Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus which readily allows securely installing or removing a data storage device to or from an electronic device. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    An electronic apparatus, such as a computer, or a server, usually includes data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives, digital video disc (DVD) drives, and floppy disk drives. These devices are typically added to increase the functionality of the electronic apparatus as desired by a user. However, the installation of such devices in the electronic apparatus is usually labor-intensive. 
         [0003]    The installation of a hard disk drive in a computer typically involves using screws to attach the hard disk drive to a bracket on a chassis of the computer. Usually, these screws are so small that it is difficult to install them. It is laborious and time-consuming to manipulate the screws. Additionally, because of their small size, the screws are easier to be dropped by an assembler into the computer. Some accidental damage may occur in the computer. 
         [0004]    To address the aforementioned problems, a plurality of mounting apparatuses is invented to reduce the number of needed screws. For example, a pair of detachable rails is attached to opposite sides of a data storage device with screws. The data storage device slides into and is secured to a drive bracket. However, the screws have to be removed to detach the rails from the data storage device before replacing the data storage device. 
         [0005]    What is desired, therefore, is a mounting apparatus which conveniently and securely holds a data storage device in a bracket. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one preferred embodiment, a mounting apparatus for holding a data storage device that defines a mounting hole in a side wall, includes a bracket for holding the data storage device therein, and an operating member movably attached to the sidewall of the bracket. The bracket includes a sidewall. A tab extends from the sidewall. A locking portion protrudes in from the tab near a free end of the tab for engaging in the mounting hole of the data storage device. The operating member includes an driving portion for engaging with the tab to retract the locking portion from the mounting hole of the data storage device. 
         [0007]    Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, together with a data storage device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1 , but viewed from another aspect; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1 , showing the mounting apparatus in a locked state; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an assembled view of  FIG. 1 , showing the mounting apparatus in an unlocked state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a mounting apparatus is provided for holding a data storage device  10 . The mounting apparatus includes a bracket  20 , and an operating member  30 . Two mounting holes  12  are defined in a side wall of the data storage device  10 . 
         [0013]    Referring also to  FIG. 2 , the bracket  20  includes a base wall  22 , a first sidewall  24  perpendicularly extending from a side of the base wall  22 , a second sidewall  21  perpendicularly extending from an opposite side of the base wall  22 , and an end wall  23  perpendicularly extending from an end of the base wall  22 . An L-shaped first retaining portion  29  extends out and up from a middle portion of the first sidewall  24 . Two L-shaped second retaining portions  28  respectively extend out and down from the first sidewall  24  at opposite sides of the first retaining portion  29 . A first tongue-shaped tab  25  and a second tongue-shaped tab  26  extend from opposite ends of the first sidewall  24  away from the end wall  23 . A first bending portion  252  slantingly extends out from a distal end of the first tongue-shaped tab  25 . A first locking portion  254  protrudes in from a bottom side of the first tongue-shaped tab  25  in the vicinity of the first bending portion  252 . A second bending portion  262  slantingly extends out from a distal end of the second tongue-shaped tab  26 . A second locking portion  264  protrudes in from a bottom side of the second tongue-shaped tab  26  in the vicinity of the second bending portion  262 . A blocking portion  27  extends from the first sidewall  24  at a root of the first tongue-shaped tab  25  toward the end wall  23 . 
         [0014]    The operating member  30  has a generally elongated body. A handle  32  protrudes out from the operating member  30 . Two first cutouts  36  are defined in a top side of the operating member  30  at opposite sides of the handle  32 . A second cutout  37  is defined in a bottom side of the operating member  30  between the first cutouts  36 . A third cutout  33  is defined in the bottom side of the operating member  30  in the vicinity of one end of the operating member  30 . A first driving portion  34  corresponding to the first tongue-shaped tab  25  extends from the operating member  30  into the third cutout  33 . The first driving portion  34  is a bridge-shaped cantilever and includes a first incline  342  at a free end thereof. A bridge-shaped second driving portion  35  extends from the other end of the operating member  30 . The second driving portion  35  is a bridge-shaped cantilever and includes a second incline  352  at a free end thereof. 
         [0015]    Referring also to  FIG. 3 , in assembly, the operating member  30  is placed in the vicinity of the first sidewall  24  of the bracket  20 , with the first and second cutouts  36 ,  37  thereof aligning with the corresponding second and first retaining portions  28 ,  29  respectively. The operating member  30  is pressed firmly against the first sidewall  24  and then moved toward the end wall  23  to be slidably received in and retained by the first and second retaining portions  29 ,  28  of the first sidewall  24 . During this time, the blocking portion  27  is first depressed then rebounds when the operating member  30  passes beyond it, thus trapping the operating member  30  within the first and second retaining portions  29 ,  28  and preventing accidental withdrawal of the operating member  30  when used. At this time, the operating member  30  is positioned just short of the first bending portion  252  and the second bending portion  262  in a locked position at which the first and second locking portion  254 ,  264  are located inside of the first sidewall  24  and are engagable into the mounting holes  12  of the data storage device  10  if the data storage device  10  is received in the bracket  20 . 
         [0016]    Referring also to  FIG. 4 , in preparation for assembling the data storage device  10  to the bracket  20 , the handle  32  of the operating member  30  is operated to move the operating member  30  toward the end wall  23  of the bracket  20 . The first incline  342  of the first driving portion  34  of the operating member  30  slides on an inner surface of the first bending portion  252  of the first tongue-shaped tab  25 , and the second incline  352  of the second driving portion  35  of the operating member  30  slides on an inner surface of the second bending portion  362  of the second tongue-shaped tab  36 . Then the first and second tongue-shaped tabs  25 ,  26  are deformed to remove the first and second locking portions  254 ,  264  out. In assembling the data storage device  10 , the data storage device  10  is put into the bracket  20  from an end opposite to the end wall  23  until the first and second locking portions  254 ,  264  aim at the side wall of the data storage device  10 . The operating member  30  is moved back to its original position, and the first and second tongue-shaped tabs  25 ,  26  rebound. The first and second locking members  254 ,  264  are resiliently depressed by the side wall of the data storage device  10 . The data storage device  10  is pushed further, the first and second locking members  254 ,  264  slide on the side wall of the data storage device  10  until the first and second locking members  254 ,  264  engage in the corresponding mounting holes  12  of the data storage device  10 . Thus, the data storage device  10  is mounted in the bracket  20 . 
         [0017]    To detach the data storage device  10  from the bracket  20 , the handle  32  of the operating member  30  is operated to move the operating member  30  toward the end wall  23  of the bracket  20 . The first incline  342  of the first driving portion  34  of the operating member  30  slides on an inner surface of the first bending portion  252  of the first tongue-shaped tab  25 , and the second incline  352  of the second driving portion  35  of the operating member  30  slides on an inner surface of the second bending portion  362  of the second tongue-shaped tab  36 . Then the first and second tongue-shaped tabs  25 ,  26  are deformed to retract the first and second locking portions  254 ,  264  from the corresponding mounting holes  12  of the data storage device  10 . Thus, the data storage device  10  is easily taken out from the bracket  20 . 
         [0018]    It is believed that the present embodiment and its 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 example hereinbefore described merely being a preferred or exemplary embodiment.

Technology Category: g