US6099098A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-locking mounting apparatus
Assignee: Tandem Computers Inc
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Filing: 1998-08-14
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Granted: 2000-08-08
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Expires: 2018-08-14
Abstract
Abstract A self-locking mounting method and apparatus are disclosed. A self-locking mounting apparatus comprises a bracket for holding a storage device, a chassis having at least one flange for supporting the bracket, a retaining mechanism which engages the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis. The retaining mechanism may include a tab on the chassis and at least one latch on the bracket. The latch may be a spring latch. A plurality of flanges protruding from the chassis may be used to support the bracket. A method for mounting a self-locking apparatus includes the steps of attaching a storage device to a bracket, inserting the bracket into a chassis, the bracket being supported by at least one flange on the chassis, and engaging the bracket to the chassis with a retaining mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Ming Huat Leong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 15:32
CPC Classifications
G; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/12; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/18; G06F1/183; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/08; Y10T292/0801; Y10T292/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus for holding a storage device in a chassis, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side, the bracket being insertable into the chassis; and a latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket, the latch mounted to one of the first side and second side of the bracket and adapted to secure the bracket in the chassis upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus for holding a storage device in a chassis, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side, the bracket being insertable into the chassis; and a latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket, the latch mounted to one of the first side and second side of the bracket and adapted to secure the bracket in the chassis upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the latch is a spring latch.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bracket is a single piece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus for a storage device in a chassis, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side and having an inner surface adapted to receive the storage device behind the front, the bracket insertable into the chassis; and a retaining mechanism mounted to the bracket to secure the bracket in the chassis upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis, the retaining mechanism having a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus for a storage device in a chassis, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side and having an inner surface adapted to receive the storage device behind the front, the bracket insertable into the chassis; and a retaining mechanism mounted to the bracket to secure the bracket in the chassis upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis, the retaining mechanism having a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
122 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus, comprising: a chassis; at least one flange connected to the chassis; a bracket configured to engage the at least one flange connected to the chassis, the bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side and having an inner surface adapted to receive a mountable device behind the front; a latch mounted to one of the first side and second side of the bracket, the latch having a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket; and a tab on the chassis, the tab adapted to engage the latch mounted to the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
122 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus, comprising: a chassis; at least one flange connected to the chassis; a bracket configured to engage the at least one flange connected to the chassis, the bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side and having an inner surface adapted to receive a mountable device behind the front; a latch mounted to one of the first side and second side of the bracket, the latch having a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket; and a tab on the chassis, the tab adapted to engage the latch mounted to the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the latch is a spring latch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a mountable device, wherein the mountable device is a computer storage device for placement on the bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 5, wherein the bracket is a single piece adapted to engage the at least one flange connected to the chassis.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side, a front and a portion for holding a storage device, the portion for holding the storage device bounded by the first side, the second side and the front of the bracket; a latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket, the latch mounted to one of the first side and second side of the bracket; a chassis having support means for supporting the bracket; and a locking means on the chassis for engaging the latch mounted to the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
106 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side, a front and a portion for holding a storage device, the portion for holding the storage device bounded by the first side, the second side and the front of the bracket; a latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket, the latch mounted to one of the first side and second side of the bracket; a chassis having support means for supporting the bracket; and a locking means on the chassis for engaging the latch mounted to the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the chassis.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the locking means includes a tab.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the latch is a spring latch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the support means includes at least one flange protruding from the chassis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the bracket is a single piece adapted to engage the support means on the chassis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
128 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side, the bracket having an inner surface adapted to receive a mountable device behind the front; at least one latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket, the at least one latch coupled to one of the first side and second side of the bracket; a housing sized to receive the bracket; at least one flange mounted to the housing and adapted to support the bracket; and a retaining mechanism associated with the housing and adapted to engage the at least one latch on the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
128 words
A self-locking mounting apparatus, comprising: a bracket having a first side, a second side and a front, the front coupled to and between the first side and the second side, the bracket having an inner surface adapted to receive a mountable device behind the front; at least one latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket, the at least one latch coupled to one of the first side and second side of the bracket; a housing sized to receive the bracket; at least one flange mounted to the housing and adapted to support the bracket; and a retaining mechanism associated with the housing and adapted to engage the at least one latch on the bracket upon insertion of the bracket into the housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a tab for each latch disposed on a side of the housing to engage each such latch.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 14, including a plurality of flanges protruding from the housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
26 words
The self-locking mounting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the bracket is a single piece adapted to engage the at least one flange mounted to the housing.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for securely mounting a storage device to a chassis, comprising the steps of: attaching the storage device to a bracket; inserting the bracket into the chassis, the bracket being supported by at least one flange on the chassis and having a first side, a second side and a front, the front of the bracket coupled to and between the first side and the second side and having an inner surface adapted to receive a mountable device behind the front, the bracket having a latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket; and securely engaging the bracket to the chassis with the latch.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for securely mounting a storage device to a chassis, comprising the steps of: attaching the storage device to a bracket; inserting the bracket into the chassis, the bracket being supported by at least one flange on the chassis and having a first side, a second side and a front, the front of the bracket coupled to and between the first side and the second side and having an inner surface adapted to receive a mountable device behind the front, the bracket having a latch with a movable extension which protrudes beyond the front of the bracket; and securely engaging the bracket to the chassis with the latch.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-08-08 | 2004-02-07 | 2004-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-08 | 2008-02-07 | 2008-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-08 | 2012-02-07 | 2012-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |