With Retractable Or Readily Detachable Chassis Patents (Class 361/725)
  • Patent number: 7275646
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for adapting two-post rack systems to support four-post rack mounted equipment. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a coupling member for modifying a two-post equipment rack. The coupling member may include a vertical support member having a first and second lateral end, and a first and second longitudinal end. A first torsion member may be coupled to the vertical support member at the first longitudinal end, and a second torsion member may be coupled to the vertical support member at the second longitudinal end. A coupling feature on the torsion members may be included to allow coupling to adjacent coupling members. An equipment attachment flange may be coupled to the first lateral end, and may further be adapted to emulate a vertical upright in a four-post rack. A rack attachment flange may be coupled to the second lateral end, and may be adapted to provide a load transfer path from the vertical support member to the two-post equipment rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Innovation First, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Mimlitch, III, David A. Norman
  • Patent number: 7274565
    Abstract: A labor of disconnecting many cables is omitted even when carrying a file basestation with an external storage loaded together with a main body. An information processing unit comprises: a main body having a CPU, a keyboard and a display unit; a file basestation with an external storage, such as an FD•D or a CD ROM•D, loaded; and a portreplicator with many connectors loaded. Removal of the main body alone from the portreplicator can omit the labor of disconnecting many cables connected to the portreplicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kamimaki, Yukihide Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Nakagawa, Koichi Kimura, Hideaki Gemma, Hitoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 7271998
    Abstract: An information processor such that interfaces mounted in the side faces of the main body of the information processor can be effectively used, and the connectability of an expanded device is excellent. The information process comprises a main body having a built-in function unit in its case and an interface unit provided in a side face of the main body. In the side face of the main body in which the interface unit is provided has an interface attachment part to which the interface unit is attached and an expanded device receiving part capable of receiving at least one expanded device. The interface unit has a one-piece appearance integrated with the case of the main body when the interface unit is attached to the interface attachment part. When an expended device is received in the expanded device receiving part, the expanded device is held between the interface unit and the side face of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hideki Tanaka, Hideyuki Motoyama, Hiroshi Yamada
  • Patent number: 7257827
    Abstract: A computer comprising: a main body casing accommodating a plurality of hardware components and comprising an entrance opening on a first side thereof; an optical disk drive assembly combined to the main body casing to rotate relative to the main body casing; and a hinge unit provided on a side of the entrance opening of the main body casing, and supporting the optical disk drive assembly to enable the optical disk drive assembly to rotate between an accommodated position where the optical disk drive assembly is accommodated in the main body casing and an ejected position where the optical disk drive assembly is ejected out of the main body casing through the entrance opening. Such a computer is easy for disassembling and assembling when the user repairs or upgrades because an optical disk drive assembly rotates between the accommodated position and the ejected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seung-woon Lee
  • Patent number: 7251143
    Abstract: Device for locking and unlocking at least one interface card plugged into a socket of a receiving system (2) linked to a data processing system. The device (1) comprises a box (3) mounted to the receiving system (2) and receiving at least one sliding locking/unlocking element (4a-4n) for locking/unlocking interface cards. Each of elements (4a-4n) is disposed opposite a socket in a position that blocks the access to or removal of an interface card. Each element (4a-4n) comprising an element for controlling the power supply (63) of the card, a visual element for indicating the operation and the recognition of the card, and a detecting element for detecting the intent to unlock the card. The device (1) includes a communication element that makes it possible to transmit signals between the data processing system and the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Bull, SAS
    Inventors: Sebastien Magnoux, Lionel Coutancier
  • Patent number: 7239521
    Abstract: A switch cabinet module mounting system includes a cabinet mounting panel and a plurality of electrically interconnected modules each separately replaceable and releasably attached to the mounting panel and configured to perform different functions. Each module includes a module base releasably attachable to the cabinet mounting panel, a first component mounting rail extending from the module base, and multiple electrical components secured to the component mounting rail, the electrical components of the module electrically interconnected to perform a specific function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Trumpf Werkzeugmaschien GmbH + Co., KG
    Inventors: Jose Quero, Achim Stirner, Vassilios Tsirogiannis
  • Patent number: 7221572
