Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing toolless rack mounting rail installation using a pin having a latch. A retention device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes stepped features and a dual locking mechanism that are configured to engage standard apertures of rack systems. The locking mechanism is configured to extend beyond the surface of a pin when in a normal position, but may be depressed to allow the retention device to be easily inserted or removed without the use of tools.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for securely positioning a cable connector plug for blind docking an electronic device or module with an electrical connector, for example within a rack for a computer system. A bracket includes a chip that is selectively securable to open and close the bracket. A cable connector plug collar is laterally receivable in the bracket when the bracket is open. The bracket retains the collar in a circumferential tongue and groove relationship when the bracket is closed. When the bracket is properly positioned and secured within a rack bay, the bracket positions the connector plug for blind docking without restricting operative access to the connector plug. A preferred bracket is sufficiently flexible to allow lateral movement of the connector plug when the bracket is closed about the collar.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing toolless rack mounting rail installation using a pin having a latch. A retention device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes stepped features and a dual locking mechanism that are configured to engage standard apertures of rack systems. The locking mechanism is configured to extend beyond the surface of a pin when in a normal position, but may be depressed to allow the retention device to be easily inserted or removed without the use of tools.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for supporting an electronic device within a rack including a fixed rail, a sliding rail, and a latch. The sliding rail is adjustably receivable within the fixed rail. The latch maintains the relative positions of the sliding and fixed rails to define a length of the apparatus that accommodates a dimension of the rack. The fixed rail may be an L-shaped bracket including a plurality of locating points which interact with the latch to maintain the position of the fixed and sliding rails, a plurality of tabs suitable for receiving the sliding rail; and at least one mounting feature suitable for attaching to the rack. The sliding rail may include a mounting feature suitable for attaching to the rack, ribs that interact with the latch, and an attachment point. The latch typically includes a lever body and a tension member to which the attachment point attaches.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to couple a bracket member with a receiver member is disclosed. Embodiments may couple bracket members with receiver members, such as brackets to rails of racks, via a flexible member. The flexible member may secure a bracket member to a receiver member by fastening the bracket member to a corresponding extension or tab of the receiver member. Some embodiments may load a second portion of the flexible member such that pressure applied to the second portion can transfer the load to a first portion of the flexible member to facilitate coupling the bracket member with or decoupling the bracket member from the receiver member. In many of these embodiments, the load may transfer as a waveform along the flexible member. Further embodiments provide a lever for the second portion of the flexible member to facilitate transferring a load to the first portion.

Abstract: An assembly for dissipating heat generated by electronic components, the assembly designed to include a computer chassis dimensioned to substantially enclose the electronic components. The assembly is further designed so that the chassis includes a panel having a substantially flat portion and a non-flat portion with the non-flat portion including a plurality of vent holes and having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of a flat portion with corresponding outer dimensions so as to permit an increase in the number of vent holes and improvement in the air flow within the computer chassis while at the same time maintaining the structural integrity of the computer chassis and minimizing electromagnetic interference resulting from the percentage of open area to closed area within the venting surface.

Abstract: A system and apparatus to couple a bracket member with a receiver member is disclosed. Embodiments may couple bracket members with receiver members, such as brackets to rails of racks, via a flexible member. The flexible member may secure a bracket member to a receiver member by fastening the bracket member to a corresponding extension or tab of the receiver member. Some embodiments may load a second portion of the flexible member such that pressure applied to the second portion can transfer the load to a first portion of the flexible member to facilitate coupling the bracket member with or decoupling the bracket member from the receiver member. In many of these embodiments, the load may transfer as a waveform along the flexible member. Further embodiments provide a lever for the second portion of the flexible member to facilitate transferring a load to the first portion.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for supporting an electronic device within a rack including a fixed rail, a sliding rail, and a latch. The sliding rail is adjustably receivable within the fixed rail. The latch maintains the relative positions of the sliding and fixed rails to define a length of the apparatus that accommodates a dimension of the rack. The fixed rail may be an L-shaped bracket including a plurality of locating points which interact with the latch to maintain the position of the fixed and sliding rails, a plurality of tabs suitable for receiving the sliding rail; and at least one mounting feature suitable for attaching to the rack. The sliding rail may include a mounting feature suitable for attaching to the rack, ribs that interact with the latch, and an attachment point. The latch typically includes a lever body and a tension member to which the attachment point attaches.

Abstract: An assembly for dissipating heat generated by electronic components, the assembly designed to include a computer chassis dimensioned to substantially enclose the electronic components. The assembly is further designed so that the chassis includes a panel having a substantially flat portion and a non-flat portion with the non-flat portion including a plurality of vent holes and having a surface area that is greater than the surface area of a flat portion with corresponding outer dimensions so as to permit an increase in the number of vent holes and improvement in the air flow within the computer chassis while at the same time maintaining the structural integrity of the computer chassis and minimizing electromagnetic interference resulting from the percentage of open area to closed area within the venting surface.

Abstract: An injection molded carrier for a disk drive or other electronic component includes two rails for slidable insertion into a chassis. Each rail includes a flexible end portion, which are joined to opposite ends of a flexible handle. Each flexible end portion includes a latch for engaging a detent in the chassis when the carrier is fully inserted into the chassis, thereby locking the carrier in the chassis. To withdraw the carrier from the chassis, the user applies an outward force to the center of the handle. This force causes the handle to bend outward which, in turn, causes the flexible end portions to bend inward, thereby disengaging the latches from the detents to permit the removal of the carrier from the chassis. A wire form includes a body portion and two legs that are angled outward from opposite ends of the body portion. To attach the disk drive to the carrier, the two legs are inserted through holes in the rails and into holes in the disk drive.

Abstract: A computer processor cartridge is connected to a socket on a motherboard. The cartridge has a detachable bracket that secures it to a retention mechanism mounted to the board. The bracket is formed from flexible plastic and has a handle with downward depending arms on each end. Each arm has a tooth on its outer surface. The retention mechanism has a base with a pair of upright support posts on its ends. Each post has a hole in its side for receiving the teeth on the bracket. The cartridge and bracket assembly is installed in the retention mechanism pushing down on the handle such that the lower end of the assembly seats between the support posts. When the teeth engage the holes in the support posts, the assembly is locked in place and the cartridge is connected to the socket. The assembly is disconnected by pulling up on the handle. The plastic bracket elastically flexes so that the arms pivot the teeth out of the holes.

Abstract: A disk drive enclosure houses a mix of “slim” and “half high” disk drive sizes in almost any order. The preferred enclosure includes at least thirteen equi-spaced pairs of guide rails, wherein each pair of rails includes one rail on one side panel of the enclosure, and the other rail of the other side panel of the enclosure. Each pair of guide rails defines a boundary of a “slot”, such that twelve slots are defined between thirteen pairs of guide rails. Groups of slots are defined, wherein each group includes six contiguous slots. For each group of six slots, four connectors are included on a back panel of the enclosure. Within each group of six slots, the four connectors are positioned within the first, third, fourth and fifth slots, and no connectors are positioned in the second and sixth slots.