HOUSING

Abstract: A modular housing for data storage apparatus comprises a first side unit (1) providing a first side wall (2) of the housing and a second side unit (1') providing a second side wall (2') of the housing. An intermediate unit (10) provides an intermediate wall (11) of the housing between and substantially parallel to the first and second housing side walls. Connecting means (16, 17, 18 and 19) are provided for connecting the intermediate unit optionally to the first side unit or to the second side unit or to a further intermediate unit (10) which may be positioned between the first intermediate unit and the first or second side unit, so as to increase the width of the modular housing. The housing is produced from a small number of different shapes of component, each side unit being substantially identical and each intermediate unit being substantially identical.

Description: HOUS ING The present invention relates to a housing for data storage apparatus. 5 In data storage apparatus, a housing having several bays is provided. Each bay can support a device such as a data storage device (for example, a disk drive), a power supply unit, or a cooling fan, for example. Typical housings are fixed sheet metal boxes which are individually O tailored to suit a fixed number of devices . The devices may be arrayed in any suitable manner. Typical layouts have for example three devices in a vertical column, six devices in two adjacent columns of three devices each, nine devices in three columns of three devices each, or twelve 15 devices in four columns of three devices each. In the prior art, it has been necessary to manufacture four distinct housings in order to accommodate these four typical layouts. Other layouts can only be accommodated by housings specifically manufactured for such further -0 layouts . One possible alternative to the manufacturing of housings for specific layouts is to provide housings which accommodate only a single column of devices, such as a column of three or four disk drives. Such housings are _5 then placed side by side in order to accommodate six (or eight) or further multiples of three (or four) disk drives or other devices. However, the use of multiple box-like housings of this type increases the lateral extent of the box-like housings as the wall thickness is doubled at each 0 junction between adjacent box-like housings of this type. This increase in the wall thickness can be a problem, especially when the housings have to be fitted into a standard rack of width 19" (48.3cm). In US-A-5, 124, 886, there is disclosed a modular 5 cabinet for enclosing a plurality of disk drive canisters. The cabinet includes left and right sides and a center section, each formed of molded structural foam. Each side includes horizontal top and bottom portions which include tongue-like projections for mating with similar features in top and bottom portions of the center section. The sides and center section are secured together through the use of 5 four latching members which cooperate with features molded into the sides. The design of the components permits easy assembly of the cabinet without the use of tools. Horizontal rails molded into the internal surfaces of the sides and both surfaces of the center section form the bays .0 for receiving disk drive canisters. However this disclosure shows only a modular cabinet for accommodating two adjacent columns of devices and does not disclose a housing capable of housing more than two adjacent columns of devices within a continuous modular construction formed .5 from a relatively small number of different shapes of components . According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular housing for data storage apparatus, the housing comprising a first side unit .0 providing a first side wall of the housing; a second side unit providing a second side wall of the housing opposite and substantially parallel to the first housing side wall; an intermediate unit providing an intermediate wall of the housing between and substantially parallel to the first and _5 second housing side walls; and connecting means for connecting the intermediate unit optionally to the first side unit or to the second side unit or to a further intermediate unit positioned between said first intermediate unit and the first or second side unit. ',0 The present invention provides a modular housing which need only have two distinct units, namely a side unit and an intermediate unit . Each side unit can be substantially identical . Any number of intermediate units can be positioned between the side units so that the housing can .5 be expanded to accommodate further devices as necessary. Where plural intermediate units are provided, each may be substantially identical. The units can be simply manufactured by extruding aluminium or plastics, for example. The depth of the units can be practically chosen at will as the units can be cut to any length required. The housing may have a single intermediate unit 5 engaged on one side with the first side unit and on an opposite side with the second side unit. Alternatively, the housing may have a first intermediate unit engaged on one side with the first side unit and a second intermediate unit engaged on one side .0 with the second side unit, the first and second intermediate units being engaged with each other on their respective second sides. The housing may have a first intermediate unit engaged on one side with the first side unit, a second intermediate -5 unit engaged on one side with the second side unit, and at least one further intermediate unit between and engaged with the first and second intermediate units . The side and intermediate walls may define adjacent bays of the housing, each bay being defined between a side .0 wall and an adjacent intermediate wall or between two adjacent intermediate walls where plural intermediate units are provided. The side and intermediate walls may have means defining at least two sub-bays within a bay of the housing for receiving a device each. .5 Preferably, the thicknesses of each side wall and the or each intermediate wall are substantially the same. In a most preferred embodiment, the side and intermediate walls define n adjacent bays of the housing, n being an integer greater than 1, each bay being defined 10 between a side wall and an adjacent intermediate wall or between two adjacent intermediate walls, there being n-1 intermediate units, the lateral extent of the housing being n(s+m)+s . where the thickness of the first side wall is s , the thickness of the second side wall is s_, the thickness .5 of the or each intermediate wall is s , and the separation between two adjacent walls of the housing is m. This allows expansion of the housing by adding further intermediate units without unduly increasing the lateral extent of the housing. In this embodiment, addition of a further intermediate unit increases the width of the housing by m+s_, i.e. the thickness of one wall and the width of a spacing provided between adjacent walls of the housing. At least one of the side walls and intermediate walls preferably has means for supporting a data storage device in the housing. The connecting means may conveniently comprise a stepped portion of a lateral wall of the intermediate unit for engagement with a corresponding stepped portion of at least one of a wall of the first side unit, the second side unit, and a further intermediate unit between said first intermediate unit and a side unit. The present invention also includes data storage apparatus comprising a housing as described above and a data storage device contained in said housing. The data storage device may be a disk drive, for example. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of assembling a housing for data storage apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: engaging a first side unit providing a first side wall of the housing with one side of a first intermediate unit providing an intermediate wall of the housing; engaging the other side of the first intermediate unit with a second intermediate unit providing a further intermediate wall of the housing; and engaging the other side of the second intermediate unit optionally with a further intermediate unit providing a further intermediate wall of the housing or with a second side unit providing a second side wall of the housing, the first and second side walls and the intermediate walls being substantially parallel. According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a side unit for use with one or more other units to form a housing, the side unit comprising a side wall; a first lateral wall extending perpendicular to the side wall at one end thereof; a second lateral wall extending perpendicular to the side wall at the other end thereof and extending in the same direction as the first lateral wall; connecting means at the distal end of each lateral wall for connecting the side unit to another unit to form a housing; in which the connecting means comprise first connector means at the distal end of the first lateral wall and second connector means at the distal end of the second lateral wall, the first and second connector means having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that the first connector means is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and the second connector means is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an intermediate unit for use with other units to form a housing, the intermediate unit comprising an intermediate wall; a first lateral wall extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall at one end thereof and having a first distal end on one side of the intermediate wall and a second distal end on the other side of the intermediate wall; a second lateral wall extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall at the other end thereof and having a first distal end on the said one side of the intermediate wall and a second distal end on the said other side of the intermediate wall; connecting means at the distal ends of each lateral wall for connecting the intermediate unit to other units to form a housing; in which the connecting means comprise first connector means at the first distal end of the first lateral wall, second connector means at the first distal end of the second lateral wall, further second connector means at the second distal end of the first lateral wall, and further first connector means positioned at the second distal end of the second lateral wall; each first and second connector means having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that each first connector means is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and each second connector means is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a set of units for forming a housing comprising two side units and one or more intermediate units; each side unit comprising a side wall; a first lateral wall extending perpendicular to the side wall at one end thereof; a second lateral wall extending perpendicular to the side wall at the other end thereof and extending in the same direction as the first lateral wall; and connecting means at the distal end of each lateral wall for connecting the side unit to another unit to form a housing, the connecting means comprising first connector means at the distal end of the first lateral wall and second connector means at the distal end of the second lateral wall; the or each intermediate unit comprising an intermediate wall; a first lateral wall extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall at one end thereof and having a first distal end on one side of the intermediate wall and a second distal end on the other side of the intermediate wall; a second lateral wall extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall at the other end thereof and having a first distal end on the said one side of the intermediate wall and a second distal end on the said other side of the intermediate wall; and connecting means at the distal ends of each lateral wall for connecting the intermediate unit to other units to form a housing, the connecting means comprising first connector means at the first distal end of the first lateral wall, second connector means at the first distal end of the second lateral wall, further second connector means at the second distal end of the first lateral wall, and further first connector means positioned at the second distal end of the second lateral wall; each first and second connector means having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that each first connector means is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and each second connector means is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. In some arrangements in accordance with the invention each connector means comprises a stepped portion of a lateral wall of a unit for engagement with a corresponding stepped portion of a lateral wall of another unit. Preferably the stepped portions of units are shaped to engage stepped portions of adjacent units by overlapping. It is to be appreciated that where features of the invention are set out herein with regard to apparatus according to the invention, such features may also be provided with regard to a method according to the invention, and vice versa. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view from one end of a side unit embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a view from one end of an intermediate unit embodying the invention; Figure 3A-3D are end views of a housing embodying the invention having two side units, two side units and one intermediate unit, two side units and two intermediate units, and two side units and three intermediate units, respectively; Figure 4 is an end view of another example of a housing embodying the invention showing devices fitted in the housing; Figure 5 is an end view of a further example of a housing embodying the invention; Figure 6 is an end view of a yet further example of a housing embodying the present invention; and Figures 7 and 8 are diagrammatic perspective views of housings embodying the invention generally corresponding to that shown in Figure 3B, but with modified connecting means. Reference will be made first to Figures 1 and 2 which show respectively a side unit 1 and an intermediate unit 10 for a housing, and to Figures 3A to 3D which show various housings formed from combinations of the side units 1, or the side units 1 and one or more intermediate units 10, embodying the invention. In Figure 1, there is shown a side unit 1. The side unit generally has a C-shape cross-section. The side unit 1 may be made of extruded aluminium, though other materials and manufacturing techniques, such as extruded or moulded plastics, are possible. The side unit has a wall 2 which, as will be seen, provides a first side wall of a housing which includes such a side unit 1. The side wall 2 has a thickness ∑s. In a particular example, the thickness s_ s is 2.4mm. Projecting at right angles to the side wall 2 are further, lateral, walls 3,4 which provide the top and bottom walls of the housing. Each of the top and bottom walls 3,4 terminates in a step 5,6 along its free edge. Plural runners 7 are provided along the length of the side wall 2 and project into the body of the "C" defined by the side unit 2. In the example shown in Figure 1 , there are four runners 7. The top and bottom runners 7 are positioned very close to the top and bottom walls 3,4 and the intermediate runners 7 are spaced equidistantly from the top and bottom runners 7. The four runners 7 therefore divide the side wall 2 into three distinct and equal sized portions 8. In Figure 2, there is shown an intermediate unit 10, generally of I-shape in cross-section. As will be seen from Figure 3B, the upright of the I-shape intermediate unit 10 can provide an intermediate wall 11 of the housing. The thickness s_ x of the intermediate wall 11 is preferably the same as that of the side wall 2 of the side unit 1, namely 2.4mm in this example, so as to make best use of the space available. The intermediate wall 11 has four outwardly facing runners 12 on each side. As with the side unit 2, the runners 12 of the intermediate unit 10 divide the intermediate unit 10 into three equal portions 13 on each side of the intermediate wall 11. The intermediate unit 10 has further, lateral, walls 14,15 at each end of and perpendicular to the intermediate wall 11. In Figure 3B, for example, these further walls 14,15 of the intermediate unit 10 define with the further walls 3,4 of the side unit 1, the top and bottom housing walls of the housing constructed from such units. Each