Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present disclosure relates to mounting apparatuses, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for a data storage device. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A data storage device is provided in a computer system for storing data. Conventionally, the data storage device is fixed to a bracket of the computer system with screws, which is very inconvenient when assembling or disassembling the data storage device. Therefore, there is room in the art for improvement. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a mounting apparatus and a data storage device in accordance with an embodiment. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is an assembled view of assembling the mounting apparatus and the data storage device of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional, cut away view of the assembly of the mounting apparatus and the data storage device of  FIG. 1 , taken along a line III-III. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3 , but shows an alternative embodiment of the assembly of the mounting apparatus and the data storage device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0010]    The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates a mounting apparatus for securing a data storage device  10 . The data storage device  10  may be, for example, a hard disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, or a floppy disk drive, or a solid state disk, etc. 
         [0012]    The data storage device  10  comprises a first sidewall  11  and a second sidewall  13  opposite to the first sidewall  11 . The first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13  are substantially parallel to each other. Two locking portions  111  protrude from each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13 . Each of the two locking portions  111  comprises a first outer surface  1111  and a guiding surface  1113  connected to the first outer surface  1111 . The first outer surface  1111  is substantially parallel to the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13 . The guiding surface  1113  is substantially arc-shaped. A thickness of each of the two locking portions  111  of each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13  is 0.575 mm. 
         [0013]    The mounting apparatus comprises a bracket  30 . The bracket  30  comprises a bottom plate  21 , a first side plate  33 , and a second side plate  35 . The first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35  extends upward from opposite edges of the bottom plate  31 . The first side plate and the second side plate  35  are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the bottom plate  31 . Each of the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35  defines two locking holes  331 , configured for receiving the two locking portions  111  of each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13 . The first side plate  33  comprises a second outer surface  333 , and the second side plate  35  comprises a second outer surface (not shown). A thickness of each of the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35  is 0.4 mm. 
         [0014]    In assembly, the data storage device  10  is located on top of the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35 , until the guiding surface  1113  of each of the two locking portions  111  abuts on a top edge of each of the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35 . The data storage device  10  is further moved down, and the guiding surface  1113  resiliently deform the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35  outward. If the two locking portions  111  of each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13  are aligned with the two locking holes  331 , the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35  rebound and engage the two locking portions  111  of each of the first sidewall  11  and the second sidewall  13  in the two locking holes  331  of each of the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). Therefore, the data storage device  10  is secured in the bracket  30  between the first side plate  33  and the second side plate  35 . A first distance between the second outer surface  333  of the first side plate  33  and the first outer surface  1111  of each of the two locking portions  111  engaged with the first side plate  33  is in a range from about 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. A second distance between the third outer surface (not labeled) of the second side plate  35  and the first outer surface  1111  of each of the two locking portions  111  engaged with the second side plate  35  is in a range from about 0.3 mm to 0.4 mm. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second outer surface  333  of the first side plate  33  and the first outer surface  1111  of each of the two locking portions  111  engaged with the first side plate  33  are arranged in a first plane, and the third outer surface of the second side plate  35  and the first outer surface  1111  of each of the two locking portions  111  engaged with the second side plate  35  are arranged in a second plane. 
         [0016]    When the data storage device  10  is removed from the bracket  30 , the first side plate  33  or the second side plate  35  is resiliently deformed, until the two locking portions  111  are disengaged from the two locking holes  331  of the first side plate  33  or the second side plate  35 . The data storage device  10  can be removed out of the bracket  30 . 
         [0017]    It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in the matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Technology Category: 3