Adaptor sleeve for portable hard drive

A sleeve for holding a hard disk drive in portable removable engagement with a PC or laptop computer includes a base and a cover attachable to the base by means of threaded fasteners. The base includes plural holder arms, and when the cover is removed from the base and the hard disk drive advanced into the base, the holder arms move outwardly as the hard drive rides on the arms. When the hard disk drive clears the arms, the arms, which are biased to a hold configuration, move back inwardly to hold the hard disk drive in the base, with the cover then attached to the base. The edge of the cover cooperates with the base to hold the holder arms in the hold configuration and thereby securely hold the hard disk drive in the sleeve.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to computer memory apparatus, and 
more particularly to computer hard disk drives for personal computers 
(PCs). 
BACKGROUND 
Computer data in desk-top personal computers (PCs) is ordinarily stored on 
one of two generic types of direct access memory media, i.e., memory media 
which can be accessed when the user is on-line with the PC, and these two 
types of direct access memory media are broadly know as "disks" and 
"drives". The first type of direct access memory media is familiarly 
referred to as a "hard disk drive". A hard disk drive may be internal, 
i.e., it may be mounted within the PC, or external, i.e., it may be 
located next to the PC, but in either case, hard disk drives require 
electrical connections to the PC that can be cumbersome and time-consuming 
to make. 
In contrast, a unit of the second type of direct access memory media, 
familiarly referred to as a "floppy disk", is manually inserted into a 
portion of the computer familiarly referred to as a floppy disk drive, and 
a floppy disk can be easily and quickly ejected from the floppy disk drive 
after data transfer. Thus, a floppy disk can be ejected, i.e., manually 
urged outwardly from a PC by pushing a button, without requiring that 
"hard" electrical contacts be unmade. On the other hand, a hard disk drive 
currently cannot be ejected from a desk-top PC, but must be disconnected 
from electrical connections in the PC and then removed. Hard disk drives, 
however, can store much more data than can floppy disks. 
Modern PCs typically permit the use of both kinds of memory media, to 
afford the user of the PC the advantages associated with each. More 
specifically, as stated above, hard disk drives, which are ordinarily 
intended to be permanently connected to their respective PCs, have a large 
data storage capacity. In contrast, floppy disks have much lower data 
storage capability as compared to hard disk drives, but can easily be 
ejected from the computer when it is necessary to store data, e.g., 
confidential military or economic data, apart from the computer, or to 
transport the data computer-to-computer when a network is not available. 
While this arrangement of data storage is useful, it has certain drawbacks. 
For example, when sensitive military or economic data is to be transferred 
from the permanent hard disk drive of a PC to a floppy disk for secure 
storage of the data, the only thing ordinarily "deleted" from the PC hard 
disk drive after data transfer is the name of the file that contains the 
data. The data, however, while inaccessible using most software, remains 
on the hard disk drive, and can be retrieved using specialized software. 
Thus, once confidential data has been stored on a permanently mounted hard 
disk drive, both the hard disk drive and it's associated PC must be 
treated as classified equipage. Understandably, this increases security 
costs and limits the access of non-cleared users to the PC. 
Further, because of their relatively limited data storage capability, 
floppy disks cannot be used to store large amounts of data. Thus, if a 
large amount of data is to be transferred from the hard disk drive of a 
computer, more than a single floppy disk may be required. This increases 
expenses, tends to be labor-intensive, and requires excessive storage 
space. 
Consequently, when large amounts of data are to be physically moved from a 
non-secure location to a comparatively secure area for data analysis, the 
data is ordinarily stored on a hard disk drive which is subsequently 
disconnected from the so-called host computer and then transported to the 
secure area. For example, surveillance aircraft tend to collect a large 
amount of data, and the collected data is stored in relatively bulky hard 
disk drives that have large data storage capacities. After mission 
completion, the disk drives are electrically disconnected from their host 
computers, which as stated above can be cumbersome and time consuming, and 
then removed from the craft after the mission for data analysis. 
Furthermore, many large hard disk drives unfortunately are heavy. This is 
a disadvantage in most computer applications and particularly in 
applications requiring airborne computer operation, wherein it is 
generally crucial to minimize the weight and volume of articles that are 
to be carried onboard the aircraft. 
The above discussion focussed on but one application wherein data 
portability is desirable, but the need for data portability is acute in a 
wide variety of other applications requiring data transfer between 
computers. Indeed, regardless of the particular application, a growing 
need exists to transfer large amounts of data between pairs of the 
ubiquitous desk-top personal computer. For example, a person who is 
located at a site remote from his desk-top PC (and its associated hard 
disk drive on which the person's files and software are stored) may 
require access to some or all of the data base (i.e., files and software) 
that is stored on the hard disk drive. When networks or network software 
are unavailable, the person must take his data base with him. He can do 
this by disconnecting his hard disk drive from his PC, transporting his 
hard disk drive with him, and then reconnecting the disk drive to a 
computer located at the remote site. Alternatively, the person can up-load 
his data base to a large number of floppy disks one at a time, transport 
the floppy disks to the remote site, and then down-load the data base from 
the floppy disks one at a time onto a computer located at the remote site. 
Unfortunately, both procedures are cumbersome and time-consuming. 
In light of the above discussion, the above-referenced parent and 
grandparent applications, as well as the present invention, recognize a 
need to provide the portability advantages inherent in floppy disks, 
without sacrificing the data storage capacity of hard disk drives. 
As further recognized by the present invention, owing to the delicate 
nature of certain components of hard disk drives, particular 
considerations arise in connection with a portable hard disk drive system 
wherein the hard disk drive can be easily advanced into and ejected from a 
PC. For example, certain internal components of hard disk drives rotate 
very rapidly, and these components must be allowed to "spin down" prior to 
ejecting the disk drive from the computer. Otherwise, the disk drive could 
be irreparably damaged. Furthermore, to increase the operational 
convenience of the PC, provisions should ideally be made for configuring 
the portable, ejectable hard disk drive as the main drive (i.e., the 
so-called "C" drive) of the associated PC. 
As still further recognized by the present invention, it would be 
advantageous to provide the capability of easily engaging a removable hard 
drive from a personal computer having an internal docking station for 
receiving the drive with a laptop computer, and with another personal 
computer that does not have an internal docking station. 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an 
apparatus that can be associated with a desk-top personal computer and 
which can hold a portable hard computer disk drive in operable engagement 
with the computer. Another object of the present invention is to provide 
an apparatus for easily inserting and ejecting a portable hard disk drive 
into a desk-top personal computer. Yet another object of the present 
invention is to provide a portable hard disk drive housing for a desk-top 
personal computer which is easy to use and cost-effective to manufacture. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a system with 
a portable, ejectable hard disk drive which automatically permits the disk 
drive to adequately spin down prior to ejection from an associated PC, and 
which provides for convenient operation of the PC. Another object herein 
is to provide a system for receiving a hard drive in a docking station 
that is internal to a personal computer (PC), while permitting easy 
engagement of the hard drive when removed from the docking station with 
laptop computers and with other PCs that do not have internal docking 
stations. Further, it is an object to provide a sleeve for securely 
holding a hard disk drive. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An apparatus is disclosed that is operably engageable with a cavity of a 
desk-top personal computer (PC). The apparatus of the present invention 
includes a sleeve for holding a hard computer disk drive, and the sleeve 
is formed with an engagement surface. A bay is positioned in the cavity of 
the computer for receiving the sleeve. 
In accordance with the present invention, the bay includes an opening for 
receiving the sleeve, and the bay is electrically connected to the 
personal computer. Moreover, a carriage is reciprocally disposed in the 
bay, and the carriage includes at least one clip that is configured for 
engaging the engagement surface of the sleeve when the sleeve is advanced 
a predetermined distance into the opening. A motor is coupled to the 
carriage for moving the carriage between an engaged position, wherein the 
hard drive is electrically connected to the personal computer, and a 
remove position, wherein the sleeve can be manually removed from the bay. 
In one presently preferred embodiment, a key element is connected to the 
bay and is slidably engageable with the sleeve for guiding the sleeve into 
the bay. The key element includes left and right elements opposed to each 
other relative to the bay, and the sleeve is formed with a guide channel 
for engaging the key element. 
Preferably, the sleeve is formed with two engagement surfaces and the 
carriage includes respective opposed clips and a shuttle. Each clip is 
pivotally connected to the shuttle and each clip is biased to a disengaged 
position, wherein the clip is distanced from the associated engagement 
surface of the sleeve. Further, each clip is pivotable to an engaged 
position, wherein the clip engages the associated engagement surface of 
the sleeve. 
As envisioned by the present invention, two camming surfaces are formed on 
the bay. Each camming surface is configured for moving a respective one of 
the clips to the engaged position when the carriage moves past a 
predetermined position relative to the bay, to thereby engage the carriage 
with the sleeve. 
In the preferred embodiment, the carriage includes a lead screw that is 
coupled to the motor for rotation of the lead screw by the motor. 
Additionally, the carriage includes a nut which is threadably engaged with 
the lead screw. To prevent relative motion between the nut and the 
shuttle, the shuttle is formed with a retaining cavity and the nut is 
positioned in the retaining cavity. Consequently, when the motor rotates 
the lead screw, the nut travels on the lead screw to cause the shuttle to 
move translationally within the bay. 
Motor control signals are generated by a first limit switch which is 
mounted on the bay for detecting when the sleeve is in a home position. 
The first limit switch generates a signal to activate the motor. Also, a 
second limit switch is mounted on the bay for detecting when the carriage 
is in the engaged position and for generating a signal in response thereto 
to deactivate the motor. 
Another aspect of the present invention is an apparatus for releasably 
holding a sleeve that contains a hard disk drive in operable engagement 
with a computer which is formed with a cavity. The apparatus includes a 
bay positioned in the cavity in electrical communication with the 
computer, and a motor-driven carriage disposed in the bay for moving the 
sleeve with hard disk drive into operable engagement with the computer to 
permit data transfer between the hard disk drive and the computer. 
In still another aspect of the present invention, a computer system 
includes a computer including a cavity and a bay positioned in the cavity, 
and the bay is formed with an opening. A sleeve contains a hard disk 
drive, and the sleeve with hard disk drive is movable between an engaged 
position, wherein the hard disk drive is in electrical communication with 
the computer, and a remove position, wherein the sleeve with hard disk 
drive can be manually removed from the bay. Also, a motor is operably 
engaged with the bay for moving the sleeve with hard disk drive to the 
engaged position and for selectively moving the sleeve with hard disk 
drive from the engaged position toward the remove position. Furthermore, 
an eject button is mounted on the bay. The eject button is selectively 
manipulable to cause the motor to move the sleeve from the engaged 
position toward the remove position. 
In another aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed for 
transferring data from a desk-top personal computer (PC) to a hard disk 
drive having a surrounding sleeve. The method includes the steps of 
providing an opening in the desk-top PC, and advancing the sleeve with 
hard disk drive into the opening. Then, the sleeve is engaged and 
automatically transported into the opening until electrical contact is 
made between the hard disk drive and the PC. Next, data is transferred 
between the hard disk drive and the PC. After data transfer, the hard disk 
drive is ejected from the PC. 
In an alternate embodiment, an apparatus is operably engageable with a 
cavity of a desk-top personal computer (PC), and the apparatus includes a 
sleeve for holding a hard computer disk drive, the sleeve with disk drive 
including electrical connectors. A shoe is configured for slidably 
receiving the sleeve, and a shoe connector board is disposed in the shoe 
for mating with the electrical connectors. An adaptor card is electrically 
connected to the connector board, it being understood that the adaptor 
card is configured for engagement with a laptop computer to effect data 
transfer between the laptop computer and the hard drive. 
In a preferred embodiment, a connector and a round cord interconnect the 
adaptor card and the shoe connector board. Preferably, the shoe includes 
an open front end, a closed back wall, and opposed sides extending between 
the front end and back wall. The sleeve is receivable through the front 
end, with the shoe connector board being mounted on the back wall. 
In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is operably engageable with a 
parallel port of a desk-top personal computer (PC), and the apparatus 
includes a sleeve for holding a hard computer disk drive, the sleeve being 
formed with an engagement surface. An external docking station is 
electrically connectable to the parallel port, with the docking station 
including an opening for receiving the sleeve. A carriage is reciprocally 
disposed in the docking station, and the carriage includes at least one 
clip configured for engaging the engagement surface of the sleeve when the 
sleeve is advanced a predetermined distance into the opening. A motor is 
coupled to the carriage for moving the carriage between an engaged 
position, wherein the hard drive is electrically connected to the personal 
computer, and a remove position, wherein the sleeve can be manually 
removed from the docking station. 
In another aspect, an apparatus is operably engageable with a cavity of a 
desk-top personal computer (PC). The apparatus includes a sleeve for 
holding a hard computer disk drive, the sleeve being formed with an 
engagement surface. A bay is positioned in the cavity of the computer for 
receiving the sleeve, the bay including an opening for receiving the 
sleeve, the bay being in electrical communication with the personal 
computer. Also, a carriage is reciprocally disposed in the bay, with the 
carriage including at least one clip configured for engaging the 
engagement surface of the sleeve when the sleeve is advanced a 
predetermined distance into the opening. Further, the carriage includes a 
shuttle formed with at least one nut dock. A motor is coupled to the 
carriage for moving the carriage between an engaged position, wherein the 
hard drive is electrically connected to the personal computer, and a 
remove position, wherein the sleeve can be manually removed from the bay. 
The motor is coupled to the carriage via a lead screw and a nut, and the 
lead screw is threadably engaged with the nut and rotatable by the motor. 
As contemplated herein, the nut is closely received in the at least one 
nut dock such that rotation of the nut is prevented thereby. An eject 
button is mounted on the bay, and the eject button is selectively 
manipulable to cause the motor to move the sleeve from the engaged 
position toward the remove position after a predetermined time period has 
elapsed to spin down the hard disk drive. 
In another embodiment, a sleeve is provided for securely holding a hard 
disk drive therein. The sleeve includes a hollow top cover that defines a 
flat planar top surface and an edge flange bounding at least part of the 
planar surface and oriented perpendicular thereto. A hollow bottom base is 
removably connectable to the top cover, with the base defining a flat 
planar base surface. As disclosed below in detail, the base includes 
plural holder arms that are perpendicular to the base surface, and the 
holder arms are biased to a hold configuration, wherein the holder arms 
overlap the top surface of the hard disk drive when the hard disk drive is 
positioned in the bottom base to hold the hard disk drive in the bottom 
base. Moreover, the holder arms are movable to a receive configuration 
when the hard disk drive is advanced into the bottom base. Once the hard 
disk drive is in the base and the cover is attached to the base, the edge 
of the cover prevents the holder arms from moving to the receive 
configuration. 
Preferably, each holder arm is formed with a respective shank perpendicular 
to the flat planar base surface of the base, and each shank terminates in 
a respective curved top portion. Per the present invention, each holder 
arm also includes a respective flat abutment that is contiguous to the 
curved top portion and to the shank. Each abutment surface is 
perpendicular to its respective shank. With this structure, the hard disk 
drive can be advanced into the base while riding on the curved top 
portions of the holder arms to move the holder arms toward the receive 
configuration, and the holder arms return to the hold configuration when 
the hard disk drive clears the curved top portions with the flat abutments 
flush against the top surface of the hard disk drive. 
In one presently preferred embodiment, plural threaded fasteners extend 
through the top cover and engage receptacles on the hard disk drive. The 
holder arms are arranged on the base such that when the hard disk drive is 
positioned in the base, a respective receptacle of the hard disk drive is 
juxtaposed with a respective holder arm. At least one base receptacle is 
provided on the base for engaging a respective fastener to thereby hold 
the cover on the base. 
In another aspect of the just-disclosed embodiment, a sleeve is configured 
for securely holding a computer hard disk drive. The sleeve includes a 
cover, and a base including at least one holder arm extending upwardly 
toward the cover. In accordance with present principles, the holder arm 
cooperates with the cover to hold the hard disk drive securely in the base 
when the hard disk drive is positioned in the base. 
The details of the present invention, both as to its construction and 
operation, can best be understood in reference to the accompanying 
drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in 
which:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring initially to FIG. 1, an apparatus, generally designated 10, is 
shown for holding a portable hard disk drive sleeve 12 in operable 
engagement with a lap-top or desk-top personal computer (PC) 14 (not to 
scale) having an associated video monitor 15. It is to be understood in 
reference to FIG. 1 that the apparatus 10 fits snugly within a 
standard-sized disk drive cavity 16 of the PC 14. 
In the presently preferred embodiment, the PC 14 is a device familiarly 
referred to as an International Business Machines (IBM) compatible PC, 
e.g., an IBM.RTM. PS2 model 70 computer. Accordingly, in the preferred 
embodiment the cavity 16 is the so-called "3.5 inch form factor" cavity 
(actually four inches in width) formed in most IBM compatible desk-top 
personal computers. It is to be understood, however, that the principles 
of the present invention can be applied to other IBM-compatible computers, 
e.g., lap-top computers, and to non-IBM compatible computers, e.g., 
Apple.RTM. brand computers, having cavities smaller or larger than the 
cavity 16. 
FIG. 1 shows that the apparatus 10 includes a bay 20 having an opening 22. 
The opening 22 is covered by a movable flap 24, the bottom edge of which 
is hingedly connected to the bay 20. The flap 24 is normally biased to 
completely block the opening 22, and the sleeve 12 can be advanced against 
the flap 24 to cause the flap 24 to pivot inwardly about its bottom edge 
and thereby permit the sleeve 12 to be advanced into the opening 22. 
As can be appreciated in reference to FIG. 1, the portable hard disk drive 
sleeve 12 with disk drive can be manually advanced into the opening 22 of 
the bay 20 and held in operable engagement with the personal computer 14. 
When the sleeve 12 is operably engaged with the bay 20, data can be stored 
on the hard disk drive by the user of the computer 14. Then, the sleeve 12 
with hard disk drive can be ejected from the computer 14 and transported 
to another location for data retrieval. 
In cross-reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sleeve 12 is made of an upper 
plastic injection-molded half 12a and a lower plastic injection-molded 
half 12b, and the upper half 12a is bonded, glued, or otherwise attached 
to the lower half 12b by means well-known in the art to establish a hollow 
sleeve 12. As can be appreciated in reference to FIG. 2, the sleeve 12 
closely surrounds a portable hard disk drive 25 for supporting the disk 
drive 25. Preferably, the sleeve 12 is made of nylon or other plastic 
material to protect the disk drive 25 from shock, and to inhibit dust and 
debris from contacting the disk drive 25. In the presently preferred 
embodiment, the hard disk drive 25 is a model 2022A hard disk drive made 
by Digital Electronics Corporation. Alternatively, the disk drive 25 can 
be drive made by Toshiba Corp., or Hitachi Corp., or some other disk drive 
manufacturer. 
As shown in cross-reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a right guide channel 26 is 
longitudinally formed in a right side surface 28 of the lower half 12b of 
the sleeve 12. FIG. 2 further shows that a left guide channel 30 is 
longitudinally formed in a left side surface 32 of the lower half 12b of 
the sleeve 12. 
