Information
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Patent Grant
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6276952
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Patent Number
6,276,952
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Date Filed
Thursday, March 16, 200024 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, August 21, 200123 years ago
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 439 345
- 439 359
- 439 378
- 439 371
- 439 373
- 174 54
- 174 66
- 174 67
- 248 51
- 248 742
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International Classifications
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Abstract
For use with an electronics chassis having a chassis plug mounted to a wall thereof, a retention bracket for securing an outlet end of a line cord to the chassis plug and methods of operating and manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the bracket includes: (1) a strap that defines a receiver for accepting and surrounding a body of the outlet end, the strap terminating in first and second locking members projecting radially from the receiver and having corresponding alignable first and second strap apertures and (2) first and second chassis anchors projecting from the strap in a direction substantially parallel to a centerline of the receiver, the outlet end engageable with the chassis plug, the first and second chassis anchors lockable with the wall via corresponding chassis apertures therein, a brace projecting from the wall and having a brace aperture aligning with the first and second strap apertures.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in general, to electronics chasses and, more specifically, to a line cord retention bracket employable to secure a line cord to an electronics chassis and method of manufacturing and using such bracket.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Chasses are traditionally employed to encase and support electronic equipment, such as audio equipment, personal computers or television sets. Such electronic equipment requires electrical power to operate. A “line cord” is commonly employed to convey the necessary power from (typically) a wall outlet to the equipment.
In older equipment, line cords were permanently fixed (or “hard-wired”) to their respective pieces of electronic equipment. One conventional configuration called for the line cord to exit the chassis through a modest aperture of perhaps twice the diameter of the cord. A compliant grommet or plastic through-hole clamp was interposed between the line cord and the edge of the aperture to protect the insulation about the line cord from being cut on the edge. A strain relief knot (in the case of a grommet) or the through-hole clamp itself further functioned to prevent any pulling forces that may be exerted on the line cord from being transmitted to its termination within the chassis, and thus reducing the risk of harm to the equipment.
Although hard-wired line cords were not dramatically disadvantageous (and, for that reason, are still in wide use today), some problems were experienced. For example, cord management became an issue with longer line cords. If the electronic equipment was desired to be moved, something had to be done about the line cord; either it was hastily wrapped around the chassis or bundled and tied to keep it neat. Further, as hard-wired line cords aged, they became brittle and tended to fatigue, particularly where they met the grommet or through-hole clamp. Because they were hard-wired, workmanlike replacement meant opening the chassis, disconnecting (perhaps by unsoldering) the line cord from its electrical connections in the chassis, untying any strain relief knot or releasing the through-hole clamp (not usually trivial) and finally reversing these steps to install the new line cord.
To address these disadvantages, more expensive electronic equipment is provided with removable line cords. One popular configuration calls for a countersunk plug to be located on a wall of the chassis. A line cord having a plug on one end and an outlet on the other is then employed. The outlet end is coupled to the countersunk plug and the plug end is plugged into a wall outlet. One widely-used type of plug and outlet is called an “IEC” (International Electrotechnical Commission) connector. IEC connectors are described, for example, in IEC Standard 60320, which is incorporated herein by reference. Those skilled in the pertinent art will recognize IEC connectors as being widely used in personal computers.
Unfortunately, removable line cords are not without their own problems. Perhaps the most common problem associated with using a removable line cord is the ease with which the line cord outlet can accidentally be separated from the plug on the chassis wall, having its most undesirable consequence when the equipment is being used. Separation may result if someone trips over a line cord or as the equipment itself is moved. Complete separation need not even occur; separation sufficient to break a single power connection to the chassis will interrupt the flow of current and cripple the equipment.
To address this problem, line cord retaining brackets were introduced. Today's line cord retaining brackets comprise a clamp that constricts about the body of the line cord outlet end. The clamp has two side-projecting flanges that, after the outlet is joined to the countersunk plug, are screwed to the chassis wall.
Although conventional line cord retaining brackets provide some benefits, they also bring some problems. First, conventional retaining brackets require multiple screws to affix the retaining brackets to the chassis wall. As a result, the task of coupling the retaining bracket to the chassis wall requires a screwdriver not only to clamp the bracket about the body of the line cord outlet, but also to mount the bracket to the chassis wall. Second, because the typical retaining bracket requires screws to hold it in position, the flanges must be large enough to accept the threads, and bear against the heads, of the mounting screws. As a result, conventional retaining brackets consume a significant amount of chassis wall area. As electronics chasses shrink, and their wall area is called upon to accommodate increasing numbers and sizes of features (such as switches, lights and cooling fans), the retaining bracket area penalty becomes evermore prominent.
Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a line cord retaining bracket that is faster and easier to couple to, and decouple from, a chassis wall, and occupies less area of the chassis wall, than those found in the prior art. In addition, what is needed in the art are methods of operating and manufacturing such retaining brackets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art, the present invention provides, for use with an electronics chassis having a chassis plug mounted to a wall thereof, a retention bracket for securing an outlet end of a line cord to the chassis plug and methods of operating and manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the bracket includes: (1) a strap that defines a receiver for accepting and surrounding a body of the outlet end, the strap terminating in first and second locking members projecting radially from the receiver and having corresponding alignable first and second strap apertures, (2) first and second chassis anchors projecting from the strap in a direction substantially parallel to a centerline of the receiver, the outlet end engageable with the chassis plug, the first and second chassis anchors lockable with the wall via corresponding chassis apertures therein, a brace projecting from the wall and having a brace aperture aligning with the first and second strap apertures and (3) a fastener, passable through the first strap aperture, the brace aperture and the second strap aperture to constrict the receiver and secure the body with respect to the strap, the first and second chassis apertures and the fastener cooperating to secure the retention bracket with respect to the wall and thereby the outlet end with the chassis plug.
The present invention therefore introduces the broad concept of engaging the wall of a chassis with a bracket in a fundamentally different way. Instead of requiring multiple fasteners to connect the bracket to the wall, space-efficient chassis anchors are used to lock with the wall and cooperate with a single fastener to secure the bracket to the wall. The present invention enjoys substantial utility in that it requires fewer fasteners and is therefore faster to secure and remove than prior art retention brackets and, in one embodiment, employs chassis anchors that require less chassis wall area than prior art mounting flanges.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap has a shape that conforms to a perimeter of the body. Conforming to the body perimeter advantageously increases the clamping effect of the strap on the body.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the outlet end contains an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) connector. Of course, the broad scope of the present invention is not limited to a particular type, current rating or configuration of outlet or plug.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the strap comprises metal. The strap may alternatively comprise plastic or any other suitable material.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the second strap aperture is bounded by threads. In a related embodiment, the fastener is a single bolt. Alternatively, a separate nut may be used, or the first and second locking members may be held together by any other fastening or clamping structure.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the bracket further includes first and second chassis anchor offsets, interposed between the strap and the first and second chassis anchors, respectively, that increase a separation of the first and second chassis anchors. The chassis anchor offsets, while not required by the present invention, advantageously allow additional separation between the chassis apertures and the chassis plug, which typically increases the overall force that the bracket can exert on the chassis wall without deforming the wall proximate the chassis apertures.
The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, preferred and alternative features of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1
illustrates an exploded isometric view of a chassis wall, a line cord and a retention bracket constructed according to the principles of the present invention; and
FIG. 2
illustrates a retention bracket, constructed according to the principles of the present invention, securing a line cord to a chassis wall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring initially to
FIG. 1
, illustrated is an exploded isometric view of a chassis wall
100
, a line cord
120
and a retention bracket
130
constructed according to the principles of the present invention. The chassis wall
100
includes a chassis plug aperture
102
in which a chassis plug (not illustrated) is located. An outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
passes through the plug aperture
102
as the line cord
120
is coupled to the chassis plug. The chassis wall
100
further includes ventilation apertures (one of which is designated
104
) that allow air to pass through the chassis wall
100
and communicate with a cooling fan (not illustrated) to maintain an acceptable temperature for components (not illustrated). The chassis wall
100
further includes mounting screws
106
that secure the chassis wall
100
to remaining chassis portions (not shown). The chassis wall
100
still further includes first and second chassis apertures
108
,
110
and a projecting chassis brace
112
having a brace aperture
114
.
The line cord
120
includes an insulated cord
122
and an outlet end
124
. The insulated cord
122
is employed to transmit electrical current therethrough. The outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
passes through the chassis plug aperture
102
and couples to the chassis plug located within the chassis wall
100
. In the illustrated embodiment, the outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
contains an IEC connector. Of course, the broad scope of the present invention is not limited to a particular type, current rating or configuration of the outlet end
124
. In addition, the present invention is not limited to a particular type, current rating or configuration of the insulated cord
122
used in the line cord
120
.