    Abstract: The invention is directed towards assemblies of electrical or electronic circuit boards. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assembly for housing multiple computer circuit boards. The assembly include a housing that has several railing coupled to the housing. A connector is structurally and electrically coupled to the railings for hanging the computer circuit boards. Structural coupling between the connector and the railing is accomplished by placing the connector in contact with the railing in a file hanging method. This contact also creates an electrical coupling and establishes an electrical connection between the connector and the railing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Inventor: Derick Arippol
  • Patent number: 7218526
    Abstract: A rack computer system. In one embodiment, a rack structure having a pair of mounting legs each having a rail interface oriented in a plane transverse to the pair of mounting legs. The rack computer system also has a computer chassis having a pair of mounting rails movable along the rail interface between a plurality of mounting depths oriented along the plane. In another embodiment, a method of forming a versatile rack mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 7193856
    Abstract: An ejector includes a block attached rotatably to a unit, the block including first and second compression members, each of which compresses an electronic apparatus so as to release an electric connection between the unit and the electronic apparatus, and an arm rotatable with the block and attached to the unit so that the arm displaces relative to the block, the arm including third and fourth compression members, each of which compresses an electronic apparatus so as to electrically connect the unit and the electronic apparatus to each other, wherein the block and the arm compress the electronic apparatus via different compression members as a displacement state and a rotational direction of the arm change.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Hiroshi Hidaka
  • Patent number: 7187547
    Abstract: A data storage subsystem is configured to mount within a rack mount cabinet. The data storage subsystem includes a housing configured to mount to a set of vertical rails of the rack mount cabinet, a set of circuit boards configured to install in a vertically aligned manner within the housing to define a set of vertically oriented channels within a central space defined by the set of vertical rails of the rack mount cabinet, and a fan assembly configured to mount to the set of vertical rails in a position above the housing to generate a vertical air stream through the set of vertically oriented channels and to exhaust the vertical air stream to an external location above the rack mount cabinet. The vertical air stream enables robust heat removal from the set of circuit boards even if the rack mount cabinet does not reside in a cold-isle environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: F. William French, Arthur Robert Nigro, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7180748
    Abstract: The present invention provides a front panel fitting apparatus capable of fitting and removing a front panel quickly and easily with a small force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Miyamoto
  • Patent number: 7173825
    Abstract: The hinge device includes a housing (30), a cam (60), a cam follower (40) to interact with the cam, and a resilient member (80). The housing contains the cam, cam follower and resilient member. The cam moves linearly, and the cam follower rotates. The cam has a peak (76), a valley (77), and a straight line section (78) in which the cam follower holds its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Phoenix Korea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Young-Soo Han, Sung-Hyun Ka
  • Patent number: 7151672
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a computer housing with specially shaped sides and removably attached aesthetic outer shells. The housing is formed of five sides where by four of them come together to form a sixth side, having at least one of these four sides hinged too open to reveal the interior of the computer housing. The housing is fastened to a base panel of an aesthetic outer shell where a top half section attaches itself to a base panel, concealing the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Adam Campbell
  • Patent number: 7145776
    Abstract: Described is a midplane-less data storage enclosure having a control board module with an electrical connector and a bulkhead assembly with a plurality of spaced-apart disk-drive guides coupled to a bulkhead. The disk-drive guides and bulkhead together define a plurality of disk-drive slots. The bulkhead has connected thereto a plurality of first electrical connectors and a second electrical connector in electrical communication with each of the first electrical connectors. Each slot slidably receives a storage disk drive such that the storage disk drive electrically connects to one of the first electrical connectors. The second electrical connector is electrically connected to the connector of the control board module so that each storage disk drive connected to one of the first electrical connectors is in electrical communication with the control board module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph P. King, Jr., Albert F. Beinor, Jr., John V. Burroughs, Adrianna D. Bailey, Stephen E. Strickland, Maida Boudreau
  • Patent number: 7145778
