section  76  is defined between each two adjacent second supporting tabs  74 , and cooperates with a corresponding first receiving section  64  to receive a respective disk drive  100  therebetween. A first flange  86  extends perpendicularly inwardly from a bottom of the main body  72 . Two inserting tabs  88  are respectively formed at two sides of the first flange  86 , for inserting into the cavities  23  of the bottom plate  12 . A first resilient tab  90  is formed from the first flange  86 , corresponding to the first locking hole  24  of the bottom plate  12 . A distal end of the first resilient tab  90  is bent to form a first handle  94 . A first locking tab  92  is stamped outwardly from the first resilient tab  90  near the first handle  94 , for engaging in the first locking hole  24  and thereby attaching the first flange  86  to the bottom plate  12 . A second flange  78  extends perpendicularly outwardly from a top of the main body  72 . A second resilient tab  80  is formed from the second flange  78 , corresponding to the bar  45  of the bottom panel  44 . The second resilient tab  80  is configured substantially the same as the first resilient tab  90 . In particular, the second resilient tab  80  comprises a second handle  84 , and a second locking tab  82  for engaging in the second locking hole  50  and thereby attaching the second flange  78  to the bar  45 . A third flange  97  extends perpendicularly outwardly from a front of the main body  72 , and is located generally between the first flange  86  and the second flange  78 . A plurality of tabs  98  extends from the third flange  97 , for insertion into the receiving openings  32 . When the tabs  98  are received in the receiving openings  32 , the movable plate  70  can rotate about the tabs  98 . When the movable plate  70  is fully assembled in the chassis  10 , the movable plate  70  cooperates with the fixed plate  60  to form a second bracket (not labeled) for receiving a plurality of disk drives  100  therein. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4–5 , in assembly, firstly the chassis  10  is oriented so that the side plate  14  is bottommost. The disk drives  100  are received in the first receiving sections  64  of the fixed plate  60 . Corresponding positioning pins  66  are inserted into the apertures of the side walls of the disk drives  100 , to stably secure the disk drives  100 . The tabs  98  of the fixing plate  70  are inserted into the receiving openings  32 . The movable plate  70  is rotated down toward the fixed plate  60 . The inserting tabs  88  are inserted into the cavities  23  of the bottom plate  12 , and the first and second locking tabs  92 ,  82  are locked in the first and second locking holes  24 ,  50  respectively. The movable plate  70  is thus securely fixed in the chassis  10 . 
   In disassembly, firstly, the first and second handles  94 ,  84  are pressed so that the first and second locking tabs  92 ,  82  are released from the first and second locking holes  24 ,  50 . The movable plate  70  is rotated outwardly, and then pulled so that the tabs  98  are released from the receiving openings  32 . The movable plate  70  is thus removed from the front plate  18 , allowing convenient repair or replacement of disk drives  100 . 
     FIGS. 6–10  show a computer enclosure in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention. The computer enclosure includes a chassis  10 ′, a mounting apparatus  40 ′, and a movable plate  70 ′. The computer enclosure is similar to that of the preferred embodiment. The chassis  10 ′ comprises a bottom plate  12 ′, a front plate  18 ′, and a side panel  48 ′. A first securing tab  26 ′ is stamped perpendicularly upwardly from the bottom plate  12 ′. A first securing hole  28 ′ is defined in the first securing tab  26 ′. A first fastening hole  49 ′ is defined in a bottom portion of the side panel  48 ′. The movable plate  70 ′ comprises a first flange  86 ′ extending inwardly from a bottom thereof. A second securing tab  95 ′ is stamped perpendicularly upwardly from the first flange  86 ′, corresponding to the first securing tab  26 ′. A second securing hole  96 ′ is defined in the second securing tab  95 ′, and is aligned with the first securing hole  28 ′. A second flange  78 ′ extends outwardly from a top of the movable plate  70 ′. A securing flange  80 ′ extends perpendicularly upwardly from a distal end of the second flange  78 ′, corresponding to the bottom portion of the side panel  48 ′. A second fastening hole  79 ′ is defined in the securing flange  80 ′, and is aligned with the first fastening hole  49 ′. 
   Assembly of the computer enclosure of the alternative embodiment is similar to that of the preferred embodiment. The movable plate  70 ′ is perpendicularly attached to the front plate  18 ′. The securing flange  80 ′ abuts against the bottom portion of the side panel  48 ′, with the second fastening hole  79 ′ being aligned with the first fastening hole  49 ′. The second securing tab  95 ′ abuts against the first securing tab  26 ′, with the second securing hole  96 ′ being aligned with the first securing hole  28 ′. A fastener such as a screw (not shown) is extended through the first and second fastening holes  49 ′,  79 ′. Another fastener such as a screw (not shown) is extended through the first and second securing holes  28 ′,  96 ′. The movable plate  70 ′ is thus securely attached to the chassis  10 ′. 
   It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.