ADAPTABLE SECURING DEVICES FOR ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT

Adaptable and/or adjustable securing devices are shown and disclosed. In one embodiment, the securing device includes a base and at least one elongate connector having opposed first and second longitudinal end portions. The first longitudinal end portion is pivotably connected to the base. The securing device additionally includes a coupler attached to, or formed with, the second longitudinal end portion, the coupler adapted to receive a fastener.

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of this application relates to securing devices for electronic components on chassis of electronic equipment. Electronic equipment commonly use various electronic components and/or modules (e.g., power supply modules) that are installed into or onto the equipment chassis or framework to provide different functionalities. The electronic components/modules are manufactured by different vendors and thus the electronic components/modules generally have different dimensions and/or different fastening and/or securing devices. Therefore, the chassis needs to have fastening and/or securing devices that correspond with the dimensions and/or fastening and/or securing devices of the desired electronic components/modules.

However, having different chassis for each desired electronic component/module requires a lot of quality control, production logistics, and storage space. Additionally, when an electronic component/module of electronic equipment needs to be replaced in the field with an electronic component/module having different dimensions and/or fastening and/or securing devices, it can become difficult to mount the replacement electronic component/module to the equipment chassis.

What is desired, therefore, are securing devices that can adapt to fastening and/or securing devices of various electronic components/modules (such as various mounting positions).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS.1-3, an example of a securing device20pivotably attached to a base22of chassis24is shown allowing the securing device to pivot or rotate relative to base22. Securing device20includes a connector26. In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, connector26is elongate and planar. However, other embodiments of connector26may be non-elongate and/or nonplanar. In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, elongate connector26is stadium-shaped but connector26may have other shape(s), such as square, rectangular, circular, etc.

Connector26includes opposed first and second end portions28,30. First end portion28is pivotably coupled or connected to base22. In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, first end portion28includes a first hole32that receives a pivot34. Pivot34is attached to base22, such as received in base hole36. However, pivot34may alternatively be formed with base22in other examples. When connector26is elongate (such as shown inFIGS.1-3), first and second end portions28,30may also be referred to as first and second longitudinal end portions28,30.

In the examples shown inFIGS.1-3, securing device20includes a washer38disposed between connector26and base22and/or in contact with connector26and base22to facilitate pivoting of connector26relative to base22, such as by spacing connector26from base22(or creating a gap between connector26from base22). In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, washer38is attached to, or formed with, pivot34. In other examples, washer38may be separate from pivot34. In those examples, washer38includes a washer hole and pivot34is received in that washer hole. In other examples of securing device20, the device may exclude washer38. When securing device20does not include washer38, pivot34may include a rib or ledge to support connector26spaced apart from base22.

Securing device20includes a coupler42that receives a fastener, such as a fastener43to attach an electronic component to base22(e.g., screw, bolt, etc.). Coupler42includes opposed third and fourth end portions44,46. In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, coupler42is elongate so the opposed third and fourth end portions may also be referred to as third and fourth longitudinal end portions44,46. Third end portion44is attached to, or formed with, second end portion30of connector26. In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, second end portion30includes a second hole48that receives coupler42. Coupler42has any suitable shape(s). In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, coupler42is cylindrical and elongate with a flange portion47that corresponds to the shape of second hole48. In other examples, second hole48may include threads that correspond with threads of third end portion44. Coupler42may include other suitable shape(s), such as spherical, cubical, triangular prism, hemispherical, cuboid, etc.

Fourth end portion46of coupler42includes an aperture48that receives a fastener, such as to fasten an electronic component to the fourth end portion. Aperture48may include one or more structures that correspond with structures of the fastener to fasten the fastener to the aperture, such as an aperture50having threads (or a threaded aperture) that correspond with the threads of the fastener. In the example shown inFIGS.1-3, coupler42is a standoff that is received in second hole48. However, other examples of coupler42may include structure(s) other than standoffs. In some embodiments, securing device20may exclude coupler42. In some of those embodiments, second end portion30of connector26may include aperture50.

In some examples, chassis24includes one or more stoppers52attached to, or formed with, base22, as shown inFIG.1. The stopper(s) are positioned on base22to limit pivoting of connector26to within any suitable ranges, such as 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 degrees. Stopper(s)52may be any suitable shape(s). In the example shown inFIG.1, stoppers52are bridge- or hat-shaped embossments of base22. However, other examples of stoppers52include stoppers that are attached to, or formed with, base22without stamping or punching base22and/or that have different shape(s) and size(s).

Referring toFIGS.4-6, an example of chassis24having four securing devices20is shown. The securing devices are spaced from each other and positioned on base22of chassis24to allow attachment of a first electronic component/module100or a second electronic component/module102onto chassis24. Base22includes stoppers52positioned on either side of each of the connectors26of securing devices20to limit pivoting of those connectors between a proximal position104and a distal position106.

Electronic module100includes a frame108having various electronic components110attached to frame108. Frame108has a perimeter portion112and has a first length114and a first width116. First length114and first width116comprise a first area or first footprint118. Perimeter portion112includes corners120having apertures122that receive fasteners124. Fasteners124are received in couplers42of securing devices20when those securing devices are in proximal position104.

Similarly, electronic module102includes a frame126having various electronic components128attached to frame126. Frame126has a perimeter portion130and has a second length132and a second width134. Second length132and second width134comprise a second area or second footprint136. Perimeter portion130includes apertures138that receive fasteners140. Fasteners140are received in couplers42of securing devices20when those securing devices are in distal position106. Second length132and/or second width134of electronic module102is larger than first length114and/or first width116. In other words, second footprint136is larger than first footprint118.

AlthoughFIGS.4-6show four securing devices20, other examples of chassis24may include two, three, five, six, or more securing devices. Additionally, although chassis24inFIGS.4-6accommodates two different sized electronic modules, the chassis may accommodate additional different sized electronic modules, such as one or more electronic modules having a footprint that is larger than first footprint118but smaller than second footprint136.

The securing devices of the present disclosure provide adjustable mounting points or holes that can be moved to match mounting points or holes of electronic components/modules of various sizes. Thus, a user has the ability to mount electronic components/modules of different sizes onto the chassis of electronic equipment whether the equipment is in the factory or in the field. Benefits of the present disclosure include chassis inventory reduction, ability to use same existing hard tooling to make the chassis, and ground continuity for power supplies.

It will be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to the particular embodiment that has been described, and that variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, as interpreted in accordance with principles of prevailing law, including the doctrine of equivalents or any other principle that enlarges the enforceable scope of a claim beyond its literal scope. Unless the context indicates otherwise, a reference in a claim to the number of instances of an element, be it a reference to one instance or more than one instance, requires at least the stated number of instances of the element but is not intended to exclude from the scope of the claim a structure or method having more instances of that element than stated. The word “comprise” or a derivative thereof, when used in a claim, is used in a nonexclusive sense that is not intended to exclude the presence of other elements or steps in a claimed structure or method.