Abstract:
A data storage solution for a computer having a computer stand or a computer display having an opening therein, comprising an external data storage medium and structure to mount the external data storage medium to the rear of the computer stand or computer display.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to an external data storage solution that attaches to an all-in-one desktop computer or computer display. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Heretofore, typical external data storage solutions, such as hard drives, solid-state drives, redundant array of independent disks (RAID) and tape drives are housed in external enclosures that are designed to sit on a user&#39;s desktop. 
         [0003]    These external data storage solutions take up valuable space on the desktop and add to the clutter often on the desktop. What is needed is a data storage unit that does not take up any physical desk space, does not clutter the user workspace and employs a zero-footprint design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention is a data storage unit, such as a hard disk drive, solid-state drive, RAID or tape drive that attaches to a desktop computer or computer display in such a way that the device operates without the need to take up any physical space on the user&#39;s desktop. The device mounts to the stand of the computer or the computer display via a specialized mechanical connection resulting in a zero-footprint solution. 
         [0005]    The device consists of a data storage unit and specialized mounting hardware. The data storage unit encloses the storage medium and provides a data interface and power connection to the storage medium. Once the mounting hardware is in place, the data storage unit is attached to the all-in-one computer or computer display using a plurality of receptacles on the data storage unit that mate with a plurality of tabs on the mounting hardware. The data storage unit is then secured to the mounting hardware. The mounting hardware is designed to allow the data interface and power cords to pass through an opening in the computer stand or computer display. The data storage unit is thereby attached to the computer or computer display and is off of the user&#39;s desk. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a depiction of the prior art; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the data storage unit; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a perspective back view of the data storage unit; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b ,  6   c  and  6   d  are front and back views of the mounting hardware; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 7   a , and  7   b  are perspective views of the mounting hardware shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c  are exploded views of the mounting hardware shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , with the mounting hardware installed; and, 
           [0017]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the complete installation. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    The numerals in the drawings refer to the same parts or elements of the invention, throughout the different views and the specification. The drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, as emphasis is instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. The views essentially illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, and its essential parts or elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0019]    Referring now to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a depiction of the prior art in which there is a typical computer setup comprising an all-in-one-computer  10  on a computer stand  12  sitting on desktop  11 . There is a keyboard  14 , a mouse  16  and an external hard drive  18  with a connecting cable  20  to computer  10 . External hard drive  18  is simply sitting on the desktop  11 , taking up a lot of valuable desk space. 
         [0020]      FIGS. 2 through 11  describe a preferred embodiment of the invention. There is shown the same all-in-one computer  10  shown in  FIG. 1  with its display stand  12 . Also shown is a data storage unit  22  affixed to display stand  12  by mounting hardware  24 . On the back of computer  10  are a series of common ports  26 , such as data, ethernet, audio and video ports. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 4 and 5  show a detailed depiction of data storage unit  22 . Data storage unit  22  comprises an enclosure for the storage medium  32 . The enclosure comprises a top or front panel  28  and a bottom or back panel  30 . Front panel  28  has an on/off switch  27  and a lock slot  29 , which optionally enables data storage unit  22  to be secured to a desk, or other object, using a cable assembly that utilizes lock slot  29 , in order to prevent theft. 
         [0022]    Data storage unit  22  also comprises storage medium  32  and controller  34 . Storage medium  32  has a connection  37  for receiving connector  38  of controller  34 . Storage medium  32  and controller  34  are standard hard drive components. Other storage mediums may be used, such as those set forth in the Summary of the Invention. 
         [0023]    Controller  34  comprises mounting standoffs  35  for positioning controller  34 , a light pipe  36  which lights when the storage medium  32  is operating and a controller interface connector  38  which connects storage medium  32  to controller  34  by storage medium interface connector  37 . There is hardware  40  to secure storage medium  32  to front and back panels  28 - 30  using screws  42 , holes  39  in back panel  30 , sleeves  44  and locking washers  46 . 
         [0024]    Back panel  30  comprises a power port  48  and a data port  50 . Back panel  30  also comprises a pair of mounting receptacles  52 , the outside of which are shown in  FIG. 5  and the inside of which are shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0025]    Storage medium  32  may be a hard disk drive, a solid-state drive, a RAID, a tape drive, or other storage mediums which are commonly available. Storage medium  32  depicted in this embodiment is a 3.5 inch hard drive. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 6 ,  7  and  8  depict the mounting hardware for data storage unit  22 . The mounting hardware comprises a front locking disk  54  and a rear locking disk  56 . The front side of front locking disk  54  is denoted as  58  and the rear side of front locking disk  54  is denoted as  60 . 