    Abstract: One embodiment is a system for mounting a component in a computer system comprising a bracket having a plurality of access ports that permit the component to be secured to the bracket, and having a plurality of mounting points that permit the bracket to be secured to the computer system; a cavity in the computer system formed to receive the bracket with the component and having a plurality of mounting posts, each of which corresponds with a respective mounting point of the plurality of the mounting points; and a cover that is formed to fit over the cavity and having a plurality of access points, each of which corresponds with a respective mounting point and a respective mounting post, wherein the plurality of access points permits each respective mounting point to be secured to the respective mounting post through the associated access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Ronald E. DeLuga, Earl Moore, Walter J. Rankins, Jeffrey A. Lev
  • Patent number: 7133291
    Abstract: An array storage system and associated method are provided comprising a multiple disc array. The multiple disc array comprises a partition defining attachment points for fixing each of a plurality of data storage devices to the partition arranged in a first and a second array, wherein a data storage device in the first array operably spins oppositely with respect to a data storage device in the second array. Two identical partitions, each supporting arrays of data storage devices, can be joined together to increase the storage capacity of the multiple disc array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Grant Edward Carlson, Karl Heinz Cunha
  • Patent number: 7124059
    Abstract: A method and system for maintaining an item of equipment supports the provision of predictive maintenance in a manner which eliminates or reduces downtime of the equipment. The method includes tracking performance data on the equipment or a particular component of the equipment. At least one required maintenance activity is predicted based upon the performance data with respect to a defined performance standard. Performance of the required maintenance activity is scheduled at a defined respective time based upon the prediction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Accenture Global Services GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Wetzer, David P. West, II, Patrick E. Weir, Gary R. Garrow, Charles P. Newton, III
  • Patent number: 7113396
    Abstract: A mounting bracket (40) for mounting different types of power supplies (10) having different configurations of screw holes (14) to a computer enclosure (20) includes a body (41) for being attached to one of the power supplies. A plurality of countersunk portions (52) is defined in the body to configure such that selected of the through holes correspond to screw holes of the one of the power supplies. An L-shaped latch (44) is formed on a top portion of the body for suspending on the enclosure. A tab (46) depends from the body and defines a screw aperture (48) for engaging with a screw (60) which extends through the enclosure. A first rolled hook (50) and a second rolled hook (58) are formed outwardly from the body for engaging with the enclosure. A plurality of spring fingers (60) is formed in the body for electrically connecting with the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Da-Long Sun, Li Tong
  • Patent number: 7102887
    Abstract: A housing for hot-pluggable network tap modules. The housing allows a user to maintain all network taps in any given system in one housing and location. This increases the ease of maintaining multiple network taps and allows the network tap modules to be powered by a power supply included with the housing. The housings can greatly simplify the process of managing multiple taps. Moreover, the housing are compatible with hot-pluggable network tap modules as well as legacy network tap modules that were developed in the past.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Finisar Corporation
    Inventor: Donald A. Blackwell
  • Patent number: 7099158
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting and mounting at least one module on a surface may be provided. The apparatus may comprise a housing that may be attachable to a portion of the surface. The housing may have a channel that may be sized to receive and support at least a portion of at least one module. The apparatus may also include at least one mounting member on the housing for attaching the housing to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property Corp.
    Inventor: Brian P. Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 7088589
    Abstract: A mechanical and automatic liquid crystal display (LCD) device and particularly to a mechanical and automatic LCD device for automatically and rapidly unloading and storing the LCD panel that is especially suitable for a LCD device which has a display panel foldable upwards for storing includes a case for housing an extendable deck, a coupling mechanism, a display panel holding mechanism and an upward folding actuation means. The structure thus formed can replace the expensive electronic circuit control to enable users to automatically and rapidly unload or retract and store the display panel, and also adjust and remember the viewing angle of the display panel to meet user's requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: E-Lead Electronic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tonny Chen
  • Patent number: 7088588
    Abstract: A coupling structure includes a hook bar and a force receiving member adopted for use on an electronic device that has a folding member such as a notebook computer that consists of an upper lid and a base. The folding member is the upper lid. The force receiving member and the hook bar have respectively a portion exposed from two neighboring sides of the upper lid, and are coupled by a turning mechanism. When the force receiving member is depressed, it is moved longitudinally towards the upper lid. The turning mechanism transfers the force to push the hook bar moving transversely so that the latch tenons on the hook bar may escape the latch holes on the base to control the coupling condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Uniwill Computer Corp.
