Ergonomic safety assist mechanism for handling micro-sized computer hard disk drives

摘要

A hard disk microdrive is equipped with an ergonomic assist mechanism for safe handling of the microdrive while removing it from a system. The mechanism is located on one end of the microdrive, opposite the system connector. In one version, the mechanism is a flat, two-piece design having a slide extending through a slot in a strap. One end of each of the slide and strap is mounted to the microdrive and their other ends are unattached and free to move relative to each other and the microdrive. When the microdrive is to be removed from the system, the user grasps the free end of the slide and lifts it away from the microdrive. As the user continues to pull on the slide, the slot in the strap allows the slide to move to the middle of the microdrive, thereby lifting the strap in the process. The force provided by the user is centralized on the microdrive for a smooth, safe extraction from the system while the connectors disengage. Since the user maintains a grip on the mechanism at all times, the risk of mishandling and dropping the microdrive is minimized. After the microdrive is removed from the system, the mechanism collapses to a flat, stowed position against the microdrive.