US20040141801A1 - System and method for bi-directional access to a fastening device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a fastening system comprising a first mounting bracket rotatably attached to a first assembly, a second mount bracket rotatably attached to a second assembly and a rigid attachment between the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket wherein the attachment enables the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket to rotate together about a common axis and wherein the attachment enables a portion of the first mount bracket and a portion of the second mount bracket to be separated by space.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a Divisional of co-pending and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/080,168 entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS TO A FASTENING DEVICE”, filed Feb. 21, 2002, and related to commonly assigned and concurrently filed U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. [Attorney Docket No. 10017979-3] entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS TO A FASTENING DEVICE; and [Attorney Docket No. 10017979-5] entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BI-DIRECTIONAL ACCESS TO A FASTENING DEVICE, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.[0001]
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention generally relates to accessing fastening devices and more specifically to a method and apparatus that enables bi-directional access to a fastening device.[0002]
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
• In many mechanical connections, direct access to a connecting structure such as a screw, bolt, or other fastener, is limited. One area where limited access to a fastener is commonplace is in automotive mechanics. Access to bolts that connect engine components, such as water pumps, pulleys or similar components, to the engine block or to each other is typically limited so that mechanics have to work on the bolts from a specific direction. Moreover, in automotive mechanics, additional engine components may have to be removed or repositioned to access fasteners that are otherwise inaccessible.[0003]
• Similarly, within mainframe computers and personal computers, connecting structures, such as bolts screws and other fasteners, are used to attach computer components to the computer chassis. For example, a computer hard drive is typically mounted in the computer chassis. The mounting preferably enables removal and installation of a hard drive, for example, during repairs or upgrades of a hard drive, or replacements of one type of hard drive with another.[0004]
• There are a number of ways that a computer hard drive may be mounted in a computer. A hard drive may be directly mounted to a chassis with screws or other fasteners. Alternatively, a carrier, such as a shelf or tray, may be attached to the chassis and the hard drive may be connected to the carrier. Other approaches include mounting slides, sleds, skis or rails to the sides of the hard drive, wherein the slides, rails, etc. couple to corresponding grooves or guides that are attached to the chassis and that hold the hard drive in place. These attachments include tabs or similar features that prevent the hard drive from moving. Attachment may also be achieved between the hard drive and the chassis by a snapping mechanism.[0005]
• A major limitation to attaching a hard drive or other component to a chassis with screws is the limited access to the screw from directly in front of the screw. In order to remove or insert the screw, access to the head of the screw and room to rotate the handle of the screw driver are both required. Typically, due to the densely-populated computer chassis, the hard drive is removed in the same direction as the screw. Similarly, when a slide arrangement is used (skis or sleds), the hard drive must slide into and out of the chassis along the slide (skis or sleds). The problem of fastener access is aggravated when the fastener is in a very tight space in the chassis. For example, when the hard drive is mounted right up against the chassis wall it is difficult to gain access to the fasteners that are used to hold the hard drive in place. Similarly, access to bolts and other fastening devices may be limited.[0006]
• Similar considerations are involved in other mechanical devices such as airplanes, cars, snow mobiles, office equipment, engines, generators, and other mechanical devices in that fastening devices that fasten components within the system must be approached from a single direction.[0007]
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to a fastening system comprising a first mounting bracket rotatably attached to a first assembly, a second mount bracket rotatably attached to a second assembly and a rigid attachment between the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket wherein the attachment enables the first mount bracket and the second mount bracket to rotate together about a common axis and wherein the attachment enables a portion of the first mount bracket and a portion of the second mount bracket to be separated by space.[0008]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as used on a computer hard disk;[0009]
• FIG. 2 shows the fastening device of FIG. 1 from a second perspective;[0010]
• FIG. 3 shows an enlarged diagram of one embodiment of the present invention;[0011]
• FIG. 4 shows the enlarged diagram of FIG. 3 after the fastening device has been rotated approximately 45 degrees;[0012]
• FIG. 5 shows another view of the fastening device of FIG. 1; and[0013]
• FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the fastening device of FIG. 1.[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention enables access to a fastener, such as a mounting screw, from multiple directions by allowing the fastener to pivot to provide easy access. The present invention is broadly applicable to numerous mechanical connections, but the invention will be described in terms of mounting a hard disk within a computer system. The figures show an exemplary embodiment related to accessing a hard drive from two directions, e.g., accessing the mounting screw from either the top or front of the cabinet.[0015]
• This invention arose from the need to be able to remove a device (such as a hard drive) from more than one direction, such as from either the top of the chassis or from the front or side of the chassis. Each previous method for mounting hard drives precludes removal from more than one direction because the mounting screws may be removed only in a single direction. In contrast, the present invention enables, for example, a hard drive to be ejected and removed from the chassis in at least two directions while still maintaining a solid, rigid, mechanical mounting to secure the device in the chassis. One embodiment of the present invention comprises two brackets that are attached together and enables simultaneous rotation of the brackets around a central rotation axis. The present invention further enables a screw to be screwed through one bracket and into another bracket to form a tight, rigid mount that still enables rotation of the connections between the brackets and the corresponding assembly about a central pivot point. This enables the user to access the head of the screw or other fastener with a screwdriver either, for example, from the top or from the side just by rotating the appropriate joint.[0016]
• In a computer environment a hard drive may be mounted to a device bracket that is made out of, for instance, sheet metal. The device bracket may also be mounted to a floor piece that is also sheet metal.[0017]
• FIGS. 1 and 2 show one embodiment of the present invention where[0018]rotatable bracket assembly104 is used to attach computerhard drive101 to a support member such asfloor piece103.Floor piece103 may be a rigid attachment. Note that the present invention may be used to attach any two structures to each other. In the embodiment that is shown in FIG. 1, computerhard drive101 is connected todevice bracket102 that, in turn, is attached tofloor piece103 by rotatingbracket assembly104. Rotatingbracket assembly104 directionally rotates as indicated byreference arrow107.Rotating bracket assembly104 is positionable to provide ready access to a fastener, such as a mounting screw connecting opposing halves of the bracket. Additionally, other methods of assisting alignment may be used such aslocking tab106 that engages receivingslot105.
• FIG. 3 shows an enlarged view of one embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the entire rotating bracket assembly is shown with the head of[0019]mounting screw302 pointing up to provide access from above for removing the screw, enabling rotatingmount bracket301 to separate from rotatingmount bracket303. With portions of rotatingmount brackets301 and303 separated by a space (in this case, on both sides of device bracket102),device bracket102 may be moved forward to disengagedevice bracket102 fromfloor piece103 and allow its removal by lifting upward.
• Alternatively, FIG. 4 shows the rotating bracket assembly with the head of[0020]mounting screw302 positioned at a 45° angle from its vertical position in FIG. 3. The positioning capability ofrotational mount assembly104 comprises access to mountingscrew302 from various angles. As shown,rotational mount assembly104 comprises a first rotatingmount bracket301, a second rotatingmount bracket303, and mountingscrew302 that attaches first rotatingmount bracket301 to second rotatingmount bracket303. First rotatingmount bracket301 would, in this configuration, be attached to the device that is being mounted, for example,disk bracket102. Second rotatingmount bracket303 would be attached to, in this example, the chassis, such asfloor piece103. In this case, rotatingmount bracket303 is attached tofloor piece103 byassembly screw305.Washer304 is positioned betweenassembly screw305 androtating mount bracket303. Additional washers and fastening means may be employed to provide for rotation of rotating mountingbrackets301 and303 about a common longitudinal axis (401 of FIG. 4) defined by the longitudinal axis ofassembly screw305. While rotating mountingbrackets301 and303 should be positionable to provide for access to mountingscrew302 from multiple positions, some resistance or locking mechanism may be employed to maintain the assembly in a desired position while mountingscrew302 is manipulated. For example, a series of clicking stops using a detent system may be incorporated to hold mountingscrew302 in a desired position. To this end, rotatingmount bracket301 is shown with a pair of parallel ear pieces to provide for its grasping and manual positioning.
• In a preferred embodiment, the attachment between[0021]rotating mount bracket303 and the item it is attached touses assembly screw305 and threaded inserts (601 of FIG. 6) that are pressed into rotating mountingbracket303 to allow for its rotation. Similarly, anassembly screw501,washer502 and threaded insert602 (FIG. 6) are used to connect rotating mountingbracket301 todisk bracket102.
• Threaded[0022]inserts601 and602 are configured to be pressed into material such as a sheet metal piece. Note that threadedinsert601 and602 or similar inserts may also be pressed into plastic, fiberglass or similar material now known or later developed. Threaded inserts601 and602 have internal threads at a given thread type while the outside portion of the threaded inserts have a round cylinder portion and a mounting feature on the bottom that, using a hydraulic press, is pressed into the sheet metal. Threaded inserts601 and602 extend out from rotating mountingbrackets301 and303 such that they extend into and through a clearance hole indevice bracket102 andfloor piece103, respectively, and provide a bearing mechanism. Effectively, the threaded inserts enable rotatingbracket assembly104 to rotate back and forth without loosening assembly screws305 and501. One manufacturer of a suitable threaded insert is Penn Engineering & Manufacturing.
• [0023]Assembly screw305 attaches rotating mountingbracket303 tofloor piece103 andassembly screw501 attaches mountingbracket301 todevice bracket102. While threadedassemblies601 and602 extend through the hole in the sheet metal, they preferably do not fasten the brackets to the assemblies. Assembly screws305 and501 preferably ensure connections between rotating mounting brackets and the assemblies.
• Note that although FIG. 4 illustrates[0024]rotational mount assembly104 rotating to 45°, any appropriate angular rotation up to the physical limits provided may be accommodated, e.g., rotation ofrotating mount bracket104 does not have to stop at 45° but may rotate to 90° or more, in either direction.
• FIG. 5 shows another perspective of a fastener of the present invention.[0025]Assembly screw501 is used to holdrotating mount bracket301 todevice bracket102 and permits rotatingmount bracket104 to rotate with respect todevice bracket102.Assembly screw501 screws into threaded insert602 (FIG. 6). Preferably,assembly screw501 is longitudinally aligned withassembly screw305 to provide for the pivoting ofrotating mount brackets301 and303 about a common axis (401 of FIG. 4).
• Note that[0026]assembly screw501 andassembly screw305 are not necessarily different types of screws and the same type of screw may be used in each position. Similarly, while different reference numbers are used for threadedinserts601 and602, these parts may also be identical.
• FIG. 6 is an exploded view of one embodiment of the present invention. Rotating bracket assembly[0027]104 (FIG. 1) comprisesrotating mount bracket301 rotatably attached todisk bracket102 viawasher502,assembly screw501 and threadedinsert602. Similarly,rotating mount bracket303 may be rotatably attached tofloor piece103 viawasher304,assembly screw305 and threadedinsert601. Note thatwasher304 orwasher502 are not necessary to practice the present invention but may be helpful in enhancing bracket rotation capabilities. Rotatingmount brackets301 and303 are mounted todevice bracket102 andfloor piece103, respectively, and are attached to each other via mountingscrew302. Mountingscrew302 goes through a hole located in a perpendicular arm portion ofrotating mount bracket301. The perpendicular arm (also known as an “L” bracket) may be a fastening structure for rotatably securingbrackets301,303 to structures (e.g., each other,bracket102 or floor piece103). After passing through the hole inrotating mount bracket301, mountingscrew302 threads into a threaded hole located in a perpendicular arm potion of therotating mount bracket303 attached tofloor piece102. Accordingly, mountingbrackets301 and303 are connected in two positions along a rotating axis and a portion ofbracket301 is separated by a space from a portion ofbracket303. Alternatively, other means offastening mount brackets301 and303 are also encompassed in the present invention, and include, but are not limited to a bolt, washer and nut.
• Assembly screws[0028]305 and501 are each screwed into threadedinsert601 and602 respectively. The portion of threadedinserts601 and602 that contacts the brackets is a round cylindrical portion that extends out of the sheet metal and into a corresponding hole indevice bracket102 and infloor piece103. The interface between threadedinserts601 and602 bearing against the respective hole in the brackets allow the entire assembly to rotate.
• The hole in[0029]rotating mount bracket303 that receives mountingscrew302 may be an extruded and tapped hole. The hole may be formed by punching a hole in the sheet metal, or other material, pressing and deforming a portion of the material down. A tap is then used to create the corresponding threads that engage mountingscrew302.
• While the present invention has been illustrated in terms providing access to mounting hardware securing an equipment tray or shelf to a bracket or other support, the invention is equally applicable to other uses and environments wherein it is desirable to provide ready access to attachment hardware. For example, the paired rotating mounting brackets may be used to secure any type of device to a mount or other device. The rotating mounting bracket may be used with electronic devices, mechanical apparatus, etc. Further, although the invention has been illustrated in connection with lightweight components in a relatively benign environment, it is equally applicable to large, heavy components in a harsh environment (e.g., automotive, space equipment, construction equipment, etc.). The present invention may also be used in mounting equipment to racks, office equipment in cabinets or other similar applications. Still further, use of a rotating mounting bracket to attach equipment and supports may be employed, as may other devices to fasten the brackets together (e.g., thumb screws, wingnuts, etc.)[0030]

