Memory storage device having a locking handle

Abstract

A memory storage device carrier 10 includes a face 16 and a handle 18 attached to the carrier 10 . The handle 18 moves from a first position, where the handle 18 lies flush with the face 16 to a second position where the handle 18 extends from the face 16 . A lock 22 mounts between the handle 18 and the carrier 10 to selectively lock the handle 18 in the first position. The lock 22 includes a housing, a spring and a lock surface 24 . The lock 22 housing has a threaded exterior and a hollow interior. The spring mounts within the interior of the housing to bias the lock surface 24 against the handle. The threaded exterior of the lock 22 housing enables the depth of the threaded engagement of the lock 22 in the carrier to be adjustable. Adjustment of this depth is achieved by rotating the housing and such adjustment ultimately regulates the amount of force required to unlock the handle in either of the first and second positions, respectively.

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A method of locking the handle of a memory storage device carrier, comprising: 
 providing a carrier for holding a memory storage device, the carrier having a handle and a face, the handle being moveable from a first position where the handle lies flush with the face, to a second position where the handle extends from the face; and    locking the handle in the first position to inhibit the handle from rattling against the face during operation of the memory storage device.    
   
   
       17 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the step of locking includes biasing a ball against the handle to lock the handle.  
   
   
       18 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the step of locking includes adjustably biasing a ball against the handle to lock the handle.  
   
   
       19 . A method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the step of locking includes rotating a threaded housing enclosing a spring and a ball to adjustably bias the ball against the handle when the handle locks in the first position.  
   
   
       20 . A method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising the step of locking the handle in the second position.  
   
   
       21 . A method of locking the handle of a memory storage device carrier, comprising: 
 providing a carrier for holding a memory storage device, the carrier having a handle, the handle being moveable from a first position to a second position where the handle extends from a front portion of the carrier; and    locking the handle in the first position during operation of the memory storage device.    
   
   
       22 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the step of locking includes biasing a ball against the handle to lock the handle.  
   
   
       23 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the step of locking includes adjustably biasing a ball against the handle to lock the handle.  
   
   
       24 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , wherein the step of locking includes rotating a threaded housing enclosing a spring and a ball to adjustably bias the ball against the handle when the handle locks in the first position.  
   
   
       25 . A method as set forth in  claim 21 , further comprising the step of locking the handle in the second position.  
   
   
       26 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  further comprising using a lock to maintain the handle in the first position.  
   
   
       27 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  further wherein the lock includes a biasing element to bias a structure outward to maintain the handle in the first position.  
   
   
       28 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the lock includes a biasing element to bias a structure outward to maintain the handle in the first position, wherein the biasing element is a spring and the structure is a ball.  
   
   
       29 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  further comprising using a threaded lock to maintain the handle in the first position.  
   
   
       30 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein a magnet is used to maintain the lock in the first position.  
   
   
       31 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the carrier has a face, and wherein the handle attaches to the face.  
   
   
       32 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the carrier has a face at the front portion.  
   
   
       33 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the carrier has a face, and when the handle is in the first position, the handle is flush with the face.  
   
   
       34 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the memory device is a hard disk drive.  
   
   
       35 . A method as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the carrier has a face, and wherein the face has ventilation slots.