U.S. patent number RE45,739 [Application Number 14/024,236] was granted by the patent office on 2015-10-06 for tool-less installation system and method of u-mounted devices.
This patent grant is currently assigned to SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION. The grantee listed for this patent is SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Joseph H. Bergesch.
United States Patent |
RE45,739 |
Bergesch |
October 6, 2015 |
Tool-less installation system and method of U-mounted devices
Abstract
A device is configured to be secured within an equipment rack of
the type having two spaced-apart mounting flanges, with each flange
having a plurality of openings formed therein spaced-apart from one
another a predetermined distance. The device includes an elongated
body having two, opposite ends and two attachment configurations,
one for each end of the elongated body. Each attachment
configuration has at least one retention element to be inserted
within the openings of the mounting flanges. At least one
attachment configuration has a plunger pin configured to retain the
device to the mounting rails. The attachment configuration is
constructed and arranged to facilitate tool-less installation and
removal of the device with the mounting rails. Other embodiments of
the device and a method of securing the device to an equipment rack
are further disclosed.
Inventors: |
Bergesch; Joseph H.
(Chesterfield, MO) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT CORPORATION |
West Kingston |
RI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC IT
CORPORATION (West Kingston, RI)
|
Family
ID: |
43259665 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/024,236 |
Filed: |
September 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
12569302 |
Sep 29, 2009 |
8262041 |
Sep 11, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K
7/183 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A47B
96/06 (20060101); H05K 7/18 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;248/220.31,220.41,220.43,222.11 ;211/191,183,192,103
;312/265.6,334.4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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202007018054 |
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Mar 2008 |
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DE |
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202009007522 |
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Aug 2009 |
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DE |
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Other References
International Search Report for PCT/US2010/050404 mailed Dec. 12,
2010. cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Engle; Patricia
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Lando & Anatasi LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A device configured to be secured within a 19-inch or a 23-inch
equipment rack having two spaced-apart mounting flanges, each
flange having a plurality of openings formed therein spaced-apart
from one another a predetermined distance of .[.1.75.]. .Iadd.0.625
.Iaddend.inches, the device comprising: an elongated body having a
front surface and two, opposite ends, each end of the elongated
body having a flange portion that extends along a plane parallel to
a plane of the front surface; and two attachment configurations,
one for each flange portion of the elongated body, each attachment
configuration including two retention hooks to be inserted within
the openings of the mounting flanges, each retention hook being
defined along an inner surface of the flange portion of the body
and configured so that the retention hook slopes away from the
inner surface of the flange portion, each retention hook including
a first segment that is bent with respect to the inner surface and
a second segment that is bent with respect to the first segment and
extends along a plane that is parallel with a plane of the flange
portion, the retention hooks of each attachment configuration
extending in the same direction along a length of the body so as to
enable the insertion of the retention hooks within corresponding
openings provided in two mounting flanges, at least one attachment
configuration including a plunger pin disposed between the
retention hooks configured to retain the device to the mounting
rails, each retention hook being disposed .[.1.75.]. .Iadd.0.625
.Iaddend.inches from the plunger pin, the attachment configuration
being constructed and arranged to facilitate tool-less installation
and removal of the device with the mounting rails.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plunger pin includes a head
portion extending from an outer surface of the flange portion and a
pin portion extending from an inner surface of the flange
portion.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the hooks are secured in place by
moving the body of the device laterally.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is a power
distribution unit.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is one of a rail and a
panel.
6. A device configured to be secured within a 19-inch or a 23-inch
equipment rack having two spaced-apart mounting flanges, each
flange having a plurality of openings formed therein spaced-apart
from one another a predetermined distance of .[.1.75.]. .Iadd.0.625
.Iaddend.inches, the device comprising: an elongated body having a
front surface and two, opposite ends, each end of the elongated
body having a flange portion that extends along a plane parallel to
a plane of the front surface; and two attachment configurations,
one for each flange portion of the elongated body, each attachment
configuration including two retention hooks to be inserted within
the openings of the mounting flanges, each retention hook being
defined along an inner surface of the flange portion of the body
and configured so that the retention hook slopes away from the
inner surface of the flange portion, each retention hook including
a first segment that is bent with respect to the inner surface and
a second segment that is bent with respect to the first segment and
extends along a plane that is parallel with a plane of the flange
portion, the retention hooks of each attachment configuration
extending in the same direction along a length of the body so as to
enable the insertion of the retention hooks within corresponding
openings provided in two mounting flanges, at least one attachment
configuration of the two attachment configurations including means,
disposed between the retention hooks, for releasably securing the
device to the mounting rails, each retention hook being disposed
.[.1.75.]. .Iadd.0.625 .Iaddend.inches from the means for
releasably securing the device to the mounting rails, the
attachment configuration being constructed and arranged to
facilitate tool-less installation and removal of the device with
the mounting rails.
7. The device of claim 6, wherein the means for releasably securing
the device to the mounting rails comprises a plunger pin including
a head portion extending from an outer surface of the flange
portion and a pin portion extending from an inner surface of the
flange portion.
8. The device of claim 6, wherein the hooks are secured in place by
moving the body of the device laterally.
9. The device of claim 6, wherein the device is a power
distribution unit.
10. The device of claim 6, wherein the device is one of a rail and
a panel.
11. A method of installing a device on a 19-inch or a 23-inch
equipment rack having two spaced-apart mounting flanges, each
flange having a plurality of openings formed therein spaced-apart
from one another a predetermined distance of .[.1.75.]. .Iadd.0.625
.Iaddend.inches, the method comprising: providing a device
comprising an elongated body having a front surface and two,
opposite ends, each end of the elongated body having a flange
portion that extends along a plane parallel to a plane of the front
surface, and two attachment configurations, one for each flange
portion of the elongated body, each attachment configuration
including two retention hooks to be inserted within the openings of
the mounting flanges, each retention hook being defined along an
inner surface of the flange portion of the body and configured so
that the retention hook slopes away from the inner surface of the
flange portion, each retention hook including a first segment that
is bent with respect to the inner surface and a second segment that
is bent with respect to the first segment and extends along a plane
that is parallel with a plane of the flange portion, the retention
hooks of each attachment configuration extending in the same
direction along a length of the body so as to enable the insertion
of the retention hooks within corresponding openings provided in
two mounting flanges, at least one attachment configuration
including a plunger pin disposed between the retention hooks
configured to retain the device to the mounting rails, each
retention hook being disposed .[.1.75.]. .Iadd.0.625
.Iaddend.inches from the plunger pin, the attachment configuration
being constructed and arranged to facilitate tool-less installation
and removal of the device with the mounting rails; inserting the
retention elements of the device into the respective openings of
the mounting flanges; moving the device in a lateral direction
suitable for engaging the retention elements of the device with the
mounting flanges; and inserting the plunger pin into an opening of
the mounting flange to secure the device in place.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising, prior to inserting
the retention elements of the device into the respective openings,
aligning the retention elements of the device with respective
openings of the mounting flanges.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to racks and enclosures, and more
particularly to racks and enclosures used to house data processing,
networking and telecommunications equipment.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Equipment enclosures for electronic equipment, such as data
processing, networking and telecommunications equipment have been
in use for years. Over the years, a number of different standards
have been developed to enable equipment manufacturers to design
rack mountable equipment that can be mounted in standard equipment
racks manufactured by different manufacturers. One such standard is
the Electronic Industries Association's EIA-310-D standard which
defines parameters for what has become an industry standard
nineteen inch equipment rack.
Nineteen inch equipment racks are used extensively in data centers
and other facilities. With the proliferation of the Internet, it is
not uncommon for a data center to contain hundreds of these
equipment racks. Further, with the ever decreasing size of computer
equipment, and in particular, computer servers, the number of
electrical connectors mounted in each equipment rack has been
increasing, raising additional power distribution, cooling and
cable distribution concerns at the rack level. With these
increasing concerns, there is a need for equipment racks that are
flexible enough to satisfy a variety of different requirements,
capable of meeting industry standards, and sufficiently simple in
design to be cost effective, given the quantities of these
equipment racks that may be used in a facility.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the disclosure is directed to a device configured to
be secured within an equipment rack of the type having two
spaced-apart mounting flanges. Each flange has a plurality of
openings formed therein spaced-apart from one another a
predetermined distance. In one embodiment, the device comprises an
elongated body having two, opposite ends and two attachment
configurations, one for each end of the elongated body. Each
attachment configuration includes at least one retention element to
be inserted within the openings of the mounting flanges. At least
one attachment configuration includes a plunger pin configured to
retain the device to the mounting rails. The attachment
configuration is constructed and arranged to facilitate tool-less
installation and removal of the device with the mounting rails.
Embodiments of the device may include providing each end of the
elongated body of the device with a flange portion. The plunger pin
may include a head portion extending from an outer surface of the
flange portion and a pin portion extending from an inner surface of
the flange portion. The retention element may include a hook
defined along an inner surface of the flange portion. The hook may
be configured so that it slopes away from the inner surface and is
bent so that it extends horizontally with respect to the flange
portion. The hook may be one of several hooks configured to extend
in the same direction so as to enable the insertion of the hooks
within corresponding openings provided in two mounting flanges. The
hooks may be secured in place by moving the body of the device
laterally. In a certain embodiment, the device is a power
distribution unit. In other embodiments, the device is one of a
rail and a panel.
Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a device configured
to be secured within an equipment rack of the type having two
spaced-apart mounting flanges. Each flange has a plurality of
openings formed therein spaced-apart from one another a
predetermined distance. In one embodiment, the device comprises an
elongated body having two, opposite ends and two attachment
configurations, one for each end of the elongated body. Each
attachment configuration includes at least one retention element to
be inserted within the openings of the mounting flanges. At least
one attachment configuration includes means for releasably securing
the device to the mounting rails. The attachment configuration is
constructed and arranged to facilitate tool-less installation and
removal of the device with the mounting rails.
Embodiments of the device may include providing a flange portion at
each end of the elongated body of the device. The means for
releasably securing the device to the mounting rails may comprise a
plunger pin including a head portion extending from an outer
surface of the flange portion and a pin portion extending from an
inner surface of the flange portion. The retention element may
include a hook defined along an inner surface of the flange
portion. The hook may be configured so that it slopes away from the
inner surface and is bent so that it extends horizontally with
respect to the flange portion. The hook may be one of several hooks
configured to extend in the same direction so as to enable the
insertion of the hooks within corresponding openings provided in
two mounting flanges. The hooks may be secured in place by moving
the body of the device laterally. In one embodiment, the device is
a power distribution unit. In other embodiments, the device is one
of a rail and a panel.
Yet another aspect of the disclosure is directed to a method of
installing a device on an equipment rack of the type having two
spaced-apart mounting flanges. Each flange has a plurality of
openings formed therein spaced-apart from one another a
predetermined distance. In one embodiment, the method comprises:
inserting the retention elements of the device into the respective
openings of the mounting flanges; moving the device in a lateral
direction suitable for engaging the retention elements of the
device with the mounting flanges; and inserting a plunger pin into
an opening of the mounting flange to secure the device in
place.
In a certain embodiment, the method may further comprise, prior to
inserting the retention elements of the device into the respective
openings, aligning retention elements of the device with respective
openings of the mounting flanges.
The present invention will be more fully understood after a review
of the following figures, detailed description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is
made to the figures which are incorporated herein by reference and
in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary equipment rack;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a device, such as a power
distribution unit, configured with a tool-less mounting feature of
an embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool-less mounting feature of an
embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 4A is a reverse perspective view of the tool-less mounting
feature shown in FIG. 3 showing a pin portion of a plunger pin
assembly in an extended position;
FIG. 4B is a reverse perspective view of the tool-less mounting
feature showing the pin portion of the plunger pin assembly in a
retracted position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device secured to the equipment
rack;
FIG. 6 is a reverse perspective view of the device secured to the
equipment rack;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a rail configured with a tool-less
mounting feature of another embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the rail shown in FIG. 7 secured to
an equipment rack;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a rail configured with a tool-less
mounting feature of another embodiment of the disclosure;
FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the rail shown in FIG. 9 in the
process of being secured to an equipment rack;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the rail shown in FIGS. 9 and 10
secured to the equipment rack;
FIG. 12 is a reverse perspective view the rail shown in FIG. 11;
and
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another rail configured with a
tool-less mounting feature of another embodiment of the
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For the purposes of illustration only, and not to limit the
generality, the present invention will now be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying figures. This invention is not
limited in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the following description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways. Also the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the
purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The
use of "including," "comprising," "having," "containing"
"involving," and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass
the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as
additional items.
A typical data center may be designed to house a number of
enclosures or equipment racks. In one embodiment, each equipment
rack may be constructed in accordance with the teachings disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,666, entitled EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE KIT AND
ASSEMBLY METHOD, which is owned by the assignee of the present
disclosure and is incorporated herein by reference.
Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there
is generally indicated at 10 an enclosure or equipment rack in
accordance with at least one embodiment of the present disclosure
to house electronic equipment, such as data processing and
networking equipment (e.g., servers, server blades, associated
power distribution equipment, etc.) and telecommunication
equipment. In one embodiment, the equipment rack 10 is a
rectangular, box-like structure that is configured such that it can
be assembled with or connected to other, similarly-shaped
structures. The equipment rack 10 has a frame generally indicated
at 12 configured with a front door 14, a rear door (not shown), a
pair of sides 16, 18, a bottom 20 and a top or "roof" 22. As will
be disclosed in greater detail below, in one embodiment, the
equipment rack 10 is adjustably configurable to accommodate
equipment having a variety of shapes and sizes. In addition, the
equipment rack 10 can be conveniently broken down and disassembled
for transport or storage. In at least one embodiment, the equipment
rack 10 may accommodate standard twenty-three-inch and/or
nineteen-inch rack mountable equipment.
Embodiments of the disclosure provide tool-less installation
systems and methods of devices, such as power distribution units,
or other types of enclosure structures, such as rails, patch
panels, blanking panels, brush strip panels, fan panels, sensor
panels, and the like, that are configured for attachment to
vertical mounting flanges or rails of the equipment rack used to
contain equipment including servers, networking equipment,
information technology equipment, communications equipment and
other electronic components. With reference to FIG. 1, a vertical
mounting flange 24 is formed to include a series of openings, each
indicated at 26, formed in the mounting flange along a length of
the mounting flange. In one embodiment, these openings 26 are
spaced apart a predetermined distance known in the art as a 1-U
distance.
In one embodiment, the systems and methods disclose structures
having an attachment configuration that is constructed and arranged
to facilitate tool-less installation and removal of the device to a
pair of adjacent mounting flanges of an equipment rack. Each
attachment configuration may include one or more retention hook, or
one or more similar configuration, and any combination of such
hooks and configurations. The attachment configuration may further
include one or more plunger elements configured to lock the
retention hooks in place on the mounting flange. The retention
hooks and the plunger elements are constructed and arranged to
facilitate tool-less installation and removal of the device, and to
help to releasably secure the device to a pair of mounting flanges.
The systems and methods disclosed herein are suitable for
releasably mounting other structures, such as rails, patch panels,
blanking panels brush strip panels, fan panels, sensor panels, and
the like, to the mounting flanges of the equipment rack.
The retention hooks are disposed along the device and are further
configured such that the device can be mounted to and removed from
an equipment rack without requiring vertical movement of the
device, or without requiring the device to be gripped or otherwise
manipulated from above or below the device, or from inside an
equipment rack. The attachment configurations thereby permit the
device to be added to or removed from an equipment rack without
disturbing or removing equipment or devices previously installed
within the equipment rack.
In a certain embodiment, the device may be configured to define any
U height, e.g., 1-U, 2-U, 3-U, etc., or fractional U height, and
preferably defines a 1-U height. A 1-U height device helps provide
convenience and flexibility with respect to installation and
removal of devices during configuration or rearrangement of an
equipment rack. One or more devices having a 1-U height are readily
and easily installed into or removed from an equipment rack to help
to configure or rearrange the equipment rack without the addition
or removal of any more devices than necessary. Other embodiments
are within the scope of the disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 2, a device, generally indicated at 28, such as a
power distribution unit, includes an elongated body 30 having a
front surface 32 and a plurality of outlets, each indicated at 34,
formed along the front surface of the body. In one embodiment, the
device 28 is configured to be mounted on a front or a back of the
equipment rack 10 in which openings 26 of mounting flanges 24 of
the equipment rack are facing the person installing the device. The
device 28 shown in FIG. 2 has a 1-U height, but may be configured
to achieve other desired heights.
The body 30 of the device 28 has two, opposite ends 36, 38. End 36
includes an extended flange portion 40 having an attachment
configuration generally indicated at 42. Similarly, end 38 includes
an extended flange portion 44 having an attachment configuration
generally indicated at 46. The attachment configurations 42, 44 are
constructed and arranged to attach or mount the device between a
pair of adjacent mounting flanges of an equipment rack, such as
equipment rack 10. The body 30 of the device 28 has a length
sufficient to span a distance between the pair of mounting flanges
24 such that the device is mounted horizontally between the
flanges. The length of the body 30 can include any length that is
sufficient to horizontally mount the device 28 between a pair of
flanges of any equipment rack size or design. In particular, the
body 30 can define a length sufficient to mount the device 28
between pairs of flanges of a 19-inch or a 23-inch equipment rack.
In other embodiments, the device 28 including attachment
configurations may be employed in a situation in which the device
connects and spans between horizontally orientated mounting flanges
or rails.
Referring to FIG. 3, and with further reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B,
which illustrates end 38 of the body 30 of the device 28, in one
aspect of the disclosure, the attachment configuration 46 provided
at the flange portion 44 includes a pair of retention hooks, each
indicated at 48. Each retention hook 48 is defined along an inner
surface 50 of the flange portion 44 of the body 30 of the device
28. As shown, each retention hook 48 is configured so that it
slopes away from the inner surface 50 and includes a first segment
52 that is bent with respect to the inner surface. The first
segment 52 transitions to a second segment 54 that is bent with
respect to the first segment and extends along a plane that is
parallel with a plane of the flange portion 44. The space between
the second segment 54 and the inner surface 50 of the flange
portion 44 is sufficient to receive an edge of the mounting flange
24 therein. The retention hooks of each attachment configuration
42, 44 are designed to extend in the same direction so as to enable
the insertion of the retention hooks within corresponding openings
26 provided in two mounting flanges 24. The retention hooks 48 may
be secured in place by moving the body 30 of the device 28
laterally, which is described in greater detail below.
Still referring to FIGS. 3, 4A and 4B, the attachment configuration
46 is provided with two retention hooks 48, which are spaced apart
from one another a distance corresponding to the distance of spaced
apart openings 26 formed in the mounting flanges 24. Specifically,
the distance between the retention hooks 48 may correspond to the
distance of two openings 26 formed in the mounting flange 24 with
one opening disposed between the two openings. Other spacing may be
selected based on design criteria. The retention hooks 48 of each
end 36, 38 of the device 28 are configured to extend into the
openings 26 provided within the mounting flanges 24. Thus, all four
retention hooks 48 are inserted into four corresponding openings 26
formed in the two mounting flanges 24. The arrangement is such that
once the retention hooks 48 are inserted into their corresponding
openings 26, the body 30 of the device 28 may be shifted or moved
laterally with respect to the mounting flanges 24, depending on the
direction of the retention hooks, so that the retention hooks
engage the mounting flanges.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an arrangement in which the retention
hooks 48 are inserted into openings 26 provided in the mounting
flange 24 so that the retention hooks extent into and may be moved
laterally within the openings. With the embodiment disclosed
herein, the device 28 includes four retention hooks 48 that are
received within four openings 26 provided in two spaced-apart,
mounting flanges 24, although only one mounting flange is
illustrated in FIG. 6.
Referring to FIGS. 3-6, one of the two attachment configurations,
e.g., attachment configuration 46, includes a plunger pin assembly
56 disposed between the retention hooks 48. In the embodiment
illustrated in these drawings, the flange portion 44 provided on
the right-hand side of the body 30 of the device 28 includes the
plunger pin assembly 56. The plunger pin assembly 56 includes a
larger head portion 58 and a pin portion 60. The head portion 58
extends from an outer surface 62 of the flange portion 44 and the
pin portion 60 extends from an inner surface 50 of the flange
portion. The arrangement is such that the pin portion 60 of the
plunger pin assembly 56 may be extended, as shown in FIG. 4A, and
retracted, as shown in FIG. 4B. When extended, the pin portion 60
of the plunger pin assembly 56 extends into the opening 26 provided
between the two openings 26 receiving the retention hooks 48 to
lock the attachment configuration 46 in place with respect to the
mounting flange 24. In one embodiment, the pin portion may be
spring-loaded so that the pin portion remains in the extended
position, and by moving the head portion 58, the pin portion may be
moved against the bias of a spring or other mechanism providing the
bias.
The pin portion 60 of the plunger pin assembly 56 prevents any
lateral movement of the device 28 with respect to the two mounting
flanges 24 thereby capturing or otherwise locking the retention
hooks 48 in place with respect to the mounting flanges. By moving
the head portion 58 in a direction away from the outer surface 62
of the flange portion 44, the pin portion 60 of the plunger pin
assembly 56 is retracted from the opening 26 in the mounting flange
24 to enable the lateral movement of the device 28. This lateral
movement enables the movement of the retention hooks 48 from their
respective openings 26. The attachment configurations 42, 46 are
symmetrical and are constructed and arranged to permit removal of
the device 28 from the equipment rack 10.
In one embodiment, the device 28 may define a nominal 1-U height to
provide flexibility and convenience in configuring or rearranging
the equipment rack 10. It should be understood that the attachment
configurations 42, 46 disclosed herein may be used on any type of
device, having 1-, 2-, 3- or more U height, and fall within the
scope of this disclosure.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the attachment and removal of the
device 28 from two mounting flanges 24 will be described. The
device 28, such as a power distribution unit, is positioned against
the equipment rack 10 at a location in which the installer would
like to place the device. The retention hooks 48 of the device 28
are aligned with their respective openings 26 of the mounting
flanges 24. The body 30 of the device 28 is moved toward the
equipment rack so that the retention hooks 48 extend through their
respective openings 26.
The pin portion 60 of the plunger pin assembly 56 engages an outer
surface of the mounting flange 24. This position is shown in FIG.
5. Next, the body 30 of the device 28 is moved laterally so that
the retention hooks 48 engage the mounting flanges 24 along the
edges of their respective openings 26 so as to hold or otherwise
secure the device in place. The plunger pin assembly 56 is
positioned so that upon moving the device 28 laterally, the pin
portion 60 of the plunger pin assembly enters its respective
opening to "lock" the device in place. This position is shown in
FIG. 6.
To remove the device 28 from the equipment rack 10, the plunger pin
assembly 56 is moved so that the pin portion 60 is retracted out of
the opening 26 of the mounting flange 24. Once removed, the body of
the device may be moved laterally in an opposite direction to the
movement used to secure the device. At this point the retention
hooks may be removed from their respective openings to remove the
device from the equipment rack.
FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the construction and manner of mounting a
rail generally indicated at 70 onto mounting flanges 24 (FIG. 8).
In one embodiment, the rail 70 may be configured to mount on the
equipment rack 10 along a side of the equipment rack. As shown, the
rail 70, which may be configured to support any number of devices
associated with an equipment rack, or may be configured to provide
lateral stability to an equipment rack, includes an elongated body
72 having a flange 74 disposed at each end of the body. Although
FIGS. 7 and 8 show only one end of the body 72 of the rail 70, it
should be understood that the opposite end is configured to be a
mirror image of the shown end. Each flange 74 has an attachment
configuration, generally indicated at 76, which is constructed and
arranged to attach or mount the rail 70 between a pair of adjacent
mounting flanges 26 of an equipment rack, such as equipment rack
10. As mentioned above, the rail 70 is configured to mount on a
side of an equipment rack; however, other embodiments of the rail
may be configured to accommodate different applications or
configured to mount on the front or back of the equipment rack.
The body 72 of the rail 70 has a length sufficient to span a
distance between the pair of mounting flanges 24 defining a side of
the equipment rack 10. The length of the body 72 of the rail 70 can
be any length that is sufficient to horizontally mount the rail
between a pair of mounting flanges 24 of any equipment rack size or
design.
Still referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in one aspect of the disclosure,
each attachment configuration 76 provided at the flange 74 includes
a pair of retention hooks, each indicated at 78, similar to the
retention hooks 48 described with reference to the device 28. Each
retention hook 78 is defined along an inner surface 80 of the
flange 74 of the body 72 of the rail 70. As shown, each retention
hook 78 is configured so that it slopes away from the inner surface
80 and is bent so that it extends horizontally with respect to the
flange 74. The attachment configuration 76 is provided with two
retention hooks 78, which are spaced apart from one another a
distance corresponding to the distance of spaced apart openings 26
formed in the mounting flanges 24. Specifically, the distance
between the retention hooks 78 may correspond to the distance of
two openings 26 formed in the mounting flange 24 with one opening
26 disposed between the two openings. Other spacing may be selected
based on design criteria. The retention hooks 78 of each end of the
rail 70 are configured to extend into the openings 26 provided
within the mounting flanges 24. Thus, all four retention hooks 78
are inserted into four corresponding openings 26 formed in the two
mounting flanges 24. The arrangement is such that once the
retention hooks 78 are inserted into their corresponding openings
26, the body 72 of the rail 70 may be shifted, depending on the
direction of the retention hooks, so that the retention hooks
engage the mounting flanges 24.
FIG. 8 illustrates an arrangement in which the retention hooks 78
are inserted into openings 26 provided in the mounting flange 24 so
that the retention hooks extent into and may be moved laterally
within the openings. With the embodiment disclosed herein, the rail
70 includes four retention hooks 78 that are received within four
openings 26 provided in two spaced-apart, mounting flanges 24,
although only one mounting flange is illustrated in FIG. 8.
As with the device 28, one of the attachment configurations 76 of
the rail 70 includes a plunger pin assembly 82 disposed between the
retention hooks 78. As with plunger pin assembly 56, the plunger
pin assembly 82 includes a larger head portion 84 and a pin portion
86. The head portion 84 extends from an outer surface 88 of the
flange 74 extending from the inner surface 80 of the flange. The
arrangement is such that the pin portion 86 may be extended and
retracted. When extended, the pin portion 86 extends into the
opening 26 provided between the two openings 26 receiving the
retention hooks 78 to lock the attachment configuration 76 of the
rail 70 in place with respect to the mounting flange 24. In one
embodiment, the pin portion 86 may be spring-loaded so that the pin
portion remains in the extended position, and by moving the head
portion 84, the pin portion may be moved against the bias of a
spring or other mechanism providing the bias.
The pin portion 86 of the plunger pin assembly 82 prevents any
lateral movement of the rail 70 with respect to the two mounting
flanges 24 thereby capturing or otherwise locking the retention
hooks 78 in place with respect to the mounting flanges. By moving
the head portion 84 of the plunger pin assembly 82 in a direction
away from the outer surface 88 of the flange portion 74, the pin
portion 86 is retracted from the opening 26 in the mounting flange
24 to enable the lateral movement of the rail 70. This lateral
movement enables the movement of the retention hooks 78 of the body
72 of the rail 70 from their respective openings 26 of the mounting
flanges 24.
FIGS. 9-12 illustrate the construction and manner of mounting a
rail, generally indicated at 100, of another embodiment, onto
mounting flanges 26. In one embodiment, as with rail 70, the rail
100 may be configured to mount on the equipment rack 10 along a
side of the equipment rack. As shown, the rail 100, which may be
configured to block or otherwise cover a portion of a side of an
equipment rack, or to provide air containment within the equipment
rack, includes an elongated body 102 having flanges 104 disposed at
two, opposite ends of the body. Although FIGS. 9-12 show only one
end of the body 102 of the rail 100, it should be understood that
the opposite end is configured to be a mirror image of the shown
end. Each flange 104 of the body 102 of the rail 100 has an
attachment configuration, generally indicated at 106, which is
constructed and arranged to attach or mount the rail between a pair
of adjacent mounting flanges 24 of an equipment rack, such as
equipment rack 10. As mentioned above, the rail 100 is configured
to mount on a side of an equipment rack; however, other embodiments
of the rail may be configured to mount on the front of the
equipment rack, for example.
The body 102 of the rail 100 has a length sufficient to span a
distance between the pair of mounting flanges 24 defining a side of
the equipment rack 10. The length of the body 102 of the rail 100
can include any length that is sufficient to horizontally mount the
rail between a pair of mounting flanges 24 of any equipment rack
size or design. It should be understood that the rails including
attachment configurations may be employed in situations in which
the rails connect between horizontal mounting flanges or rails and
still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.
In one aspect of the disclosure, each attachment configuration 106
provided at the flange 104 includes three retention hooks, each
indicated at 108. Each retention hook 108 extends from an edge of
the flange 104 in the manner best shown in FIG. 9. As shown, each
retention hook 108 is configured so that it is bent so as to
achieve an L-shape. The retention hooks 108 are spaced apart from
one another a distance corresponding to the distance of three
spaced apart openings 26 formed in the mounting flanges 24. In the
shown embodiment, the retention hooks 108 are spaced apart to
correspond to three sequential openings 26 provided in the mounting
flange 24. In other embodiments, a different spacing may be
provided. The retention hooks 108 of each end of the rail 100 are
configured to extend into the openings 26 provided within the
mounting flanges 24. Thus, all six retention hooks 108 are inserted
into six corresponding openings 26 formed in the two mounting
flanges 24. The arrangement is such that once the retention hooks
108 are inserted into their corresponding openings 26, the body 102
of the rail 100 may be shifted, depending on the direction of the
retention hooks, so that the retention hooks engage the mounting
flanges 24.
FIGS. 10-12 illustrate an arrangement in which the retention hooks
108 are inserted into openings 26 provided in the mounting flange
24 so that the retention hooks extent into and may be moved
laterally within the openings. With the embodiment disclosed
herein, the rail 100 includes six retention hooks 108 that are
received within six openings 26 provided in two spaced-apart,
mounting flanges 24, although only one mounting flange is
illustrated in FIGS. 10-12.
As with the device 28 and the rail 70, one of the two attachment
configurations 106 of the rail 100 includes a plunger pin assembly
110 disposed adjacent to the middle retention hook 108. The plunger
pin assembly 110 includes a larger head portion 112 and a pin
portion 114 (FIG. 12). The head portion 112 of the plunger pin
assembly 110 extends from an outer surface of the flange 104 and
the pin portion 114 extends from an inner surface 118 (FIG. 12) of
the flange. The arrangement is such that the pin portion 114 of the
plunger pin assembly 110 may be extended and retracted. When
extended, the pin portion 114 of the plunger pin assembly 110
extends into the opening 26 receiving the middle retention hook 108
to lock the attachment configuration 106 of the rail 100 in place
with respect to the mounting flange 24. In other words, the pin
portion 114 of the plunger pin assembly 110 prevents any
substantial lateral movement of the rail 100 sufficient to remove
the retention hooks 108 from their respective openings 26. In one
embodiment, the pin portion 114 of the plunger pin assembly 110 may
be spring-loaded so that the pin portion remains in the extended
position, and by moving the head portion 112, the pin portion may
be moved against the bias of a spring or other mechanism providing
the bias.
As mentioned, the pin portion 114 of the plunger pin assembly 110
prevents any substantial lateral movement of the rail 100 with
respect to the two mounting flanges 24 thereby capturing or
otherwise locking the retention hooks 108 in place with respect to
the mounting flanges. By moving the head portion 112 of the plunger
pin assembly 110 in a direction away from the outer surface 116 of
the flange 104, the pin portion 114 is retracted from the opening
26 in the mounting flange 24 to enable the lateral movement of the
rail 100. This lateral movement enables the movement of the
retention hooks 108 from their respective openings 26.
FIG. 13 illustrates a rail generally indicated at 130 that is
similar to the rail shown in FIGS. 10-12. As shown, rail 130
includes a tab portion 132 having retention hooks 108. The plunger
pin assembly 110 is disposed between the retention hooks 108 to
secure the rail 130 in place.
It should be understood that the types of devices incorporating the
attachment configurations of embodiments of the disclosure may
include any number of assemblies and mechanisms used with equipment
racks. Other examples of such devices may include rails, patch
panels, blanking panels, brush strip panels, fan panels, sensor
panels, and the like. The rails may be used to support shelves,
servers, routers, and the like.
In addition, although embodiments of the devices, rails and panels
have two or three retention hooks provided with each attachment
configuration, any number of retention hooks may be included and
still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover,
although the plunger pin assembly is shown typically on the
right-hand side attachment configuration, it may be included on the
other side of the device, rail or panel, or on both sides of the
device, rail or panel when employing only one retention hook. Also,
the plunger pin may be disposed anywhere along a length of the
flange and does not have to be centrally located on the flange. In
addition, the plunger pin may be configured to be received within
flanges having circular openings rather than square openings, which
are illustrated throughout the drawing figures. Further, the
plunger pin may be replaced by another type of releasable fastener
suited to retain the devices, rails and/or panels in place.
Having thus described at least one embodiment of the present
disclosure, various alternations, modifications and improvements
will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations,
modifications and improvements are intended to be within the scope
and spirit of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing
description is by way of example only and is not intended to be
limiting. The disclosure's limit is defined only in the following
claims and equivalents thereto.
* * * * *