Detachable captive nuts for rack-mounting applications

Abstract

Detachable captive nut assemblies for use with rack rails, rack-mounting systems, and rack-mounted enclosures are disclosed. A captive nut assembly may include at least two threaded inserts that are held a fixed distance apart by a flexible body. The body includes features that enable the captive nut assembly to be easily attached and removed from rack rails when the body is squeezed.

Description

DETACHABLE CAPTIVE NUTS FOR RACK-MOUNTING APPLICATIONSCLAIM OF PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 512,902, filed July 10, 2023, and titled “DETACHABLE CAPTIVE NUTS FOR RACKMOUNTING APPLICATIONS,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

[0002] All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.FIELD

[0003] This disclosure relates generally to rack-mounted equipment, and more specifically to rack-mounted computation and / or server equipment.BACKGROUND

[0004] Electrical equipment, including but not limited to servers and other computing equipment, may be designed to be installed in standard equipment rack, such as a standard 19-inch rack in accordance with Electronic Industries Association EIA-310. The equipment may have a height that corresponds to a spacing standard, such as a "rack unit". The equipment may be designed to fit, for example, into a rack slot having a height of one rack unit ("1U"), two rack units ("2U"), or four rack units ("4U"), or the like. Rack-mountable electrical equipment enables the deployment and installation of equipment into any facility that includes a standard equipment rack.

[0005] There is a variety of existing hardware that can be used to affix or mount rack- mountable equipment to an equipment rack. Oftentimes, the existing hardware requires tools to install and may be relatively costly.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] Described herein are various apparatuses and systems that may be used in conjunction with a variety of rack-mountable chassis and / or other electrical systems. A rack- mountable chassis (sometimes referred to as a rack-mount enclosure) may be used to enclosevarious electrical components such as a processor-based server. The rack-mountable chassis is attached to rack rails using captive nuts and screws.

[0007] In some examples, a captive nut assembly can include a molded body, a first threaded insert and a second threaded insert captured within the molded body, where the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are spaced apart in accordance with a rackmounting standard. The captive nut assembly can also include a first clamp molded into a first side of the molded body and a second clamp molded into a second side of the molded body, where the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to removably couple the molded body to a vertical rack rail. An example rack-mounting standard may include the Electronic Industries Alliance EIA-310-D standard.

[0008] In some variations, the molded body can be an injection molded plastic body. In general, the molded body can be formed from any compliant and / or flexible material.

[0009] In any of the assemblies described herein, the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert may be movably coupled within the molded body. That is, the threaded inserts can float within the body, advantageously enabling a mounting screw to more easily thread into the insert. In some other assemblies, the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are insert molded into the molded body.

[0010] In any of the assemblies described herein, the first threaded insert may be disposed within a first locating block in the molded body and the second threaded insert may be disposed within a second locating block in the molded body. In general, the locating blocks can help position the captive nut assembly with respect to a rack rail. For example, the first locating block and the second locating block are configured to determine a location of the captive nut assembly with respect to the vertical rack rail.

[0011] In some examples of captive nut assemblies, the first locating block and the second locating block may be configured to fit within corresponding square holes in the vertical rack rail. In general, the first locating block and the second locating block can include chamfers configured to ease insertion into square holes.

[0012] In any of the assemblies described herein, the first locating block and the second locating block a spaced apart by approximately 1.25 inches. In general the spacing of the threaded inserts, and therefore the spacing of the locating blocks, may be based on a standard or specification regarding standardized rack-mounted equipment.

[0013] In any of the assemblies described herein, the molded body can be formed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, a thermoplastic urethane, or a flexible polyvinyl chloride, although other materials are possible.

[0014] In any of the assemblies described herein, the first clamp and the second clamp may be configured to attach into a square hole of the vertical rack rail. Furthermore, the first clamp and the second clamp may be configured to engage with the square hole based on a modulus of elasticity of the molded body.

