Server system rack drawer with keyboard, flat panel display and electronic switch

• US 6,442,030 B1
• Filed: 04/26/2001
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Central Industrial Supply Company
• Original Assignee: Central Industrial Supply Company
• Inventors: Mammoser, Thomas E., Baiza, Julian S., Devine, Jon E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schuberg, Darren
• Assistant Examiner(s): DUONG, HUNG V
• Application Number:
  US09/843,663
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 361/683-687, 361/724-727, 312/208.1, 312/223.1, 312/223.3, 312/334.5, 312/334.4, 312/291, 312/223.6, 211/26, 211/151, 248/51-52, 248/917-918
• US Class Current: 361/727
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1601 Constructional details related to the housing of computer displays, e.g. of CRT monitors, of flat displays constructional details related to flat displays integrated in a portable computer, e.g. laptop, handheld computer G06F1/1637; constructional details related to television receivers H04N5/64
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/181 Enclosures for portable computers G06F1/1613
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/183 Internal mounting support structures, e.g. for printed circuit boards, internal connecting means for buses G06F13/409
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1612 Flat panel monitor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1494 having hardware for monitoring blades, e.g. keyboards, displays methods or software therefore H05K7/1498
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 248/917 Video display screen support

Abstract

A drawer (20) for a server system rack (12) includes a tray (38) and an electronic switch (30). The tray (38) and the electronic switch (3) are secured to the rack (12) by mounting rails (52), which are secured to the rack (12) by mounting brackets (53, 54) having toolless fasteners (99). Telescoping slide assemblies (56) secure the tray (38) to the mounting rails (52) for moving from a position disposed within the rack (12) to a position extending outward of the rack (12). A keyboard (22) and a display (26) are mounted to the tray (38). The electronic switch (30) is mounted rearward of the tray (38), and remains stationary with respect to the rack (12). A flexible cable management arm (48) extends between the tray (38) and the electronic switch (30) for securing cabling (34).

Claims

1. A drawer for a server system rack, comprising in combination:

a tray;

interface devices mounted to said tray;

telescoping slide assemblies having inner rails and outer rails, said outer rails mounted to the server system rack and said inner rails mounted to said tray to movably secure said tray to the server system rack, such that said tray is movable from an inward position, substantially disposed within the server system rack, to an outward position, extending outward of the server system rack;

an electronic switch fixedly secured to a rearward end of said outer rails of said slide assemblies, wherein said electronic switch is selectively operable to connect said interface devices to selectable ones of a plurality of servers;

a first cable set which connects said electronic switch to said interface devices;

a plurality of cable sets connecting the plurality of servers to said electronic switch;

a flexible cable arm secured between said tray and said electronic switch; and

cable retention members securing said first cable set to said flexible cable arm.

2. The drawer according to claim 1, further comprising a stationary mount disposed in fixed relation to at least one of said outer rails of said telescoping slide assemblies, rearward of said tray, wherein said electronic switch is fixedly secured to said stationary mount to secure said electronic switch to said outer rails.

3. The drawer according to claim 1, wherein at least one respective end of each said outer rails of said slide rail assemblies are mounted to the server system rack by mounting brackets which define moveable sections that are slidably coupled to said respective ends of said outer rails, such that said moveable sections are free to slidably move relative to respective ones of said outer rails, for telescopically adjusting longitudinal combined lengths of said moveable sections and said respective ones of said outer rails, for fitting a horizontal depth of the server system rack;

and

said mounting brackets further comprising mounting tabs which extend outward of one side of said mounting brackets, opposite said respective ends of said slide rails, for engaging within mounting apertures in a rack frame of the server system rack.

4. The drawer according to claim 1, a toolless fastener mounted to at least one end of each of said outer rails, said toolless fastener having a latch member with a forwardly extending latch portion which is selectively moveable in a lineal direction to selectively engage within a rack frame of the server system rack.

5. The drawer according to claim 2, wherein said stationary mount comprises a stationary shelf which extends between said outer slide rails, rearward of said tray.

6. The drawer according to claim 2, wherein said stationary mount comprises mounting brackets formed from rearward end portions of respective ones of said outer rails of said slide rails, and said mounting brackets extending to define U-shaped channel having slots formed on interior sides of said mounting brackets for receiving mounting lugs secured to said electronic switch.

7. The drawer according to claim 4, wherein said toolless fastener comprises:

a bracket having an elongated body, a first tab and a second tab which extend transverse to said elongated body, with said first tab being spaced apart from said second tab, said first tab having a slot formed into a side thereof and said second tab being disposed on a terminal end of said elongated body, said second tab having an aperture which is aligned in fixed relation with said slot formed in said first tab; and

said latch member further having a guide portion which extends adjacent to and slidably engages said elongated body of said bracket, and a latch tab which defines said forwardly extending latch portion, said latch tab extending parallel to said guide portion and through said aperture of said second tab, wherein said latch member being slidably engaged with said bracket for selectively moving said latch member to selectively extend said latch tab from within said aperture in said second tab of said bracket.

8. The drawer according to claim 4, wherein said toolless fastener comprises:

a bracket having an elongated body, a first tab and a second tab which extend transverse to said elongated body, with said first tab being spaced apart from said second tab, said first tab having a slot formed into a side thereof and said second tab being disposed on a terminal end of said elongated body, said second tab having an aperture which is aligned in fixed relation with said slot formed in said first tab;

a latch member further having a guide portion which extends adjacent to and slidably engages said elongated body of said bracket, and said latch member further having flange which extends transverse to said guide portion, a post which extends from said flange generally parallel to said guide portion, and a latch tab which defines said forwardly extending latch portion and which extends parallel to said guide portion and outward of said flange, transverse to said flange;

said latch member being slidably engaged with said bracket, with said guide portion of said latch member extending adjacent to said elongated body of said bracket, said guide portion of said latch member having an aperture slidably receiving said first tab of said bracket, and said latch tab extending through said aperture in said second tab, and said post extending from said flange of said latch member into said slot in said first tab of said bracket;

a bias member extending between said first tab of said bracket and said flange of said latch member, such that said latch member is urged toward said second member with said latch tab protruding outward of said aperture of said latch tab; and

two protuberant members extending from said second tab member of said bracket, in a direction in which said latch tab protrudes from within said aperture of said latch tab, wherein said two protuberant members and said latch tab are lineally aligned to extend in parallel, transverse from a line along which said two protuberant members and said latch tab are lineally aligned, for fitting within mounting apertures of the rack frame of the server system rack.

9. The drawer according to claim 4, wherein said latch member of said toolless fastener comprises a rearward portion and a forward portion which are slidably engaged together, with said rearward portion fixedly secured to one of said outer rails, said forward portion slidably moveable relative to said rearward portion of said latch member, and said forward portion being formed to define said forwardly extending latch portion which is selectively moveable in lineal directions for selectively engaging the rack frame of the server system rack.

10. The drawer according to claim 9, wherein said forward portion is formed to define a tapered nose section which tapers radially inward from a larger size to a smaller size in a direction which extends from said rearward portion toward the rack frame of the server system rack.

11. The drawer according to claim 10, wherein said rearward portion and said forward portion of said latch member each have generally cylindrical shapes, said rearward portion having an outer periphery which, on a forward section thereof, is enlarged to define a head, and said forward portion having a rearward end section which is sized for receiving said head and being crimped around said head to slidably secure said forward portion to said rearward portion.

12. The drawer according to claim 11, wherein said latch member further comprising a bias spring which extends between said rearward portion and said forward portion of said latch member to urge said forward portion into a forwardly disposed position relative to said rearward portion;

and

said forward and said rearward portions of said latch member having interior chambers which are defined for housing said bias spring.

13. A drawer for a server system rack, comprising in combination:

a tray;

an input device and a display mounted to said tray, with said display monitor pivotally mounted to said tray for angularly moving from a downward, storage position into an upright, viewing position;

telescoping slide assemblies having inner rails and outer rails, said outer rails mounted to the server system rack and said inner rails mounted to said tray to movably secure said tray to the server system rack, such that said tray is movable from an inward position, substantially disposed within the server system rack, to an outward position, extending outward of the server system rack;

stationary mounts secured in fixed relation to said outer rails of said telescoping slide assemblies, rearward of said tray;

an electronic switch mounted to said stationary mounts, said electronic switch selectively operable to connect said keyboard and said flat panel display to selected ones of a plurality of servers;

a first cable set which connects said electronic switch to said input device and the flat panel display;

a plurality of cable sets connecting the plurality of servers to the electronic switch;

a flexible cable arm secured between said tray and one of said stationary mounts; and

cable retention members securing said first cable set to said flexible cable arm.

14. The drawer according to claim 13, wherein said stationary mounts comprise a stationary shelf which extends between said outer slide rails, rearward of said tray.

15. The drawer according to claim 13, wherein said stationary mount comprises mounting brackets formed from rearward end portions of respective ones of said outer rails of said slide rails, and said mounting brackets extending to define U-shaped channel having slots formed on interior sides of the mounting brackets for receiving mounting lugs secured to said electronic switch.

16. The drawer according to claim 13, a toolless fastener mounted to at least one end of each of said outer rails, said toolless fastener having a latch member with a forwardly extending latch portion which is selectively moveable in a lineal direction to selectively engage within a rack frame of the server system rack.

17. The drawer according to claim 15, wherein at least one respective end of each said outer rails of said slide rail assemblies are mounted to the server system rack by mounting brackets which moveable sections that are slidably coupled to said respective ends of said outer rails, such that said moveable sections are free to slidably move relative to respective ones of said outer rails, for telescopically adjusting longitudinal combined lengths of said moveable sections and said respective ones of said outer rails, for fitting a horizontal depth of the server system rack;

and

said mounting brackets further comprising mounting tabs which extend outward of one side of said mounting brackets, opposite said respective ends of said slide rails, for engaging within mounting apertures in a rack frame of the server system rack.

18. The drawer according to claim 17, wherein said toolless fastener comprises:

a bracket having an elongated body, a first tab and a second tab which extend transverse to said elongated body, with said first tab being spaced apart from said second tab, said first tab having a slot formed into a side thereof and said second tab being disposed on a terminal end of said elongated body, said second tab having an aperture which is aligned in fixed relation with said slot formed in said first tab;

a latch member further having a guide portion which extends adjacent to and slidably engages said elongated body of said bracket, and said latch member further having flange which extends transverse to said guide portion, a post which extends from said flange generally parallel to said guide portion, and a latch tab which defines said forwardly extending latch portion and which extends parallel to said guide portion and outward of said flange, transverse to said flange;

said latch member being slidably engaged with said bracket, with said guide portion of said latch member extending adjacent to said elongated body of said bracket, said guide portion of said latch member having an aperture slidably receiving said first tab of said bracket, and said latch tab extending through said aperture in said second tab, and said post extending from said flange of said latch member into said slot in said first tab of said bracket;

a bias member extending between said first tab of said bracket and said flange of said latch member, such that said latch member is urged toward said second member with said latch tab protruding outward of said aperture of said latch tab; and

two protuberant members extending from said second tab member of said bracket, in a direction in which said latch tab protrudes from within said aperture of said latch tab, wherein said two protuberant members and said latch tab are lineally aligned to extend in parallel, transverse from a line along which said two protuberant members and said latch tab are lineally aligned, for fitting within mounting apertures of the rack frame of the server system rack.

19. The drawer according to claim 17, wherein said latch member of said toolless fastener comprises a rearward portion and a forward portion which are slidably engaged together, with said rearward portion fixedly secured to one of said outer rails, said forward portion slidably moveable relative to said rearward portion of said latch member, and said forward portion being formed to define said forwardly extending latch portion which is selectively moveable in lineal directions for selectively engaging the rack frame of the server system rack;

a bias spring which extends between said rearward portion and said forward portion of said latch member to urge said forward portion into a forwardly disposed position relative to said rearward portion;

said rearward portion and said forward portion each having generally cylindrical shapes, wherein said forward portion is formed to define a tapered nose section which tapers radially inward at a taper of approximately twenty degrees, from a larger size to a smaller size, in a direction which extends from said rearward portion toward the rack frame of the server system rack; and

said forward and said rearward portions having interior chambers which are defined for housing said bias spring, said rearward portion having an outer periphery which, on a forward section thereof, is enlarged to define a head, and said forward portion having a rearward end section which is sized for receiving said head and being crimped around said head to slidably secure said forward portion to said rearward portion.

