Locking mechanism for rack mounted devices

A locking mechanism to minimize access to a portion of a rack-mounted electronic device is provided. The locking mechanism includes a bar supported at one end to a first vertical post of the rack, and a locking member supported at a second end of the bar for locking to a second vertical post. In one embodiment, the bar is pivotally supported at the one end to the first post. The bar is movable between an open position where unimpeded access to a first portion of the electronic device is provided, and a closed position to restrict removal of components from the first portion of the electronic device. A clearance space may provided between the bar and the electronic device in the closed position to allow a user to access an electronic component to remove power from the component, but not to fully remove the component without unlocking the locking member.

BACKGROUND

Electronic devices are often mounted in a frame, or vertical rack structure, especially in office or commercial settings. This technique is referred to as “rack mounting.” Most rack structures include four vertical rails or strips that have vertically aligned holes for securing horizontal rail assemblies. The secured horizontal rail assemblies create slots or drawers into which the electronic devices are received. The holes are spaced a predetermined distance apart with adjacent vertical strips having matching holes, so that each hole is part of a horizontal pair.

Over the years, the computer industry has developed a wide variety of rack mounting systems, which may vary from one industry or application to another. Most computer racks arc between 24 and 42 “rack units” in height, with each rack unit being about 1.75 inches high. A standard rack is 19 inches wide, however, wider racks, for example 23 inch wide racks, are also available. Rack systems generally support a plurality of electronic devices, such as Web-servers, security systems, applications servers, fans, power modules, data servers, telecommunication equipment, and other desired servers and network components. When devices are rack mounted it is often desirable to provide access to components without having to remove the electronic devices from the rack. For example, if a component or card is failing, it may be desirable to remove power from the car to limit damage. In addition, hot swapping is a desirable feature in rack mounted devices in order to limit down time. Hot swapping is the insertion or removal of a circuit board, line card or other components of the electronic devices without powering down the whole system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Overview

A locking mechanism for limiting access to a rack mounted electronic device, includes a locking bar having a first end, a second end and a length defined there between, the length of the locking bar being sized to span a space between a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced posts; a support device constructed and arranged to support the first end of the locking bar to one of the support posts, and a locking member movable between a locked and unlocked position, the locking member constructed and arranged to detachably secure the second end of the locking bar to the other of the support posts, the bar being movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position. In the first, open position the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is unsecured at its second end by the locking member being disengaged from the other of the support posts, such that a user can access an electronic device supported within the rack in order to remove components of the electronic device in the open position, and in a second, closed position, the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is locked at its second end to the other of the support posts by the locking member which is in a locked position, at least a portion of the electronic device being obstructed and access to components of the electronic device being restricted to users who have access to unlock the locking member.

Also disclosed is a lockable rack assembly for storing electronic devices including a rack having at least a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced support posts, each of the posts including one or more holes disposed there through, the posts being spaced so as to receive and support one or more electronic devices there between; a locking bar having a first end, a second end and a length defined there between, the length of the locking bar being sized to span the space between the pair of adjacent, parallel spaced posts; a support device constructed and arranged to secure the first end of the locking bar to one of the support posts; and a locking member movable between a locked and unlocked position, the locking member constructed and arranged to detachably secure the second end of the locking bar to the other of the support posts such that the bar is movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position. In the first, open position the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is unsecured at its second end by the locking member being disengaged from the other of the support posts, such that a user can access an electronic device supported within the rack in order to remove components of the electronic device in the open position, and in a second, closed position, the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is locked at its second end to the other of the support posts by the locking member which is in a locked position, at least a portion of the electronic device being obstructed by the bar and access to components of the electronic device being restricted to users who have access to unlock the locking member.

A method of providing restricted access to an electronic device mounted to a rack, the rack including at least a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced support posts having one or more holes disposed there through, is disclosed including the steps of providing a bar having a first end, a second end and a length defined there between, the length of the locking bar being sized to span a space between the pair of adjacent, parallel spaced posts; securing a first end of the bar to one of the posts; positioning the bar over a portion of the electronic device such that the second end of the bar is adjacent the other of the posts; providing a locking member movable between a locked and unlocked position; locking the second end of the bar to the other of the posts with the locking member, such that the portion of the electronic device is obstructed and access to components of the electronic device is restricted to users who have access to unlock the locking member; unlocking the locking member; moving the second end of the bar in a direction away from the other of the posts and into an open position; and accessing the electronic device supported within the rack.

The locking mechanism described herein limits access to rack mounted electronic devices, does not improperly interfere with ventilation, and allows for visual inspection of the components when in a locked position. The locking mechanism may be utilized with a variety of electronic components, can readily be installed, and is intended to be unlocked only by authorized personnel. The features of the locking mechanism as described herein, may be employed in electronic equipment and methods such as those of Cisco Systems of San Jose, Calif.

Description of Example Embodiments

The embodiments disclosed herein relate to a locking mechanism for use with rack mounted electronic devices. As used herein, the terms “rack” and “rack mounted” are used in the conventional manner to mean a frame or cabinet in which electronic hardware is supported. Although the present application will make reference to a conventional rack for mounting computer hardware typically having four vertical posts or strips, with a 19″ width between adjacent front and rear posts, and hole patterns in the posts repeating every 1.75 inches, the locking mechanism is explicitly not limited to such a rack. As also used herein, the term “electronic devices” refers to any electronic devices, modules, components, hardware, and/or equipment, that can be rack mounted, including but not limited to server computers, mass storage devices, telecommunications equipment, and security systems.

Referring initially toFIGS. 1,2and9, an example locking mechanism10for use with a conventional rack assembly12, to minimize unauthorized access to electronic devices14mounted within the rack is illustrated. The example locking mechanism10includes an elongated bar16, having a first end16apivotally connected to a support device18which is designed to secure the locking mechanism to the rack assembly, as described in further detail below. The second end16bof the elongate bar16supports a locking member20which is configured to lock the bar to the rack assembly, so that the bar16is secured over the electronic device and is removable by an authorized user, as also described in further detail below.

Bar16may be generally flat with a substantially rectangular geometry, or may be cylindrical in shape as shown inFIG. 11. The length, “1” of the bar is sized to span the space “s” defined between a first post12aand a second post12bof the rack assembly12(FIG. 9). In a conventional 19-inch rack assembly, the length of the bar may be approximately 19.5 inches in order to provide sufficient length to secure the bar within the holes22a,22bdisposed within adjacent front or adjacent back posts. The bar16may be made of any suitably strong, tamper resistant material, that will also be suitable for the electronic environment in which it is used. One such suitable material is aluminum, due to its strength and cost, although other materials may be utilized as would be known to those of skill in the art.

In the present embodiment, first end16aof bar16is pivotally supported on support device18, for example by hinge24. In order to minimize the ability for unauthorized users to access the locking mechanism10tamper, hinge24may preferably have a sealed press-pin so as to prevent removal of the hinge, which could allow unauthorized removal of bar16. Support device18may include mounting plate18athat may be secured to the back of the first post12aby a fastener26that is inserted within one hole22aand then received within a suitably sized opening28formed in the mounting plate. The fastener may be any suitable fastener for joining two objects that is sized to fit within the holes22aof the rack assembly12, for example a screw, as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2. The fastener may have a high security head requiring a special tool for removal, and may include a lock washer for a positive locking action. The fastener is preferably inserted within the hole22afrom the side facing outward from the rack assembly, to attach to the mounting plate which is supported on the opposite side, i.e. on a side of the post facing inward. In this manner, access to the fastener is blocked when the bar is in a closed or locked position. This minimizes the ability of an unauthorized user to tamper with the fastener in order to remove the bar by circumventing the locking member20.

Locking member20engages a mounting rod32in order to lock the bar in place. In the present embodiment, mounting rod32may be disposed through any of the holes22bin the second post12b, and is then received within opening30formed in the second end of the bar16in order to lock the bar16to the second post12b. The mounting rod32may also include a sleeve34that is sized to fit over the mounting rod in order to inhibit gripping the rod for unauthorized removal. As illustrated, the locking member20cooperatively engages the mounting rod32in order to lock the second end16bof the bar16to the second post12b. The first locking member may be a conventional push lock into which the post32is inserted in order to lockingly engage the mounting rod and locking member, and may be unlocked by a key35, as also illustrated. Alternatively, the locking member20may have any configuration as would be known to those of skill in the art, and is not limited to the device shown herein. For example, the locking member may be a push lock which can be locked by a key, as illustrated, a combination lock, or a padlock, as desired for the particular application. Once the mounting plate18ais secured to the first post12a, and the second end of the bar16bis locked onto the second post12b, the locking mechanism is in a closed or locked position.

As best illustrated inFIG. 9, in the closed or locked position the bar16spans the space “s” between the first and second posts12a,12band blocks a portion of the electronic device14. In this manner, unauthorized removal of components15from the electronic device can be minimized. However, in some circumstances it may be desirable to allow for partial removal of the components15without unlocking the bar16from the second post12b, for example to disconnect power to the component. If it is desirable to provide for such removal, a clearance may be built into the locking mechanism by supporting the locking bar the desired distance from the electronic device. In the present embodiment, the distance is defined by the mounting plate18aat one end and length of the locking pin32at the other end. The clearance “c” may differ with each electronic device, but should not be so great so as to allow for full removal of the components without first unlocking the bar. In the present embodiment the clearance “c” provided by a second mounting plate portion between the mounting plate18a(i.e., a first mounting plate portion where the second mounting plate portion is substantially perpendicular to the first mounting plate portion) and the bar16in a closed position is approximately 2 inches, to allow for the partial removal without unlocking for most components.

In use, an individual secures the locking mechanism10to the rack assembly12by inserting fastener26within hole22afrom the back or rear of the post12a, and then through the suitably sized opening28formed in the mounting plate18a. In this manner, the mounting plate18ais supported on the back of the first post12a. The bar16is pivotally attached its first end16ato the mounting plate by hinge24, and may be pivoted into the open position to facilitate securing the fastener to the post and then into the mounting plate. In this manner, access to the fastener is substantially blocked when the bar is in a closed or locked position. The bar may then be pivoted to the closed position such that the bar extends across the spacing “s” between the first and the second posts12a,12bso as to obstruct a portion of the electronic device. Mounting rod32is then inserted within hole22bon the second post and through opening30disposed in the second end of the bar16. The locking member20then engages the mounting rod in order to lock the bar16to the second post12b. Once in the locked or closed position, access to the components is restricted and full removal of the components from the device is blocked by bar16. In order to have full access to the electronic devices, the locking mechanism is moved into the open position. To open the locking mechanism, the locking member is unlocked, for example by key35, and the first end of the bar is pivoted about the hinge24in order to swing the second end16bof the bar outwardly, away from the rack. In the open position as illustrated inFIG. 10, the bar no longer spans the space between the posts and the portion of the electronic device is no longer obstructed, thus allowing for complete removal of any components.

Referring now toFIGS. 3-5a second embodiment of an example locking mechanism10for use with a rack assembly12to minimize unauthorized access to electronic devices14mounted within the rack is illustrated. In this embodiment, the bar16is adjustable in order to fit racks of varying widths, or to mount the bar diagonally between posts of the rack instead of horizontally. The exemplary adjustable bar16includes a first, telescoping section17aand a second section17b. The second section17bincludes an interior cavity19disposed within at least a portion of the length LPof the second section that is sized to receive the first section17aof the bar therein. The first and section sections can slide relative to each other a predetermined amount so as to adjust the overall length of the bar, LO. In the present embodiment, the first section is solid piece and the overlaid sliding telescopic action allows for adjustment from approximately 17 inches to 26 inches, while preserving the strength and integrity of the locking bar. The adjustable bar16is pivotally mounted at a first end16ato a post of the rack assembly and is secured at a second end by a locking member to a second post, as described above with respect toFIGS. 1-2.

Referring now toFIGS. 6-8a third embodiment of an example locking mechanism10for use with a rack assembly12to minimize unauthorized access to electronic devices14mounted within the rack is illustrated. In this embodiment, the bar16is also adjustable in order to fit racks of varying widths, or to mount the bar diagonally between posts of the rack instead of horizontally. The adjustable bar16includes a first, telescoping section17aand a second section17b. The second section includes an interior cavity19disposed within at least a portion of the length LPof the first section that is sized to receive the second section of the bar therein. The first and section sections can slide relative to each other a predetermined amount so as to adjust the overall length of the bar, LO, as described above with respect toFIGS. 3-6. In this embodiment, however, both the first and second ends16a,16bof the locking bar16are secured to first and second posts12a,12bof the rack assembly by a locking member20a,20band mounting posts32a,32b. Thus, in this embodiment the mounting posts32a,32bare the only support devices and there is no pivotal arrangement to allow the bar16to swing outward when unlocked at one end. Instead, the present embodiment allows the user the flexibility of unlocking either end of the bar16, at which point the bar can be rotated downward or upward in order to access the components of the electronic devices.

The locking mechanisms described herein minimize unauthorized removal of a rack mounted electronic device's components while not improperly interfering with ventilation, and allow for visual inspection of the components when in a locked position. The bar lock may also allow for limited access even in a locked position to the components without removing the component completely, for example when a component is damaged or failing. The locking mechanism may be utilized with any of a variety of electronic components, can readily be installed, and is intended to be unlocked only by authorized personnel.

While various embodiments of the invention have been particularly shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. For example, the materials disclosed herein may be readily changed, as may the dimensions and geometric configurations.