Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
2002-03-17
2003-06-17
Martin, David (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S747000, C361S825000, C361S689000, C361S796000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06580617
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing rack for positioning a storage device on a housing of a computer, and more specifically, a detachable fixing rack for positioning a storage device on a housing of a computer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A computer usually has several storage devices such as a CD-ROM drive, a DVD-ROM drive, a floppy disc drive, a CD-ROM burner, a DVD-ROM burner, and a hard disc drive used to access data. To position a storage device inside the computer, a manufacturer positions the storage device within the fixing rack, and then the user attaches the fixing rack to the housing of the computer. This prevents the storage device from wobbling due to the rotation inertia.
Please refer to FIG.
1
.
FIG. 1
is an exploded view of a storage device and a fixing rack attached to a housing of a computer
100
according to the prior art. As shown in
FIG. 1
, the computer
100
comprises a housing
102
, a fixing rack
106
, and a storage device
108
. The fixing rack
106
and the storage device
108
are both disposed on an inner side
104
of the housing
102
. The housing
102
has two fixing openings
110
a
and
110
b
. The fixing rack
106
comprises a bottom plate
106
a
, and side plates
106
b
and
106
c
positioned at two sides of the bottom plate
106
a
vertically and parallel to each other. Therefore, the bottom plate
106
a
and the side plates
106
b
,
106
c
form a U-shaped structure which is concave upward. Furthermore, the bottom plate
106
a
has two openings
112
a
and
112
b
corresponding to the fixing openings
110
a
and
110
b
of the housing
102
. The side plates
106
b
and
106
c
also have openings
114
a
,
114
b
and
116
a
,
116
b
. Additionally, the storage device
108
comprises two parallel sides
108
a
and
108
b
that have threaded openings
118
a
,
118
b
and
120
a
,
120
b
corresponding to the openings
114
a
,
114
b
and
116
a
,
116
b
of the fixing rack
106
.
When a user wishes to position the storage device
108
inside the computer
100
, the fixing rack
106
must be first placed on the inner side
104
of the housing
102
, as shown by arrow
150
, so that the openings
112
a
,
112
b
are exactly lined up with the fixing openings
110
a
,
110
b
. Two screws (not shown) are then respectively inserted through the openings
112
a
and
112
b
and the openings
110
a
and
110
b
, attaching the fixing rack
106
to the housing
102
of the computer
100
.
Next, the storage device
108
is pushed inside the fixing rack
106
, in the direction of an arrow
160
, so that the fixing openings
118
a
,
118
b
,
120
a
, and
120
b
are lined up with the openings
114
a
,
114
b
,
116
a
, and
116
b
respectively. The user now screws four screws (not shown) through the openings
114
a
,
114
b
,
116
a
, and
116
b
into the threaded openings
118
a
,
118
b
,
120
a
, and
120
b
respectively, attaching the storage device
108
within the computer
100
via the fixing rack
106
.
Please notice that the user must employ a screwdriver or other auxiliary tool to install or detach the fixing rack
106
and the storage device
108
to or from the computer
100
. If the storage device
108
needs be replaced, the user must spend a lot of extra time screwing or unscrewing the screws to install or detach the fixing rack
106
or the storage device
108
. Therefore, it is very inconvenient for the user to install or detach the fixing rack
106
and the storage device
108
to or from the computer
100
.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
It is therefore a primary objective of the claimed invention to provide a fixing rack for positioning a storage device on a housing of a computer, which has an engaging element and a rotating element to secure the fixing rack detachably to the housing, reducing time and inconvenience while installing or detaching the storage device to or from the computer.
The claimed invention, briefly summarized, discloses a detachable fixing rack for positioning a storage device on a housing of a computer. The fixing rack includes a main body, an engaging element, and a rotating element. After the fixing rack is placed adjacent to a locating element of the housing, the rotating element can be used to lock the fixing rack on the housing. Additionally, when the rotating element is rotated in the opposite direction, the lock is released and the fixing rack can be separated from the housing.
It is an advantage of the claimed invention that the fixing rack has an engaging element and a rotating element, allowing a user to attach or remove the fixing rack to or from the housing when installing or removing the storage device inside or from the computer. This tool-less and screw-less design increases the convenience and reduces the time and know-how necessary to install or remove the storage device in or from the computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5481431 (1996-01-01), Siahpolo et al.
Bui Hung
Hsu Winston
Wistron Corporation
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