Abstract:
An integrated lockable shelf rail configured to operate in pairs to support an electronic component is provided. The rail includes a front bracket to attach to a first vertical support and having a forward facing first plate, and a track assembly to be coupled to the front bracket. The track assembly includes a forward facing second plate to overlap with and couple to the first plate, a longitudinally extending C-shaped track member, and moveable arm arms slideably nested in the track member. The track assembly also includes a shelf bracket including a support surface to support the electronic component, a first side plate configured to couple to the second arm, and a forward facing third plate to overlap with the second plate. A hole in each of the first, second and third plates which, when the first, second and third plates overlap, collectively define a common hole to receive a fastener.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/211,093 entitled “Integrated Rail Mechanism”, filed Aug. 28, 2015, the contents of which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The various embodiments described herein relate generally to rails for supporting a component on a server rack support. More specifically, various embodiments described herein generally relate to an integrated rail mechanism that can lock a component in place and unlock to allow the component to slide into and out of the server rack. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Large-scale computing facilities typically organize and house numerous electronic devices such as servers, switches, routers, power supplies, etc., in server racks. Generally, dimensions for server racks as well as underlying support structures are standardized. For example, a typical server rack includes a rectangular housing or frame including vertical support rails or posts positioned in respective corners of the rectangular housing with various interconnecting support brackets that secure the vertical support rails together and provide overall structural integrity. Further, each vertical support rail typically includes predefined openings, or mounting holes, spaced at standard intervals along its length that receive screws or other fasteners of one or more electronic devices, including device mounting structures. In this fashion, a horizontal alignment of the predefined openings for each vertical support rail forms a slot or mount location for corresponding electronic devices. In turn, electronic devices are typically stacked in a shelf-like manner in respective slots of the server housing. Notably, electronic devices (including device mounting structures) are typically dimensioned to mount in respective slots of the server housing in a particular orientation—e.g., an electronic device is often mounted in a slot by sliding its rear side first into the slot to orient Input/Output (I/O) ports toward a rear side of the server rack, fastening the rear side to rear vertical support rails, and fastening a front side (e.g., opposite the rear side) to front vertical support rails. 
         [0004]    The electronic device is often secured to both the front vertical support rails and rear vertical support rails by fasteners, which may also complicate efficient access and/or removal of the electronic device. However, in certain circumstances (e.g., maintenance, repair, removal, etc.), it may be desirable to withdraw the electronic device from the server rack. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to an embodiment of the invention, an integrated lockable shelf rail configured to operate in pairs to support an electronic component is provided. The rail includes a front bracket configured to attached to a first vertical support and having a forward facing first plate, and a track assembly configured to be coupled to the front bracket. The track assembly includes a forward support having a forward facing second plate configured to overlap with the first plate, a longitudinally extending inwardly facing C-shaped track member, and first and second moveable arm arms slideably nested in the track member. The track assembly also includes a shelf bracket including a support surface configured to support the electronic component, a first side plate configured to couple to the second arm, and a forward facing third plate configured to overlap with the second plate. A hole in each of the first, second and third plates which, when the first, second and third plates overlap, collectively define a common hole. When the rail is in an assembly state and a first fastener is inserted into the common hole through the first, second and third plates, the first fastener secures the shelf bracket. 
         [0006]    The above embodiment may have various features. The support surface can extend forward of the third plate, and have a hole configured to receive a second fastener such that the fastener at least partially extends above the support surface, where when the second fastener is in the hole of the support surface and an electronic component is mounted on the support surface, the fastener prevents the electronic component from being laterally removed from a front of the shelf bracket. The first fastener may be a threaded fastener, and the hole in the first and/or second plates may be threaded. The shelf bracket may have a second side plate extending upwardly from the support surface, the side plate being configured to provide a lateral support to the electronic component. The track assembly may include a front support that includes the first plate, and extends reward from the front plate to define a substantially C-shaped cavity that couples to the track member. The rear bracket may be configured to attach to a second vertical support and having a rear facing plate, and the track assembly may be configured to couple to the rear facing plate of the rear bracket. The first and second plates each may include a plurality of holes, one of which is part of the common hole, and at least one other of which overlap and are configured to receive a third fastener to couple the first plate to the second plate. A rear support may be configured to mounted on the rear bracket, an arm may be connected to the rear support, a longitudinally extending outward facing C-shaped track member may be connected to the inwardly facing C-shaped track member, and an arm may be slideably engaged with the outward facing C-shaped track member, where the slideable engagement allows the rear support to move relative to the front support such that the track assembly has an adjustable length. 
         [0007]    According to another embodiment of the invention, a server rack is provided. The server rack includes first, second, third and fourth vertical supports defining a rack chamber, an electronic component, and a pair of integrated lockable shelf rails supporting the electronic component. Each rail includes a front bracket attached to a first vertical support and having a forward facing first plate, and a track assembly coupled to the front bracket. The track assembly includes a forward facing second plate overlapping with and coupled to the first plate, a longitudinally extending C-shaped track member, and first and second moveable arms slideably nested in the track member. The track assembly also includes a shelf bracket including a support surface supporting the electronic component, a first side plate coupled to the second arm, and a forward facing third plate overlapping with the second plate. A hole in each of the first, second and third plates overlaps to collectively define a common hole. When a first fastener is inserted into the common hole through the first, second and third plates, the first fastener secures the shelf bracket. 
         [0008]    The above embodiment may have various optional features. The support surface may extend forward of the third plate, the support surface having a hole configured to receive a second fastener such that the fastener at least partially extends above the support surface, and when the second fastener is in the hole of the support surface and an electronic component is mounted on the support surface, the fastener prevents the electronic component from being laterally removed from a front of the shelf bracket. The first fastener may be a threaded fastener, and the hole in the first and/or second plates may be threaded. The shelf bracket may have a second side plate extending upwardly from the support surface, the second side plate being configured to provide a lateral support to the electronic component. The track assembly may include a front support that includes the first plate, and extends reward from the front plate to define a substantially C-shaped cavity that couples to the track member. A rear bracket may be attach to a second vertical support and have a rear facing plate, and the track assembly may be coupled to the rear facing plate of the rear bracket. The first and second plates each may include a plurality of holes, one of which is part of the common hole, and at least one other of which overlap and are configured to receive a third fastener to couple the first plate to the second plate. 
         [0009]    Details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and potential advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a pair of rails according to an embodiment of the invention in a deployed state. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of a rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 2B  is a perspective view of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are perspective views of inner forward components of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3C and 3D  are top and front views of inner forward components of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  re perspective views of inner rear components of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIGS. 4C and 4D  are top and front views of inner rear components of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 5, 6 and 7  are perspective views of internal components of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a front view of internal components of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the rail according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a pair of rails according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  supporting a component. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    In the following description, various embodiments will be illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings. References to various embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one. While specific implementations and other details are discussed, it is to be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0023]    Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. The term “substantially” is defined to be essentially conforming to the particular dimension, shape, or other feature that the term modifies, such that the component need not be exact. For example, “substantially cylindrical” means that the object resembles a cylinder, but can have one or more deviations from a true cylinder. The term “comprising” when utilized, means “including, but not necessarily limited to”; it specifically indicates open-ended inclusion or membership in the so-described combination, group, series and the like. The term “a” means “one or more” unless the context clearly indicates a single element. 
         [0024]    As used herein, the term “front”, “rear”, “left” and “right” or other terms of direction, orientation, and/or relative position are used for explanation and convenience to refer to certain features of this disclosure. However, these terms are not absolute, and should not be construed as limiting this disclosure. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  illustrates a server system  100  having a server housing  105 . As discussed herein, the front side of server housing  105  is defined, in part, by a plane formed by a pair of front rails  110 , and the rear side of server housing  105  is defined, in part, by a plane formed by a pair of rear rails  115 . Rails  110  and rails  115  serve as vertical supports or posts for server housing  105  and are typically interconnected by various brackets for structural integrity. In addition, rails  110  and  115  include openings, apertures, or mounting holes configured to align with corresponding mounting holes on electronic devices and/or mounting structures for electronic devices. 
         [0026]    A pair of vertical shelf rails  202 , comprising a left rail and a right rail, are interconnected between rails  110  and  115 . Each rail  202  couples to a pair of a respective front rail  110  and a rear rail  115  to form retractable and extendable shelves that can couple to an electronic device such as an electronic device  120 . Notably, electronic device  120  is illustrated as a switch, but it is appreciated that any number of electronic devices (e.g., servers, routers, power supplies, etc.) may be substituted as appropriate. 
         [0027]    The left and right rails  202  are symmetrical. For ease of discussion the internal architecture of rails  202  will be discussed with respect to the left rail, but it is to be understood that the right rail has a symmetrical design to the left rail. 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 3A , rail  202  includes a front bracket  204  having a front plate  206  and a side plate  208 . Side plate  208  has holes and/or fasteners as is known in the art to attach front bracket  204  to a front rail  110 . Front plate  206  has holes  210 . Top and bottom flanges  212  extended inward to provide rigidity and a gripping surface. 
         [0029]    Referring now also to  FIG. 3B , a forward support  224  has a recess portion  226  defined by inwardly facing flanges  225  and a front plate  228  with holes  230  at least partially corresponding to and aligned with holes  210  of front bracket  204 . Forward support  224  is mounted to forward bracket  204  by fasteners as known in the art (e.g., screws, bolts, and slotted pins) through overlapping holes  210  and  230 , preferably through rivet pins through the topmost and bottommost holes. At least one overlapping hole in holes  210  and holes  230  remains unoccupied to receive another fastener as described herein. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2A and 4A , rail  202  also includes a rear bracket  214 . Rear bracket  214  includes a rear plate  216  and a side plate  218 . Side plate  218  has holes and/or fasteners as is known in the art to attach rear bracket  214  to a rear rail  115 . Rear plate  216  will also have several holes  220 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2B and 4B , rail  202  also includes a rear support  234  having a bottom ledge  236 , and a back plate  238  with holes  240  ( FIG. 8 ) at least partially corresponding to holes  230  of rear bracket  214 . Rear support  234  is mounted to rear bracket  214  by fasteners as is known in the art through overlapping holes  220  and  240 , preferably through rivet pins through the topmost and bottom most holes. 
         [0032]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2B and 5 , a static C-shaped track  222  rests on flange  212  of forward support  224 , and is preferably connected together by rivets (not shown). The rear end of track  222  extends beyond rear bracket  214  and rests against side plate  218 ; side plate  218  was a width equal to that set by front bracket  204  and front support  224  so that track  222  is parallel with the front to back direction of the server system  100 . A C-shaped side support  244  is mounted on the opposite side of track  222 , preferably by rivets (not shown). By these connections, track  222 , forward support  224  and side support  224  generally form a connected solid structure. 
         [0033]    An arm  242  has a rear end mounted on rear support  234 , preferably by rivets (not shown). By this connection, rear support  234  and arm  242  generally form a connected solid structure. The other end of arm  242  is inserted in and slideably mounted in the C track of side support  244 . Preferably a sufficiently length of arm  242  is inserted into the track of side support  244  to prevent any meaningful sag between components. 
         [0034]    The various components form a stable support structure between rear rail  115  and front rail  110 . The sliding engagement of arm  242  in track  22  allows for adjustable length to account for different distances between rails  110  and  115 , as well as providing for ease of assembly. By way of non-limiting example, the front and rear brackets  204  and  214  are initially mounted on the rails. The rear support  234  with connected arm  242  is mounted on the rear bracket  234 . The combination of the side support  244 , track  222  and front support  224  are then mounted on arm  242  by sliding the C track of side support  244  over arm  242 . Front support  224  is then aligned with and connected to the front of front bracket  204 . 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , a first telescoping arm  602  is slideably mounted within track  222 . Arm  602  can be withdrawn from track  222  to extend beyond housing  105 .  FIG. 6  shows arm  602  in its fully retracted position, and  FIG. 1  shows arm  602  in its fully extended position. Stops (not shown) as are known in the art may be provided to prevent/limit removal of arm  602  from track  222 . 