of the top and bottom lateral walls 14,15 of the intermediate unit 10 has a step 16,17,18,19 along both of its free edges . The side and intermediate units 1,10 can be combined together in many different configurations to provide housings which have different capacities and layouts for receiving devices. Devices which might be received in the housings include data storage devices such as disk drives, power supply units, cooling fan units, and the like. As shown in Figure 3A, two identical side units 1,1' can be joined together. The various parts of the side unit 1 ' are indicated by reference numerals corresponding to those of the side unit 1, but with an inverted comma added. The side units 1, 1' are identical but one is rotated through 180° (inverted) relative to the other. The two identical side units can then be joined with their respective steps 5,6', and 6,5', engaging one another by overlapping to define a bay 26. If desired, the respective side units 1,1' may be fixed together at the engaged steps 5,6';6,5' by welding, gluing, or by some other fastening means such as rivets, screws or the like. In the example shown in Figure 3A, the arrangement of the runners 7 provides three distinct sub-bays 21 each of which can receive a device as mentioned above. In the example of the invention shown in Figure 3B, two side units 1,1' are separated by a single intermediate unit 10. The steps 5,6 of the first side unit 1 engage with the respective steps 16,18 of the intermediate unit 10. Similarly, the steps 5 ',6' of the other side unit 1' engage with the corresponding steps 19,17 of the intermediate unit 10. As can be seen from Figure 3B, the housing 20 formed by the two side units 1,1' and the single intermediate unit 10 has two bays 26 defined respectively between the side walls 2,2' and the intermediate wall 11, and between the intermediate wall 11 and the side wall 2', each bay 21 having a width m of 108.6mm in this example. The two bays 26 are divided into three sub-bays 21 each by the runners 7,12 and 7' of the side and intermediate walls 2,11 and 2' . Further examples of housings 20 are shown in Figures 3C and 3D. In the example shown in Figure 3C, the two side units 1,1' are separated by two intermediate units 10,10'. The various parts of the intermediate unit 10' are indicated by reference numerals corresponding to those of the intermediate unit 10, but with an inverted comma added. The two intermediate units 10,10' engage each other at their respective steps 17,16', and 19,18'. In the example shown in Figure 3C, there are three bays 26 divided into three sub-bays 21 each. In the example shown in Figure 3D, the two side units 1,1' are separated by three intermediate units 10, 10' and 10" to provide a housing 20 having four bays 26 of three sub-bays 21 each. It will be appreciated that more or less sub-bays 21 may be provided in a columnar bay 26 of the housing simply by increasing the height of the side and intermediate units 1,10 and adjusting the number of runners 7,12 accordingly. By way of example, Figure 4 shows a housing 20 having four bays 26 of four sub-bays 21 each formed by two side units 1 and three intermediate units 10. In this example, each side unit 1 and intermediate unit 10 has five runners 7,12 which define the four sub-bays 21 of each bay 26 in the housing 20. Furthermore, Figure 4 shows how power supply units 22 and fans 23 can be received in the housing 20. In the example shown in Figure 4, each power supply unit has a height equivalent to the height of three sub-bays 21 and each fan unit 23 has a height equivalent to the height of two sub-bays 21. 5 It will be appreciated that, where the separation between adjacent walls in a housing 20 is m, and the walls of the housing have a thickness s . , the addition of a further intermediate unit 10 to expand the housing 20 adds a thickness of only (s+m) to the overall width of the L0 housing 20. Thus, the same or substantially the same units 1,10 can be used to form housings of any dimension without any doubling of wall thicknesses when further intermediate units 10 are added. This means that the housing 20 can more easily fit into a standard 19" (48.3cm) rack and it L5 also means that the width m of the bays 26 is not limited or reduced unnecessarily by the width of the walls. Figures 5 and 6 show further examples of housings 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the example shown in Figure 5, the central intermediate 10 wall 11' provided by the central intermediate unit 10' has been shortened by a length equivalent to the height of one sub-bay 21. This enables a device 24 having a width equal to twice the separation between adjacent walls 11 to be accommodated. 25 In the example shown in Figure 6, the central intermediate wall 11 is missing altogether so as to create three sub-bays 25 of double width in a column in the centre of the housing 20. The units in Figures 5 and 6 with shortened or missing 30 intermediate walls 11 may be provided by separate extrusions or mouldings. The various units 1,10 are preferably made of metal or some other electrically conducting material. Electrical conductivity is maintained at the junctions between 35 connected units 1,10. Whilst the assembled units 1,10 described above have been shown in the drawings as being orientated laterally, it will be understood that the assembled units 1,10 could be rotated through 90° to create a tower product. In Figure 7 there is shown a modification of the arrangement shown in Figure 3B, in which the overlapping 5 stepped connector means 5, 6, 16, 18, 