Referring back to FIG. 1, the sleeve 12 defines a top surface 33 and a 
bottom surface 35, and the guide channels 26, 30 are formed closer to the 
top surface 33 than to the bottom surface 35. As more fully disclosed 
below, the guide channels 26, 30 slidably engage structure within the bay 
20. With this in mind, it will be appreciated that inverted insertion of 
the sleeve 12 into the bay 20 is prevented by so forming the guide 
channels 26, 30 closer to one surface 33 than to the opposite surface 35. 
The sleeve 12 also has a bottom front edge 37 which is bevelled as shown 
to facilitate insertion of the sleeve 12 into the bay 20. 
Referring again to FIG. 2, right and left generally parallelepiped-shaped 
latch depressions 34, 36 are also formed in the bottom surface 35 of the 
lower half 12b of the sleeve 12. As intended by the present invention, the 
latch depressions 34, 36 establish corresponding engagement surfaces. 
As shown in FIG. 2, an electrical sleeve connector, generally designated 
38, is positioned on a connector surface 40 of the sleeve 12. More 
particularly, the sleeve connector 38 includes a flat, generally 
parallelepiped-shaped bay interface connector 42 having a plurality of 
pins 42a and a corresponding plurality of sockets 42b. 
Also, the sleeve connector 38 includes a flat, parallelepiped-shaped 
intermediate printed circuit board (pcb) 44 having a plurality of first 
sockets 44a and a plurality of second sockets 44b. As can be appreciated 
in reference to FIG. 2, the pins 42a of the bay interface connector 42 
engage the first sockets 44a of the interface pcb 44. 
Additionally, the sleeve connector 38 includes a flat, 
parallelepiped-shaped disk drive interface connector 46 having a plurality 
of L-shaped pins 46a, and the L-shaped pins 46a engage the second sockets 
44b of the intermediate disk drive interface pcb 44. Moreover, the disk 
drive interface connector 46 includes a plurality of sockets (not shown) 
which engage hard drive connector pins 25a of the hard drive 25. 
It will accordingly be appreciated that the memory media of the hard drive 
25 is in electrical communication with the sleeve connector 38. 
Consequently, the sockets 42b of the bay interface connector 42 of the 
sleeve connector 38 can be electrically engaged with structure within the 
bay 20, as more fully disclosed below, to establish electrical 
communication between the memory media of the hard drive 25 and the PC 14. 
In the presently preferred embodiment, the sleeve connector 38 is similar 
to the so-called PCMIA connector well-known in the art, except that the 
connector 40 includes sixty (60) connections instead of sixty eight (68). 
As intended by the present invention, to provide for interoperability of 
the present invention with both SCSI-type and IDE-type hard drives, power 
can be applied or not applied via various pin connections as appropriate 
for the particular disk drive 25 type, by conventions well-known in the 
art. Also, one of the connections of the sleeve connector 38, designated 
the "identification" connection, is shorted. As the skilled artisan will 
appreciate, the identification connection can be used to determine whether 
the hard drive 25 is an IDE- or SCSI-type hard drive. In addition, six 
lines may be reserved for providing a data path for signals that identify 
the particular disk drive 25 model. 
FIG. 2 also shows that the bay interface connector 42 is formed with two 
opposed ears 48a, 48b. Also, the lower half 12b of the sleeve 12 is formed 
during molding with clips 50a, 50b that respectively engage the ears 48a, 
48b of the bay interface connector 42. Also, the clips 50a, 50b support 
the bay interface connector 42. In the presently preferred embodiment, the 
clips 50a, 50b snappingly engage the ears 48a, 48b to hold the ears 48a, 
48b against the clips 50a, 50b. 
Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 3A-3C, the details of the bay 20 can be seen. 
As shown in FIG. 1, the bay 20 includes a hollow, generally 
parallelepiped-shaped metal or hard plastic molded chassis 52. The chassis 
52 has a bottom plate 54, and first and second side surfaces 56, 58 
extending upwardly from the bottom plate 54 perpendicular to the bottom 
plate 54. As shown, each side surface 56, 58 of the chassis 52 has holes 
57 drilled or otherwise formed in it, for receiving respective threaded 
fasteners (not shown). The fasteners in turn are engaged with standard 
mounting receptacles (not shown) within the computer 14, to hold the 
chassis 52 within the cavity 16 of the computer 14. 
Accordingly, the chassis 52 is configured for fitting snugly within the 
cavity 16 of the computer 14. Specifically, when the computer 14 is an 
IBM-compatible desk top PC and the cavity 16 is a so-called "3.5 inch form 
factor" cavity, the chassis 52 has a length "L" of about six inches (6"), 
a width "W" of about four inches (4"), and a depth "D" of about one and 
five-eighths inches (1.625"). 
FIGS. 1 and 3A also show that each side 56, 58 of the bay 20 is 
respectively formed with two key elements 60, 62 and 61, 63 for engaging 
the guide channels 26, 30 of the sleeve 12 and thereby guiding the sleeve 
12 with disk drive 25 into operable engagement with the bay 20. As shown, 
the key elements 60, 61, 62, 63 are substantially identical to each other 
in configuration, and each key element 60, 61, 62, 63 protrudes inwardly 
toward the center of the bay 20 from the key element's respective bay side 
56, 58. 
In describing the key elements 60, 61, 62, 63 the key element 60 is used an 
example. As shown in FIG. 1, the key element 60 is formed with a base 
portion 64 and a key surface 66. As further shown, to minimize the 
material required for the key element 60, the base portion 64 is not a 
continuous solid piece of material, but rather includes two legs 68, 70, 
and the legs 68, 70 support the key surface 66. 
The key surface 66 includes a guide surface 72 which is oriented at an 
oblique angle relative to the side 56 to guide the left guide channel 30 
(FIG. 2) of the sleeve 12 into engagement with the key element 60. Stated 
differently, the guide surface 72 establishes a ramp from near the first 
side 56 of the bay 20 up to the key surface 66, to facilitate engaging the 
sleeve 12 with the key element 60. 
In cross-reference to FIGS. 1 and 3A, a motor-driven carriage, generally 
designated 74, is disposed in the bay 20 for moving the sleeve 12 with 
hard disk drive 25 within the bay 20. As shown, the carriage 74 includes a 
hollow, generally parallelepiped-shaped shuttle 76. The shuttle 76 is 
connected to or formed integrally with left and right arms 78, 80, and 
each arn 78, 80 is pivotally connected to a respective elongated left or 
right clip 82, 84. 
More specifically, each arm 78, 80 is formed with a respective end pin 86, 
88 (FIG. 3A), and the end pins 86, 88 are rotatably engaged with 
respective pin receiving holes formed in the clips 82, 84. Consequently, 
the clips 82, 84 can pivot about their pin receiving holes relative to the 
arms 78, 80. If desired, limiter abutments 90 (FIG. 3A) can be formed on 
the clips 82, 84 to thereby limit the range of pivotal motion of the clips 
82, 84 by abutting the arms 78, 80 when the clip 82 or 84 exceeds a 
predetermined angle relative to its arm 78, 80. Still further, each arm 
78, 80 is formed with a respective extension 78a, 80a, with the only 
difference between the arms 78, 80 being that the extension 78a of the 
left arm 78 is marginally shorter than the extension 80a of the right arm 
80, for purposes to be disclosed. 
In continued cross-reference to FIGS. 1 and 3A, each clip 82, 84 is formed 
during molding with a respective sleeve stop 82a, 84a (stop 84a shown only 
in FIG. 3A), and a respective engagement abutment 82b, 84b (abutment 84a 
shown only in FIG. 3A) having a respective front incline 82c, 84c. In 
accordance with the present invention, the engagement abutments 82b, 84b 
are configured for engaging the latch depressions 34, 36 (FIG. 2) of the 
sleeve 12. Further, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the front 
inclines 82c, 84c facilitate guiding the sleeve 12 past the inclines 82c, 
84c and toward the engagement abutments 82a, 84a. 
As perhaps best shown in FIG. 3A, the present invention provides structure 
for reciprocally moving the shuttle 76 (and, hence, clips 82, 84) within 
the bay 20. Specifically, an electric motor 92, preferably a type 
FK-130SH-09450 motor made by Mibuchi, is coupled to spur gears (not shown) 
which are disposed in a gear box 94. The spur gears reduce the rotational 
speed of the shaft of the motor 92 about twenty times by means well-known 
in the art. If desired, supports 95 can be attached to the bay 20 and 
juxtaposed with the gear box 94 to restrain the gear box 94 from motion. 
As can be appreciated in reference to FIG. 3A, the spur gears are coupled 
to a lead screw 96, preferably a lead screw made by Acme having a pitch of 
one millimeter (1 mm) and an outer diameter of four millimeters (4 mm). As 
shown, the lead screw 96 extends into a cavity 98 formed in the shuttle 
76, and the cavity 98 has a plurality of nut docks 98i to permit 
configuring the carriage 74 as appropriate for different sized bays. A nut 
100 is disposed in one of the nut docks 98i of the cavity 98 of the 
shuttle 76 and is threadably engaged with the lead screw 96. 
It may now be appreciated that with the combination of structure disclosed 
above, the motor 92 can be activated to move the carriage 74 within the 
bay 20. More particularly, the motor 92 can be activated to cause the lead 
screw 96 to rotate, and as the lead screw 96 rotates, the nut 100 rides on 
the lead screw 96 and thus moves translationally within the bay 20. 
Consequently, the shuttle 76 and, hence, clips 82, 84 also move 
translationally within the bay 20. As the skilled artisan will appreciate, 
by appropriately establishing the direction of rotation of the motor 92, 
the direction of translational motion of the carriage 74 within the bay 20 
can be established. 
FIGS. 1 and 3A show that two twin ramps 106 (FIGS. 1 and 3A), 108 (FIG. 3A 
only) are formed on the bottom plate 54 of the bay 20, and the ramps 106, 
108 are configured identical to each other. Taking as an example the ramp 
106 shown in FIG. 1, the ramp 106 is formed with a first ramp surface 106a 
that extends upwardly from the bottom plate 54 toward the rear of the bay 
20 to a home camming surface 106b, with the home camming surface 106b 
being parallel to the bottom plate 54 of the bay 20. Also, the ramp 106 
includes a second ramp surface 106c that extends upwardly from home 
camming surface 106b to an engaged camming surface 106d, with the engaged 
camming surface 106d being parallel to the bottom plate 54 of the bay 20. 
FIGS. 1 and 3A show that the present invention incorporates four limit 
switches or optical detectors. More particularly, FIGS. 1 and 3A show that 
a lever-type insert limit switch 110 is attached to the bottom plate 54, 
for instance by heat-staking. If desired, one or all of the limit 
switches, including the limit switch 110, can be replaced by respective 
optical detectors (only one optical detector "OD" shown in FIG. 3A for 
clarity). As more fully disclosed below, the sleeve 12 operates the insert 
limit switch 110. In response, the limit switch 110 generates an 
electrical signal. 
Additionally, FIG. 3A shows that a cherry-style engaged limit switch 111 is 
heat-staked to the bay 20, for operation to be disclosed shortly. 
Moreover, FIGS. 1 and 3A show that a lever-type release limit switch 114 
is attached to the bottom plate 54, for instance by heat-staking. As more 
fully disclosed below, the carriage 74 operates the release limit switch 
114. Still further, FIGS. 1 and 3A show that a lever-type home limit 
switch 118 is attached to the bottom plate 54, for instance by 
heat-staking, generally opposite the release limit switch 114. As more 
fully disclosed below, the carriage 74 operates the home limit switch 118. 
In the operation of the present invention, cross-reference is made to FIGS. 
1 and 3A-3C. FIG. 3A shows the carriage 74 in a home position, wherein the 
engagement abutments 82b, 84b of the clips 82, 84 are positioned above the 
home ramp surface 106b, 108b, respectively, of the ramps 106, 108. When 
the carriage 74 is in the home position, and it is desired to engage the 
disk drive 25 with the computer 14, the sleeve 12 (shown in phantom in 
FIGS. 3A-3C) with disk drive 25 is advanced through the opening 22 of the 
bay 20 until the sleeve 12 abuts the engagement abutments 82b, 84b of the 
clips 82, 84. Further slight urging of the sleeve 12 causes the sleeve 12 
to ride up the respective front inclines 82c, 84c of the engagement 
abutments 82b, 84b until the engagement abutments 82b, 84b of the clips 
82, 84 begin to engage the latch depressions 34, 36 (FIG. 2) of the sleeve 
12. 
When the sleeve 12 is in the home position shown in FIG. 3A, the sleeve 12 
abuts the insert limit switch 110 to cause the insert limit switch 110 to 
generate an electrical signal. In response to the signal from the insert 
limit switch 110, the motor 92 is activated to rotate the lead screw 92 
such that the carriage 74 with sleeve 12 moves rearwardly in the bay 20, 
i.e., toward the motor 92, to an engaged position shown in FIG. 3B. 
As the carriage moves rearwardly, the clips 82, 84 ride up the second ramp 
surfaces 106c, 108c of the ramps 106, 108 and onto the engaged camming 
surfaces 106d, 108d. The skilled artisan will recognize that as the clips 
ride up the second ramp surfaces 106c, 108c, the engagement abutments 82b, 
84b of the clips 82, 84 fully engage the latch depressions 34, 36 (FIG. 2) 
of the sleeve 12. 
When the carriage 74 with sleeve 12 reaches the engaged position shown in 
FIG. 3B, the left clip 82 abuts the engaged limit switch 111, causing the 
switch 111 to generate and electrical signal. As more fully disclosed 
below, the signal from the engaged limit switch 111 causes the motor 92 to 
stop, and power is applied to the hard drive 25. The sleeve 12 with disk 
drive 25 remains in the engaged position shown in FIG. 3B, with the memory 
media of the disk drive 25 in electrical communication with the computer 
14. 
As intended by the present invention, when the carriage 74 with sleeve 12 
is in the engaged position, the bay interface connector 42 of the sleeve 
12 is operatively engaged with an electrical bay connector 112 that is 
mounted on a daughter board 113 of the bay 20. As further intended by the 
present invention, the daughter board 113 is in turn electrically 
connected to a back plane board 115 (FIG. 1) which holds the electrical 
components discussed more fully below. 
Also, the electrical bay connector 112 (FIGS. 3A-3C) is connected to an 
external interface connector 112A (FIG. 1) which is also mounted on the 
daughter board 113 on the side of the daughter board 113 which is opposite 
the bay connector 112. In turn, the external interface connector 112A is 
connected via a ribbon connector cable (not shown) to the main data bus, 
e.g., the SCSI or IDE bus, as appropriate, of the computer 14. 
When it is desired to remove the sleeve 12 with disk drive 25 from the bay 
20, the operator of the present invention depresses a pushbutton 116 which 
is mounted on the front of the bay 20 (FIG. 1). The pushbutton 116 is 
associated with a Panasonic momentary contact switch for generating an 
eject signal when the pushbutton 116 is depressed. An indicator LED 117 is 
mounted on the bay 20 adjacent the pushbutton 116 for purposes to be 
disclosed shortly. 
When the pushbutton 116 is depressed, it generates an eject signal. Then, 
in one embodiment after the elapse of a predetermined time period to 
permit the disk drive 25 to spin down, the motor 92 rotates the lead screw 
96 to move the carriage 74 with sleeve 12 toward the remove position shown 
in FIG. 3C. In another embodiment, no predetermined time period need 
elapse before the motor 92 is activated. 
As the carriage 74 moves toward the remove position shown in FIG. 3C, the 
clips 82, 84 ride down the ramps 106, 108, until the engagement abutments 
82b, 84b are respectively positioned over the first ramp surface 106a, 
108a of the respective ramp 106, 108. In the remove position shown in FIG. 
3C, two operations occur. The first is that the engagement abutments 82b, 
84b are distanced from the latch depressions 34, 36 (FIG. 2) of the sleeve 
12, thereby causing the sleeve 12 to be released from the carriage 74. 
The second operation that occurs when the carriage 74 is in the remove 
position shown in FIG. 3C is that the extensions 78a, 80a of the 
respective left and right arms 78, 80 respectively contact, i.e., make, 
the remove limit switch 114 and home limit switch 118. When these switches 
114, 118 are made, they generate electrical signals in response. The 
presence of electrical signals from both of the switches 114, 118 causes 
the motor 92 to reverse direction, thereby moving the carriage 74 back 
toward the home position shown in FIG. 3A. The sleeve 12 with hard disk 
drive 25 can then be manually removed from the bay 20. 
As the carriage 74 starts to move back to the home position shown in FIG. 
3A, the extension 78a of the left arm 78 releases the remove limit switch 
114. Consequently, the remove limit switch 114 stops generating a signal. 
Owing to the marginally greater length of the extension 80a of the right 
arm 80 vis-a-vis the opposite extension 78a, however, the home limit 
switch 118 remains made, and, in accordance with the present invention, 
the motor 92 remains activated in the reverse direction when only the home 
limit switch 118 is made. 
When the carriage 74 reaches the home position shown in FIG. 3A, the 
extension 80a of the right arm 80 releases the home limit switch 118. The 
absence of a signal from both the remove limit switch 114 and home limit 
switch 118, causes the motor 92 to deactivate. 
FIG. 4 shows the electrical components of the present invention, which, the 
presently preferred embodiment, can be physically located on the back 
plane board 115 (FIG. 1), or some other convenient location within the bay 
20. As shown in FIG. 4, the electrical bay connector 112 (located on the 
daughter board 113, FIG. 1) is connected to a main data bus 120 of the 
computer 14. It is to be understood that while the data bus 120 can be any 
suitable bus, e.g., an IDE bus, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 it is a 
SCSI bus. 
In turn, access to the data bus 120 is controlled by a data bus controller 
122, physically located on the back plane board 115 (FIG. 1). The data bus 
controller 122 is any suitable bus control device having the appropriate 
terminal resistors and routing leads. The data bus controller 122 is also 
connected to a suitable standard LED controller 124, and the LED 
controller 124 in turn controls activation of the LED 117 by means 
well-known in the art. 
A motor controller 126 is connected to the data bus controller 122 for 
controlling activation of the motor 92. In the presently preferred 
embodiment, the motor controller 126 is a system made of various logic 
devices of the 74LS series which are coupled to output amplifying 
transistors by means well-known in the art. As shown in FIG. 4, the motor 
controller 126 receives the signals generated by the limit switches 110, 
111, 114, 118 for selectively activating the motor 92. 
FIG. 4 also shows that, if desired, the motor controller 126 can access a 
timer 128. The timer 128 can be any suitable computer timer. Further, a 
device identification switch 130 (FIGS. 1 and 4) can be provided for 
establishing a physical identification number for the device associated 
with the bay 20. For example, the switch can be a well-known manually set 
octel switch. 
