US5726922A — Assembly for removably connecting data storage de…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 319 words

A data storage device assembly connectable to a computer system, comprising: a plurality of trays each having a small computer systems interface (SCSI) device and a first electrical connector mounted thereto, wherein said SCSI devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection, and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; a plurality of adapter assemblies each corresponding to one of said trays for passing a plurality of signals between said device of said corresponding tray and said first electrical connector of said corresponding tray, said signals including power, SCSI data and control signals, and SCSI address selection signals; a housing for removably receiving said trays; means mounted to said housing for selecting a SCSI address for each of said devices; means mounted to said housing for terminating said last device; means for securing said trays within said housing; a plurality of printed circuit boards mounted within said housing, one corresponding to each of said trays, each of said boards having a second electrical connector for connecting to one of said first electrical connectors and passing said signals between said first and second electrical connectors; a switch electrically connected to said second electrical connector and electrically connectable to said computer system, said switch being operable, when connected to said computer system, in a first position for passing selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector, and in a second position for preventing passage of said selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector; and a plurality of keylessly operated locking and actuating assemblies mounted within said housing for preventing the removal of said trays out of said housing while said switch is in said first position. said data storage device is a small computer systems interface (SCSI) device, the assembly further comprising means mounted to said receiving means for selecting an SCSI address for said data storage device.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 319 words

A data storage device assembly connectable to a computer system, comprising: a plurality of trays each having a small computer systems interface (SCSI) device and a first electrical connector mounted thereto, wherein said SCSI devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection, and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; a plurality of adapter assemblies each corresponding to one of said trays for passing a plurality of signals between said device of said corresponding tray and said first electrical connector of said corresponding tray, said signals including power, SCSI data and control signals, and SCSI address selection signals; a housing for removably receiving said trays; means mounted to said housing for selecting a SCSI address for each of said devices; means mounted to said housing for terminating said last device; means for securing said trays within said housing; a plurality of printed circuit boards mounted within said housing, one corresponding to each of said trays, each of said boards having a second electrical connector for connecting to one of said first electrical connectors and passing said signals between said first and second electrical connectors; a switch electrically connected to said second electrical connector and electrically connectable to said computer system, said switch being operable, when connected to said computer system, in a first position for passing selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector, and in a second position for preventing passage of said selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector; and a plurality of keylessly operated locking and actuating assemblies mounted within said housing for preventing the removal of said trays out of said housing while said switch is in said first position. said data storage device is a small computer systems interface (SCSI) device, the assembly further comprising means mounted to said receiving means for selecting an SCSI address for said data storage device.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 46 words

The assembly of claim 1 further comprising: a pair of horizontally extending guide rails mounted exteriorly to said housing; and a spring lock mounted to said housing rearwardly of one of said guide rails for removably securing said housing in a computer or file server chassis.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a flexible pull tab attached to each of said trays.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 13 words

The assembly of claim 3 wherein said pull tab is a dielectric material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 34 words

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said securing means comprises: flanges extending horizontally along opposite sides of each of said trays; and horizontally extending guide rails mounted within said housing for receiving said flanges.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The assembly of claim 5 wherein said securing means further comprises a plurality of spring clips for pressing each of said flanges against one of said guide rails.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said first and second electrical connectors are edge connectors.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 162 words

A data storage device assembly, comprising: means for retaining a plurality of small computer systems interface (SCSI) devices, wherein said SCSI devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection, and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; first electrical connection means mounted to said retaining means; means for enabling passage of signals between said devices and said first electrical connection means; a housing for removably receiving said retaining means; means mounted to said housing for selecting a SCSI address for each of said devices; means mounted to said housing for terminating said last device; means for securing said retaining means within said housing; second electrical connection means mounted to said housing and connectable to said first electrical connection means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from said first electrical connection means; and means for keylessly preventing said retaining means from being inserted into said housing while power is supplied to said second electrical connection means.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 162 words

A data storage device assembly, comprising: means for retaining a plurality of small computer systems interface (SCSI) devices, wherein said SCSI devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection, and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; first electrical connection means mounted to said retaining means; means for enabling passage of signals between said devices and said first electrical connection means; a housing for removably receiving said retaining means; means mounted to said housing for selecting a SCSI address for each of said devices; means mounted to said housing for terminating said last device; means for securing said retaining means within said housing; second electrical connection means mounted to said housing and connectable to said first electrical connection means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from said first electrical connection means; and means for keylessly preventing said retaining means from being inserted into said housing while power is supplied to said second electrical connection means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 131 words

The assembly of claim 8 wherein said keylessly preventing means comprises: means mounted to a sidewall of said retaining means for switching between power on and power off positions, said switching means being connected to a terminal disposed on said receiving means for receiving power therefrom; means for biasing said switching means to said power on position; and an actuating shaft mounted to said receiving means and actuatable between first and second positions, said actuating shaft comprising: means for preventing insertion of said retaining means into said receiving means while said actuating shaft is in said first position; and means for enabling insertion of said retaining means into said receiving means and for actuating said switching means to said power off position while said actuating shaft is in said second position.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 45 words

The assembly of claim 8 further comprising: a pair of guide means mounted exteriorly to said receiving means; and means mounted to said receiving means rearwardly of one of said guide means for removably securing said receiving means in a computer or file server chassis.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 18 words

The assembly of claim 8 further comprising a flexible pull tab attached to each of said receiving means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 34 words

The assembly of claim 8 wherein said securing means comprises: flanges extending horizontally along opposite sides of said retaining means; and horizontally extending guide rails mounted within said receiving means for receiving said flanges.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 28 words

The assembly of claim 12 wherein said securing means further comprises a plurality of spring clips for pressing each of said flanges against one of said guide rails.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 16 words

The assembly of claim 8 wherein said first and second electrical connection means are edge connectors.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 34 words

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said plurality of locking and actuating assemblies are also operable for preventing the insertion of said trays into said housing while said switch is in said first position.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 12 words

The assembly of claim 1 wherein said selected signals are power signals.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 30 words

The assembly of claim 9 wherein said preventing means further prevents said retaining means from being removed from said housing while power is supplied to said second electrical connection means.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 286 words

A data storage device assembly connectable to a computer system, comprising: a plurality of trays each having a small computer systems interface (SCSI) device and a first electrical connector mounted thereto, wherein said SCSI devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection, and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; a plurality of adapter assemblies each corresponding to one of said trays for passing a plurality of signals between said device of said corresponding tray and said first electrical connector of said corresponding tray, said signals including power, SCSI data and control signals, and SCSI address selection signals; a housing for removably receiving said trays; means for securing said trays within said housing; a plurality of printed circuit boards mounted within said housing, one corresponding to each of said trays, each of said boards having: a second electrical connector for connecting to one of said first electrical connectors and passing said signals between said first and second electrical connectors; an address selection terminal for selecting the address of each of said devices; and a plurality of resistor packs for terminating said last device; a switch electrically connected to said second electrical connector and electrically connectable to said computer system, said switch being operable, when connected to said computer system, in a first position for passing selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector, and in a second position for preventing passage of said selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector; and a plurality of keylessly operated locking and actuating assemblies mounted within said housing for preventing the removal of said trays out of said housing while said switch is in said first position.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 286 words

A data storage device assembly connectable to a computer system, comprising: a plurality of trays each having a small computer systems interface (SCSI) device and a first electrical connector mounted thereto, wherein said SCSI devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection, and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; a plurality of adapter assemblies each corresponding to one of said trays for passing a plurality of signals between said device of said corresponding tray and said first electrical connector of said corresponding tray, said signals including power, SCSI data and control signals, and SCSI address selection signals; a housing for removably receiving said trays; means for securing said trays within said housing; a plurality of printed circuit boards mounted within said housing, one corresponding to each of said trays, each of said boards having: a second electrical connector for connecting to one of said first electrical connectors and passing said signals between said first and second electrical connectors; an address selection terminal for selecting the address of each of said devices; and a plurality of resistor packs for terminating said last device; a switch electrically connected to said second electrical connector and electrically connectable to said computer system, said switch being operable, when connected to said computer system, in a first position for passing selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector, and in a second position for preventing passage of said selected signals between said computer system and said second electrical connector; and a plurality of keylessly operated locking and actuating assemblies mounted within said housing for preventing the removal of said trays out of said housing while said switch is in said first position.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 285 words

A data storage device assembly, comprising: means for retaining a plurality of data storage devices, wherein said devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; first electrical connection means mounted to said retaining means; means for enabling passage of signals between said devices and said first electrical connection means; a housing for removably receiving said retaining means; a printed circuit board mounted to said housing, said printed circuit board having an address selection terminal for selecting an address for each of said devices; a plurality of resistor packs mounted to said printed circuit board for terminating said last device; second electrical connection means mounted to said housing and connectable to said first electrical connection means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from said first electrical connection means; means for keylessly preventing said retaining means from being inserted into said housing while power is supplied to said second electrical connection means; means mounted to a sidewall of said retaining means for switching between power on and power off positions, said switching means being connected to a terminal disposed on said receiving means for receiving power therefrom; means for biasing said switching means to said power on position; and an actuating shaft mounted to said receiving means and actuatable between first and second positions, said actuating shaft comprising: means for preventing insertion of said retaining means into said receiving means while said actuating shaft is in said first position; and means for enabling insertion of said retaining means into said receiving means and for actuating said switching means to said power off position while said actuating shaft is in said second position.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 285 words

A data storage device assembly, comprising: means for retaining a plurality of data storage devices, wherein said devices are connected together via a daisy chain connection and one of said devices defines a last device in said daisy chain; first electrical connection means mounted to said retaining means; means for enabling passage of signals between said devices and said first electrical connection means; a housing for removably receiving said retaining means; a printed circuit board mounted to said housing, said printed circuit board having an address selection terminal for selecting an address for each of said devices; a plurality of resistor packs mounted to said printed circuit board for terminating said last device; second electrical connection means mounted to said housing and connectable to said first electrical connection means for transmitting and receiving signals to and from said first electrical connection means; means for keylessly preventing said retaining means from being inserted into said housing while power is supplied to said second electrical connection means; means mounted to a sidewall of said retaining means for switching between power on and power off positions, said switching means being connected to a terminal disposed on said receiving means for receiving power therefrom; means for biasing said switching means to said power on position; and an actuating shaft mounted to said receiving means and actuatable between first and second positions, said actuating shaft comprising: means for preventing insertion of said retaining means into said receiving means while said actuating shaft is in said first position; and means for enabling insertion of said retaining means into said receiving means and for actuating said switching means to said power off position while said actuating shaft is in said second position.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-03-09	2001-09-08	2002-03-10	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-03-09	2005-09-08	2006-03-10	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-03-09	2009-09-08	2010-03-10	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Assembly for removably connecting data storage devices

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