Abstract:
The present disclosure is directed to a PDU retention device comprising a rectangular frame having a central cutout portion, a first protrusion extending from the frame into the cutout portion, a guidance fixture permitting the frame to move along a path, and a second protrusion extending from the frame away from the central cutout portion.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit of the filing date of U.S. provisional application No. 62/336,942, filed May 16, 2016. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to devices that retain Power Distribution Units on equipment racks. More specifically, this disclosure relates to devices having means to lock Power Distribution Units onto equipment racks to prevent the Power Distribution Units from moving. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Equipment racks are used to contain computers and other electronic equipment. Power may be provided to the electronic equipment through one or more Power Distribution Units (PDUs). In some known embodiments, a protrusion (known as a button) is fixed to the rear or side of the PDU, which is configured to slide into a keyhole slot on a mounting bracket that is attached to a rack. This provides tool-less mounting of PDUs, which is very convenient. However, the downside of this method is that the PDU is not rigidly fixed to the bracket, and can pop out if the PDU is jostled. This becomes an issue if the PDU is pre-installed in the rack (sometimes with other equipment) and shipped as a pre-assembled unit. 
         [0004]    Two solutions have been used in the industry to solve this issue. The first is to use cable ties, either to tie the power cord to the bottom of the rack or to strap the PDU itself to the rack frame. This method is subject to manufacturing variations in cable tie placement and tightness and has a poor appearance. The second is to attach an “L”-shaped bracket to the top frame of the rack such that it touches to the top of the PDU and prevents it from coming up out of the keyhole slots. This method requires the use of tools to attach the bracket to the rack, and a given “L”-shaped bracket can accommodate variations in the PDU lengths of only up to around 1.5 to 2 inches. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    In one embodiment, a retention assembly includes a mount configured to receive a retention member of a power distribution unit, and a plate that is mounted to and moveable with respect to the mount. The plate further includes a locking member that engages with the retention member. 
         [0006]    The retention assembly of this embodiment may further include an opening in the mount having a wide portion and a narrow portion for receiving the retention member. The retention assembly may further include a pin sized and shaped to engage holes in the mount and the plate. Additionally, the plate may include a central opening and two locking members, wherein one of the locking members extends across the central opening of the plate. The mount may alternatively be a frame member of a rack, or a bracket attached to a frame member of a rack. The bracket can be removably connected to the frame member of the rack via a tool-less connection. Finally, the plate may include one slot and the mount may include one boss corresponding to the slot, so that the slot is slideable around the boss. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a unit for locking a PDU to a frame member of a rack includes a rectangular frame having a cutout in a middle of the frame, a first protrusion extending from the rectangular frame into the cutout portion, a guidance fixture permitting the unit to move along a path, and a second protrusion extending from the rectangular frame away from the cutout portion. 
         [0008]    The first protrusion in this embodiment may include a pair of first protrusions and wherein the second protrusion includes a pair of second protrusions. The guidance fixture may be a slot, sized and shaped to receive a boss, or may alternatively be a protrusion adapted to fit within a slot. The unit may be integral with a bracket adapted to receive a power distribution unit, wherein the unit is moveable with respect to the bracket. Finally, the generally rectangular frame of the unit may further include a hole configured to align with a corresponding hole in a bracket, and further configured to receive a pin to fix the unit to the bracket. 
         [0009]    In yet another embodiment, a locking assembly includes a bracket having a slot configured to receive a retention member of a PDU, a locking piece that includes a tab sized and shaped for insertion into the bracket slot, and wherein the locking piece includes a release mechanism allowing the locking piece to be selectively secured to the bracket. 
         [0010]    The release mechanism in this embodiment may include a first hole on the locking piece that aligns with a second hole in the PDU, and may further include a pin sized and shaped to fit into the first and second holes. The pin may be a snap rivet. The slot of the bracket may be configured to align with the second hole when the assembly is installed. The assembly may further include a PDU having a retention member aligned with a second hole in the PDU. Finally, the release mechanism of this embodiment may be a fastener. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front view of one embodiment of a rack having a mount that retains a PDU; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2A  is a rear perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2B  is a front perspective view of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2C  is a side view of the mount of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a PDU protrusion used in the embodiments shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a rear view of another embodiment of a rack having an integral mount that retains a PDU; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an isometric view of another embodiment of a mount, having a locking piece; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the locking piece from the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a mount  100  (also referred to as a bracket) having a PDU  105  attached thereto. The mount  100  and PDU  105  are attached to a frame  110  of a rack for receiving electronic equipment. Frame  110  can include any number of members and can take any form, but is generally rectangular in shape. As typically used in data centers, the frame  110  can receive and contain various types of electronic equipment, such as servers, computers, storage units, hard drives, and any other equipment requiring electricity. The frame  110  may also be used to contain other types of electronic equipment, such as audio or video components. 
