Removable Disk Drive Support Patents (Class 361/679.37)
  • Patent number: 7636237
    Abstract: An intelligent locking device comprises a microprocessor, a locking element and a control button electrically connected to the microprocessor respectively. The locking element locks a removable HDD to a computer. The control button generates trigger signals in response to manual push thereon. When receiving the trigger signal, the microprocessor detects whether there is data transferring between the removable HDD and the computer, if there is data transferring, the microprocessor terminates data transferring and then sends a driving signal to the locking element; if not, the microprocessor directly sends a driving signal to the locking element. When receiving the driving signal, the locking element releases the lock between the removable HDD and the computer to permit the removable HDD to be safely ejected. Meanwhile, a removable HDD receiving system with the locking device and a method for preventing the removable HDD from being wrongly ejected from the receiving system are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2009
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: KwokChiu Cheung, ShuGuang Li, JianWei Zhu, Yi Wan, ChangLong Deng, ShengQiang Chen, Shuo Chen, XueYang Wang, Feng Chen, DongQiang Xie
  • Patent number: 7633748
    Abstract: A multiple drive array carrier apparatus and associated method is provided with a unitary two-row partition. The unitary two-row partition has a longitudinal end member. A plurality of first support members extend from the end member and support, in turn, a first set of coplanar engagement members. The first engagement members each define apertures configured for passing first fasteners therethrough to affix a first plurality of data storage devices to the first engagement members, defining a first row of data storage devices. A plurality of second support members also extend from the end member and define a second set of coplanar engagement members. Each of the second support members likewise define apertures configured for passing second fasteners therethrough in the same direction as the first fasteners to affix a second plurality of data storage devices to the second support members, defining a second row of data storage devices adjacent to and parallel with the first row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Grant Edward Carlson, Karl Heinz Cunha
  • Patent number: 7626811
    Abstract: A low profile disk drive unit includes a disk; a HSA cooperating with the disk; a base plate comprising a bottom portion for supporting the disk and the head stack assembly thereon and a base plate sidewall extending from circumference of the bottom portion; and a top cover comprising a top portion and a top cover sidewall extending from circumference of the top portion and assembled with the base plate; wherein the top cover sidewall is thinner than the base plate sidewall, and the base plate sidewall is lower than the disk with the bottom portion as a reference datum so as to define an airflow channel between a periphery of the disk and the top cover sidewall of the top cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.
    Inventors: Takehiro Kamigama, Masahiko Fujioka, YiuSing Ho, Yi Wan
  • Patent number: 7626812
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a removable hard-disk structure without screws at least comprising a housing, a first elastic arm, a second elastic arm and a removable component. The housing having a placing space is connected to an opening end to enable the hard disk be placed into the placing space, and a door plate is further installed at the opening end to avoid the hard disk departing from the housing. The first and the second elastic arms are installed at the top surface and two side surfaces respectively, and these elastic arms are cantilever type and extend a pressing end into the placing space, which holds and presses the hard disk, and the hard disk is correctly being placed into the placing space. The removable component has a connecting end which is connected into the placing space, as the hard disk is placed in the placing space, the removable component fits the hard disk, and thus the hard disk can be easily removed by applying force on the removable end of the removable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Sercomm Corporation
    Inventors: Cheng-Chung Chang, Shi-Jun Weng
  • Patent number: 7626813
    Abstract: A removable hard disk module is provided which is mainly applicable to a server system. The removable hard disk module includes a server rack and a hard disk removable enclosure which is detachable form the server rack. The server rack has at least one pair of accommodation slots with threads formed on an inner wall thereof. The hard disk removable enclosure defines a space to accommodate a hard disk and has a threaded engagement portion disposed therein corresponding to the threads. When the hard disk removable enclosure is inserted into the accommodation slots, the threaded engagement portion is contacted with the threads, and the hard disk removable enclosure is moved alone to the threads through the threaded engagement portion, thereby the hard disk removable enclosure is moved into and fixed within the accommodation slots of the server rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Acard Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Mao-Huai Weng, Tsun-San Wang
  • Patent number: 7623345
    Abstract: A fastening structure for fastening at least a storage component in a computer chassis includes a fixed support frame and at least a fastening apparatus. Additionally, the fastening structure can be utilized to perform a fastening or un-fastening operation with high speed on the storage components in the computer chassis without using any screws. Thus, the disclosed fastening structure can reduce cost of assembly and repair of the computer, and also can reduce time for assembly and repair of the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Ying-Hui Shih
  • Patent number: 7609511
    Abstract: An exemplary fixing apparatus is for mounting a hard disk drive (HDD) having a plurality of holes defined in sidewalls thereof. The fixing apparatus includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a bezel assembly. The first bracket includes a side plate, an end plate perpendicularly extending from one end of the side plate, and a pivoting portion formed at the other end of the side plate. The second bracket includes a side plate, an end plate perpendicularly extending from one end of the side plate to pivotably engage with the end plate of the first bracket, and an extension portion formed at the other end of the side plate. The bezel assembly is pivotably attached to the pivoting portion of the first bracket and detachably locked with the extension portion of the second bracket. The side plates include a plurality of fixing members to engage in the holes of the disk drive, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wen-Tang Peng, Mo-Ming Yu, Wei-Chao Huang
  • Patent number: 7599176
    Abstract: An apparatus for providing the visual indication of engagement of a drive received within a drive cage includes an indicator attached to a carrier mounted on a drive received within, a drive cage. The drive cage may be a redundant array of independent disks storage shelf and the drive may be a hard disc drive suitable for being received in the drive cage. Further, the indicator may be attached to at least one of the drive and the drive cage and provides visual indication of when the drive is properly seated in the drive cage. The indicator is at least one of a contrasting color, symbol, pattern, portrait and the like, to what it is attached to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Network Appliance, Inc.
    Inventor: Marc Moisson
  • Publication number: 20090231800
    Abstract: One embodiment has plural servers stacked in an enclosure. The servers have a front surface and at least two hard disk drives that are each hot-swappable and replaceable through an opening in the front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: John Franz, John Grady, Belgie McClelland
  • Patent number: 7583497
    Abstract: A drive loading system comprises a chassis adapted to receive at least one drive. The drive loading system also comprises a carrier adapted to support insertion of the drive into the chassis in a first direction. The carrier is further adapted to move the drive in a second direction different than the first direction to engage the drive with a socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: Arlen L. Roesner
  • Patent number: 7580253
    Abstract: A retaining member (50) is used for locking a drive (30) within a housing. The retaining member includes a drive, a housing and a pair of wire members (51) and a pair of latch members (53). The wire members are formed of resilient material and are attached to opposite sides of the drive. The latch member includes a securing portion (531) and a flexible locking portion (533). The locking portion extends from the securing portion and away from the drive. A locking tab (5331) is formed on the locking portion that engages the housing. Each wire member helps secure one securing portion to the drive with one end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Gang Su, Wan-Cheng Lin, Ling-Xin Zeng
  • Patent number: 7576978
    Abstract: A computer enclosure comprising a chassis (3) and a disk drive bracket (1). The chassis comprising a bottom panel (32), at least one protrusion (321) disposed on the bottom panel, the protrusion comprising a neck portion (323) and an expanded head portion (325), which having a top surface (327). The disk drive bracket comprising a bottom wall which has an interior surface (122), at least one recess (1 8) defined in the bottom wall, each recess having a fixing slot (121), each fixing slot comprising a narrow fixing aperture (125) and a wide entrance aperture (123). The head portion of the protrusion being embedded in the recess, the top surface (327) of the head portion being not higher than the interior surface of the bottom panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Lu Fan, Yu-Feng Hung, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7573705
    Abstract: A data storage system for removably storing information is disclosed. The data storage system includes a cartridge receptacle adapted to electrically and mechanically engage a removable data cartridge. The cartridge receptacle includes a second electrical connector and a conductive member. The second electrical connector is adapted to electrically engage a first electrical connector of the removable data cartridge. The conductive member is configured to engage a resistive portion of the removable data cartridge before the first and second electrical connectors engage. The conductive member is coupled to a ground of the cartridge receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: ProStor Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Christopher Alaimo, Alan Holstein, Randall A. Spalding, Michael H. Ulrich, Paul M. Williams
  • Patent number: 7570484
    Abstract: A system and apparatus are described for removably mounting one or more hard disk drives within a computer system. According to one embodiment, the system includes a disk drive carrier cage configured to receive a disk drive backplane and up to eight pair of disk drive carrier rails. The disk drive carrier cage is sized for insertion into a drive bay having the dimensions of two optical mass storage devices compatible with a 5.25 inch form factor. The system also includes a disk drive backplane for receiving up to eight hard disk drives, disk drive carriers for holding the hard disk drives, and disk drive carrier rails mountable within the disk drive carrier cage for slidably receiving the disk drive carriers. The disk drive carriers and disk drive carrier rails are translucent thereby permitting light emanating from the backplane to be viewed at the front of the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: American Megatrends, Inc.
