Abstract:
The invention provides an apparatus, system, and method for enabling the installation of an installable device configured with a required component in a receiving device. A component deactivated interlock obstructs the installation of the installable device when not configured with the required component. The invention makes use of an extendable and retractable plunger disposed upon the installable device, a stop barrier disposed upon the receiving device, and an actuator disposed upon the required component. The plunger normally extends beyond the installable device, and upon contacting the stop barrier of the receiving device obstructs the installation. Upon a physical connection of the required component with the installable device, the actuator retracts the plunger, thereby enabling the installation of the installable device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. The Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to installing devices and more particularly, to the component-enabled installation of properly configured devices.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     Installable devices such as electrical circuit boards, optical interconnections, and mechanical components are frequently installed in receiving devices such as cabinets, panels, and enclosures. Typically, the installable device must be properly configured in order to function properly and safely within the receiving device. Configuring an installable device may include adding a required component. Installable devices that lack required components may fail to function, damage other devices, or injure an operator. Required components may include safety covers, peripheral devices, mechanical connections, electrical connections, hydraulic connections, or pneumatic connections, for instance.  
         [0005]     For example, according to the requirements of well accepted standards such as UL 1950, 3 rd  edition, for the safety of information technology equipment, an electrical enclosure must prevent access to a hazardous voltage or a hazardous energy level. Typically, an installable device such as a circuit board with a hazardous voltage or energy level is enclosed with a safety cover, so that no hazardous components can come in contact with an operator. The safety cover prevents operator contact with the hazardous components of the installable device. The safety cover is a required component of the installable device and a receiving device such as a circuit board enclosure should not receive the circuit board installable device if the circuit board installable device is not configured with the safety cover.  
         [0006]     The required component of an installable device may be removed for maintenance. For example, an installable device such as a circuit board may be populated with components such as processors, memory, disk storage and network controllers. Some of the circuit board components may be field replaceable for maintenance or upgrade. Replacing circuit board components may entail removing the circuit board installable device from the receiving device and removing a required component such as a safety cover.  
         [0007]     If after replacing a component, the operator neglects to re-install the required component safety cover and attempts to install the circuit board, the operator is subject to a potential safety hazard. Therefore, it is necessary to have means for obstructing installation of the circuit board installable device in a receiving device when the required component safety cover is not in place.  
         [0008]     Interlock systems have been produced that prevent an operator from performing an unauthorized or unsafe operation such as installing a potentially hazardous installable device without a required component. A properly designed interlock system will obstruct installation of the installable device lacking a required component. Unfortunately, available interlocks such as electrical, optical and mechanical interlocks require the use of an electrical power source for activation. Before installation, an installable device such as a circuit board cannot activate an interlock that requires electricity.  
         [0009]     To obstruct installation of an installable device when electrical power is not available, mechanical interlocks are often employed. Mechanical interlocks are generally key interlocks with a lock that is released by a key. Unfortunately, key interlocks can be deactivated to allow the installation of an installable device even if a required component such as safety cover is not attached.  
         [0010]     Consequently, a need exists for a component deactivated interlock apparatus, system, and method for enabling the installation of an installable device properly configured with a required component. Beneficially, such apparatus, system, and method would prevent the installation of an installable device lacking a required component.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0011]     The various elements of the present invention have been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the problems and needs in the art that have not yet been fully solved by currently available installable devices. Accordingly, the present invention has been developed to provide a component deactivated interlock apparatus, system, and method for enabling the installation of an installable device only when configured with a required component.  
         [0012]     In one aspect of the present invention, a component deactivated apparatus for enabling the installation of an installable device configured with a required component is presented. The apparatus includes a plunger, a stop barrier, and an actuator. In one embodiment, the plunger is mounted upon an installable device. The plunger may extend beyond the perimeter of the installable device. The stop barrier is mounted upon a receiving device. The extended plunger contacting the stop barrier obstructs the receiving of the installable device by the receiving device. The plunger is retractable, and the actuator is attached to a required component, so that in one embodiment, the actuator retracts the plunger. The actuator may retract the plunger as the required component is attached to the installable device. The retracted plunger clears the stop barrier as the installable device is received by the receiving device.  
