Computer system drive cage and method

Abstract

A computer system comprises a chassis having a frontal mounting surface. The system also comprises a bezel-less drive cage coupled to the chassis and adapted to receive at least one frontally-exposed drive. The drive cage extends forward beyond the frontal mounting surface of the chassis.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A computer system, comprising: 
 a chassis having a frontal mounting surface; and    a bezel-less drive cage coupled to the chassis and adapted to receive at least one frontally-exposed drive, the drive cage extending forward beyond the frontal mounting surface of the chassis.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a forward portion of the drive cage is disposed in alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel coupled to the chassis.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive cage comprises at least one extension member adapted to cooperate with a cover of the chassis.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive cage comprises an extension member extending forward from the chassis into alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive cage comprises a plurality of integrally formed rails adapted to support the drive.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive cage comprises an extension member having a portion coupled to the chassis and another portion extending forward of the chassis.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the drive cage comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed extension members extending forward of the chassis and into alignment with a forward facing surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.  
     
     
         8 . A bezel-less drive cage for a computer chassis, comprising: 
 a plurality of spaced apart walls adapted to receive at least one drive, the walls further adapted to be coupled to the chassis; and    at least one extension member extending forward of a frontal mounting surface of the chassis.    
     
     
         9 . The drive cage of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one extension member comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed extension members extending forward of the fontal mounting surface of the chassis a distance corresponding with a forward facing surface of a bezel coupled to the chassis.  
     
     
         10 . The drive cage of  claim 8 , wherein the extension member extends forward of the frontal mounting surface a distance corresponding to a forward facing surface of a bezel coupled to the chassis.  
     
     
         11 . The drive cage of  claim 8 , wherein the walls comprise integrally formed rails adapted to support the at least one drive  
     
     
         12 . The drive cage of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one extension member is adapted to cooperate with a cover of the chassis.  
     
     
         13 . The drive cage of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one extension member is adapted to provide a non-stepped surface transition to an adjacent cover of the chassis.  
     
     
         14 . The drive cage of  claim 8 , wherein the at least one extension member is adapted to provide a non-stepped surface transition to an adjacent surface of a bezel coupled to the frontal mounting surface of the chassis.  
     
     
         15 . A rackmount computer drive system, comprising: 
 a chassis support means having a frontal mounting surface; and    a bezel-less support means coupled to the chassis support means and adapted to receive at least one frontally-exposed drive, the bezel-less support means extending forward beyond the frontal mounting surface of the chassis support means.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein a forward portion of the bezel-less support means is disposed in alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel coupled to the chassis support means.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bezel-less support means comprises means adapted to cooperate with a cover of the chassis support means.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bezel-less support means comprises means extending forward from the chassis support means into alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the bezel-less support means comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed extension means extending forward of the chassis support means and into alignment with a forward facing surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.  
     
     
         20 . A computer drive system, comprising: 
 a 2U rackmount chassis having a frontal mounting surface; and    a bezel-less drive cage coupled to the chassis and adapted to receive at least three frontally-exposed, vertically stacked drives, the drive cage extending forward beyond the frontal mounting surface of the chassis.    
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drive cage comprises at least one extension member adapted to cooperate with a cover of the chassis.  
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein a forward portion of the drive cage is disposed in alignment with an adjacently disposed bezel coupled to the chassis.  
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drive cage comprises a plurality of oppositely disposed extension members extending forward of the chassis and into alignment with a forward facing surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.  
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drive cage comprises at least one extension member adapted to provide a non-stepped surface transition to a cover of the chassis.  
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 20 , wherein the drive cage comprises at least one extension member adapted to provide a non-stepped surface transition to a surface of an adjacently disposed bezel.