Memory storage device having a locking handle

Abstract

A memory storage device carrier 10 includes a face 16 and a handle 18 attached to the carrier 10. The handle 18 moves from a first position, where the handle 18 lies flush with the face 16 to a second position where the handle 18 extends from the face 16. A lock 22 mounts between the handle 18 and the carrier 10 to selectively lock the handle 18 in the first position. The lock 22 includes a housing, a spring and a lock surface 24. The lock 22 housing has a threaded exterior and a hollow interior. The spring mounts within the interior of the housing to bias the lock surface 24 against the handle. The threaded exterior of the lock 22 housing enables the depth of the threaded engagement of the lock 22 in the carrier to be adjustable. Adjustment of this depth is achieved by rotating the housing and such adjustment ultimately regulates the amount of force required to unlock the handle in either of the first and second positions, respectively.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. Ser. No. 10 / 105,116, filed on Mar. 22, 2002, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Memory storage device carriers are used for inserting and removing hard disk drives from memory storage systems. One carrier is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,339 to Behl et al, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This carrier has a cantilever locking system that is effective for locking the carrier in a rack. [0003] Carriers protect hard drives, for example, from impact during handling. Many are equipped with handles to enable an operator to grasp the carrier without dropping it. [0004] During operation of a memory storage system, carriers enclosing hard disk drives may vibrate and the handles may wobble. A wobbling handle may be particularly displeasing when the carrier and handle are made of metal (e.g., aluminum or st...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a memory storage device carrier with a locking handle. The handle attaches to the carrier and can be extended to safely transport the carrier with the memory storage device. The handle has a lock mounting between the handle and the face of the carrier to selectively lock the handle in a position. The lock includes a housing, a resilient member, and a lock surface that can be adjusted to bias the lock surface against the handle. The handle has two ends with lock plates that engage the lock to hold the handle in the second position. The technical effects of the invention include improved safety and ease of use for transporting memory storage devices."

Problems solved by technology

During operation of a memory storage system, carriers enclosing hard disk drives may vibrate and the handles may wobble.

A wobbling handle may be particularly displeasing when the carrier and handle are made of metal (e.g., aluminum or steel) and the handle noisily rattles against the face of the metal carrier.

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