Patent ID: 8120922

Claim:
Apparatus for supporting data storage elements and supplying stored data, said apparatus comprising: a support unit having a plurality of connectors for connecting to a plurality of data storage elements; a ribbon cable having a first end connected to said support unit and a second end connected to a main part of the apparatus; the main part defining a first space containing a portion of said ribbon cable, and a second space for containing said support unit, such that said support unit is movable between (I) a first position providing access to said data storage elements and (ii) a second position in which said data storage elements are located within said second space; and guide means located and configured for juxtaposition with the ribbon cable during movement of the support unit between the first position and the second position, and to enable said ribbon cable to depart from juxtaposition with the guide means and be folded into at least two separate loops occupying a space within said first space as said support unit is moved to said second position, said guide means comprising a retractable guide member separate from the ribbon cable and located and configured to extend in juxtaposition with the ribbon cable as said support unit is moved between said second position and said first position, and to retract from juxtaposition with the ribbon cable when said support unit is in said second position, and wherein, upon retraction, the guide member is retracted into a volume separate from the space occupied by the at least two separate loops of folded ribbon cable.