Patent ID: 12224541

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a fastening verification structure that includes an upper insulated wire with an upper non-insulated contact pad positioned over a lower non-insulated contact pad of a lower insulated wire in a cavity. A fastener, such as, a bolt is disposed in the cavity above the upper insulated wire configured to press the upper non-insulated contact pad into the lower non-insulated contact pad, thus creating an electrical connection. The upper insulated wire and the lower insulated wire is coupled to a power source and a visual indicator, where the visual indicator is activated upon the upper non-insulated contact pad pressing into the lower non-insulated contact pad creating the electrical connection. In the embodiments discussed below, the fastener is utilized to properly secure a rack enclosure to a lockdown plate disposed on a concrete floor. However, the fastening verification structure is applicable to any embodiment requiring the utilization of a fastener to secure an object.

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely illustrative of potential embodiments of the invention and may take various forms. In addition, each of the examples given in connection with the various embodiments is also intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This description is intended to be interpreted merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the various aspects of the present disclosure. In the description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments.

For purposes of the description hereinafter, terms such as “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosed structures and methods, as oriented in the drawing figures. Terms such as “above”, “overlying”, “atop”, “on top”, “positioned on” or “positioned atop” mean that a first element, such as a first structure, is present on a second element, such as a second structure, wherein intervening elements, such as an interface structure may be present between the first element and the second element. The term “direct contact” means that a first element, such as a first structure, and a second element, such as a second structure, are connected without any intermediary conducting, insulating or semiconductor layers at the interface of the two elements. The term substantially, or substantially similar, refer to instances in which the difference in length, height, or orientation convey no practical difference between the definite recitation (e.g. the phrase sans the substantially similar term), and the substantially similar variations. In one embodiment, substantial (and its derivatives) denote a difference by a generally accepted engineering or manufacturing tolerance for similar devices, up to, for example, 10% deviation in value or 10° deviation in angle. It is to be noted, the term “wire” covers all shapes of a metal drawn out into the form of a flexible thread or strand and is not limited to a typical cylindrical shape. Furthermore, for discussion purposes, the term “wire” covers any physical medium capable of passing electrical current (e.g., trace).

In the interest of not obscuring the presentation of embodiments of the present invention, in the following detailed description, some processing steps or operations that are known in the art may have been combined together for presentation and for illustration purposes and in some instances may have not been described in detail. In other instances, some processing steps or operations that are known in the art may not be described at all. It should be understood that the following description is rather focused on the distinctive features or elements of various embodiments of the present invention.

FIG.1depicts a side view of a secured corner of a rack enclosure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Each corner of a four cornered rack enclosure102is typically secured to floor104in an elevated position, where caster106of rack enclosure102is disposed above floor104. Bolt108is disposed in base110of rack enclosure102securing a corner of rack enclosure102to lockdown plate112disposed on floor104, where floor104is typically concrete. In this embodiment, two washers114are disposed on spacer116with bolt108disposed through an aperture along a central axis of each washer114and spacer116, where a head of bolt108presses washer114and spacer116against a top surface of base110of rack enclosure102. Jam nut118is disposed on leveler120and leveler120is disposed on lockdown plate112, where bolt108is disposed in an aperture along a central axis of each jam nut118and leveler120. As bolt108secures rack enclosure102to lockdown plate112disposed on floor104, a lower surface of base110presses against top surface of jam nut118, a bottom surface of jam nut118presses against a top surface of leveler120, and a bottom surfaces of leveler120presses against a top surface of lockdown plate112. Bolt108is disposed in a cavity defined by the aperture of lockdown plate112and a top surface of floor104. In some embodiments discussed below, bolt108is of a conductive material including but not limited to steel, aluminum, copper, brass, bronze, platinum, gold, silver, and graphite.

Not properly securing bolt or selecting an incorrect bolt and washer combination for securing base110of rack enclosure102to lockdown plate112disposed on floor104, increases a risk of rack enclosure102toppling over during an earthquake event. If bolt108is not properly secured to lockdown plate112, bolt108can loosen at one or more corners of rack enclosure102resulting in rack enclosure102toppling over and causing damage to electronic equipment installed on rack enclosure102. Utilizing torque specification for securing bolt108to lockdown plate112can provide a false indication since bolt108might be partially seated within lockdown plate112if a thickness of washer114is oversized for securing base110of rack enclosure102. To ensure base110of rack enclosure102is secured to lockdown plate112, a threaded portion of bolt108should be seated in lockdown plate112to avoid the threaded portion of bolt108from shearing during the earthquake event.