         [0022]    PDU  105  is affixed to frame  110  via installed mount  100 , and includes one or more outlets  115 . Although not shown, PDU  105  is connected to a power source through a separate cord, and distributes the power to electronic equipment via outlets  115 . 
         [0023]    In this embodiment, mount  100  is “tool-less,” meaning that it can be installed and uninstalled on frame  110  by hand, without the use of tools. The specific attachment means are described in further detail below. In alternative embodiments (not shown), mount  100  can be a non “tool-less” type, such as one that requires screws or other types of fasteners to engage with frame  110 . In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the mount can be made integral with the frame. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a rear perspective view of the mount  100 . Plate  120  in this embodiment is attached to mount  100 , and includes a central cutout portion  125  and locking members  130 . Plate  120  further includes two parallel slots  135  located on a top portion and a bottom portion of the plate  120 . In this embodiment, four locking members  130  are shown, two of which extend into the central cutout portion  125 , and two of which extend at a periphery of plate  120 . In this embodiment, locking members  130  are rectangular in shape, and are generally parallel to each other. 
         [0025]    In alternative embodiments (not shown), plate can take a shape other than the one depicted in  FIG. 2A , such as a triangular, polygonal, or circular shape. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), plate may include any number of locking members, and the locking members may take any shape and have any orientation with respect to one another. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), plate may include any number of slots, and the slots may take any shape and have any orientation with respect to one another. In other alternative embodiments (not shown) slots may be replaced with any guidance fixture, for example an elongated groove or a flange. 
         [0026]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2A , mount  100  includes one or more keyholes  140  shaped to receive protrusions  145  of PDU  105  (illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). Mount  100  in this embodiment has four keyholes  140 , each keyhole  140  having a wider portion  160  and two narrower portions  165 . 
         [0027]    In alternative embodiments (not shown), keyholes may take different shapes, and the plate may include more or less than four keyholes. In one known embodiment, the keyholes include one wider portion and one narrower portion. In these alternative embodiments, the only requirement of keyholes is that they be shaped to retain elongated protrusions so that the protrusions cannot slide out of keyholes when installed. 
         [0028]    Mount  100  further includes guides  170  that are sized and shaped to fit within slots  135  of plate  120 . In this embodiment, two guides  170  are shown, and are circular in shape. In alternative embodiments (not shown), the guides and slots can be switched, so that the mount includes slots and the plate includes the guides. Mount  100  further includes a biased latch  175 , and hooks  180  for securing the mount  100  to frame  110 . Frame  110  includes a slot (not shown) corresponding to latch  175 . The slot is dimensioned such that when latch  175  is inserted into the slot, latch  175  snaps against the sides of the slot to prevent removal of the latch  175 . Hooks  180  are sized and shaped to fit into corresponding holes (not shown) in frame  110 , to fix mount  100  with respect to frame  110 . 
         [0029]    Mount  100  further includes cable features  185 , which are sized and shaped to receive cables of equipment mounted in frame  110 . In alternative embodiments (not shown), cable features can be sized and shaped differently, or can be omitted. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a front perspective view of mount  100 . As seen in  FIG. 2B , mount  100  further includes a latch button  190  that is used to compress latch  175  to allow a user to remove the mount  100  from frame  110 . When pressed, latch button  190  opposes the biasing force of latch  175  and compresses the latch  175  so that it can be inserted or removed from its corresponding slot in frame  110 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2B  further shows a handle  195  attached to plate  120 , extending from the front surface of the mount  100 . Handle  195  can be used to slide plate  120  into a locked or unlocked position. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2C  shows a side view of the mount  100 . Side profiles of latch  175  and latch button  190  can be seen in this figure. Handle  195  is shown extending from the front surface of mount  100 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the mount  100 , showing details of plate  120 . As seen in  FIG. 3 , wider portions  160  of the keyhole  140  are sized to receive a flat head  150  of the protrusions  145 . Flat heads  150  are better seen in  FIG. 4 , which depicts a protrusion  145  from a side perspective.  FIG. 4  further illustrates elongated shafts  155  of the protrusions  145 , which are connected at one end to the PDU  105  and at the other end to the flat head  150 . 