         [0013]     In another aspect of the present invention, a system for a component deactivated interlock is presented. In particular, the system includes an installable device, a receiving device, and a required component for the installable device. In one embodiment, the installable device includes a plunger. The receiving device may also include a stop barrier. In addition, the required component includes an actuator. In one embodiment, the plunger extends outward beyond the perimeter of the installable device. The extended plunger contacts the stop barrier of the receiving device as the receiving device receives the installable device. The extended plunger contacting the stop barrier obstructs the installation of the installable device.  
         [0014]     The required component is attached to the installable device, engaging the actuator of the required component with the plunger of the installable device. The actuator engaging the plunger retracts the plunger. The retracted plunger does not contact the stop barrier, allowing the receiving device to receive the installable device.  
         [0015]     In one embodiment of the system, the installable device is a circuit board, the receiving device is a circuit board enclosure, and the required component is a safety cover for the circuit board. As the safety cover is attached to the circuit board, the actuator engages the plunger. The actuator engaging the plunger retracts the plunger. A circuit board fully enclosed with the safety cover clears the stop barrier, enabling installation in the circuit board enclosure.  
         [0016]     A method of the present invention is also presented for enabling the installation of an installable device with a required component. The method in the disclosed embodiments substantially includes the steps necessary to carry out the functions presented above with respect to the operation of the described apparatus and system. The method includes extending a plunger mounted on an installable device to obstruct installation of the installable device, connecting a required component to the installable device, retracting the extended plunger in response to the connection of the required component with the installable device, and installing the installable device in the receiving device.  
         [0017]     The present invention obstructs a receiving device from receiving an installable device that is not configured with a required component. Consequently, the present invention reduces damage and injury from the installation of an improperly configured installable device. The receiving device is allowed to receive the installable device configured with the required component. These features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1   a  is a front view of one embodiment of an extended plunger assembly of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 1   b  is a front view of one embodiment of a retracted plunger assembly of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1   c  is a cut-away view of one embodiment of an extended plunger assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 1   d  is a cut-away view of one embodiment of a retracted plunger assembly of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a receiving device of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an actuator of the present invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a component deactivated interlock system of the present invention;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a component deactivated interlock system of the present invention;  
         [0027]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of installable device installation of the present invention;  
         [0028]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a component enabled installation of the present invention; and  
         [0029]      FIG. 8  is a side view drawing of one embodiment of a levered plunger assembly in accordance with the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0030]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.  
         [0031]     Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.  
         [0032]      FIG. 1   a  is a front view of one embodiment of an extended plunger assembly  100  of the present invention in an extended position. The extended plunger assembly  100  includes a rod  150 , an extender module  105 , and a receptor module  155 . The extended plunger assembly  100  is shown disposed on an installable device  180  and a space  125  exists between the receptor module  155  and the installable device  180 .  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, the extender module  105  connects to the rod  150 . The rod  150  may move freely relative to the extender module  105 . The extender module  105  may exert a force on the rod  150  that extends the rod  150  outward beyond the installable device  180 . In a certain embodiment, the receptor module  155  is connected to the rod  150 . Moving the receptor module  155  against the force exerted by the extender module  105  retracts the rod  150 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 1   b  is a front view of the plunger assembly  100  of  FIG. 1   a  in a retracted position. As depicted, the retracted plunger assembly  100  includes a rod  150 , an extender module  105  and a receptor module  155 . The receptor module  155  engages an actuator (not shown) disposed upon a required component (not shown). Engaging the actuator moves the receptor module  155  against the force of the extender module  105  and away from the installable device  180 , retracting the rod  150 . In one embodiment, the rod is retracted within the extender module  105 . The plunger assembly  100  extends the rod  150  and enables the retraction of the rod  150 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 1   c  is a cut-away view of one embodiment of the plunger assembly  100  of the present invention in the extended position. The extended plunger assembly  100  extends a rod  150  to obstruct the installation of an installable device  180 . As depicted, the plunger assembly  100  includes a rod  150 , an extender module  105 , and a receptor module  155 .  
         [0036]     In one embodiment, the extender module  105  includes a spring  160 , and a spring guide. The spring  160  may connect to the spring guide. The spring guide may be an inner cylinder  130 . The inner cylinder  130  preferably encloses the spring  160 . In a certain embodiment, the spring  160  is connected to the rod  150 . The inner cylinder  130  has a proximal end  125  and a distal end  135 . In one embodiment, the spring  160  is connected to the inner cylinder  130  proximal end  125 . The spring  160  applies a force along the plunger axis  190  that causes the rod  150  to extend.  
         [0037]     In the depicted embodiment, the receptor module  155  has a proximal end  110  and a distal end  115 . The receptor distal end  115  may engage an actuator (not shown). In a certain embodiment, the receptor module  155  is an outer cylinder  120 . In one embodiment, the outer cylinder  120  is connected to the rod  150  at the proximal end  110  of the outer cylinder  120 .  
         [0038]     In the depicted embodiment, the outer cylinder  120  of the receptor module  155  encloses the inner cylinder  130  of the extender module  105 . As shown, the inner cylinder  130  is mounted on the installable device  180 . The rod  150  may move through the inner cylinder  130  and the installable device  180 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 1   d  is a cut-away drawing of the plunger assembly  100  of  FIG. 1   c  in the retracted position. The plunger assembly  100  retracts the rod  150  to enable the installation of an installable device. As depicted, the outer cylinder  120  moves along the plunger axis  190  against the force of the extender module  105 , retracting the rod  150 . The actuator may move the outer cylinder  120  against the force of the extender module  105 , retracting the rod  150  and compressing the spring  160  against the proximal end  125  of the inner cylinder  130 . In one embodiment, the rod  150  is retracted into the inner cylinder  130 . With the rod  150  retracted, the installable device is enabled for an installation without obstruction from the rod  150 . The plunger assembly  100  extends the rod  150  and enables the retraction of the rod  150 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a receiving device  200  of the present invention. The receiving device  200  receives one or more installable devices. As depicted, the receiving device  200  has an outer wall  240 , an inner wall  260 , a base  250 , and one or more stop barriers  205 . The stop barrier  205  is positioned to obstruct the extended rod  150  of the plunger assemble  100  when in the extended position (not shown). In the depicted embodiment, the stop barrier  205  is disposed upon the base  250 . The stop barrier  205  is preferably disposed in parallel to the inner wall  260  and may be configured with a proximal end  210  and a distal end  220 . In a certain embodiment, the stop barrier  205  is a raised obstruction. In an alternate embodiment, the stop barrier  205  is an indentation with a side wall. The indentation may further be configured to allow the plunger assembly  100  to extend into it. The proximal end  210  and the distal end  220  may obstruct the movement of the extended plunger assembly  100  (not shown) perpendicular to the plunger axis  190 . Although, for purposes of clarity, a single stop barrier  205  is shown disposed in parallel to the inner side wall  260  for obstructing the extended rod  150 , any number of stop barriers  205  may be employed.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an actuator  300  of the present invention. The actuator  300  is configured to enter into the space  125  and engage the plunger assembly  100  (not shown) to retract the rod  150  and thereby allow the installation of the installable device. In the depicted embodiment, the actuator  300  includes one or more prongs  320 , and a receiving area  380 . Although for purposes of clarity the actuator  300  is shown with two prongs, any number of prongs may be employed.  
         [0042]     In one embodiment, each prong  320  has a proximal end  330  and a distal end  340 . The proximal end  330  may be positioned and configured to contact the receptor module  155  as the actuator  300  engages the plunger assembly  100 . The receptor module  155  may further move along the prong  320  toward the receiving area  380 . In a certain embodiment, the receptor module  155  contacts the receiving area  380  of the fully engaged actuator  300 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a component deactivated interlock  400  of the present invention. As depicted, without the attachment of a required component  430 , a plunger assembly  100  is extended, obstructing the receiving of the installable device  420  by the receiving device  200  (not shown). The component deactivated interlock  400  includes an installable device  420 , a required component  430 , a plunger assembly  100 , an actuator  300 , a ledge  440 , and a fastener  450 .  
         [0044]     In the depicted embodiment, the installable device  420  is a circuit board. The ledge  440  is perpendicularly secured to the installable device  420 . The plunger assembly  100  is mounted on the ledge  440 , with the rod  150  extending beyond the installable device  420 .  
         [0045]     In the depicted embodiment, the required component  430  is a safety cover with the actuator  300  attached with the fastener  450 . The prong  320  may be oriented away from the required component  430 . The component deactivated interlock  400  prevents the installation of the installable device  420  lacking the required component  430 . Although for purposes of clarity one plunger assembly  100  disposed upon the installable device  420  and one actuator  300  disposed upon the required component  430  are shown, any number of plunger assemblies  100  and any number of actuators  300  may be used.  
         [0046]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the component deactivated interlock  500  of the present invention with the actuator  300  engaged with the plunger assembly  100 . The component deactivated interlock  500  is shown deactivated by the required component  430 . In  FIG. 5 , the required component  430  is shown connected with the installable device  420 . As the required component  430  contacts the installable device  420 , the prong  320  engages the receptor module  155 . In one embodiment, the prong  320  of the actuator  300  engages the outer cylinder  120 . The outer cylinder  120  may move along the prong  320  until the outer cylinder  120  and the receiving area  380  of the actuator  300  are fully engaged. As a result, the rod  150  of the plunger assembly  100  retracts, enabling installation of the installable device  420 . The component deactivated interlock  500  in the depicted retracted position allows the installation of the installable device  420  configured with the required component  430 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a system  600  of the present invention in which an installable device  420  is being installed. Configured with the required component  430 , the installable device  420  is enabled for installation. As illustrated, the installable device  420  is a circuit board enclosed with a required component  430  in the form of a safety cover. Although for purposes of clarity each installable device  420  is shown with one required component  430 , any number of required components  430  may be used.  
         [0048]     As discussed above, the safety cover required component  430  connected to the installable device  420  retracts the rod  150  of the plunger assembly  100 . In one embodiment, the receiving device  200  is a circuit board enclosure. The receiving device  200  is shown having received several installable devices  420 . In one embodiment, the installable device  420  has handles  610 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 7  is a flow chart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a component enabled installation method  700  of the present invention. The method  700  provides for a properly configured installable device  420  to be installed in a receiving device  200 . The component enabled installation method  700  includes an extend plunger step  710 , an attach required component step  720 , a retract plunger step  730 , and an install installable device step  740 . Although for purposes of clarity the steps of the method  700  are depicted in a certain sequential order, execution within an actual system may be conducted in parallel and not necessarily in the depicted order.  
         [0050]     In the extend plunger step  710  the rod  150  of the plunger assembly  100  is initially in the extended position. In the attach required component step  720  a required component  430 , is attached to an installable device  420 . In one embodiment, the installable device  420  is a circuit board and the required component  430  is a safety cover. In an alternate embodiment, the installable device  420  is a pneumatic device and the required component  430  is a pneumatic hose. In the retract plunger step  730 , the rod  150  of the plunger assembly  100  is retracted as the required component  430  is attached to the installable device  420 . In the install installable device step  740 , the installable device  420  configured with the required component  430  is installed in a receiving device  200 . The component enabled installation method  700  prevents the installation of the installable device  420  without a required component  430  while enabling the installation of the installable device  420  when properly equipped with the required component  430 . Removing the required component  430  extends the rod  150  of the plunger assembly  100 , preventing the installation of the installable device  420 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an alternate embodiment of a levered plunger assembly  800  in accordance with the present invention. The levered plunger assembly  800  extends and retracts a rod  150 . The levered plunger assembly  800  includes a rod  150 , an installable device  420 , a ledge  440 , a lever  805 , a target  810 , an extender module  815 , an extender base  820 , and an actuator  825 . The actuator is in one embodiment connected to a required component  430 .  
         [0052]     In one embodiment, the lever  805  is connected to the target  810  and the rod  150 . The lever  805  may also be connected to the extender module  815 . The extender base  820  may connect the extender module  815  to the installable device  420 . In a certain embodiment, the extender module  815  may be spring loaded or otherwise biased to exert an angular force on the lever  805 , disposing the rod  150  to extend through the ledge  440 . The extended rod  150  thus obstructs the installation of the installable device  420 .  
         [0053]     When the required component  430  is in place, the actuator  825  contacts the target  810 , depressing the lever  805  and thus retracting the rod  150 , with the rod  150  retracted, installation of the installable device  420  is enabled.  
         [0054]     The present invention obstructs a receiving device  200  from receiving an installable device  420  that is not configured with a required component  430 . In addition, the present invention reduces damage and injury from the installation of an improperly configured installable device  420 . Furthermore, the present invention allows the receiving device  200  to receive the installable device  420  configured with the required component  430 .  
         [0055]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.