Abstract:
A mounting apparatus includes a bracket for receiving a storage device, two latching members pivotally fixed to the bracket, and an elastic member connected with the latching members. The bracket includes a sidewall defining two through holes therein, and each of the latching members includes a latching protrusion to extend through a corresponding through hole of the bracket for fixing the storage device. The elastic member connects the latching members and allows one of the latching members to simultaneously move whilst the other of the latching members is manipulated.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for a storage device. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    An electronic apparatus, such as a typical desktop computer, a tower computer, a server, and the like, usually includes storage devices, such as hard disk drives, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives, digital video disc (DVD) drives, floppy disk drives, and the like. These devices are typically added to increase the functionality of the electronic apparatus as desired by a user. However, the installation of such devices in the electronic apparatus is always labor-intensive. 
         [0003]    The installation of a hard disk drive in a computer typically involves the use of screws to attach the hard disk drive to a bracket of a computer chassis. However, these screws are usually too small and difficult to handle. Additionally, because of their small size, the screws are easily dropped, by an assembler, into the computer. 
         [0004]    To address the aforementioned problems, a plurality of mounting apparatuses is invented to reduce the number of needed screws. For example, a pair of detachable rails is attached to opposite sides of a storage device with screws. The storage device is then slid into and secured to a drive bracket. However, the screws have to be removed to detach the rails from the storage device before replacing the storage device. 
         [0005]    What is needed, therefore, is a mounting apparatus which facilitates convenient and secure mounting of a storage device in a bracket. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    An exemplary mounting apparatus includes a bracket for receiving a storage device, two latching members pivotally fixed to the bracket, and an elastic member connected with the latching members. The bracket includes a sidewall defining two through holes therein, and each of the latching members includes a latching protrusion to extend through a corresponding through hole of the bracket for fixing the storage device. The elastic member connects the latching members and allows one of the latching members to simultaneously move whilst the other of the latching members is manipulated. 
         [0007]    Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus with a storage device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting apparatus including a bracket, two latching members, two pressing members, and an elastic member; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  an enlarged isometric view of the latch members, the pressing members, and the elastic member of  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing another state of the mounting apparatus. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a mounting apparatus for a storage device is provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket  20  for fixing a storage device  10  defining two pairs of spaced fixing holes  12 , a pair of latching members  31 , a pair of pressing members  35 , and an elastic member  33  for connecting the latching members  31 . In this embodiment, the elastic member  33  is a spring. 
         [0013]    The bracket  20  includes a top wall  21 , a bottom wall  22 , and a pair sidewalls  24  connecting the top wall  21  and the bottom wall  22 . One of the sidewalls  24  includes a concave portion  26 . Two fixing tabs  267  are punched outwardly from the concave portion  26  adjacent to two ends of the concave portion  26  respectively. Two pairs of through holes  265  are defined in the concave portion  26 , corresponding to the pairs of fixing holes  12  of the storage device  10 . The pairs of through holes  265  are adjacent to the fixing tabs  267  respectively. Two spaced openings  261  are defined in a middle section of the concave portion  26 . A support tab  262  protrudes outwardly from the concave portion  26  above one opening  261 , and another support tab  262  protrudes outwardly from the concave portion  26  below the other opening  261 . Each of the support tabs  262  defines an aperture  263  therein. 
         [0014]    Referring particularly to  FIG. 2 , each latching member  31  defines two spaced through holes  319  therein, and an opening  316  is defined in the latching member  31  between the through holes  319 . A pivot portion  317  extends perpendicularly inward from each latching member  31  adjoining the opening  316 , corresponding to the support tab  262  of the bracket  20 . A pivot  318  protrudes from each pivot portion  317 . One end of each latching member  31  defines a notch  311 , and a rod  313  protrudes out from a surface bounding a bottom of the notch  311  of the latching member  31 . The other end of each latching member  31  forms a securing portion  312  slanted outwardly. A slot  314  is defined in the securing portion  312  of each latching member  31  corresponding to the fixing tabs  267  of the bracket  20 . Two latching protrusions  315  extend perpendicularly inward from two sidewalls of each securing portion  312 . 
