Hard Disk Drive Carrier Latch Apparatus
First Claim
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1. A hard disk drive carrier, comprising:
- a case adapted to be secured to a proximal end of a hard disk drive housing;
a handle pivotally secured to the case intermediate a first end and a second end;
a lateral follower pivotally secured to the case by a pin and slot coupling and operatively coupled to the handle by a pin and slot coupling, wherein each pin and slot coupling includes a slot slidably receiving a pin; and
a spring laterally biasing the follower towards a slot of the hard disk drive housing;
wherein pivotal movement of the handle from an open position to a closed position deploys a latch key on the follower beyond a lateral edge of the case and into the slot of the hard disk drive housing and then draws the latch key in a proximal direction, and wherein pivotal movement of the handle from a closed position to an open position moves the latch key in a distal direction and then retracts the latch key from the slot of the hard disk drive housing and within a lateral edge of the case.
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Abstract
A hard disk drive carrier having a latch apparatus to facilitate leveraged insertion of a hard disk drive into a receiving drive bay to an interfaced position, securing of the hard disk drive carrier in the drive bay when the hard disk drive secured to the carrier interfaces with a host computer, leveraged dislodgement of the hard disk drive from its interfaced position for removal of the hard disk drive from the drive bay, and proper positioning of the latch apparatus upon insertion of the hard disk drive carrier to ensure proper engagement of the latch apparatus with the drive bay for leveraged insertion and removal.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A hard disk drive carrier, comprising:
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a case adapted to be secured to a proximal end of a hard disk drive housing; a handle pivotally secured to the case intermediate a first end and a second end; a lateral follower pivotally secured to the case by a pin and slot coupling and operatively coupled to the handle by a pin and slot coupling, wherein each pin and slot coupling includes a slot slidably receiving a pin; and a spring laterally biasing the follower towards a slot of the hard disk drive housing; wherein pivotal movement of the handle from an open position to a closed position deploys a latch key on the follower beyond a lateral edge of the case and into the slot of the hard disk drive housing and then draws the latch key in a proximal direction, and wherein pivotal movement of the handle from a closed position to an open position moves the latch key in a distal direction and then retracts the latch key from the slot of the hard disk drive housing and within a lateral edge of the case. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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2. (canceled)
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5. (canceled)
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10. (canceled)
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20. A method comprising:
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securing a hard disk drive to a hard disk drive carrier; inserting the hard disk drive carrier into a drive bay between a pair of opposing channels, wherein at least one of the opposing channels has a slot near a proximal end; aligning a latch key on one side of the carrier with the slot by continuing insertion of the hard disk drive carrier until a stop key on the opposing side of the carrier limits further insertion; pivoting a handle that is pivotally secured to the carrier to simultaneously laterally retract the stop key and laterally deploy the latch key into the slot; and continuing to pivot the handle towards a closed position to impart a docking force to the hard disk drive carrier and displace the hard disk drive until a plug on the hard disk drive has interfaced with a mating plug secured relative to the drive bay. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification