Modular floppy disk drive for internal and external use

• US 6,456,491 B1
• Filed: 02/12/1996
• Issued: 09/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vossler, Stephen, Flannery, Michael R.
• Primary Examiner(s): FEILD, LYNN DIANA
• Application Number:
  US08/599,680
• Time in Patent Office: 2,416 Days
• Field of Search: 364/708.1, 439/638, 361/683-686, 361/725-727
• US Class Current: 361/679.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/184 Mounting of motherboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives

Abstract

A modular floppy disk drive is designed to stand alone as an external drive or to be combined with a carrier to fit into a computer peripheral option bay configured for removable CD ROM drives. When used as an external floppy disk drive, the modular unit is connected to the personal computer through a connector and cable assembly. The carrier adapts the modular drive to the size and mechanical requirements of the peripheral option bay so that the modular unit can be inserted into the computer and used as an internal floppy disk drive.

Claims

1. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay with an internal drive connector and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell having a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell comprising a plurality of data/control lines on the floppy drive unit coupled to the shell adaptor connector; and

a removable carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, and to further couple with the internal drive connector in the peripheral option bay,

wherein the internal drive connector comprises a blind-mate connector so that the outside electrical connector on the carrier is guided into proper aligment with the internal drive connector when the carrier is inserted into peripheral option bay.

2. The modular floppy drive of claim 1, wherein the carrier is substantially U-shaped and comprises two opposing legs and a base cross piece attached at one end of the two legs to form the open-mouthed slot.

3. The modular floppy drive of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical grounding contact externally mounted on the shell and coupled to a grounding point on the floppy drive unit; and

a metal plate affixed to the carrier to complete a grounding circuit between the floppy drive unit and the computer chassis when the carrier holding the shell is inserted into the computer bay.

4. The modular floppy drive of claim 1, further comprising:

a cable to attach the modular drive to the computer as an external device, wherein a first end of the cable is terminated with a first cable connector corresponding to the shell adaptor connector, and a second end of the cable opposite the first end is terminated with a second cable connector corresponding to the external drive connector on the computer.

5. The modular floppy drive of claim 1, wherein the blind-mate connector is chamfered and the outside electrical connector is shaped to match the chamfered blind-mate connector.

6. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay with an internal drive connector and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell comprising a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the outside of the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, wherein the outside electrical connector further couples with the internal drive connector in the peripheral option bay when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral option bays

wherein the internal drive connector comprises a blind-mate connector so that the outside electrical connector on the carrier is guided into proper alignment with the internal drive connector when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral option bay.

7. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, wherein the carrier is substantially U-shaped and comprises two opposing legs and a base cross piece attached at one end of the two legs to form the open-mouthed slot.

8. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, wherein:

the computer peripheral option bay conforms to size and mechanical form factor requirements to connect a removable CD ROM drive to the computer;

the carrier conforms to size and mechanical form factor requirements for the removable CD ROM drive;

the outside electrical connector conforms to size and mechanical form factor requirements for the removable CD ROM drive; and

the plurality of data/control lines comprises a plurality of sense lines that carry signals from the floppy drive unit to identify the device as a floppy disk drive to the computer.

9. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, wherein the carrier further comprises at least one latching tab on the carrier to secure the shell when it is inserted into the slot.

10. The modular floppy drive of claim 9, further comprising:

a latch release button mounted on the carrier and coupled to each latching tab, wherein at least one latching tab is spring-loaded to bias the shell into the middle of the carrier and pressing the latch release button releases the spring loading to permit the shell to be removed from the carrier.

11. The modular floppy drive of claim 9 further comprising:

a groove formed in the shell to correspond to a latching tab, wherein the latching tab has a different shape such that the shell only inserts into the carrier in one orientation.

12. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, wherein the inside electrical connector is embedded in the carrier forming a recess such that the shell adaptor connector fits tightly in the recess to provide a secure electrical connection between the shell and the carrier.

13. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, wherein the blind-mate connector is chamfered and the outside electrical connector is shaped to match the chamfered, blind-mate connector.

14. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, wherein:

the shell adaptor connector comprises a shrouded DB25 male connector having a plurality of threaded receptors;

the inside electrical connector comprises a DB25 female connector; and

the carrier further comprises a plurality of receiving holes formed on the inside of the carrier to accept the plurality of threaded receptors.

15. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, further comprising:

an electrical grounding contact externally mounted on the shell and coupled to a grounding point on the floppy drive unit; and

a metal plate affixed to the carrier such that the electrical grounding contact on the shell makes contact with the metal plate when the shell is inserted into the carrier, and a grounding circuit is completed between the floppy drive unit and the computer chassis when the carrier holding the shell is inserted into the computer bay.

16. The modular floppy drive of claim 6, further comprising:

a cable to attach the modular drive to the computer as an external device, wherein a first end of the cable is terminated with a first cable connector corresponding to the shell adaptor connector, and a second end of the cable opposite the first end is terminated with a second cable connector corresponding to the external drive connector on the computer.

