Abstract:
A retention mechanism is provided for removably securing a smaller sized server or other rack-mounting computing asset into a larger sized server tray and rack, which are larger in width than the computing asset. The tray includes an edge configured to align and couple with the end of one or more clips, which may be removably installed on the tray. The clips include a bowed portion that contacts the surface of the computing asset when installed so as to apply a securing force on the computing asset and into the tray. The resulting friction between the server and the clip and between the server and the tray secures the server in place in the tray.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to rack-mounted hardware in a data center, and in particular to retention mechanisms for retaining computer servers and other computing assets in larger housings or enclosures within a rack. 
         [0002]    In a conventional data center, computer servers and other computing assets are stored and enclosed in server racks. The standard width of a computer server is 19 inches. To hold a standard computer server, therefore, conventional server racks have mounting trays that have a width of 19 inches to secure the server. To install a server in a standard rack, the server is put on one of the trays in the rack, slid into the rack, and then secured to the rack with screws. 
         [0003]    This process works for standard sized equipment and racks, but it does not allow for servers and/or racks that are not of the standard size. For example, if the rack were larger than the standard 19-inch server, or if the server to be mounted were smaller than the standard 19-inch rack, or both, the server would not fit well within the rack&#39;s tray. It would be difficult to install or mount a server to the frame of a larger server rack because of the difference in widths. When a shelf or tray is used to hold the server in the server rack, the server can move or slide on the tray. Conventional straps or anti-slip mats may not provide the adequate friction for retaining the server on the rack. Thus, there is a need for a system to easily and removably secure servers and other computing assets in larger sized server racks or trays. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    To enable the storage of a server or other computing asset in a compartment of a server rack, where the computing asset is smaller than the asset for which the rack is designed, embodiments of the invention provide a retention mechanism for securing a smaller server in larger server racks and trays. In one embodiment, the server has a standard width of 19 inches, and the width of the server rack is 20 inches. In some embodiments, the tray for retaining the server also has a width of 20 inches. In other embodiments, the widths of the tray and the rack are greater than the standard width of the server. 
         [0005]    In one embodiment, the tray has at least two side panels, and the panels have an outer edge with a mechanical interface that is configured to couple with one or more clips. The clips may have a curved or bowed surface in the center of the clip that contacts the surface of the server that is installed in the tray and thus press the server into the tray. The friction between the clip and the server and between the server and the tray provides a static friction force that secures the server in the tray and tends to reduce vibration of the server. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment, the clip has two ends configured for coupling with the edges of the tray. The end of the clip may align directly with the edge of the tray. In another embodiment, the end of the clip hooks or otherwise fastens with the edge of the tray. The coupling of the end of the clip and the edge of the tray secures the server in the tray. The coupling of the clip and the tray can be easily released to allow removal of the clip from the tray. In some embodiments, multiple clips can be placed on the tray to secure the server in the tray. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a computer server, a tray, and a rack, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  illustrates the alignment and placement of a clip on a tray with a server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a configuration of the coupling between a tray and a clip, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a configuration of the coupling between a tray and a clip, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a side cut-out view of the retention mechanism comprising the clip, tray, and server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a perspective view of the retention mechanism comprising a plurality of clips on a tray holding a server, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    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 
       [0014]    Standard-sized computer servers require a retention mechanism for storing the servers on non-standard sized server trays and racks. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a standard server  100  is shown. A server  100  refers to a computer or device on a network that manages network resources. In some embodiments, a server  100  is a computer dedicated to running one or more services to serve the needs of programs running on other computers on the same network. Standard computer servers  100  have a width  100   w  of 19 inches. 
         [0015]    A computer server can be stored in a rack  110 . The rack  110  is a housing or enclosure for the server and can hold a plurality of servers. The rack  110  can also be referred to as a rack-mount, rack-mount instrument, a rack mounted system, a rack mount chassis, a sub-rack, a rack mountable, or a shelf. In some embodiments, the rack  110  has a width  110   w  that is longer than the standard 19-inch server. In one embodiment, the rack  110  has a width  110   w  of 20 inches. In other embodiments, the rack  110  has a width  110   w  that is 1, 2, 3, or more inches longer than the standard 19-inch server. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, a tray  120  is inserted into the rack  110 . The tray  120  is used to hold the server  100  in the rack  110 . In some embodiments, the tray  120  slides into the rack on rails or a guide. In other embodiments, the tray  120  is mounted or screwed to the rack  110 . In another embodiment, the tray  120  is placed on a shelf or on a plurality of extended tabs or panels that hold the tray  120  in the rack  110 . The tray  120  can include a base panel, a front panel, a back panel, two side panels, and/or an open end for receiving the server  100 . In certain embodiments, the tray  120  has the same width  120   w  as the rack  110 . In another embodiment, the width  120   w  of the tray  120  is 20 inches. In yet another embodiment, the width  120   w  of the tray  120  is longer than 19 inches. 
         [0017]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the server  100  is placed within or on the tray  120 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the width of the tray  120  is longer than the width of the server  100 . In some embodiments, a clip  200  is placed on the tray  120  over the server  100 . In other embodiments, one or more clips  200  are placed over the server  100  and coupled to the tray  120 . The clips  200  can be placed at various positions on the tray  120  and coupled to the tray  120 . 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the clip  200  has the same width as the tray  120 . In one embodiment, the clip  200  is 20 inches long. In another embodiment, the clip  200  is longer than 19 inches. In other embodiments, the clip  200  is configured to fit the width of the tray  120 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  depicts aspects of the tray  120  that are used to retain the server  100  in the tray  120 . The side panels of the tray  120  have edges  210  that extend out from the end of the side panel. The edges of the tray can be made of a thick sheet of metal, and the edge  210  of the tray can be curved, rounded, arched, bent, or folded over. In some embodiments, the curved edge  210  of the tray  120  includes one or more slots  220 , which designate the locations where a clip  200  should be placed and coupled to the tray  120 . The slot  220  can be an indentation, a pocket, or a receiving portion in the edge  210  of the tray  120  that is configured for the placement of the clip  200 . In certain embodiments, the edges of the clip  200  fit exactly into the slot  220 . In other embodiments, the slot  220  is slightly larger than the width of the clip  200 . In one embodiment, two slots  220  are located at the same position on opposite sides of the tray  120  to receive the ends of a clip  200 . A tray  120  can have one or more slots  220  for receiving one or more clips  200 . 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the ends of the clip  200  couple with the edges of the tray  120 . The ends of the clip can meet up with the edges of the tray such that their cross sectional surfaces meet face-to-face. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the end of the clip  200  can be directly aligned with the edge of the tray  120 , according to one embodiment. In this configuration, the end of the clip  200  faces directly with the edge of the tray  120 , and the contact between the end of the clip  200  and the edge of the tray  120  creates a friction that secures the clip to the tray. In another embodiment, the end of the clip  200  couples with the edge of the tray  120  in a locked, fastened, or hooked configuration, as shown in  FIG. 2C . The contact between the edges of the tray  120  and the clip  200  create a friction fit that retains the clip  200  on the tray  120 . When appropriate, the clip  200  can be easily uncoupled or detached from the tray  120  by moving or releasing the end of the clip  200  from the coupled position with the edge of the tray  120 . 
         [0021]    Various other configurations and designs of the end of the clip  200  and edge of the tray  120  can be used to secure the clip  200  to the tray  120 . One of skill in the art may alter the configurations of the clip  200  and tray  120  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the server  100  is secured within the tray  120  by the placement of the clip  200  on top of the server. As shown in  FIG. 3A , the clip  200  has a bowed or curved design in the middle portion of the clip  200 , according to one embodiment. The bowed section  300  of the clip  200  comes into direct contact with the surface of the server  100 . The contact between the surfaces of the bowed center  300  of the clip  200  and the exterior surface of the server  100  creates a friction sufficient to prevent the server  100  from moving or sliding in the tray  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3B , multiple clips  200  can be placed on the tray  120  to increase the amount of friction and contact between the server  300  and the tray  120  and to more tightly secure the server  300  in the tray  120 . One of skill in the art may alter the shape of the clip  200  and number of clips  200  without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the tray  120  is secured to the rack  110  using a protruding notch  310  on the side of the tray  120 . The notch  310  is positioned on the side panel of the tray  120  and aligns with an opening  130  in the side of the rack  110 . The notch  310  inserts into the opening  130  and prevents movement of the tray  120  in the rack  110 . To release the tray  120  from the rack  100 , the notch  310  is removed from the opening  130 . The notch  310  and the opening  130  are used to easily secure and release the tray  120  from the rack  110 . Various other types of notches or openings can be used to secure and release the tray  120  from the rack  110 . 
         [0024]    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. 
         [0025]    Moreover, 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.