Abstract:
An equipment tray for simplified insertion and removal of electronic equipment to a rack is described. The electronics equipment can be horizontally or vertically mounted. The tray has a first region in which electronics equipment is releasably secured and a second region that provides cable management and exhaust airflow control.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to mounting electronics equipment in a rack. More specifically, the invention relates to an equipment tray that horizontally or vertically mounts electronics equipment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In some communications systems, electronics modules are vertically mounted to an equipment rack. In other systems, the modules are mounted horizontally. Typically, the modules are directly mounted to the rack by inserting a fastener through an attachment assembly integral to the module. To replace a module, a technician removes the fasteners and lifts the module out of the rack. The attachment assembly is removed with the module. 
     A technician supports the weight of the module while removing the fasteners from both attachment assemblies. Often, the size or weight of the electronics modules prevents the technician from removing the module without the assistance of a second technician. Similarly, attaching a new electronics module can require multiple technicians. 
     What is needed a mounting system that allows for insertion and removal of the electronics modules of the system in less time by a single person. The present invention satisfies this need and provides additional advantages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description presented below. 
     In one aspect, the invention relates to an equipment tray for mounting electronics equipment within a rack. The tray includes a bottom panel, a first edge panel, a second edge panel, a lip, and a locking mechanism. The bottom panel has a first edge, a second edge, and a third edge. The first edge panel is adjacent to the first edge and extends normal to the bottom panel. The first edge panel has a tab extending from an outside face of the first edge panel. The tab has an opening for receiving a fastener to attach the equipment tray to the rack. The second edge panel is adjacent to the second edge and extends normal to the bottom panel. The second edge panel has a tab extending from an outside face of the second edge panel. The lip is adjacent to the third edge and extends normal to the bottom panel. The locking mechanism secures the electronics equipment to the equipment tray and releases the electronics equipment from the equipment tray. 
     In one embodiment, the tray includes an assembly attached to at least one of the second edge panel and the bottom panel. The assembly defines a first volume for routing cables and a second volume for receiving the electronics equipment. The first volume can also include an exhaust port for exhausting an airflow and a baffle to control the direction of the exhaust. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to a system for mounting electronics equipment. The system includes a means for stacking a plurality of electronics modules and a means for supporting one of the electronics modules. The means for supporting attaches to the means for stacking. The system also includes a means for locking the one of the electronics modules to the means for supporting and releasing the one of the electronics modules from the means for supporting. The means for locking allows the replacement of the one of the electronics modules without removing the means for supporting from the means for stacking. 
     In another aspect, the invention relates to an electronics equipment rack. The rack includes a first stanchion and a second stanchion separated from and in parallel arrangement with each other. Each stanchion has a plurality of openings for receiving a fastener. The equipment tray attaches to the rack by inserting the fasteners through the openings of the tabs and the openings in the rack. 
    
    
     
       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 various figures. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a rack, an electronics module, and an embodiment of an equipment tray constructed according to the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the equipment tray of FIG.  1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the locking mechanism of FIG.  2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view of a fiber routing and exhaust management assembly of the equipment tray of FIG.  2 . 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of an exhaust baffle in three possible configurations. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a rack, an electronics module, and an embodiment of an equipment tray constructed according to the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an isometric view of the equipment tray of FIG.  6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of an equipment tray  10  constructed according to the principles of the invention and exploded from a rack  14  and electronics module  18 . The rack  14  includes a pair of stanchions  26  that are in parallel alignment with each other. The stanchions  26  include bores  22  that receive fasteners to secure the tray  10  to the rack  14 . The bores  22  allow for adjustment of the position of the tray  10  in the rack  14  and the stacking of one or more of the modules  18  in the rack  14 . The tray  10  is configured to receive, secure, and support the electronics module  18  when a technician inserts the module  18  into rack  14 . The electronics module  18  is removable from the tray  10 ; however, the tray  10  remains attached to the rack  14  when the technician removes the module  18  from the tray  10 . As such, a single technician can remove the module  18  and insert a replacement module without assistance. 
       FIG. 2  shows an isometric view of the equipment tray  10  of FIG.  1 . The tray  10  includes a bottom panel  30 , a left edge panel  34 , a right edge panel  38 , and a lip  42 . The bottom panel  30  includes an opening  44  that reduces the overall weight of the tray  10 . The left edge panel  34  extends substantially normal from a left edge of the bottom panel  30 . Similarly, the right edge panel  38  extends substantially normal from a right edge of the bottom panel  30 . The lip  42  extends substantially normal from a back edge of the bottom panel  30  and connects to both the left edge panel  34  and the right edge panel  38 . 
     A left tab  46  extends normal to the left edge panel  34  and includes a plurality of openings  50  that receive fasteners for attaching the tray  10  to the rack  14 . The left tab  46  makes contact with a respective stanchion  26  of the rack  14  when the tray  10  is attached to the rack  14 . The plurality of openings  50  in the tab  46  provide for fine height adjustment of the tray  10  relative to the bores  22  of the stanchions  26 , which provide grosser height adjustment. An airflow enters the tray  10  through an air inlet  54  located in the left edge panel  34  in front of left tab  46 . The left tab  46  can be integral with the left edge panel  34 . Alternatively, the left tab  46  can be constructed as a bracket and attached to the left edge panel  34  using fasteners. A locking mechanism  58  for securing the electronic module  18  to the tray  10  extends through the left edge panel  34  proximate to a front edge of the bottom panel  34 . 
     A right tab  62  having similar features to the left tab  46  extends substantially normal to the right edge panel  38 . An exhaust port  70  located in the right edge panel  38  exhausts the airflow that cools the electronics module  18 . 
     Communications cables and optical fibers (not shown) interconnect a plurality of stack ed electronics modules  18 . The communications cables can be Ethernet cables or other types of cables. Proper routing of the cables and fibers facilitates removal of the electronics module  18 . The fibers and cables enter the tray  10  through a region  72  in front of the right tab  62  and connect to the module  18 . The fibers are routed inside the right edge panel  38  and are thus maintained “in-board” of the stanchions  26 . These features allow for routing and managing a larger volume of fibers relative to other systems having equipment mounted between the stanchions. In the other systems, fiber and cable manage ment and rout ing occurs outside the stanchions. Routing and managing the cables and fibers in-board of the stanchions improves access to the fibers and cables, segregation of the fibers and cables, protection from over-bending, and tracing the location of specific fibers. 
     Typically when a communication system is installed, the electronic modules  18  mounted to the rack  14  communicate with each other through a backplane. As such, the backplane is designed to accommodate the maximum number of electronic modules  18  that can be accommodated by the system. Using Ethernet cables to connect the modules  18  eliminates the need for the backplane. Consequently, equipment and start-up costs are lower. Modules can be added and removed to accommodate system demands. Thus costs associated with expanding the system are deferred. As such, the invention provides a “pay-as-you-grow” modular communication system that can be expanded and contracted as desired. 
       FIG. 3  shows details of the locking mechanism  58  of FIG.  2 . The locking mechanism  58  secures the electronics module  18  in the tray  10  and provides for a quick release of the electronics module  18  from the tray  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism  58  includes a spring-loaded pin. A portion  59  of the pin extends into the interior of the tray  10  through the left edge panel  34 . A notch in the electronics module  18  receives the portion  59  of the pin when the module  18  is fully inserted into the tray  10 . In the event the electronics module  18  requires replacement, a technician pulls the pin away from the left edge panel  34 , which removes the pin from the notch and allows the module  18  to be removed from the tray  10 . In another embodiment, the locking mechanism is a spring catch, a rotating catch, a thumb screw or a quarter-turn fastener; however, any mechanism that provides releasable attachment of the electronics module  18  to the tray  10  can be used. 
       FIG. 4  shows details of an embodiment of an assembly  74  that attaches to or is integral with the bottom panel  30  and right edge panel  38  of the equipment tray  10 . The assembly  74  defines an open volume  80  between the right edge panel  38  and bottom panel  30 . The open volume  80  is adjacent to a volume that receives the electronics module  18 . The open volume  80  allows the cooling airflow to be exhausted. The assembly  74  includes a lip  78 , a rear bracket  82 , and a front bracket  86 . The lip  78  extends normal from the bottom panel  30 , is in parallel alignment with the right edge panel  38 , and divides the bottom panel  30  into a left region, which receives the electronics module  18  and a right region, which is under the open volume  80 . The rear bracket  82  attaches to the lip  78  and the right edge panel  38  proximate to the rear edge of the tray  10 . Similarly, the front bracket  86  attaches to the lip  82  and the right edge panel  38  proximate to the front edge of the tray  10 . 