17. The modular floppy drive of claim 16, wherein the first cable connector is a DB25 female connector having securing screws.

18. The modular floppy drive of claim 16, wherein the second cable connector is a standard parallel port connector.

19. The modular floppy drive of claim 16, wherein the second cable connector corresponds to an external interface connector on a standard PCMCIA card.

20. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay manufactured to connect removable CD ROM drives to the computer through an internal drive connector and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell comprising a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable, substantially U-shaped carrier conforming to size and mechanical form factor requirements for the removable CD ROM drive such that the carrier interfaces with the peripheral option bay, the carrier comprising;

two opposing legs and a base cross piece attached at one end of the

two legs forming an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the outside of the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, wherein the outside electrical connector further couples with the internal drive connector in the computer peripheral option bay when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral option bay,

wherein the internal drive connector comprises a blind-mate connector so that the outside electrical connector on the carrier is guided into proper alignment with the internal drive connector when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral option bay.

21. The modular floppy drive of claim 20, wherein the blind-mate connector is chamfered and the outside electrical connector is shaped to match the chamfered blind-mate connector.

22. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay with an internal drive connector and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell comprising a shell adaptor connector; and

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable, substantially L-shaped carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

a leg and a base cross piece attached at one end of the leg forming a slot having an open mouth, an open side, and sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the outside of the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, wherein the outside electrical connector further couples with the internal drive connector in the computer peripheral option bay when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral option bay,

wherein the internal drive connector comprises a blind-mate connector so that the outside electrical connector on the carrier is guided into proper alignment with the internal drive connector when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral option bay.

23. The modular floppy drive of claim 22, wherein the blind-mate connector is chamfered and the outside electrical connector is shaped to match the chamfered blind-mate connector.

24. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay with an internal drive connector comprising a blind-mate connector, and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell having a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell comprising a plurality of data/control lines on the floppy drive unit coupled to the shell adaptor connector; and

a removable carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, and to further couple with blind-mate connector when the carrier is inserted in the peripheral option bay, wherein the outside electrical connector is different from the shell adaptor connector and is shaped such that the blind-mate connector guides the outside electrical connector into proper alignment for coupling.

25. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay with an internal drive connector comprising a blind-mate connector, and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell comprising a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, and to further couple with blind-mate connector when the carrier is inserted in the peripheral option bay, wherein the outside electrical connector is different from the shell adaptor connector and is shaped such that the blind-mate connector guides the outside electrical connector into proper alignment for coupling.

26. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay manufactured to connect removable CD ROM drives to the computer through an internal drive connector comprising a blind-mate connector, and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell comprising a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable, substantially U-shaped carrier conforming to size and mechanical form factor requirements for the removable CD ROM drive such that the carrier interfaces with the peripheral option bay, the carrier comprising;

two opposing legs and a base cross piece attached at one end of the two legs forming an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, and to further couple with blind-mate connector when the carrier is inserted in the peripheral option bay, wherein the outside electrical connector is different from the shell adaptor connector and is shaped such that the blind-mate connector guides the outside electrical connector into proper alignment for coupling.

27. A modular floppy drive for internal and external use with a personal computer having a peripheral option bay with an internal drive connector and having an external drive connector for accessing data, the modular floppy drive comprising:

a shell comprising a shell adaptor connector; and

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable, substantially L-shaped carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

a leg and a base cross piece attached at one end of the leg forming a slot having an open mouth, an open side, and sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector, and to further couple with blind-mate connector when the carrier is inserted in the peripheral option bay, wherein the outside electrical connector is different from the shell adaptor connector and is shaped such that the blind-mate connector guides the outside electrical connector into proper alignment for coupling.

28. A computer system comprising:

a computer having an external drive connector for accessing data and a peripheral option bay with an internal blind-mate connector; and

a modular floppy drive for coupling to the computer externally through the external drive connector, and further for coupling to the computer internally through the internal blind-mate connector, the modular floppy drive comprising;

a shell having a shell adaptor connector;

a floppy drive unit disposed within the shell to protect it from damage and contaminants when the modular floppy drive is being used externally, the floppy drive unit comprising;

a plurality of data/control lines coupled to the shell adaptor connector such that the computer accesses data on a disk inserted in the floppy drive unit through the shell adaptor connector when the modular drive is being used externally or internally in the computer peripheral option bay; and

a removable carrier formed to fit into the peripheral option bay in the computer, the carrier comprising;

an open-mouthed slot sized to hold the shell;

an inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier to couple with the shell adaptor connector on the shell; and

an outside electrical connector on the outside of the carrier coupled to the inside electrical connector on the inside of the carrier, the outside electrical connector further coupled to the internal blind-mate connector when the carrier is inserted into the peripheral drive bay, wherein the outside electrical connector is different from the shell adaptor connector and is shaped such that the internal blind-mate connector guides the outside electrical connector into proper alignment for coupling.