Fastening device for computer read/write or storage device

A positioning device for a computer read/write or storage device is provided. The positioning device allows the computer read/write or storage device (such as an optical disk drive, a hard disk drive, or a magnetic disk drive) to be readily installed in a computer chassis and rapidly detached therefrom for replacement without using screws.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved fastening device for a computer read/write or storage device (such as an optical disk drive, a hard disk drive, or a magnetic disk drive), wherein the a fastening device is installed at an appropriate location on a read/write or storage device installation frame of a computer chassis so that the computer read/write or storage device can be speedily assembled to the installation frame and rapidly detached therefrom for replacement.

2. Description of Related Art

Referring toFIG. 1, a typical computer chassis50mainly contains, among other components, a motherboard, a power supply, a sound card, a display card, and various read/write or storage devices70(such as an optical disk drive, a DVD player, a hard disk drive, or a magnetic disk drive). The read/write or storage devices70are installed on an installation frame60, respectively, and secured in position thereto with screws71.

However, it is an onerous and time-consuming operation to fasten the read/write or storage devices70to the installation frame60with the screws71. Besides, while the read/write or storage devices70are being secured with the screws71, the screws71often drop unexpectedly and cannot be found. It is very likely that the dropped screws71are stuck somewhere in the motherboard so as to short-circuit or even damage the computer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the fact that the aforementioned shortcomings of the prior art require immediate remedy, the inventor of the present invention, based on years of experience in the relevant industry, took pains in contemplating ways of improvement and finally succeeded in developing a fastening device with an improved structure which enables rapid installation and rapid detachment/replacement of various read/write or storage devices.

The present invention provides an improved fastening device for a computer read/write or storage device (such as an optical disk drive, a hard disk drive, or a magnetic disk drive), wherein the fastening device allows the computer read/write or storage device to be readily installed in a computer chassis and rapidly detached therefrom for replacement without using screws.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Please refer toFIG. 2for an exploded perspective view of a fastening device10according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the fastening device10comprises a pressing plate100, a locking knob30, and a threaded-post plug40.

The pressing plate100is bilaterally provided with pins101and centrally provided with an axial hole102. As shown more clearly inFIG. 3, the axial hole102has an upper rim extended with an inclined projection102a. In addition, the pins101bilaterally provided on the pressing plate100are equipped with springs20, respectively.

The locking knob30has a knob portion301whose bottom surface is extended centrally with a nut302. A pushing block303is protrudingly provided between the bottom surface of the knob portion301and the nut302.

The threaded-post plug40comprises a plug base401centrally and protrudingly provided with a threaded post402. The plug base401is provided with a pair of oppositely positioned resilient hooks401band a pair of oppositely positioned projecting blocks401a. In addition, referring toFIG. 4, a read/write or storage device installation frame60has a side panel protrudingly provided with at least a fastening hole602and two through holes603formed by a stamping process. The fastening hole602is further formed with engaging recesses602a. The threaded-post plug40is pressed and inserted into the fastening hole602so that the resilient hooks401bof the plug seat401are biased inward. When the threaded-post plug40is in place, the two resilient hooks401bspring back and resume their original positions so as to engage with a rim of the fastening hole602. Meanwhile, the two projecting blocks401aare inserted into the engaging recess602a, respectively, thus securing the threaded-post plug40in position to the fastening hole602.

As shown inFIG. 4, the fastening holes602of the side panel of the read/write or storage device installation frame60are coupled with a plurality of the threaded-post plugs40, respectively. Then, the threaded post402of each of the threaded-post plugs40is inserted into the axial hole102centrally provided on a corresponding said pressing plate100, as shown inFIG. 5, so that the pins101bilaterally provided on the pressing plate100and equipped respectively with the springs20are inserted into corresponding said through holes603of the side panel. Afterward, each said threaded post402is fastened with the nut302of a corresponding said locking knob30.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 7, when the locking knob30is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise by the knob portion301, the projecting block303of the knob portion301is pressed against by the inclined projection102aof the axial hole102of the pressing plate100. Thus, an angular range of the clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the locking knob30is restricted (to less than a full circle) to prevent the locking knob30from getting loose and allow the locking knob30to drive the pressing plate100and its pins101to move forward or backward, whereby a read/write or storage device70is rapidly fastened in place or rapidly detached.

FIG. 8is a schematic perspective view of a plurality of the read/write or storage devices70fastened in place by the fastening devices10according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the read/write or storage devices70are first inserted into the read/write or storage device installation frame60. Then, referring also toFIGS. 6 and 9, the knob portion301of the locking knob30of each said fastening device10is rotated so as to push the corresponding pressing plate100and its pins101to move forward. As a result, the pins101are inserted into threaded holes70aof each said read/write or storage device70to secure each said read/write or storage device70in position.

Further, as shown inFIGS. 7,8, and10, when it is desired to detach any of the read/write or storage devices70, the knob portion301of a corresponding said locking knob30is rotated in an opposite direction so as to move the locking knob30backward. Thus, the corresponding pressing plate100along with its pins101are pushed backward by the restoring force of the springs20, so that the pins101are disengaged from the threaded holes70aof the read/write or storage device70, allowing the read/write or storage device70to be removed successfully.

It can be known from the above description that the structure of the present invention is capable of achieving the intended effects. Besides, the disclosed fastening device has not been put to public use. Therefore, the present invention meets the requirements of utility and novelty for patent application, and an application for patent for the present invention is hereby lawfully filed for examination.

It should be noted that the present invention is herein described by reference to a preferred embodiment. Any changes which are based on the concepts of the present invention and whose functions and effects do not depart from the spirit of the present invention as disclosed in the specification and the accompanying drawings should be encompassed by the appended claims.