Data storage module alignment system and method
First Claim
1. A data storage module alignment system for use in a data storage module and enclosure system including a module enclosure having a plurality of bay slots and at least one data storage module, said data storage module alignment system comprising:
- at least one alignment guide adapted to be mounted at the module enclosure entrance, said at least one alignment guide including a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a rear side, said at least one alignment guide further including a plurality of guide channels formed in said top side, each guide channel having a channel base; and
at least one guide rail adapted to be mounted to the data storage module, said at least one guide rail including first and second ends and being sized and configured for receipt within one of said guide channels of said at least one alignment guide;
wherein said at least one alignment guide and said at least one guide rail are used cooperatively to facilitate proper alignment and insertion of the data storage module within one of the bay slots of the module enclosure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data storage module alignment system and method for use in a data storage module and enclosure system including a module enclosure having a plurality of bay slots and at least one data storage module. The data storage module alignment system comprises at least one alignment guide that is adapted to be mounted at the module enclosure entrance and at least one guide rail that is adapted to be mounted to the data storage module. The alignment guide includes a plurality of guide channels having rounded edges. The guide rail is sized and shaped for receipt within the guide channels. Typically, the alignment guide further includes a plurality of guide flanges that are arranged asymmetrically along the alignment guide. The inner side of each guide flange defines an edge of one of the guide channels and includes chamfers which facilitate initial alignment of the data storage module within one of the bay slots of the module enclosure.
105 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A data storage module alignment system for use in a data storage module and enclosure system including a module enclosure having a plurality of bay slots and at least one data storage module, said data storage module alignment system comprising:
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at least one alignment guide adapted to be mounted at the module enclosure entrance, said at least one alignment guide including a top side, a bottom side, a front side, and a rear side, said at least one alignment guide further including a plurality of guide channels formed in said top side, each guide channel having a channel base; and
at least one guide rail adapted to be mounted to the data storage module, said at least one guide rail including first and second ends and being sized and configured for receipt within one of said guide channels of said at least one alignment guide;
wherein said at least one alignment guide and said at least one guide rail are used cooperatively to facilitate proper alignment and insertion of the data storage module within one of the bay slots of the module enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A data storage module alignment guide for use in a data storage module and enclosure system including a module enclosure having a plurality of bay slots and at least one data storage module, said data storage module alignment guide comprising:
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top, bottom, front, and rear sides; and
a plurality of guide channels formed in said top side, said guide channels being adapted to receive guide rails of the data storage module, each guide channel having a channel base;
wherein said alignment guide is adapted to be mounted at one of the top and bottom sides of the module enclosure entrance and facilitates alignment and insertion of the data storage module within the module enclosure. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of aligning data storage modules within bay slots of a module enclosure, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing top and bottom alignment guides at the top and bottom of the module enclosure entrance, each alignment guide including a plurality of guide channels formed therein, the guide channels having chamfered ends;
providing top and bottom guide rails on the data storage module, each guide rail being sized and configured for receipt within the guide channels;
aligning the top and bottom guide rails with the guide channels of the top and bottom alignment guides aligned with the selected bay slot; and
inserting the data storage module forwardly into the module enclosure with the guide rails sliding smoothly along the guide channels. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification