IP Library Granted Patent US 7,239,511
Granted Patent B2
US 7,239,511 · App. 10/746,387 · Granted Jul 3, 2007

Toolless hand actuated device receiver for retaining a device in a computer

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,239,511
App. No.
10/746,387
Granted
Jul 3, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer system having an opening configured to accept a device, the device assembly including at least one engagement surface. 3The computer system comprises a locking mechanism disposed in the opening to releasably latch the device assembly in the opening at a preselected position. The latching mechanism includes a hand actuated assembly movable in the opening for releasably engaging the engagement surface of the device assembly when the device assembly is located in the opening. The invention also contemplates the combination of the device assembly and the computer.

Claims (35)

1. A device receiver having an opening configured to accept a disc device assembly,

said disc device assembly including at least one engagement surface,

said disc device receiver comprising a locking mechanism to lock said device assembly in said opening at a preselected position,

said locking mechanism including a hand actuated assembly movable in said opening for releasably engaging said engagement surface of said device assembly when said disc device assembly is located in said opening, and

wherein said engagement surface of said disc device assembly includes at least one depression, and said hand actuated locking mechanism includes at least one finger positioned and configured to reside in said at least one depression when said device assembly is in said locked position; and

wherein said hand actuated locking mechanism includes a cam actuated device.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said cam actuated device includes first and second ends, wherein said first end is mechanically affixed to a rail and the second end of said cam actuated device moves away from said rail when said hand actuated assembly is in an unlocked position, thereby retracting said finger out of said at least one depression.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the hand actuated locking mechanism includes a slider arm.

4. The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein the cam device is spring actuated.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein the slider arm has a locked and an unlocked indicia associated therewith.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said hand actuated locking mechanism includes a slider arm and a curved cam surface.

7. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a bezel is provided, and which bezel acts to locate said device assembly.

8. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein a detent is provided to locate said device assembly.

9. In combination, a computer system including a disc device receiver having an opening configured to accept a disc device assembly, said device assembly including at least one engagement surface,

said disc device receiver comprising a locking mechanism to lock said device assembly in said opening,

said locking mechanism including a hand actuated assembly movable in said opening for releasably engaging said engagement surface of said disc device assembly when said disc device assembly is located in said opening, and

wherein said engagement surface of said device assembly includes at least one depression, and said hand actuated locking mechanism includes at least one finger positioned and configured to reside in said at least one depression when said device assembly is in said locked position; and

wherein said hand actuated locking mechanism includes a slider arm and a curved cam surface.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said hand actuated locking mechanism includes a cam actuated device.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein the hand actuated locking mechanism includes a slider arm.

12. The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein the cam actuated device is spring actuated.

13. The invention as defined in claim 11 wherein the slider arm has a locked and an unlocked indicia associated therewith.

14. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein said hand actuated assembly includes a first fixed end and a second moveable end that is movable between a first position in which said finger is disposed within said depression and a second position in which said finger is retracted from said depression.

15. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein a bezel is provided, and which bezel acts to locate said device assembly.

16. The invention as defined in claim 9 wherein a detent is provided to locate said device assembly.

17. A system, comprising

an opening configured to accept a disc device assembly,

said disc device assembly including at least one engagement surface,

said disc device receiver comprising a locking mechanism to lock said device assembly in said opening at a preselected position,

said locking mechanism including a hand actuated assembly movable in said opening for releasably engaging said engagement surface of said device assembly when said disc device assembly is located in said opening, and

wherein said engagement surface of said disc device assembly includes at least one depression, and said hand actuated locking mechanism includes a member that has at least one finger positioned and configured to reside in said at least one depression when said device assembly is in said locked position and a hand actuated arm that engages said member to engage said at least one finger in said at least one depression; and

wherein a fastener connects a first end of said member to a rail and a second end of said member is positioned away from said rail when said hand actuated locking mechanism is in the unlocked position, thereby retracting said finger out of said at least one depression.

18. The system of claim 17 , wherein said member having said at least one finger and said hand actuated arm is mounted to a rail of said device receiver, said rail has an opening, and said at least one finger moves through said opening and into said at least one depression when said device assembly is positioned into said locked position.

19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the system is a computer.

20. The system of claim 17 , wherein said second end of said member is positioned next to said rail when said hand actuated locking mechanism is in the locked position, thereby engaging said finger in said at least one depression.

Assignments (3)
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Nov 25, 2015
From: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
To: LENOVO PC INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 037160/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 4, 2005
From: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
To: LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD.
Reel/Frame 016891/0507 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 27, 2004
From: COLLINS, JOEL W. III,; FARROW, TIMOTHY S.; LEONARD, BRIAN H.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 014673/0330 →