Computer enclosure with disk drive bracket

A computer enclosure comprising a chassis (3) and a disk drive bracket (1). The chassis comprising a bottom panel (32), at least one protrusion (321) disposed on the bottom panel, the protrusion comprising a neck portion (323) and an expanded head portion (325), which having a top surface (327). The disk drive bracket comprising a bottom wall which has an interior surface (122), at least one recess (1 8) defined in the bottom wall, each recess having a fixing slot (121), each fixing slot comprising a narrow fixing aperture (125) and a wide entrance aperture (123). The head portion of the protrusion being embedded in the recess, the top surface (327) of the head portion being not higher than the interior surface of the bottom panel.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to computer enclosures, and more particularly to a computer enclosure with a disk drive bracket.

2. General Background

When a conventional computer is assembled, at least one disk drive bracket is mounted in a computer enclosure. Data storage devices such as a hard disk drive, a floppy disk drive, and a compact disk read only memory drive are then attached to the drive bracket.

A disk drive bracket is usually secured to a computer enclosure between one side panel and a front panel of the computer enclosure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,230 discloses an electronic apparatus including an enclosure having a plurality of wall portions. A bracket has a loading slot and is removably mounted in the enclosure. A module has a protuberance and a tapped hole and is capable of being loaded into and unloaded from the bracket through the loading slot. The bracket has an engaging portion configured to engage with the protuberance to hold the module in a predetermined position in the bracket. An aperture is located in a position opposite the tapped hole of the module, which is held in the predetermined position. Thus a screw is driven into the tapped hole through the aperture. The engaging portion includes a raised portion formed by inwardly raising a part of the bracket and a slit formed in the raised portion, which is opened toward the loading slot of the bracket. The slit is capable of being penetrated by a part of the protuberance.

However, because the typical computer enclosure has a complicated structure, and includes a plurality of storage devices assembled into the drive brackets, vibrations will occur and the bottom panels of the drive brackets are prone to be distorted.

What is needed, therefore, is a computer enclosure having a simple structure for securely housing a disk drive bracket therein.

SUMMARY

A computer enclosure comprising a chassis and a disk drive bracket. The chassis comprising a bottom panel, at least one protrusion disposed on the bottom panel, the protrusion comprising a neck portion extending upwardly from the bottom panel and an expanded head portion formed at a top portion of the neck, the head portion having a top surface. The disk drive bracket comprising a bottom wall which has an interior surface, at least one recess corresponding to the protrusion of the chassis being defined in the bottom wall of the disk drive bracket, each recess having a fixing slot, each fixing slot comprising a narrow fixing aperture engaging with the neck portion of the protrusion and a wide entrance aperture configured to allow the head portion of the protrusion extending therethrough, the entrance aperture being in communication with the fixing aperture, the head portion of the protrusion being embedded in the recess of the bottom wall, the top surface of the head portion being not higher than the interior surface of the bottom panel.

Other advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIG. 1, a computer enclosure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a disk drive bracket1configured for accommodating a plurality of data storage devices (not shown) therein, a chassis3configured for receiving the disk drive bracket1, and a plurality of other electronic components (not shown) therein.

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 3, the disk drive bracket1includes a bottom wall12which has an interior surface122, a pair of sidewalls16perpendicularly formed from two opposite sides of the bottom wall12, and a top wall14. The bottom wall12, the top wall14, and the sidewalls16cooperatively form a receiving space. A flange161extends out perpendicularly from each sidewall16of the disk drive bracket1. A securing hole163is defined in each of the flange161. A plurality of generally ellipse shaped recesses18is defined in the bottom wall12of the disk drive bracket1. Each recess18has a fixing slot121defined in a bottom thereof. Each fixing slot121has a wide portion serving as an entrance aperture123and a narrow portion serving as a fixing aperture125. The entrance aperture123is in communication with the fixing aperture125. The depth of the recess18increases gradually from one end to the other end, the fixing aperture125is disposed at the deep end, and the entrance aperture123is disposed at the shallow end. The fixing slots121are located adjacent to an opening of the chassis3from which the bracket1is slid into the chassis3.

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the chassis3includes a bottom panel32and a pair of opposite side panels36perpendicularly formed from the bottom panel32. A plurality of protrusion321extends up from the bottom panel32of the chassis3. Each of the protrusion321includes a neck portion323and an expanded head portion325. The head portion323has a top surface327. A flange361corresponding to each flange161of the disk drive bracket1extends out perpendicularly from each of the side panels36of the chassis3. A securing hole363is defined in each flange361respectively corresponding to each securing hole163of the disk drive bracket1. A diameter of each of the entrance apertures123of the fixing slots121is greater than that of the head portion325in cross section. A diameter of each of the fixing apertures125of the fixing slots121of the disk drive bracket1is less than that of the head portion325in cross section, but approximately equal to that of the neck portion323.

Referring toFIG. 4, in assembly of the disk drive bracket1, the protrusion321of the chassis3are inserted into the corresponding entrance apertures123of the disk drive bracket1. Then the disk drive bracket1is pushed into the chassis3. Each neck portion323of the protrusion321reach an end of the corresponding fixing aperture125of the disk drive bracket1. The flanges161of the disk drive bracket1abut against the flanges361of the chassis3respectively. At this point, the securing holes163of the flanges161of the disk drive bracket1are in alignment with the securing holes363of the flanges361of the chassis3respectively. Two screws5respectively extend through the securing holes163and363, fastening the disk drive bracket1into the chassis3. Thus, the data storage devices are secured into the chassis3via the disk drive bracket1. The necks323of the chassis3engage in the fixing slots121of the disk drive bracket1, the recesses18accommodate the head portions325of the protrusion321. The top surfaces327of the head portions325are lower than the interior surface122of the bottom panel12.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of preferred embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the preferred embodiments, 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.