Method and system for securing a personal computer to a rack

Details Method and system for securing a personal computer to a rack Method and system for securing a personal computer to a rack

2000-06-15

2001-08-28

Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)

Supports: racks

Special article

Electrically powered

C211S189000, C312S223200, C361S689000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06279755

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to computers, and more particularly relates to personal computers, and even more particularly relates to methods and systems for securing personal computers into racks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, industrial personal computers have become increasingly prevalent in many industries. It is not uncommon today to see rows of industrial PCs arranged in racks. These racks of PCs are typically massive objects which remain generally stationary during normal operation. However, the racks and the computers within them may be subject to vibration, bumps, and other physical disturbances. It is generally desirable to have the PC securely mounted in the racks to prevent damage and/or cabling disconnections. A typical rack attachment approach is to use a faceplate on the PC which is slightly larger than the remaining exterior of the PC chassis. The faceplate is then screwed to a support structure located between the PCs in the rack. While many of these industrial PCs are often designed and manufactured to higher standards than consumer PCs, they still are occasionally in need of repair. When this happens, the PC is usually required to be removed from the rack.
While these enlarged faceplates, with mounting screws therethrough, have been used extensively in the past, they do have some drawbacks. First of all, it requires time, and it may require tools, to unscrew the mounting screws. Also, when these PCs are used outside of a rack, the oversized faceplate can cause problems. For example, the PC will often be sitting at an angle on a desktop etc., and then only having very limited contact with the desktop. Otherwise, the use of a desk-mount adapter, which is essentially a sleeve into which the PC is inserted, is required. If a desk-mount adapter is not used, then the desktop may also be subject to undesirable wear along the areas of contact, and the PC may be unstable and susceptible to tipping or slipping off the desktop.
Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for securing a PC into a rack of PCs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for securing a PC in a rack in an efficient manner.
It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a retractable base latch hook.
It is another feature of the present invention to include a front panel actuated latch handle.
It is an advantage of the present invention to achieve quick release of the PC from the PC rack.
It is another advantage of the present invention to reduce the need for desktop adapters.
It is another advantage of the present invention to provide an attractive faceplate.
The present invention is an apparatus and method securing industrial personal computers to a rack. The invention is designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “mounting screw and enlarged faceplate-less” manner in a sense that the size of enlarged faceplates and the use of mounting screws have been greatly reduced.
Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method including an industrial computer, having a retractable rack hook, which is actuated by a front panel mounted handle.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5216904 (1993-06-01), Isaki
patent: 5765933 (1998-06-01), Paul et al.
patent: 5822184 (1998-10-01), Rabinovitz
patent: 6123203 (2000-09-01), Gibbons
patent: 6181549 (2001-01-01), Mills et al.
patent: 6193339 (2001-02-01), Behl et al.

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