SSD (solid state drive) related features of a portable computer

• US 9,904,333 B2
• Filed: 04/19/2013
• Issued: 02/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Knopf, Eric A., Andre, Bartley K., Casebolt, Matthew P., Farahani, Houtan R., Leggett, William F., Reid, Gavin J., Silvanto, Mikael M., Yap, Derek J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dinh, Tuan T
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHOWDHURY, ROCKSHANA D
• Application Number:
  US13/866,922
• Publication Number:
  US 20140111933A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,775 Days
• Field of Search: 36167933-67937
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1658 related to the mounting of internal components, e.g. disc drive or any other functional module
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/187 Mounting of fixed and removable disk drives
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/20 Cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/203 for portable computers, e.g. for laptops
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/08 Insulation or absorption of undesired vibrations or sounds
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/124 of the single recording/reproducing device, e.g. disk drive, onto a chassis

Abstract

A removable assembly for quickly inserting and removing a mass storage device from a compartment situated on the case of a portable computing device is described. The removable assembly is made of a mass storage device, a bracket which serves as a carrier for the mass storage device, and a metal plate. In some embodiments, the mass storage device is a solid state drive (SSD) card. The bracket is a single-piece plastic structure that is deflected for snap insertion into the compartment and snap removal from the compartment. The metal plate conducts heat from the solid state drive (SSD) card to prevent the SSD from overheating.

Claims

1. A single piece bracket assembly for carrying a memory storage device of a laptop computer, the laptop computer having a housing that includes a compartment defined by, in part, a first internal sidewall having a first opening and a second internal sidewall having a second opening, the single piece bracket assembly comprising:

a first section defining a first internal volume enclosed by a first set of walls, the first internal volume having a size and shape to receive the memory storage device, the first section having a first wall that includes a securing structure such that, in a secured configuration, engages the first opening;

a second section integrally formed with the first section, the second section defining a second internal volume enclosed by a second set of walls, the second set of walls comprising a second wall having a protrusion that engages the second opening in the secured configuration, the second wall further including a snap beam recessed with respect to the protrusion, the snap beam allowing removal of the first section and the second section from the compartment in an unsecured configuration; and

a retaining wall parallel with respect to the first wall and the second wall, wherein movement of the snap beam toward the retaining wall causes the protrusion to disengage from the second opening.

2. The single piece bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the second internal volume separates the protrusion and the snap beam from the retaining wall.

3. The single piece bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a second protrusion extending from the second wall, wherein the second wall further comprises:

a first diagonal portion separating the protrusion from the snap beam,

a second diagonal portion separating the second protrusion from the snap beam, wherein the snap beam is recessed with respect to the protrusion and the second protrusion based upon the first diagonal portion and the second diagonal portion.

4. The single piece bracket assembly of claim 3, wherein the securing structure comprises a hook extending outward from an external surface of the first wall, and wherein the hook secures in the opening of the first internal sidewall.

5. The single piece bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first section is fully enclosed by the first set of walls, and wherein the second section is fully enclosed by the second set of walls.

6. The single piece bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the retaining wall limits movement of the snap beam.

7. The single piece bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section define a single integrated component having multiple walls.

8. A bracket assembly for an electronic device, the bracket assembly comprising:

a first section defining an internal volume fully enclosed by walls, the internal volume capable of receiving a mass storage device, the first section further comprising a first wall and a hook extending from the first wall and away from the internal volume, the hook releasably securing with the electronic device;

a second section; and

a second wall parallel with respect to the first wall and separating the first section from the second section, wherein the second section includes a second internal volume at least partially defined by;

a first portion having a first protruding feature that releasably secures with the electronic device,

a second portion having a second protruding feature that releasably secures with the electronic device, and

a third portion between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion carrying a snap feature that releasably secures with the electronic device, wherein the snap feature is recessed with respect to the first portion and the second portion.

10. The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the first portion is continuously formed with the second portion, and wherein the second portion is continuously formed with the third portion.

11. The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the internal volume is defined by a four-sided structure, and wherein the second internal volume is defined by an eight-sided structure.

12. The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the first section comprises a first locating feature and a second locating feature, and wherein the first protruding feature, the second protruding feature, the first locating feature, and the second locating feature extend outward with respect to the internal volume.

13. The bracket assembly of claim 8, wherein the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion define a single wall of the second section, the single wall flexing in response to a force provided to the snap feature.

14. The bracket assembly of claim 13, wherein in response to the force, the single wall and the snap feature moves in a direction toward the second wall.

9. The bracket assembly of 8, wherein the first section combines with the second section to define a single integrated component that is removably coupled with the electronic device.

15. A bracket assembly for carrying a mass storage device in an electronic device, the bracket assembly comprising:

a single integrated component that forms an enclosed internal volume having a size and shape to carry the mass storage device, the single integrated component comprising;

a first wall having a first snap lock structure that extends from the first wall to secure with the electronic device;

a second wall parallel with respect to the first wall, the second wall having a second snap lock structure that extends from the second wall to secure with the electronic device;

a beam perpendicular to the first wall and the second wall, the beam comprising;

a snap tab extending away from the enclosed internal volume,

a first thinned region between the first snap lock structure and the snap tab, and

a second thinned region between the second snap lock structure and the snap tab, wherein in response to a force to the beam, the beam hinges at the first thinned region and the second thinned region, thereby causing the first snap lock structure and the second snap lock structure to move in a direction toward the snap tab and away from the electronic device; and

a third wall parallel respect to the beam, wherein the first wall, the second wall, the beam, and the third wall are integrally formed together to define the enclosed internal volume.

16. The bracket assembly of claim 15, wherein the beam further comprises third thinned region and a fourth thinned region, wherein in response to the force, the beam hinges at the third thinned region and the fourth thinned region.

17. The bracket assembly of claim 16, wherein the snap tab is positioned between the third thinned region and the fourth thinned region.

18. The bracket assembly of claim 17, wherein the fourth thinned region is positioned perpendicular with respect to the first wall and the second wall.

19. The bracket assembly of claim 16, wherein the beam includes a first thickness, and wherein each of the first thinned region, the second thinned region, the third thinned region, and the fourth thinned region includes a second thickness less than the first thickness.

20. The bracket assembly of claim 15, wherein in response to the force, the snap tap moves in a direction toward the enclosed internal volume.