    Inventor: Clas Gerhard Sivertsen
  • Patent number: 7567440
    Abstract: An apparatus securing a component in a receiver structure having an engagement structure includes: (a) An actuator coupled with the component for swinging movement along a first axis between a first position and a second position. (b) At least one engaging member coupled with the component and responding to the actuator moving to one position of the first and second position to move in a second axis substantially perpendicular with the first axis into an engaging position with the engagement structure. (c) At least one bias member coupled with the at least one engaging member. The at least one bias member urges the at least one engaging member from the engaging position. The actuator is fitted with the component to permit at least partial insertion of the actuator within the receiver structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Lineage Power Corporation
    Inventor: Hardy Huang
  • Patent number: 7561416
    Abstract: A storage device fixture includes first and second storage device bays for receiving first and second storage devices, the first and second storage device bays having first and second entrances, respectively. First and second ejector assemblies are at least partially linearly moveable within the first and second storage device bays, respectively, and first and second rotatable linkages also form part of the storage device fixture, the first rotatable linkage rotatable in a first rotational direction in engagement with the first ejector assembly, and the second rotatable linkage rotatable in a second rotational direction in engagement with the second ejector assembly. Finally, an actuator may move in engagement with at least one of the first and second rotatable linkages, causing the first and second rotatable linkages to rotate substantially simultaneously in the first and second rotational directions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mohammad Sarraf
  • Patent number: 7548418
    Abstract: A data storage cartridge includes housing, a hard drive, and a connection assembly. The hard drive is stored within the housing and includes a non-tape storage medium and an electrical data connector configured to provide access to the non-tape storage medium. The electrical data connector includes a first number of connection terminals. The connection assembly is positioned within the housing and is coupled with each of the connection terminals of the electrical data connector. The connection assembly includes a second number of electrical targets spaced from and in electrical communication with the electrical data connector wherein the first number is greater than the second number. The electrical targets provide an interface for externally accessing the storage medium via the connection assembly and the electrical data connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: Imation Corp.
    Inventors: Robert C. Martin, Gregory H. Johnson, G. Phillip Rambosek, Leo W. Spychalla
  • Patent number: 7518854
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a removable storage module for use in a module cage includes a latch mechanism including: a latch arm that is used to rotate the mechanism about an axis, and a top portion that includes at least one latch tooth and a paddle member, the latch tooth comprising a first surface that is adapted to abut a rear side of a first flange of the cage during insertion of the module and a second surface that is adapted to abut a second flange of the cage during removal of the module, the paddle member being adapted to abut a front side of the first flange during removal of the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Everett R. Salinas, Herbert J. Tanzer, Ralph M. Tusler
  • Publication number: 20090091884
    Abstract: Carriers for a data storage device. The carriers comprise a support member sized and shaped to receive and retain the data storage device. The carriers also comprise one or more projecting members configured to retain the data storage device in the support member. The projecting member extends from a portion of the carrier towards the data storage device. The projecting member is retained in position by a structure selected from the group consisting of a rail and a sidewall of the support member. The projecting member can comprises a pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Applicant: Jabil Circuit, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert I. Walker, Martin E. Elnicki, Barry E. Caldwell