Abstract:
A mounting apparatus for securely fixing a plug to a socket. The socket includes two opposite sidewalls. The mounting apparatus includes a pair of securing means movably mounted to the corresponding sidewalls of the socket for clamping the plug.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and especially to a mounting apparatus for securely fixing a plug of a signal wire. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Nowadays, SATA hard disk drives (HDDs) are widely used in computers, and SATA plugs are also designed in motherboards of the computers for connecting to the SATA HDDs. However, the plug of the SATA HDD is easy to depart from the motherboard when the computer is moved. 
         [0005]    What is desired, therefore, is a mounting apparatus which securely fixes the plug of a signal wire to a socket. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    An exemplary mounting apparatus for securely fixing a plug to a socket. The socket includes two opposite sidewalls. The mounting apparatus includes a pair of securing means movably mounted to the corresponding sidewalls of the socket for clamping the plug. 
         [0007]    Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a mounting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention together with a signal wire and a socket; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a mounting apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention together with a signal wire and a socket; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a mounting apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention together with a signal wire and a socket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a mounting apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is provided for fixing a plug  10  to a socket  30 . The mounting apparatus includes a pair of opposite elastic generally C-shaped hooks  50  respectively fixed to the socket  30  for clamping the plug  10 , and the hooks  50  are an exemplary securing means according to this embodiment. 
         [0012]    The socket  30  includes a first sidewall  32  and a second sidewall  34  parallel to the first sidewall  32 . 
         [0013]    Each hook  50  includes a connecting portion  52  extending from the corresponding first sidewall  32  or the second sidewall  34 , a bending portion  54  slantingly extending from a free end of the connecting portion  52  and over an upper wall of the socket  30 , and a latching portion  56  extending from a free end of the bending portion  54  and parallel with the upper wall towards the opposite hook  50 . 
         [0014]    To use the mounting apparatus, the bending portions  54  of the hooks  50  are pulled outward to depart away from each other, and the plug  10  is inserted into the socket  30 . Then releasing the bending portion  54 , the bending portions  54  are restored, and respectively drive the latching portions  56  of the hooks  50  to clamp the plug  10  of the signal wire. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a mounting apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention is provided for fixing the plug  10  to the socket  30 . The mounting apparatus includes two hooks  50   a  for securing the plug  10 , and two elastic members, and the hooks  50   a  are the exemplary securing means according to this embodiment. In this embodiment each elastic member is a spring  70 . 
         [0016]    Two horizontally-spaced positioning blocks  320  each defining a through hole  322  therein respectively extend from the first sidewall  32  and the second sidewall  34 . 
         [0017]    Each hook  50   a  includes a generally L-shaped latching portion  56   a . The latching portion  56   a  includes a first section slantingly extending toward the opposite latching portion  56   a  and over the upper wall of the socket  30  and a second section. An operating portion  52   a  slanting downward from a end of the second section of the latching portion  56   a . Two shafts respectively extend from two sides of a joint between the latching portion  56   a  and the operating portion  52   a.    
         [0018]    To assemble the mounting apparatus, the shafts of each hook  50   a  are pivotably engaged in the through holes  322  of the corresponding positioning blocks  320 . One end of each spring  70  is fixed to the first sidewall  32  or the second sidewall  34 , and the other end of each spring  70  is fixed adjacent a turning portion of the latching portion  56   a  of corresponding hook  50   a.    
         [0019]    To use the mounting apparatus, the operating portions  52   a  of the hooks  50   a  are pressed to urge the latching portions  56   a  of the hooks  50   a  to move away from each other, and the springs  70  are respectively stretched out with the hooks  50   a . The plug  10  is inserted into the socket  30 , then the operating portions  52   a  are released, and the springs  70  are respectively restored to clamp the plug  10 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a mounting apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention is provided for fixing the plug to the socket  30 . The mounting apparatus includes two bolts  90  for securing the plug  10 , and the bolts  90  are the exemplary securing means according to this embodiment. 
         [0021]    The first sidewall  32  and the second sidewall  34  respectively define a fastener hole (not shown) therein. 
         [0022]    To use the mounting apparatus, the plug  10  is inserted into the socket  30 , and the two bolts  90  are respectively screwed in the fastener holes for resistingly engaging the plug  10 , thus the plug  10  is fixed in the socket  30 . 
         [0023]    It is believed that the present embodiments and theirs advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments.