Abstract: A biased pivoting spent ammunition cartridge case extractor and retainer mechanism for blowback bolt firearms. The mechanism includes a distal arcuate hook shaped and dimensioned to intimately engage and nest into part of the circumferential groove in front of the cartridge rim. The hook remains engaged during blowback extraction of the casing from the chamber, and prior to ejection of the case from the firearm. The hook is formed onto the distal end of a rocking member secured to the bolt by a medial pivot. A compression spring bears against the opposite, proximal end of the rocking member thereby biasing the hook inwardly toward the counterbore seat on the distal end of the bolt into which the base of the case rests during extraction. A direct gas impingement system overcomes the biasing force of the spring to cause the case to be ejected.

Abstract: A biased pivoting spent ammunition cartridge case extractor and retainer mechanism for blowback bolt firearms. The mechanism includes a distal arcuate hook shaped and dimensioned to intimately engage and nest into part of the circumferential groove in front of the cartridge rim. The hook remains engaged during blowback extraction of the casing from the chamber, and prior to ejection of the case from the firearm. The hook is formed onto the distal end of a rocking member secured to the bolt by a medial pivot. A compression spring bears against the opposite, proximal end of the rocking member thereby biasing the hook inwardly toward the counterbore seat on the distal end of the bolt into which the base of the case rests during extraction. A direct gas impingement system overcomes the biasing force of the spring to cause the case to be ejected.

Abstract: A biased pivoting spent ammunition cartridge case extractor and retainer mechanism for blowback bolt firearms. The mechanism includes a distal arcuate hook shaped and dimensioned to intimately engage and nest into part of the circumferential groove in front of the cartridge rim. The hook remains engaged during blowback extraction of the casing from the chamber, and prior to ejection of the case from the firearm. The hook is formed onto the distal end of a rocking member secured to the bolt by a medial pivot. A compression spring bears against the opposite, proximal end of the rocking member thereby biasing the hook inwardly toward the counterbore seat on the distal end of the bolt into which the base of the case rests during extraction. A direct gas impingement system overcomes the biasing force of the spring to cause the case to be ejected.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for populating and operating a storage enclosure carrier with multiple hot swappable storage devices. In some embodiments, a carrier housing having length, width and thickness dimensions is adapted to accommodate at least one hard disc drive (HDD) having a selected HDD form factor and configured for engagement in a storage enclosure housing. A plurality of solid state drives (SSDs) each conforming to a selected SSD form factor are supported within the length, width and thickness dimensions of the carrier housing. Each of the SSDs is individually retractable from a front facing portion of the carrier housing without removal of the carrier housing from the storage enclosure housing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a non-volatile fault indication in a multi-device storage enclosure. In some embodiments, a storage enclosure includes a plurality of storage devices housed within a storage enclosure housing. A non-volatile display element is arranged to provide a persistent display of fault information relating to a component of the storage enclosure after power is removed from the display element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for populating and operating a storage enclosure carrier with multiple hot swappable storage devices. In some embodiments, a carrier housing having length, width and thickness dimensions is adapted to accommodate at least one hard disc drive (HDD) having a selected HDD form factor and configured for engagement in a storage enclosure housing. A plurality of solid state drives (SSDs) each conforming to a selected SSD form factor are supported within the length, width and thickness dimensions of the carrier housing. Each of the SSDs is individually retractable from a front facing portion of the carrier housing without removal of the carrier housing from the storage enclosure housing.

Abstract: Storage systems, carriers, enclosures and support PCBs connecting to a first storage device of a first form factor such as a hard disc drive (HDD), a dongle within a storage carrier coupled to the first storage device, and a second storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD) coupled to the dongle having a second form factor different than or smaller than the first form factor.

Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system and a method of cooling storage media within a data storage system. The data storage system comprises an enclosure; plural drawer structures each containing plural storage media such as disk drives, wherein the storage media are arranged such that air can pass vertically within the system through and between at least 2 of the plural drawers thereby to cool the disk drives in the system by a vertical flow of air within the system; and air flow generating means to generate a vertical flow of air through the drawers.

Abstract: Storage systems, carriers, enclosures and support PCBs connecting to a first storage device of a first form factor such as a hard disc drive (HDD), a dongle within a storage carrier coupled to the first storage device, and a second storage device such as a solid-state drive (SSD) coupled to the dongle having a second form factor different than or smaller than the first form factor.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a non-volatile fault indication in a multi-device storage enclosure. In some embodiments, a storage enclosure includes a plurality of storage devices housed within a storage enclosure housing. A non-volatile display element is arranged to provide a persistent display of fault information relating to a component of the storage enclosure after power is removed from the display element.

Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system, comprising: one or more data storage media; a midplane to which the one or more data storage media are, in use, connected; at least one input/output module for providing control of data transfer between the or each of the data storage media and one or more hosts to which, in use, the data storage system is connected; and a back-up power supply to provide power to the input/output modules in the event of a failure of regular power sources therefor, the back-up power supply being provided separately from the at least one input/output module.

Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system for connection to a primary power source, the data storage system comprising: one or more data storage media; one or more interfaces, each interface able to connect to at least one of the data storage media so as to couple power from the primary power source to the at least one of the data storage media; one or more energy modules, each energy module being able to connect to an interface for providing back-up power to the one or more of the data storage media in the event of a failure of the primary power source.

Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system for connection to a primary power source, the data storage system comprising: one or more data storage media; one or more interfaces, each interface able to connect to at least one of the data storage media so as to couple power from the primary power source to the at least one of the data storage media; one or more energy modules, each energy module being able to connect to an interface for providing back-up power to the one or more of the data storage media in the event of a failure of the primary power source.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.

Abstract: A personal thermal monitor, comprising a thermally activated circuit configured to provide a first signal when an ambient temperature is greater than a first temperature, a switch in communication with said thermally activated circuit, a controller in communication with said switch and comprising an audible alarm.

Abstract: A dongle for connecting a disk drive assembly to the backplane of a storage enclosure is disclosed. The dongle includes: a housing having a disk drive connector portion having a plurality of contact pins for connecting to a disk drive assembly and having a PCB holding portion having walls that define a recess; and, a PCB located within the recess, the PCB having a plurality of contact fingers on at least one surface at an edge of the PCB to form a backplane connector for connecting to the backplane. At least some of the disk drive connector contact pins are in electrical connection with at least some of the contact fingers of the backplane connector.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of providing out of band monitoring and/or control of a data storage subsystem, the storage subsystem comprising one or more storage media, a controller for controlling the storage media and a power supply unit, the method comprising: providing out of band control and/or monitoring signals to and/or from the power supply unit.

Abstract: A storage assembly includes a physical expander for connection in use to two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, wherein the expander is controlled such that it presents plural virtual expanders. A method for connecting two or more storage devices to two or more SCSI initiators within a storage assembly, includes providing a physical expander for connection in use to the two or more SCSI initiators, and two or more storage devices, and controlling the single expander such that it presents plural virtual expanders.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mesh bag for use with automated wicket bagging machines. In at least one embodiment, the mesh bag comprises a tubular mesh having a first end portion opposite a second end portion, a first wicketing strip attached to the second end portion of the mesh and having a peripheral edge, and a second wicketing strip attached to the second end portion of the mesh, wherein the second wicketing strip extends beyond a top edge of the mesh and the peripheral edge of the first wicketing strip and has at least one opening adapted for collating a plurality of mesh bags on one or more wicket pins. The present invention also relates to a method for making such bags.

Abstract: The invention provides a data storage system, comprising: one or more data storage media; a midplane to which the one or more data storage media are, in use, connected; at least one input/output module for providing control of data transfer between the or each of the data storage media and one or more hosts to which, in use, the data storage system is connected; and a back-up power supply to provide power to the input/output modules in the event of a failure of regular power sources therefor, the back-up power supply being provided separately from the at least one input/output module.