Expandable modular data storage system

Claim 2

An expandable modular data storage system, comprising: a plurality of data storage devices, each of the data storage devices including a device power 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 and including an interior power connector, a top power connector and a bottom power connector, the interior power connector being adapted to engage the device power connector of a data storage device received in a storage device housing and the top and bottom power connectors being located such that the top power connector of one storage device housing mates with the bottom power connector of another storage device housing stacked thereon; and at least one flexible latching member associated with at least one of the storage device housings, the flexible latching member engaging an adjacent storage device housing in response to the positioning of the at least one storage device housing in close proximity to the adjacent storage device housing.

Claim 3

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the data storage devices defines a front side and includes a pivotal handle lever latch on the front side for securing the data storage device in a storage device housing and for pulling the data storage device out of the storage device housing.

Claim 4

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base having a base power connector located such that it mates with the bottom power connector of a storage device housing stacked thereon.

Claim 5

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the data storage devices includes a cooling fan and air vents and at least one of the storage device housings includes air vents.

Claim 6

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of data storage devices comprises at least one disk drive.

Claim 7

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the data storage devices includes a device signal connector, the storage system further comprising: 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.

Claim 8

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the data storage devices includes a power supply.

Claim 9

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage device housings define a housing length, a housing width and a housing height, the system further comprising: 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.

Claim 10

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.

Claim 11

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.

Claim 12

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plurality of data storage devices comprises at least one disk drive.

Claim 13

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mechanical connection means comprises at least one hole formed in the top and bottom of each storage device housing, the holes being located such that the top hole of one storage device housing is aligned with the bottom of another storage device housing stacked thereon, and a fastener associated with respective top and bottom hole pairs.

Claim 14

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein the mechanical connection means comprises at least one flexible latching member formed on at least one of the storage device housings, the flexible latching member engaging an adjacent storage device housing in response to the positioning of the at least one storage device housing in close proximity to the adjacent storage device housing.

Claim 15

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the data storage devices includes a device signal connector, the storage system further comprising: signal connection means for connecting the device signal connector of one data storage device to the device signal connector of another data storage device.

Claim 16

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the signal connection means comprises a bottom signal connector, an interior signal connector, a top signal connector and cable connecting the bottom signal connector to the interior signal connector and to the top signal connector in parallel.

Claim 17

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of the data storage devices includes a power input connector and a power output connector, the storage system further comprising: power connection means for connecting the power output connector of one data storage device to the power input connector of another data storage device.

Claim 18

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the data storage devices includes a cooling fan and air vents.

Claim 19

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the storage device housings includes air vents.

Claim 20

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each data storage device defines a front side, the storage system further comprising: a front cover plate for covering at least a portion of the front side of two adjacent data storage devices.

Claim 21

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the front cover plate includes at least two hand actuated flexible latching flanges.

Claim 22

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the front cover is adapted to be releasably secured to the at least one of the two adjacent data storage devices.

Claim 23

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein each storage device housing defines a rear side, the storage system further comprising: a rear cover plate for covering at least a portion of the rear side one of the storage device housings, the rear cover plate including at least two hand actuated flexible latching flanges and a removable access panel.

Claim 24

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, further comprising: a top cover for covering at least a portion of the top of an uppermost storage device housing.

Claim 25

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 22, wherein the top cover includes at least two hand actuated flexible latching flanges.

Claim 26

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the data storage devices defines a front side and includes an activity indicator on the front side.

Claim 27

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 9, wherein at least one of the data storage devices defines a front side and includes a pivotal handle lever latch on the front side for securing the data storage device in a storage device housing and for pulling the data storage device out of the storage device housing.

Claim 28

An expandable modular data storage system as claimed in claim 25, wherein the front side of the at least one data storage device includes at least one latching finger for engaging the handle lever latch.

Claim 29

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.

Claim 30

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.

Claim 31

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.

Claim 32

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.

Claim 33

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.

Claim 34

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.

Claim 35

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.

Claim 36

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.

Claim 37

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.

Claim 38

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.