Claims (12)

What is claimed is:

1. A method of fastening comprising:

rotatably attaching a first mount bracket to a first assembly;

rotatably attaching a second mount bracket to a second assembly; and

rigidly attaching perpendicular arm portions of said first and said second mount brackets together such that said mount brackets retain rotational freedom around a rotation axis.

2. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said step of attaching said first bracket to said first assembly comprises:

mating an assembly screw with an insert; and

tightening said assembly screw into said insert to attach said first mounting bracket to said first assembly.

3. The method ofclaim 2 wherein said assembly screw is a machine screw.

4. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said attaching a first mount bracket comprises:

rotatably attaching said first mount bracket to a first assembly and said attaching a second mount bracket comprises rotatably attaching said second mount bracket to a second assembly.

5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein said attaching said first and said second mount brackets comprises:

rigidly attaching said first mount bracket and said second mount bracket wherein said attachment enables said first mount bracket and said second mount bracket to rotate together about said rotation axis.

6. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

spacing a portion of said first mount bracket rotatably attaching said first mount bracket to said first assembly from a portion of said second mount bracket rotatably attaching a second mount bracket to a second assembly apart.

7. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising:

manually grasping and positioning said fastening system using at least one ear of said first mount bracket.

8. A method of fastening comprising:

rotatably attaching a first mount bracket to a first assembly;

rotatably attaching a second mount bracket to a second assembly; and

connecting a perpendicular arm of said first mount bracket to a perpendicular arm of said second bracket in at least two positions along a rotational axis.

9. The method ofclaim 8 wherein said connecting comprises connecting the first mount bracket to the second mount bracket using a rigid attachment.

10. The method ofclaim 9 wherein said rigid attachment comprises a machine screw.

11. The method ofclaim 9 wherein said first and second mount brackets have a common axis of rotation about which said rigid attachment rotates.

12. The method ofclaim 8 wherein said connecting comprises rigidly attaching an arm portion of said first bracket to an arm portion of said second mount bracket.

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