ELECTRONIC DEVICE ENCLOSURE SYSTEM AND METHOD
An enclosure for storing more than one electronic device. The enclosure includes a frame having a rear surface to be in apposition to a support surface, a rack supported within the frame, the racking having at least one slot for receiving an electronic device, and a door supported by the frame and pivotable about a generally vertical axis between a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and an open position substantially planar with the rear surface, the slot being accessible through a side of the enclosure when the door is in the open position.
1 . An enclosure for storing more than one electronic device, comprising:
a frame having a rear surface to be in apposition to a support surface;
a rack supported within the frame, the racking having at least one slot for receiving an electronic device; and
a door supported by the frame and pivotable about a generally vertical axis between a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and an open position substantially planar with the rear surface, the slot being accessible through a side of the enclosure when the door is in the open position.
2 . The enclosure of claim 1 , comprising a coupling connected to the door and to the rack, the coupling configured for retracting the rack into the enclosure when the door is closed and extracting at least a portion of the rack out of the enclosure when the door is opened, the rack traveling substantially linearly in a plane parallel to the rear surface.
3 . The enclosure of claim 1 , including more than one slot, wherein the slots are at least partially overlapping.
4 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is configured to receive a device from a generally lateral direction.
5 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein access to the at least one slot is obstructed except for access by a lateral side.
6 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the one or more electronic devices can be secured within the enclosure when the door is in the closed position.
7 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the door is configured to rotate about a generally vertical axis and to not break a plane defined by the front of the enclosure as the door is rotated about the generally vertical axis.
8 . The enclosure of claim 1 , wherein the door is shaped such that the door forms a side of the enclosure when closed and is parallel to a surface supporting the enclosure when rotated about the generally vertical axis to a fully opened position.
9 . The enclosure of claim 1 , further including one or more connectors are disposed in one or more of the slots, the one or more connectors for connecting one or more stored electronic devices to a power supply system and/or network connection system.
10 . The enclosure of claim 9 , wherein the one or more connectors include pigtail connection connectors.
11 . The enclosure of claim 9 , wherein the one or more connectors are part of a docking station.
12 . The enclosure of claim 11 , wherein the docking station connector is configured to connect to an electronic device automatically as the electronic device is positioned into the storage and connection position.
13 . An enclosure for storing more than one electronic device, comprising:
a frame having a rear surface to be in apposition to a support surface;
a rack supported within the frame, the racking having at least one slot for receiving an electronic device, the slot being accessible through a side of the enclosure when an enclosure door is in the open position; and
one or more connectors disposed in one or more of the at least one slots, the one or more connectors for connecting one or more stored electronic devices to a power supply system and/or network connection system.
14 . The enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the one or more connectors include pigtail connection connectors.
15 . The enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the one or more connectors are part of a docking station.
16 . The enclosure of claim 15 , wherein the docking station connector is configured to connect to an electronic device automatically as the electronic device is positioned into the storage and connection position.
17 . The enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the door is supported by the frame and pivotable about a generally vertical axis between a closed position substantially perpendicular to the rear surface and an open position substantially planar with the rear surface.
18 . The enclosure of claim 17 , further comprising a coupling connected to the door and to the rack, the coupling configured for retracting the rack into the enclosure when the door is closed and extracting at least a portion of the rack out of the enclosure when the door is opened, the rack traveling substantially linearly in a plane parallel to the rear surface.
19 . The enclosure of claim 13 , including more than one slot, wherein the slots are at least partially overlapping.
20 . The enclosure of claim 13 , wherein the at least one slot is configured to receive a device from a generally lateral direction.