Quick Release Power Strip Bracket assembly

Abstract

A quick release bracket assembly is provided for securely attaching power strips and other devices to the interior of an enclosure used for housing electronic equipment. The assembly includes a hanging bracket disposed on the frame of the interior of the enclosure and including a number of apertures to which are attachable a pair of mounting brackets movably secured at opposite ends to a power strip. One of the mounting brackets includes a locking mechanism that is easily disengageable from one of a number of separate locking apertures formed within the hanging bracket in order to allow the power strip to be engaged and disengaged from the hanging bracket for repositioning of the power strip to accommodate various electrical components within the enclosure.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/793,507, filed on Apr. 20, 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to power outlets, and more specifically to a quick release bracket assembly attachable to a power strip to releasably and securely support the strip within a frame or cabinet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In order to compactly and easily store a number of electronic components, such as information technology equipment, a number of different types of structures and enclosures have been developed specifically for retaining these types of items. The enclosures are formed with a number of walls forming the exterior of the enclosure and a movable door allowing access to the interior of the enclosure. The walls include a number of mounting structures to enable the equipment to be secured within the enclosure in a desired arrangement.

However, with regard to enclosures of this type, because the equipment or components contained therein require electrical power to function, a power supply must be positioned within the enclosure and be easily accessible for connection to the various components disposed within the enclosure. While the enclosures can include a number of different arrangements of power outlets to provide a ready power supply to items contained in enclosures of this type, those outlets are not movable within the enclosure to accommodate different mounting configurations for components in the enclosure.

Therefore, it is desirable to develop a mounting structure for power outlets or a power strip in such an enclosure that enables the power strip or power outlets to be releasably mounted as desired within the enclosure for supplying power to varying configurations of equipment mounted within the enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a bracket assembly includes a first mounting bracket attachable to a device, such as a power strip, is provided to enable the power strip to be releasably and easily connected to the frame of an enclosure to position the device where desired within the enclosure. The first mounting bracket includes a pair of engaging members that are adapted to be positioned within corresponding apertures in the enclosure frame to hold the power strip in the desired location. Adjacent to the engaging members, the first mounting bracket includes a locking mechanism that securely engages the first mounting bracket with the enclosure frame until such time as the mechanism is disengaged to enable the engaging members to be removed from the enclosure frame. The locking mechanism has a simple construction allowing the mechanism to be disengaged with one hand. This enables the first mounting bracket to which the power strip is secured to be disengaged, moved within the enclosure, and reengaged with the enclosure frame in a quick and easy manner.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the bracket assembly includes a second mounting bracket formed similarly to the first mounting bracket can be secured to the power strip opposite the first mounting bracket to secure the power strip at each end to the enclosure frame.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the bracket assembly includes a hanging bracket is secured to the enclosure frame to which the first and second mounting brackets can be secured. The hanging bracket includes a number of spaced apertures along its length that enable the hanging bracket to provide multiple attachment points for both the first and second mounting brackets and the power strips to which they are attached.

According to still a further aspect of the present invention, the attachment of the first and second mounting brackets to the power strip allows the power strip to be spaced from the hanging bracket in a manner that enable the power strips to be rotated with regard to the mounting and hanging brackets, as well as with regard to the enclosure frame.

Numerous other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate the best mode currently contemplated of practicing the present invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a power strip including the quick release bracket assembly constructed according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially broken away, isometric view of the bracket assembly and power strip of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an upper quick release bracket of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the upper bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a rear plan view of the upper bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the upper bracket of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a lower mounting bracket of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the lower bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a rear plan view of the lower bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a side plan view of the lower bracket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of a hanging bracket of the bracket assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 12 is a side plan view of the hanging bracket of FIG. 11; and

FIG. 13 is a front plan view of a securing nut used with the hanging bracket of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, a power strip adapted to be utilized with the present invention is indicated generally at 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The power strip 20 includes a number of outlets 22 spaced thereon for receiving a plug (not shown) that is operably connected to a piece of electrical or computer equipment (not shown) in order to supply power to the equipment via the plug.

The power strip 20 is releasably positionable on a bracket assembly 23 that includes a hanging bracket 24 that can be secured to the frame 26 of an enclosure 28 for the equipment. As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the hanging bracket 24 is formed as an elongated member, preferably as a rigid material, such as a metal, that includes a number of recesses 29 formed therein that accommodate the components of the frame 26, and a number of sets of mounting apertures 30 spaced there along. Each set of apertures 30 includes upper mounting apertures 32 and lower mounting apertures 34 that are spaced from one another a distance corresponding to the length of the power strips 20 to be secured thereto, and are adapted to engage an upper mounting bracket 36 and lower mounting bracket 38, respectively. The upper apertures 32 include a pair of generally square openings 40 between which are disposed a general circular locking opening 42. The lower apertures 34 also include a pair of adjacent square openings 40, above which is located an elongate opening 43. Alternatively, the sets of mounting apertures 30 can be formed directly in the enclosure frame 26, negating the need for the separate hanging bracket 24.

Additionally, as best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly 23 also includes a number of securing members 100, such as nuts 102 that are positioned on the frame 26 opposite the hanging bracket 24 and which are engaged with the bracket 24 to hold the bracket 24 on the frame 26, such as by suitable fasteners 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-10, the upper mounting bracket 36 and lower mounting bracket 38 are illustrated and each are formed of a generally L-shaped piece of material that is preferably a rigid material, such as a metal. The lower bracket 38, best shown in FIGS. 7-10, includes a pair of outwardly extending engaging tabs 44 that are releasably positionable within the square openings 40 of the lower apertures 34 in the mounting apertures 30. Generally opposite the tabs 44, the lower bracket 38 also includes an elongated slot 46 through which can be positioned a fastener 106 that extends through the slot 46 into a corresponding bore (not shown) in the power strip 20 to secure the lower bracket 38 to the power strip 20. The slot 46 also enables the power strip 20 to be secured to the bracket 38 at various positions along the slot 46, which enables the strip 20 to be moved outwardly along the slot 46 and positioned at an angle of ninety degrees to either side of the lower bracket 38 to further increase the accessibility of the power strip 20 when secured within the enclosure. When the lower bracket 38 is secured to the power strip 20, the bracket 38 can be secured to the hanging bracket 24 by sliding the tabs 44 into the aligned square openings 40 in the desired lower apertures 34 to engage the lower bracket 38 and the power strip 20 therewith.

Looking now at the upper bracket 36, best shown in FIGS. 3-6, the upper bracket 36 is shaped similarly to the lower bracket 38 with a generally L-shaped configuration, the tabs 44 and the slot 46. However, on the portion of the upper bracket 36 including the engaging tabs 44, the upper bracket 36 also includes a locking member 48. The locking member 48 includes a locking mechanism, such as a plunger mechanism 50 that is movably secured to the bracket 36 and includes a biasing member (not shown), such as a spring, and a plug 52 that is biased outwardly from the mechanism 50 and the bracket 36 by the biasing member. The plug 52 is shaped to conform to the shape of the locking opening 42 and adapted to project through an aperture 53 in the upper bracket 36 for engagement within the locking opening 42 of the upper apertures 32 on the hanging bracket 24.

To secure the upper bracket 36, lower bracket 38 and the power strip 20 mounted therebetween to the hanging bracket 24, initially the tabs 44 on the lower bracket 38 are inserted within the square openings 40 in the lower apertures 34. Simultaneously, the tabs 44 in the upper bracket 36 are inserted within the square openings 40 of the upper apertures 32 and slid down with respect thereto, thereby engaging the tabs 44 on each bracket 36 and 38 with the hanging bracket 24. At the same time, the plunger 50 is pulled outwardly away from the bracket 36 to draw the plug 52 into the mechanism 50, thereby allowing the plug 52 to be aligned with the locking opening 42 when the tabs 44 are aligned with the square openings 40. When the plug 52 is aligned with the locking opening 42, the plunger mechanism 50 is released such that the biasing member urges the plug 52 through the bracket 36 and into the locking opening 42. This engagement of the plug 52 within the opening 42 locks power strip 20 in place on the hanging bracket 24 until such time as the plunger mechanism 50 is disengaged.

Further, because the only locking mechanism for the bracket system 10 is the plunger mechanism 50 disposed on the upper bracket 36, the power strip 20 can be easily disengaged and reengaged with one hand from the hanging bracket 24 at any desired position along the bracket 24 to easily and quickly reposition or attach the power strip 20 to the hanging bracket 24 where desired.

Alternatively, the brackets 36 and 38 can be integrally formed with one or both ends of the power strip 20. Also, instead of a power strip 20, a number of other electrical components can be utilized with the bracket system 10, such as a lacing bar (not shown) or a wire management structure (not shown) among others. Further, the brackets 36 and 38 can be secured to other sections of the power strip 20 or other device to be attached to the hanging bracket 24, such as on the sides or the rear surface of the strip 20. Also, the brackets 36 and 38 can be integrated into a single structure that is attached to the trip 20 or other device for securing the device to the hanging bracket 24.

Various alternative embodiments to the present invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

1. A mounting bracket assembly for use in an electrical component enclosure comprising:

a) a first set of openings formed within the enclosure including at least one hanging opening and a locking opening; and

b) a first mounting bracket adapted to be secured to one end of a device to be positioned within the enclosure, the first mounting bracket including at least one holding member engageable with the at least one hanging opening and a disengageable locking member releasably engageable with the locking opening.

2. The assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second mounting bracket engageable with a second set of openings spaced from the first set of openings within the enclosure.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the disengageable locking member includes a plug slidably positionable within with the locking opening.

4. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the plug is biased outwardly from the locking member.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one holding member is formed as an inwardly projecting flange connected to the first mounting bracket.

6. The assembly of claim 5 further comprising a pair of flanges disposed on the first mounting bracket engageable with a pair of hanging openings within the enclosure.

7. The assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one holding member is disposed above each of the pair of flanges.

8. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket each include elongate mounting slots adapted to receive a fastener used to pivotally secure the device to each of the first mounting bracket and second mounting bracket.

9. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the set of openings are disposed in a hanging bracket secured within the enclosure.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the hanging bracket includes multiple sets of openings spaced along the length of the bracket.

11. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the first mounting bracket is generally L- shaped.

12. An assembly for securing a device within an enclosure, the system comprising:

a) a hanging bracket adapted to be positioned within the enclosure;

b) a device positionable on the hanging bracket;

c) a first positioning bracket secured to the device and including at least one holding member and a releasable locking member engageable with the hanging bracket; and

d) a second positioning bracket secured to the device opposite the first bracket and including at least one holding member engageable with the hanging bracket.

13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the device is pivotally mounted to the first positioning bracket and the second positioning bracket.

14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein the hanging bracket includes a number of apertures formed therein engageable with the first positioning bracket in the second positioning bracket.

15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the number of apertures are spaced along the hanging bracket to accommodate devices of various lengths.

16. A method for securing a device releasably within an enclosure, the method comprising the steps of:

a) providing a quick release bracket assembly including a first mounting bracket including at least one holding member and a disengageable locking member, and a second mounting bracket including at least one holding member including at least one holding member;

b) attaching the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket to opposite ends of a device; and

c) engaging the first mounting bracket and the second mounting bracket with aligned apertures formed within the enclosure.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of engaging the first and second mounting brackets comprises:

a) inserting the at least one holding member's on the first and second mounting brackets within the aligned apertures within the enclosure; and

b) engaging the locking member with a locking opening formed within the enclosure.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the steps of:

a) providing a hanging bracket including a number of holding apertures and locking apertures formed therein; and

b) engaging the hanging bracket with the enclosure prior to engaging the first and second mounting brackets with the aligned apertures.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of:

a) disengaging the locking member from a first locking opening formed within the enclosure;

b) repositioning the device in the first and second mounting brackets within the enclosure; and

c) re-engaging the locking member with a second locking opening formed within the enclosure.