Mounting arrangement for mounting either of two differently-sized subsystem units

• US 5,921,644 A
• Filed: 09/18/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/03/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Astier, Christian, Brunel, Alain, Bonfort, Yves
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANSEN, JAMES ORVILLE
• Application Number:
  US08/933,237
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.2, 312/223.1, 312/257.1, 361/725, 361/724, 361/685, 361/683, 361/829
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis

Abstract

Hard disc drives for desktop computers are standardly available in two different sizes. A mounting tray is provided enabling the mounting of either size of unit in the same space without the need for different mounting pieces. The mounting tray includes two stepped side members provided with studs for engaging side fixing holes in the drive units. The positioning of the studs is such that the volumes occupied by the mounted units overlap to a large extent. The side members are joined by a flexible member that allows the side members to be flexed out of a normal oppositely-facing configuration for engagement about either of the drive units.

Claims

1. A mounting arrangement for mounting at different times either of two differently-sized subsystem units in a common volume, said mounting arrangement comprasing:

a first subsystem unit;

a second subsystem unit that is larger than said first subsystem unit;

two mounting members for engaging respective opposite sides of a subsystem unit, each mounting member having first engagement means for engaging said second subsystem unit and second engagememt means for engaging said first subsystem unit, at least one said mounting member being formed by a first wall element and a second wall element, separated by a step therebetween, a second said mounting member having at least a third wall element and a fourth wall element, said first engagement means associated with said first wall element and third wall element and said second engagement means associated with said second wall element and fourth wall element, said step causing a spacing of the first engagement means by a distance greater than a spacing between the second engagement means, such that said first and second engagement means are positioned to respectively mount either said second subsystem unit or said first subsystem unit in a substantially common volume encompassed between said first through fourth wall elements, but not to mount both said first subsystem unit and second subsystem unit at a same time in said common volume due to a positioning of at least a portion of each thereof in an interfering position with a mounted position of the other; and

a support structure for supporting said mounting members.

2. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein both said mounting members are formed with a said step.

3. A mounting arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said support structure is provided with support ledges for seating the steps of said mounting members when the latter are engaged about a said subsystem unit, said support ledges enabling the sliding insertion and withdrawal of the mounting members engaged about a said subsystem unit.

4. A mounting arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the mounting members are provided on an underside of their steps with hook means that engage under edges of said support ledges when said mounting members are in a fully inserted position.

5. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said mounting members are interconnected by a flexible cross member permitting the mounting members to be flexed out of a normal oppositely-facing configuration for engagement about either said subsystem unit.

6. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said engagement means are arranged to engage in fixing holes provided in the sides of each said subsystem unit.

7. A mounting arrangement according to claim 6, wherein said engagement means comprise studs.

8. A mounting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein each said mounting member comprises a wall element and at least one generally U-shaped resilient metal member having two interconnected side arms embracing said wall element, one said arm of the mounting element being stepped and being provided with two projections serving as said studs respectively of said first and second engagement means, and the other said arm being provided with an outwardly-projecting resilient contact providing an electrical grounding connection to said support structure.

9. A mounting arrangement according to claim 8, wherein each said wall element is formed with at least one recess proximate each said mounting element and each mounting element is formed with at least one inwardly-directed projection snap engaged in a corresponding said recess.

10. A mounting arrangement according to claim 7, wherein for said at least one mounting member formed with a step, the studs constituting the second engagement means are located on the mounting member juxtaposed said step.

11. A mounting arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said support structure is provided with guide means for guiding the sliding insertion and withdrawal of the mounting members engaged about a said subsystem unit.