Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-09-25
Picard, Leo P. (Department: 2835)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S679090, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000, C361S689000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06295204
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to computer equipment enclosures, and more particularly to locking mechanisms for retaining equipment in peripheral device bays.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer systems including personal computers, workstations, servers, and embedded systems typically include a motherboard on which most of the fixed internal processing circuitry of the computer is mounted. While working memory (such as random access memory or RAM) may be mounted on the motherboard, permanent memory devices typically are not. Many computer systems are designed to have multiple peripheral devices, including memory devices, included in the system. A typical personal computer system includes a processor with associated memory, control logic, and a number of peripheral devices that provide input and output (I/O) for the system. Such peripheral devices include, for example, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives, hard disk drives, floppy disk drives, and other mass storage devices such as tape drives, compact disk recordable (CD-R) drives and/or digital video/versatile disk (DVD) drives. Additionally, computer systems often have the capability to interface with external enclosures that include additional peripheral devices. One or more data busses are coupled to connectors that mate with connectors on the peripheral devices to enable electrical communication between the peripheral devices and the rest of the computer system.
Several computer systems are often connected to a central network server including one or more mass storage devices that is comprised of one or more removable disk drives in a mounting structure. There are many situations where it is desirable to provide a locking mechanism to prevent removal of one or more of the disk drives from the mounting structure. The size and shape of the of locking mechanism is often subject to physical constraints, however. For example, a locking door or cover may be attached to the bays containing the disk drives to prevent access to the drives, but this may cause overheating problems as the door reduces airflow circulation around electronic components and blocks visibility to drive activity and fault indicators. Further, disk drive space is typically at a premium in computer systems, and it is advantageous to provide a locking mechanism that allows as many disk drives as possible to occupy existing space without increasing the size of the mounting structure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the shortcomings and deficiencies of the prior art by providing a lock assembly that may be integrated with existing mounting structures. In one embodiment, the present invention is designed for use with housing structures for peripheral devices that are connected to a computer system. The lock assembly is attached to the housing and includes a lock bar that is movable between a lock position for preventing removal of peripheral devices and an unlock position for allowing removal of the peripheral devices. The peripheral devices are typically disk storage drives that are mounted in peripheral device carriers. The peripheral device carriers provide structure for installing and removing the disk drives, and for retaining the drives in the housing. The lock assembly is designed to provide a mechanism for preventing unauthorized removal of disk drives and other peripheral devices that are installed in the housing.
In a further embodiment, the lock assembly includes a lock pin coupled to a lock cylinder wherein the lock cylinder can be rotated between a lock position and an unlock position. Rotating the lock cylinder to the lock position causes the lock pin to move linearly to engage the lock bar when the lock bar is in the lock position. The lock cylinder is rotated using a key that may be removed and stored in a secure location to help prevent unauthorized removal of peripheral devices from the housing.
In a further embodiment, the lock assembly includes a bracket attached to the housing. The lock bar is attached to the bracket so that it is movable between the lock and unlock positions.
Another feature of the bracket is a guidance slot to which an arm on the lock bar is movably fastened. The guidance slot allows the lock bar to move between the open and lock positions. The guidance slot may further include a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the lock position.
In another embodiment, the bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a bent arm having an elbow portion and an end portion. The elbow portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the curved slot, and the end portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the linear slot
In another embodiment, the lock assembly includes a first bracket attached to one side of the housing, and a second bracket attached to another side of the housing opposite the first bracket. At least one of the first bracket and the second bracket includes a linear slot and a curved slot, and the lock bar includes a bent arm having an elbow portion and an end portion. The elbow portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the curved slot and the end portion of the bent arm is movably fastened to the linear slot. The linear slot includes a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the closed position.
In another embodiment, the lock assembly includes a first bracket attached to one side of the housing and a second bracket attached to another side of the housing opposite the first bracket. The first and second brackets each include a linear slot and a curved slot. The lock bar includes a first opposing end and a second opposing end.
The first opposing end has an arm portion that is movably fastened to the linear slot and to the curved slot of the first bracket. The second opposing end also has an arm portion that is movably fastened to the linear slot and the curved slot of the second bracket. The linear slots may include a detent portion for retaining the lock bar in the closed position.
Another feature of the lock assembly is a spring connected between the lock bar and the housing for facilitating movement of the lock bar between the lock position and the unlock position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5691879 (1997-11-01), Lopez et al.
Gibbons Clifford A.
Radloff Timothy
Sands Steven L.
Bertani Mary Jo
Chang Yean-Hsi
Dell USA L.P.
Picard Leo P.
Skjerven Morrill & MacPherson LLP
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