Quick-release mechanism for hard disk drive

Details Quick-release mechanism for hard disk drive Quick-release mechanism for hard disk drive

1999-07-28

2001-05-08

Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Miscellaneous

C361S689000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227516

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to hard disk drives and in particular to a quick-release mechanism for mounting a hard disk drive in a server hot-plug tray.
BACKGROUND ART
In operating computer systems, mounting trays are typically used to “hot plug” hard disk drives into the system. The mounting trays are slightly larger than the drives themselves, easier to handle, and provide some measure of electrostatic discharge protection. Unfortunately, prior art mounting trays also require mounting hardware such as screws to secure the disk drives on the trays. This configuration increases the assembly time during manufacturing, and the field repair time since there is additional mounting hardware to install or remove.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A mounting tray for a hard disk drive has a base, a front wall, and a pair of side walls. A pair of latching mechanisms are located in each side wall. Each latching mechanism has a slide and a spring-like fastener. The fasteners have an unlocked position where they are biased away from the tray, and a locked position where the slides capture them against the side walls. A tapered pin extends inward from each fastener. With the latching mechanisms in their unlocked positions, a drive is placed in the tray. The slides are then moved to the locked positions such that the pins on the fasteners engage holes in the drive. The pins secure the drive from movement relative to the tray to facilitate hot plugging.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5673180 (1997-09-01), Pernet
patent: 5682291 (1997-10-01), Jeffries et al.
patent: 5806949 (1998-09-01), Johnson
patent: 6025987 (2000-02-01), Allirot et al.
patent: 6067225 (2000-05-01), Reznikov et al.
patent: 6069789 (2000-05-01), Jung
patent: 6094342 (2000-07-01), Dague et al.

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