         [0034]    Returning to  FIG. 3 , narrower portions  165  of the keyhole  140  are sized to be smaller than the flat heads  150  of protrusions  145 , so that the flat heads  150  cannot pass through narrower portions  165 . Narrower portions  165  are also sized to receive the elongated shaft  155  of each protrusion  145 . 
         [0035]    An operation of the mount  100  shown in  FIG. 3  will now be described. The mount  100  is fixed to frame  110  via fasteners or a tool-less connection such as the one discussed above. The protrusions  145  of PDU  105  are inserted into the wider portions  160  of keyholes  140 , and then moved to narrower portions  165  of keyholes  140  after the flat heads  150  of the protrusions  145  have passed completely through keyholes  140 . At this stage, the protrusions  145  cannot slide laterally out of the keyholes  140 , but can still move up or down within keyholes  140 . 
         [0036]    Plate  120  is then translated laterally, such that the slots  135  slide along the guides  170 . The plate  120  is translated until the locking members  130  are positioned above elongated shafts  155  of protrusions  145 . With the plate  120  in this configuration, the protrusions  145  cannot shift upwards and out of keyholes  140 . When the plate  120  locks protrusions  145  in place, the PDU  105  is secured to the frame  110  and will not detach from frame  110  when the assembled unit is jostled and bumped during shipping. 
         [0037]    In alternative embodiments (not shown), guides  170  could be replaced with removable pegs, allowing plate  120  to be removable. 
         [0038]      FIG. 5  depicts an alternative embodiment of mount  200  and plate  205 . In this embodiment, the mount  200  is integral with frame  210 . Otherwise, the mount  200  and plate  205  function in an identical way to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 6  depicts another embodiment of the present disclosure, where a mount  300  is connected to a PDU  310 , to affix PDU  310  to the frame of a rack (not shown). Mount  300  includes one or more slots  320  in a surface of the mount  300 . In this embodiment, two elongated slots  320  are provided. Although not shown in  FIG. 6 , mount  300  includes keyhole structures (or alternatives) identical to the ones described in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-5 , to receive protrusions of PDU  310 . Mount  300  in this embodiment further includes cable features  330 , similar to the cable features discussed in previous embodiments. 
         [0040]    In alternative embodiments (not shown), any number of slots may be included on mount, and the slots may take any shape, for example a circular or oblong shape. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the slots may extend only partially into mount rather than all the way through. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), cable features may be shaped differently or omitted. 
         [0041]    A locking piece  340  is installed into mount  300 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , and in more detail in  FIG. 7 . Locking piece  340  includes a flat, generally square body  350 , two through holes  360  that extend through the flat, generally square body  350 , and a tab  370  extending from a lower portion of the flat, generally square body  340 . 
         [0042]    To install the locking piece  340  into the mount  300 , the tab  370  is inserted into one of the slots  320 . PDU  310  also includes two holes (not shown) that align with through holes  360  of locking piece  340  when PDU  310  is secured to mount  300 . One or more pin(s) or snap rivet(s) (not shown) is then inserted into either or both sets of aligned PDU and locking piece holes, to secure locking piece  340  against PDU  310 . In this configuration, PDU  310  is prevented from shifting relative to mount  300 . One practical advantage of securing PDU  310  in this manner is to prevent it from falling out of engagement with mount  300  when bumped or jostled during shipping. 
         [0043]    In alternative embodiments (not shown), locking piece and PDU holes can be replaced with other structures that fix the locking piece  340  to PDU  310 , for example, slots and tabs, flanges and grooves, or snap connections. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), pins or snap rivets can be replaced with screws or bolts, and PDU holes can be threaded holes. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), locking piece can have a body of any other shape, a tab of any shape, and any number of through holes. For example, locking piece can have a circular flat body, a triangular flat body, or a trapezoidal flat body. Additionally, the tab could have any shape, such as a rounded shape, pointed, or hooked. Any number of tabs and slots may be included in alternative embodiments of locking piece and mount, respectively. For example, two or three tabs that correspond with the same number of slots may be included. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), the locking piece can include any number of through holes, for example, one, three, four, or zero holes, that correspond with the same number of holes in PDU. 
         [0044]    To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or components. 
         [0045]    While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosure, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant&#39;s general inventive concept.