US5673029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for cooling a memory storage device
Assignee: FOOTHILLS IP LLC
•
Filing: 1996-02-15
•
Granted: 1997-09-30
•
Expires: 2016-02-15
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed herein is an apparatus for cooling a memory storage device such as a hard disk drive. The apparatus includes a removable bezel and a bezel fan. The bezel mounts on a memory storage device housing having a memory storage device bay. The bezel covers the bay and cools the memory storage device. A memory storage device mounting kit having a frame can incorporate a bezel and a fan in a variation of this invention. The frame mounts a memory storage device within a memory storage device housing. The bezel attaches with the frame. The fan attaches with the bezel to direct air across a memory storage device and cool the memory storage device.
Inventors
- 👤 Sunny Behl
- 👤 Jack Friedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:19
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G11; G11B; G11B33/00; G11B33/14; G11B33/1406; G11B33/1413; G11B33/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A bezel connectable with the bay of a memory storage device housing, comprising: a face having an area within the range of 2-10in 2 for covering the memory storage device bay; a fan; a means for attaching a fan to the face; whereby, when a fan mounts on the face and the bezel mounts on the housing, the fan circulates air through the housing to cool the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A bezel connectable with the bay of a memory storage device housing, comprising: a face having an area within the range of 2-10in 2 for covering the memory storage device bay; a fan; a means for attaching a fan to the face; whereby, when a fan mounts on the face and the bezel mounts on the housing, the fan circulates air through the housing to cool the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bezel includes an air filter, the air filter covers a portion of the bezel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bezel includes an air filter, the air filter removeably attaches over a portion of the bezel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bezel includes an air filter, the air filter rotatably mounts on the bezel to selectively cover a portion of the bezel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bezel has a face with an area within the range of 7-10 in 2 to cover a 51/4" memory storage device bay.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bezel has a face with an area within the range of 4-7in 2 to cover a 31/2" memory storage device bay.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
66 words
A memory storage device mounting kit, comprising: frame for mounting a memory storage device within a memory storage device housing; a bezel being attachable with the frame; a fan attachable to the bezel to direct air across a memory storage device; whereby, when a memory storage device mounts on the frame, the fan directs air across the memory storage device and cools the memory storage device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
66 words
A memory storage device mounting kit, comprising: frame for mounting a memory storage device within a memory storage device housing; a bezel being attachable with the frame; a fan attachable to the bezel to direct air across a memory storage device; whereby, when a memory storage device mounts on the frame, the fan directs air across the memory storage device and cools the memory storage device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A kit as set forth in claim 7, wherein a hard disk drive mounts on the frame.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
A kit as set forth in claim 7, wherein the bezel includes a recessed portion, an air filter and a cover, the air filter and cover being configured to seat within the recessed portion, whereby when the air filter covers the recessed portion and the cover seats within the recessed portion, the cover holds the air filter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A kit as set forth in claim 7, wherein the bezel includes an air filter and a recessed portion having a periphery and finger slots, the finger slots being located along the periphery of the recessed portion to facilitate removal of the air filter.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
A kit as set forth in claim 7, wherein the bezel includes an air filter and vented cover removeably attached to the bezel, the shape of the cover coincides with the shape of the air filter to enable the cover to hold the air filter with the bezel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A kit as set forth in claim 7, wherein a current sensor electronically attaches with the fan to monitor operation of the fan.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
A kit as set forth in claim 12, wherein an indicator attaches to the bezel to indicate when the current exceeds a predetermined range.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A kit as set forth in claim 12, wherein an indicator attaches to the bezel to indicate when the current exceeds a predetermined range, the indicator includes a LED.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
A memory storage device housing, comprising: a memory storage device bay with an opening; a facade means being attachable to the bay for covering the opening, the facade means including a vent; a mount means attached to the facade means to enable a fan to attach to the facade means; and a fan attached to the mount means, whereby, the fan convectively cools the memory storage device bay.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
68 words
A memory storage device housing, comprising: a memory storage device bay with an opening; a facade means being attachable to the bay for covering the opening, the facade means including a vent; a mount means attached to the facade means to enable a fan to attach to the facade means; and a fan attached to the mount means, whereby, the fan convectively cools the memory storage device bay.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the facade means includes a rectangular bezel.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the facade means includes clips which removeably attach the facade means to the housing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the mount means include clips, the facade means includes grooves, the clips hold the fan with the grooves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the mount means includes pins, the fan has holes, the pins press fit within the holes to hold the fan with the facade means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 15, wherein the facade means includes a pair of rails, the rails attach within the memory storage device bay to hold a memory storage device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4751872A
Cited
US5173819A
Cited
US5287009A
Cited
US5121291A
Cited
US5414591A
Cited
US5511055A
Cited
US5493457A
Cited
US5171183A
Cited
US5438226A
Cited
US5547272A
Cited
DE29519526U1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-03-31 | 2001-09-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-09-29 | 2005-03-31 | 2005-09-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-09-29 | 2009-03-31 | 2009-09-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |