Data storage device carrier and chassis
In one aspect, a data storage device carrier ( 10 ) has a bay in which a data storage device can be received. A light pipe ( 11 ) is provided for conveying light from one end of the carrier ( 10 ) to the other. A diffuser ( 16 ) is located near to but spaced from said other end of the light pipe ( 11 ) so as to spread and thereby magnify light emerging from said other end of the light pipe ( 11 ). In another aspect, a data storage device chassis ( 1 ) has a plurality of walls ( 3,4,20 ). At least some of the walls ( 3,4,20 ) have at least one runner ( 21 ) along at least part of the length of the wall ( 3,4,20 ) to define a plurality of bays in which data storage devices can be housed. At least one runner ( 21 ) has a transparent portion so as to be able to convey light from a light source ( 9 ) to the front of the chassis ( 1 ). In another aspect, a data storage device carrier ( 10 or chassis ( 1 ) has a strip of electroluminescent material ( 31 ) for displaying information.
1. A data storage device chassis for housing a plurality of data storage devices, the chassis comprising:
a first end at which data storage devices can be inserted in and removed from the chassis;
a backplane having at least one light source; and,
a plurality of walls;
at least some of the walls having at least one runner along at least part of the length of the wall to define a plurality of bays in which data storage devices can be housed, said runners in use supporting respective storage devices in the bays such that said data storage devices can be slid into and out of the bays by sliding along the runners, at least one runner having a solid transparent portion that extends from the backplane to the first end of the chassis so as to be able to convey light from the light source to the first end of the chassis.
2. A chassis according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one runner is wholly transparent.
3. A data storage device chassis for housing a plurality of data storage devices, the chassis comprising:
a first end at which data storage devices can be inserted in and removed from the chassis;
a backplane having at least one light source; and,
a plurality of walls;
at least some of the walls having at least one runner along at least part of the length of the wall to define a plurality of bays in which data storage devices can be housed, said runners in use supporting respective data storage devices in the bays such that said data storage devices can be slid into and out of the bays by sliding along the runners, at least one runner having a transparent portion that extends from the backplane to the first end of the chassis so as to be able to convey light from the light source to the first end of the chassis, wherein said transparent portion is provided by at least one light pipe which is received within said at least one runner.
4. A data storage device chassis for housing a plurality of data storage devices, the chassis comprising:
a first end at which data storage devices can be inserted in and removed from the chassis;
a backplane having at least one light source; and,
a plurality of walls;
at least some of the walls having at least one runner along at least part of the length of the wall to define a plurality of bays in which data storage devices can be housed, said runners in use supporting respective data storage devices in the bays such that said data storage devices can be slid into and out of the bays by sliding along the runners, at least one runner having a transparent portion that extends from the backplane to the first end of the chassis so as to be able to convey light from the light source to the first end of the chassis the chassis comprising plural light sources on the backplane and plural runners having transparent portions that extend from the backplane to the first end of the chassis so as to be able to convey light from the light sources to the first end of the chassis.
5. A carrier for a data storage device, the carrier having a first end and a second end and comprising:
a bay in which a data storage device can be received;
a strip of electroluminescent material across the first end of the carrier for displaying information; and,
an electrical conductor for conducting electrical power from the second end of the carrier to the electroluminescent material across the first end of the carrier.
6. A carrier according to claim 5 , wherein the electrical conductor is provided by a continuation of the strip of electroluminescent material along a side of the carrier to the second end of the carrier.
7. A carrier according to claim 5 , wherein the electrical conductor is provided by one or more electrically conducting wires that pass from the second end of the carrier to the electroluminescent material across the first end of the carrier.
8. A carrier according to claim 5 , wherein the strip of electroluminescent material has a thickness equal to or less than about 1 mm.
9. A data storage device chassis for housing one or more data storage devices, the chassis comprising:
a first end at which a data storage device can be inserted in and removed from the chassis;
a backplane;
the first end having a strip of electroluminescent material for displaying information; and,
an electrical conductor for conducting electrical power from the backplane to the electroluminescent material at the first end of the chassis.
10. A chassis according to claim 9 , wherein the electrical conductor is provided by a continuation of the strip of electroluminescent material along a side of the chassis to the backplane.
11. A chassis according to claim 9 , wherein the electrical conductor is provided by one or more electrically conducting wires that pass from the backplane to the electroluminescent material at the first end of the chassis.
12. A chassis according to claim 9 , wherein the strip of electroluminescent material has a thickness equal to or less than about 1 mm.