초록 ▼

In a chassis for holding drawers containing computer components or the like, accurate alignment of each drawer in its corresponding slot is provided by a plurality of alignment features along an edge of an opening for the drawer. Mating alignment features are provided in each drawer, that engage wit

In a chassis for holding drawers containing computer components or the like, accurate alignment of each drawer in its corresponding slot is provided by a plurality of alignment features along an edge of an opening for the drawer. Mating alignment features are provided in each drawer, that engage with the alignment features on the chassis to ensure alignment of the drawer in the chassis. Various different types of alignment features are provided. Mating alignment features may additionally be provided along an opposing edge of the chassis and drawers. After being aligned, the drawers may be fastened to the chassis in a conventional fashion.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A computer chassis assembly, comprising:a chassis; a plurality of slots opening along a side of the chassis, each of the slots having an opening bounded by opposing edges of the chassis; a plurality of drawers, each of the drawers being configured for insertion into a corresponding one of the plu

1. A computer chassis assembly, comprising:a chassis; a plurality of slots opening along a side of the chassis, each of the slots having an opening bounded by opposing edges of the chassis; a plurality of drawers, each of the drawers being configured for insertion into a corresponding one of the plurality of slots; a plurality of first alignment features disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis; and a plurality of second alignment features disposed on the plurality of drawers, each of the plurality of drawers having at least one of the plurality of second alignment features, ones of the plurality of first alignment features engaging ones of the plurality of second alignment features to align each of the plurality of drawers to a corresponding one of the plurality of slots, wherein engagement between at least one of said second alignment features on one of said drawers and at least one of said first alignment features aligns said drawer such that the drawer does not occupy portions of at least one adjacent slot when said drawer is inserted in said corresponding one of the plurality of slots. 2. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first alignment features further comprise cutouts disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis.3. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first alignment features further comprise guide tabs disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis.4. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first alignment features further comprise holes disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis.5. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of first alignment features comprise protrusions from at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis.6. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second alignment features each further comprises a cutout adjacent to a periphery of a housing of each of the plurality of drawers.7. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second alignment features each further comprises a guide tab adjacent to a periphery of each of the plurality of drawers.8. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second alignment features each further comprises a protrusion adjacent to a periphery of each of the plurality of drawers.9. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured to fasten the plurality of drawers to the chassis, wherein the plurality of fasteners permits an amount of free play between each of the plurality of drawers and corresponding ones of the plurality of slots that is greater than an amount of free play permitted by the plurality of first alignment features when engaged with the plurality of second alignment features.10. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein engagement between at least one of said second alignment features on one of said drawers and at least one of said first alignment features aligns said drawer in said slot such that said drawer does not occupy portions of either adjacent slot when said drawer is inserted in said corresponding one of said plurality of slots.11. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein interference between at least one of said first alignment features and said second alignment features on one of said drawers inhibits full insertion of said drawer if said drawer is not properly aligned with said slot.12. The computer chassis assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first alignment features or second alignment features comprises a tapered end to help guide one of said drawers into a corresponding one of said plurality of slots.13. A chassis configured to receive a plurality of drawers for electronic components into a corresponding plurality of slots, the chassis comprising:housing enclosing the plurality of slots, the housing having an opening configured for insertion of the plurality of drawers between opposing edges of the opening; and a plurality of first alignment features disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the opening, wherein the plurality of first alignment features are configured to engage a plurality of second alignment features disposed on the plurality of drawers to align each of the plurality of drawers to a corresponding one of the plurality of slots; wherein engagement between at least one of said second alignment features on one of said drawers and at least one of said first alignment features aligns said drawer in said slot such that said drawer does not occupy portions of at least one adjacent slot when said drawer is inserted in said corresponding one of the plurality of slots. 14. The chassis of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first alignment features further comprise edges of cutouts disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the opening.15. The chassis of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first alignment features further comprise guide tabs disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the opening.16. The chassis of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first alignment features further comprise holes disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the opening.17. The chassis of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first alignment features comprise protrusions from at least one of the opposing edges of the opening.18. The chassis of claim 13, wherein the plurality of first alignment features comprise prongs attached to the chassis along at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis.19. A computer chassis assembly, comprising:a chassis; a plurality of slots opening along a side of the chassis, each of the slots having an opening bounded by opposing edges of the chassis; a plurality of drawers, each of the drawers being configured for insertion into a corresponding one of the plurality of slots; a plurality of first alignment features disposed along at least one of the opposing edges of the chassis; and a plurality of second alignment features disposed on the plurality of drawers, each of the plurality of drawers having at least one of the plurality of second alignment features, ones of the plurality of first alignment features engaging ones of the plurality of second alignment features to align each of the plurality of drawers to a corresponding one of the plurality of slots, wherein at least one of said second alignment features on one of said drawers is configured to interfere with one of said first alignment features if said drawer is inserted into a wrong slot. 20. The computer chassis assembly of claim 19, wherein said plurality of first alignment features comprises a plurality of guide tabs, wherein said plurality of second alignment features comprises a plurality of cutouts.