U.S. patent application number 11/290886 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-31 for temporary lifting device for an electronic chassis.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Susan A. Benysh, Roland Zapfe.
Application Number | 20070120386 11/290886 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38086728 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070120386 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Benysh; Susan A. ; et
al. |
May 31, 2007 |
Temporary lifting device for an electronic chassis
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide a temporary lifting
device for electronic chassis such as a server chassis. The lifting
device comprises a customized sling connected to a server using a
strap to secure the server on the sling. The strap can be removed
to detach the server from the sling as it is installed in a
rack.
Inventors: |
Benysh; Susan A.;
(Rochester, MN) ; Zapfe; Roland; (Rochester,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
IBM CORPORATION, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW;DEPT 917, BLDG. 006-1
3605 HIGHWAY 52 NORTH
ROCHESTER
MN
55901-7829
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
ARMONK
NY
|
Family ID: |
38086728 |
Appl. No.: |
11/290886 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
294/153 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 7/1489 20130101;
H05K 5/023 20130101; H05K 7/1415 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
294/153 |
International
Class: |
A45F 5/00 20060101
A45F005/00 |
Claims
1. A method for installing a server chassis into a server rack
using a temporary lifting device comprising: placing the server
chassis on top of at least one server sling comprising a handle at
both ends of the server sling, the server sling being customized to
hold the server chassis; fastening the server chassis to the one or
more slings using one or more straps to bind each server sling to
the server chassis wherein the straps wrap around the server
chassis and the server sling through an opening at both ends of the
server chassis; lifting and moving the server chassis using the one
or more server slings; inserting one end of the server chassis into
the server rack; removing each of the one or more straps to detach
each server sling from the server chassis as the server chassis is
inserted into the server rack; and sliding the server into the
server rack.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the server slings are parallel to
one another when strapped to the server chassis.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the overlapped portion comprises
a portion at the end of the strap that is not bonded to the strap
to create a flap, the flap facilitating the removing of the strap
to detach the server sling from the server chassis.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the overlapped portion comprises
a portion at the end of the strap that is not bonded to the strap
to create a flap, the flap facilitating the removing of the strap
to detach the server sling from the server chassis.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the server sling is made from
reinforced cardboard.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein customizing the server sling
comprises adjusting the size of the opening.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the handles at both ends of the
server sling comprise a pressboard tube.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the handle comprises the
opening.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the handles bend around the edge
of the server chassis.
10. A temporary server chassis lifting device, comprising: a server
sling, comprising: a customizable server chassis holding surface; a
handle at both ends of the sling to carry the sling; and an opening
at both ends of the sling, the openings being provided to allow for
clasping a human fist around the handle and for strapping the sling
to a server chassis; and a strap, wherein the strap fastens the
server chassis to the sling by wrapping around the server chassis
and the sling, through the openings at both ends of the sling.
11. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10,
wherein the handle of the server sling comprises the opening in the
server sling.
12. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10,
wherein the strap wrapped around the server chassis and the server
sling is overlapped, wherein the overlapped portions are bonded
together.
13. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 12,
wherein the overlapped portion of the strap comprises a portion at
the end of the strap that is not bonded to create a flap, the flap
facilitating the removing of the strap to detach the server sling
from the server chassis.
14. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10,
wherein the server sling is made from reinforced cardboard.
15. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10,
wherein the size of the openings in the server sling is adjusted to
customize the server sling to a particular server.
16. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10,
wherein the handles at the ends of the server sling comprise a
pressboard tube.
17. The temporary server chassis lifting device of claim 10,
wherein the handles bend around the edge of the server chassis.
18. A kit, comprising: a) a server sling, comprising: a
customizable server chassis holding surface; a handle at both ends
of the sling to carry the sling; and an opening at both ends of the
sling, the openings being provided to allow for clasping a human
fist around the handle and for strapping the sling to a server
chassis; b) a strap, wherein the strap fastens the server chassis
to the sling by wrapping around the server chassis and the sling,
through the openings at both ends of the sling; and c) an
instruction manual including instructions for operating the server
sling to install a server chassis into a server rack; the
instructions defining user steps comprising: placing the server
chassis on top of the server sling; fastening the server chassis to
the sling using the strap to bind the server sling to the server
chassis wherein the strap wraps around the server chassis and the
server sling through the openings at both ends of the server
chassis; lifting and moving the server chassis using the server
sling; inserting one end of the server chassis into the server
rack; removing the strap to detach the server sling from the server
chassis as the server chassis is inserted into the server rack; and
sliding the server into the server rack.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to temporary lifting
devices for electronic chassis such as server chassis.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] An organization may maintain several servers to store and
process large volumes of data, software and provide other network
services. These servers are typically placed in one or more racks
in a server room. Racks are typically box-like structures with
shelves to house one or more servers. Servers may be placed in the
rack by lifting the server and sliding it into a shelf or onto
slides or rails in the rack.
[0005] One problem with placing servers in a rack is that servers
can be quite heavy and difficult to handle while lifting.
Therefore, servers typically include handles that are integrated
into the frame of the product. However, adding permanently
integrated handles has several disadvantages. First, the cost
associated with including the permanent handles may be prohibitive,
making the product less feasible to manufacture and adding too much
cost to pass along to customers. Second, rack mounted servers have
become increasingly complex and packed with several components.
However, because each server must fit into the predefined
configuration and dimensions of the rack, any additional features
or components must fit within the dimensional limitations. The
handles, which are used only for lifting, may occupy valuable space
that could be used to add such desirable features and
components.
[0006] Therefore, what is needed is an apparatus and method for
providing inexpensive, temporary and/or disposable handles to
safely lift, move and install a rack mountable server in a
rack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention generally provide
methods and apparatus for temporarily lifting electronic chassis
such as server chassis for rack installation.
[0008] One embodiment provides a method for installing a server
chassis into a server rack using a temporary lifting device. The
method generally includes placing the server chassis on top of at
least one server sling comprising a handle at both ends of the
server sling, the server sling being customized to hold the server
chassis. The method further includes fastening the server chassis
to the one or more slings using one or more straps to bind each
server sling to the server chassis wherein the straps wrap around
the server chassis and the server sling through an opening at both
ends of the server chassis. The method further includes lifting and
moving the server chassis using the one or more server slings,
inserting one end of the server chassis into the server rack,
removing each of the one or more straps to detach each server sling
from the server chassis as the server chassis is inserted into the
server rack, and sliding the server into the server rack.
[0009] Another embodiment of the invention provides a temporary
server chassis lifting device generally comprising a server sling
and a strap. The server sling generally comprises a customizable
server chassis holding surface, a handle at both ends of the sling
to carry the sling, and an opening at both ends of the sling, the
openings being provided to allow for clasping a human fist around
the handle and for strapping the sling to the server chassis. The
strap fastens the server chassis to the sling by wrapping around
the server and the sling, through the openings at both ends of the
sling.
[0010] Another embodiment provides a kit that includes a temporary
server chassis lifting device and an instruction manual. The
instruction manual includes instructions for operating the server
sling to install a server chassis into a server rack. In one
embodiment, the instructions define user steps including placing
the server chassis on top of the server sling; fastening the server
chassis to the sling using the strap to bind the server sling to
the server chassis wherein the strap wraps around the server
chassis and the server sling through the openings at both ends of
the server chassis; lifting and moving the server chassis using the
server sling; inserting one end of the server chassis into the
server rack; removing the strap to detach the server sling from the
server chassis as the server chassis is inserted into the server
rack; and sliding the server into the server rack.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] So that the manner in which the above recited features,
advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and
can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the
invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the
embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended
drawings.
[0012] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings
illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are
therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the
invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
[0013] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary server sling
according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0014] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate how a server may be secured to
two server slings using straps, according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 3A is a close-up bottom view of a server secured to a
sling using a strap, according to one embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate detachment of the slings during
rack installation, according to one embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Embodiments of the present invention provide a temporary
lifting device for electronic chassis such as a server chassis. The
lifting device comprises a customized sling connected to a server
using a strap to secure the server on the sling. The strap can be
removed to detach the server from the sling as it is installed in a
rack.
[0018] In the following, reference is made to embodiments of the
invention. However, it should be understood that the invention is
not limited to specific described embodiments. Instead, any
combination of the following features and elements, whether related
to different embodiments or not, is contemplated to implement and
practice the invention. Furthermore, in various embodiments the
invention provides numerous advantages over the prior art. However,
although embodiments of the invention may achieve advantages over
other possible solutions and/or over the prior art, whether or not
a particular advantage is achieved by a given embodiment is not
limiting of the invention. Thus, the following aspects, features,
embodiments and advantages are merely illustrative and not
considered elements or limitations of the appended claims except
where explicitly recited in the claim(s). Likewise, reference to
"the invention " shall not be construed as a generalization of any
inventive subject matter disclosed herein and shall not be
considered to be an element or limitation of the appended claims
except where explicitly recited in a claim(s).
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary sling S according to one
embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the sling may have a
gripping surface G at either end to provide handles for lifting the
sling. The gripping surface may be curved to fit the contours of
the human hand so that a firm grip may be attained when lifting the
sling. Curved surface G may be achieved by bending the ends of the
sling and bonding the ends of the sling along surfaces A as
illustrated. The length B of surface A may be any length that is
sufficiently large to ensure that the integrity of the sling is
maintained while in use. One skilled in the art will recognize that
the length B, for example, may depend on the material of the sling,
bonding method or material and weight restrictions for the sling,
among other factors.
[0020] Furthermore, sling S may also have openings O at either end
of the sling to enhance the ability to grip the sling. The openings
O may have a width W wide enough to allow the fingers of a human
hand to wrap around the gripping surface, thereby allowing for a
firmer grip. Openings O may also have a length L. Length L may
depend on the dimensions of a particular server footprint. For
example, length L may depend on server length. Therefore, length L
may be long enough so that length SL of surface F of sling is at or
near the server length. In one embodiment of the invention,
openings O may be made by using a laser cutting process. However,
one skilled in that art will recognize that any reasonable means
for cutting sling S to make openings O may be used. Accordingly, in
one embodiment, the openings O are formed in a monolithic piece of
material from which the sling S is fabricated.
[0021] The cuts made to create openings O may leave sharp edges
along the gripping surface G. Therefore, in one embodiment,
cylindrical pressboard tubes P are placed inside the curvature at
the ends of Sling S. The curved surface of the cylindrical
pressboard tubes P may prevent cuts (to the operator's hands)
caused by gripping Sling S along the gripping surface G and the
edges of opening O. In one embodiment of the invention, Sling S may
be made from reinforced cardboard. Therefore, pressboard tubes P
may be provided to prevent paper cuts. However, one skilled in the
art will recognize that any appropriate material, such as wood or
metal, may be used to make sling S. The choice of material, for
example, may depend on the cost, weight, strength and elasticity
among other properties of the material. The physical properties of
the material may also be a factor determining the width WA and
height HA of the sling illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0022] FIGS. 2A and 2B are examples of how a server E may be
mounted on a pair of slings S1 and S2. The two slings S1 and S2 may
be placed parallel to each other and the server E may be placed on
the surfaces F of slings S1 and S2. Server E is fastened to the
slings using straps G1 and G2. For example, Strap G1 is run along
the top of the server chassis, through an opening O of sling S1, as
illustrated in FIG. 2A. The strap is also run along the bottom
surface of sling S1, through the other opening O of sling S1 (as
illustrated in FIG. 2B), and back around to the top of the server.
Similarly strap 2 is used to fasten server E to sling S2.
[0023] The length of straps G1 and G2 may be such that there is an
overlap when they are wrapped around the server E to fasten it to
slings S1 and S2. The straps may be bonded to themselves along the
overlap length OL as illustrated. The overlap length OL, along
which the strap is bonded to itself, may depend on the strength of
the bonding or bonding method used. The bonding itself may be
sufficiently strong to fasten the server to the sling as the server
is being lifted and moved, while at the same time being removable
to detach the sling from server during rack installation. In one
embodiment of the invention, the straps may be thermally bonded
along the overlap length OL. However, one skilled in the art will
recognize that any reasonable means for bonding, Velcro or a buckle
for example, may be used in a manner that accomplishes the above
stated goals of bonding the straps.
[0024] In one embodiment of the invention, to facilitate
unstrapping, one end of the strap along the bonding length may be
left unbonded to create a flap C, as illustrated. The strap may
therefore be removed by pulling flap C to unstrap the sling. While
a flap is described above and in the figures as a means for
unstrapping, embodiments of the invention are not limited to using
flaps for unstrapping. One skilled in the art will recognize that
any reasonable means for removing the strap, such as cutting the
strap, may be used.
[0025] The width of the strap GW may be smaller than the width W of
opening O to facilitate passing the strap through the openings. The
width of the strap may also depend on cost and strength of the
strapping material, among other factors.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a server E strapped to a sling S
according to an embodiment of the invention. As illustrated, the
strap G is run along the server and the bottom of sling S through
an opening to secure the sling to the server. Strap G is bonded to
itself, and a flap C is provided to facilitate detachment of the
sling from the server.
[0027] While the above descriptions illustrate the server E being
mounted on two slings, one skilled in the art will recognize that
one advantage of at least one embodiment of the present invention
is that any number of slings may be used. Due to their temporary
nature and detachability, any number of slings may be attached to
any number of locations along the dimensions of the server. The
number of slings attached may depend, for example on the number of
persons required to lift the server, the weight of the server and
the strength of the sling material, among other factors.
[0028] Another advantage of using a detachable sling according to
embodiments of the present invention is the relative ease of rack
installation. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how a server E attached to
two slings S1 and S2 may be installed in a rack R. One end of the
server E is first placed into an opening in the rack R, as
illustrated in FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4A, sling S1 may be
detached from the server, for example, by pulling the flap along
the strap to free the sling. The server may be slid into the rack
for some distance so that more of the server weight is transferred
into the rack. Sling S2 may be removed the same way that sling S1
was removed. The server may then be fully secured in the rack by
sliding it all the way into the rack.
[0029] FIG. 4B is a close-up view of FIG. 4A and illustrates rack
installation. An advantage of this method of rack installation is
that control of the server may be maintained as it is being
installed in a rack. During rack installation it is likely that the
server will be tilted and turned to maneuver it into an empty shelf
on a rack. This may especially be true if the shelf into which the
server is installed is a high shelf. Securing the server to the
sling ensures that the server does not slide along the sling and
fall when such tilting and turning occurs.
[0030] In some embodiments the handles of the sling may bend around
the edges of the server as shown in FIG. 4B. As illustrated, the
handles of slings S1 and S2 bend upwards when the server is lifted,
thereby creating a well to further secure the server on the
slings.
[0031] It is also contemplated the sling may be distributed with an
instruction manual. The instruction manual may be a printed sheet,
a booklet, a pamphlet or even a CD-ROM or other article of
manufacture. The instruction manual may also be made available via
Internet download instead of, or in addition to, being distributed
(sold) with the sling. The instruction manual includes instructions
for operating the server sling to install a server chassis into a
server rack. In one embodiment, the instructions define user steps
including placing the server chassis on top of the server sling;
fastening the server chassis to the sling using the strap to bind
the server sling to the server chassis wherein the strap wraps
around the server chassis and the server sling through the openings
at both ends of the server chassis; lifting and moving the server
chassis using the server sling; inserting one end of the server
chassis into the server rack; removing the strap to detach the
server sling from the server chassis as the server chassis is
inserted into the server rack; and sliding the server into the
server rack.
Conclusion
[0032] Accordingly, embodiments for transporting servers are
provided. In particular, embodiments for transporting servers onto
racks are provided. In one embodiment, a sling is provided which
may be inexpensive, temporary and/or include disposable or
consumable elements (e.g., handles). In one aspect, such a sling
may allow a server to be firmly attached to the sling and prevent
the server from sliding as it is moved around, thereby reducing the
possibility of the server being dropped and damaged. Furthermore,
the slings may be sized proportionate to the server footprint,
thereby reducing the possibility of the server sliding along the
sling and facilitating installation of the server in a rack.
[0033] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the
present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention
may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and
the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
* * * * *