Device bay retention mechanism

Details Device bay retention mechanism Device bay retention mechanism

1998-12-29

2001-06-26

Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06252765

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for retaining a computer peripheral device within a computer chassis. More specifically, the invention provides for retaining a peripheral device within a computer chassis such that the device may be easily installed within the computer and easily removed and replaced with another peripheral device.
Currently, peripheral devices, e.g., hard disk drives, modems, network adapters, and CD drives, are installed and mounted within a computer chassis by utilizing hardware, such as screws, to secure the device to the chassis. As can be seen in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, peripheral device
1010
, which could be a floppy disk drive, and device
1020
, which could be a CD-ROM drive, are fixedly secured within a traditional computer tower. Peripheral device
1020
is secured to a traditional peripheral bay
1030
by utilizing mounting hardware
1032
, such as screws. Peripheral device
1010
is also secured within computer
1000
by using screw-type hardware.
Whereas current mounting methods securely mount peripheral devices within a computer, they do not allow an installer to easily remove a peripheral device and replace it with another peripheral device. Currently, the installer must open the computer chassis to gain access to the mounting hardware. This requirement to open the chassis to install/remove a peripheral device does not allow for easy change-out of devices. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide for an improved apparatus and method for retaining a peripheral device within a computer chassis.
Device Bay Interface Specification, Revision 0.85 dated Feb. 6, 1998, is an industry specification that defines peripheral device form factors for easily adding and upgrading computer peripheral devices without requiring opening of the computer chassis. However, the specification does not define specific designs for a retention mechanism to meet the form factors defined in the specification. The present invention provides a retention mechanism for retaining a peripheral device within a computer chassis in view of the Device Bay specification.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a computer peripheral device retention apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a frame, a control arm slidably coupled to the frame, and first and second locking arms operably coupled to the control arm. A release button is received within the frame and is in operable association with the control arm. A release trigger arm is pivotally attached to the frame and a control arm latch is connected to the control arm at a first end and is releasably coupled to the release trigger arm at a second end. An ejection mechanism is attached to a rear end of the frame. A backplane printed circuit board is also attached to the rear end of the frame and an electrical control system is coupled to the backplane printed circuit board. A solenoid assembly is coupled to the electrical control system and is releasably coupled to the control arm.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5757616 (1998-05-01), May et al.
Compaq, Intel, Microsoft, “Device Bay Interface Specification,” Revision 0.85, (Feb. 6, 1998).

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Device bay retention mechanism does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Device bay retention mechanism, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device bay retention mechanism will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2542788