US 6,606,242 B2Granted

Universal adapter bracket for mounting electronic devices

AssigneeInternational Business Machines Corporation

InventorsWalter A. Goodman, Dean Frederick Herring, John Robert Kirksey

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Abstract

An adapter bracket is configured for mounting a relatively small electronic device, such as a 3½-inch drive device in a bay within a frame structure configured for mounting a relatively large electronic device, such as a 5¼-inch drive device. The relatively small electronic device is mounted either by means of screws extending upward through the bracket into holes within the lower surface of the small drive device, or by means of screws extending through elastomeric grommets, mounted within the adapter bracket, into holes within the sides of the small drive device. The adapter bracket also includes sidewalls that are mounted within the bay in the manner of a standard version of the relatively large electronic device.

Claims25

Dependent claims

An adapter bracket for mounting a first electronic device, having a first width, in a space in a frame structure for a second electronic device, having a second width, larger than said first width, wherein said adapter bracket comprises:

a platform portion;
first and second wall portions extending upward along opposite sides of said platform portion, wherein outer surfaces of said first and second wall portions are spaced apart by said second width;
first and second mounting structures extending upward from said platform portion between said first and second wall portions, wherein inner surfaces of said first and second wall portions are spaced apart by said first width;
a first pattern of mounting holes within said first mounting structure for attaching said first electronic device to said adapter bracket by screws extending through said first pattern of mounting holes into holes within a first side of said first electronic device;
and
a second pattern of mounting holes within said second mounting structure for attaching said first electronic device to said adapter bracket by screws extending through said second pattern of mounting holes into holes within a second side of said first electronic device.

3 more elements

Apparatus comprising:

a first electronic device, having a first width;
a frame structure forming a device bay for mounting a second electronic device, wherein said device bay has a second width, substantially larger than said first width;
and
an adapter bracket for holding said first electronic device, wherein said adapter bracket comprises:
a platform portion;
first and second wall portions extending upward along opposite sides of said platform portion, wherein outer surfaces of said first and second wall portions are spaced apart by said first width, and wherein said first wall portion is attached to said device bay within said frame structure;
first and second mounting structures extending upward from said platform portion between said first and second wall portions, wherein inner surfaces of said first and second wall portions are spaced apart by said second width;
a first pattern of mounting holes within said first mounting structure for attaching said first electronic device to said adapter bracket by screws extending through said first pattern of mounting holes into holes within a first side of said first electronic device;
and
a second pattern of mounting holes within said second mounting structure for attaching said first electronic device to said adapter bracket by screws extending through said second pattern of mounting holes into holes within a second side of said first electronic device.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.