Rack for memory storage devices

Abstract

A docking adapter for reliably inserting and removing a memory storage device from a memory storage device bay includes a rack and a removable carrier. The rack has a pair of lateral rails for holding the carrier. The carrier slidably engages the rails to enable the carrier to slide into the rack. The carrier is adapted for holding a hard disk drive. The carrier has a face with cooling fans, a cantilever mounted on the face for engaging the rack and a cover with a cam. The cover is hinged to the face. The cover rotates from a closed position where the cover parallels the face to an open position where the cover opens, pressing the cam against the cantilever against the rack to smoothly extract the carrier from the rack.

Description

[0001]This application is a reissue application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 751,122, filed on Dec. 27, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,163, which is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09 / 290,113, filed Apr. 12, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,339.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention pertains to a docking adapter for memory storage devices and, more particularly mobile carrier and rack assemblies for hard disk drives and the like.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Docking adapters removeably interconnect memory storage devices to computer systems and memory storage device systems, for example. Docking adapters can provide many advantages over fixed hardware including improved data security, optimization of data backup procedures and sharing of vast amounts of data between non-integrated networks and systems. Docking adapters can also enable multiple users, each with his or her own hard drive, to use a single a machine without interfering with operating settings and...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a memory storage device carrier and rack that allows for easy insertion and removal of hard disk drives and other memory storage devices. The carrier is portable and can be used with different types of memory storage devices. The rack is fixed in a computer or memory storage device housing and has rails for sliding the carrier in and out. A cantilever mounts on the rack and a cover rotates to press the cantilever against the rack to secure the carrier. The cantilever is resilient to shock and bends in response to rotation of the cam to dampen shock associated with insertion and removal of the carrier from the rack. The technical effects of the invention include easy and secure insertion and removal of memory storage devices, portability, and compatibility with different types of memory storage devices."

Problems solved by technology

One drawback to the fixed handle design is that an operator may misalign the carrier with respect to the rack during insertion and removal of the carrier.

Should the operate wiggle the carrier with the fixed handle, the connector that couples the carrier with the rack may be damaged.

One drawback to the device disclosed by Chen is that the handle lifts.

As a result, the frontal portion of the carrier experiences a lifting force that may misalign the carrier with respect to the rack, damaging the connectors that couple the carrier to the rack.

When an over zealous operator pulls on the handle when the carrier is locked, the docking adapter may break.

While the vents enable convective cooling under certain conditions, convective cooling may fail in systems that lack enough space for sufficient air flow.

It has been found that durability of the connectors may be compromised due to excessive handling and repetitive insertion and removal of the carrier from the rack.

Forcing the carrier may misalign the carrier and the rack and can ultimately cause failure of the data connector that couples the hard drive carrier with the rack.

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