Expandable modular data storage system

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of data storage devices, each of the data storage devices including a device power connector and a power supply;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top and a bottom and including an interior power connector adapted to engage the device power connector when the data storage device is received in the storage device housing, a top power connector and a bottom power connector, the top and bottom power connectors being located such that the top power connector of one storage device housing makes an electrical connection with the bottom power connector of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one storage device housing to the bottom of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• and
• a base having a base power connector located such that it mates with the bottom power connector of a storage device housing mounted thereon.

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of disk drives, each disk drive defining a front side and including drive power connection means for providing power to the disk drive, drive signal connection means for providing signal input to and signal output from the disk drive, a power supply, a cooling fan, air flow vents, a power indicator, and an activity indicator;
• at least three substantially identical, vertically stacked disk drive housings adapted to slidably receive a disk drive, each disk drive housing defining a top and a bottom;
• latching means for releasably securing a disk drive within each of the disk drive housings;
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one disk drive housing to the bottom of another disk drive housing stacked thereon;
• system power connection means for supplying power to the drive power connection means of each disk drive;
• a plurality of signal connection devices for connecting the device signal connector of one data storage device to the device signal connector of another data storage device, each signal connection device including a bottom signal connector, an interior signal connector adapted to make electrical connection with one of the device signal connectors, a top signal connector and cable connecting the bottom signal connector to the interior signal connector and to the top signal connector in parallel, the top signal connector of one signal connection device being adapted to be releasably electrically and mechanically connected to the bottom signal connector of another signal connection device;
• whereby the storage capacity of the system may be expanded by stacking one or more additional disk drive housings and disk drives on top of the existing housings.

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of disk drives, each disk drive defining a front side and including drive power connection means for providing power to the disk drive, drive signal connection means for providing signal input to and signal output from the disk drive, a power supply, a cooling fan, air flow vents, a power indicator, and an activity indicator;
• at least three substantially identical, vertically stacked disk drive housings adapted to slidably receive a disk drive, each disk drive housing defining a top, a bottom, a housing length, a housing width and a housing height, whereby a disk drive housing and a disk drive secured therein define a drive/housing assembly, a plurality of drive/housing assemblies form a vertical stack having a plurality of drive/housing assemblies mounted on a lowermost drive/housing assembly;
• latching means for releasably securing a disk drive within each of the disk drive housings;
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one disk drive housing to the bottom of another disk drive housing stacked thereon;
• system power connection means for supplying power to the drive power connection means of each disk drive;
• system signal connection means for connecting the drive signal connection means of at least one disk drive to the drive signal connection means of another disk drive;
• means for successively supplying power from said lowermost drive/housing assembly to the drive housing assemblies mounted thereon;
• and
• a base for vertically supporting said lowermost drive/housing assembly on a support structure, the base defining a base length, a base width and a base height, the base width being greater than the housing width and the base length being greater than the housing length,
• whereby the storage capacity of the system may be expanded by stacking one or more additional disk drive housings and disk drives on top of the existing housings.

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of data storage devices, each storage device defining a rear side;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top and a bottom;
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one storage device housing to the bottom of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• and
• a plurality of rear cover plates, each cover plate covering at least a portion of the rear side of a respective storage device housing and including at least two hand actuated flexible latching flanges and a removable access panel.

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of data storage devices;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top, a bottom, a housing length, a housing width and a housing height;
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one storage device housing to the bottom of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• and
• a base for supporting a lowermost housing defining a base length, a base width and a base height, the base width being greater than the housing width and the base length being greater than the housing length.

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising:

• a plurality of data storage devices, each data storage device including a device signal connector;
• a plurality of substantially identical, vertically stacked storage device housings adapted to slidably receive a data storage device, each storage device housing defining a top and a bottom;
• mechanical connection means for releasably connecting the top of one storage device housing to the bottom of another storage device housing stacked thereon;
• and
• a plurality of signal connection devices for connecting the device signal connector of one data storage device to the device signal connector of another data storage device, each signal connection device including a bottom signal connector, an interior signal connector adapted to make electrical connection with one of the device signal connectors, a top signal connector and cable connecting the bottom signal connector to the interior signal connector and to the top signal connector in parallel, the top signal connector of one signal connection device being adapted to be releasably electrically and mechanically connected to the bottom signal connector of another signal connection device.