Patent Publication Number: US-2007109738-A1

Title: Apparatus for Installation of a Device into a Device Cage

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The invention relates to an installation apparatus, and more particularly to a retention apparatus for installation of a device into a device cage.  
      As technology evolves, for a device to be installed into and removed from a cage in all kinds of products, the trend is toward more rapidness, steadiness, and convenience, so that the user can rapidly and conveniently install a device to a device cage and remove a device from a device cage.  
      Computer systems (such as personal computers and servers) use various kinds of devices, such as hard disk drive (HDD), floppy disk drive (FDD), and optical disk drive (ODD), and these devices are installed in device cages. Theses device cages are secured in the housing of in the computer system. After the devices are installed in the device cages, the bezel is installed on the housing to cover the front opening of the housing.  
      The afore-mentioned devices can be installed in the device cages in many ways: one is to use screws to directly fix the device to the device cage, but this method is time-consuming and not convenient either for installation or removal of the devices; the other is to use railing means to install the device into the device cage, and this method is convenient and laborsaving compared to the previous method.  
      In the conventional ways of installing the device into the device cage, after the device is installed in the cages of the housing, the user has to install the bezel on the housing; and if the user wants to remove the devices from the device cages, the bezel is also to be removed previously. The action of installing and removing the bezel results in extra workload.  
      Therefore, there is an urgent need for an apparatus for installation of a device into a device cage so that the device can be easily and conveniently installed in the device cage with low-cost and simple structure, and further the device can still be installed into and removed from the device cage of the housing without removing the bezel from the housing.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      An object of the present invention is to provide an installation apparatus, which can be conveniently install the device into and remove the device from the device cage without removing the bezel of the housing.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide an easy-to-use apparatus for installation of a device into a device cage.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a low-cost apparatus for installation of a device into a device cage.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an installation apparatus with simple structure.  
      A first general aspect of the present invention provides a retention apparatus for installation of a device into a device cage. The device cage has a front cage opening and a rear cage opening. The retention apparatus can comprise: an elongate main body adapted to be positioned on a side of the device; and a latching mechanism mounted on the elongate main body and located corresponding to a location substantially near the rear cage opening for releasably engaging with the device cage.  
      Preferably, the latching mechanism can be a first hole located corresponding to a location substantially near the rear cage opening of the device cage. The device cage can have an inner surface, and a first protrusion can be formed on the inner surface and located near the rear cage opening and corresponding to the first hole. The first protrusion can releasably engage with the first hole after the device in combination with the retention apparatus is installed into the device cage through the front cage opening.  
      Preferably, the elongate main body can have a first end; the first end can protrude from the rear cage opening of the device cage after the device in combination with the retention apparatus is installed into the device cage. The elongate main body can be made of resilient material. The resilient material can be stainless steel. The first end can be deformed toward a disengaging direction to allow the first protrusion disengages with the first hole. A user can bend the first end inwardly toward an axis from the front cage opening to the rear cage opening by one of the user&#39;s fingers. The user can move forward the device in combination with the retention apparatus by a force toward the front cage opening after the first protrusion disengages with the first hole, so that a part of the device in combination with the retention apparatus protrudes from the front cage opening. The user removes the device in combination with the retention apparatus from the front cage opening by exerting a drawing force on the part.  
      Preferably, the retention apparatus can further comprise at least one positioning mechanism adapted to position the retention apparatus on the side of the device. The at least one positioning mechanism can be a hook formed on the elongate main body. A second hole can be formed on an outer surface of the device and located corresponding to the hook. The hook can releasably engage with the second hole.  
      Preferably, the retention apparatus can further comprise a railing mechanism for guiding the device in combination with the retention apparatus into and away from the device cage. The device can be selected from a group comprising FDD, HDD, and ODD.  
      A second general aspect of the present invention provides a computer system, and the computer system comprises a device; a device cage for encasing the device (the device cage has a front cage opening and a rear cage opening); and a retention apparatus for installing the device into the device cage, the retention apparatus comprising an elongate main body for being positioned on a side of the device; and a latching mechanism mounted on the elongate main body and located corresponding to a location substantially near the rear cage opening for releasably engaging with the device cage.  
      Preferably, the latching mechanism can be a first hole located corresponding to a location substantially near the rear cage opening of the elongate main body. The device cage can have an inner surface. A first protrusion can be formed on the inner surface and located near the rear cage opening and corresponding to the first hole. The first protrusion can releasably engage with the first hole after the device in combination with the retention apparatus is installed into the device cage through the front cage opening.  
      Preferably, the elongate main body can have a first end; the first end can protrude from the rear-cage opening of the device cage after the device in combination with the retention apparatus is installed into the device cage. The elongate main body can be made of a resilient material. The first end can be deformed toward a disengaging direction to allow the first protrusion disengages with the first hole. A user can deform the first end inwardly toward an axis from the front cage opening to the rear cage opening by one of the user&#39;s fingers. The user can move forward the device in combination with the retention apparatus by a force toward the front cage opening after the first protrusion disengages with the first hole, so that a part of the device in combination with the retention apparatus protrudes from the front cage opening. The user can remove the device in combination with the retention apparatus from the front cage opening by exerting a drawing force on the part.  