         [0015]    Each pressing member  35  includes a pressing portion  351 . Two spaced projections  352  are formed on a side of each pressing portion  351 , corresponding to the through holes  319  of the latching member  31 , and a block  353  extends from the side of the pressing portion  351  between the projections  352 . A flange  354  is formed around an external surface of each block  353  spaced apart from the pressing portion  351 , and a generally U-shaped groove  355  is defined in an upper portion of the block  353  for receiving the pivot portion  317  of the corresponding latching member  31 . A latching notch  357  is defined in a lower portion of each block  353  in communication with the groove  355 , for receiving the pivot  318  of the corresponding latching member  31 . 
         [0016]    Referring also to  FIG. 3 , in assembly, two ends of the elastic member  33  are placed around the rods  313  of the latching members  31  respectively, and the elastic member  33  connect the latching members  31  together. The pivots  318  on the pivot portions  317  of the latching members  31  are extended through the apertures  263  of the support tabs  262  of the bracket  20  respectively. The blocks  353  of the pressing members  35  are extended through the openings  316  of the latching members  31  respectively, and the projections  352  of the pressing members  35  engage in the through holes  319  of the latching members  31  respectively. The support tabs  262  of the bracket  20  and the pivot portions  317  of the latching members  31  are received in the grooves  355  of the blocks  353  of the pressing members  35  respectively, thereby sandwiching the support tabs  262  between the pivot portions  317  and the blocks  353 . The pivots  318  of the latching members  31  are received in the latching notches  357  of the corresponding pressing members  35 . The flanges  354  on the blocks  353  of the pressing members  35  are received in the corresponding openings  316  and snappingly engage with surfaces of the latching members  31  defining the openings  316 . The pressing members  35  are thus fixed to the latching members  31  respectively, and the latching members  31  are pivotally mounted on the bracket  20 . The ends of the latching members  31 , which are connected by the elastic member  33 , are proximal to the sidewall  24  of the bracket  20 , the elastic member  33  is slightly compressed and is held in a relatively steady state, and the securing portions  312  of the latching members  31  are positioned away from the sidewall  24 . 
         [0017]    In use, the storage device  10  is installed into the bracket  20 . When the fixing holes  12  of the storage device  10  align with the through holes  265  in the sidewall  24  of the bracket  20  respectively, the securing portion  312  of one of the latching members  31  is pushed toward the sidewall  24  of the bracket  20 . The end of the one of the latching members  31  opposite to the securing portion  312  is rotated away from the sidewall  24  of the bracket  20  around the pivot  318  thereof. The elastic member  33  is bent outwardly to drive the other of the latching members  31  to rotate. The latching protrusions  315  of the latching members  31  are extended through the through holes  265  of the bracket  20  and engage in the fixing holes  12  of the storage device  10  respectively, the elastic member  33  is slightly compressed, and the fixing tabs  267  of the bracket  20  engage in the slots  314  of the latching members  31  respectively, for helping holding the latching members  31 . The elastic member  33  and the latching members  31  cooperatively form a relatively steady system. The storage device  10  is thus fixed to the bracket  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0018]    To detach the storage device  10  from the bracket  20 , the pressing portion  351  of one of the pressing members  35  is pressed, the latching member  31  connected with the one of the pressing members  35  is rotated, the elastic member  33  is restored to drive the other of the latching members  31  to rotate in an opposite direction. The slots  314  of the latching members  31  disengage from the corresponding fixing tabs  267  of the bracket  20 , and the latching protrusions  315  of the latching members  31  are disengaged from the fixing holes  12  of the storage device  10  and withdrawn from the through holes  265  of the bracket  20  respectively as shown in  FIG. 3 . The storage device  10  is ready to be detached 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 preferred or exemplary embodiment of the invention.