Patent Application
20070153451
The present invention relates to mounting apparatus, and more particularly to a mounting apparatus for conveniently securing a computer power supply in a computer enclosure.
A conventional computer system usually includes a power supply in a chassis. The installation of the power supply in the chassis usually involves the use of screws.
A computer enclosure for mounting power supplies is provided. The computer enclosure includes a rear panel, a fixing bracket attached to the rear panel, and a bridge, which attaches to the fixing bracket. The rear panel defines an opening therein. The fixing bracket includes first and second side walls opposite each other to define a receiving space therebetween in communication with the opening in the rear panel adapted for receiving a power supply therein. The bridge includes first and second ends respectively connected to the first and second side walls of the fixing bracket for positioning and fastening the power supply. The bridge is secured to the fixing bracket by screws.
However, it is inconvenient to use the screws to secure the power supply in the chassis of the computer. The screws are small and make them difficult to manipulate and install. Additionally, because of their small size, the screws may be dropped by an assembler, possibly causing damage to other parts of the computer system due to shorts, lodging in moving parts, and the like.
What is needed, therefore, is a mounting apparatus, which allows convenient securing of a power supply in a computer enclosure.
A mounting apparatus is used for securing an electronic device to a computer enclosure. The mounting apparatus includes a chassis, a bracket, and a retention member. The chassis includes a bottom panel. The bracket is secured on the bottom panel of the chassis. The bracket includes a first side wall and a second side wall for cooperatively sandwiching the electronic device therebetween. The retention member pivotably attached to the chassis and engaged with one of the first and second side walls to lock the electronic device between the first and second side walls.
Other advantages and novel features will be drawn from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment with attached drawings, in which:
Referring to
The bracket 10 includes a bottom wall 12, and a first side wall 14 and a second side wall 16 respectively bent from opposite edges of the bottom wall 12. Two locking clips 122 are formed on the bottom wall 12. A retaining portion 142 is defined in the first side wall 14. A pair of retaining clips 162 is bent out from the second side wall 16. A pair of pivot holes 1622 is respectively defined in the retaining clips 162. The bracket 10 is divided into area A and area B. The locking clips 122, the retaining portion 142, and the retaining clips 162 are set in the area A for receiving the power supply 50. The area B is for receiving a data storage device 40 such as a hard disk drive, an optical disk drive or the like.
The retention member 30 is generally L-shaped and may be formed from plastic, composite, metal and the like without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The retention member 30 includes a body 32 and a resilient bending portion 34. A pushing portion 344 is formed on the bending portion 34. A connecting portion 36 connects the body 32 to the bending portion 34. An engaging portion 342 is formed on the bending portion 34 corresponding to the retaining portion 142 of the bracket 10. The engaging portion 342 may be a protrusion formed on the retention member 30 corresponding to a retaining hole 142 formed on the bracket 10. A pair of pivot pins 322 is formed corresponding to the pivot holes 1622 of the bracket 10 respectively on an end of the body 32, for pivoting the retention member 30 on the bracket 10.
Referring also to
Referring also to
The bracket 10 is mounted to the bottom panel 80 of the chassis 60 by fasteners, such as screws. The retention member 30 is pivotally attached to the bracket 10. The top portion of the retention member 30 is received in the cutout 72 of the side panel 70, when the retention member 30 is located at an unlocked position as shown in
Referring also to
In unlocking the power supply 50 from the chassis 60, the pushing portion 344 of the retention member 30 is pushed to deform toward the second side wall 16 of the bracket 10, so that the engaging member 342 is disengaged from the retaining portion 142 of the bracket 10. The retention member 30 is rotated from the locked position to an unlocked position. The power supply 50 is moved away from the back panel 90 of the chassis 60, thereby disengaging the locking clips 122 of the bracket 10 from the corresponding locking holes 52 of the power supply 50. Thus, the power supply 50 is unlocked.
Referring also to
The engaging portion 342 of the retention member 34 and the retaining portion 142 of the bracket 10 or the chassis 60 in the preferred embodiments can be interchanged, for realizing the same function.
It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of a preferred embodiments, together with details of the structure and function of the preferred embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