      A third general aspect of the present invention provides a cage system, and the cage system can comprise: a device cage adapted to hold a device, the device cage comprising a front cage opening and a rear cage opening; and a retention apparatus adapted to install the device into the device cage, the retention apparatus comprising an elongate main body adapted to be positioned on a side of the device; and a latching mechanism mounted on the elongate main body and located corresponding to a location substantially near the rear cage opening for releasably engaging with the device cage.  
      Preferably, the latching mechanism can be a first hole located corresponding to a location substantially near the rear cage opening of the device cage. The device cage can have an inner surface. A first protrusion can be formed on the inner surface and located near the rear cage opening and corresponding to the first hole. The first protrusion can releasably engage with the first hole after the device in combination with the retention apparatus is installed into the device cage through the front cage opening.  
      Preferably, the elongate main body can have a first end. The first end can protrude from the rear cage opening of the device cage after the device in combination with the retention apparatus is installed into the device cage.  
      Preferably, the elongate main body can be made of a resilient material. The first end can be deformed toward a disengaging direction to allow the first protrusion disengages with the first hole. A user can bend the first end inwardly toward an axis from the front cage opening to the rear cage opening by one of the user&#39;s fingers.  
      Preferably, the user can move forward the device in combination with the retention apparatus by a force toward the front cage opening after the first protrusion disengages with the first hole, so that a part of the device in combination with the retention apparatus protrudes from the front cage opening. The user can remove the device in combination with the retention apparatus from the front cage opening by exerting a drawing force on the part.  
      The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  schematically shows a retention apparatus, a device, and a device cage according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  schematically shows a retention apparatus according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  schematically show how a device in combination with a retention apparatus is installed into a device cage according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  schematically show how a device in combination with an retention apparatus is removed from a device cage according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 5  schematically shows variable devices installed in a housing according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , it schematically shows an retention apparatus  104 , a device  108 , and a device cage  112  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The device  108  can be an electrical or an electronic device. Taking the electronic device for example, the electronic device can be a floppy disk drive (FDD), a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical disk drive (ODD), an tape drive, or other devices with device cages. The device cage  112  has a front cage opening  308  and a rear cage opening  312 . Please also refer to  FIG. 4A , a latching protrusion  304  is formed on the inner surface of the housing  112 . The device  108  can be a cuboid with a pair of rectangular sides  124 ,  128 , and there are holes  116 ,  120  formed on the side  124 .  
      Please refer to  FIG. 2 , which schematically shows a first side and a second side of a retention apparatus  104  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The retention apparatus  104  for installation of the device  108  into the device cage  112  includes an elongate main body  200 , which is made of a resilient material (can be stainless steel or other materials), and with a length of 135 mm, a width of 10 mm, and a thickness of 0.6 mm, and a latching mechanism  204  mounted on the elongate main body  200  and located substantially corresponding to a location near the rear cage opening  312 . The latching mechanism  204  is used for latching the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  in the device cage. In one preferred embodiment, the latching mechanism  204  is an engaging hole. It is noted that the engaging hole  204  is located on a location of the elongate main body  200 , and this location is substantially near the rear cage opening  312  and far away from the front the rear cage opening  308 .  
      The retention apparatus  104  further includes a positioning mechanism  208 ,  212  for positioning and fixing the retention apparatus  104  on the sides  124  of the device  108 . In one preferred embodiment, the positioning mechanism  208 ,  212  can respectively be a hook, which is respectively engaged with the hole  116 ,  120  of the device  108 . The retention apparatus  104  also includes a secondary positioning mechanism  216  for assisting in positioning and fixing the retention apparatus  104  on the device  108  while the hooks  208 ,  212  respectively engaging with the hole  116 ,  120 . In one preferred embodiment, the secondary positioning mechanism  216  can be a tab, which engages with the device  108  while the hooks  208 ,  212  respectively engaging with the hole  116 ,  120 .  
       FIGS. 3A and 3B  schematically show how a device  108  in combination with an retention apparatus  104  is installed into a device cage  112  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. As mentioned earlier, the latching protrusion  304  is formed on the inner surface of the device cage  112  ( FIG. 4A ). It is noted that the location of the latching protrusion  304  is corresponding to the location of the engaging hole  204  of the retention apparatus  104 , as shown in  FIG. 3A . After the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  is inserted into the device cage  112  (the inserting direction is indicated by an arrow  328 ), the engaging hole  204  and the latching protrusion  304  are engaged so that the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  is installed in the device cage  112 .  
       FIG. 3B  schematically shows a view after the device  108  in combination with an retention apparatus  104  is installed into a device cage  112  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elongate main body  200  of the retention apparatus  104  has a first end  220 ; and as shown in  FIG. 3B , after the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  is inserted and installed in the device cage  112 , the first end  220  protrudes from the rear cage opening  312  of the device cage  112 . Referring again to  FIG. 3A , on the other hand, on the inner surface of one side  324  of the device cage (corresponding to the side  124  of the device  108 ), a railing mechanism (not shown) is formed for smoothly guiding the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  into and away from the device cage  112 .  
      Please refer to  FIGS. 4A and 4B , which schematically show how a device  108  in combination with an retention apparatus  104  is removed from a device cage  112  according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention. As described before, the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  is securely installed in the device cage  112 , after the engaging hole  204  and the latching protrusion  304  are firmly engaged. As shown in  FIG. 4A , the user can use one finger to exert a force on the first end  220  (which protrudes from the rear cage opening  312  of the device cage  112  after the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  is inserted and installed in the device cage  112 ) so that the first end  220  is deformed toward a disengaging direction and thus the latching protrusion  304  disengages with the engaging hole  204 . The direction  404  of the exerting force on the first end  220  can be inwardly toward an axis from said the rear cage opening  312  to the front cage opening  308 . By the force of the direction  404 , the latching protrusion  304  disengages with the engaging hole  204 . After disengagement of the latching protrusion  304  and the engaging hole  204 , the user can then use one finger to exert a force to move the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104 . The direction  406  of the exerting force on the first end  220  can be toward the front cage opening  308 . After the user move the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  by a force of the direction  406 , a part  412  of the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  will protrude from the front cage opening  308  as shown in  FIG. 4B ). Therefore, the user can hold the part  412  protruding from the front cage opening  308  and remove the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  from the front cage opening  308  (the removing direction is indicated by arrow  408  in  FIG. 4B ).  
      It can be understood that the present invention provides many advantages: simpler structure, lower cost, and easier way of use. The user can only use one finger to bend the first end  220  of the elongate main body  200  (the rear opening of the housing is not sealed and a gap or an opening is reserved to allow the user to put his fingers therein, and the user can therefore bend the first end, which is located corresponding the rear cage opening  312 ). The engaging hole  204  and the latching protrusion  304  are then disengaged. Since the action of disengagement is done in the rear part of the housing corresponding to the rear cage opening  312 , after disengagement of the latching protrusion  304  and the engaging hole  204 , the user can use the same finger to exert a force of the direction  406  on the first end  220  to move forward the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  to allow the part  412  to protrude from the front cage opening  308 . Finally, the user hold the protruding part  412  and remove the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  from the front cage opening  308  with a drawing force of the direction  408 .  
       FIG. 5  schematically depicts a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein variable devices are installed in a housing  500 . There are several device cages in the housing  500 , and the device cages are used for encaging various devices. In  FIG. 5 , two kinds of devices are shown: hot swap hard disk drives  504  and optical disk drives  508  (the optical disk drives can alternatively be floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, or tapes drives). A bezel  512  is also shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, the bezel  512  is fixedly manufactured on the housing  500 , and the bezel  512  cannot be removed from the housing  500 .  
      A hot swap carrier handler  516  is usually used on the hot swap disk drive  504  for a hot swap operation, so that the user can directly exert a force on the handler  516  and thus the hard swap disk drive  504  can be removed from the cage or installed on the cage.  
      Compared to the hard swap disk drive, the optical disk drive is seldom removed from and installed on the cage after the optical disk drive has been installed on the cage, and the complicated and expensive hard swap carrier handler is seldom used on the optical disk drive (because there is no need for a hard swap operation). Therefore in the conventional technology, for removing the optical disk drive from the cage or installing the optical disk drive to the cage, the bezel has to be removed from the housing previously, which results in inconvenience and complicated and difficult installation.  
      On the contrary, the preferred embodiment in  FIG. 5  solves the above problems. The bezel  512  is fixedly manufactured on the housing  500 . The hot swap disk drive  504  uses the hot swap carrier handler to achieve the installation/remove purpose. The optical disk drive  508  is installed in the housing and without the need of removing the bezel  512  by the present invention. For the installing operation of the optical disk drive  508 , the user only inserts the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  into the front cage opening  308  and engaging them on the device cage  112 . For the removing operation of the optical disk drive  508 , the user only use one finger to bend the first end  220  (corresponding to the rear cage opening  312 ) of the retention apparatus  104  toward the direction  404 , and then use the same finger to move forward the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  toward the direction  406  to allow the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  to protrude from the front cage opening  308 , and then the user can hold the protruding part  412  of the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  and remove them from the front cage opening  308  with a drawing force of the direction  408 .  
      With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , because the latching mechanism  204  is located substantially corresponding to a location near the rear cage opening  312 , the unlatching and disengaging operation is achieved substantially near said rear cage opening  312 . After the user unlatches the latching protrusion  304  and the engaging hole  204  and moves forward the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  to allow the part  412  protrude from the front cage opening  308 , and then the device  108  in combination with the retention apparatus  104  is removed from the front cage opening  308 . It&#39;s apparent that there is no need to remove the bezel  512  from the housing  500  if the device  108  is to be installed in the device case  112  or removed from the device case  112 .  
      While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, the resilient material of the elongate main body is not limited to a stainless steel material, but can be other resilient materials, such as a plastic material; the installed devices are not limited to electrical/electronic devices, but can be all kinds of devices; the bezel can be fixedly manufactured on the housing or can be designed to be removable from the housing. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.