FIG.2Adepicts a side view of a fastening verification structure with a partially secured bolt, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. For discussion purposes, bolt108represents a type of fastener and the embodiments discussed herein are applicable to all types of fasteners (e.g., nails, screws, rivets, clips, pins). To ensure bolt108is seated in lockdown plate112disposed on floor104, a fastening verification structure is utilized that includes battery202electrically coupled to an upper insulated wire204, a lower insulated wire206, and visual indicator201(e.g., LED and/or display). Battery202can be one or more of an interchangeable primary cell, a rechargeable secondary cell, and/or a photovoltaic cell, capable of providing power to visual indicator201. Upper non-insulated contact pad of lower portion205of upper insulated wire204is positioned opposite of lower non-insulated contact pad209of upper portion211of lower insulated wire206. Upper non-insulated contact pad of lower portion205of upper insulated wire204is configured to contact lower non-insulated contact pad209of upper portion211of lower insulated wire206as a leading end of bolt108contacts upper portion207of insulated wire204. Arm213of upper insulated wire204is spring loaded and configured to compress under the leading end of bolt108contacting upper portion207of upper insulated wire204. The spring-loaded arm213is configured to hover upper non-insulated contact pad of lower portion205above lower non-insulated contact pad209.

Upper portion207of upper insulated wire204is insulated so as not to transmit a current through bolt108upon contacting upper insulated wire204. As bolt108is inserted into lockdown plate112, upper non-insulated contact pad of lower portion205of upper insulated wire204contacts lower non-insulated contact pad209of upper portion211of lower insulated wire206, creating an electrical connection to indicate that bolt108is properly seated into lockdown plate112. Visual indicator201is activated with the electrical connection to indicate that bolt108is properly seated into lockdown plate112and remains activated until the electrical connection is interrupted. The electrical connection can be interrupted due to bolt108back out of lockdown plate112due to vibrations (e.g., earthquake), physical removal of bolt108, tampering of bolt108, and/or a failure of the fastening verification structure.

FIG.2Bdepicts a side view of a fastening verification structure with a secured bolt, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Bolt108is seated in lockdown plate112disposed on floor104such that the upper non-insulated contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204contacts the lower non-insulated contact of the upper portion of lower insulated wire206. Area208represents components positioned and pressed between lockdown plate112and the head of bolt108. The components, though not illustrated inFIG.2Bare illustrated inFIG.1, include washer114, spacer116, base110of rack enclosure102, jam nut118, and leveler120. In this embodiment, a first end of first lead210is electrically coupled to upper insulated wire204and a first end of second lead212is electrically coupled to lower insulated wire206, where first lead210and second lead212are flat wire positioned between lockdown plate112and floor104. A second end of first lead210is electrically coupled to battery202and a second end of second lead212is electrically coupled to visual indicator201, where a first end of third lead214is electrically coupled to battery202and a second end of third lead214is electrically coupled to visual indicator201. Alternatively, a second end of first lead210is electrically coupled to visual indicator201and a second end of second lead212is electrically coupled to battery202. In another embodiment, a first end of first lead210is electrically coupled to an upper wire (versus upper insulated wire204) and a first end of second lead212is electrically coupled to a lower wire (versus lower insulated wire206), where lockdown plate112includes a channel for each of first lead210and second lead212between lockdown plate112and floor104, such that the upper wire and the lower wire do not contact lockdown plate112.

FIG.3Adepicts an enhanced side view of a fastening verification structure with a partially secured bolt, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this enhanced view, bolt108is being inserted into aperture310of lockdown plate112, where bolt108is threaded and side walls312of aperture310of lockdown plate112are threaded to accept bolt108. An upper non-insulated contact pad of a lower portion of upper insulated wire204includes compressible member314to assist with establishing contact with a lower non-insulated contact pad of an upper portion of lower insulated wire206. Compressible member314is of a conductive material and is coupled to the lower non-insulated contact pad of lower insulated wire206with one or more mounting methods including but not limited to a spot weld, a screw, adhesive, and a clamp. Compressible member314is conductive to allow for current to pass from battery202to lower insulated wire206to compressible member314and subsequent to contacting the upper non-insulated contact pad, the upper insulated wire204. Furthermore, an arm of upper insulated wire204is spring loaded to allow for upper insulated wire204to bend towards compressible member314on lower non-insulted contact pad of the upper portion of lower insulated wire206. The spring-loaded arm ensures that compressible member314breaks contact with the upper non-insulted contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204, in the event bolt108backs out of lockdown plate112. In some embodiments, compressible member is coupled to the upper non-insulated contact pad of upper insulated wired204. Height X1represents the spring-loaded arm of insulated arm213in a non-compressed state and compressible member314in a non-compressed state.