    Inventor: Chiu-Chih Lee
  • Patent number: 7079397
    Abstract: A mobile computer tilting arrangement is disclosed to include a casing, the casing comprising at least two recessed locating holes respectively disposed in at least two corners of the back side thereof, and two plugs selectively detachably press-fitted into two of the at least two recessed locating holes for supporting the casing on a flat surface in a sloping position, each plug comprising a center through hole, and a pin insertable into the center through hole to radially expand the respective plug into friction engagement with one recessed locating hole of the casing into which the respective plug is press-fitted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chao-Ming Huang, Wen-Chieh Wang, Chin-Ku Chuang
  • Patent number: 7068503
    Abstract: A labor of disconnecting many cables is omitted even when carrying a file basestation with an external storage loaded together with a main body. An information processing unit comprises: a main body having a CPU, a keyboard and a display unit; a file basestation with an external storage, such as an FD•D or a CD ROM•D, loaded; and a portreplicator with many connectors loaded. Removal of the main body alone from the portreplicator can omit the labor of disconnecting many cables connected to the portreplicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Kamimaki, Yukihide Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Nakagawa, Koichi Kimura, Hideaki Gemma, Hitoshi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 7057898
    Abstract: A device retention mechanism includes a computer chassis (10) having a side panel (12) and a rear panel (14), and a retention member (30) rotatably attached to the side panel. The side and rear panels cooperatively preliminarily attaches a power supply (50) inside the computer chassis. The retention member is rotated about a pivot piece (351) in a direction to urge the power supply toward the rear panel. An engagement point between the power supply and the retention member is below the pivot piece, and the power supply exerts a torque to the retention member in the direction such that the retention member is held in place. The power supply is thus secured inside the computer chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun-Lung Chen, Da-Long Sun
  • Patent number: 7054144
    Abstract: An information handling system with a chassis for housing a modular information includes a front face with one or more front openings. The front face includes a first pull handle located on one end of the front face and the second pull handle located on a second end of the front face. A locking bezel is provided that includes a first end with a retaining shoulder and a second end with a locking shoulder assembly. The retaining shoulder is formed to interface with the first pull handle and the locking shoulder assembly is formed to selectively lock the locking bezel to the second pull handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Raymond D. Heistand, II, Anthony W. Cuteri
  • Patent number: 7050297
    Abstract: A carrier includes a drive bracket (30), a bezel (20), and a lever (10). The drive bracket includes a front plate (32) and a side plate (34). A first opening (322) and a second opening (342) are respectively defined in the front plate and the side plate. The bezel defines an aperture (24) corresponding to the first opening of the drive bracket. The lever includes a main body (16) and a handle (12). Two stop tabs (142) project from the handle. The main body has an end portion (162). When the drive bracket is slid into a rack (70), the stop tabs abut a front frame (76) of the rack thereby preventing the carrier from being over-inserted into the rack. Then when the handle is pressed, the end portion extends through the second opening of the drive bracket to engage with the rack thereby securing the carrier to the rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng Kuang Chung
  • Patent number: 7046517
    Abstract: A cooling system hinge mounted to a portion of an enclosure of an electronic system to which a cooling device may be releasably and pivotably attached in at least an open position to permit access to components within the electronic system and a closed position to permit installation of a cover to close the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Brian J. Long, Paul J. Gwin, Rolf A. Konstad
  • Patent number: 7045717
    Abstract: A carrier that houses an external cable terminated at a male cable connector that mates with a female midplane connector on a midplane in a server blade computer is presented. The carrier includes side channel guides that align the carrier with the female midplane connector for a precise mating with the male cable connector. A light channel in the carrier captures light from a status light emitting diode (LED) at the midplane, and transmits that light to an externally visible end of the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Randolph Scot Kolvick, Peter Andrew Smith
  • Patent number: 7038916
    Abstract: The invention discloses an express card housing structure serving as a housing for accommodating light in weight, small in size and portable hardware devices, which are used as memories or execute various media. The express card housing includes a connector housing, terminals, a main frame, and upper and lower housings. The invention is characterized that, fastening openings at the lower housing are fastened with fastening sections at two inner sides of the main frame, and inverted U-shaped clasp sections bent downward at two lateral sides of the upper housing are positioned in clasp channels at two sides of the main frame for facilitating assembly of the invention. The terminals are devised as structures having a connect pin and can be installed with one-step installation process for elevating production efficiency and yield rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: George Chen
  • Patent number: 7035099
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a drive bracket (20), a first latch member (30) and a second latch member (40) to secure two different sizes of data storage devices (10, 10?) therein. The first latch member is movably attached to a first side wall (211) of the bracket via a coil spring (50). The first latch member forms a first locating position and a second locating position thereof. The second latch member comprises a stop (44). When the second latch member is adjustably attached to the first latch member in either of the first locating position and the second locating position. The corresponding data storage device with studs (14 or 14?) installed in one sidewall thereof is slidably installed in the bracket. The studs ride over the stop of the second latch member to secure the data storage devices in the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Pin-Shian Wu
  • Patent number: 7031036
    Abstract: A bracing apparatus adopted for bracing an upper casing, pivotally engaged with a lower casing with electronic elements inside, of hatch-top electronic devices facilitate repairs and maintenance of the electronic elements in the lower casing. The bracing apparatus includes a first and a second linkage bar and an elastic element. The first linkage bar is remote from the pivotal joint of the upper and the lower casing, connects to the upper casing and pivotally connects to the second linkage bar. The second linkage bar connects to the lower casing. The pivotal connection end of the first and the second linkage bars is directing outwards from the neighboring sides of the upper casing and the lower casing. The elastic element connects to the upper casing abutting the pivotal joint of the upper casing and the lower casing, and the pivotal connection end of the first and the second linkage bars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Lite-On Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Min Chao
  • Patent number: 7031169
    Abstract: A modular device with a housing includes at least one slot adapted for receiving an insert module and including a housing connector, each insert module includes a module connector for providing a connection with the housing connector, a driving device drives at least one of: the insertion and removal of the insert module into and out of the respective slot and includes two driving members and an actuator cooperating with one of the driving members for providing a displacement between the two driving members parallel to the plugging direction of the connectors, one of the driving members is mounted at the housing, while the other is mounted at the insert module, the actuator and one of the driving members are mounted at the housing or at the insert module, and the two driving members of the driving device are a projection extending perpendicularly to the plugging direction of the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Malte Schlueter, Jens Heitkamp
  • Patent number: 7027306
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a motherboard (10) providing a plurality of apertures (14) includes a panel (20), a support plate (40) attached to the panel and a fastener (50) for fastening the motherboard to the support plate. The panel includes a plurality of catches (21) and a pair of stoppers (23). The support plate includes a plurality of latches (44) and a fixing hole (46) corresponding the apertures of the motherboard respectively, and a plurality of catch openings (43) for engagingly receiving the catches of the panel to secure the support plate to the panel. The latches are configured to allow the motherboard be slid from a first position to a second position in which the motherboard is engaged with the latches. The fastener fastens the motherboard to the support plate at the second postion. The motherboard is thus secured to the panel of the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, Zhou Xu
  • Patent number: 7012808
    Abstract: A rack computer system. In one embodiment, a rack structure having a pair of mounting legs each having a rail interface oriented in a plane transverse to the pair of mounting legs. The rack computer system also has a computer chassis having a pair of mounting rails movable along the rail interface between a plurality of mounting depths oriented along the plane. In another embodiment, a method of forming a versatile rack mount. The method comprises providing a rack structure having dual mounting legs, coupling at least part of a rail and rail interface assembly to the dual mounting legs, and enabling variable-depth mounting of a desired computer chassis via the rail and rail interface assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventor: David W. Mayer
  • Patent number: 7006351
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus for a data storage device (10) with a plurality of protrusions (14) formed thereon. The mounting apparatus comprises a bracket (30), a pair of retaining members (50), and a pair of latches (70). A pair of openings (40) is defined in each side plate (34) of the bracket. The retaining members are attached to inner sides of the side plates and each comprises a pair of retaining portions (58). The retaining portions each comprise a resilient arm (60) and a positioning portion (58). The protrusions are limited in a space defined by the resilient arm and the positioning portion. A hook (610) is formed on the resilient arm and extends through corresponding opening. The latches are pivotally attached to outsides of the bracket and ends are received in corresponding hooks. The data storage device is released from the bracket by pressing the latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., LTD
    Inventors: Yun Lung Chen, YanXi Yang, Zhou Xu
  • Patent number: 6999319
    Abstract: A support frame structure mounted inside the housing of a computer system for supporting electronic drives is disclosed to include a plurality of upright partition plates affixed to the bottom panel between two upright side panels of the housing, a cover plate fastened to the upright side panels of the housing and covered on the upright partition plates, and a detachable upright back panel, which has a bottom side engaged into notched locating strips at the back side of each upright partition plate and a top side terminating in a forwardly extended bend, which is covered on a rear part of the top of each upright partition plate and affixed thereto with a screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Tatung Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chia-Kang Wu, Zheng-Jin Zhao, Fu-Jung Hsui
  • Patent number: 6999320
    Abstract: An expansible and detachable housing of electronic device has two half-housings and two base plates with a detachable pivot element respectively connected to the bottom plates. Whereby, when the two bottom plates are formed a plane, the two half-housings are formed an extension state, or when the two bottom plates is caused to be perpendicular to each other, the two half-housing bodies is allowed to assemble to form a complete housing, or when the two bottom plates are separated, the two half-housings is formed a separation state. Therefore, the present invention can allow each electronic element to be assembled easily and to be maintained conveniently. Furthermore, electronic elements can be conveniently assembled in the two half-housing bodies separately at two different locations according to needs, and then, integrated into a whole body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: First International Computer, Inc.
    Inventor: Cheng-Yuan Fan
  • Patent number: 6984784
    Abstract: An electronic equipment system includes a housing 20 and a plurality of modules 31 to 35, which are removably built in and fixed to the housing 20. The modules 31 to 34 includes a liquid crystal display 31a; a graphic control circuit 32a1 and a navigation control circuit 32a2; an MD unit 33a; and a CD unit 34a, respectively. The module 35 is formed through integration of control sections, such as constant-voltage circuits for power supply, which achieve a function that is common among the graphic control circuit and the navigation control circuit, the MD unit, and the CD unit. Thus, it becomes possible to replace only necessary one among the modules 31 to 34, thereby reducing cost necessary for upgrading of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Nagasaka, Tsuneo Shiga, Masaaki Murata
  • Patent number: 6980428
    Abstract: A computer data reading apparatus has a reading device installed to one slot of a computer so as to be connected to a joint of a reading unit for inputting data from or outputting data to a computer. The reading device includes a stand, a casing, a supporting plate, a sliding block, a cover and an outer frame. The casing is positioned across an upper side of the stand. Each of front lower sides of the casing has a hook portion. An outer side of the casing has a positioning groove for receiving a push rod. A supporting plate is locked to a rear side of the casing so as to form with a cartridge for receiving and sliding a sliding block. One side of the supporting plate is installed with an input/output port which is coupled to a joint of the reading unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Inventor: Pan Heng Ting
  • Patent number: 6967847
    Abstract: A computer system includes a chassis, a first printed circuit board having a surface facing the cavity and at least one component extending from the surface. The printed circuit board moves between a first position in which the at least one component is at least partially received within the cavity and a second position in which the at least one component is removed from the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Stephan K. Barsun, Robert W. Dobbs
  • Patent number: 6946602
    Abstract: A housing assembly, structured to enclose a plurality of electrical components and flexible cables, each the electrical component coupled at least one other electrical component or to an input device by the cables, includes a plurality of mounting plate members and a plurality of vertical walls. The plurality of mounting plate members includes at least a bottom mounting plate member and at least one movable mounting plate member. Each mounting plate structured to support one or more electrical components. The plurality of vertical walls include a front wall coupled to, and extending generally perpendicular to, the base plate member, a first side wall coupled to, and extending generally perpendicular to, the base plate member, a second side wall coupled to, and extending generally perpendicular to, the base plate member, a back wall coupled to, and extending generally perpendicular to, the base plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Irving Albert Gibbs, Steven Dale Walker, Thomas Arthur Farr, Marcus Eugene Case, Tap Van Pham, Rafael Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 6934158
    Abstract: A cabinet having a plurality of rack mountable chassis. One portion of such chassis has directors and electrically interconnected memory and another portion of such chassis having a plurality of disk drives. The plurality of chassis are electrically interconnected to provide a data storage system interface. The another portion of the cabinets includes therein a printed circuit board having plugged into a surface thereof a plurality of disk drives. The cabinet includes a plurality of rack mountable chassis. A first one of such chassis has a memory and a plurality of directors for controlling data transfer between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives as such data passes through the memory. A first plurality of the directors are for coupling to the host computer/server. A second plurality of the directors are for coupling to a bank of disk drives. A second one of such chassis has a plurality of disk drives, such disk drives being plugged into a surface of a printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Teachout, Brian Gallagher, Kendell A. Chilton, Natan Vishlitzky
  • Patent number: 6906925
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for mounting a enclosure-mountable device to an equipment enclosure having a plurality of vertical mounting rails disposed so as to define an equipment storage region is disclosed. The mounting mechanism includes a first portion configured to be attached to the enclosure-mountable device, and a second portion configured to be attached to one or more of the vertical mounting rails. The first and second portions are configured such that the enclosure-mountable device may be disposed in a first position outside the equipment storage region and a second position outside the equipment storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Linux Networx, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Robbins, David Turner
  • Patent number: 6894895
    Abstract: An expansion enclosure allows additional expansion cards to be used with a computer system. The enclosure exhibits a small footprint (e.g., one rack unit, or 1¾ inches) for installation in a rack or other area in which space is limited. The enclosure accepts one or more (e.g., four) expansion cards, which are connected to a removable expansion card cage. The removable cage forms part of the structure of the enclosure and provides strength and rigidity. A stabilizer may be removably but securely installed in the enclosure to stabilize or hold the removable cage as a card is installed in or removed from the cage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford B. Willis, Denise R. Silverman, Nicholas J. Anderson
  • Patent number: 6891722
    Abstract: A magnetic locking device is described. The magnetic locking device is utilized for locking an electric device upper cover especially for locking both sides of the display cover of a notebook/tablet dual-purpose personal computer. The magnetic locking device has a lock module and a hook module. The lock module installed in the upper cover has a lock module base, a release button, a magnet, a first bezel and a second bezel. The hook module installed in the electric device base has a hook module base, a spring device, and a hook. The spring device pulls the hook to hide in the electric device base when the hook is not working to improve the electric device appearance and to eliminate interference during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Quanta Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Wen-Hsiang Chen, Kuo-Chang Yang, Jung-Wen Chang
  • Patent number: 6870739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a housing. Housing walls (1) are provided which are formed so as to be integral and collapsible, constituting the housing in the collapsed state, and which are fitted with functional elements (8) and closing elements (5) of synthetic resin injection-molded onto the housing walls (1), which closing elements (5) are designed so as to be movable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Hartmut Groos, Thomas Nagel
  • Patent number: 6870731
    Abstract: A mounting apparatus includes a lock member (20), a support panel (30), and a securing panel (40). The support panel includes a main wall (32). First and second lock plates (33, 34) and catches (35) are arranged on the main wall. The securing panel includes a base board (41) and a flange (42). Catch holes (49) are defined in the base board, the catch holes engagingly receiving the catches. Two openings (45) are defined between the base board and the flange. The lock member includes two latches (22) engaging in the openings. First and second cutouts (23, 24) are defined respectively in opposite sides of the lock member. The first and second lock plates of the support panel are passed through the first and second cutouts of the lock member, thereby enabling the lock member to be slidably retained on the main wall by the first and second lock plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuo-Chih Lin, Da-Long Sun, Li Tong
  • Patent number: 6862187
    Abstract: A mounting mechanism for mounting a enclosure-mountable device to an equipment enclosure having a plurality of vertical mounting rails disposed so as to define an equipment storage region is disclosed. The mounting mechanism includes a first portion configured to be attached to the enclosure-mountable device, and a second portion configured to be attached to one or more of the vertical mounting rails. The first and second portions are configured such that the enclosure-mountable device may be disposed in a first position outside the equipment storage region and a second position outside the equipment storage region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Linux Networx, Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Robbins, David Turner
  • Patent number: 6862174
    Abstract: A drive bracket assembly includes a first drive bracket (20) attachable to a computer enclosure, a second drive bracket (30) attached to a base plate (24) of the first drive bracket, and a resilient fastener (40). Two generally arcuate sliding slots (244, 245) and three positioning portions (246) are formed at the base plate of the first drive bracket. A locking aperture (248) is defined in the base plate. Two posts (362) and three receiving portions (364) are formed at an upper plate (36) of the second drive bracket. A locking protrusion (442) is formed on the resilient fastener. In assembly, the posts are sliding received in the sliding slots, and slid therealong to inner ends thereof. The receiving portions respectively engage with the corresponding positioning portions. The locking protrusion snappingly engages in the aperture. Thus, the second drive bracket is readily mounted to the first drive bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh Nan Chien, Zhao-Guang Zeng, Tun Gao, Deyi Shi