Abstract:
A mounting apparatus for a data storage device ( 50 ) includes a bracket ( 10 ) for receiving the data storage device therein, a sliding member ( 20 ) resiliently attached to the bracket via a spring ( 40 ), and a latch member ( 30 ) rotatably attached to the bracket for preventing disengagement of the sliding member from the bracket. The data storage device has at least a stud ( 54 ) protruding out of a sidewall thereof. The sliding member is movable between a first position in which the spring is at an original state and the sliding member locks the stud of the data storage device, and a second position in which the spring is at a depressed state and the sliding member unlocks the stud of the data storage device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Technical Field 
   The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for data storage devices. 
   2. General Background 
   Various data storage devices are installed in computers for communication and handling of data. Such devices include, for example, hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, and CD-ROM drives. 
   A conventional data storage device is directly attached to a computer enclosure with bolts. However, attachment with bolts is unduly complicated and time-consuming 
   Thus screwless mounting means for data storage devices are developed. For example, an anchoring apparatus for computer drives without using screws includes an anchor plate coupling on two struts located on an installation rack of the drives. The anchor plate pivotally and respectively engages with an actuating member on the left side and the right side through stub shafts. The anchor plate has anchor stubs corresponding to anchor holes of the installation rack. Each strut is coupled with a returning spring. The actuating member has a driving lever on an outer side and an inner side extended to form a driven end. The driving lever may be moved to a returning position thereby to replace and install the drive without disassembling screws. However, the structure of the anchoring apparatus is complicated. Furthermore, assembly and disassembly of the anchoring apparatus is cumbersome and time-consuming. 
   What is needed, therefore, is a mounting apparatus for data storage devices with simplified configuration of which assembly or disassembly is easy. 
   SUMMARY 
   A mounting apparatus for a data storage device includes a bracket for receiving the data storage device therein, a sliding member resiliently attached to the bracket via a spring, and a latch member rotatably attached to the bracket for preventing disengagement of the sliding member from the bracket. The data storage device has at least a stud protruding out of a sidewall thereof. The sliding member is movable between a first position in which the spring is at an original state and the sliding member locks the stud of the data storage device, and a second position in which the spring is at a depressed state and the sliding member unlocks the stud of the data storage device. 
   Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments with attached drawings, in which: 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus for data storage devices of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting apparatus including a bracket, a sliding member, a latch member, and a spring; 
       FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect; 
       FIG. 3  an assembled view of  FIG. 1 , showing the latch member in an unsecured position; 
       FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing the latch member in a secured position; and 
       FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the mounting apparatus of  FIG. 4  and a data storage device, showing the data storage device in a locked position and an unlocked position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mounting apparatus of an embodiment of the present invention includes a bracket  10 , a sliding member  20 , a latch member  30 , and a spring  40 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the bracket  10  includes a top panel  12 , a bottom panel  14  parallel to the top panel  12 , and a pair of parallel side panels  16 ,  18  perpendicularly connecting between the top panel  12  and the bottom panel  14 . A pair of front flanges  162 ,  182  is perpendicularly and outwardly extending from front edges of the side panels  16 ,  18  respectively. A plurality of sliding slots  164 ,  184  is defined in the side panels  16 ,  18  respectively along a direction parallel to the top panel  12 . A plurality of front entrances  166 ,  186  is respectively defined in the front flanges  162 ,  182  and communicating with the sliding slots  164 ,  184 . A pair of parallel protruding pieces  168  extends perpendicularly and outwardly from the side panel  16  and is located above a rear portion of a top sliding slot  164 . Each of the protruding pieces  168  has a pivot hole  1682  defined therein. A latch piece  170  behind the protruding pieces  168  extends perpendicularly from the side panel  16 . The latch piece  170  is perpendicular to the protruding pieces  168  and parallel to the front flange  162  of the side panel  16 . A notch  1702  is defined in the latch piece  170 . A support piece  172  extends perpendicularly from the side panel  16  above a rear portion of an intermediate sliding slot  164 . A cutout  1722  is defined in an outer end of the support piece  172 . A mounting piece  174  extends from the side panel  16  below a rear portion of a bottom sliding slot  164 . A mounting hole  1742  is defined in the mounting piece  174 . 
   The sliding member  20  includes a rectangular body panel  22  parallel to the side panels  16 ,  18  of the bracket  10 , and a top flange  23 , a bottom flange  24 , a pair of side flanges  25 ,  26  perpendicularly extending from four edges of the body panel  22  thereof towards the side panel  16  of the bracket  10 . A rectangular opening  222  is defined in the body panel  22  of the sliding member  20 . A resisting piece  2224  extends perpendicularly and inwardly from a top edge of the opening  222 . A column  2226  extends perpendicularly and downwardly from the resisting piece  2224  for attaching the spring  40  thereto. A height of the column  2226  is less than a length of the opening  222 . An operating tab  2228  extends perpendicularly and outwards from a bottom edge of the opening  222  of the body panel  22 . The sliding member  20  further includes a plurality of stops  224  extending from the side flange  25  thereof. Each of the stops  224  includes a slope  2242  extending aslant and upwards from a bottom edge of a gap  252  of the side panel  25 , and a vertical block piece  2244  extending downwards from a topmost edge of the slope  2242 . A top post  232  and a bottom post  242  extend from the top flange  23 , and the bottom flange  24  of the sliding member  20 , respectively. 
   The latch member  30  includes a base panel  32 , and a pair of pivot flanges  34  extending perpendicularly from upper and lower edges of the base panel  32  respectively. A pivot post  342  is formed on each of the pivot flanges  34 , corresponding to the pivot hole  1682  of the side panel  16  of the bracket  10 . An arc-shaped gap  344  is defined in each of the pivot flanges  34 . A protruding flange  322  is formed at a side edge of the base panel  32 . A hook  324  extends from the base panel  32  and is adjacent to the protruding flange  322 , corresponding to the notch  1702  of the latch piece  170  of the bracket  10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in assembly, the pivot posts  342  of the latch member  30  are engaged in the pivot holes  1682  of the protruding pieces  168  of the side panel  16  of the bracket  10  to pivotably mount the latch member  30  to the side panel  16  of the bracket  10 . 
   The bottom post  242  of the sliding member  20  is inserted in the mounting hole  1742  of the mounting piece  174  of the side panel  16  of the bracket  10 . The top post  232  of the sliding member  20  is located between the protruding pieces  168  and the latch piece  170  of the side panel  16  of the bracket  10 . The spring  40  is attached to the column  2226  of the sliding member  20 . An upper end of the spring  40  abuts against the resisting piece  2224  of the sliding member  20 . A free end of the spring  40  abuts against the support piece  172  of the side panel  16  of the bracket  10 . A lower end of the column  2226  is engaged in the cutout  1722  of the support piece  172  of the bracket  10 . The sliding member  20  is supported by a spring force of the spring  40 . The bottom flange  24  of the sliding member  20  does not reach the mounting piece  174  of the bracket  10  for allowing downward movement of the sliding member  20 . Then, the latch member  30  is rotated to a locked position where the hook  324  of the latch member  30  is engaged in the notch  1702  of the latch piece  170  of the bracket  10 , and the top post  232  of the sliding member  20  is engaged in the gaps  344  of pivot flanges  34  of the latch member  30 . Then, the sliding member  20  is attached to the side panel  16  of the bracket  10  at an original position in which the stops  224  of the latch member  20  align with the sliding slots  164  of the side panel  16  of the bracket  10  respectively. The spring  40  has an original length. 
   Referring also to  FIG. 5 , a data storage device  50  has a sidewall  52  with front and rear studs  54  protruding therefrom. In assembly of the data storage device  50 , the studs  54  are received in and slid along the upper sliding slot  164  of the bracket  10  from a front-to-back direction. The rear stud  54  of the data storage device  50  is slid on a slope  2242  of an upper stop  224  of the sliding member  20  from the gap  252  of the sliding member  20  until the rear stud  54  reaches the topmost edge of the slope  2242  to depress the sliding member  20  to a depressed position in which each of the stops  224  of the sliding member  20  is below the corresponding sliding slot  164  of the bracket  10 . The spring  40  has a depressed length at this time. Then, the rear stud  54  is slid to a rear end of the upper sliding slot  164  of the bracket  10 , no longer depressing the sliding member  20 . Thus, the spring  40  rebounds upwards to elevate the sliding member  20  to the original position. The rear stud  54  is blocked by the block piece  2244  of the upper stop  224  of the sliding member  20 . Thus, the data storage device  50  is fixed in the bracket  10 . 
   In disassembly of the data storage device  50 , the operating tab  2228  of the sliding member  20  is pressed downwards to move the sliding member  20  to the depressed position where the upper stop  224  of the sliding member  20  is below the upper sliding slot  164  of the bracket  10  to release the rear stud  54  of the data storage device  50 . Then the studs  54  are slid along the upper sliding slot  164  from a back-to-front direction, and the data storage device  50  is pulled out from the bracket  10 . 
   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.