US20080135705A1

US20080135705A1 - Fixing bracket

Info

Publication number: US20080135705A1
Application number: US11/638,064
Authority: US
Inventors: Chih-Peng Chuang
Original assignee: Inventec Corp
Current assignee: Inventec Corp
Priority date: 2006-12-12
Filing date: 2006-12-12
Publication date: 2008-06-12

Abstract

The present invention discloses a fixing bracket for fixing a serve including two sides each disposed with positioning pillars and a fixing hole to a rectangular rack including four rods each disposed with a plurality of through holes. The fixing bracket includes a bracket body, reinforcing portions bending and extending from two sides of the bracket body, a hinge structure connected to one end of the bracket body, and a fixing piece connected to one end of the hinge structure. With the well-built structure of the bracket body and the reversible fixing piece, the fixing bracket for fixing the server to the rack is easy to install and durable.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing bracket, and more particularly, to a fixing bracket for fixing a server to a rack.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With use of computer and multi-function requirements for computer rapidly increasing, no doubt is cast on the importance of servers playing an administrator's role. In the eyes of a business, whether the business is a fast-expanding enterprise or an Internet service provider (ISP) with a big consumer base, servers have to meet the need for the growth and expansion of the Internet and thus a stand-alone server is never fit to meet the need. For this reason, there are always additional severs. And installation and management of the additional severs are becoming complicated. A foreseeable issue is that manufacturers will need a fixing technology that not only makes installation of servers easier and more efficient but also cuts production costs.
Known methods for securing servers in position involve fixing the servers on a rectangular rack in such a way that the servers are vertically aligned, and the rack is made up of a plurality of upright support beams; the servers cannot be fixed to the rack without a transversely lying L-shaped fixing bracket.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional fixing bracket 100 fixes a server 200 to a rack 300. Two opposing long sides of the fixing bracket 100 together form a registering portion 101 bending inward and having a slit. The fixing bracket 100 comprises a short side. The short side of the fixing bracket 100 connects with the two opposing long sides of the fixing bracket 100, extends and bends 90 degrees outward to form a first fixing plate 103. The first fixing plate 103 is disposed with a plurality of through holes 105. Two sides of the server 200 are disposed with positioning pillars 201. Each of the positioning pillars 201 comprises a neck portion 2011 and a head portion 2013. The neck portion 2011 has a diameter less than that of the head portion 2013, and is slidable into the slit of the registering portion 101. The head portion 2013 is received on the inner side of the registering portion 101. The rack 300 is rectangular and comprises four L- shaped support beams 300 a, 300 b, 300 c and 300 d each having a plurality of through holes 301.
An installation process performed in accordance with the fixing technology begins with two aforesaid fixing brackets 100. The installation process involves: aligning the two fixing brackets 100 in such a way that the registering portions 101 face each other, and that the first fixing plates 103 face the support beams 300 c and 300 d respectively; aligning the through holes 105 of the first fixing plates 103 with the through holes 301 of the support beams 300 c and 300 d; locking the first fixing plates 103 to the support beams 300 c and 300 d with screws 9 and nuts 10 so as to fix the two fixing brackets 100 to the rack 300; pushing horizontally the server 200 toward the support beams 300 a and 300 b to allow the head portions 2013 of the positioning pillars 201 disposed on the two sides of the server 200 to register with the inner sides of the registering portions 101 respectively and allow the neck portions 2011 to slide along the slits of the registering portions 101; pushing the server 200 until second fixing plates 205 formed on two sides of the server 200 abut against the support beams 300 a and 300 b; inserting the screws 9 into a plurality of through holes 207 of the second fixing plates 205 and the through holes 301 of the support beams 300 a and 300 b; and locking the second fixing plates 205 to the support beams 300 a and 300 b with the nuts 10 so as to fix the server 200 to the rack 300.
Each and every part of the fixing bracket is made of metal and fabricated by bending and thus the fixing bracket is easy to fabricate because of its simple structure. However, the fixing bracket does have its own drawbacks. For instance, load bearing is limited to a joint between each of the first fixing plates and the rack, but a joint between each of the registering portions and the corresponding positioning pillar does not bear the weight of a server; as a result, the fixing bracket is susceptible to deformation and a sag due to inadequate support.
As mentioned above, the installation process involves fixing the fixing bracket to the rack, and sliding the positioning pillars of the server along the registering portion of the fixing bracket so as to fix the server to the rack. However, it is difficult to align the positioning pillars with the registering portions, and thus the installation process is lengthy. Fixing the fixing bracket to the server first and then the server to the rack gives rise to a problem as follows: normally, a rack has a width (i.e. the distance between the support beams 300 a and 300 b) slightly greater than that of an intended server, and thus the advance of the first fixing plates extending from the fixing bracket can be stopped by the rack, preventing the first fixing plates from proceeding horizontally; in an attempt to solve the problem, a user may obliquely insert the server into the rack, but doing so is time-consuming, laborious and inconvenient, as the rack is typically composed of L-shaped beams, and the fixing bracket has a L-shaped profile.
Accordingly, an issue calling for urgent solution is to develop a fixing bracket for a server with a view to overcoming the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In light of the aforesaid drawbacks of the prior art, it is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a fixing bracket having a well-built structure.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing bracket that is easy to install.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a fixing bracket having a distance adjustment function to suit racks of different dimensions.
In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a fixing bracket for fixing a server comprising two sides each disposed with positioning pillars and a fixing hole to a rectangular rack comprising four rods each disposed with a plurality of through holes. The fixing bracket comprises a bracket body, a hinge structure, and a fixing piece. The bracket body is formed with positioning adjustment holes and a fixing through hole. The positioning adjustment holes match the positioning pillars respectively, and the fixing through hole matches the fixing hole. The hinge structure is connected to one end of the bracket body. The fixing piece is connected to one end of the hinge structure and disposed with through holes.
The fixing bracket is made of metal and comprises reinforcing portions. The reinforcing portions flank both a positioning adjustment hole and a fixing through hole and are formed by a bend. The positioning adjustment hole comprises a large-diameter portion and an elongated portion communicating with the large-diameter portion. The fixing through hole is elongated.
The hinge structure comprises a first hinging portion and a second hinging portion. The first hinging portion is formed by extending and bending one end of the bracket body. The second hinging portion is formed by extending and bending one end of the fixing piece. An shaft penetrates both the first hinging portion and the second hinging portion such that the first hinging portion and the second hinging portion are rotatable relative to each other. In consequence, the fixing piece can be reversed without being subject to the width of the rack.
The reinforcing portion of the fixing bracket of the present invention is made of metal bent in such a way that the reinforcing portion has a well-built structure, and the well-built structure is strong enough to bear the weight of a server, thus solving a drawback of the prior art, that is, a conventional fixing bracket tends to sag or deform due to inadequate support. The elimination of the drawback allows the related component to last longer and incur less cost. Also, the fixing bracket of the present invention can be a stand-alone one working, in the absence of any additional component, to adjust distances and thereby can suit any racks of different dimensions (to be discussed later) designed for installation of servers; as a result, the fixing bracket of the present invention is cost-efficient.
The introduction of the reversible fixing piece of the fixing bracket of the present invention solves another drawback of the prior art, that is, a L-shaped fixing bracket cannot be fixed to the server first and thereby is stopped from entering the rack because of the L-shaped profile of the fixing bracket.
Accordingly, the present invention discloses a fixing bracket characterized by a well-built structure, ease of installation, and excellent compatibility, and thus the present invention solves the drawbacks of the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) is a schematic view showing how to assemble a conventional fixing bracket for a server;

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a preferred embodiment of a fixing bracket for a server in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing how to assemble a fixing bracket for a server in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing an assembled fixing bracket for a server in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following specific embodiment is provided to illustrate the present invention. Others ordinarily skilled in the art can readily gain an insight into other advantages and features of the present invention based on the contents disclosed in this specification.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated with drawings. A point to note is that the present invention relates to a fixing bracket for fixing a server to a rack. The drawings below are perspective views showing part of the fixing bracket in a simple and schematic way with a view to describe the basic structure of the present invention. Hence, only those components related to the present invention are shown in the accompany drawings, and the shown components are not drawn according to their actual quantity, shape and dimensions when implemented; in practice, the specifications and dimensions of the components are selectively devised indeed, and the layout of the components may be far more intricate.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a fixing bracket 7 fixes a server 200 to a rack 300. The server 200 comprises two sides each disposed with positioning pillars 201 and a fixing hole 203. The rack 300 comprises upright L-shaped metal rods 300 a, 300 b, 300 c and 300 d comprising a plurality of through holes 301 and assumes a rectangular shape.
The rack 300 is a device for containing, managing, and securing in position servers or any other electronic hosts. In this embodiment, the rack 300 is configured to contain servers, without limiting the present invention. The two rods 300 a and 300 b, and the two rods 300 c and 300 d as well, are spaced at a distance slightly greater than the width of the server 200.
The positioning pillars 201 disposed on and protruding from the two sides of the server 200 each comprise a neck portion 2011 and a head portion 2013 connected to the neck portion 2011. The radius of the neck portion 2011 is less than that of the head portion 2013, without limiting the present invention.
The fixing hole 203 is disposed on each of the two sides of the server 200. Among the fixing hole 203 and the positioning pillars 201, any two adjacent ones are equidistant from each other. In other words, the distance between the two adjacent positioning pillars 201 is equal to that between the fixing hole 203 and the neighboring one of the positioning pillars 201. The fixing hole 203 is a threaded hole.
The front of the server 200 extends bilaterally and outward to form second fixing plates 205 each comprising a through hole 207.
The fixing bracket 7 is made of metal and comprises a bracket body 71, a hinge structure 73 connected to one end of the bracket body 71, and a fixing piece 75 connected to one end of the hinge structure 73.
The bracket body 71 is formed with positioning adjustment holes 711 and a fixing through hole 713. The positioning adjustment holes 711 match the positioning pillars 201 respectively. The fixing through hole 713 matches the fixing hole 203.
The positioning adjustment holes 711 each comprise a large-diameter portion 711 a and an elongated portion 711 b communicating with the large-diameter portion 711 a. The diameter of the large-diameter portion 711 a is greater than the width of the elongated portion 711 b. The large-diameter portion 711 a is exactly sized to allow the head portion 2013 of the positioning pillar 201 to be inserted into the large-diameter portion 711 a. The elongated portion 711 b is exactly sized to allow the neck portion 2011 of the positioning pillar 201 to be slided into the elongated portion 711 b. The height of the neck portion 2011 is equal to the sectional thickness of the elongated portion 711 b (i.e. the thickness of a plate of which the fixing bracket 7 is made). The bottom surface of the head portion 2013 presses on a portion of the bracket body 71 adjacent and lateral to the margin of the elongated portion 711 b such that, after sliding into the elongated portion 711 b, the neck portion 2011 can only horizontally move along the elongated portion 711 b without detaching therefrom, so as to facilitate positional adjustment.
The positioning adjustment holes 711 are exemplified by through holes corresponding in position to the positioning pillars 201. The snap-fit engagement of the positioning adjustment holes 711 and the positioning pillars 201 allows the fixing bracket 7 to be fixed to the server 200.
A point to note is that in this embodiment the two positioning adjustment holes 711 and the two positioning pillars 201 correspond in position to each other but can be replaced by the equivalents thereto of different quantity and structure as apparent to persons of ordinary skills in the art without being limited by the appended drawings.
The fixing through hole 713 is elongated and corresponds in position to the fixing hole 203. The fixing hole 203 and the fixing through hole 713 are screwed together so as to fix the fixing bracket 7 to the server 200. In this embodiment, with the screw 9, the fixing hole 203 and the fixing through hole 713 are screwed together.
A point to note is that in this embodiment the one fixing through hole 713 and the one fixing hole 203 correspond in position to each other but can be replaced by the equivalents thereto of different quantity and structure as apparent to persons of ordinary skills in the art without being limited by the appended drawings.
The positioning adjustment holes 711 and the fixing through hole 713 are equal in width (i.e. the horizontal traveling distance). The distance between the positioning adjustment holes 711 and the fixing through hole 713 is equal to that between the positioning pillars 201 and the fixing hole 203 such that not only can horizontal positions of the positioning adjustment holes 711 be readily adjusted relative to the positioning pillars 201 but the fixing through hole 713 can be readily aligned with the fixing hole 203.
The bracket body 71 further comprises reinforcing portions 715 bending and extending from two sides of the bracket body 71 in such a way that the cross-section of the bracket body 71 assumes a C-shape. In this embodiment, the reinforcing portions 715 have a well-built structure based on two bends, thus allowing the bracket body 71 to bear the weight of the server 200. However, the structure of the reinforcing portion 715 is not limited by the one shown in the drawings.
The hinge structure 73 comprises a first hinging portion 731 and a second hinging portion 733. The first hinging portion 731 is formed by extending and bending one end of the bracket body 71, and the second hinging portion 733 is formed by extending and bending one end of the fixing piece 75. The first hinging portion 731 and the second hinging portion 733 together appear in the form of a plurality of spaced-apart hollow sleeves. The sleeves of the second hinging portion 733 outnumber that of the first hinging portion 731. The alternate hollow sleeves of the first and second hinging portions 731 and 733 together form hollow columns communicating with each other. An shaft 8 penetrates and combines the first hinging portion 731 and the second hinging portion 733 such that not only is the fixing piece 75 connected to the bracket body 71 but the fixing piece 75 can be reversed when rotated around the hinge of the first hinging portion 731 and the second hinging portion 733.
A point to note is that the aforesaid hinge structure is applicable to the fixing bracket of the present invention. Inasmuch as the structure of the aforesaid hinge structure is publicly known and invariable, only the present invention-related details of the structure of the aforesaid hinge structure are shown in the appended drawings in order to make the illustration simpler. That the first hinging portion 731 and the second hinging portion 733 are not limited by the appended drawings is apparent to persons of ordinary skills in the art.
The through holes 753 disposed in the fixing piece 75 match the through holes 301 of the rods of the rack 300. The through holes 753 and the through holes 301 are penetrated by the screws 9 and then locked together by the screws 9 and nuts 10.
Referring to FIG. 3, to implement this embodiment, a pair of the fixing brackets 7 are used. A temporary installation process of the fixing brackets 7 comprises the steps of: positioning flat portions (the flat portion is the other side of the bracket body 71 as opposed to the reinforcing portions 715) of the two fixing bracket 7 in such a way that the flat portions face each other; positioning the fixing pieces 75 in such a way that the fixing pieces 75 point toward the rack 300 and flank the server; inserting the head portions 2013 of the positioning pillars 201 into the large-diameter portions 711 a of the positioning adjustment holes 711 such that the head portions 2013 of the positioning pillars 201 penetrate the large-diameter portions 711 a until the neck portions 2011 reach the large-diameter portions 711 a; and pushing the bracket body 71 away from the rack 300 and along both sides of the server 200 until the neck portions 2011 slide into the elongated portions 711 b. At the end of the temporary installation process, the fixing brackets 7 are temporarily fixed to both sides of the server 200.
A permanent installation process of the fixing brackets 7 comprises the steps of: reversing the fixing pieces 75 of the two fixing brackets 7 inward to allow the fixing pieces 75 to get closer to the server 200; pushing the server 200 toward the rack 300 until the second fixing plates 205 touch the rack 300; inserting the screws 9 into the fixing holes 207 and the corresponding through holes 301 and screwing the fixing holes 207 and the corresponding through holes 301 together with the nuts 10; moving the neck portions 2011 in the elongated portions 711 b horizontally to adjust a protruding distance of the fixing brackets 7 relative to the server 200; moving the fixing pieces 75 until the fixing pieces go beyond the rods 300 c and 300 d; reversing the two fixing pieces 75 outward to allow the two fixing pieces 75 to lie on a surface of the rods 300 c and 300 d; inserting the screws 9 into the through holes 753 and the corresponding through holes 301 and screwing the through holes 753 and the corresponding through holes 301 together with the nuts 10; and screwing the fixing through holes 713 and the corresponding fixing holes 203 together with the screws 9. At the end of the permanent installation process, the server 200 is permanently fixed to the rack 300 as shown in FIG. 4.
As described above, a fixing bracket of the present invention has a well-built structure formed by means of metal bending and thus the fixing bracket solves a drawback of the prior art, that is, a conventional fixing bracket fails to uniformly bear the weight of a server and thus the fixing bracket tends to sag and deform. Also, in the absence of any related components, adjustment can be made in a protruding distance of the fixing bracket of the present invention so as to suit racks of different dimensions, and thus the present invention is cost-efficient.
A fixing bracket of the present invention comprises a reversible fixing piece so as to effectively achieve a fixing function in a space of limited volume, thus solving a drawback of the prior art, that is, the complicated, inconvenient process of installation of a conventional L-shaped fixing bracket. Also, the installation of the fixing bracket of the present invention is quick.
Accordingly, the present invention discloses a fixing bracket characterized by a well-built structure, ease of installation, excellent compatibility, and high cost-efficiency, and thus the present invention has high industrial applicability.
The aforesaid embodiment merely serves as the preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should not be construed as to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. Hence, any other changes can actually be made in the present invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that all equivalent modifications or changes made, without departing from the spirit and the technical concepts disclosed by the present invention, should fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A fixing bracket for fixing a server comprising two sides each disposed with positioning pillars and a fixing hole to a rectangular rack comprising four rods each disposed with a plurality of through holes, the fixing bracket comprising:

a bracket body formed with positioning adjustment holes and a fixing through hole, the positioning adjustment holes matching the positioning pillars respectively, and the fixing through hole matching the fixing hole;

a hinge structure connected to the bracket body; and

a fixing piece connected to the hinge structure.

2. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket body is made of metal.

3. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein the bracket body further comprises reinforcing portions bending and extending from two sides flanking the positioning adjustment holes and the fixing through hole in such a way that a cross-section of the bracket body assumes a C-shape.

4. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein the positioning adjustment holes each comprise a large-diameter portion and an elongated portion communicating with the large-diameter portion.

5. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein the fixing through hole is elongated.

6. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein both the fixing hole and the fixing through hole are penetrated by a fixing element.

7. The fixing bracket of claim 6, wherein the fixing element is exemplified by one of a screw and an element for fixing the fixing hole and the fixing through hole to each other.

8. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein the hinge structure comprises a first hinging portion and a second hinging portion, the first hinging portion being formed by extending and bending one end of the bracket body, and the second hinging portion being formed by extending and bending one end of the fixing piece.

9. The fixing bracket of claim 8, wherein an shaft penetrates both the first hinging portion and the second hinging portion such that the bracket body and the fixing piece can be reversed relative to each other by rotation around the shaft.

10. The fixing bracket of claim 1, wherein the fixing piece is disposed with through holes.