Patent Publication Number: US-7585005-B1

Title: Locking mechanism for securing bezels

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to bezels for electronics enclosures. More particularly, the present invention relates to locking mechanisms for securing bezels to mounting structures. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Electronics equipment is often mounted in racks or other such structures. Bezels attached to the mounting structures aesthetically protect the front-facing portion of the equipment and allow technical personnel access to the equipment for maintenance and repair. The mounting structure can include vertical rails with catches to which the bezel is mounted. Bezels typically have two latch mechanisms, on opposite ends of the bezel, that attach to the catches on the vertical rails. A lock is often used to prevent unauthorized removal of the bezel from the rails. The lock prevents personnel from removing the bezel from the mounting structure. 
   For aesthetic or functional reasons, some locks are located midway along the length of the bezel. Other locks have been displaced to one side of the bezel. In general, the particular location of the lock requires a particular mechanical solution for locking the bezel latches. A solution specific to a centrally located lock is typically inapplicable to bezels with a lock displaced to one side. Moreover, many solutions require numerous pieces of separate mechanical fasteners, such as screws, which can complicate assembly of the bezel. 
   SUMMARY 
   In one aspect, the invention features a bezel comprising a bezel frame and a first plunger mechanism and a second plunger mechanism moveably coupled to the bezel frame at opposite ends of the bezel frame. Each plunger mechanism is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A first rod is coupled to the first plunger mechanism and a second rod is coupled to the second plunger mechanism. A cam lock, positioned between the first rod and the second rod, is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cam lock restricts movement of both rods sufficiently to stop the plunger mechanisms from moving to the unlatched position when the cam lock is in the locked position. 
   In another aspect, the invention features a bezel comprising a bezel frame and first and second means, disposed at opposite ends of the bezel frame, for latching the bezel frame to a mounting structure. Each latching means is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A lock means is coupled to the bezel frame at a location between the first and second latching means. The lock means is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The bezel also includes first means for coupling the first latching means to the lock means, and a second means for coupling the second latching means to the lock means, wherein the lock means simultaneously restricts movement of the first and second coupling means sufficiently to stop each latching means from moving from the latched position to the unlatched position when the lock means is in the locked position. 
   In still another aspect, the invention features an electronics equipment enclosure comprising a housing with a mounting structure and a bezel. The bezel includes a bezel frame and a first plunger mechanism and a second plunger mechanism moveably coupled to the bezel frame and to the mounting structure at opposite ends of the bezel frame. Each plunger mechanism is movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. A first rod is coupled to the first plunger mechanism and a second rod is coupled to the second plunger mechanism. A cam lock, positioned between the first rod and the second rod, is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cam lock restricts movement of both rods sufficiently to stop the plunger mechanisms from moving from the latched position to the unlatched position when the cam lock is in the locked position. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and further advantages of this invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in the various figures. The drawings are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. For clarity, not every element may be labeled in every figure. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates the front side of a bezel constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a back view of the bezel illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the bezel illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a partial, exploded view of the bezel illustrated in  FIG. 1 , illustrating a cam lock, a first rod, a second rod, a button portion, and a latch portion. 
       FIG. 5  is a partial, perspective view of the bezel frame of the bezel illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a partial, perspective view of the bezel of  FIG. 1 , illustrating the cam lock, a partial view of the first rod, and a partial view of the second rod. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the cam portion of the cam lock of the bezel in  FIG. 1  in relation to the first rod and second rod when the bezel is unlocked. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the cam portion of the cam lock of the bezel in  FIG. 1  in relation to the first rod and second rod when the bezel is locked. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Bezels embodying the present invention have a locking mechanism that provides bezel designers with flexibility with respect to where along the length of the bezel to locate the bezel lock (e.g., in the center or displaced to one side). Moreover, such bezels have plunger mechanisms—for latching to a mounting structure, e.g., of an electronics enclosure, such as a data storage enclosure, or of a rack—that require no separate mechanical screws, bolts, washers, or nuts, thus simplifying the assembly of the bezel. In brief overview, the plunger mechanisms are at opposite ends of the bezel. A single locking mechanism prevents personnel from operating the plunger mechanisms to remove the bezel from the mounting structure. When locked, however, the locking mechanism does not prevent the bezel from being attached to the mounting structure. It is a feature of the present invention that the locking mechanism may be located centrally on the bezel or may be located near a side of the bezel. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the front side of a bezel  100  constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The front side of the bezel  100 , also called a front panel or faceplate, faces away from the components within the electronics enclosure and is visible to personnel. The other (rear) side of the bezel  100  faces the internal components of the electronics enclosure and is described below in connection with  FIG. 2 . The bezel  100  includes a bezel frame  102  of a generally rectangular shape. The bezel frame  102  is made, for example, by molding plastic material into the illustrated shape. 
   The outer surface  104  includes a badge  106  that can include any variety of information including, for example, the manufacturer&#39;s name, the product name or a logo. Airflow openings in the outer surface  104  provide a means to draw a cooling airflow through the bezel frame  102  and into the electronics enclosure. The airflow openings (generally,  108 ) include a horizontal opening  108 A, distinctive sloped openings  108 B, and numerous smaller circular openings  108 C. Additional openings  110  accept light pipes that conduct light from status lights, such as emitting diodes (LEDs), mounted inside the electronics enclosure. Other embodiments have fewer or more airflow openings  108  and light pipe openings  110  than those shown. In other embodiments, the size, position and orientation of the openings  108 ,  110  in the bezel frame  102  are different. 
   A key port  112  of a locking mechanism is provided along the outer surface  104  to accept a key for locking or unlocking the bezel  100  from the mounting structure, as described herein. A pair of buttons  114 A,  114 B protrudes horizontally through openings in the outer surface  104  of the bezel frame  102 . Personnel depress both buttons  114 A,  114 B to remove the bezel  100  from the equipment mounting structure when the bezel  100  is unlocked. When the bezel is locked, the buttons  114 A,  114 B will not depress sufficiently to allow removal of the bezel  100  from the equipment mounting structure. In preferred embodiments, the buttons  114 A,  114 B do not need to be depressed to mount the bezel  100 . 
   Referring together to  FIG. 2  and to  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 2  shows a back view  200  of the bezel  100 , and  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view  300  of the bezel  100 . The bezel can have an EMI shield (not shown) attached to the back of the bezel frame. EMI shields are known in the art and are not discussed in detail herein. The bezel  100  includes a first plunger mechanism  202 A and a second plunger mechanism  202 B (generally  202 ), a first rod  204 A, a second rod  204 B, a cam lock  206 , first light pipe  208 A, and a second light pipe  208 B. The cam lock  206  is attached to the back of the bezel frame  102 . The plunger mechanisms  202  are movably attached at opposite ends of the bezel frame  102  and are movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, as explained herein. 
   Each plunger mechanism  202 A,  202 B includes, respectively, a button portion  310 A,  310 B and a latch portion  312 A,  312 B. Each button portion  310 A,  310 B includes, respectively, a button  114 A,  114 B that protrudes through openings  540  (see  FIG. 5 ) in the outer surface  104  of the bezel frame  102  as explained above. Each latch portion  312 A,  312 B includes a post  316 A,  316 B, a supporting a spring coil  318 A,  318 B, and a lip  320 A,  320 B. A keyhole-shaped opening  322 A,  322 B in the lip  320 A,  320 B of the latch portion  312 A,  312 B accepts a pedestal  324 A,  324 B extending from the back surface of the bezel frame  102 . The post  316 A,  316 B is inserted through an opening in a rib  330 A,  330 B. The spring coil  318 A,  318 B is disposed around the post  316 A,  316 B and between the lip  320 A,  320 B and the post  316 A,  318 B such that the spring coil  318 A,  318 B is compressed when the latch portion  312 A,  312 B slides toward the rib  330 A,  330 B. Biasing mechanisms other than the spring coil  318 A,  318 B may be advantageously used for the same purpose, as described herein, of exerting a force on the latch portion  312 A,  312 B tending to urge the latch portion  312 A,  312 B to the latched position. 
     FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are referred to herein in some detail to explain the operation of the first plunger mechanism  202 A. It should be understood that the second plunger mechanism  202 B is constructed and functions in an analogous manner.  FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the plunger mechanism  202 A, including the button portion  310 A and the latch portion  312 A. The button portion  310 A includes the button  114 A, a crossbeam  404  at the periphery of the button  114 A, and a pair of rod receptacles  410 A,  410 B at opposite ends of the crossbeam  404 , extending generally perpendicular to the button  114 A. Although only one of the rod receptacles  410 A,  410 B couples to a rod, having two such receptacles enables the same button component to be used on either end of the bezel  102 . In  FIG. 4 , an opening in the rod receptacle  410 B receives one end of the first rod  204   a ; the other rod receptacle  410 A is unused. The other end of the first rod  204   a  extends to the cam lock  206 . Similarly, a rod receptacle of the button  114 B (not shown) receives one end of the second rod  204 B. The other end of the second rod  204 B extends to the cam lock  206 . 
     FIG. 5  shows a perspective view  500  of a portion of the bezel frame  102 , including the pedestal  324 A and the rib  330 A. It should be understood that the other end of the bezel frame is similarly constructed and functions in an analogous manner. The pedestal  324 A includes a stem portion  526 A, which extends from an inwardly curved back surface  530 A of the bezel frame  120 , and a rectangular-shaped top portion  528 A. The inwardly curved back surface  530 A defines the opening  540 A. 
   Adjacent the opening  540 A is a curved button channel  534 A, sized to receive the button  114 A when pressed inwardly to unlatch the first plunger mechanism  202 A. Opposite the opening  540 A is the rib  330 A. The rib  330 A has an opening  544 A therein for receiving the post  316 A of the first plunger mechanism  312 A. The diameter of the opening  544 A is smaller than the diameter of the spring coil  318 A so that the spring coil  318 A pushes against the rib  330 A when the post  316 A enters the opening  544 A. Adjacent the opening  544 A is a notch  550 A. 
   The button portion  310 A is disposed in an operative position at the opening  540 A, with the button  114 A facing outwards through the opening  540 A and the open ends of the rod receptacles  410 A,  410 B facing inwards toward the center of the bezel. The latch portion  312 A sits atop the button portion  310 A, with the lip portion  320  abutting the edges of the crossbeam  404  and rod receptacles  410 A,  410 B and with the button seat  420 A abutting the button  114 A in the button channel  534 A. 
   The first rod  204 A is inserted into the rod receptacle  410 B of the button portion  310 A so that the first rod  204 A moves with the button portion  310 A. In alternate embodiments, the first rod  204 A could be attached to the button portion  310 A by being manufactured as one contiguous piece with the button portion  310 A. The first rod  204 A is disposed in one or more U-shaped notches  550 A in the bezel frame  102 . The U-shaped notch  550 A guides the first rod  204 A as it moves back and forth as explained below. 
   To secure the latch portion  312 A to the bezel frame  102 , the post  316 A enters the opening  544 A and the spring coil  318 A compresses until the rectangular-shaped top  528 A of the pedestal  324 A can enter the slot of the keyhole-shaped opening  322 A of the latch portion  312 A. After the rectangular-shaped top  528 A enters the slot, the force of the spring coil  318 A is released, causing the rectangular-shaped top portion  528 A slides to the narrow end of the keyhole-opening  322 A. In this manner, the latch portion  312 A is slidably attached to the bezel frame  102 . When the latch portion  312 A is slidably attached, the button portion  310 A is disposed between the latch portion  312 A and the bezel frame  102 . The coupling of the plunger mechanism  202 A to the bezel frame  102  thus can be accomplished without the use of mechanical hardware fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nuts, and washers. 
   The latch portion  312 A can be removed from the bezel frame  102  by pushing the latch portion  312 A toward the rib  330 A until the rectangular-shaped top portion  528 A is disposed in the broad end of the keyhole-opening  322 A, pulling the latch portion  312 A away from the bezel frame  102 , and then sliding the post  316 A out of the opening in the rib  330 A. 
   The bezel  100  can be unlatched from an enclosure to which it is latched by simultaneously depressing both buttons  114 A,  114 B while the bezel  100  is unlocked. As described herein, the buttons  114  cannot be depressed a sufficient distance to unlatch the bezel  100  when the bezel  100  is locked. When the cam lock  206  is in an unlocked position and the button  114 A is pressed (i.e., pushed toward the cam lock  206 ), the button portion  310 A and the first rod  204 A are thrust toward the cam lock  206 . The button portion  310 A is in contact with the latch portion  312 A and thrusts the latch portion  312 A toward the cam lock  206 , compressing the spring coil  318 A. When the button portion  310 A is fully depressed, the first rod  204  is placed in contact with the cam portion  620  (see  FIG. 6 ) of the cam lock  206 , preventing the button portion  310 A and the latch portion  312 A from moving further. 
   When the latch portion  312 A has been thrust toward the cam lock  206 , the broad end of the lip  320 A disengages from the mounting structure of an enclosure (not shown), allowing the bezel  100  to be removed (i.e., unlatched) from the mounting structure. However, the contact of the first rod  204 A with the cam portion  620  prevents the latch portion  312 A from being thrust, by the button portion  310 A, a sufficient distance to position the broad end of the keyhole opening  322 A over the pedestal  324 A on the bezel frame  102 . Thus, the contact of the first rod  204 A prevents the button portion  310 A from being pushed so far that the latch portion  312 A detaches from the bezel frame  102 . In other words, fully depressing the button  114 A moves the latch portion  312 A in position to allow the bezel  100  to be unlatched from an enclosure, but does not move the latch portion  312 A so far as to allow it to be removed from the bezel frame  102 . 
   To remove the latch portion  312 A from the bezel  100 , the bezel  100  is first unlatched from an enclosure and then pressure is applied directly on the latch portion  312 A to move it further so that the broad end of the keyhole opening  322 A is over the pedestal  324 A on the bezel frame  102 , allowing the latch portion  312 A to be removed. If the button  114 A is released, the spring coil  318 A decompresses, pushing the latch portion  312 A and button portion  310 A back to their resting positions. When the cam lock  206  is in a locked position, the cam lock  206  prevents the first rod  204 A from advancing, which in turn prevents both the button portion  310 A and latch portion  312 A from advancing. 
     FIG. 6  shows an embodiment of the cam lock  206  including the key port  112 , a mounting plate  610  with two openings  612  to receive attachment screws (not shown), a cam portion  620 , and a circular cam cover  622 . The key port  112  accepts a key for locking or unlocking the bezel  100 . The mounting plate  610  is used to secure the key port  112  and the cam lock  206  to the bezel frame  102  by aligning the two openings  612  with holes  560  (see  FIG. 5 ) in the bezel frame  102  and securing the mounting plate  610  with screws (not shown) through the openings  612  and into the holes  560 . The ends of the rods  204 A,  204 B closely approach the cam portion  620 . The cam cover  622  prevents the ends of the rods  204 A,  204 B from moving away from the cam portion  620 . 
     FIG. 7  shows the cam portion  620  of the cam lock  206  in relation to the first rod  204 A and to the second rod  204 B when the bezel  100  is unlocked. The position of the cam portion  620  determines whether the bezel  100  is locked or unlocked. The cam portion  620  alternately rotates between a locked position and an unlocked position. The cam portion  620  has first surface regions  710  that are closer to the center of rotation  712  and second surface regions  714  that are more distant from the center of rotation  712 . As explained above, the rods  204  move toward the cam lock  206  when the buttons  114  are pressed. The latch portions  312  also move in the direction that the button portions  310  move, unlatching the bezel  100 . The cam portion  620  in  FIG. 7  is in an unlocked position since the rods  204  are aligned with the first surface regions  710  and are a sufficient distance from the first surface regions  710  to allow them, along with the button portions  310  and the latch portions  312 , to move in the direction of the arrows  720 A a sufficient distance to allow the bezel  100  to unlatch. 
   If the cam portion  620 , as viewed in  FIG. 7 , is rotated counterclockwise (clockwise if facing the key port  112 ) approximately 90 degrees into a locked position, as is shown in  FIG. 8 , then the rods  204  become aligned with the second surface points  714 . In this locked position, the rods  204  are too close to the second surface points  714  and cannot be moved a sufficient distance to allow the latch portions  312  to move sufficiently to unlatch the bezel  100 . That is, if the buttons  114  are pressed while the bezel  100  is in a locked position, the rods  204  come in contact with the second surface points  714  before the button portions  310  and latch portions  312  have moved a sufficient distance to allow the broad end of the lip  320 A to disengage from the mounting structure. The cam portion  620  is returned to its unlocked position by rotating the cam portion  620  in the reverse direction approximately 90 degrees. 
   It is a feature of the present invention that the cam lock  206  can be placed almost anywhere between the plunger mechanisms  202  by providing rods  204  of different lengths and making minor changes to the design of the bezel frame  102 . For example,  FIG. 1  shows the key port  112  of the cam lock  206  positioned near the first button  114 A of the first plunger mechanism  202 A.  FIG. 2  shows that the first rod  204 A is correspondingly shorter than the second rod  204 B. The cam lock  206  could be repositioned at the center of the bezel frame  102 , for example, by using a first rod  204 A and a second rod  204 B of equal length and redesigning the bezel frame  102  such that the holes  560  are positioned in a more central location, allowing the mounting plate  610  to be attached to the bezel frame  102  in a central location. Similarly, the cam lock  206  could be positioned closer to the second button  114 B or equally distant between either of the buttons  114  and the center of the bezel frame  102 . 
   While the present invention has been shown and described herein with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that variations, alterations, changes in form and detail, and equivalents may be made or conceived of without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be assessed as that of the appended claims and by equivalents thereto.