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

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.

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.

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.

A method of coupling a disk drive to a computer, comprising the steps of:

• a) providing a computer housing that has an opening which exposes a first connector attached to a rear wall and a bearing means mounted onto a support plate;
• b) inserting a drive unit into said opening, said drive unit including a disk drive and a second connector mounted to a frame, said frame further including a lever pivotally connected to said frame and adapted to move between a first position and a second position;
• and,
• c) rotating said lever from said first position to second position such that said lever engages said roller bearing and secures said drive unit to said computer housing.