Abstract: A computer drive carrier to be removably received within a receiving frame so that a computer drive transported by the carrier can be interfaced with a host computer. A handle is pivotally connected to the computer drive carrier and adapted to be rotated between a closed position when the carrier is received within the receiving frame and an open position when it is desirable to remove the carrier and its drive from the receiving frame to be replaced by a different carrier. A key controlled lock is mounted on the receiving frame and includes a locking pawl that is rotatable from an unlocked position, at which to permit the handle to be rotated from the closed position to the open position so that the computer drive carrier can be removed from its receiving frame, to a locked position, at which to prevent the handle from being rotated to the open position so that the computer drive carrier is locked in place in the receiving frame.

Abstract: A universal receiving frame to be mounted in a drive bay of a chassis or storage enclosure that is interfaced with a host computer. The universal receiving frame is capable of interchangeably receiving different removable computer drive carriers having respective remote computer drives that are configured for parallel and serial operation. A printed circuit board is mounted on the back wall of the universal receiving frame in which an incoming removable drive carrier is slidably received. A suitable (e.g. a Serial ATA) interface and a serial-to-parallel bridge are located on the printed circuit board of the frame, whereby different removable carriers, regardless of drive configuration, can communicate with the chassis by way of the same receiving frame. In an alternate embodiment, which eliminates the universal receiving frame, the removable carriers are connected to one side of a backplane within the chassis and pull-out peripheral circuit boards are connected to the opposite side.

Abstract: A universal receiving frame to be mounted in a drive bay of a chassis or storage enclosure that is interfaced with a host computer. The universal receiving frame is capable of interchangeably receiving different removable computer drive carriers having respective remote computer drives that are configured for parallel and serial operation. A printed circuit board is mounted on the back wall of the universal receiving frame in which an incoming removable drive carrier is slidably received. A suitable (e.g. a Serial ATA) interface and a serial-to-parallel bridge are located on the printed circuit board of the frame, whereby different removable carriers, regardless of drive configuration, can communicate with the chassis by way of the same receiving frame. In an alternate embodiment, which eliminates the universal receiving frame, the removable carriers are connected to one side of a backplane within the chassis and pull-out peripheral circuit boards are connected to the opposite side.

Abstract: Apparatus by which a maximum number (e.g. 16) of external high speed computer data storage devices (e.g. computer hard drives) that are housed within portable carriers can be efficiently connected to and concurrently operated from the same low voltage differential (LVD) SCSI bus of a host computer by eliminating the adverse effects (e.g. parasitic capacitance, impedance mismatch and signal distortion) that occur as a consequence of the stub length that is required to couple a data storage device to its SCSI bus. A U-shaped receiving frame is affixed to and enclosed by a chassis, and the portable carrier in which the data storage device is housed is slidably received in and removable from the receiving frame. An isolator board carrying a repeater chip is coupled to the backplane of the receiving frame so that the repeater chip is electrically connected between the SCSI bus and the data storage device within the portable carrier.

Abstract: An expansion chassis which enables a personal computer to have increased memory capacity. The chassis encloses a removable wiring bracket that carries an external computer memory (e.g. a conventional disk drive, tape drive and the like). When the wiring bracket is removably received through a window at the front of the expansion chassis, a first electrical connector mounted on the wiring bracket is detachably mated to a second electrical connector mounted on the front of the expansion chassis adjacent the window thereof so as to complete an electrical circuit between the external computer memory and the expansion chassis. A position variable switch is also mounted on the expansion chassis adjacent the window so as to quickly and conveniently assign a particular predetermined address to the external computer memory corresponding to the position to which the variable position switch has been set.

Abstract: A portable drive carrier for a memory device for use at a computer or workstation. The carrier has a rotatable handle that is adapted to assist in the detachment and ejection of the carrier from a U-shaped receiving frame that is commonly mounted at an existing drive bay of the computer workstation. The carrier includes a pair of handle cams that are coupled to respective sides of the carrier so as to move therealong in response to a rotation of the handle. The handle cams move into engagement with and apply a pushing force against the receiving frame, whereby the carrier is advanced relative to and detached from the receiving frame to enable the carrier to be pulled out of and removed from the frame. The handle cams are interfaced with force transmitting surfaces formed in the handle so that a rotation of the handle is transferred to the handle cams to cause the handle cams to move along the sides of the carrier in order to apply the pushing force against the receiving frame.

Abstract: A mounting bracket is disclosed, a pair of which are affixed at opposite sides of a conventional computer memory device (e.g. a hard disk drive system). The mounting brackets detachably connect the memory device to a removable computer circuit card by way of slots formed through the card. The brackets have legs which are received through the slots to engage the circuit card and thereby prevent the detachment of the memory device. Blocking arms of the mounting brackets are received through respective slots to prevent the disengagement of the legs of the brackets from the circuit card. A blocking arm and a leg are engaged in a single slot. The blocking arms may be rotated out of the slots to then permit the disengagement of the bracket legs from the circuit card so that the memory device may be disconnected from the card.

Abstract: A portable mass storage device (e.g., a hard disk drive) is shock-isolated at all times; (a) within the chassis of a computer and (b) during its removal and transport to a location remote from the computer chassis. The mass storage device is housed within a canister which is removably mountable within the chassis. A bracket is attached to each lateral side of the mass storage device and a pair of suitable elastomeric shock-isolators extend between each respective one of the brackets and its adjacent canister sidewall so as to mount it in spaced relation to the canister. Power supply to the mass storage device (or any other electrical component) may be disabled/enabled automatically in response to relative separation/closing movement between a pair of connectors. In this manner, "arcing" and other problems which might occur with such a removable unit are automatically avoided in a fail-safe and cost effective manner.

Abstract: A register circuit which is used to asynchronously monitor any data or logical function (or functions) and be able to retain the status of the monitoring until the register is interrogated whereupon the register is automatically reset and able to receive or monitor another status signal.