FIG.3Bdepicts an enhanced side view of a fastening verification structure with a partially secured bolt contacting an insulated wire, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this enhanced view, the spring-loaded arm of upper insulated wire204is being compressed, allowing for compressible member314to contact the upper non-insulted contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204. As bolt108is threaded further into lockdown plate112, the upper non-insulated contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204is configured to contact the lower non-insulated contact of the upper portion of lower insulated wire206as a leading end of bolt108contacts upper insulated wire204. The spring-loaded arm of upper insulated wire204compresses and the upper contact pad is pushed towards compressible member314on the lower non-insulted contact pad of the upper portion of lower insulated wire206. Compressible member314accounts for small cavity presenting between bolt108, lockdown plate112, and floor104, to ensure an electrical connection is formed between upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206. Height X2represents the spring-loaded arm of insulated arm213in a partially compressed state and compressible member314in a partially compressed state, where the electrical connection is initially established.

FIG.3Cdepicts an enhanced side view of a fastening verification structure with a secured bolt, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this enhanced view, the spring-loaded arm of upper insulated wire204is being further compressed as bolt108is being torqued down, allowing for compressible member314to maintain contact with the upper non-insulted contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204. As bolt108is threaded further into lockdown plate112, the upper non-insulated contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204is configured to press further into the lower non-insulated contact of the upper portion of lower insulated wire206as a leading end of bolt108contacts upper insulated wire204. The spring-loaded arm of upper insulated wire204further compresses and compressible member314is further compressed on the upper non-insulted contact pad of the lower portion of upper insulated wire204. Thus, resulting in a more robust electrical connection between upper insulated wire204, compressible member314, and lower insulated wire206. Height X3represents the spring-loaded arm of insulated arm213in a final compressed state and compressible member314in a final compressed state with the established electrical connection.

FIG.4depicts an overhead view of a fastening verification structure positioned at each corner of a rack enclosure, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the overhead view, rack enclosure102include four fastening verification structures positioned at corner A, corner B, corner C, and corner D, where each fastening verification structure includes battery202electrically coupled to an upper insulated wire204, lower insulated wire206(not illustrated inFIG.4), and visual indicator402. Visual indicator402can be one or more light-emitting diodes (LED) and/or an electronic display providing a visual indicator to a user regarding whether bolt108is properly secured to lockdown plate112. In one embodiment, if bolt108is not properly secured to lockdown plate112and an electrical connection is not present between upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206, visual indicator402will not illuminate since a current is not passing through upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206. However, if bolt108is properly secured to lockdown plate112and an electrical connection is present between upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206, visual indicator402illuminates (e.g., green LED) since a current is passing through upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206. In another embodiment, visual indicator402is electrically coupled to battery202, independent from the circuit between upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206. As a result, visual indicator402receives constant power from battery202and determine whether current is passing between upper insulated wire204and lower insulated wire206. Visual indicator402can display a status for bolt108through the electronic display and/or one or more uniquely color LEDs, each representing a different status.

Though in this embodiment a fastening verification structure is positioned at every corner of rack enclosure102, in some embodiments two fastening verification structures can be utilized for rack enclosure102. The two fastening verification structures can be positioned opposite and diagonal from one another to ensure optimal monitoring of bolts108securing rack enclosure102to lockdown plate112. In one example, one fastening verification structure can be positioned at corner A and a second fastening verification structure can be positioned at corner D. In another example, one fastening verification structure can be positioned at corner B and a second fastening verification structure can be positioned at corner C.

FIG.5depicts a side view of a fastening verification structure with a mobile power source, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, external power source502is utilized to verify whether bolt108is properly seated in lockdown plate112on floor104. External power source502represents a handheld mobile device that a technician can temporarily electrically couple to the fastening verification structure and a provide a DC voltage source. A first lead electrically connects to bolt108and a second lead electrically connects to grounding pad504, where grounding pad504is electrically coupled to visual indicator402and visual indicator402is electrically coupled to landing pad506. Landing pad506represents a variation of a contact pad of lower insulated wire206, where landing pad506represents the lower non-insulated contact pad of an upper portion of lower insulated wire206. As bolt108is further inserted into lockdown plate112, the leading end of bolt108contacts landing pad506. As a result, when the first lead and the second lead are connected to external power source502, visual indicator402receives a current and indicates to a user (e.g., green LED) that bolt108is properly seated in lockdown plate112. This connection ensures that current applied to bolt108is not conducted away from the fastening verification structure as current flows through the path.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiment, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable other of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein. It is therefore intended that the present invention not be limited to the exact forms and details described and illustrated but fall within the scope of the appended claims.