Locking device

Details Locking device Locking device

2001-09-21

2002-10-01

Schuberg, Darren (Department: 2835)

Electricity: electrical systems and devices

Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...

For electronic systems and devices

C361S696000, C360S099010, C369S034010, C248S609000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06459572

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is related to a locking device, and more particularly to a locking device adapted to secure a retractable storing device in a frame of an electrical apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A storing device, e.g. a disk array system, applied in an electrical apparatus, e.g. a personal computer, generally possesses a function of hot swap. That is, during the running process of the personal computer, the personal computer doesn't need to be shut down if the user of the personal computer would like to replace the disk array system, e.g. a hard disk or a CDROM, with another one for some purposes. What the user merely have to do is to retract the disk array system through a locking device assembled therewith. Conventionally, the disk array system combined with a locking device is disposed in a frame of the personal computer for securing which with the personal computer.
Please refer to
FIG. 1
which is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a disk array system
11
combined with a conventional locking device
10
disposed in a frame
12
of a personal computer. The conventional locking device
10
includes a rotatable handle
101
and a key hole
102
. The disk array system
11
is secured in the frame
12
of a personal computer (not shown). To replace the disk array system
11
during the running process of the personal computer with another one, the user have to insert the key into the key hole
102
first to unlock the disk array system
11
. Thereafter, the disk array system
11
is retracted from the frame
12
by pulling the rotatable handle
101
out. Finally, another disk array system is then pushed into the frame
12
and secured therein by inserting the key into the key hole
102
to lock the disk array system
11
. However, the structure of the locking device
10
is very complicated. Particularly, if one of the elements for locking the disk array system
11
in the frame
12
malfunctions, a big trouble would be made. In addition, by forming a key hole
102
for locking the disk array system
11
in the frame
12
, the manufacturing cost is raised.
Please refer to
FIG. 2
which is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a disk array system
11
combined with another conventional locking device
13
disposed in a frame
12
of a personal computer. The conventional locking device
13
includes a rotatable handle
131
and a locking element
132
. The disk array system
11
is secured in the frame
12
of a personal computer (not shown). To replace the disk array system
11
during the running process of the personal computer with another one, the user have to push a locking member
1321
of the locking element
132
toward right first to unlock the disk array system
11
. Thereafter, the disk array system
11
is retracted from the frame
12
by pulling the rotatable handle
131
out. Finally, another disk array system is then pushed into the frame
12
and secured therein by pushing the locking member
1321
of the locking element
132
toward left to lock the disk array system
11
. Although the structure of the locking device
13
is not so complicated as that of
FIG. 1
, it is very easy for an infant or a child to arbitrarily retract the disk array system
11
by merely pushing the locking member
1321
of the locking element
132
. Predictably, arbitrary locking/unlocking of the disk array system would result in easy damage of the locking device
13
.
Accordingly, it is attempted by the present invention to overcome the drawbacks encountered in the prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a locking device of simple structure adapted to secure a retractable storing device in a frame of an electrical apparatus.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking device adapted to secure a retractable storing device in a frame of an electrical apparatus for preventing from arbitrary locking/unlocking of the storing device.
According to the present invention, a locking device adapted to secure a retractable storing device in a frame of an electrical apparatus is disclosed. The locking device includes a main body, an activating element assembled with the main body and having an activating button and a first engaging member thereon, and a handle pivotally connected to the main body and having a second engaging member for engaging with the first engaging member when the retractable storing device is secured in the frame, wherein the activating button, being invisibly disposed in a concavity of the main body, is used for disengaging the second engaging member from the first engaging member when the retractable storing device is retracted from the frame.
Preferably, the storing device is a disk array system of a personal computer.
Preferably, the disk array system is a hard disk.
Preferably, the disk array system is a CDROM.
Preferably, the main body is made of plastic.
Preferably, the main body is formed by injection molding.
Preferably, the activating element is made of plastic.
Preferably, the activating element is formed by injection molding.
Preferably, the handle is made of plastic.
Preferably, the handle is formed by injection molding.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6137679 (2000-10-01), Chang
patent: 6222727 (2001-04-01), Wu
patent: 6304440 (2001-10-01), Lin

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