Patent ID: 6278608
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: H05K

Abstract:
An apparatus for housing a plurality of modules, comprising:a box like chassis open at least on one face comprising a lower portion and an upper portion both comprising a plurality of elongated members extending from the front of said chassis to the rear thereof, wherein an elongated member on said lower portion and a corresponding elongated member on said upper portion define a slot for the insertion of a module therein;an electrical fan mechanism providing cooling airflow to be directed over said modules;a plurality of rails, each rail affixed to an elongated member for guiding the insertion of said module into said slot;a plurality of elongated tabs, each said elongated tab removeably affixed to an elongated member and disposed so as to block the flow of air into said chassis while attached to said elongated member, said elongated tab adapted to be removed by a twist off operation, the removal of said elongated tab permitting cooling air from said electrical fan mechanism to flow over and across one of said modules when inserted into said slot; anda plurality of electrical contacts defining a group of associated slots, each electrical contact associated with a single slot and affixed to said chassis, wherein each module comprises a loopback contact mateable with a corresponding electrical contact on said chassis, said plurality of electrical contacts connected in a parallel circuit configuration to said electrical fan mechanism whereby the insertion of a single module fully into any slot within said group activates said electrical fan mechanism.