GB2447142A

GB2447142A - Hard disc enclosure with releasable controller

Info

Publication number: GB2447142A
Application number: GB0803658A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Pak Shing Leung
Original assignee: SPEED DRAGON MULTIMEDIA Ltd
Current assignee: SPEED DRAGON MULTIMEDIA Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-02
Filing date: 2008-02-28
Publication date: 2008-09-03
Anticipated expiration: 2028-02-28
Also published as: GB0704091D0; GB2447089A; GB2447142B; GB0803658D0

Abstract

A hard disc enclosure comprising: a sleeve 3 having front and rear openings; First 9 and second 10 carrier plates adapted to engage sides of a hard disc storage unit 2; front 1 and rear 4 end members adapted to engage and cover the front and rear openings, one of the front and rear members including a socket 8; a controller unit 5 releasably engageable with the socket; the controller unit including a connector adapted to connect to a hard disc storage unit received within the casing, a controller circuit and external connectors for connection to an external computer. The controller unit can be detached for replacement without the need to dismantle the casing or to replace the entire enclosure. The socket 8 can include an aperture that receives a connector plug of the controller and allows the plug to pass through the end member to engage the hard disc storage unit.

Description

1 2447142

HARD DISC ENCLOSURE

This invention relates to an enclosure for a portable hard disc storage unit and a method of assembly of such an enclosure. This invention relates particularly to a freestanding enclosure rather than a rack mounted storage arrangement.

US-132-7120014 discloses a portable hard disc casing comprising a hollow body with front and rear covers and an elongate plate having two coupling ribs for attachment to the hollow body. The rear cover carries a circuit board, electrical connectors and a switch to provide an interface for an Integrated Drive Electronic (IDE) hard disc storage unit contained within the casing for connection to a computer mainframe.

This casing assembly has the disadvantage that part or all of the casing, particularly the rear cover, circuit board and connectors may need to be replaced when the hard disc storage unit is repaired or replaced with a different model. Also, the connector sockets cannot be changed without replacing the entire unit. * .* * * *

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a hard disc enclosure comprises: a sleeve having front and rear openings; one or more carrier plates adapted to engage one or more sides of a hard disc storage 4s unit; front and rear end members adapted to engage and cover the front and rear openings, * one of the front and rear members including a socket; a controller unit located adjacent the exterior of said member and releasably engageable with the socket; the controller unit including a connector adapted to connect to a hard disc storage unit received within the casing, the unit further including a controller circuit and external connectors for connection to an external computer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of assembly of a hard disc enclosure comprises the steps of: (a) locating one or more carrier plates in a front end member,; (b) engaging a hard disc storage unit between the one or more carrier plates so that the plates are parallel; (c) sliding a sleeve having front and rear openings over the one or more carrier plates and hard disc storage unit; (d) engaging a rear member to cover the rear opening, one of the front and rear members including a socket; (e) locating a controller unit adjacent the exterior of said one member and releasably engaging the controller unit to the socket; (1) the controller unit including a controller unit being arranged to connect to and control the hard disc storage unit received within the casing, a controller circuit and external connectors for connection to an external computer.

A single carrier plate may be used. Preferably, two carrier plates are used. Less preferably more than two carrier plates may be employed.

A single carrier plate may be located in an upper part of the sleeve so that the storage unit hangs from the plate in use. * .. * * .

Two carrier plates may be located on opposite sides of the sleeve, for example the top and bottom interior surfaces of the sleeve. In a preferred embodiment, the sleeve includes upper and lower runners adapted to receive respective upper and lower carrier plates when the carrier plates are disposed in parallel spaced relation with a hard disc storage unit :.. received between the plates. The runners are preferably separated by a distance selected so * that the carriers when engaged by the runners snugly receive the hard disc storage unit.

Preferably, the carrier plates are adapted to be received into and engage the front end member so that the rear ends of the carrier plates remote from the front end member can be rotated or moved apart to receive the hard disc storage unit, the plates being further adapted to be rotated or moved towards one another to a parallel orientation wherein the storage unit is engaged between the carrier plates.

In a preferred embodiment, the socket includes an aperture dimensioned to receive a connector plug of the controller unit when the unit is located adjacent the exterior of the respective end member, the aperture allowing the plug to pass through the end member to engage a hard disc storage unit. The socket may include a rebate, projections or other formations adapted to receive or engage the exterior of the controller unit or corresponding formations of the controller unit in order to accurately and securely locate the controller unit in engagement with the socket.

Preferably, the member includes a threaded bore adapted to receive a fixing screw to secure the controller unit to the member. In an alternative device a releasable catch or spring locking arrangement may be provided.

The controller unit preferably includes one or more sockets for connection to an external computer and for connection to a power supply. The controller unit may also include an on-off switch. In a preferred embodiment, the controller unit further includes a visual display, for example, a lamp to indicate the status of the device. * ** * S *

: The hard disc enclosure may include a support unit or stand adapted to hold the S...

enclosure so that it can stand on an edge thereof, on a table, floor or other underlying surface.

:* In preferred embodiments the enclosure is freestanding rather than adapted for rack mounting or for use within a computer casing. *. *5

* The display lamp is preferably located on an upper part of the controller unit when the enclosure is in an edgewise orientation.

The present invention confers numerous advantages. The controller unit can be detached for replacement without the need to dismantle the casing or to replace the entire enclosure. The controller unit is easy to replace if a different unit is required for example if the hard storage unit is changed. Furthermore, the controller unit may be replaced if a different kind of socket is required to change from a USB port to a different port. Since the controller unit is located on the exterior of the device, the sleeve can have a shorter construction, making the device lighter and more economical to manufacture. Also, the display lamp can be conveniently located above the upper surface or edge of the sleeve to improve visibility.

A single button back up actuator button may be provided on the controller unit.

The invention is further described, by way of example but not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 1. Figure 1 is an exploded view of the enclosure; 2. Figure 2 illustrates a first stage of assembly of the enclosure; 3. Figure 3 illustrates a second stage of assembly of the enclosure; 4. Figure 4 illustrates a third stage of assembly of the enclosure; 5. Figure 5 illustrates a fourth stage of assembly of the enclosure; 6. Figure 6 illustrates a fifth stage of assembly of the enclosure; *:*::* 7. Figure 7 illustrates a sixth stage of assembly of the enclosure; and S...

8. Figure 8 comprises four end views of alternative sleeve configurations.

The hard disc enclosure shown in the drawings comprises a front end member 1, a hard disc storage unit 2 and a generally rectangular tubular sleeve 3. A rear end member 4 has a * socket 8 adapted to receive and engage a detachable controller unit 5 and power supply plug 6 connected to the controller unit. A threaded screw 7 passes through an aperture 11 in the controller unit 5 and is engaged in a threaded bore 17 to secure the controller unit into the socket.

Upper and lower carrier plates 9 and 10 have hooked, rearwardly facing or otherwise shaped outwardly facing abutments (not shown) to resiliently engage complementary shaped inwardly facing abutments or other formations (not shown) within the front end member I, to secure the carrier plates within the end member. This is described in more detail below.

During assembly a hard disc storage unit is placed between the carrier plates and abuts the inner surface of the end portion to securely locate the storage unit as shown in Figure 2.

Projections for example pins or pegs on the inwardly facing surfaces of the carrier plates may be received in screw fixing or other holes in the exterior of the storage unit to prevent sliding movement of the storage unit in use.

The carrier plates 9,10 are received in parallel upper and lower runners or slots 12,13 as shown in Figure 3, to hold the carrier plates in a parallel spaced relation at a predetermined separation in order to secure the hard drive unit 2 between the plates 9,10. Possible sliding movement of the unit 2 between the plates may be prevented by engagement of studs or projections within the fixing holes which are commonly provided on the upper and lower edges of hard drive units.

In order to facilitate assembly the ends of the carrier plates 9,10 are inserted into the front end member I so that the outwardly facing abutments pass over complementary inwardly facing abutments in the end member to engage the abutments, thus preventing disengagement of the carrier plates when the device has been assembled.

In order to permit insertion of the hard disc unit between the carrier plates, the rear ends of the carrier plates remote from the front end are rotated or moved apart to receive the unit between the plates without causing any of the studs or projections to contact the unit.

Once the unit has been positioned between the carrier plates in engagement with the front end member, the plates may be rotated or moved towards one another so that they are parallel with the projections received within the screw holes of the hard disc storage unit. In * this parallel orientation the assembly may be inserted by sliding into the runners of the sleeve 3.

The next stage of assembly of the device is shown in Figure 3. The sleeve 3 may slide freely onto the carrier plates 9 and 10 with the storage unit located between the carrier plates to engage the rear surface of the front end member. Upper and lower channels or slots formed by pairs of longitudinally extending ribs 13 or projections on the internal surface of the sleeve receive longitudinal edges of the carrier members 9 and 10. Alternative configurations of the channels or slots are shown in Figure 8 as described in more detail below.

