Locking mechanism for adaptor assembly of a server rack chassis

• US 8,915,557 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2012
• Issued: 12/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Doglio, Jean, Strmiska, Bernard D., Trotta, Richard D., Sim, Vibora
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, HANH VAN
• Application Number:
  US13/624,418
• Publication Number:
  US 20140084764A1
• Time in Patent Office: 823 Days
• Field of Search: 312/222, 312/319.1, 312/332.1, 312/223.2, 361/679.58, 361/679.59, 361/726, 292/194, 292/195, 292/198, 292/200, 292/219, 292/220, 292/228, 292/221, 292/226, 292/95, 292/96, 292/99, 292/100, 292/121, 292/122, 292/128, 292/126, 292/DIG.69
• US Class Current: 312/223.2
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/1489 characterized by the mounting of blades therein, e.g. brackets, rails, trays H05K7/1491 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/595 Lever

Abstract

A locking mechanism includes a latch, a handle, a first link, and a second link. The latch to engage with a recess of a server rack chassis, and to lock an adaptor assembly within the server rack chassis. The handle is connected to the latch, and engages and disengages the latch with the recess. The first link includes a first stub. The first link puts the first stub in an up position in response to the handle being in a down position, and puts the first stub in a down position in response to the handle being in an up position. The second link includes a second stub. The second link puts the second stub in a down position in response to the handle being in the down position, and puts the second stub in an up position in response to the handle being in the up position.

Claims

1. A locking mechanism comprising:

a latch to engage with a recess of a server rack chassis, and to lock an adaptor assembly within the server rack chassis;

a handle connected to the latch, the handle to engage and disengage the latch with the recess;

a first link including a first stub, the first link to put the first stub in an up position in response to the handle being in a down position, and to put the first stub in a down position in response to the handle being in an up position;

a second link including a second stub, the second link to put the second stub in a down position in response to the handle being in the down position, and to put the second stub in an up position in response to the handle being in the up position;

a spring connected to the latch, the spring to bias the latch in a locked position;

wherein the first stub is placed in physical communication with a third stub of a chassis plate in the server rack chassis when the adaptor assembly is in a first position within the server rack chassis, the second stub engages the third stub of the chassis plate in the server rack chassis when the latch snaps within the recess, wherein the second stub pulls the adaptor assembly further into the server rack chassis and places the adaptor assembly in a second location when the latch is placed in the locked position.

2. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the latch deflects away from the recess until a hook portion of the latch is beyond a lip of the recess and snaps back to the locked position when the hook portion is beyond the lip.

3. The locking mechanism of claim 1 wherein the first stub is pushed against the third stub of the server rack chassis to reject an adaptor assembly from the server rack chassis when the handle is in a down position.

4. The locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a frame to connect the first link to an arm that is connected to the handle, and to connect the first link with the second link, wherein the frame controls the first link and the second link to rotate in opposite directions.

5. The locking mechanism of claim 1 further comprising:

a release connected to the handle and to the latch, the release to cause the latch to move to an unlock position in response to the release being in an extended position.

6. An adaptor assembly comprising:

an enclosure configured to be placed within a server rack chassis and to receive a quarter height server; and

a locking mechanism in physical communication with the enclosure, the locking mechanism including;

a latch to engage with a recess of a server rack chassis, and to lock the adaptor assembly within the server rack chassis;

a handle connected to the latch, the handle to engage and disengage the latch into a locked position within the recess;

a first link including a first stub, the first link to put the first stub in an up position in response to the handle being in a down position, and to put the first stub in a down position in response to the handle being in an up position; and

a second link including a second stub, the second link to put the second stub in a down position in response to the handle being in the down position, and to put the second stub in an up position in response to the handle being in the up position;

wherein the first stub is placed in physical communication with a third stub of a chassis plate in the server rack chassis when the adaptor assembly is in a first position within the server rack chassis, the second stub engages the third stub of the chassis plate in the server rack chassis when the latch snaps within the recess, wherein the second stub pulls the adaptor assembly further into the server rack chassis and places the adaptor assembly in a second location when the latch is placed in the locked position.

7. The adaptor assembly of claim 6 wherein the latch deflects away from the recess until a hook portion of the latch is beyond a lip of the recess and snaps back to the locked position when the hook portion is beyond the lip.

8. The adaptor assembly of claim 6 wherein the first stub is pushed against the third stub of the server rack chassis to reject an adaptor assembly from the server rack chassis when the handle is in a down position.

9. The adaptor assembly of claim 6 wherein the locking mechanism further comprises:

a release connected to the handle and to the latch, the release to cause the latch to move to an unlock position in response to the release being in an extended position.

10. A server rack chassis comprising:

a bay configured to receive a full height server;

an enclosure inserted within the bay, the enclosure to receive a quarter height server; and

a locking mechanism in physical communication with the enclosure, the locking mechanism including;

a latch to engage with a recess of the server rack chassis, and to lock an adaptor assembly within the server rack chassis;

a handle connected to the latch, the handle to engage and disengage the latch with the recess;

a first link including a first stub, the first link to put the first stub in an up position in response to the handle being in a down position, and to put the first stub in a down position in response to the handle being in an up position; and

a second link including a second stub, the second link to put the second stub in a down position in response to the handle being in the down position, and to put the second stub in an up position in response to the handle being in the up position;

wherein the first stub is placed in physical communication with a third stub of a chassis plate in the server rack chassis when the adaptor assembly is in a first position within the server rack chassis, the second stub engages the third stub of the chassis plate in the server rack chassis when the latch snaps within the recess, wherein the second stub pulls the adaptor assembly further into the server rack chassis and places the adaptor assembly in a second location when the latch is placed in the locked position.

11. The server rack of claim 10 wherein the latch deflects away from the recess until a hook portion of the latch is beyond a lip of the recess and snaps back to the locked position when the hook portion is beyond the lip.

12. The server rack of claim 10 wherein the first stub is pushed against the third stub of the server rack chassis to reject an adaptor assembly from the server rack chassis when the handle is in a down position.

13. The server rack of claim 10 further comprising:

a frame to connect the first link to an arm that is connected to the handle, and to connect the first link with the second link, wherein the frame controls the first link and the second link to rotate in opposite directions.