         [0036]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a second telescoping arm  602  is slideably mounted and nested within first telescoping arm  602 . Arm  702  can withdraw from arm  602 , such that arms  602  and  702  collectively extend beyond housing  105 .  FIG. 7  shows arm  702  in its fully retracted position, and  FIG. 1  shows arm  702  in its fully extended position. Stops (not shown) as are known in the art may be provided to prevent/limit removal of arm  702  from arm  602 . 
         [0037]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , moveable shelf bracket  904  is mounted over track  222 . Shelf bracket  904  has a side plate  906  with screw holes through which fasteners  908  extend into and connect to second telescoping arm  702 . Shelf bracket  904  is thus mounted to arm  702  and can deploy from and retracts into housing  105  with arm  702 .  FIG. 9  shows shelf bracket  904  in its fully retracted position, and  FIG. 1  shows shelf bracket  904  in its fully extended position. 
         [0038]    Shelf bracket  904  includes a front plate  910  that extends outward from the side plate  906 . Front plate  910  has a hole  911  (occupied in  FIG. 9  by a fastener  912 ). Front plate  910  overlaps forward support  224  and forward bracket  204  such that hole  911  in the front plate  910  overlaps at least one unoccupied hole from holes  210  and at least one unoccupied hole from holes  230 . A fastener  912 , such as a thumb screw, pin or other plunger is insertable into the overlap of holes to releasably secure side plate  206  to front support  224 , to thereby lock shelf bracket  904  in place. Removal of fastener  912  unlocks the shelf bracket  904 , and allows it to be withdrawn from and retracted into housing  105 . 
         [0039]    To the extent that the embodiment uses a threaded fastener  912 , then at least one of the holes  210  and  230  are preferably threaded to receive and lock with fastener  912 . However the invention is not so limited, and other forms of insertion connection may be used. 
         [0040]    Referring now to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , shelf bracket  904  also includes a horizontal support surface  914  that extends from the top of side plate  906 , and then an upwardly extending plate  922 . Support surface  914  supports electronic component  120 , and plate  922  is a side rail to prevent lateral movement of electronic component  120 . 
         [0041]    Support surface  914  extends past front plate  910  to define a ledge  918 . Ledge  918  includes a hole  920 , which can be filled with a removable fastener  1002 . Removable fastener  1002  when present prevents electronic component  120  from being withdrawn from server  105  when shelf bracket  904  is locked. To the extent that removable fastener  1002  is threaded, then hole  920  may have an internal mating thread. 
         [0042]    The above embodiments provide two different ways to lock and remove electronic component  120  from housing  105 . First, fastener  912  locks shelf bracket  904  and a mounted electronic component  120  into a retracted position within housing  105 , and its removal allows for telescope extension of electronic component  120  out of housing  105  via arms  602  and  702 . Second, when fastener  912  is locked, fastener  912  provides an alternative to directly remove electronic component  120  from housing  105  without using the telescopic features of the design. 
         [0043]    The ability of any of the above embodiments to secure or otherwise lock components into particular positions is to be understood to include the potential for mechanical play in the components. Thus for example when shelf bracket  904  is secured by fastener  912 , it cannot be removed from server housing  105 , but there may be a degree of permissible motion (e.g., ±0.5 inch) between components. 
         [0044]    In the above embodiment, the electronic component  120  is not connected to rail  202 , and fastener  1002  acts as a physical stop that prevents longitudinal (back to front) withdrawal of the electronic component from the server housing  105 ; in other words, electronic component cannot be slid off of the front of shelf bracket  904 . In the alternative, electronic component may be connected to shelf bracket  904 . By way of non-limiting example, the electronic component  120  may have its own flange with hole that overlaps hole  920  of ledge  918 , such that fastener  1002  secures component  202  to shelf bracket  904 ; this prevents any withdrawal (including sliding withdrawal). However, the invention is not so limited, and other forms of connection could be used. 
         [0045]    The above embodiments describe rails  202  in an assembled state with housing  105 . However, the invention is not so limited, and the invention also includes various combinations of components prior to assembly, mid-assembly, and/or full assembled. 
         [0046]    The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.