During the next stage of assembly, as shown in Figure 4, the rear end member 4 is inserted onto the end of the sleeve. Hooked, stepped or otherwise shaped abutments or engaging formations of the sleeve andlor upper and lower carriers engage the rear end member. Alternatively, the end member may be a press fit onto the sleeve. In preferred embodiments, the end portions form a snap fitting arrangement with the carrier plates or sleeve to facilitate assembly by a user without the use of screws.

The controller module shown in Figure 5 comprises a casing containing a circuit board and components (not shown) which comprise a controller circuit, an inlet socket for connection to a power supply, an outlet lead connecting to a connector or plug 6 for the power supply to the storage device. A male connector or plug 14 extends towards the rear plate of the end member, passing through an aperture in the rear plate for reception in a socket in the storage device and engagement of the module to the plate.

A lamp unit 15 located on the top or upper surface of the controller serves to provide a visual display of the status of the device. The lamp preferably extends above the upper edge of the sleeve to improve visibility from various different directions. The lamp has a curved :.:: housing dimensioned to be securely received and engaged in a correspondingly curved socket formed in the rear end. The controller module may incorporate a button or switch to actuate a back up procedure. Preferred embodiments include a one button back up facility.

Figure 6 shows insertion of a retaining screw 7 through an aperture in the controller unit * 5 for reception into a threaded bore in the end unit 4 to secure the controller unit to the casing. The controller unit is releasably secured to the casing permitting easy removal for replacement of the unit without the need for dismantling the casing.

Figure 7 illustrates insertion of the assembled enclosure edgewise into a supporting foot 28 so that the assembly can stand edgewise upon a table, floor or other supporting surface.

Figure 8 comprises four end elevations of different sleeves for use in accordance with this invention. In Figure 8(1) a pair of lower projections 18 co-operate with shoulders 19 to form a slot to receive the carrier plate (not shown). Pairs of upper ribs 20 and 21 also extending longitudinally of the sleeve to provide a second slot for retention of the upper carrier plate.

Figure 8(2) shows an alternative configuration in which a single pair of longitudinally extending ribs 22 is provided, the lower carrier plate (not shown) resting against shoulders 23 adjacent the lower wall 24 of the sleeve.

Figure 8(3) and Figure 8(4) show two further arrangements wherein the carrier plates may extend vertically within the sleeve between pairs of ribs 25 or 26 and 27 extending vertically within the hollow sleeve. * .. * * I * *. * * * S. ** * S S

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Claims

1. A hard disc enclosure comprising: a sleeve having front and rear openings; one or more carrier plates adapted to engage sides of a hard disc storage unit; front and rear end members adapted to engage and cover the front and rear openings, one of the front and rear members including a socket; a controller unit located adjacent the exterior of said one end member and releasably engageable with the socket; the controller unit including a connector adapted to connect to a hard disc storage unit received within the casing, the controller unit further comprising a controller circuit and external connectors for connection to an external computer.

2. A hard disc enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the socket includes an aperture dimensioned to receive a connector plug of the controller, the aperture allowing the plug to pass through the end member to engage a hard disc storage unit within the enclosure. * ** * S *

3. A hard disc enclosure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller unit includes *.* sockets for connection to an external computer and for connection to a power supply. * *. * S * * S

4. A hard disc enclosure as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the controller unit includes a visual display.

5. A hard disc enclosure as claimed in claim 4, wherein the visual display comprises a display lamp located on an upper part of the controller unit when the controller is in an edgewise orientation.

6. A method of assembly of a hard disc enclosure comprising the steps of: (a) locating one or more carrier plates in a front end member; (b) engaging a hard disc storage unit between one or more carrier plates so that the plates are parallel; (c) sliding a sleeve having front and rear openings over one or more carrier plates and hard disc storage unit; (d) engaging a rear member to cover the rear opening, one of the front and rear members including a socket; (e) locating a controller unit adjacent the exterior of said one member and releasably engaging the controller unit with the socket; (f) the controller unit including a controller unit arranged to connect a hard disc storage unit received within the casing, a controller circuit and external connectors for connection to an external computer.

7. A method of assembling a hard disc enclosure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the socket includes an aperture dimensioned to receive a connector plug of the controller, the aperture allowing the plug to pass through the end member to engage a hard disc storage unit.

8. A method of assembling a hard disc enclosure as claimed in claim 6 or 7, wherein the controller unit includes sockets for connection to an external computer and for connection to a power supply. * S.

I * I.

9. A method of assembling a hard disc enclosure as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8, I...

wherein the controller unit includes a visual display. S. II I. I * I

10. A method of assembling a hard disc enclosure as claimed in claim 9, wherein the visual : display comprises a display lamp located on an upper part of the controller unit when the * controller is in an edgewise orientation.

11. A hard disc enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of assembling a hard disc enclosure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.