[0015] In general, the threaded inserts of any of the assemblies may be threaded to receive a 10-32 screw. In some other examples, the threaded inserts of any of the assemblies may be threaded to receive a 12-24 screw.

[0016] In any of the assemblies described herein, wherein the first threaded insert is spaced approximately 1.25 inches from the second threaded insert and the first clamp and the second clamp are spaced approximately 0.625 inches from the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert.

[0017] Any of the equipment mounting systems disclosed herein may include a vertical rack rail including a plurality of square holes spaced in accordance with a rack-mounting standard and a captive nut assembly. The captive nut assembly can include a molded body, a first threaded insert and a second threaded insert captured within the molded body, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are spaced apart in accordance with the rack-mounting standard, and a first clamp molded into a first side of the molded body and a second clamp molded into a second side of the molded body, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to removably couple the molded body to the vertical rack rail.

[0018] In general, in any of the equipment mounting systems, the molded body can be an injection molded plastic body. In some examples, the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert can be movably coupled within the molded body. In some other examples, the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert can be insert molded into the molded body.

[0019] In any of the equipment mounting systems disclosed herein, the first threaded insert may be disposed within a first locating block in the molded body and the second threaded insert may be disposed within a second locating block in the molded body.

[0020] In some variations, in the equipment mounting systems disclosed herein, the first locating block and the second locating block may be configured to determine a location of the captive nut assembly with respect to the vertical rack rail. In some other examples, the first locating block and the second locating block may be configured to fit within corresponding square holes in the vertical rack rail.

[0021] In any of the equipment mounting systems disclosed herein, the first locating block and the second locating block include chamfers configured to ease insertion into squareholes. In some examples, the first locating block and the second locating block can be spaced apart by approximately 1.25 inches.

[0022] In any of the equipment mounting systems disclosed herein, the first clamp and the second clamp may be configured to attach into a square hole of the vertical rack rail. In some variations, the first clamp and the second clamp may be configured to engage with the square hole based on a modulus of elasticity of the molded body.

[0023] In some examples, the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are configured to receive a 10-32 screw. In some other examples, the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are configured to receive a 12-24 screw.

[0024] In any of the equipment mounting systems disclosed herein, the first threaded insert may be spaced approximately 1.25 inches from the second threaded insert and the first clamp and the second clamp may be spaced approximately 0.625 inches from the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert.

[0025] In some examples, a rack-mountable chassis may include a detachable bezel. The detachable bezel may advantageously attach and lock to the rack-mountable chassis to cover and protect access to some front panel mounted components. The detachable bezel may be unlocked and detached by a key.

[0026] All of the methods and apparatuses described herein, in any combination, are herein contemplated and can be used to achieve the benefits as described herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] A better understanding of the features and advantages of the methods and apparatuses described herein will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, and the accompanying drawings of which:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an example rack-mount system.

[0029] FIG. 2A shows one example of a captive nut assembly.

[0030] FIG. 2B shows another view of the captive nut assembly.

[0031] FIG. 2C shows a front view of the captive nut assembly.

[0032] FIG. 3 A shows an example equipment mounting system.

[0033] FIG. 3B shows a front view of an example equipment mounting system.

[0034] FIG. 4A show an example rear view 400 of a nut assembly.

[0035] FIG. 4B shows another example rear view of the captive nut assembly of FIG. 4 A.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows additional views of a captive nut assembly 500.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] A rack-mountable chassis and system are disclosed. In particular, detachable captive nut assemblies are described.

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an example rack-mount system 100. The rack-mount system 100 may include a nineteen-inch equipment rack 110 and rack-mountable equipment 120, 121, 122, 123, and 124. The equipment rack 110 can include a first rack rail 111 and a second rack rail 112. The equipment rack 110 may conform to one or more industry standards including an Electronic Industries Alliance standard for equipment racks referred to as EIA-310-D. Industry standards define one Rack Unit (RU) as 1.75 inches. The height of the equipment rack 110 (and therefore the height of the first rack rail 111 and the second rack rail 112) can vary. However, the height is typically divisible by an integer number of RUs.

