Title: Guard system for portable computer disk drive slot
Patent application publication number: 20060291154
Publication date: December 28, 2006
Filing date: June 23, 2005
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AIPW Summary: The guard system permits a slot-loading optical drive slot to be blocked, in order to prevent any objects from entering the slot. The guard is positioned inside the drive slot, adjacent to the opening, such that it can be easily moved between an open position and a closed position without affecting the operation of the optical drive (see Figures 4 and 5). The guard can be in place (i.e., in the closed position) when the computer is off, and in the open position when the computer is on. A sensor located inside the slot can be used to automatically open and close the guard, depending on whether a disk is being inserted (see paragraphs 0035-0040).