17, 19, 6' and 5', are replaced by modified connector means indicated at 105A and B, 106A and B, 116A and B, 118A and B, 117A and B, 119A and B, 106 'A and B, and 105' A and B. Other components which correspond to components shown in Figure 3B, are .0 shown by like reference numerals. In Figure 7, the side unit 1 has upper connector means 105A and 105B consisting of a protruding pin, and circular hole, respectively. The lower connector means comprises a projecting pin 106A and corresponding circular hole 106B, .5 but with the positions of the pin and hole interchanged compared with the upper connector means 105A, 105B. Similarly, the intermediate unit 10 has on its upper wall 14 a projecting pin 116A and a circular hole 116B, which match with the respective hole 105B and pin 105A on the -0 upper wall 3 of the side unit 1. On the side of the intermediate unit 10 facing away from the side unit 1, the upper wall 14 has a protruding pin 117A and corresponding circular hole 117B, and the lower wall 15 has a pin 119A and hole 119B, with the positions interchanged relative to '5 the upper wall 14. The second side unit 1' has corresponding pins and holes 106' A . and 105 'A, and 106 'B and 105 f B respectively, which cooperate with the pins and holes on the intermediate unit 10. The pins may be an integral part of the side and -0 intermediate units if moulded, but can be separately assembled if the units are extruded. The pins and holes can be of cross-section other than circular, for example square, rectangular or triangular. In Figure 8 there is shown a further modification of 35 the arrangement shown in Figure 3B in which the overlapping stepped connector means 5, 6, 16, 18, 17, 19, 6' and 5', are replaced by modified connector means indicated by the same reference numerals. In Figure 8 the connector means comprise abutting portions of the walls 3, 14, 4' and 4, 15, 3'. The distal end of the each lateral wall extends further in one half of the distal end than in the other, the greater and lesser extensions being reversed in position on the upper and lower lateral walls, so that the intermediate unit 10 can be connected optionally, that is to say at the choice of the user, to the first side unit 1 or to the second side unit 1 ' or to a further intermediate unit (not shown in Figure 8). Each side unit is connectable to another side unit, and is also connectable to an intermediate unit. Each intermediate unit is connectable to another intermediate unit and is also connectable to a side unit. The present invention provides housings for data storage devices which are modular and which require a minimum number of different units from which the housings are assembled. The units can provide high mechanical strength and provide a high packing density in the assembled housing. There is a minimal encroachment on storage space for devices within the housing and the lateral extent of the housing is also minimised. One particular advantage of the design of the cooperating connecting means, such as the overlapping joints or cooperating pins and holes, is that, assuming the material used for the units is conductive, then material contact is maintained between the units to provide an electrically conductive path. Embodiments of the present invention have been described with particular reference to the examples illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that variations and modifications may be made to the examples described within the scope of the present invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A modular housing for data storage apparatus, the housing comprising: a first side unit (1) providing a first side wall (2) of the housing; a second side unit ( 1 ' ) providing a second side wall ( 2 ' ) of the housing opposite and substantially parallel to the first housing side wall ( 2 ) ; an intermediate unit (10) providing an intermediate wall (11) of the housing between and substantially parallel to the first and second housing side walls (2, 2'); and connecting means (16, 17, 18, 19; 116A and B, 117A and B, 118A and B, 119A and B) for connecting the intermediate unit (10) optionally to the first side unit (1) or to the second side unit ( 1 ' ) or to a further intermediate unit (10') positioned between said first intermediate unit (10) and the first or second side unit (1, 1'). 2. A housing according to claim 1, wherein each side unit (1, 1') is substantially identical in construction but wherein one side unit is inverted relative to the other. 3. A housing according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising plural intermediate units (10, 10'), each intermediate unit being substantially identical. 4. A housing according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising a single intermediate unit (10) engaged on one side with the first side unit ( 1 ) and on an opposite side with the second side unit ( 1 ' ) . 5. A housing according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a first intermediate unit (10) engaged on one side with the first side unit (1) and a second intermediate unit ( 10 ' ) engaged on one side with the second side unit (1'), the first and second intermediate units (10, 10') being engaged with each other on their respective second sides. 6. A housing according to any of claims 1 to 3, comprising a first intermediate unit ( 10 ) engaged on one side with the first side unit ( 1 ) , a second intermediate unit ( 10 ' ) engaged on one side with the second side unit (1'), and at least one further intermediate unit (10") between and engaged with the first and second intermediate units (10, 10' ). 7. A housing according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the side and intermediate walls (2, 1') define adjacent bays (26) of the housing (20), each bay (26) being defined between a side wall (2) and an adjacent intermediate wall (11) or between two adjacent intermediate walls (11, 11') where plural intermediate units (10, 10') are provided. 8. A housing according to claim 7, wherein the side and intermediate walls (2, 11) have means (7, 12) defining at least two sub-bays (21) within a bay (26) of the housing (20) for receiving a device (22, 23, 24) each. 9. A housing according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the thicknesses of each side wall (2, 2' ) and the or each intermediate wall (11, 11') are substantially the same. 10. A housing according to any preceding claim, wherein the connecting means comprises a stepped portion of a lateral wall (14, 15) of the or each intermediate unit for engagement with a corresponding stepped portion of at least one of a wall of the first side unit ( 1 ) , a wall of the second side unit ( 1 ' ) , and a wall of a further intermediate unit (10') between said first intermediate unit and a side unit. 11. A housing according to claim 10 wherein the respective stepped portions of adjacent units engage one another by overlapping. 5 12. A housing according to any preceding claim wherein each side unit ( 1 , 1 ' ) comprises the said side wall ( 2 ) ; L0 a first lateral wall (3) extending perpendicular to the side wall (2) at one end thereof; and a second lateral wall (4) extending perpendicular to the side wall (2) at the other end thereof and extending in L5 the same direction as the first lateral wall (3); the connecting means comprising first connector means (5; 105A and B) at the distal end of the first lateral wall ( 3 ) and second connector means ( 6 ; 106A and B) at the 20 distal end of the second lateral wall ( 4 ) , the first and second connector means (5; 105A and B; 6; 106A and B) having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that the first connector means (5; 105A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another 25 unit and the second connector means (6; 106A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. 13. A housing according to any preceding claim wherein the .0 or each intermediate unit ( 10 ) comprises : the said intermediate wall (11); a first lateral wall (14) extending perpendicular to 35 the intermediate wall ( 11 ) at one end thereof and having a first distal end on one side of the intermediate wall ( 11 ) and a second distal end on the other side of the intermediate wall (11); and a second lateral wall (15) extending perpendicular to 5 the intermediate wall (11) at the other end thereof and having a first distal end on the said one side of the intermediate wall (11) and a second distal end on the said other side of the intermediate wall (11); O the connecting means comprising first connector means (17; 117A and B) at the first distal end of the first lateral wall (14), second connector means (19; 119A and B) at the first distal end of the second lateral wall (15), further second connector means (16; 116A and B) at the 5 second distal end of the first lateral wall (14), and further first connector means (18; 118A and B) positioned at the second distal end of the second lateral wall (15); each first and second connector means (17; 117A and B; 0 18; 118A and B; 19; 119A and B; 16; 116A and B) having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that each first connector means (17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and each second connector means (19; 119A and 5 B; 16; 116A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. 14. Data storage apparatus comprising a housing according to any of claims 1 to 13, and further comprising a data 0 storage device contained in said housing. 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the data storage device is a disk drive. 5 16. A method of assembling a housing for data storage apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: engaging a first side unit providing a first side wall of the housing with one side of a first intermediate unit providing an intermediate wall of the housing; engaging the other side of the first intermediate unit with a second intermediate unit providing a further intermediate wall of the housing; and, engaging the other side of the second intermediate unit optionally with a further intermediate unit providing a further intermediate wall of the housing or with a second side unit providing a second side wall of the housing, the first and second side walls and the intermediate walls being substantially parallel. 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the intermediate units are substantially identical. 18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the side units are substantially identical in construction but wherein one side unit is inverted relative to the other. 19. A side unit for use with one or more other units to form a housing, the side unit (1) comprising a side wall ( 2 ) ; a first lateral wall ( 3 ) extending perpendicular to the side wall (2) at one end thereof; a second lateral wall (4) extending perpendicular to the side wall ( 2 ) at the other end thereof and extending in the same direction as the first lateral wall (3); connecting means (5,6) at the distal end of each lateral wall (3) for connecting the side unit (1) to another unit to form a housing ( 20 ) ; in which the connecting means comprise first connector means (5; 105A and B) at the distal end of the first lateral wall (3) and second connector means (6; 106A and B) at the distal end of the second lateral wall (4), the first and second connector means (5; 105A and B; 6; 106A and B) having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that the first connector means (5; 105A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and the second connector means (6; 106A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. 20. An intermediate unit for use with other units to form a housing, the intermediate unit comprising : an intermediate wall (11); a first lateral wall ( 14 ) extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall (11) at one end thereof and having a first distal end on one side of the intermediate wall ( 11 ) and a second distal end on the other side of the intermediate wall (11); a second lateral wall (15) extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall (11) at the other end thereof and having a first distal end on the said one side of the intermediate wall (11) and a second distal end on the said other side of the intermediate wall (11); connecting means (16; 116A and B; 17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B; and 19; 119A and B) at the distal ends of each lateral wall (14, 15) for connecting the intermediate unit (10) to other units to form a housing; in which the connecting means comprise first connector means (17: 117A and B) at the first distal end of the first lateral wall (14), second connector means (19; 119A and B) at the first distal end of the second lateral wall (15), further second connector means (16; 116A and B) at the second distal end of the first lateral wall (14), and further first connector means (18; 118A and B) positioned at the second distal end of the second lateral wall (15); each first and second connector means (17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B; 19; 119A and B; 16; 116A and B) having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that each first connector means (17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and each second connector means (19; 119A and B; 16; 116A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. 21. A set of units for forming a housing comprising two side units (1, 1') and one or more intermediate units (10); each side unit ( 1 ) comprising a side wall (2); a first lateral wall ( 3 ) extending perpendicular to the side wall (2) at one end thereof; a second lateral wall ( 4 ) extending perpendicular to the side wall ( 2 ) at the other end thereof and extending in the same direction as the first lateral wall ( 3 ) ; and connecting means (5; 105A and B; 6; 106A and B) at the distal end of each lateral wall (3) for connecting the side unit ( 1 ) to another unit to form a housing ( 20 ) , the connecting means comprising first connector means (5; 105A and B) at the distal end of the first lateral wall (3) and second connector means (6; 106A and B) at the distal end of the second lateral wall (4); the or each intermediate unit comprising : an intermediate wall (11); a first lateral wall ( 14 ) extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall (11) at one end thereof and having a first distal end on one side of the intermediate wall (11) and a second distal end on the other side of the intermediate wall (11); a second lateral wall (15) extending perpendicular to the intermediate wall (11) at the other end thereof and having a first distal end on the said one side of the intermediate wall (11) and a second distal end on the said other side of the intermediate wall (11); and connecting means (16; 116A and B; 17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B; and 19; 119A and B) at the distal ends of each lateral wall (14, 15) for connecting the intermediate unit (10) to other units to form a housing, the connecting means comprising first connector means (17; 117A and B) at the first distal end of the first lateral wall ( 14 ) , second connector means (19; 119A and B) at the first distal end of the second lateral wall (15), further second connector means (16; 116A and B) at the second distal end of the first lateral wall ( 14 ) , and further first connector means (18; 118A and B) positioned at the second distal end of the second lateral wall (15); each first and second connector means (17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B; 19; 119A and B; 16; 116A and B) having cooperating interconnectable shapes such that each first connector means (17; 117A and B; 18; 118A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further second connector means on another unit and each second connector means (19; 119A and B; 16; 116A and B) is shaped to be connectable to a further first connector means on another unit. 22. A unit or set of units according to claim 19, 20 or 21 wherein each connector means comprises a stepped portion of a lateral wall of a unit for engagement with a corresponding stepped portion of a lateral wall of another unit. 23. A unit or set of units according to claim 22 wherein the stepped portions of units are shaped to engage stepped portions of adjacent units by overlapping.

Inventors: BOSWELL GRAHAM PETER, MUGGERIDGE MALCOLM, SCICLUNA MARK, BOSWELL, GRAHAM, PETER, MUGGERIDGE, MALCOLM, SCICLUNA, MARK
Applicants: BOSWELL GRAHAM PETER, HAVANT INTERNATIONAL LTD, MUGGERIDGE MALCOLM, SCICLUNA MARK, BOSWELL, GRAHAM, PETER, HAVANT INTERNATIONAL LIMITED, MUGGERIDGE, MALCOLM, SCICLUNA, MARK
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G11B33
IPC codes: G11B33, H05K5, H05K7