The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 21, 2002
Filed:
Apr. 10, 2001
Zbigniew S. Sobolewski, Longmont, CO (US);
John Spiers, Louisville, CO (US);
LeftHand Networks, Inc., Boulder, CO (US);
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a network attached data storage system. In one embodiment of the invention, the system provides high data density by providing the capability to mount four data storage devices, such as disk drives, in a row that extends across the width of an enclosure that conforms to the 1U specification. In a further embodiment, the system includes a latch that allows a data storage device that is disposed on a carriage to be attached and detached from a receiving bay within a disclosure. The latch includes a sensor that provides an electrical signal which is indicative of when a user is disengaging the latch to remove the data storage device from the enclosure. This signal can be used to prevent any data that is being transferred to or from the data storage device from being lost and/or corrupted during removal of the data storage device. Another embodiment of the system includes an elastomeric vibration dampener that isolates a data storage device from vibrations that can adversely affect the operation of the data storage device. A further embodiment incorporates a electrical connector structure that dampens vibrations between a data storage device and the structure to which it is electrically connected. Yet another embodiment of the system includes an electrical connector that is capable of accommodating the different locations that various manufacturers of IDE disk drives, one type of data storage device that can be placed in the enclosure, place the power and data interfaces on the drive. This ability allows a customer to use IDE drives in the system that have varying locations for their power and/or data interfaces.