US20070235402A1

US20070235402A1 - Slide bearing supporting frame

Info

Publication number: US20070235402A1
Application number: US11/393,525
Authority: US
Inventors: Jui-Lin Chen; Tsung-Bin Tsai
Original assignee: Inventec Corp
Current assignee: Inventec Corp
Priority date: 2006-03-29
Filing date: 2006-03-29
Publication date: 2007-10-11

Abstract

A slide bearing supporting frame for supporting and mounting a slide bearing to a rack having locking holes, includes at least one locking part penetrating at least one of the locking holes and for being locked to the at least one of the locking holes of the rack via a fixer, for allowing the slide bearing frame to be fixed on a rack with locking holes of different sizes.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to slide bearing locking techniques, and more particularly to a slide bearing supporting frame with a rack having locking holes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The usage of electronic devices has been widely diffused to different age groups. In order to keep up competitiveness in the electronic market, the design, fabricating, and assembly of the electronic device must be advanced unceasingly. Thus, any improvement in any area of the electronic device which simplify the structure, increase the convenience of assembly or reduce fabricating cost all have high commercial values which are in accord with the spirit of patent low to promote, protect and utilize invention. Based on this, the inventor is devoted to the development of an improved locking technique of slide bearing.
In regards to servers, in many enterprises prefer individual servers are integrated to decrease cost and complicated management of individual servers. Up to date, typically the integration is achieved through 1U or 2U rack to replace the upright typed server so as to reduce the occupied space, thereby allowing the user to manage the data more efficiently.
Since every server has standalone equipment such as a power supply cable, Ethernet, system management, power supply, keyboard/monitor/mouse interface and optic switch, a server rack must be used to integrate multiple servers in parallel.
As shown in FIG. 1, typically a server slide bearing 10 is mounted on a longitudinal post 30 via a slid bearing supporting frame 20. The slide bearing supporting frame 20 uprightly mounted on the longitudinal post 30 has a plurality of locking holes 20 corresponding with a plurality of locking holes 301 on the longitudinal post 30 for locking the slide bearing supporting frame 20 on the server rack. Such that after the serves (not shown) are locked to the slide bearing 10, the servers are then mounted one by one into the server cabinet (not shown).
However, this convention technique for locking the server on the rack via square holes, the slide bearing supporting frame 20 must be mounted on the outer surface of the longitudinal post 30 of the rack and can only used in the rack having square holes and screw holes, therefore not applicable to racks of different models. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, this type of locking method in the prior art requires square-like screw nut 40 to cap on the square hole, which not only increases cost, but also is time consuming to use tools to assemble and dissemble, and in addition this type of locking technique also restrict the use of types of longitudinal post 30 and slide bearing supporting frame 20.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, forming a screw hole 203 on the longitudinal post 30 of the rack is also proposed to lock the slide bearing supporting frame (not shown) to the screw hole 203 using screws. However this type of design requires providing additionally a base to support the longitudinal post 30 of the rack thereby is only applicable when the slide bearing supporting frame is mounted on the outside surface of the longitudinal post 30, but not applicable for inside installation.
Besides, T.W. Patent No. M259213 proposes a slide bearing locking technique using a U-shaped clamp and a magnetic plate whereby is used in locking slide bearing supporting frame onto the rack having square or circular locking hole. This invention came with a server rack, and at least at least one server slide bearing. The server rack comprises a plurality of longitudinal post, which are formed with a plurality of transverse through hole. The U-shaped clamp is mounted on one end of the server slide bearing and a locking element is mounted transversely on one side of the U-shaped clamp while a transverse locking post is extendingly formed on the opposing side of the U-shaped clamp. The magnetic locking plate is formed transversely with a opening, and a locking hole. Extending outwardly from the edge of the opening, a protruding part is formed thereon. The magnetic locking plate is attached onto one of the transverse post via magnetic and the opening and locking hole of the magnetic locking plate are formed corresponding to the two transverse through holes of the transverse post. The bump of the opening is inserted into the corresponding transverse through hole while the U-shaped clamp is formed opposing to the opening and the transverse through hole opposing to the opening. The transverse locking post is inserted into the opposing locking hole of the magnetic locking plate.
However, many components are involved in the foregoing patents and each component is structurally complex which is difficult to fabricate and the fabricating cost is respectively higher. Moreover, since this conventional technology requires a large number of components, assembly requires the use tools which is time and energy consuming, not only negatively affecting the efficiency in assembly, but also increase the cost in assembly, making it less than ideal in commercial use.
Thus, there is an urgent need for developing a simple structure, which can be used in different models of server racks, so as to effectively elevate commercial values in the industry and solve the foregoing drawbacks in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the view of prior art drawbacks, a primary objective of the present invention is to provide a simple structured slide bearing supporting frame for used in different models of server racks.
Another objective of the invention is to provide a slide bearing supporting frame with less components.
Still another objectives of the invention is to provide a slide bearing supporting frame for convenient assembly.
A further objective of the invention is to provide a slide bearing supporting frame, which is cost effective.
In order to achieve the foregoing and other objectives, the present invention proposes a slide bearing supporting frame comprising at least one locking parts penetrating through the locking holes for supporting and mounting the slide bearing on a rack having locking holes and through a fixer, the slide bearing supporting frame is fixed on the locking holes of a rack of different models via the locking part of the slide bearing supporting frame.
Preferably the locking part is a solenoid. In one preferred embodiment, the slide bearing supporting frame further comprises first locking portions on two sides of the locking part, and the fist locking part can be an opening. Moreover, the slide bearing supporting frame further comprises a locking plate having second locking portions that are locked to the first locking portions and the second locking portions are screw holes. The locking part is formed as one piece with the slide bearing supporting frame. In a preferred embodiment, the locking holes can be either circular or squared holes which are used in a rack having circular or squared locking holes accordingly. In another preferred embodiment, the locking holes are screw holes, used in a rack having screw holes.
The slide bearing supporting frame proposed by the present invention has a locking part penetrating through the locking holes of a rack and through a fixer, the slide bearing supporting frame can be fixed on the locking holes of a rack of different models via its locking part. Accordingly, the overall structure is simplified and the numbers of elements used are reduced compared to the prior art, and moreover through the locking part on the slide bearing supporting frame, tools are not required to assembly the slide bearing supporting frame thereby reducing the time for assembly, as well as production cost. As a result the slide bearing supporting frame provided by the present invention has a higher commercial value compared to the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram showing a conventional slide bearing supporting frame and a rack having squared locking holes;
FIG. 2 (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram showing a conventional technique of coupling a slide bearing supporting frame to a longitudinal post of a rack;
FIG. 3 (PRIOR ART) is a schematic diagram showing a conventional coupling of a slide bearing supporting frame to a longitudinal post of a rack in another prior art, wherein the rack comes with screws thereon;
FIG. 4 is a dissected schematic diagram showing a slide bearing supporting frame of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a slide bearing supporting frame applied in a rack having circular locking holes in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a slide bearing supporting frame being mounted on the outside surface of the rack in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described in the following with specific embodiments, so that one skilled in the pertinent art can easily understand other advantages and effects of the present invention from the disclosure of the invention. The present invention may also be implemented and applied according to other embodiments, and the details may be modified based on different views and applications without departing from the spirit of the invention. In addition, the drawing and the components shown herein are not to scale and are made in simplicity with provision of only associated components related to the invention; in practical usage, the component should be more complexly structured and the number, size, shape and arrangement of each component can be varied accordingly.

FIRST PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a slide bearing supporting frame of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. As shown in FIG. 4 the slide bearing supporting frame 1 comprises a main body 11 and a locking part 13. Referring to FIG. 5, a 5, a schematic diagram of a rack (shown as a longitudinal post 30 herein) having locking holes 301 used in supporting the slide bearing 10 is shown. The rack can be a server rack but is not limited to this type. It should be noted that both structure and principals of operation for the slide bearing, rack or server are well know in the art, therefore detailed descriptions of these are not given herein. Moreover, although the locking holes 201 are shown as circular holes in the diagram of the present embodiment, they can be other shaped openings such as squared holes.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a locking part 13 is mounted on one side of the slide bearing supporting frame 1 provided by the invention. The locking part 13 is inserted and fixed in the locking hole 301 via a fixer (not shown) so as to allow the slide bearing supporting frame 1 to be fixed on a rack of different models via its locking part 13.
In the present embodiment, the locking part 13 is formed as one piece on one side of the main body 11 of the slide bearing supporting frame 1 and can be in a form of solenoid. The slide bearing supporting frame 1 further comprises first locking portions 14 on the two opposing side of the locking part 13 and the first locking portions 15 can be openings. Although the locking part 13 is formed as one piece on one side of the main body 11 of the slide bearing supporting frame 1, it can be formed as a separated object, in which this kind of modification are well understood in this art, therefore are not described in detailed in here.
Moreover, the slide bearing supporting frame 1 further comprises a locking plate 17 which can be made of iron or other material. The locking plate 17 has a second locking portion 171, which is coupled to the first locking portion 15 via a fixer. In this embodiment, the second locking portion can be for example screw holes. It should be noted that the disposing number, position, and arrangement are not limited to what described in the present embodiment and can be modified according to practical needs.
When the slide bearing supporting frame 1 provides a support to the slide bearing 10 and aids fixation on the rack having locking holes, the locking part 13 penetrates through the locking hole 301 while the locking plate 171 is disposed on the side of the locking part 13 at the position fart away from the locking hole 301, then the first locking portion 15 is locked to the second locking portion 171 using a screw, allowing the slide bearing supporting frame 1 to be fixed on any racks of different models via its locking part 13.
It should be noted although in the present embodiment the locking plate 17 is coupled to one side of the locking part 13 at the position far away from the locking hole 301 via a fixer according to the direction from the longitudinal post of the rack towards the locking plate 17, alternatively, in other embodiments the fixer is used to fasten the locking plate 17 vertically on one side of the longitudinal plate in a way that the longitudinal post of the rack is clamped between the locking plate 17 and the locking part 13 according to the direction from the side of the locking part 13 far away from the locking hole 301 towards the longitudinal post of the rack. In other words, the disposing position of the locking part 17 is flexible and can be modified according to practical needs so as to mount the slide bearing supporting frame 1 on the outer or inner surface of the rack accordingly. Moreover, since the locking part 13 can be solenoid and the second locking portion 171 of the locking plate 17 can be a screw hole, therefore regardless of whether the locking hole 301 is circular or squared, they can all be fastened. That is, racks with either squared and circular shaped locking holes can be used in this embodiment.
Accordingly, the locking part 13 is inserted through the locking hole 301 of the rack and using the locking plate to selectively mount slide bearing supporting frame 1 to the inner or outer d=side of the rack, so as to accommodate racks of different models. Moreover, in comparison with the prior art, the structures of the locking part 13 and locking plate 17 are simple and the use of squared shaped screw nut is not required, which further benefits the reduction in numbers of components that are used, thereby reducing the production cost. Besides, since it is easy to lock the slide bearing supporting frame 1 to the second locking portion 171 of the locking plate 17 using a fixer such as a screw, thereby permitting the convenience in assembly o the slide bearing supporting frame. Moreover, as the assembly is easier, production cost can be reduced therefore the slide bearing supporting frame proposed by the invention is highly economical.

SECOND PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a slide bearing supporting frame being mounted on the outside surface of the rack in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein same or similar elements to the first embodiment are numbered using the same or similar numbers and will not be described in detail, so as to give descriptions with more clarity.
The major difference of the second embodiment than the first embodiment is that whereas in the first embodiment the slide bearing supporting frame adopts the design of using locking part 13 and the locking plate 17, the slide bearing supporting frame 1 in the second embodiment neglects the design of the locking plate 17.
As shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the locking part 13 is disposed on the other side of the longitudinal post 30 and the locking hole 301 is a circular hole, such that when the slide bearing supporting frame 1 supporting the slide bearing 10 is mounted on the rack having locking holes 301, fixers such screws (not shown) are used to lock following the direction from the side far away from the locking part 13 towards the locking holes 301 and the locking part 13, without the locking plate 17 so as to fix the slide bearing supporting frame 1 to the rack via its locking part 13.
In other words, the slide bearing supporting frame 1 of the first embodiment is used when it is to be mounted inside the rack and the locking holes can be circular, squared or screw holes. Since the locking plate is left out in this embodiment, the overall structure is further simplified as well as reducing the number of elements used compared to the prior art, thereby reducing the time for assembly, as well as material cost and maintenance cost. As a result the slide bearing supporting frame provided by the present invention has a higher commercial value and solves the problems in the prior art.
The invention has been described using exemplary preferred embodiments. However, it is to be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements. The scope of the claims, therefore, should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.

Claims

1. A slide bearing supporting frame for supporting and mounting a slide bearing on a rack having locking holes, the slide bearing supporting frame comprising:

at least one locking part for penetrating at least one of the locking holes; and

a fixer for fixing the at least one locking part to the at least one of the locking holes, so as to allow the slide bearing supporting frame to be fixed to the rack with the locking holes thereof having variable sizes via the at least one locking part and the fixer.

2. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 1, wherein the locking part is a solenoid.

3. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 1, further comprising first locking portions formed on two opposing sides of the locking part.

4. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 3, wherein the first locking portions are openings.

5. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 3, further comprising a locking plate having second locking portions for being locked to the first locking portions via the fixer.

6. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 5, wherein the second locking portions are openings.

7. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 5, wherein the second locking portions are screw holes.

8. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 1, wherein the locking part is integrally formed with the slide bearing supporting frame.

9. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 1, wherein the locking holes are one of circular holes and squared holes.

10. The slide bearing supporting frame of claim 1, wherein the locking holes are screw holes.