     In one embodiment, a divider bracket  90  attaches to the right edge panel  38  and the front bracket  86 , and divides the open volume  80  into two separate volumes. A first face  94  of the divider bracket  90  extends normal to the right edge panel  38 . An opening  98  in the first face  94  functions as an exhaust port. A second face  102  of the divider panel  90  extends parallel to the lip  78  from the first face  94  to the front bracket  86 . 
     A baffle  110 , which is also referred to as an exhaust controller, attached to an inside face of the right edge panel  38  controls the direction of an airflow within the open volume  80 . The baffle  110  is “L-shaped”, although other shapes can be used and sized to fit within the open volume  80 . An elongate section  114  and a blocking section  118  form the baffle  110 . The elongate section  114  is secured the inside face of the right edge panel  38  by a screw or similar fastener. The blocking section  118  extends normal to the elongate section  114  and substantially covers an exhaust port of the tray  10  to inhibit an airflow from exiting the tray  10  through the exhaust port. As such, the baffle  10  controls the direction in which the airflow is exhausted from the tray  10 . 
       FIG. 5  shows three different configurations for the exhaust controller  110 A,  110 B and  110 C. Depending on the specific application and the location of the rack  18 , it may be desirable to exhaust the airflow out the front of the tray  10 , out the rear of the tray  10 , or out the front and rear of the tray  10  simultaneously. In one configuration, the baffle  110 A is attached to the inside face of the right edge panel  38  such that the blocking section  118 A substantially covers a rear exhaust port  126  at the rear of the open volume  80 . This configuration prohibits the airflow from exiting the tray  10  through the rear exhaust port  126 . Instead, the airflow exits through the front of the tray  10 . 
     In a second configuration, the blocking section  118 B substantially covers a front exhaust port of the open volume  80 . Alternatively, the front exhaust port can be located in the right edge panel  38 . As such, the elongate section  114 B also covers the front exhaust port. An example of a front exhaust port includes the first opening  98  of the divider bracket  90  and the exhaust port  70 . This configuration prevents the airflow from exiting the tray  10  through the front of the open volume  80 . Instead, the airflow exits through the rear of the tray  10 . 
     In a third configuration, neither the blocking section  118 C nor the elongate section  114 C covers the rear exhaust port  126  or the front exhaust port  112 . As such the airflow is exhausted through the front and the rear of the tray  10 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts an alternative embodiment of an equipment tray  10 ′ constructed according to the principles of the invention and shown with an electronics module  18 ′ as exploded from the rack  14 . The tray  10 ′ receives, supports, and secures the electronics module  18 ′ within the rack  14 . The illustrative electronics module  18 ′ is larger than the module  18  shown in  FIG. 1  but is similarly removable from its tray  10 ′. 
       FIG. 7  shows an isometric view of the equipment tray  10 ′. The tray  10 ′ includes a bottom panel  130 , a left edge panel  134 , a right edge panel  138 , and a lip  142 , which are configured similarly to respective features of the tray  10  of  FIG. 1. A  left tab  146  extends substantially normal to the left edge panel  134  and includes a plurality of openings  150  configured to receive a fastener to attach the tray  10 ′ the rack  14 ′. The left edge panel  134  includes a plurality of openings that form a grate  154 . An airflow for cooling the module  18 ′ enters the tray  10 ′ through the grate  154 . A locking mechanism  158  extends through the left edge panel  134  proximate to a front edge of the bottom panel  134 . The locking mechanism  158  functions similarly to the locking mechanism  58  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     A right tab  162  having features similar to the left tab  146  extends substantially normal to the right edge panel  138  and is located near an exhaust port  170 . The fibers and cables enter the tray  10 ′ through a region  172  in front of the left tab  162 . 
     The tray  10 ′ also includes an assembly  174  that attaches to or is integral with the bottom panel  130  and right edge panel  138  of the equipment tray  10 ′. The assembly  174  defines an open volume  180  between the right edge panel  138  and bottom panel  130 . The open volume  180  is adjacent to a volume that receives the electronics module  18 ′. The open volume  180  allows an airflow to be exhausted from the module  18 . The assembly  174  includes a lip  178 , a rear bracket  182 , and a front bracket  186 , which are configured similar to the assembly  74  of FIG.  4 . The baffle  110  attaches to an inside face of the right edge panel  138  and controls the direction of the airflow within the open volume  180 . 
     While the invention has been shown and described with reference to specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. For example, the tray  10  is constructed of sheet metal; however, other materials such a plastic can be used in certain applications.