Drive latch mechanism for computer selectively configurable in both desktop and tower orientations

摘要

A computer may be easily user re-configured between desktop and tower housing orientations, with a group of the computer's front side drive units being horizontally disposed in each orientation, using a specially designed drive unit support and latch structures. A square opening is formed in the front exterior wall of the housing, and the support apparatus includes spaced apart channel structures extending inwardly into the housing from the four sides of the wall opening, with opposing pairs of the channel structures being adapted to slidably receive corresponding projections on opposite side edge portions of the drive units. In this manner, each front side drive unit in the group thereof can be supported at the opening in a first orientation in which the drive unit will be horizontally oriented with the computer in a desktop orientation, or a second orientation in which the drive unit will be horizontally oriented with the computer in a tower orientation. As a particular drive unit is inserted in either orientation, a resilient latch structure is deflected by the drive unit and then releasably locks it into place. The latch structure is defined by two perpendicular, spring-loaded latch members which are cammingly interconnected in a manner such that a drive-releasing movement of one of the latch members simultaneously forces the other latch member through its drive-releasing movement.