Abstract:
A communication apparatus includes a clapboard having a locking hole defined therein and forming part of a receiving portion, and a housing structure defining a latching hole opposite to the locking hole. A locking assembly is mounted to the housing structure and used to disengagably lock the housing structure in the receiving portion, and includes a locking part, a sliding part and a handle. The locking part is fixed to the housing structure and a sliding part including a resisting portion passing through the latching hole and the locking hole to engage with the communication apparatus. The sliding part is movably mounted in the housing structure and includes a resisting portion to engage with the latching portion. The handle slidably passes through the housing structure and is fixed to the sliding part.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to communication apparatuses, and more particularly to a locking assembly to lock an electronic device in a communication apparatus. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Generally, many electronic devices incorporate modular components such as removable power supplies, removable hard disks and removable fans. Such components have been widely used in computers, servers, redundant arrays of independent disks (RAIDs), and other communication apparatuses. These electronic devices can, for example, supply enough and continuous electric power or enough and manageable data storage space. In addition, these electronic devices provide users the convenience of easily taking out or exchanging a power supply, a hard disk or a fan, for example. 
     A common kind of electronic device received in a housing structure is mounted in the communication apparatus by bolts or screws. When the electronic device needs to be taken out from the communication apparatus, the bolts or screws must firstly be removed. Therefore, it is inconvenient to install or remove the electronic device into or from the communication apparatus. 
     Therefore, a need exists in the industry to overcome the described limitations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the present embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, all the views are schematic, and like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a locking assembly in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the locking assembly fixed to a housing structure, and an electronic device mounted in the housing structure. 
         FIG. 2  is a disassembled view of the locking assembly of  FIG. 1 , also showing part of the housing structure. 
         FIG. 3  is similar to  FIG. 2 , but showing the parts viewed from another aspect. 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a sliding part of the locking assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged cutaway view of the locking assembly and part of the housing structure of  FIG. 1 , showing the sliding part engaging with a locking part of the locking assembly. 
         FIG. 6  is substantially similar to  FIG. 5 , but showing the sliding part more forwardly engaged with the locking part such that the locking part is urged to an unlocked position. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective, cutaway view of an exemplary embodiment of part of a communication apparatus in accordance with the present disclosure, showing the housing structure with the electronic device and the locking assembly of  FIG. 1  locked in the communication apparatus. 
         FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but showing the housing structure with the electronic device and the locking assembly unlocked from the communication apparatus and being removed from the communication apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references can mean “at least one.” 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3  and  7 , a locking assembly  10  is used to lock an electronic device  20  in a communication apparatus  30 , and to remove the electronic device  20  from the communication apparatus  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic device  20  may be a removable power supply, a removable hard disk or a removable fan, which is used in computers, servers, redundant arrays of independent disks (RAIDs), and other communication apparatuses. 
     In particular, the electronic device  20  is accommodated in a housing structure  12 , and the housing structure  12  is engaged with the locking assembly  10 . The combination of the housing structure  12 , the electronic device  20  and the locking assembly  10  is removably installed in the communication apparatus  30 . 
     The locking assembly  10  comprises a pair of locking parts  14 , a sliding part  16 , and a handle  18 . The pair of locking parts  14  and the sliding part  16  are mounted on the housing structure  12 . The handle  18  is securely mounted on the sliding part  16  so that the sliding part  16  is driven to move in the housing structure  12  by pushing or pulling the handle  18 . 
     The housing structure  12  comprises a front board  120 , a pair of side boards  122 , and a bottom board  124 . The pair of side boards  122  perpendicularly extend from two sides of the bottom board  124  to be parallel with each other, and the front board  120  perpendicularly extends from an end of the bottom board  124  to interconnect the pair of side boards  122 . Therefore, the front board  120 , the pair of side boards  122  and the bottom board  124  collectively form a receiving space  126  to receive the electronic device  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front board  120 , the pair of side boards  122  and the bottom board  124  are integrally formed. In other embodiments, the front board  120 , the pair of side boards  122  and the bottom board  124  are separately formed, and are then assembled together by a mechanical mounting method to form the housing structure  12 . 
     The front board  120  defines a pair of first through holes  1200  to engagingly receive the handle  18 , and comprises a first protruding portion  1202 . The first protruding portion  1202  protrudes from the front board  120  into the receiving space  126 , and is between the pair of first through holes  1200 . Each of the pair of side boards  122  defines at least one latching hole  1220  and a plurality of first fixing holes  1222 . The plurality of first fixing holes  1222  are provided at an end of the corresponding side board  122  contiguous with the front board  120 , to enable one corresponding locking part  14  to be engaged with the side board  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, each side board  122  defines two latching holes  1220 . Each latching hole  1220  is substantially strip-shaped, i.e., a slot. The two latching holes  1220  are provided on a side of the plurality of first fixing holes  1222  away from the front board  120 . 
     In other embodiments, the locking assembly  10  comprises only one locking part  14 , and only one of the pair of side boards  122  of the housing structure  12  need define at least one latching hole  1220  to engagingly receive the locking part  14 . In still other embodiments, there may be only one latching hole  1220 , or more than two latching holes  1220 , per side board  122 . 
     Each of the locking parts  14  comprises a fixing portion  140 , a connecting portion  142 , at least one latching portion  144 , and a guiding portion  146 . The fixing portion  140  and the guiding portion  146  are provided on two opposite front and rear sides of the connecting portion  142 , respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, there are two latching portions  144 . The latching portions  144  extend laterally outward from top and bottom sides of the connecting portion  142 , respectively. 
     The fixing portion  140  defines a plurality of second fixing holes  1400 , corresponding to the plurality of first fixing holes  1222  of the respective side board  122 . A plurality of tightening parts (or fastening parts)  13 , such as bolts, screws or rivets, pass through the corresponding first fixing holes  1222  and are engaged in the corresponding second fixing holes  1400 , to securely fix the locking part  14  on the corresponding side board  122  in the receiving space  126 . For example, when the tightening parts  13  are screws, the tightening parts  13  pass through the corresponding first fixing holes  1222  and are threadedly engaged in the corresponding second fixing holes  1400 . The connecting portion  142  extends from and is coplanar with the fixing portion  140 . In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting portion  142  and the fixing portion  140  cooperatively form a generally T-shaped configuration. 
     The latching portions  144  extend from the top and bottom sides of the connecting portion  142  towards and through the corresponding side board  122 . In particular, each latching portion  144  comprises a bevel edge  1442 . The bevel edge  1442  is inclined relative to the connecting portion  142 , and extends away from the sliding part  16  to engage in the corresponding latching hole  1220 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the latching portions  144  is substantially triangle-shaped. In other embodiments, the at least one latching portion  144  is substantially trapezium-shaped. The guiding portion  146  obliquely extends from a rear of the connecting portion  142  in a direction away from the fixing portion  140 . In particular, the guiding portion  146  is bent obliquely inward from the connecting portion  142 , away from the corresponding side board  122 . Thus, the guiding portion  146  and the pair of latching portions  144  are configured at two opposite outer and inner sides of the connecting portion  142 , respectively. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing portion  140 , the connecting portion  142 , the at least one latching portion  144  and the guiding portion  146  are integrally formed as a single monolithic body of the same material. For example, the locking part  14  can be formed by stamping a continuous metal plate. 
     The number of latching holes  1220  of each side board  122  is equal to the number of latching portions  144  of each locking part  14 . In the illustrated embodiment, the number is two. In other embodiments, the number can be only one, or three, or another desired number. 
     In assembly, the plurality of tightening parts  13  pass through the corresponding first fixing holes  1222  and are engaged in the corresponding second fixing holes  1400  to securely fix the locking parts  14  on the corresponding side boards  122 . The latching portions  144  movably engage in the latching holes  1220 , so that both the fixing portion  140  and the connecting portion  142  of each locking part  14  abut against the corresponding side board  122 . Thereby, a gap is formed between the guiding portion  146  of the locking part  14  and the corresponding side board  122 , to receive the sliding part  16  (this is described in more detail below). 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the sliding part  16  is movably mounted in the receiving space  126 , and comprises a sliding portion  162 , a pair of resisting portions  164  and an urging portion  166 . The sliding portion  162  abuts against the bottom board  124  of the housing structure  12  such that the sliding part  16  can stably slide in the receiving space  126 . The pair of resisting portions  164  are perpendicularly bent from two sides of the sliding portion  162 , and abut against the corresponding side boards  122  in positions contiguous with the guiding portions  146  of the locking parts  14 . Therefore, the pair of locking parts  14  is positioned between the front board  120  and the sliding part  16 . Each of the pair of resisting portions  164  has a resisting surface  1640  facing the corresponding locking part  14 . The resisting surface  1640  urges the bevel edge  1442  of the locking part  14  to elastically deform the locking part  14 . 
     The urging portion  166  is perpendicularly bent from the sliding portion  162 , is positioned generally between the pair of resisting portions  164 , defines a pair of second through holes  1660 , and comprises a second protruding portion  1662 . The pair of second through holes  1660  are opposite to the pair of first through holes  1220 , to provide for engagement of the sliding part  16  with the handle  18 . The second protruding portion  1662  is positioned between the pair of second through holes  1660 , and protrudes outwardly from the urging portion  166  towards the front board  120  to be opposite to the first protruding portion  1202 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the sliding portion  162 , the pair of resisting portions  164  and the urging portion  166  are integrally formed as a single monolithic body of the same material. For example, the sliding part  16  can be formed by stamping, pressing, bending and/or otherwise processing a continuous metal plate. 
     The handle  18  comprises a holding portion  180 , and a pair of drawing poles  182  perpendicular bent from two opposite ends of the holding portion  180 . A pair of screwing holes  184  is defined in ends of the drawing poles  182 , respectively. 
     The locking assembly  10  further comprises an elastic element  15  to reposition the sliding part  16  to an original position. The elastic element  15  is mounted between the front board  120  and the sliding part  16  to elastically connect the sliding part  16  with the housing structure  12 . For example, the elastic element  15  is a coil spring. Two ends of the elastic element  15  are fixed on the first protruding portion  1202  and the second protruding portion  1662 , to elastically connect the sliding part  16  with the housing structure  12 . In other embodiments, the elastic element  15  is a torsion spring or a leaf spring. 
     In assembly, the sliding part  16  is received in the receiving space  126 , with the sliding portion  162  abutting against the bottom board  124 , the pair of resisting portions  164  abutting against the corresponding side boards  122 , and the urging portion  166  facing towards the front board  120 . The pair of drawing poles  182  pass through the corresponding first through holes  1200  and the corresponding second through holes  1660  respectively. A pair of tightening screws  17  is screwed in the corresponding screwing holes  184  to securely mount the corresponding drawing poles  182  on the urging portion  166 . Thereby, the handle  18  is firmly fixed on the sliding part  16 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , in operation of the locking assembly  10 , the holding portion  180  of the handle  18  is pulled by a user to drive the sliding part  16  to move towards the locking parts  14 , with the pair of drawing poles  182  sliding in the corresponding first through holes  1200 . Each resisting portion  164  moves towards the gap formed between the corresponding guiding portion  146  and the corresponding side board  122 , and the resisting surface  1640  interferingly urges the bevel edges  1442 . Thus the locking part  14  elastically deforms inward and the latching portions  144  withdraw inward toward and at least partly into the receiving space  126 . In this process, free ends of the latching portions  144  may remain in the corresponding latching holes  1220 , or the latching portions  144  may completely disengage from the corresponding latching holes  1220 . In addition, the elastic element  15  is compressed. 
     As described above, when the two pairs of latching portions  144  are disengaged from the corresponding latching holes  1220  by the corresponding resisting portions  164  urging the latching portions  144 , the elastic element  15  is compressed. Then when the user releases his/her pressure on the holding portion  180 , the elastic element  15  decompresses and drives the sliding part  16  inward. The sliding part  16  is urged to move away from the locking parts  14 , and the resisting portions  164  disengage from the corresponding latching portions  144 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , the locking assembly  10  is used to lock the electronic device  20  received in the receiving space  126  of the housing structure  12  onto the communication apparatus  30 . The combination of the housing structure  12 , the electronic device  20  and the locking assembly  10  is hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “removable module” (not labeled). 
     The communication apparatus  30  comprises an enclosure  32  and a plurality of clapboards  34 . The clapboards  34  are mounted in the enclosure  32 , and are spaced from each other to form a plurality of receiving portions (or receptacles)  36 . Each of the receiving portions  36  is bordered on two sides by two clapboards  34 , and is used to receive one respective removable module. Each of the clapboards  34  defines at least one locking hole  340  opposite to the at least one latching hole  1220  of a corresponding adjacent side board  122 . In the present embodiment, each clapboard  34  defines two locking holes  340  in each of two opposite sides thereof. The latching portions  144  of the locking parts  14  of the housing structure  12  are latched into the corresponding latching holes  1220  and the corresponding locking holes  340  of two corresponding clapboards  34  to lock the housing structure  12  in a selected one of the receiving portions  36 . Thereby, the electronic device  20  is securely mounted in the communication apparatus  30 . In the present embodiment, at least two housing structures  12  with electronic devices  20  received therein can be parallelly mounted in the communication apparatus  30 . 
     When the electronic device  20  needs to be removed from the communication apparatus  30 , the handle  18  is pulled by a user to drive the sliding part  16  to move towards the locking parts  14 . The resisting portions  164  enter the gaps between the guiding portions  146  and the corresponding side boards  122  and the resisting surfaces  1640  interferingly urge the corresponding bevel edges  1442  such that the latching portions  144  disengage from the corresponding locking holes  340 . The elastic element  15  is thus compressed; and the housing structure  12  is then slid out from the receiving portion  36  to take the electronic device  20  out of the communication apparatus  30 . Then when the user releases his/her pressure on the handle  18 , the elastic element  15  decompresses and drives the sliding part  16  to move inward away from the locking parts  14 . Thus the resisting portions  164  disengage from the guiding portions  146  and the elastic element  15  returns to an original uncompressed (natural) state. 
     When the electronic device  20  (which is received in the receiving space  126  of the housing structure  12 ) is to be mounted back into the communication apparatus  30 , the handle  18  is pushed by the user to drive the sliding part  16  to move away from the locking parts  14  and to stretch the elastic element  15 . The housing structure  12  is slid into the receiving portion  36  until the latching portions  144  are latched into the latching holes  1220  and the locking holes  340 . Then when the user releases his/her pressure on the handle  18 , the elastic element  15  recoils, and the sliding part  16  moves back part of the way towards the locking parts  14  until the elastic element  15  returns to an original unstretched (natural) state. 
     Although the features and elements of the present disclosure are described as embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone or in other various combinations within the principles of the present disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.