Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6702412
-
Patent Number
6,702,412
-
Date Filed
Wednesday, September 19, 200122 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, March 9, 200420 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
- Mai; Lanna
- Anderson; Jerry A.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 312 205
- 312 3345
- 312 3348
- 312 3344
- 312 3481
- 312 3341
- 312 3301
- 312 333
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A track assembly, adapted to be mounted in a housing, having first and second rail members aligned with one another and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to the other. The joined first and second rail members have a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of the rail members. A spring, positioned between the rail members, provides a force extending the distance between the distal ends of the rail members. A locking mechanism interacts with the rail members and has a locked position resisting inward movement of the distal ends. The method of installing the track assembly in a rack is accomplished by compressing the track assembly to reduce its overall length prior to positioning it between opposing rack members. The track assembly is released to securely engage the opposing rack members and locked in position.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not applicable.
STATEMENTS REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a slide and rail assembly and method for installation in a rack, more particularly, to a slide and rail assembly and method for use in mounting a server in a rack.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are numerous incidences where a slide and rail assembly is used. For example, a slide and rail assembly is used pull out drawers or shelves. Typically, the rail is mounted in a case, rack or other framed assembly and the slide is attached to the drawer, shelf or other device. The slide cooperates with the rail and provides the extension mechanism for the drawer or shelf.
Typically, the mounting and installation of the slide and rail assembly involves mechanical fasteners requiring hand tools. This requires time and organization and is cumbersome. Additionally, there are many instances in which it may be desirable to make vertical adjustments in the arrangement of the drawers, shelves, etc. supported by the slide and rail assembly. For example, there are racks used to house servers for computer networks. The variation in the number, size and arrangement of the servers to be installed in the rack requires versatility in placement of the slide and rail assemblies. Furthermore, it is desirable to be able to install or adjust the assemblies with ease and with a minimum of mounting hardware and tools. A system is needed that will accommodate a variety of servers in a rack, both in size and quantity.
There is a need for a slide and rail assembly for installation in a rack that does not require the use of tools or fasteners. Additionally, it is desirable that the slide and rail assembly be simple to install and requires little time for the installation. Further, it is desirable that the slide and rail assembly be easy to remove, if desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a slide and rail assembly and method of installation in a rack that does not require the use of tools or fasteners. The invention includes a track assembly, adapted to be mounted in a rack or housing, having first and second rail members aligned and joined with one another and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to each other. The joined first and second rail members have a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of the rail members. The mounting brackets have a tab or tabs for insertion in slots in the rack. A spring, positioned between the rail members, provides a force extending the distance between the distal ends of the rail members.
The present invention includes a locking mechanism interacting with the rail members. The locking mechanism has a locked position resisting inward movement of the distal ends of the rail members. The locking mechanism includes a catch attached to one of the rail members and a trigger mounted to the other rail member. In the locked position, the relative inward movement of the rail members is limited by the trigger engaging the catch.
The method of installing the track assembly to the rack or housing is very simple and requires very little time. Additionally, the track assembly can also be very easily and quickly removed from the rack or housing, if desired. To install the track assembly to the rack, the mounting tab or tabs at one end of the rail assembly, for example the first rail member tabs, are inserted into the slots of the rack. The locking mechanism trigger is depressed and the rail assembly and spring is compressed longitudinally. The second rail member tabs are then aligned and inserted into the appropriate slots in the rack. As the spring expands forcing the second rail to extend with the member tabs in the appropriate slots, the catch moves relative to the trigger to a point where the spring-biased trigger engages the catch. When the rail assembly is installed in the rack, the trigger captures the catch such that they are contacting or in close proximity, thus preventing disengagement of the tabs from the rack slots unless the trigger is depressed to unlock the locking mechanism and allow inward relative movement of the support rail members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent by reference to the drawings which are appended hereto and wherein like numerals indicate like parts and wherein illustrated embodiments of the invention are shown, in which:
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a rail assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2
is a side elevation view of the rail assembly of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
is a top plan view of the rail assembly of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of a locking mechanism of the rail assembly of
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 5
is an enlarged elevation view of the locking mechanism prior to installation of the rail assembly in a rack;
FIG. 6
is an enlarged elevation view of the locking mechanism during the installation of the rail assembly in the rack;
FIG. 7
is an enlarged elevation view of the locking mechanism after installation of the rail assembly in the rack;
FIG. 8
is a perspective view of a slide assembly according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 9
is a perspective view of the sliding track assembly in the assembled condition with a portion of the slide assembly removed for clarity; and
FIG. 10
is a perspective view of the sliding track assembly installed in a rack.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
The present invention will now be described in greater detail with specific reference to the drawings. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the track assembly, generally designated as
10
, includes a rail assembly
20
and a slide assembly
60
as shown in FIG.
10
. The rail and slide assemblies,
20
and
60
respectively, are preferably adapted to quickly and easily attach securely together without the use of tools or other fasteners. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment as shown and described with respect to the attachment of the slide assembly
60
to the rail assembly
20
. In fact, the present invention is directed primarily to the features of the rail assembly
20
and the method of installation of the rail assembly
20
to a rack R. Thus, the track assembly
10
of the present invention does not even require the inclusion of a detachable slide assembly or a slide assembly mounted to the rail assembly
20
. For the sake of completeness in describing the use of the track assembly
10
to mount a device, such as a server, in a rack, the slide assembly
60
is shown and described.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rail assembly
20
includes a support rail
22
adapted to span between opposing members M of a rack, stand or other device as shown in FIG.
10
. In some instances it may be desirable to be able to adjust the elevation of the rail assemblies
20
in the rack R or other device or simply allow installation without the use of tools. Thus, the preferred embodiment of the rail assembly
20
, shown in
FIGS. 1-3
,
9
and
10
, is easy and quick to install and requires no tools for installation in the rack or removal from the rack R. It is to be understood that certain of the described features are not required for the track assembly
10
of the present invention but may be desirable.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the support rail
22
of the preferred embodiment comprises cooperating first and second rail members,
24
and
26
respectively. The support rail members
24
and
26
are generally C-shaped in cross-section with the second rail member
26
slightly smaller in height and width than the first rail member
24
so as to allow the second rail member
26
to slide within the first rail member
24
.
As shown in
FIG. 1
, the distal ends
24
a
and
26
a
of the rail members
24
and
26
, respectively, include mounting brackets
24
b
and
26
b
. Each mounting bracket
24
b
,
26
b
includes one or more mounting tabs
24
c
,
26
c
, respectively. The mounting tabs
24
c
,
26
c
are adapted to be received in mounting slots S in the rack R (FIG.
10
), stand, or other device in which the track assembly
10
is being installed.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the rail assembly
20
has a limited overall length adjustment. In an uninstalled condition, the rail assembly
20
is preferably slightly longer than the distance between opposing rack members M, whereas during installation the rail assembly
20
is preferably shorter than the distance of the opposing rack members M. In the preferred embodiment, the first and second rail members
24
and
26
are allowed limited longitudinal movement relative to each other. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the second rail member
26
is shown as having one or more longitudinal elongated slots
26
d
. A fastener
24
d
, such as a screw, having a head larger than the slot height is inserted through the elongated slot
26
d
and fastened to the first rail member
24
, preferably via a threaded connection. The fasteners
24
d
secure the rail members
24
and
26
to each other and allow sliding longitudinal movement limited to the length of the elongated slot
26
d.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, the rail assembly
20
includes a spring
28
, preferably a compression spring, positioned between opposing folded tabs
24
f
and
26
e
of the first and second rail members
24
and
26
, respectively, to provide a spring-biased force to extend the rail members
24
and
26
in an outwardly direction along their length. The spring
28
is compressed during the installation of the mounting tabs
24
c
,
26
c
in the rack slots S and thus serves to exert an outward force against each of the rail members
24
,
26
to maintain the mounting tabs
24
c
,
26
c
in their respective slots S.
Referring to
FIGS. 1-7
, the preferred embodiment of the rail assembly
20
may include a locking mechanism
30
comprised of a trigger
32
, a catch
34
and a spring
36
.
FIG. 4
shows an enlarged view of the locking mechanism
30
. Referring to
FIGS. 5-7
, the catch
34
is securely mounted to the inside portion of the second rail member
26
and the trigger
32
is pin or pivotally connected to the first rail member
24
. The catch
34
includes an angled face
34
a
adapted to engage a correspondingly angled trigger face
32
a
at the front
32
b
of the trigger
32
when the rail assembly
20
is installed as explained below. The trigger
32
has a rear
32
c
which extends through a window
24
e
(
FIG. 1
) in the first rail member
24
. The trigger spring
36
exerts a spring force to cause the front
32
b
of the trigger
32
to rotate towards the catch
34
and the rear
32
c
of the trigger
32
to extend through the window
24
e.
