Adaptable rack mountable power distribution apparatus

• US 7,312,980 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2007
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Original Assignee: Server Technology Incorporated (Legrand SA)
• Inventors: Ewing, Carrel W., Cleveland, Andrew J., Maskaly, James P., McGlumphy, Dennis W.
• Primary Examiner(s): DATSKOVSKIY, MICHAIL V
• Application Number:
  US11/715,521
• Publication Number:
  US 20070159775A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 361622-628, 361642-648, 361/727, 361/657, 361/833, 361/836, 361601-602, 307/39, 307/112, 307/10.1, 307/150, 307/29, 307/38, 307/41, 307/115, 307/125, 307/126, 307/141, 307/141.4, 307/143, 307/34, 307/11, 307/18, 307/32, 307/43, 337/186, 337/189, 312/223.1, 312/223.2, 312/233.3, 312/265.1, 312/265.3, 312/265.5, 174/48, 174/49, 174/70.C, 174/72.C
• US Class Current: 361/622
• CPC Class Codes: H02B 1/306 Accessories, e.g. windows
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1492 having electrical distribution arrangements, e.g. power supply or data communications

Abstract

Embodiments of a power distribution apparatus that is adaptable to be readily mounted within a variety of differing types of electronic equipment racks are herein described. One such embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having an upper mounting adapter. The upper mounting adapter may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein. Another embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having a lower mounting adapter. The lower mounting adapter may be attachable to the housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed in the housing. A further embodiment provides power distribution apparatus having at least one mounting peg mounting in mating holes formed in a rack. The mounting pegs may be attachable to a housing of the power distribution apparatus or may be integrally formed therein. Other embodiments provide power distribution apparatus having rack mounting channels or access openings formed in at least one of a plurality of sides.

Claims

1. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing;

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing; and

at least one fastener passage penetrating the back side of the housing, whereby at least one rack mounting element may be secured to the back side of the housing.

2. The power distribution apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one rack mounting element comprises at least one mounting peg adapted to be received by slotted mounting holes formed in a side of a rack.

3. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing; and

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing;

wherein the mounting bracket disposable on at least one of the first and second ends of the housing comprises a center horizontal planar section and two vertically downward extending lower planar sections on opposing sides of the center horizontal planar section.

4. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing; and

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing;

wherein the rack mounting brackets are integrally formed on the first and second ends of the housing.

5. A power distribution apparatus fur an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending, intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating of the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing;

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing; and

a plurality of mounting pegs disposed on the back side of the power distribution apparatus, the plurality of mounting pegs adapted to be inserted through corresponding slotted mounting holes in a side of an electronic equipment rack.

6. The power distribution apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of mounting pegs are removably secured to the back side of the power distribution apparatus.

7. The power distribution apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality of mounting pegs are integrally formed on the back side of the power distribution apparatus.

8. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing; and

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing;

wherein the mounting bracket disposable on at least one of the first and second ends of the housing comprises a horizontal plate section attachable to the respective end of the housing and a vertical plate section attachable to an electronic equipment rack.

9. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the owner distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing; and

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing;

wherein the mounting bracket disposable on at least one of the first and second ends comprises a horizontal plate portion having at least a first end and a second end, a vertical plate portion being located at each of the first end and the second end of the horizontal plate portion, the horizontal plate portion and the vertical plate portions forming a channel that may abut a portion of an electronic equipment rack, thereby at least partially securing the power distribution unit against movement relative to the rack.

10. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination;

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing; and

disparate rack mounting brackets each disposable on a respective first and second end of the housing;

wherein each of the mounting brackets are generally L-shaped.

11. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing;

a plurality of rack mounting brackets with at least a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket alternately disposable on a respective first or second end of the housing; and

at least one fastener passage penetrating the back side of the housing, whereby at least one rack mounting element may be secured to the buck side of the housing.

12. The power distribution apparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one rack mounting element comprises at least one mounting peg adapted to be received by slotted mounting holes brined in a side of a rack.

13. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing; and

a plurality of rack mounting brackets with at least a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket alternately disposable on a respective first or second end of the housing;

wherein at least one of the first and second mounting brackets comprises a center horizontal planar section and two vertically downward extending lower planar sections on opposing sides of the center horizontal planar section.

14. A power distribution apparatus for an electronic equipment rack, the power distribution apparatus comprising in combination:

a housing extending longitudinally from a first end to a second end, a longitudinal face intermediate the first end and second end, a first side wall extending intermediate the first end and second end, a second side wall opposing the first side wall and extending intermediate the first end and second end, and a longitudinal back side opposite the longitudinal face and extending intermediate the first end and second end;

at least one power input penetrating the housing;

a plurality of power outlets penetrating the longitudinal face of the housing;

a plurality of rack mounting brackets with at least a first mounting bracket and a second mounting bracket alternately disposable on a respective first or second end of the housing;

wherein at least one of the first and second rack mounting brackets is integrally formed on a respective end of the housing.