Modular data storage system
AssigneeSeagate Technology LLC
InventorsLaurence A. Harvilchuck, Alexander C. Worrall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A modular data storage system can consist of at least first and second enclosures spanning a single pair of rails. The first and second enclosures may each have keyed couplers that mate to align the first and second enclosures along a common plane while being suspended between the single pair of rails.
Claims20
An apparatus comprising first and second enclosures suspended by a single pair of rails in a rack, the first and second enclosures each having keyed couplers that mate to align the first and second enclosures along a common plane between the single pair of rails, each keyed coupler having a frame cantilevered from the respective enclosures, each frame comprising a notch separated from a protrusion by a service aperture, a first notch of a first keyed coupler of the first enclosure sized to secure a first protrusion of a second keyed coupler of the second enclosure to allow movement of the first and second enclosures in a first direction opposite and parallel to gravity and prevent movement of the first and second enclosures in a second direction corresponding to gravity.
A system comprising first and second enclosures in different layers attached to and suspended by a single support rail in a rack, first and second keyed couplers attached to the respective first and second enclosures, the keyed couplers configured to mate and align the first and second enclosures to the single support rail, each keyed coupler having a frame cantilevered from the respective enclosures, each frame comprising a notch separated from a protrusion by a service aperture, a first notch of a first keyed coupler of the first enclosure sized to secure a first protrusion of a second keyed coupler of the second enclosure to allow movement of the first and second enclosures in a first direction and prevent movement of the first and second enclosures in a second direction.
A method comprising:
- attaching a first keyed coupler to a first enclosure, the first keyed coupler comprising a first frame cantilevered from the first enclosure, the first frame having a first notch separated from a first protrusion by a first service aperture;
- attaching a second keyed coupler to a second enclosure, the second keyed coupler comprising a second frame cantilevered from the second enclosure, the second frame having a second notch separated from a second protrusion by a second service aperture;
- mating the first protrusion and the second notch to secure the keyed couplers together and to align the first and second enclosures along a common plane and allow movement of the first and second enclosures in a first direction opposite and parallel to gravity while preventing movement of the first and second enclosures in a second direction corresponding to gravity;
- and
- suspending the first and second enclosures between a single pair of rails.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.