Installation of the rail assembly
20
described above will now be explained in detail. The rail assembly
20
and the locking mechanism
30
is initially in the position as shown in FIG.
5
. In the initial position of the rail assembly
20
, the compression spring
28
forces the first and second rail members
24
and
26
to the extended position and the catch
34
is not engaged by the trigger
32
as shown in FIG.
5
. The mounting tab or tabs at one end of the rail assembly
20
, for example the first rail member tabs
24
c
, are inserted into the slots S (
FIG. 10
) of the rack R. Referring next to
FIG. 6
, the trigger rear
32
c
is depressed and the rail assembly
20
is compressed longitudinally compressing the spring
28
and allowing the catch face
34
a
to pass below the raised trigger front
32
b
. The second rail member tabs
26
c
are then aligned and inserted into the appropriate slots S in the rack R as shown in FIG.
10
. As the spring
28
expands forcing the second rail to extend with the member tabs
26
c
in the appropriate slots S, the catch
34
moves relative to the trigger
32
to a point where the catch
34
travels beyond the trigger face
32
a
, thus permitting the face
32
a
of the spring-biased trigger
32
to engage the catch face
34
a
as shown in
FIGS. 1
,
2
and
7
. It is important to understand that when the rail assembly
20
is installed in the rack R, the trigger
32
captures the catch
34
and the faces
32
a
and
34
a
are contacting or in close proximity such that none of the tabs
24
c
and
26
c
can be disengaged from the rack slots S unless the trigger rear
32
c
is depressed to allow inward relative movement of the support rail members
22
and
24
.
Referring to
FIGS. 3 and 9
, the rail assembly
20
may include one or more shoulder standoffs
40
extending beyond a face
20
a
of the rail assembly
20
. The shoulder standoff
40
includes a short shaft
40
a
(FIG.
3
), preferably cylindrical, and a head
40
b
. Preferably, the head
40
b
is circular and has a diameter greater than the diameter of the short shaft
40
a
. The short shaft
40
a
extends generally perpendicularly from the rail assembly face
20
a
and the head
40
b
preferably includes a lower flat face
40
c
that is generally parallel with the rail assembly face
20
a.
With reference to
FIGS. 8 and 9
, the slide assembly
60
may include a slide member
62
having a generally flat surface
62
a
with a keyhole-shaped opening
62
b
for each shoulder standoff
40
. It is to be understood that in
FIG. 9
a portion of the slide assembly
60
has been removed for purposes of clarity. The opening
62
b
includes a slotted portion
62
c
which expands to an enlarged circular portion
62
d
. The slotted portion
62
c
has a height slightly greater than the short shaft
40
a
and the circular portion
62
d
is slightly greater than the diameter of the head
40
b
of the shoulder standoff
40
. Thus, to mount the slide assembly
60
to the rail assembly
20
the heads
40
b
of the shoulder standoffs
40
are inserted through the enlarged circular portions
62
d
of the slide member
62
and the slide member
62
slid such that the short shafts
40
a
are received in the slotted portion
62
c
and retained therein by the head
40
b
lower face contacting the slide member
62
.
Referring to
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the rail assembly
20
may include a latch mechanism
50
mounted to the rail assembly
20
. The latch mechanism
50
includes a spring plate
50
a
having a raised portion
50
b
which is allowed to extend through a window
20
b
in the rail assembly
20
. Preferably, the spring plate
50
a
is mounted to the rail assembly
20
near a first end
50
c
of the spring plate
50
a
. Referring to
FIG. 9
, the slide member
62
includes a latch opening
62
e
having an edge portion
62
f
adapted to engage a spring latch edge
50
d
of the raised portion
50
b
to lock the slide assembly
60
to the rail assembly
20
. As shown in
FIG. 9
, the spring latch edge
50
d
springs through the latch opening
62
e
adjacent the opening edge portion
62
f
upon the shoulder standoffs
40
becoming seated in the slotted portions
62
c
of the keyhole-shaped openings
62
b.
As described above, the method of assembling the slide assembly
60
to the rail assembly
20
is very simple and requires very little time. Furthermore, the slide assembly
60
can also be very easily and quickly removed from the rail assembly
20
, if desired. To install the slide assembly
60
to the rail assembly
20
, the keyhole-shaped openings
62
b
of the slide member
62
are positioned onto the shoulder standoffs
40
. The raised portion
50
b
of the spring latch mechanism
50
extending through window
20
b
is depressed by the slide member
62
contacting the rail assembly
20
. The slide member
62
is slid along the rail assembly
20
with the shoulder standoffs
40
within the keyhole-shaped openings
62
b
until the spring latch edge
50
d
of the raised portion
50
b
reaches the latch opening
62
e
and springs into the latch opening
62
e
. Once in position, the attached slide assembly
60
cannot be removed unless the raised portion
50
b
of the spring latch mechanism
50
is depressed below the latch opening
62
e
and the slide member
60
slid off of the shoulder standoffs
40
.
It is to be understood that the track assembly
10
has been described as a single assembly. However, it is to be understood that the track assembly
10
typically includes a left track assembly and right track assembly. Thus, a pair of track assemblies
10
will typically be used together to support a drawer, shelf, tray or other type of housing.
Furthermore, it is to be understood that the track assembly
10
of the present invention may or may not include the slide assembly
60
as shown and described. While the intended usage of the present invention typically includes a slide assembly
60
, a different type of slide assembly may be used in conjunction with the track assembly
10
. It is also to be understood that the slide assembly need not mount or be removed in the manner described above.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials, as well as in the details of illustrative construction and assembly, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
- 1. In a sliding track assembly adapted to be mounted in a rack, the sliding track assembly having a slide assembly mounted to a rail assembly, the improvement comprising the rail assembly having:first and second rail members joined longitudinally with relative longitudinal movement there between, each of said first and second rail members having a mounting bracket attached to a distal end of said rail member; and a locking mechanism interacting with said first and second rail members, said locking mechanism having a locked position limiting inward movement of said rail members. wherein said locking mechanism comprises: a catch attacked to one of said rail members; a trigger mounted to the other said rail member, wherein in said locked position the relative inward movement of said rail members is limited by said trigger engaging said catch.
- 2. The sliding track assembly of claim 1, wherein said trigger is biased in said locked position.
- 3. The sliding track assembly of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a spring to bias said trigger in said locked position.
- 4. The sliding track assembly of claim 1, wherein said trigger includes a rear portion extending beyond said first and second rail members in said locked position, wherein said rear portion is adapted to be manually manipulated to unlock said locking mechanism.
- 5. A track assembly adapted to be mounted in a housing, the track assembly comprising:a first rail member; a second rail member joined and aligned with said first rail member and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to said first rail member; said joined first and second rail members having a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of said joined rail members; a spring positioned between said joined first and second rail members providing a force extending the distance between said distal ends of said joined rail members; and a locking mechanism interacting with said first and second rail members, said locking mechanism having locked position resisting inward movement of said distal ends of said jointed rail members, wherein said first and second rail members slidably engage each other, further wherein said first and second rail members are C-shaped in cross-section with said second rail member having a height slightly less than the height of said first rail member.
- 6. A track assembly adapted to be mounted in a housing, the track assembly comprising:a first rail member; a second rail member joined and aligned with said first rail member and allowed limited relative longitudinal movement with respect to said first rail member; said joined first and second rail members having a mounting bracket attached to distal ends of said joined rail members; a spring positioned between said joined first and second rail members providing a force extending the distance between said distal ends of said joined rail members; and a locking mechanism interacting with said first and second rail members, said locking mechanism having locked position resisting inward movement of said distal ends of said jointed rail members, wherein said locking mechanism comprises: a catch attached to said second rail member; and a trigger mounted to said first rail member, wherein in said locked position said trigger limits inward movement of said second rail member.
- 7. The track assembly of claim 6, wherein said trigger is biased in said locked position.
- 8. The track assembly of claim 7, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a spring to bias said trigger in said locked position.
- 9. The track assembly of claim 6, wherein said trigger includes a rear portion extending beyond said first and second rail members in said locked position, wherein said rear portion is adapted to be manually manipulated to unlock said locking mechanism.
US Referenced Citations (5)