The retention bracket
130
includes a strap
132
that defines a receiver. The strap
132
accepts and surrounds the body of the outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
as the outlet end
124
passes through the receiver. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap
132
has a shape that conforms to a perimeter of the body of the outlet end
124
. Conforming to the perimeter of the body of the outlet end
124
advantageously increases the clamping effect of the strap
132
on the body. However, the strap
132
is not limited to any particular shape, and the present invention is broad enough to encompass a strap
132
of any shape. In addition, the illustrated strap
132
is manufactured from metal. However, the strap
132
may alternatively be manufactured from plastic or any other suitable material. In a manner to be shown in greater detail, the chassis brace
112
cooperates with the retention bracket
130
and the anchor arms
144
to secure the retention bracket
130
to the chassis wall
100
and thereby the line cord
120
to the chassis plug.
The retention bracket
130
further includes alignable first and second locking members
134
,
136
projecting from the strap
132
. The locking members
134
,
136
project radially from the centerline illustrated (though not separately referenced) in the receiver formed by the strap
132
. In addition, the first locking member
134
includes a first strap aperture
138
, and the second locking member
136
includes a second strap aperture
140
. The retention bracket
130
still further includes first and second chassis anchors (one of which is designated
142
) projecting from one side of the strap
132
. The first and second chassis anchors
142
project in a direction that is substantially parallel to the centerline of the receiver formed by the strap
132
. The first and second chassis anchors
142
include corresponding first and second anchor arms (one of which is designated
144
) for locking with the chassis wall
100
through the first and second chassis apertures
108
,
110
, respectively.
FIG. 1
further illustrates a fastener
150
. In the illustrated embodiment, the fastener
150
is a single bolt. In addition, the second strap aperture
140
is illustrated as being bounded by threads. Alternatively, a separate nut (not illustrated) may be used, or the first and second locking members
134
,
136
may be held together by any other fastening or clamping structure.
The retention bracket
130
is employed to secure the line cord
120
to the chassis wall
100
as follows. The body of the outlet end
124
is passed through the receiver formed by the strap
132
. Once through the receiver, the body of the outlet end
124
is also passed through the chassis plug aperture
102
and coupled to the chassis plug. The first and second chassis anchors
142
are then passed through the corresponding first and second chassis apertures
108
,
110
where the first and second anchor arms
144
lock with the chasis wall
100
.
In the illustrated embodiment, the retention bracket
130
further includes first and second chassis anchor offsets (one of which is designated
146
), interposed between the strap
132
and the first and second chassis anchors
142
, respectively. Employing the chasis anchor offsets
146
increase the separation of the first and second chassis anchors
142
. The chassis anchor offsets
146
, while not required by the present invention, advantageously allow additional separation between the chassis apertures
108
,
110
and the chassis plug aperture
102
, which typically increases the overall force that the retention bracket
130
can exert on the chasis wall
100
without deforming the chassis wall
100
proximate chassis apertures
108
,
110
.
Next, the fastener
150
is passed through the first strap aperture
138
of the first locking member
134
, through the brace aperture
114
of the chassis brace
112
, then through the second strap aperture
140
of the second locking member
136
. As the fastener
150
is tightened, the receiver of the strap
132
is constricted around the body of the outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
to secure the strap
132
and the body of the outlet end
124
together. In this manner, the first and second locking members
134
,
136
, the chassis brace
112
, the fastener
150
, and the anchor arms
144
cooperate to secure the retention bracket
130
to the chassis wall
100
and the line cord
120
to the chassis plug. Specifically, once the fastener
150
is in place, the anchor arms
144
are passed through and locked within the chassis apertures
108
,
110
. Thus, the retention bracket
130
is locked with the chassis wall
100
, helping to retain the line cord
120
in place.
The retention bracket
130
illustrated in
FIG. 1
achieves significant advantages over retention brackets found in the prior art. Instead of requiring multiple fasteners to connect the retention bracket
130
to the chassis wall
100
, the present invention employs space-efficient chassis anchors
142
. The chassis anchors
142
are used to lock with the chassis wall
100
and cooperate with a single fastener
150
to secure the retention bracket
130
to the chassis wall
100
.
Turning now to
FIG. 2
, illustrated is a side elevational view of the retention bracket
130
of
FIG. 1
as the bracket
130
is employed to secure a line cord
120
to a chassis wall
100
.
FIG. 2
is included primarily to illustrate the alignment of the chassis anchors
142
with the chassis wall
100
, and the locking members
134
,
136
with the chassis brace
112
. After the body of the outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
is passed through the strap
132
, the chassis anchors
142
are passed through the chassis apertures
108
,
110
. Once through, the retention bracket
130
is moved slightly downward so that the anchor arms
144
engage the side of the chassis wall
100
opposite the retention bracket
130
. By positioning the retention bracket
130
so that the anchor arms
144
are locked with the chassis wall
100
through the chassis apertures
108
,
110
, the first and second strap apertures
138
,
140
and the chassis brace aperture
114
become substantially aligned.
Once the apertures
138
,
140
,
114
are aligned, the single fastener (not illustrated) may pass through the first and second locking members
134
,
136
and the chassis brace
112
. As discussed above, the single fastener both constricts the strap
132
around the body of the outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
, and secures the line cord
120
to the chassis plug (not illustrated) located within the chassis wall
100
. To remove the line cord
120
from the chassis plug, only the single fastener need be removed. By removing the single fastener, the strap
132
loosens and therefore no longer clamps the body of the outlet end
124
of the line cord
120
and the line cord
120
can be removed from the retention bracket
130
. Then, the user may simply move the retention bracket
130
slightly upward and extract the retention bracket
130
from the chassis wall
100
quickly and easily, and without requiring a tool.
Although the present invention has been described in detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can make various changes, substitutions and alterations herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
Claims
- 1. For use with an electronics chassis having a chassis plug mounted to a wall thereof, a retention bracket for securing an outlet end of a line cord to said chassis plug, comprising:a strap that defines a receiver for accepting and surrounding a body of said outlet end, said strap terminating in first and second locking members projecting radially from said receiver and having corresponding alignable first and second strap apertures; first and second chassis anchors projecting from said strap in a direction substantially parallel to a centerline of said receiver, said outlet end engageable with said chassis plug, said first and second chassis anchors lockable with said wall via corresponding chassis apertures therein, a brace projecting from said wall and having a brace aperture aligning with said first and second strap apertures; and a fastener, passable through said first strap aperture, said brace aperture and said second strap aperture to constrict said receiver and secure said body with respect to said strap, said first and second chassis apertures and said fastener cooperating to secure said retention bracket with respect to said wall and thereby said outlet end with said chassis plug.
- 2. The bracket as recited in claim 1 wherein said strap has a shape that conforms to a perimeter of said body.
- 3. The bracket as recited in claim 1 wherein said outlet end contains an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) connector.
- 4. The bracket as recited in claim 1 wherein said strap comprises metal.
- 5. The bracket as recited in claim 1 wherein said second strap aperture is bounded by threads.
- 6. The bracket as recited in claim 1 wherein said fastener is a single bolt.
- 7. The bracket as recited in claim 1 further comprising first and second chassis anchor offsets, interposed between said strap and said first and s econd chassis anchors, respectively, that increase a separation of said first and second chassis anchors.
- 8. A method of securing an outlet end of a line cord to a chassis plug mounted to a wall of an electronics chassis, comprising:inserting a body of said outlet end into a receiver of a strap, said strap terminating in first and second locking members projecting radially from said receiver and having corresponding alignable first and second strap apertures; engaging said outlet end with said chassis plug, first and second chassis anchors projecting from said strap in a direction substantially parallel to a centerline of said receiver and locking with said wall via corresponding chassis apertures therein, a brace projecting from said wall and having a brace aperture aligning with said first and second strap apertures; and passing a fastener through said first strap aperture, said brace aperture and said second strap aperture to constrict said receiver and secure said body with respect to said strap, said first and second chassis apertures and said fastener cooperating to secure said retention bracket with respect to said wall and thereby said outlet end with said chassis plug.
- 9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said strap has a shape that conforms to a perimeter of said body.
- 10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said outlet end contains an International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) connector.
- 11. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said strap comprises metal.
- 12. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said second strap aperture is bounded by threads, said method further comprising the step of turning said fastener to engage said fastener with said threads.
- 13. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein said fastener is a single bolt.
- 14. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein first and second chassis anchor offsets increase a separation of said first and second chassis anchors.
US Referenced Citations (6)