Hard disk drive mounting system and method
First Claim
1. A system for installing a storage device on a computer, the storage device having a standard width and being available in a first and second thickness, the system comprising:
- a carrier having spaced-apart parallel arms configured to receive the storage device;
a first member disposed on one of said parallel arms;
a bay associated with the computer, said bay having a cavity suitable for receive the storage device, said cavity having a depth sufficient to accommodate the first and second storage device thicknesses; and
a second member formed in said bay, said second member engaging said first member when said carrier and the storage device are placed in said bay and slid along a first axis.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A generic mounting structure is provided between a hard disk drive (HDD) and a computer. The structure includes a plurality of nubs disposed on a brace that can be fitted onto a HDD. The nubs are preferably cylindrical members having an enlarged diameter head. The computer includes, either internally or externally, a bay having a boot interface that closely receives the nubs. The boot interface includes a tapered slotted recess that closely receives the enlarged diameter head of the nubs. In a preferred embodiment, at least two different computer platforms incorporate a substantially identical bay design. Likewise, a brace having nubs oriented in a manner complementary to the bay design is fitted onto at least two different HDDs. Because the HDDs and computer platforms have common mechanical connection by virtue of the brace and bay designs, the HDDs may be exchanged between these computer platforms. In a different embodiment of the present invention, the nubs may be formed directly onto the HDD itself.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A system for installing a storage device on a computer, the storage device having a standard width and being available in a first and second thickness, the system comprising:
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a carrier having spaced-apart parallel arms configured to receive the storage device;
a first member disposed on one of said parallel arms;
a bay associated with the computer, said bay having a cavity suitable for receive the storage device, said cavity having a depth sufficient to accommodate the first and second storage device thicknesses; and
a second member formed in said bay, said second member engaging said first member when said carrier and the storage device are placed in said bay and slid along a first axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 24)
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8. A mounting system for a computer, comprising:
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a first HDD having a first thickness;
a second HDD having a second thickness, said second thickness being greater than said first thickness;
a first member disposed said first HDD;
a second member disposed said second HDD;
a bay associated with the computer, said bay including a cavity having a depth sufficient to accommodate said second thickness of said second HDD; and
a third member formed in said bay, said third member engageable with said first member when said first HDD is docked into said bay, said third member also engageable with said second member when said second HDD is docked into said bay;
thereby said first and second HDDs being operably interchangeable in said bay.
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11. A system for mounting a storage device on a computer, comprising:
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a carrier affixed to the storage device;
a first computer model;
a second computer model, said first and second computer models having at least one dissimilar physical feature; and
a bay provided in said first and second computer models, said carrier being dockable in said bay. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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15. A method of exchanging a storage device between a first and second computer platform, comprising:
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affixing a first member on the storage device;
providing the first computer platform with a first housing;
providing the second computer platform with a second housing, the first and second housings having at least one dissimilar external physical dimension;
forming a first bay on the first computer platform, the first bay having a connector interface configured to mate with the storage device;
positioning a second member in the first bay at a first predetermined distance from the connector interface, the second member releasably engageable with the first member;
forming a second bay on the second computer platform, the second bay having a second connector interface configured to mate with the storage device; and
positioning a third member in the second bay at a second predetermined distance from the second connector interface, the third member engageable with the first member, the first and second predetermined distances being substantially identical.
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18. A computer system, comprising:
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a chassis having a bay;
a storage device; and
a carrier adapted to securely receive said storage device;
wherein said carrier docks into said bay when slid along a first axis.
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Specification