Retaining and release mechanism for computer storage devices including a pawl latch assembly

Claim 2

An assembly that can be detachably connected to a computer housing having an opening which exposes a first connector and a bearing, comprising: a frame; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to the first connector; and a pawl latch assembly comprising a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage the bearing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position.

Claim 3

The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said frame includes a pair of abutment tabs extending essentially perpendicular from a base portion on a first end of said frame.

Claim 4

The assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising alignment means for aligning said second connector with the first connector.

Claim 5

The assembly as recited in claim 1, further comprising locking means for locking said lever into said second position.

Claim 6

The assembly as recited in claim 4, comprising spring means for biasing said lever into said first position.

Claim 7

An assembly that can be detachably connected to a computer housing that has an opening which exposes a first connector mounted to a rear wall that has at least one alignment hole and a roller bearing mounted onto a support plate disposed substantially perpendicular to said rear wall, said support plate having a first surface and a second surface, said assembly comprising: a frame adapted to be supported by the first surface of the support plate; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to the first connector; a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage the roller bearing and secure said frame to the computer housing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position; spring means for biasing said lever into said first position; locking means for locking said lever into said second position; at least one guide pin mounted onto said frame, said guide pin being adapted to be inserted into the alignment hole to align said second connector with the first connector; and, at least two hold tabs attached to said frame and being adapted to engage the second surface of the support plate to further secure said frame to the computer housing.

Claim 8

An assembly that can be detachably connected to a computer housing that has an opening which exposes a first connector mounted to a rear wall that has at least one alignment hole and a roller bearing mounted onto a support plate disposed substantially perpendicular to said rear wall, said support plate having a first surface and a second surface, said assembly comprising: a frame adapted to be supported by the first surface of the support plate; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to the first connector; a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage the roller bearing and secure said frame to the computer housing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position; spring means for biasing said lever into said first position; locking means for locking said lever into said second position; at least one guide pin mounted onto said frame, said guide pin being adapted to be inserted into the alignment hole to align said second connector with the first connector; and, at least two hold tabs attached to said frame and being adapted to engage the second surface of the support plate to further secure said frame to the computer housing.

Claim 9

The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said guide pin extends from a connector frame that couples said second connector to said frame such that said second connector can move relative to said frame to allow said second connector to become aligned with the first connector.

Claim 10

The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein said frame includes a pair of abutment tabs extending essentially perpendicular from a base portion on a first end of said frame.

Claim 11

The assembly as recited in claim 6, further comprising an electrical device mounted to said frame and coupled to said second connector.

Claim 12

The assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said electrical device is a hard disk drive.

Claim 13

An assembly, comprising: a computer housing having an opening which exposes a rear wall and a support plate disposed substantially perpendicular to said rear wall; a first connector attached to said rear wall; a bearing mounted onto said support plate; a frame adapted to be inserted into said opening; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to said first connector; an electrical device mounted onto said frame and coupled to said second connector; a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage said roller bearing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position; spring means for biasing said lever into said first position; and, locking means for locking said lever into said second position.

Claim 14

An assembly, comprising: a computer housing having an opening which exposes a rear wall and a support plate disposed substantially perpendicular to said rear wall; a first connector attached to said rear wall; a bearing mounted onto said support plate; a frame adapted to be inserted into said opening; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to said first connector; an electrical device mounted onto said frame and coupled to said second connector; a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage said roller bearing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position; spring means for biasing said lever into said first position; and, locking means for locking said lever into said second position.

Claim 15

The assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein said frame includes a pair of abutment tabs extending essentially perpendicular from a base portion on a first end of said frame.

Claim 16

The assembly as recited in claim 11, further comprising alignment means for aligning said second connector with said first connector.

Claim 17

An assembly, comprising: a computer housing having an opening which exposes a support plate and a rear wall having at least one alignment hole; a first connector attached to said rear wall; a roller bearing mounted onto said support plate; a frame adapted to be inserted into said opening; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to said first connector; a electrical device mounted onto said frame and coupled to said second connector; a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage said roller bearing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position; spring means for biasing said lever into said first position; locking means for locking said lever into said second position at least one guide pin mounted onto said frame, said guide pin being adapted to be inserted into said alignment hole to align said second connector with said first connector; and, at least two hold tabs attached to said frame and being adapted to engage the second surface of the support plate to further secure said frame to the computer housing.

Claim 18

An assembly, comprising: a computer housing having an opening which exposes a support plate and a rear wall having at least one alignment hole; a first connector attached to said rear wall; a roller bearing mounted onto said support plate; a frame adapted to be inserted into said opening; a second connector mounted onto said frame such that said second connector can be coupled to said first connector; a electrical device mounted onto said frame and coupled to said second connector; a lever pivotally connected to said frame, said lever having a slot adapted to engage said roller bearing when said lever is rotated from a first position to a second position; spring means for biasing said lever into said first position; locking means for locking said lever into said second position at least one guide pin mounted onto said frame, said guide pin being adapted to be inserted into said alignment hole to align said second connector with said first connector; and, at least two hold tabs attached to said frame and being adapted to engage the second surface of the support plate to further secure said frame to the computer housing.

Claim 19

The assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said electrical device is a hard disk drive.

Claim 20

The assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein said guide pin extends from a connector frame that couples said second connector to said frame such that said second connector can move relative to said frame to allow said second connector to become aligned with said first connector.

Claim 21

The assembly as recited in claim 16, wherein said frame includes a pair of abutment tabs extending essentially perpendicular from a base portion on a first end of said frame.

Claim 24

The method as recited in claim 18, further comprising the step of locking said lever in said second position.

Claim 25

The method as recited in claim 19, further comprising the steps of unlocking said lever, rotating said lever from said second position to said first position and removing said drive unit from said opening.