Abstract:
A mounting apparatus includes a first cage ( 10 ) and a second cage ( 20 ). The first cage includes a plurality of damping members ( 30 ). Each of the damping members has a rotatable portion ( 32 ). The rotatable portions are rotatable relative to the first cage about rotational axes thereof. The second cage is capable of sliding into the first cage in a sliding direction, and contacting with the rotatable portions of the damping members. The rotational axes of the rotatable portions of the damping members are generally perpendicular to the sliding direction of the second cage.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for a data storage device with a damping member. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     In a conventional server or computer system, a plurality of data storage devices is usually provided. When the data storage devices are at work, vibration is generated and may damage the data storage devices. In order to reduce the damage to the data storage devices, damping members are often provided. 
     For example, a bracket of a computer enclosure is used to receive the data storage devices, and includes a bottom wall, a first side wall, and a second side wall. The first side wall and the second side wall are perpendicular to the bottom wall. The second side wall is capable of resiliently deforming. A plurality of damping gaskets is disposed between the data storage devices and the walls, thereby absorbing the vibration generated in the data storage devices and reducing the risk of damage. Although the damping members absorb vibration, friction between the damping gaskets and the data storage device is so large that difficulties are caused when trying to slide the data storage devices into the bracket during installation. 
     What is needed, therefore, is a mounting apparatus providing damping members which allow convenient installation of data storage devices. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A mounting apparatus includes a first cage and a second cage. The first cage includes a plurality of damping members. Each of the damping members has a rotatable portion. The rotatable portions are rotatable relative to the first cage about rotational axes thereof. The second cage is capable of sliding into the first cage in a sliding direction, and contacting with the rotatable portions of the damping members. The rotational axes of the rotatable portions of the damping members are generally perpendicular to the sliding direction of the second cage. 
     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 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, together with a data storage device, the mounting apparatus including a first cage, a plurality of damping members, and a second cage; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of circled portion II of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of the damping member of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is an assembled view of the second cage and the data storage device; and 
         FIG. 5  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mounting apparatus is configured for securing a data storage device  40  therein. The data storage device  40  defines a plurality of securing holes  42  in opposite side walls thereof. The mounting apparatus includes a first cage  10 , a plurality of damping members  30 , and a second cage  20 . 
     The first cage  10  includes a bottom plate  11 , a top plate  13 , and two parallel side plates  14 ,  15 . The bottom plate  11  is parallel to the top plate  13 , and perpendicular to the side plates  14 ,  15 . Mounting flanges  112 ,  132 ,  142 ,  152  are perpendicularly bent out from front edges of the plates  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  respectively. The first cage  10  defines an entrance (not labeled) formed at a front end thereof and surrounded by the mounting flanges  112 ,  132 ,  142 ,  152 . Two mounting holes  144 ,  154  are respectively defined in the mounting flanges  142 ,  152 . Referring also to  FIG. 2 , a plurality of openings  16  is defined in each of the plates  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 . Two parallel securing pieces  18  are perpendicularly bent up from opposite edges of each opening  16  parallel to conjunctive edges between the top plate  13  and the side plates  14 ,  15 , or the bottom plate  11  and the side plates  14 ,  15 . A support portion  182  is formed on an outer surface of each securing piece  18 . A locking hole  184  is defined in each support portion  182  and extends through the corresponding securing piece  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , each of the damping members  30  is made of vibration absorbing material and includes a rotatable portion, such as a spherical portion  32 , and a shaft  34 . A diameter of each spherical  32  is not more than a distance between the opposite securing pieces  18  of each opening  16 . A through hole (not shown) is defined in the spherical portion  32  along a radial direction. The shaft  34  is capable of being inserted into and extending through the through hole of the spherical portion  32 . A slanted surface  342  is formed at an end of the shaft  34  for conveniently installing the shaft  34  into the through hole of the spherical portion  32  and the locking holes  184  of the securing pieces  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the second cage  20  includes a bottom wall  21 , a top wall  23 , and two parallel side walls  24 ,  25 . The bottom wall  21  is parallel to the top wall  23 , and perpendicular to the side walls  24 ,  25 . Positioning flanges  212 ,  232 ,  242 ,  252  are perpendicularly bent out from front edges of the walls  21 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25 . Two positioning holes  244 ,  254  are respectively defined in the positioning flanges  242 ,  252 . A plurality of locating slots  246 ,  256  is defined in the side walls  24 ,  25 . 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , before assembling the data storage device  40 , the spherical portions  32  of the damping members  30  are placed between the securing pieces  18  of each opening  16 . The through holes of the spherical portions  32  align with the locking holes  184  of the securing pieces  18 . The shafts  34  of the damping members  30  are inserted into the through holes and the locking holes  184 . The damping members  30  are thus installed on the first cage  10 . The shafts  34  on the plates  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15  are respectively parallel to the front edges of the plates  11 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 . The spherical portions  32  extend into the first cage  10  through the openings  16 . 
     The data storage device  40  is pushed into the second cage  20 . A plurality of fasteners, such as screws  50 , is inserted through the locating slots  246 ,  256 , and extends into the securing holes  42  of the data storage device  40 . The data storage device  40  is thereby secured into the second cage  20 . The second cage  20  together with the data storage device  40  is then pushed into the first cage  10  via the entrance thereof, along a direction generally perpendicular to the shafts  34  of the damping members  30 . The walls  21 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  of the second cage  20  touch the spherical portions  32  of the damping members  30 , and drive the spherical portions  32  to rotate about the shafts  34 . The positioning flanges  212 ,  232 ,  242 ,  252  of the second cage  20  abut on the mounting flanges  112 ,  132 ,  142 ,  152  of the first cage  10 . The positioning holes  244 ,  254  of the positioning flanges  242 ,  252  align with the mounting holes  144 ,  154  of the mounting flanges  14 ,  15 . A plurality of fasteners (not shown), such as screws, is screwed into the positioning holes  244 ,  254  and the mounting holes  144 ,  154 . The second cage  20  is thus installed into the first cage  10 . 
     In use, vibrations generated by the data storage device  40  are dampened and cannot be transferred to the second cage  20  since the second cage  20  contacts with the spherical portions  32  of the damping members  30  of the first cage  10 . 
     In addition, the second cage  20  is easily slid into the first cage  10 , due to the rotating action of the spherical portions  32 . Thus, installation of the second cage  20  together with the data storage device  40  into the first cage  10  is convenient. 
     Furthermore, the spherical portions  32  of the damping members  30  may be replaced by other rotatable portions such as cones, or cylinders. 
     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.