Double-action CD drive eject mechanism

• US 20030112597A1
• Filed: 12/18/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Smith, Kelly k.
• Granted Patent: US 6,654,239 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/685
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis

Abstract

The present invention provides a retaining system for an ejectable mass storage device in the housing of a computer server. The retaining system allows for the mass storage devices to be installed or removed without the use of tools. In a preferred embodiment, an ejection system capable of retaining and ejecting an ejectable mass storage device includes a lock member, an eject member, and a drive ejector. The mass storage device preferably includes a receiving zone adapted to receive a retractable tooth located on the lock member. The eject member preferably includes a body that contacts the drive ejector, which subsequently ejects the mass storage device.

Claims

1. A computer comprising:

a chassis having a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear panel all mounted on a base and forming a rectangular enclosure;

a system board attached to said chassis;

an ejectable mass storage device having a receiving zone adapted to receive a retractable tooth; and

an ejection system attached to said chassis comprising;

an ejection assembly; and

a drive ejector;

wherein said ejection assembly comprises a retractable tooth for engaging said mass storage device and said ejection assembly contacts drive ejector to eject said mass storage device.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein said ejection assembly comprises a lock member and an eject member.

3. The computer of claim 1 wherein the lock member and eject member are spring-loaded.

4. The computer of claim 1 wherein the mass storage device may be installed or removed without any tools.

5. An ejection assembly capable of retaining an ejectable mass storage device having a receiving zone adapted to receive a retractable tooth, the assembly comprising:

a lock member having a retractable tooth for engaging the receiving zone the mass storage device; and

an eject member.

6. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the lock member and eject member are spring-loaded.

7. The assembly of claim 5 wherein the mass storage device may be installed or removed without any tools.

8. An ejection system capable of retaining and ejecting an ejectable mass storage device having a receiving zone adapted to receive a retractable tooth, the system comprising:

a lock member having a retractable tooth for engaging the receiving zone the mass storage device; and

an eject member having a body that contacts a drive ejector; and

a drive ejector that ejects the mass storage device.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the lock member and eject member are spring-loaded.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the mass storage device may be installed or removed without any tools.

11. A computer comprising:

a chassis having a front panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, and a rear panel all mounted on a base and forming a rectangular enclosure;

a system board attached to said chassis;

an ejectable mass storage device; and

a means for engaging said mass storage device to said chassis.

12. The computer of claim 11 wherein said means comprises a lock member and an eject member.

13. The computer of claim 11 wherein the lock member and eject member are spring-loaded.

14. The computer of claim 11 further including a means for disengaging the mass storage device to the chassis.

15. The computer of claim 11 wherein said means comprises a drive ejector.

16. The computer of claim 14 wherein said means for engaging and said means for disengaging said mass storage device enables said mass storage device to be installed or removed without any tools.

17. A method for installing an ejectable mass storage device in a computer, the method comprising:

inserting the mass storage device in the computer on a receiving platform having an ejection system attached to the platform comprising an ejection assembly having a retractable tooth for engaging the mass storage device and a drive ejector.

18. A method for retaining an ejectable mass storage device in a computer, the method comprising:

inserting the mass storage device in the computer on a receiving platform having an ejection system attached to the platform comprising an ejection assembly having a retractable tooth for engaging the mass storage device and a drive ejector; and

engaging the tooth in the mass storage device.