Tool-less convertible keying solution for modular components
AssigneeHewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
InventorsJames Jeffrey Schulze, Keith Sauer, Kelly K. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible chassis system for receiving a plurality of storage drives includes a chassis that includes a plurality of bays for receiving the storage drives. The convertible chassis also includes a reversible key that is removably affixed to the chassis body in either a first orientation or a second orientation. Each orientation provides a different key guide within the plurality of bays that either allows the storage drives to be received into or rejected from the bays of the chassis.
Claims19
A convertible chassis system for receiving a plurality of storage drives, comprising:
- a chassis cage that includes a body defining a plurality of bays for receiving the storage drives;
- and
- a reversible key removably affixed to the body in a first orientation or second orientation, the reversible key being capable of being removably affixed to the chassis body in both the first and second orientations, each orientation providing a different key guide within the plurality of bays that allows the storage drives to be received into or rejected from the bays of the chassis.
A chassis system, comprising:
- a chassis cage that includes a body including a first bay and a second bay, the first and the second bays configured to receive a storage drive, the body including a wall that defines a first slot that is in alignment with the first bay, a second slot that is in alignment with the second bay, and a keyhole positioned therebetween;
- and
- a reversible key that is removably affixed to an outer portion of the wall of the chassis cage, the reversible key including a key body with a top side that includes a first set of key tabs and a bottom side that includes a second set of key tabs, the first set of key tabs and the second set of key tabs
- receivable through the first slot, the second slot, and the keyhole of the chassis,
- wherein the reversible key is capable of being affixed to the outer portion of the wall of the chassis cage in:
- a first orientation in which the bottom side faces the outer portion of the chassis cage, and
- a second orientation in which the top side faces the outer portion of the chassis cage.
A method for providing a convertible chassis system, comprising:
- providing a chassis cage that defines a plurality of bays, each bay configured to receive a storage drive, the chassis cage including a plurality of slots along a portion of a wall of the chassis cage, each slot aligned with a bay;
- providing a reversible key with a first set of key tabs on a top side of the reversible key and a second set of key tabs on a bottom side of the reversible key, the first and second sets of key tabs defining different key guides;
- removably securing the reversible key to an external portion of the wall of the chassis cage with the top side facing the wall, wherein the first set of one or more key tabs is received through the plurality of slots;
- and
- inserting the reversible key within an alignment guide that is positioned along the external portion of the wall of the chassis cage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.