20. A drawer for a server system rack, comprising in combination:

a tray;

an input device and a display mounted to said tray, with said display monitor pivotally mounted to said tray for angularly moving from a downward, storage position into an upright, viewing position;

telescoping slide assemblies having inner rails and outer rails, said outer rails mounted to the server system rack and said inner rails mounted to said tray to movably secure said tray to the server system rack, such that said tray is movable from an inward position, substantially disposed within the server system rack, to an outward position, extending outward of the server system rack;

stationary mounts secured in fixed relation to said outer rails of said telescoping slide assemblies, rearward of said tray;

an electronic switch mounted to said stationary mounts, said electronic switch selectively operable to connect said keyboard and said flat panel display to selected ones of a plurality of servers;

a first cable set which connects the electronic switch to the input device and the flat panel display;

a plurality of cable sets connecting the plurality of servers to the electronic switch;

a flexible cable arm secured between said tray and one of said stationary mounts, said flexible cable arm having a plurality of linkages which are pivotally connected by hinges, said plurality of linkages together having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is pivotally fastened to the rack at a first fixed position relative to the rack and said second end is pivotally fastened to said drawer at a second fixed position relative to said drawer, and wherein said plurality of linkages extend from said first fixed position to second fixed position as said drawer is moved between said inward and outward positions relative to the rack; and

a toolless fastener mounted to at least one end of each of said outer rails, said toolless fastener having a latch member with a forwardly extending latch portion which is selectively moveable in a lineal direction to selectively engage within a rack frame of the server system rack.

21. The drawer according to claim 20, wherein said toolless fastener comprises:

a bracket having an elongated body, a first tab and a second tab which extend transverse to said elongated body, with said first tab being spaced apart from said second tab, said first tab having a slot formed into a side thereof and said second tab being disposed on a terminal end of said elongated body, said second tab having an aperture which is aligned in fixed relation with said slot formed in said first tab;

a latch member further having a guide portion which extends adjacent to and slidably engages said elongated body of said bracket, and said latch member further having flange which extends transverse to said guide portion, a post which extends from said flange generally parallel to said guide portion, and a latch tab which defines said forwardly extending portion and which extends parallel to said guide portion and outward of said flange, transverse to said flange;

said latch member being slidably engaged with said bracket, with said guide portion of said latch member extending adjacent to said elongated body of said bracket, said guide portion of said latch member having an aperture slidably receiving said first tab of said bracket, and said latch tab extending through said aperture in said second tab, and said post extending from said flange of said latch member into said slot in said first tab of said bracket;

a bias member extending between said first tab of said bracket and said flange of said latch member, such that said latch member is urged toward said second member with said latch tab protruding outward of said aperture of said latch tab; and

two protuberant members extending from said second tab member of said bracket, in a direction in which said latch tab protrudes from within said aperture of said latch tab, wherein said two protuberant members and said latch tab are lineally aligned to extend in parallel, transverse from a line along which said two protuberant members and said latch tab are lineally aligned, for fitting within mounting apertures of the rack frame of the server system rack.

22. The drawer according to claim 20, wherein said latch member of said toolless fastener comprises a rearward portion and a forward portion which are slidably engaged together, with said rearward portion fixedly secured to one of said outer rails, said forward portion slidably moveable relative to said rearward portion of said latch member, and said forward portion being formed to define said forwardly extending latch portion which is selectively moveable in lineal directions for selectively engaging the rack frame of the server system rack;

a bias spring which extends between said rearward portion and said forward portion of said latch member to urge said forward portion into a forwardly disposed position relative to said rearward portion;

said rearward portion and said forward portion each having generally cylindrical shapes, wherein said forward portion is formed to define a tapered nose section which tapers radially inward at a taper of approximately twenty degrees, from a larger size to a smaller size, in a direction which extends from said rearward portion toward the rack frame of the server system rack; and

said forward and said rearward portions having interior chambers which are defined for housing said bias spring, said rearward portion having an outer periphery which, on a forward section thereof, is enlarged to define a head, and said forward portion having a rearward end section which is sized for receiving said head and being crimped around said head to slidably secure said forward portion to said rearward portion.