Abstract:
A quick lock and release mechanism is provided for securing and releasing a server or other computing asset, including a server tray, from a server rack. The server is equipped with a quick release tab that is biased to fit into an opening in the server rack. To install the server in the rack, the server is secured to the rack by aligning and inserting the quick release tab into the opening. The server can then be removed from the rack by retracting the quick release tab from the opening. The server rack may include a plurality of shelves cut out from the rack to hold multiple servers in the rack.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates generally to rack-mounted computing equipment, and in particular retention mechanisms for locking and releasing computing devices within a server rack. 
     Conventional computer servers and server trays require installation or mounting with screws to secure the server or tray to a rack. Each time a server or tray is installed in a rack, it must be screwed in place to the rack, and each time a server or tray is removed, it must be unscrewed from the rack. In some cases, the server is installed by rails that are screwed into the exterior side of the server and the interior of the rack. The installation and removal of the server or tray from the rack can be time-consuming and cumbersome, which is magnified by the large number of servers in a typical data center. The process can also be expensive if a technician is paid for the time spent to install or remove the server or server tray from the rack. Thus, there is a need for an efficient and quick removal and retention mechanism for servers in racks. 
     SUMMARY 
     To enhance the efficiency of the installation and removal of servers from server racks, embodiments of the invention provide a quick lock and release mechanism for securing and releasing a server or server tray to and from a rack. The server or server tray includes a quick release tab that reversibly extends from the side of the server or tray. The quick release tab aligns with an opening in the server rack so that it can be inserted into the opening. The insertion of the quick release tab into the opening secures the server or server tray to the rack. The quick release tab is easily removed or retracted from the opening to release the server or tray from the rack. 
     In some embodiments, the server rack comprises a plurality of shelves that extend from the rack. In one embodiment, the shelf is a cut-out from the side panel of the rack that extends into the interior of the rack. The server or server tray is placed on the plurality of shelves to hold the server or tray in the rack. 
     In another embodiment, the server or server tray comprises an extended portion that protrudes from the back of the server or tray into the rack. The rack includes a receiving portion that is configured to fit with the extended portion and secure the back of the server or tray to the rack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a server rack and a server, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a side view of a server rack and a server, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a front cut-through view of a server and a quick release tab, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a front cut-through view of a server and a spring loaded tab, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a side cut-through view of a server and a rack, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     The figures depict various embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention include quick release and retention mechanisms for various computing devices that are stored in racks.  FIG. 1  shows an example of a computing device and a rack  110 . Computing devices can include any type of device, chassis, or asset that is used in computing systems and housed in a rack  110 . A server  100  is a type of computing device that is housed in the rack  110 . A server  100  is a central computer or group of computers dedicated to sending and receiving data from other computers on a network. A server  100  can be secured directly to the rack  110  or placed on a tray which is secured to the rack  110 . A tray is a housing or enclosure that is used to hold the server  100  in the rack  110 . In one embodiment, the tray can be a metal sheet that fits across the interior of the rack  110 . As used herein, a server  100  refers to any computing device that can be secured to the rack  110 . The embodiments described herein with respect to a server  100  can also be applied to a tray or chassis that houses the server  100 . 
     In some embodiments, a rack  110  includes a plurality of shelves  120  for holding the server  100  or tray. In one embodiment, the shelves  120  are “punch-outs” or “cut-outs” of the side panel of the rack  110  and extend into the interior of the rack  110 . In one embodiment, the shelf  120  is a partial cut-out of the side panel of the rack  110 , and the cut-out portion is bent inward to form a rigid extension. In another embodiment, the shelf  120  is perpendicular to the side panel of the rack  110 . In some embodiments, the shelf  120  can be various cut-outs or extensions of different sizes or shapes from the side of the rack  110 . In other embodiments, the shelves  120  are extensions that are built into the interior of the rack  110 . In certain embodiments, the shelves  120  are aligned in a straight row and extend out from the side panels of the rack  110 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of shelves  120  can be situated on opposite sides of the rack  110  (i.e., on opposing side wall panels) and are aligned in the same horizontal plane. 
     In another embodiment, the server  100  or tray slides on top of the shelves  120  into the rack  110 . The weight of the server  100  is held up by the plurality of shelves  120  that extend into the interior of the rack  110 . In some embodiments, the shelves  120  act as a type of rail that keeps the server  100  in a level position and retains the server  100  in the rack  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2A , a side view is shown of the insertion of the server  100  into the rack  110 . The server  100  includes a quick release tab  200  that couples the server  100  to the rack  110 . In one embodiment, the quick release tab  200  aligns with and inserts into an opening  210  in the rack  110 . In some embodiments, the opening  210  can be a hole, gap, or cut-out of various shapes or sizes. In one embodiment, the opening  210  is configured to have the approximate size and shape of the quick release tab  200 . In another embodiment, the quick release tab  200  is situated on the front side panel of the server  100  and the opening  210  is situated near the front end of the rack  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the quick release tab  200  comprises a tab that shortens or extends from the side of the server or tray by pressing, pushing, or pulling the tab. In other embodiments, the quick release tab  200  can be spring-loaded and can extend and shorten by release of an interior spring. In another embodiment, the tab  200  can be a resilient notch, peg, plunger, or protruding piece that can be extended and shortened by pulling, pressing, and/or pushing on the tab  200 . In some embodiments, the quick release tab  200  has two configurations: an extended position and a retracted position. 
     In  FIG. 2B , an example of the lock and release mechanism is depicted. An example quick release tab  200   a  is shown, which extends from the side of the server  100  and aligns with an opening  210  in the rack  110 . When the server  100  is first inserted into the rack  110 , the quick release tab  200  can be in a retracted position and does not extend out from the side of the server  100 . When the quick release tab  200   a  aligns with the opening  210  in the rack, the quick release tab  200   a  can be inserted into the opening  210  to secure the server  100  to the rack. In one embodiment, the extension of the quick release tab  200   a  into the opening  210  locks the position of the server  100  in the rack  110 . When the server  100  is to be removed from the rack  110 , the quick release tab  200   a  can be retracted from the opening  210 . In some embodiments, the quick release tab  200   a  can be pushed back into the server  100 . 
     In another embodiment, an example of a spring-loaded tab  200   b  is shown. The spring-loaded tab  200   b  can be extended or shortened from the side of the server  100  or tray (e.g., inserted or removed from the opening  210 ) based on the movement of an internal spring. The spring loaded tab  200   b  aligns with the opening  210  in the rack  110 . The spring loaded tab  200   b  is released or extended into the opening  210  to secure the server  100  to the rack  110 . In some embodiments, the spring loaded tab is arranged to move against a spring force to remove the spring loaded tab from the opening  210 . In some embodiments, a spring-loaded plunger can be used. 
     In another embodiment, the quick release tab  200  comprises a resilient notch. The notch can be easily extended from the side of the server  100  to insert into the opening  210  in the rack  110  and to secure the server  100 . The notch can be drawn back into the server  100  or retracted from the opening  210  to release the server  100  from the rack  110 . 
     Various other types and designs of tabs  200  can be used to achieve the lock and release mechanism described herein. One of skill in the art may alter the tab  200  and opening  210  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
     In  FIG. 3 , the server  100  or tray can include a retention mechanism in the back of the server  100  or tray. In one embodiment, the server  100  has an extendable portion  300  that protrudes out of the server  100  or tray. The extendable portion  300  may be a finger-like extension, a hook, or a jutting or protruding piece. The extendable portion  300  inserts into a slot  310  in the back of the rack  110 . In some embodiments, the slot  310  comprises a hole, gap, cut-out or receiving portion that is configured to fit the extendable portion  300 . The insertion of the extendable portion  300  into the slot  310  secures the server  100  to the back wall of the rack  110  and keeps it from pushing too far into the rack  110 . 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure. 
     The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by any claims that issue on an application based hereon. Accordingly, the disclosure of the embodiments of the invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is set forth in the following claims.