Cover interlock mechanism

{
  "publication_number": "US11169581B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Cover interlock mechanism",
  "abstract": "A cover interlock mechanism for drawer in a rack enclosure includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion coupled to opposing sides of the drawer, the protrusions being urged outward from the drawer, at least one structural component of the rack enclosure that engages the protrusions to prevent the drawer from being inserted into the rack enclosure, and a cover for the drawer having cavities that align with the protrusions when the cover is placed on the drawer to urge the protrusions toward the drawer to allow the drawer to be inserted into the rack enclosure. The protrusions may be urged outward from the drawer by flexible members attached to the drawer. The flexible members may be attached to bottom portions of sides of the drawer. The structural component may be a rail of the rack enclosure. The rail may be part of the framework of the rack enclosure.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A cover interlock mechanism for drawer in a rack enclosure, comprising: a first protrusion and a second protrusion coupled to opposing sides of the drawer, the protrusions being urged outward from the drawer; at least one structural component of the rack enclosure that engages the protrusions to prevent the drawer from being inserted into the rack enclosure; and a cover for the drawer having cavities that align with the protrusions when the cover is placed on the drawer to urge the protrusions toward the drawer to allow the drawer to be inserted into the rack enclosure.",
    "2. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are urged outward from the drawer by flexible members attached to the drawer.",
    "3. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 2, wherein the flexible members are attached to bottom portions of sides of the drawer.",
    "4. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 1, wherein the at least one structural component is a rail of the rack enclosure.",
    "5. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 4, wherein the rail is part of the framework of the rack enclosure.",
    "6. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes a handle for lifting the cover off of the drawer.",
    "7. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 6, wherein the handle is attached to the cover by a hinge.",
    "8. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 7, wherein the hinge allows the handle to be folded flush with the cover.",
    "9. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 1, wherein components of the drawer include at least one of: a disk drive and a solid state storage device.",
    "10. A cover interlock mechanism, according to claim 9, wherein the drawer is part of an array storage device.",
    "11. A method of preventing a drawer in a rack enclosure from sliding into the rack enclosure without a cover, comprising: urging a first protrusion and a second protrusion, coupled to opposing sides of the drawer, outward from the drawer; engaging the protrusions to prevent the drawer from being inserted into the rack enclosure; and the cover urging the protrusions toward the drawer to allow the drawer to be inserted into the rack enclosure when the cover is placed on the drawer.",
    "12. A method, according to claim 11, wherein the cover has cavities that align with the protrusions when the cover is placed on the drawer.",
    "13. A method, according to claim 11, wherein the protrusions are urged outward from the drawer by flexible members attached to bottom portions of sides of the drawer.",
    "14. A method, according to claim 11, wherein the at least one structural component is a rail of the rack enclosure.",
    "15. A method, according to claim 14, wherein the rail is part of the framework of the rack enclosure.",
    "16. A method, according to claim 11, wherein the cover includes a handle for lifting the cover off of the drawer.",
    "17. A method, according to claim 16, wherein the handle is attached to the cover by a hinge.",
    "18. A method, according to claim 17, wherein the hinge allows the handle to be folded flush with the cover.",
    "19. A method, according to claim 11, wherein components of the drawer include at least one of: a disk drive and a solid state storage device.",
    "20. A method, according to claim 19, wherein the drawer is part of an array storage device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application relates to the field of racks for electrical components and, more particularly, to the field of covers for field replaceable units used in enclosures for racks for electrical components.\n\nRack enclosures are used to house electrical components that provide relatively complex electrical/electronic systems. The rack enclosures may include brackets that hold circuit boards or similar electronic components in the rack enclosure and may include connectors that make electrical connections to the circuit boards. The connectors supply power to the circuit boards and allow exchanging data signals with the circuit boards. In some cases, the circuit boards or similar components of a rack enclosure may be provided as field replaceable units that may be removed from and inserted into the rack enclosure without disrupting other portions of the system in the rack enclosure.\n\nOne mechanism for inserting and removing field replaceable units in a rack enclosure is to provide one or more drawers that slide in and out of the rack enclosure. The drawers may be electrically connected to other components of the rack enclosure (also possibly in drawers) using flexible cables or similar so that the drawer and components thereof remain electrically connected as the drawer is slid in and out of the rack enclosure. A drawer may also include a cover that protects components inside the drawer and allows for separately cooling the components using fans embedded in the drawer.\n\nIn many cases, it is important that the drawer is not inserted into the rack enclosure without a cover.",
  "cpc": [
    "G06F 1/187",
    "H05K 5/0221",
    "H05K 5/0226",
    "H05K 5/023",
    "H05K 5/03",
    "H05K 7/1487"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "G06F 1/18",
    "H05K 5/02",
    "H05K 5/03"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "EMC IP Holding Co LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Jeffrey Michael Lewis",
    "Joseph L. Brigham, Jr."
  ],
  "filing_date": "2020-05-28",
  "publication_date": "2021-11-09",
  "grant_date": "2021-11-09",
  "priority_date": "2020-05-28",
  "application_number": "US-202016885769-A",
  "family_id": "78467602",
  "cited_by_count": 6,
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}