FIG. 5 shows the logical steps of the present invention in ejecting the 
hard drive 25 from the bay 20. As shown at block 132, the pushbutton 116 
is initially depressed to generate an eject signal. The motor controller 
126 receives the signal from the pushbutton 116 and, at decision block 
133, determines whether the hard drive 25 is currently being accessed. If 
so, the motor controller 126 deactivates the hard drive 25 and, in one 
embodiment, waits a predetermined time period at block 134 after receipt 
of the signal. In another embodiment, the procedure at block 134 is not 
executed. 
Then, the controller 126 activates the motor 92 at block 136. Otherwise, 
the motor controller 126 immediately activates the motor 92 at block 136 
to eject the hard drive 25 from the bay 20. It is to be understood that 
the motor controller 126 can access the timer 128 at block 134. Thus, 
block 134 functions as a software timer. 
The skilled artisan will appreciate that by waiting a predetermined time 
period before ejecting the drive 25 when the drive 25 is in use, the motor 
controller 126 ensures that the hard drive 25 has properly "spun down" 
before ejection. Thereby, damage to the hard drive 25, which could 
otherwise occur if the sleeve 12 with drive 25 were ejected while the hard 
drive 25 was still rotating, is avoided. 
Thus, at block 136, the motor controller 126 activates the motor 92 to move 
the sleeve 12 with hard drive 25 toward the home position. When the sleeve 
12 reaches the home position shown in FIG. 3A, the flag 102 abuts the home 
limit switch 118 to cause the limit switch to generate an electrical 
signal, and at block 138 the motor controller 126 receives the signal. In 
response, the motor controller 126 moves to block 140 and deactivates the 
motor 92. The sleeve 12 with hard drive 25 can then be manually removed 
from the bay 20. 
During the steps described above, the LED controller 124 controls 
activation of the LED 117 (FIG. 1) as follows. When the bay 20 is empty, 
the LED 117 is constantly green. When the sleeve 12 with hard drive 25 is 
disposed in the bay 20 and operably engaged with the computer 14, the LED 
117 is constantly amber. When the eject button 116 has been depressed, 
during the wait period of block 134 of FIG. 5 described above, the LED 117 
alternately flashes amber, then green. When the hard drive 25 has 
experienced an error, the LED 117 is constantly red. 
Now referring to FIG. 6, an adaptor system is shown, generally designated 
200, for adpating a sleeve/hard drive combination 202 for use with a 
laptop computer 204. As shown, the system 200 includes an integrally 
molded lightweight plastic shoe 206 having an open front end 208, a closed 
back wall 210, and opposed sides 212, 214 extending therebetween. A shoe 
connector board 216 is attached to the back wall 210 by means well-known 
in the art, it being understood that the shoe connector board 216 is 
configured for mating with the pins of the sleeve/hard drive combination 
202. 
A round (for durability) cord 218 is electrically connected to the 
connector board 216 via a cord connector 220 (shown in phantom in FIG. 6) 
that mates with the shoe connector board 216. Also, the round cord 218 is 
attached to a PCMCIA card 222, preferably made by Greystone Technologies 
of California. In turn, the PCMCIA card 222 can be inserted into a PCMCIA 
receptacle 224 in the laptop computer 204. 
Per the present invention, the sleeve/hard drive combination 202 is 
slidably and snugly received in the shoe 206. The combination 202 can be 
advanced into the shoe 206 until the combination 202 mates with the shoe 
connector board 216, to thereby effect data communication between the hard 
drive combination 202 and the laptop computer 204. If necessary, 
appropriate power pins on the shoe connector board 216 can be jumpered to 
complement the power pin layout of the connector 220. 
Now referring to FIG. 7, a small, portable, external docking station, 
generally designated 300, is in all essential respects identical to the 
bay 20 shown in FIG. 1, with the following exceptions. The external 
docking station 300 does not fit inside of a PC; rather, it is connected 
via a cable 302 and parallel port connector 304 to a parallel printer port 
306 of a PC 308. Accordingly, a sleeve/hard drive combination 310 can be 
advanced into the external docking station 300, and the connector 304 
plugged into the parallel port 306, to effect data transfer between the PC 
308 and the hard drive combination 310. Thereby, a user can remove the 
hard drive combination 310 from, e.g., the internal bay 20 of the PC shown 
in FIG. 1, transport the hard drive combination 310 with small external 
docking station 300 to the locale of the PC 308 shown in FIG. 7, and 
immediately effect data transfer between the PC 308 and the hard drive 
combination 310, without requiring installation tools and without 
installing an internal bay such as the bay 20 shown in FIG. 1. It is to be 
understood that the backplane electrical components of the bay 20 shown in 
FIG. 1, including the board 113, are replaced by a suitable parallel port 
board, such as the board made by Shuttle Technologies of Fremont, Calif. 
and marketed under the name "Parallel Port Solution". It is to be further 
understood that the software driver that accompanies the parallel port 
board is loaded into the PC 308. 
Now referring to FIG. 8, a laptop computer 400 includes a data entry panel 
402 connected to a display panel 404 at a hinge joint 406. The data entry 
panel 402 is formed with an opening 408 into which a sleeve 410 that holds 
a computer hard disk drive can be advanced. The sleeve 410 can be 
substantially identical to the sleeve 12 shown in FIG. 1 or the sleeve 500 
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 below, or it can be thinner than, but configured 
substantially identically to, the other sleeves for fitting into a 
relatively thin opening 408. 
When the sleeve 410 is relatively thin for engaging the laptop computer 
400, and it is desired to remove the sleeve 410 from the laptop computer 
400 and engage the sleeve 410 with, e.g., the wider opening of the 
personal computer chassis 52 (FIG. 1), an insert 412 is provided. As can 
be appreciated in reference to FIG. 8, the insert 412 can be snapped onto 
the bottom of the sleeve 410 for configuring the sleeve 410 with insert 
412 for engaging the wider opening of a personal computer. In one 
preferred embodiment, the insert 412 includes plural feet 414 that are 
configured for engaging latch depressions (not shown in FIG. 8) on the 
bottom of the sleeve 410, it being understood that the latch depressions 
of the sleeve 410 can be substantially identical to the latch depressions 
34, 36 shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, a bottom surface 416 of the insert 
412 can be formed with structure similar or identical to the latch 
depressions of the present invention for engaging latch arms in a personal 
computer docking bay or chassis as described above in reference to FIGS. 
1-3. 
As shown in FIG. 8, a docking bay 418 is configured for fitting inside the 
opening 408 of the laptop computer 400. In one preferred embodiment, the 
docking bay 418 may include guide rails 420 that are substantially 
identical to the key surfaces 66 shown in FIG. 1, for engaging opposed 
side guide channels 422 in the sleeve 410 (only the left guide channel 
shown in FIG. 8). In accordance with the principles disclosed above, a bay 
connector 424 in the docking bay 418 engages a sleeve connector 426 on the 
sleeve 410 to establish data communication between a hard disk drive in 
the sleeve 410 and the processor of the laptop computer 400. If desired, a 
solenoid "S" can be provided to prevent removing the sleeve 410 with hard 
disk drive from the laptop computer 400 until a predetermined time period 
has elapsed to allow the disk drive to spin down, in accordance with 
principles set forth above. 
Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a preferred hard disk drive sleeve is 
shown, generally designated 500, for holding a conventional hard disk 
drive, such as a 2.5" hard disk drive 502. In understanding the 
cooperation of structure that characterizes the sleeve 500, certain 
features of the conventional hard disk drive 502 are disclosed herein. As 
shown best in FIG. 9, the hard disk drive 502 includes receptacle 
stanchions 504 that are formed with respective threaded receptacles 506. 
Also, the hard disk drives 502 includes connector pins 508, and a sleeve 
connector 510 is engaged with the pins 508 for in turn engaging a 
connector in a docking bay of a personal computer or laptop computer as 
disclosed previously. 
With the above disclosure in mind, the sleeve 500 includes a hollow molded 
plastic generally parallelepiped-shaped top cover 512 that defines a flat 
planar top surface 514 having preferably six countersunk holes 516 formed 
therein. An edge flange 518 bounds at least long side edges 520 of the 
planar surface 514, and as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 the edge flange 518 is 
oriented perpendicularly to the planar surface 514. 
Additionally, the cover 512 is formed with a top connector support 520 
along a front edge of the cover 512. Moreover, the cover 512 is formed 
with mating rails 522 extending from the top connector support rearwardly, 
for purposes to be shortly disclosed. 
FIGS. 9 and 10 show a generally parallelepiped-shaped, hollow molded 
plastic bottom base 524 that defines flat planar base surface 526. The 
base 524 includes a three-sided enclosure wall 528, with the fourth 
(front) side of the base 524 defining a bottom connector support 530. 
Opposed engagement channels 532, each of which defines a tortuous path and 
each of which is configured complementarily to a respective one of the 
mating rails 522, are formed on the bottom support 530. As the skilled 
artisan will appreciate, the mating rails 522 mate with respective 
engagement channels 532, with the sleeve connector 510 sandwiched between 
the connector supports 520, 530 of the cover and base 512, 524. 
As shown in FIG. 9, plural, preferably four, holder arms 534 are formed on 
the base 524 perpendicularly to the base surface 526. More specifically, 
two holder arms 534 are formed on a left segment 528L of the enclosure 
wall 528, and two holder arms 534 are formed opposite the arms 534 that 
are on the left segment 528L, i.e., two arms 534 are formed on a right 
segment 528R of the wall 528. 
Each holder arm 534 defines a respective top shank 536 that is 
perpendicular to the flat planar base surface 526 of the base 524 and that 
extends above the wall 528. As shown best in FIG. 10, each shank 536 
terminates in a respective curved top portion 538, and each holder arm 534 
further includes a respective flat abutment 540 that is contiguous to the 
curved top portion 538 and the shank 536. Each abutment surface 540 is 
perpendicular to its respective shank 536. 
In accordance with the present invention, the holder arms 534 are 
materially biased to a hold configuration shown in FIG. 10, wherein the 
holder arms 534 overlap the top surface of the hard disk drive 502 when 
the hard disk drive 502 is positioned in the bottom base 524 to hold the 
hard disk drive 502 in the bottom base 524. Moreover, the holder arms 534 
can be deformed to a receive configuration when the hard disk drive 502 is 
advanced into the bottom base 524. More particularly, the hard disk drive 
502 can be advanced into the base 524 while riding on the curved top 
portions 538 of the holder arms 534 to move the holder arms 534 toward a 
receive configuration, wherein the holder arms are pushed outwardly 
relative to the base 524. Then, the holder arms 534 return to the hold 
configuration when the hard disk drive 502 clears the curved top portions 
538, with the flat abutments 540 flush against the top surfaces of the 
stanchions 504 of the hard disk drive 502. 
Once the hard disk drive 502 is positioned in the base 524, the top cover 
512 is positioned over the hard disk drive 502 and base 524, and threaded 
fasteners 542 are advanced through the countersunk holes 516 in the cover 
514 and are engaged with the receptacles 506 of the disk drive 502. Also, 
as shown best in FIG. 9 two of the fasteners 542 engage respective opposed 
base receptacles 544 that are formed on the base 524 to thereby hold the 
cover 512 on the base 524. Owing to the countersunk holes 516, the heads 
of the fasteners 542 are flush with the top surface 514. Per the present 
invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 the holder arms 534 are arranged on 
the base 524 such that when the hard disk drive 502 is positioned in the 
base 524, a respective receptacle stanchion 504 of the hard disk drive 502 
is juxtaposed with a respective holder arm 534. 
It can readily be appreciated in reference to FIG. 10 that in the hold 
configuration with the top cover 512 attached to the base 524 by the 
fasteners 542, the edge 518 of the top cover 512 prevents the holder arms 
534 from moving to the receive configuration. In other words, as shown in 
FIG. 10 the holder arms 534 are trapped between the edge 518 and the disk 
drive 502. Thereby, the disk drive 502 is held securely in the sleeve 500. 
Stated still differently, the holder arms 534 cooperate with the cover 512 
to hold the hard disk drive 502 securely in the base 524 when the hard 
disk drive 502 is positioned in the base 524. 
Accordingly, when the cover 512 is engaged with the base 524, the disk 
drive 502 cannot inadvertently move in the sleeve 500. Rather, to move the 
disk drive 502, the cover 512 must be removed from the base 524, and the 
arms 534 held apart, i.e., manually pulled to the receive configuration. 
If desired, a foam rubber or plastic spacer layer 546 can be sandwiched 
between the disk drive 502 and the base 524 to support and cushion the 
disk drive 502, when the disk drive 502 is relatively thin. 
While the particular adaptor sleeve for portable hard disk drive as herein 
shown and described in detail is fully capable of achieving the 
above-stated objects, it is to be understood that it is merely exemplary, 
and that the present invention fully contemplates other particular 
embodiments, and that the scope of the present invention is to be limited 
by nothing other than the appended claims.