Supports: cabinet structure – For particular electrical device or component – Housing for computer or computer related equipment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-05
2001-05-08
Hansen, James O. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
For particular electrical device or component
Housing for computer or computer related equipment
C312S319100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227630
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to digital computers and particularly to the mounting of accessories in such computers and like systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventionally digital computers and particularly the class of digital computers referred to as personal computers (PC's) are supplied with mounting bays to accommodate accessories such as disc storage devices which may be added after initial installation of the computer. Typically the accessory is electrically connected to the system by a multi-way electrical connector and the mounting bay includes securing brackets to hold the accessory in place using nuts and bolts or other fasteners. Typically the mounting bay is located at the front of the machine and a bezel is provided to cover the front of the accessory to enhance the appearance of the installation and where required to provide access for discs or other media.
Such accessories when installed have normally become virtually permanent features of the computer, with very little need for subsequent removal. However for certain applications it is desirable that the accessory be readily removable and replaceable, for example where it is required to transport a hard disc drive to another installation or to remove it for security reasons. Existing accessory mountings are not well suited to such applications and it is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting which permits easy removal and replacement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention there is provided an accessory mounting for a digital computer or the like comprising an accessory tray for accommodating an accessory and adapted for insertion into a mounting bay of said computer along an insertion path against resilient means arranged to bias said tray out of said mounting bay when fully inserted and latching means adapted to hold said tray in said mounting bay against the bias of said resilient means and operable to release said accessory for ejection from said mounting bay by said bias.
In embodiments of the invention described below a bezel member is mounted on the tray for movement relative thereto in the direction of the insertion path and the latching means includes a track member carried by the bezel member and adapted to co-operate with a follower to cause the tray to be latched in a fully inserted position or to be released from such position in response to movement of the bezel member relative to the tray in the direction of insertion. Bias means are provided to bias the bezel member away from the tray with a force weaker than that exerted by the resilient means, whereby pressure applied to the bezel member causes movement thereof relative to the tray to effect latching of the tray when unlatched and release of the tray when latched.
In a first embodiment of the invention the tray carries a rear mounted ejection spring which provides the outward bias by bearing against the rear of the mounting bay when the accessory is pushed into place. The bezel member includes a pair of tracks substantially cardioid in shape, one moulded in each side thereof. The bottom of the track is stepped to ensure that a follower pin mounted on a flexible arm secured to the mounting bay proceeds around the track in one direction only.
In a second embodiment of the invention the tray is arranged to engage springs mounted on the rear of the mounting bay and the bezel is movable relative to the tray to cause a pair of latches one on each side of the tray to be lowered and raised, co-operating with pins secured to the accessory housing respectively to retain and release the accessory. In this embodiment a track element located centrally of the bezel provides the raising and lowering movement of the latches by cam action on a follower mounted on an axle which carries the latches.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5332306 (1994-07-01), Babb et al.
patent: 5340340 (1994-08-01), Hastings et al.
patent: 5549375 (1996-08-01), Pagliaccio
patent: 5563767 (1996-10-01), Chen
patent: 5586003 (1996-12-01), Schmitt et al.
patent: 5588728 (1996-12-01), Eldridge et al.
patent: 5765933 (1998-06-01), Paul et al.
patent: 5797667 (1998-08-01), Wu
patent: 5975735 (1999-11-01), Schmitt
Brown Fraser
Denny Ian McFarlane
Smith Peter Andrew
Wright Gavin
Hansen James O.
International Business Machines - Corporation
Martin Robert B.
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