         [0027]    The front side of rear locking disk  56  is denoted as  62  and the rear side of rear locking disk  56  is denoted as  64 . Both locking disks  54  and  56  have a hole  90  and  90 ′ through the center. 
         [0028]    Rear side  60  of locking disk  54  comprises protective pads  66  which aid in insuring a tight fit to stand  12  without scratching the finish of stand  12 . The front side of locking disk  56  is denoted as  62  and the rear side of locking disk  56  is denoted as  64 . There are also protective pads  68 , similar to pads  66 , to insure a tight fit to stand  12  without scratching the finish. 
         [0029]    Locking disk  56  has a cutout  70  designed to allow the power cable of the computer, and the power cable of the data storage unit, to pass through locking disk  56  and run down towards a power outlet. Locking disk  56  comprises mounting tabs  72  which are male connectors around which rotate female slots  52  of back panel  30 , thus mounting data storage unit  22  to stand  12  of computer  10 , taking data storage unit  22  off of its usual location on desktop  11 . Other types of connectors can be used to attach data storage unit  22  to the stand  12 , such as brackets but the mounting tabs and slots are preferred as they are easier to use and more secure. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b  and  8   c  depict the two portions of the mounting hardware, locking disks  54  and  56 , moving closer together around hole  80  in stand  12  (see  FIG. 9 ). Locking disk  54  has a pin  87  which is fits into a notch or cutout  89  in locking disk  56 . Pin  87  and notch  89  align the two locking disks  54  and  56 , in order to align screw holes  74  in locking disk  56  with receiving holes  76  to affix the two locking disks together.  FIG. 8   a  shows the two disks,  54  and  56  separated,  FIG. 8   b  shows the two disks almost together and  FIG. 8   c  shows the two disks locked together, with pin  87  fitted into notch  89 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 9 and 10  show that locking disks  54  and  56  are held together by screws  78  which pass through holes  74  in locking disk  56  and are affixed into receiving holes  76  in locking disk  54 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the mounting hardware system affixing data storage unit  22  to stand  12  of computer  10 . There is shown the data storage unit  22 , screws  78  which pass through holes  74  in locking disk  56 , pass through hole  80  and lock into receiving holes  76  in locking disk  54 , affixing locking disks  54 ,  56  to stand  12  so that they are ready to have data storage unit  22  affixed to locking disk  56  by rotating female slots  52  of back panel  30  onto mounting tabs  72  of locking disk  56 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 10  depicts the mounting hardware mounted onto stand  12 , ready for locking data storage unit  22  onto locking disk  56  of the mounting hardware. 
         [0034]      FIG. 11  is a side view showing computer  10 , stand  12  and data storage unit  22 . Data storage unit  22  is affixed to locking disk  56 . Data cable  82  attaches from the rear of computer  10  through holes  80 ,  90  and  90 ′ into the data cable receptacle in data storage unit  22 . Power cord  84  is the power cable which comes out of the rear of computer  10 , passes through the hole  80  in the stand  12  and the holes  90 ,  90 ′ through the center of locking disks  54  and  56 , down slot  70 , to an AC power outlet. Power cord  86  is the power to the data storage unit, which also requires electrical power, and that also passes down slot  70  to an AC power outlet. 
         [0035]    The embodiment depicted is an Apple iMac, however there are various other all-in-one computers and computer displays which have a similar structure where the data storage unit can be affixed using the described mounting hardware. Some examples are the Sony Vaio L Series all-in-one computers, the ASUS ET2203/2400 Series of all-in-one PCs and Apple&#39;s Cinema or Thunderbolt Display. The invention is compatible with any computer (PC or Mac) or display that has an opening in the stand or support which enable the mounting hardware system to be attached. Some of these have a rectangular, or other shaped openings, which allow the use of the same, or slightly modified (in the shape of the opening), mounting hardware system. 
         [0036]    The embodiment depicts the use of a USB interface, but the invention could use any type of interface, such as FireWire, SAS, SCSI, Fibre Channel, Thunderbolt, as well as other interfaces.