[0039] The rack-mountable equipment 120-124 can include any feasible electrical equipment configured to fit and mount within the equipment rack 110. Example rack- mountable equipment can include servers, network switches, power supplies, connectors, patch bays, or the like. Although five separate pieces of rack-mountable equipment devices are shown here, in some variations, the rack-mount system 100 can include any feasible number of pieces of equipment.

[0040] The first rack rail 111 and the second rack rail 112 can include vertical holes 140 that are spaced to receive a nut (not shown) and a screw 150 that affixes or mounts the rack- mountable equipment 120-124 to the equipment rack 110.

[0041] FIG. 2A shows one example of a captive nut assembly 200. The captive nut assembly 200 includes a body 210, a first threaded insert 220, and a second threaded insert 221. The first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 are disposed (captured) within the body 210 and generally spaced apart in accordance with any feasible industry standard for rack equipment. For example, a center-to-center distance between the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 may be in multiples of RUs. In some other examples, the distance between the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 can be approximately 1.25 inches. In some examples, the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 may be movably affixed to the body 210. That is, while the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 may be prevented from rotating with the body 210, the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 may also move or float (e.g., movably coupled) with respect to the body 210 to enable easier engagement with a mounting screw. The mounting screws may be defined or determined by the rack-mounting standard. Typical threaded inserts may be threaded to receive 10-32 screws, 12-24 screws, or any other feasible screw. The first threaded insert 220 and thesecond threaded insert 221 can be steel, stainless steel, brass, or any other feasible material. Typically, the material for the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 is metallic and compatible with typical screws used to affix rack-mountable equipment. In some other examples, the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 can be molded into the body 210 as part of an injection molding process. In some cases, these may be referred to as insert molded threaded inserts.

[0042] The body 210 can include a first locating block 250 and a second locating block 251. The first threaded insert 220 can be located within the first locating block 250 and the second threaded insert 221 can be located with the second locating block 251. The first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 are arranged to engage with vertical holes within an vertical rack rail (included, for example, in the equipment rack 110 of FIG. 1). Thus, the first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 can locate (e.g., determine the location of) the body 210 as well as the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221 to a vertical rack rail. In some implementations, the first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 can include chamfers (such as chamfer 222) to ease insertion of the body 210 into the holes of the vertical rack rail. In some variations, the first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 may be sized smaller than corresponding holes in the vertical rack rail. In this manner, the first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 (and therefore the body 210) can float within the equipment rack enabling easier engagement with a mounting screw. Furthermore, the first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 can locate the body 210 with respect to the holes in the vertical rack rail.

[0043] The body 210 can be a plastic, polymer, or any other feasible, low-cost, flexible, and compliant material. In general, the body 210 can be injection molded (e.g., the body 210 can be formed from an injection molded plastic). Example molded body materials can include thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, a thermoplastic urethane, or a flexible polyvinyl chloride. Injection molded parts advantageously can have low or relatively low costs. A first clamp 230 and a second clamp 231 are molded into the body 210. The first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 may be disposed between the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221. For example, the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 can be spaced approximately 0.625 from the first threaded insert 220 and the second threaded insert 221. The first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 can engage with a vertical hole in the equipment rack. In this manner, the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 can removably couple the captive nut assembly 200 to an equipment rack. The first clamp 230may be disposed adjacent to or on a first side 240 of the body 210 and the second clamp 231 may be disposed adjacent to or on a second side 241 of the body 210.

[0044] Since the body 210 is flexible, a user can squeeze together (e.g., apply inward pressure) to the first side 240 and the second side 241 in order to draw the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 inward. In this manner the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 can be placed within a first vertical hole while the first locating block 250 and the second locating block 251 are placed within a second and a third vertical hole, respectively. When the user releases the first side 240 and the second side 241, the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 can extend outward to engage with the first hole. Flexibility and / or elasticity of the body 210 may be described by an elastic modulus. The body 210 may be specified to have a particular elastic modulus so that squeezing of the first side 240 and the second side 241 may be accomplished and sufficient force may be applied by the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 to the vertical rack rail. In some examples, the force applied by the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 is based, at least in part, on the elastic modulus of the body 210. Thus, in some examples, the body 210 may be specified to have a minimum or maximum elastic modulus.

[0045] FIG. 2B shows another view of the captive nut assembly 200. Arrows 260 and 261 indicate directions of force that can be applied to the first side 240 and the second side 241 of the body 210 in order to deflect the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231 inward.

[0046] FIG. 2C shows a front view of the captive nut assembly 200 where arrows 270 and 271 show directions of force applied to sides of the body 210 to deflect the first clamp 230 and the second clamp 231.

[0047] FIG. 3A shows an example equipment mounting system 300 including a captive nut assembly 310 and a rack rail 320. The rack rail 320, which is an example of the first rack rail 111 and the second rack rail 112 of FIG. 1, includes a plurality of vertical holes 321. Spacing of the vertical holes 321 may be determined by a rack-mounting standard. For example, each equipment rack unit (RU) may be associated with three square holes in the rack rail 320. A first square hole 322 may be separated by a center-to-center distance from a second square hole 323 by approximately 1.25 inches. In addition, a third square hole 324 may be separated by a center-to-center distance from the first square hole 322 and the second square hole 323 by approximately 0.625 inches. Thus, the third square hole 324 may be equidistant from the first square hole 322 and the second square hole 323.

[0048] The captive nut assembly 310, which is an example of the captive nut assembly 200 of FIGS. 2 A and 2B, include a first locating block 311, a second locating block 312, a first clamp 313, and a second clamp 314. To install the captive nut assembly 310 in the rackrail 320, sides of the captive nut assembly 200 may be squeezed together while inserting the first locating block 311 is inserted into the first square hole 322, and the second locating block 312 is inserted into the second square hole 323 and the first clamp 313 and the second clamp 314 are inserted into the third square hole 324 disposed between the first square hole322 and the second square hole 323. Thus, the captive nut assembly 310 may be installed in the rack rail 320 without the use of any tools. Toolless installation advantageously simplifies installation procedures and can reduce installation times.

[0049] FIG. 3B shows a front view of an example equipment mounting system 350 including the captive nut assembly 310 installed (removably attached) in the rack rail 320. The first locating block 331 and the second locating block 332 extend through the first square hole 322 and the second square hole 323 in the rack rail 320. In addition, the first clamp 313 and the second clamp 314 extend through, and engage with the third square hole 324. For example, the first clamp 313 and the second clamp 314 can engage with sides of a vertical hole, in particular a vertical hole disposed between the first locating block 311 and the second locating block 312.

[0050] FIG. 4 A show an example rear view 400 of a captive nut assembly 410 installed in a rack rail 420. The captive nut assembly 410, which is another example of the captive nut assembly 200 of FIG. 2 may have a first clamp and a second clamp (not shown) that is engaged with the rack rail 420. To remove the captive nut assembly 410, a use squeezes the sides of the captive nut assembly to disengage the first clamp and the second clamp.

[0051] FIG. 4B shows another example rear view 450 of the captive nut assembly 410 and the rack rail 420. As the sides of the captive nut assembly 410 are squeezed, the user can withdraw the captive nut assembly 410 from the rack rail 420 simply by moving rearward. Thus, the user can squeeze the sides of the captive nut assembly 410 pull or move the captive nut assembly 410 rearward. In this manner, removal of the captive nut assembly 410 can be done without tools. Toolless removal can simplify removal and / or adjustment of the captive nut assembly 410.

[0052] FIG. 5 shows additional views of a captive nut assembly 500. A front view 510 of the captive nut assembly 500 shows a width 520 and a height 530. In the case of a captive nut assembly 500 arranged to be used with 1 RU high rack-mountable equipment, the height 530 can be approximately 42.65 mm. Persons skill in the art will recognize that to support rack- mountable equipment of different heights, the height 530 may be adjusted appropriately. In some examples, the width 520 can be about 8.65 mm. In some variations, the width 520 can be varied based on dimensions of the rack rail used with the captive nut assembly.

[0053] A side view 550 of the captive nut assembly 500 shows a thickness 560. In some examples, the thickness 560 can be 8.65 mm, but other thicknesses are possible.

[0054] It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein and may be used to achieve the benefits described herein.

[0055] When a feature or element is herein referred to as being "on" another feature or element, it can be directly on the other feature or element or intervening features and / or elements may also be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly on" another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. It will also be understood that, when a feature or element is referred to as being "connected", "attached" or "coupled" to another feature or element, it can be directly connected, attached, or coupled to the other feature or element or intervening features or elements may be present. In contrast, when a feature or element is referred to as being "directly connected", "directly attached" or "directly coupled" to another feature or element, there are no intervening features or elements present. Although described or shown with respect to one embodiment, the features and elements so described or shown can apply to other embodiments. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed "adjacent" another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

[0056] Terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. For example, as used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items and may be abbreviated as " / ".

[0057] Spatially relative terms, such as "under", "below", "lower", "over", "upper" and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as "under" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "over" the other elements or features. Thus,the exemplary term "under" can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms "upwardly", "downwardly", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

[0058] Although the terms “first” and “second” may be used herein to describe various features / elements (including steps), these features / elements should not be limited by these terms, unless the context indicates otherwise. These terms may be used to distinguish one feature / element from another feature / element. Thus, a first feature / element discussed below could be termed a second feature / element, and similarly, a second feature / element discussed below could be termed a first feature / element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.

[0059] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” means various components can be co-jointly employed in the methods and articles (e.g., compositions and apparatuses including device and methods). For example, the term “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of any stated elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other elements or steps.

[0060] In general, any of the apparatuses and methods described herein should be understood to be inclusive, but all or a sub-set of the components and / or steps may alternatively be exclusive, and may be expressed as “consisting of’ or alternatively “consisting essentially of’ the various components, steps, sub-components or sub-steps.

[0061] As used herein in the specification and claims, including as used in the examples and unless otherwise expressly specified, all numbers may be read as if prefaced by the word "about" or “approximately,” even if the term does not expressly appear. The phrase “about” or “approximately” may be used when describing magnitude and / or position to indicate that the value and / or position described is within a reasonable expected range of values and / or positions. For example, a numeric value may have a value that is + / - 0.1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 1% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 2% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 5% of the stated value (or range of values), + / - 10% of the stated value (or range of values), etc. Any numerical values given herein should also be understood to include about or approximately that value, unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, if the value " 10" is disclosed, then "about 10" is also disclosed. Any numerical range recited herein is intended to include all sub-ranges subsumed therein. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed that "less than or equal to" the value, "greater thanor equal to the value" and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value "X" is disclosed the "less than or equal to X" as well as "greater than or equal to X" (e.g., where X is a numerical value) is also disclosed. It is also understood that the throughout the application, data is provided in a number of different formats, and that this data, represents endpoints and starting points, and ranges for any combination of the data points. For example, if a particular data point “10” and a particular data point “15” are disclosed, it is understood that greater than, greater than or equal to, less than, less than or equal to, and equal to 10 and 15 are considered disclosed as well as between 10 and 15. It is also understood that each unit between two particular units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0062] Although various illustrative embodiments are described above, any of a number of changes may be made to various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as described by the claims. For example, the order in which various described method steps are performed may often be changed in alternative embodiments, and in other alternative embodiments one or more method steps may be skipped altogether. Optional features of various device and system embodiments may be included in some embodiments and not in others. Therefore, the foregoing description is provided primarily for exemplary purposes and should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention as it is set forth in the claims.

[0063] The examples and illustrations included herein show, by way of illustration and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. As mentioned, other embodiments may be utilized and derived there from, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein individually or collectively by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept, if more than one is, in fact, disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A captive nut assembly, comprising: an molded body; a first threaded insert and a second threaded insert captured within the molded body, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are spaced apart in accordance with a rack-mounting standard; and a first clamp molded into a first side of the molded body and a second clamp molded into a second side of the molded body, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to removably couple the molded body to a vertical rack rail.

2. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the molded body is an injection molded plastic body.

3. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are movably coupled within the molded body.

4. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are insert molded into the molded body.

5. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threaded insert is disposed within a first locating block in the molded body and the second threaded insert is disposed within a second locating block in the molded body.

6. The captive nut assembly of claim 5, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block are configured to determine a location of the captive nut assembly with respect to the vertical rack rail.

7. The captive nut assembly of claim 5, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block are configured to fit within corresponding square holes in the vertical rack rail.

8. The captive nut assembly of claim 5, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block include chamfers configured to ease insertion into square holes.

9. The captive nut assembly of claim 5, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block a spaced apart by approximately 1.25 inches.

10. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the molded body is formed from at least one of a thermoplastic elastomer, a thermoplastic vulcanizate, a thermoplastic urethane, or a flexible polyvinyl chloride.

11. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to attach into a square hole of the vertical rack rail.

12. The captive nut assembly of claim 11, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to engage with the square hole based on a modulus of elasticity of the molded body.

13. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are configured to receive a 10-32 screw.

14. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are configured to receive a 12-24 screw.

15. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the first threaded insert is spaced approximately 1.25 inches from the second threaded insert and the first clamp and the second clamp are spaced approximately 0.625 inches from the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert.

16. The captive nut assembly of claim 1, wherein the rack-mounting standard is Electronic Industries Alliance EIA-310-D.

17. An equipment mounting system comprising: a vertical rack rail including a plurality of square holes spaced in accordance with a rack-mounting standard; and a captive nut assembly, comprising: a molded body;a first threaded insert and a second threaded insert captured within the molded body, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are spaced apart in accordance with the rack-mounting standard; and a first clamp molded into a first side of the molded body and a second clamp molded into a second side of the molded body, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to removably couple the molded body to the vertical rack rail.

18. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the molded body is an injection molded plastic body.

19. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are movably coupled within the molded body.

20. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are insert molded into the molded body.

21. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first threaded insert is disposed within a first locating block in the molded body and the second threaded insert is disposed within a second locating block in the molded body.

22. The equipment mounting system of claim 21, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block are configured to determine a location of the captive nut assembly with respect to the vertical rack rail.

23. The equipment mounting system of claim 21, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block are configured to fit within corresponding square holes in the vertical rack rail.

24. The equipment mounting system of claim 21, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block include chamfers configured to ease insertion into square holes.

25. The equipment mounting system of claim 21, wherein the first locating block and the second locating block a spaced apart by approximately 1.25 inches.

26. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to attach into a square hole of the vertical rack rail.

27. The equipment mounting system of claim 26, wherein the first clamp and the second clamp are configured to engage with the square hole based on a modulus of elasticity of the molded body.

28. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are configured to receive a 10-32 screw.

29. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert are configured to receive a 12-24 screw.

30. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the first threaded insert is spaced approximately 1.25 inches from the second threaded insert and the first clamp and the second clamp are spaced approximately 0.625 inches from the first threaded insert and the second threaded insert.

31. The equipment mounting system of claim 17, wherein the rack-mounting standard is Electronic Industries Alliance EIA-310-D.

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