A mounting apparatus is provided for a data storage device defining a mounting hole. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket for accommodating the data storage device and a locking latch. The bracket includes a side plate forming a cantilever thereon. A receiving portion is formed at a free end of the cantilever. The locking latch is pivotally attached to the side plate. The locking latch has an initial position parallel to the side plate. A projecting portion extends from the locking member, and is received by the receiving portion of the cantilever. A securing member is formed on the locking latch. When the locking latch is pivoted away from the side plate, the cantilever is distorted to store a potential elastic energy for urging the locking latch to move back to the initial position, thereby the securing member engaging into the mounting hole of the data storage device.

Mounting apparatus for data storage device

A media ejection system includes a peripheral unit having a housing (12), an ejection mechanism (14), and a memory wire (16) coupled to the ejection mechanism. The system further includes a digital processor (42) for issuing ejection commands, and a controller (50) responsive to the ejection command for controlling a current flow through the memory wire. When sufficient current flows through the memory wire, it contracts to activate the ejection mechanism, thereby ejecting a removalbe medium (such as a PMCMCIA card) from the housing of the peripheral unit. A method of the invention includes the steps of receiving an injection request, issuing an ejection command in response to the ejection request, where the ejection command includes parameters for controlling current flow through the metal alloy, and electrically energizing the memory ally in accordance with the parameters such that the memory alloy undergoes a dimensional change to activate a removable medium ejection mechanism.

Removable media ejection system

A computer system 10, such as a notebook computer, uses a modular bay 12 to receive optional devices 14. Buffer circuits 36 selectively isolate the device 14 in the modular bay from respective buses 34. An SMI handler, or similar executable routine, recognizes events which affect the modular bay 12 (such as insertion or removal of a device 14 from the modular bay 12), and performs the necessary routines to re-enumerate the system so that the device 14 is properly connected to its bus 34 and that the system software is aware of the hardware connected to computer 10.

Method and apparatus for providing a portable computer with hot pluggable modular bays

A computer system having a removable hard disk drive is disclosed. The interposer card is modified to receive a docking bay which receives a cartridge which contains a hard disk drive. The docking bay includes the male portion of a zero insertion force connector and a first circuit board to which connects to the interposer card of the computer. The first circuit board also includes circuit paths between the male portion of the zero insertion force connector and the end which connects to the interposer card of the computer. The first circuit card also includes circuitry which allows "hot plugging" of the hard disk drive to the bus of the computer and which also acts as a lockout to prevent writing to the removable hard disk drive until after the computer system has been rebooted. The docking bay also includes a spring mechanism for ejecting the cartridge. A finger lever holds the cartridge in place and can be lifted to eject the cartridge. A hard disk drive is placed within a cartridge which includes a second printed circuit board. Attached to the second printed circuit board is the female portion of a zero insertion force connector.

Removable hard disk drive system with circuit for hot insertion and removal responsive to contacts of zero-insertion-force connector on the lateral side of the drive

The portable electronic apparatus has a box-like casing having a peripheral wall, and a pack receptacle defined within the casing. The pack receptacle has an opening portion opened in the peripheral wall. A packaged functional component is stored in the pack receptacle, such that the functional component can be detached therefrom through the opening portion. The pack receptacle of the casing is provided with a locking member for holding the functional component. The locking member is movable by manual operation between a locked position where the locking member is hooked on the functional component and a lock-released position where the locking member leaves the functional component. The pack receptacle is provided with a spring for energizing the functional component in the direction in which the functional component is pushed out through the opening portion. The opening portion of the casing and the locking member are covered with a detachable cover.

Portable electronic apparatus having a battery pack receptacle

A portable computer having a standby power mode of operation has a bay for receiving a portable removable disk drive. The drive has a pair of slots engageable with parallel guide rails in the receiver, and a notch engageable with a retractable latch normally biased in the direction of the notch. A switch adjacent one of the rails generates a standby signal for the computer whenever the drive is inserted into the bay or moved in the ejection direction after installation. An ejector mechanism retracts the latch and an auxiliary locking pivot to release the drive for removal. The ejector also provides an ejection force which moves the drive a sufficient distance externally of the bay to permit the drive to be grasped by the user for complete removal. A grounding contact engageable with a similar contact on the drive provides a static discharge path for the drive prior to electrical interconnection with the computer.

Steve D. Friend

Papers

Disk drive ejector mechanism with latch and ejector and standby switch