Device retention assembly

• US 6,293,636 B1
• Filed: 12/30/1999
• Issued: 09/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Derek T., Le, Bao G., Luong, Lisa
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): ANDERSON, GERALD A
• Application Number:
  US09/475,781
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/265.5, 312/263, 312/257.1, 361/685, 361/725, 361/726, 361/727, 361/732, 361/724, 361/683, 439/928.1, 292/175, 292/DIG.37, 292/42, 292/109, 292/218, 292/202
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• 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: Y10S 292/37 Push button operators

Abstract

A device cage assembly for retaining a device such as a drive or the like within the chassis of an information handling system is described. The device cage assembly includes a device cage disposed within the chassis so as to be capable of being moved between a retracted or closed position, wherein the device cage is fully contained within the chassis, and an extended or open position wherein the device cage assembly is positioned at least partially outside of the chassis. A device retention assembly is attached to the device cage for retaining the device in the device cage. The device retention assembly is comprised of a body suitable for attachment to the device cage within the chassis of the information handling system. An appendage, such as an appendage, post, or the like is mounted to the body and extends into the device cage for engaging the device. A latching assembly secures the body to the device cage so that the retaining device is held in engagement with the device to retain the device in the device cage.

Claims

1. A chassis for an information handling system, comprising:

a device cage assembly capable of holding at least one device, said device cage assembly including;

a device cage suitable for holding said at least one device; and

a retainer capable of being attached to said device cage, said retainer being suitable for engaging said at least one device inserted in said device cage for retaining said at least one device in said device cage and including;

a body suitable for attachment to said device cage;

an appendage mounted to said body; and

a latching assembly mounted to said body, said latching assembly including

a rotary latch having a knob coupled to a keyed shaft suitable for engaging an aperture in said device cage for securing said body to said device cage;

said appendage being capable of extending into said device cage for engagement with said device held therein when said body is secured to said device cage by said latching assembly; and

a frame having an aperture suitable for receiving said device cage assembly formed therein;

wherein said device cage assembly is capable of movement between a retracted position wherein said device cage assembly is substantially contained within said frame, and an extended position wherein said device cage assembly is positioned at least partially outside of said frame.

2. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 1, wherein said knob is capable of engaging said frame as said device cage assembly moves between the retracted and extended positions if said latching assembly is unlatched for preventing further movement of said device cage assembly.

3. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device cage assembly is capable of being removed from said frame.

4. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 1, wherein said device cage assembly is capable of sliding between the retracted and extended positions.

5. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 4, further comprising a locking assembly for securing said device cage assembly in the extended and retracted positions.

6. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 5, wherein said locking assembly comprises a spring biased button for engaging an aperture formed in said frame when the device cage assembly is in one of the extended and retracted positions.

7. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 4, wherein said device cage assembly comprises a device cage having at least one rail suitable for engaging a channel of said chassis frame.

8. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 4, wherein said chassis further comprises a front bezel, and wherein said device cage assembly extends through said front bezel.

9. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 4, wherein said device cage assembly comprises an enclosure suitable for holding said device, said enclosure having first and second side wall portions and a front bezel portion, said front bezel portion including an aperture through which said device may be accessed.

10. An apparatus for retaining a device in a device cage of an information handling system chassis, comprising:

a body suitable for attachment to said device cage;

an appendage mounted to said body; and

a latching assembly mounted to said body, said latching assembly suitable for securing said body to said device cage;

wherein said appendage is capable of extending into said device cage for engagement with the device held therein when said body is secured to said device cage by said latching assembly so that the device is retained in said device cage; and

wherein said latching assembly comprises a rotary latch having a knob coupled to a keyed shaft suitable for engaging an aperture in said device cage.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said latching assembly comprises a knob coupled to a keyed shaft suitable for engaging an aperture in said device cage, wherein said knob is coupled to said keyed shafts via a rack and pinion.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said keyed shaft and said appendage are coaxial.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said appendage comprises a pin.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said device cage is capable of movement between a retracted position wherein said device cage is substantially contained within the information handling system chassis, and an extended position wherein said device cage is positioned at least partially outside of the chassis.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said knob is capable of engaging the information handling system chassis as said device cage moves between the retracted and extended positions if said latching assembly is unlatched for preventing further movement of said device cage.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein said knob comprises a flattened handle portion sized to move through a slot formed in said information handling system chassis when said latching assembly is latched.

17. An information handling system, comprising:

a chassis;

a device cage suitable for holding at least one device;

a retaining apparatus suitable for retaining said device in said device cage, said retaining apparatus further comprising;

a body suitable for attachment to said device cage;

a latching assembly mounted to said body, said latching assembly suitable for securing said body to said device cage; and

an appendage mounted to said body, said appendage capable of extending into said device cage and engaging said device to retain said device in said device cage;

wherein said device cage is capable of movement between a retracted position wherein said device cage is contained within said chassis, and an extended position wherein said device cage is positioned at least partially outside of said chassis; and

wherein said latching assembly comprises a rotary latch having a knob coupled to a keyed shaft suitable for engaging an aperture in said device cage.

18. The information handling system chassis as claimed in claim 17, wherein the device cage is capable of being removed from said chassis.

19. The information handling system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said knob is capable of engaging said chassis as said device cage moves between the retracted and extended positions if said latching assembly is unlatched for preventing further movement of said device cage.

20. The information handling system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said device cage is capable of sliding between the retracted and extended positions.

21. The information handling system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said chassis further comprises a front bezel, and wherein said device cage extends through said front bexel.

22. The information handling system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said device cage comprises an enclosure suitable for holding said device, said enclosure having first and second side wall portions and a front bezel portion, said front bezel portion including an aperture through which said device may be accessed.

23. The information handling system as claimed in claim 20, further comprising a locking assembly for securing said device cage in the extended and retracted positions.

24. The information handling system as claimed in claim 23, wherein said locking assembly comprises a spring biased button for engaging an aperture formed in said chassis when said device cage is in one of the extended and retracted positions.

25. The information handling system as claimed in claim 20, wherein said device cage comprises at least one rail suitable for engaging a channel of said chassis.