Patent ID: 10051758

Abstract:
A rack-mountable system is provided that includes fastening mechanisms mounted to the chassis sidewalls. The fastening mechanisms or “ears” of a rack-mountable chassis are each provided as a unitary part or piece rather than as multiple sheet metal or cast/extruded metallic parts that have to be assembled. The ear is attached or mounted to the chassis in a tool-less manner through specific design of the ear and its chassis-locking features and of holes and/or receiving/mating surfaces and/or openings on the chassis sidewalls. The left and right (or first and second) ears are manufactured in a number of ways including 3D printing, casting, and molding in a shock and impact-resistant material, such as a plastic (e.g., a thermoplastic). The chassis with the low-cost, tool-less ears are useful for mounting routers, switches, servers, digital data storage units, and instrumentation in a rack (e.g., a conventional enclosure for computer and telecommunications equipment).