U.S. patent application number 12/100156 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for techniques for safely shipping tape drives while mounted inside a frame of an automated tape library.
Invention is credited to Shawn M. Nave, Raymond Yardy.
Application Number | 20080218960 12/100156 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33517273 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080218960 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nave; Shawn M. ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Techniques for Safely Shipping Tape Drives While Mounted Inside a
Frame of an Automated Tape Library
Abstract
A system of shipping tape drives while they are mounted to a
frame uses shipment brackets to retain the drives within the frame
in retracted positions during shipment. The brackets allow the
drives to be shipped inside the frame. The brackets hold the drives
in the retracted position within the frame by clipping into the
drives and the shelves above the drives. Tabs on each bracket snap
into a drive such that the drive cannot move with respect to the
bracket or the shelf. The drive is pushed into position until the
bracket is fully engaged with the shelf above the drive and the
tabs have prevented the drive from further insertion. Because the
bracket is engaged, the drive no longer can move in or out of the
shelf.
Inventors: |
Nave; Shawn M.; (Tucson,
AZ) ; Yardy; Raymond; (Tucson, AZ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DILLON & YUDELL, LLP
8911 N CAPITAL OF TEXAS HWY, SUITE 2110
AUSTIN
TX
78759
US
|
Family ID: |
33517273 |
Appl. No.: |
12/100156 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10464326 |
Jun 18, 2003 |
|
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|
12100156 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
361/679.34 ;
361/829; G9B/33.034 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 40/08 20130101;
G06F 1/183 20130101; G11B 33/128 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/685 ;
361/679 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/16 20060101
G06F001/16; H05K 7/14 20060101 H05K007/14 |
Claims
1. A system for reconfiguring an apparatus, comprising: a frame
having a plurality of shelves; a plurality of components, each of
the components being mounted in one of the shelves of the frame; a
plurality of retention devices, each having a shelf portion that is
releasably attachable to one of the shelves, and a component
portion that is releasably attachable to one of the components; the
components having a retracted position in respective ones of the
shelves inside the frame and being restricted from movement when
respective ones of the retention devices engage both the components
and said respective ones of the shelves, and an extended position
such that at least portions of the components protrude from said
respective ones of the shelves outside the frame.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein, when the components are in the
extended position, the retention devices are stored in the frame
for subsequent use in retaining the components in the retracted
position.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the retracted position is a
shipping position for the components, and the extended position is
a normal operating position for the components.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein, in the retracted position, a
majority of a weight of the components is located inside the frame
such that a location of a center of gravity of the frame provides
enhanced stability for the frame.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein each of components has a
plurality of apertures, and each of the component portions of the
retention devices comprises a plurality of tabs for engaging the
apertures in respective ones of the components.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the retention devices are first
attached to the components before the components are installed in
the retracted position, and the retention devices are removed from
the components before the components move to the extended
position.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the retention devices
acts as a spring that engages a respective one of the shelves
without a tool by merely inserting the components into the shelves,
and wherein a tool is used to disengage the springs from the
shelves.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein the retention devices have stops
for engaging the shelves and limiting an insertion depth of the
components into the shelves.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein, in the retracted position, the
retention devices apply a compression force to the components to
reduce motion of the components due to shock and vibration.
10. A system for increasing the safe handling an apparatus during
shipping, comprising: a frame having a front, a rear, and a
plurality of shelves located inside the frame; a plurality of
drives, each of the drives being mountable in any one of the
shelves of the frame; a plurality of shipping brackets, each having
a shelf portion that is releasably attachable to any one of the
shelves, and a drive portion that is releasably attachable to any
one of the drives; the drives being positionable in a shipping
position by mounting the shipping brackets to the drives and
inserting the drives from the rear of the frame into the shelves
until the shipping brackets interlock with the shelves to restrict
movement of the drives, and the drives being positionable in a
normal operating position by partially removing the drives from the
rear of the frame, removing the shipping brackets from the drives,
and re-inserting the drives from the rear of the frame into the
shelves beyond the shipping position.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein, when the drives are in the
normal operating position, the shipping brackets are stored inside
the frame for subsequent use in retaining the drives in the
shipping position.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the drives are located
completely inside the frame when in the shipping position, and at
least portions of each of the drives protrude beyond the front of
the frame when the drives are in the normal operating position.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein, in the shipping position, a
majority of a weight of the drives is inside the frame such that a
stability of the frame is enhanced.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein each of drives has a plurality
of apertures, and each of the drive portions of the shipping
brackets comprises a plurality of tabs for engaging respective ones
of the apertures in the drives.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein each of the shelf portions of
the shipping brackets comprises a spring that interlocks with a
respective one of the shelves without a tool by merely inserting
the drives into the shelves, and wherein a tool is used to
disengage the springs from the shelves before the drives can be
removed from the frame.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the shelf portions of the
shipping brackets apply a compression force to the drives to
maintain the drives in the shipping position during shock and
vibration.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein the shipping brackets are
mounted on top of respective ones of the drives and the shipping
brackets engage upper features of respective ones of the shelves.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/464,326 (Atty. Docket No. TUC920030049US1),
filed on Jun. 18, 2003, and entitled, "Method and Apparatus for
Safely Shipping Tape Drives While Mounted Inside a Frame of an
Automated Tape Library," which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates in general to an improved
shipping apparatus and method and, in particular, to an improved
method and apparatus for safely shipping tape drives while they are
located inside a frame of an automated tape library.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Protecting and safely handling sensitive electronic
components during shipment is a challenge for electronics goods
manufacturers. Shipping electronic components that are required to
be mounted inside their respective end product carriers or storage
devices can be especially difficult, particularly when the
components are required to protrude out of their carriers under
normal operating conditions. As shown in FIG. 1, one example of
this type of problem is encountered with tape drives 11 that are
mounted in an automated tape library frame 13 for interaction with
a robotic picker (not shown).
[0006] There are typically two ways to address the safe handling
and shipment of tape drives and their frames. One solution is to
ship the drives and the frame separately. Although this first
solution has the advantage of being better able to protect the
electronics, it has several disadvantages as well. A drawback to
this first solution is that when the parts are shipped separately
they can get misplaced, lost, or not arrive at their destination at
the same time. Another drawback is that a special shipping
container must be made in order to ship the drives. Also, the
installation time at the destination is increased as the drives
must be put into the frame instead of the drives already being
located in the frame. Furthermore, if the end user wishes to move
the entire frame after the initial installation, all of the
shipping containers must be present in order to do this safely.
Thus, shipping the drives separately from the frame has many
disadvantages which add significant cost to the product.
[0007] The other alternative solution for tape drives and their
frame is to ship the drives in their normal operating position
where they protrude out of the frame while packed inside a large
protective cover for the drives. This solution also has several
disadvantages, including that such a protective cover is expensive
to build. In addition, the bulk of the weight of the drives is
located outside the frame. When the frame is moved during shipping,
it can tip over due to the center of gravity not being located in
the center of the frame. Thus, both prior art solutions still lack
the ability to ship the product safely and cost effectively. An
improved method and apparatus for facilitating safe and cost
effective shipment of tape drives in a frame is needed and would be
desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] One embodiment of a system, apparatus, and method of safely
shipping drives, such as tape drives, while they are mounted to the
frame of an automated tape library utilizes shipment brackets to
retain the drives within the frame in retracted positions during
shipment. The shipment brackets allow the drives to be shipped
inside the frame when the normal operating position of the drives
is to protrude outside of the frame. This design provides a very
simple installation and removal solution without adding the extra
cost of separate shipping containers for the drives. Also, by
moving the drives into the frame, the majority of the weight is now
inside the frame so that the frame will not tip over as easily as
prior art designs and thereby avoid a safety hazard during
shipment. Additionally, the shipment brackets are relatively
inexpensive and can be stored within the frame so that the frame
can be shipped repeatedly without having to relocate the original
packaging.
[0009] The function of the shipment bracket is to securely hold and
restrain one drive in the frame in a retracted or shipment
position. This position differs from the normal operating position
of the drive wherein it protrudes from the frame. Prior to the
present invention, there was no viable method of securely fastening
drives within the frame in retracted positions that allowed them to
be easily removed.
[0010] The shipment bracket holds the drive in the retracted
position within the frame by clipping or snapping into the drive
itself and also the frame in which the drive is located. Two small
vertical tabs on the outside legs of the spring clip into two holes
in the drive such that the drive cannot move with respect to the
spring in the direction in or out of its shelf. When the spring is
clipped on top of the drive, the drive and spring assembly are
inserted into the shelf. When the drive is inserted into the shelf,
the middle section of the spring is ramped down as the drive slides
into position. The drive continues to be pushed into position until
the middle section of the spring is fully engaged with the shelf
above the drive and the vertical tabs in the middle section have
prevented the drive from further insertion. Because the middle
section of the spring is engaged, the drive no longer can move in
or out of the shelf. Also in this position, the middle section of
the spring is compressed and applies a downward force to the top of
the drive. The compression force securely maintains the position of
the drive during any shock or vibration during shipping. In one
embodiment, the spring may be disengaged by a lever (such as a
screwdriver) which is used to pry down the middle section of the
spring to disengage and then slide the drive out of the shelf. Once
disengaged, the spring can be removed and stored within the
frame.
[0011] The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the
present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, in
view of the following detailed description of the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, taken in conjunction with the
appended claims and the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] So that the manner in which the features and advantages of
the invention, as well as others which will become apparent, are
attained and can be understood in more detail, more particular
description of the invention briefly summarized above may be had by
reference to the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the
appended drawings, which drawings form a part of this
specification. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings
illustrate only an embodiment of the invention and therefore are
not to be considered limiting of its scope as the invention may
admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a conventional frame for an
automated tape library having a plurality of tape drives shown in
their conventional operating positions.
[0014] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a frame for
an automated tape library having a plurality of tape drives shown
in retracted positions and is constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one embodiment of a shipment
bracket for mounting and retaining a tape drive in a frame and is
constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the shipment bracket of FIG.
3 shown mounted to a tape drive and is constructed in accordance
with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a sectional side view of the shipment bracket and
tape drive of FIG. 4 shown mounted in a retracted position in a
frame and is constructed in accordance with the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, one embodiment of a system for
reconfiguring an apparatus comprises a system 21 for increasing the
safe handling of the apparatus during shipping. In the embodiment
shown, the apparatus is a frame 23 for an automated tape library
(not shown). The automated tape library has a robotic picker that
picks components, such as tape cartridges, from and places
components into tape drives within the frame 23. The frame 23 has a
front 25, a rear 27, and a plurality of shelves 29 (twenty are
shown in FIG. 2) located inside the frame 23. Each of the shelves
29 has a shelf axis 31 (FIG. 5) that extends generally in forward
and reverse directions (indicated by arrows 33, 35,
respectively).
[0019] The system 21 also includes a plurality of components or
drives 41 (twenty are shown in FIG. 2), such as data tape drives
for recording information. In one version, each of the drives 41 is
mountable in any one of the shelves 29 of the frame 23. Each of
drives 41 also has a plurality of apertures 43 (FIG. 4) formed
therein. In the embodiment shown, at least some of the apertures 43
are formed in a top surface 45 of the drives 41.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 3, another component of system 21 is a
plurality of retention devices or shipping brackets 51 (one shown).
In one embodiment, the drives 41 and shipping brackets 51 are
provided in equal numbers. Each of the shipping brackets 51 has a
shelf portion 53 that is releasably attachable to any one of the
shelves 29, and a drive portion 55 that is releasably attachable to
any one of the drives 41. In the embodiment shown, drive portion 55
is a generally flat, U-shaped member with a base portion 56, and a
downward-depending tab 57 on the outer corner of the end of each of
its arms 59. As shown in FIG. 4, tabs 57 engage respective ones of
the apertures 43 in the drive 41 when drive portion 55 of shipping
bracket 51 is mounted on the top surface 45 thereof.
[0021] Referring again to FIG. 3, the shelf portion 53 is a
generally flat member that is integrally formed with drive portion
55 at base portion 56 and extends in the same general direction as
arms 59. However, shelf portion 53 is not co-planar with drive
portion 55; rather, shelf portion 53 is oriented at an acute angle
(approximately 5 to 30 degrees) with respect to drive portion 55
above the planar surface defined by drive portion 55. Because of
this configuration, shelf portion 53 acts as a spring and is spring
biased upward from drive portion 55 to its inclined position. Shelf
portion 53 includes two pair of generally upward-depending tabs 61,
63 which are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal
length of shelf portion 53. Each pair of tabs 61, 63 is
longitudinally aligned, respectively, but they are formed as
mirror-images. Tabs 61 are somewhat triangular, and tabs 63 are
generally rectangular. In addition, tabs 61 are spaced slightly
farther apart from each other and slightly shorter than tabs
63.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the drives 41 are positionable in
a retracted or shipping position by mounting the shipping brackets
51 to the drives 41 and inserting the drives 41 from the rear 27 of
the frame 23 into the shelves 29 until the shelf portions 53 of the
shipping brackets 51 interlock with the shelves 29 to restrict
movement of the drives 41 located therein. Each of the shelf
portions 53 of the shipping brackets 51 acts as a spring that
interlocks with upper features of a respective one of the shelves
29 without a tool by merely inserting the drives 41 into the
shelves 29. However, in one embodiment, a lever or tool 71 (such as
a screwdriver) may be used to pry the shelf portion 53 downward to
disengage the tabs 61, 63 from the shelf 29 before the drive 41 can
be removed from the frame 23. Alternatively, drive 41 may be
removed without tools by pressing down on the shelf portion 53.
[0023] The shelf portions 53 of the shipping brackets 51 apply a
compression force to the drives 41 that, in one embodiment, is
approximately equal to three times the weight of one of the drives
41 to maintain the drives 41 in the shipping position during shock
and vibration encountered while being shipped. In one embodiment,
the drives 41 are located completely inside the frame 23 when in
the shipping position. When the drives 41 are in the shipping
position, a majority of the weight of the drives 41 is located over
the center of the frame 23 such that the tilt stability of the
frame 23 is enhanced.
[0024] From the shipping position of FIGS. 2 and 5, the drives 41
are repositionable to an extended or normal operating position (see
FIG. 1) by partially removing the drives 41 from the rear 27 of the
frame 23, removing the shipping brackets 51 from the drives 41, and
re-inserting the drives 41 from the rear 27 of the frame 23 into
the shelves 29 beyond the shipping position toward the front 25 of
the frame 23. When the drives 41 are in the normal operating
position, the shipping brackets 51 may be stored inside the frame
23 (such as a shelf or in a compartment 73) for subsequent use in
retaining the drives 41 in the shipping position at a later time.
In the normal operating position, at least portions (such as front
portions) of each of the drives 41 protrude beyond the front 25 of
the frame 23 when the drives 41 are in the normal operating
position.
[0025] In operation, the present invention also comprises a method
of increasing the safe handling of an apparatus, such as system 21,
during shipping. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing
a frame 23 (FIG. 2) having a front 25, a rear 27, shelves 29 inside
the frame 23, drives 41, and shipping brackets 51 (FIG. 3). A
shipping bracket 51 is mounted to each of the drives 41 to form
assemblies (FIG. 4). The assemblies are inserted into the shelves
29 at the rear 27 of the frame 23 until the shipping brackets 51
interlock with the shelves 29 in a shipping position (FIG. 2) such
that the drives 41 are located completely inside the frame 23
between the front 25 and the rear 27 of the frame 23 and movement
of the drives 41 is restricted by the shipping brackets 51. The
frame 23 is shipped with the drives 41 in the shipping position.
When ready to be put in an operational position, the assemblies are
partially removed from the rear 27 of the frame 23 and the shipping
brackets 51 are removed from the drives 41. The drives 41 are then
fully inserted into the shelves 29 from the rear 27 of the frame 23
beyond the shipping position to a normal operating position such
that at least portions of the drives 41 extend out of the frame 23
beyond the front 25 of the frame 23.
[0026] Alternatively, the method further comprises the step of
storing the shipping brackets 51 inside the frame 23 for subsequent
use in retaining the drives 41 in the shipping position at a future
date. The method may also comprise locating a majority of the
weight of the drives 41 inside the frame 23 at or near the center
of gravity of the frame 23 in order to enhance the tilt stability
of the frame 23. The method may also comprise biasing a spring 53
on each of the shipping brackets 51 into interlocking engagement
with a respective one of the shelves 29 by merely inserting the
drives 41 into the shelves 29, and using a tool 71 to disengage the
springs 53 from the shelves 29 before the drives 41 can be removed
from the frame 23. Finally, the method may comprise applying a
compression force to the drives 41 to maintain the drives 41 in the
shipping position during the shock and vibration of shipping.
[0027] The present invention has several advantages including the
ability to safely ship tape drives while they are mounted to the
frame of an automated tape library. The present invention utilizes
a single shipment bracket to retain each drive within the frame in
retracted positions during shipment. The shipment brackets allow
the drives to be shipped inside the frame when the normal operating
position of the drives is to protrude outside of the frame. This
design provides a very simple installation and removal solution
without adding the extra cost of separate shipping containers for
the drives. Also, by moving the drives into the frame, the majority
of the weight is now inside the frame so that the frame will not
tip over as easily as prior art designs and thereby avoids a safety
hazard during shipment. Additionally, the shipment brackets are
relatively inexpensive and can be stored within the frame so that
the frame can be shipped repeatedly without having to relocate the
original packaging.
[0028] The function of the shipment bracket is to securely hold and
restrain one drive in the frame in a retracted or shipment
position. This position differs from the normal operating position
of the drive wherein it protrudes from the frame. Prior to the
present invention, there was no viable method of securely fastening
drives within the frame in retracted positions that allowed them to
be easily removed. The shipment bracket holds the drive in the
retracted position within the frame by snapping into the drive
itself and also to the shelves on which the drive sits.
[0029] When the spring is clipped on top of the drive, it can be
inserted into the drive shelf. When the drive is inserted into the
shelf, the middle section of the spring is ramped down as the drive
slides into position. The drive continues to be pushed into
position until the middle section of the spring is fully engaged
with the shelf above the drive and the vertical tabs in the middle
section have prevented the drive from further insertion. Because
the middle section of the spring is engaged, the drive no longer
can move in or out of the shelf. Also in this position, the middle
section of the spring is compressed and applies a downward force to
the top of the drive. This force can be set by the design of the
spring and, in this embodiment, the force is equal to approximately
three times the weight of the drive, but the compression force may
vary based on the design of the spring. The compression force
allows the position of the drive to be maintained during any shock
or vibration during shipping. To disengage the spring, a lever may
be used to pry down the middle section of the spring to disengage
and then partially slide the drive out of the shelf. Once
disengaged, the spring can be removed and stored within the
frame.
[0030] While the invention has been shown or described in only some
of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art
that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes
without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *