Cable chain return system and associated methods
AssigneeNetApp, Inc.
InventorsAlan Pfeifer, John Dunham, Ryan Signer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a cable chain return system 100 that includes a spring 170 for assisting folding and organization of a cable chain 110. When a customer replaceable unit (CRU) 210 is extended from a chassis 140 to gain access to connectors on the back of the CRU 210, the cable chain 110 is extended. When the CRU 210 is moved back into the chassis 140, a plurality of folding curves 130 organize the cable chain 110, and cables 118 therein, without damaging the cables 118 or inhibiting positioning of the CRU 210 in the chassis 140. One of these curves 130 is initiated by the spring 170 and therefore aids in returning and organizing of the cable chain 110.
Claims11
A method of returning a cable chain from an extended position to a retained position, said method comprising:
- providing a cable chain made from a plurality of links having a limited arc of rotation, said links periodically reversed on said articulated cable chain so that said cable chain forms a plurality of folding curves in sequentially opposite directions along said cable chain when said cable chain is in said retained position, said cable chain defining:
- a proximal end attached to said chassis,
- a distal end oppositely disposed from said proximal end and attached to said customer replaceable unit;
- and,
- a biased section adjoining said proximal end;
- placing a spring adjacent to said cable chain proximal end that engages said cable chain biased section and said chassis so that said spring biases said cable chain biased section towards said chassis to initiate forming of said plurality of folding curves when said customer replaceable unit is moved from said extended position to said retained position.
A cable chain return system connected to a customer replaceable unit and a chassis, said cable chain return system comprising:
- a cable chain made from a plurality of links that have a limited arc of rotation, said links periodically reversed on said cable chain so that said cable chain forms a plurality of folding curves in sequentially opposite directions along said cable chain when said a cable chain is in a retained position, said cable chain defining:
- a proximal end attached to said chassis,
- a distal end oppositely disposed from said proximal end and attached to said customer replaceable unit,
- a biased section adjoining said proximal end;
- and,
- a spring attached to said chassis adjacent to said cable chain proximal end adjoining said cable chain biased section, said spring disposed on said chassis to bias said cable chain biased section towards said chassis for initiating said plurality of folding curves when said cable chain moves from an extended position to said retained position.
A method of installing a cable chain return system for a customer replaceable unit in a chassis that extends from said chassis, said method comprising:
- providing a cable chain made from a plurality of links that have a limited arc of rotation, said links periodically reversed on said articulated cable chain so that said cable chain forms a plurality of folding curves in sequentially opposite directions along said cable chain when said cable chain is in a retained position, said cable chain defining a proximal end and an oppositely disposed distal end;
- providing a spring comprising:
- a first coil section and a second coil section integrally formed with said first coil section;
- squeezing said spring first and second coil sections towards each other;
- positioning said spring adjacent to said chassis, after said squeezing said spring;
- releasing said spring, after said positioning said spring;
- positioning said cable chain proximal end between said first coil section and said second coil section, after said releasing said spring;
- and,
- attaching said cable chain to said chassis between said spring first and second coil sections thereby installing said cable chain return.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.