Handle assembly and related support mechanism

Abstract

The present invention provides a handle assembly and associated support mechanism that can be well fitted to a rack that supports an item to be supported. [Solution] A handle assembly 32 adapted to a supported article 24 comprises a housing detachably attached to the supported article, a handle member 56 movably attached to the housing, and a locking member 58 movably attached to the housing. The locking member includes a locking portion 33. When the handle member is in a first state S1, the locking portion of the locking member protrudes from the housing in the transverse direction Y. When the handle member is rotated around the second shaft 62 by an operating force F from the first state to a second state, the handle member drives the locking member, causing the locking portion of the locking member to retract into the housing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a handle assembly and a support mechanism according to the preambles of claims 1 and 8(6).

Background Art

[0002] In U.S. Patent No. 6,181,549 (Patent Document 1), a chassis holding system for supporting a chassis on a rack is disclosed. The chassis and the rack comply with the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) standard. The rack typically includes two front struts and two rear struts, and each strut is disposed on two opposite sides of the rack. Each strut includes a plurality of mounting holes, and the plurality of mounting holes fix the chassis. The chassis holding system includes two handles, and the two handles are disposed on opposite sides of the front panel of the chassis. When the chassis is pushed in from the outside of the rack, the fixing device at each handle fits through the corresponding mounting hole of the corresponding front strut to hold the chassis in the stored state. Further, the user interface device at each handle is configured to disengage the corresponding fixing device from the corresponding front strut.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0004] The chassis holding system described above is only suitable for a rack compliant with the EIA standard. However, in order to meet various requirements, developing a product that can be compatible with racks compliant with other standards has become an important issue.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a handle assembly and support mechanism for supporting articles on a rack.

[0006] This is achieved by the handle assembly and support mechanism described in claims 1 and 8(6). Dependent claims relate to corresponding further improvements and enhancements.

[0007] As will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description, the handle assembly described in the claim is a handle assembly that is adapted to the supported article, A housing configured to be detachably attached to a supported article, A handle member that is movably attached to the housing, A locking member that is movably mounted on the housing, comprising a locking member including a locking portion, When the handle member is in the first state, the locking portion of the locking member protrudes transversely from the housing. When the handle member is operated from the first state to the second state, the handle member drives the locking member, causing the locking portion of the locking member to retract into the housing.

[0008] Furthermore, the support mechanism described in the claim is a support mechanism adapted for supporting an article to be supported on a rack, wherein the rack includes a first side column and a second side column, A first support member having a first longitudinal portion and a first support portion bent relative to the first longitudinal portion, wherein the first longitudinal portion is configured to be attached to a first side column, and the first support portion is configured to support an article to be supported, The handle assembly described above is included, When the supported article is in a retracted position relative to the rack and the handle member is in the first state, the locking portion of the locking member engages with the first side column, preventing the supported article from being pulled away from the retracted position in the first direction. When the handle member is operated from the first state to the second state, the handle member is configured to drive the locking member and disengage the locking portion of the locking member from the first side column, thereby enabling the supported article to be pulled away from the retracted position in the first direction.

[0009] In summary, the present invention is configured to either lock a supported article to prevent it from moving from a retracted position relative to a rack, or to allow a supported article to move from a retracted position relative to a rack, by selectively extending or retracting a locking member in the transverse direction, thereby satisfying a variety of application requirements.

[0010] These and other objectives of the present invention will become undoubtedly apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the detailed description of preferred embodiments with reference to the following drawings and illustrations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] The invention will be further explained below with reference to the attached drawings and with the help of examples. Its outline is as follows.

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows a support mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is adapted for supporting an article to be supported on a rack. [Figure 2] This figure shows an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a support mechanism and a supported article. [Figure 3] This is a partially exploded view relating to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a support mechanism, an article to be supported, and a rack. [Figure 4] This figure shows an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a first handle assembly and at least one connecting member. [Figure 5] This figure shows a first handle assembly that is detachably attached to a supported article, with the handle member in a first state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6]A diagram showing a first handle assembly detachably attached to an article to be supported when the handle member is in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] A diagram showing a first handle assembly when the handle member is in a first state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] A diagram showing a first handle assembly when the handle member is in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] A diagram showing an article to be supported in a retracted position relative to a rack, and the article to be supported in which the handle member is locked by a support mechanism in a first state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] An enlarged view of part A shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] An enlarged view of part B shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 12] A diagram showing an article to be supported in a retracted position relative to a rack, and the article to be supported in which the handle member is released by a support mechanism in a second state, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] An enlarged view of part C shown in FIG. 12. [Figure 14] A diagram showing an article to be supported in which the handle member is in a second state and in an extended position relative to a rack, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] An enlarged view of part D shown in FIG. 14.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] The attached drawings that form a part of this specification, and the attached drawings in which specific embodiments capable of implementing the present invention are shown as examples, are referred to in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. In this regard, directional terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc. are used with reference to the orientation of the described figures. The components of the present invention may be arranged in a number of different directions. Therefore, the directional terms are used for illustrative purposes and are by no means limiting. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are considered to be essentially illustrative and not restrictive. Also, unless otherwise specified, the term "connect" is intended to mean either an indirect or direct mechanical connection. Therefore, when a first device is connected to a second device, the connection may be via a direct mechanical connection or via an indirect mechanical connection via other devices or connections. In this specification, the term "rack" may refer to a cabinet structure unless otherwise specified.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the support mechanism is configured to be attached between a rack 22 and an article 24 to be supported or a predetermined target, thereby supporting the article 24 to be supported or the predetermined target on the rack 22. For example, the rack 22 may comply with the Open Rack Standard defined by the Open Compute Project (OCP) (registered trademark) organization. The rack 22 includes a first side post 26a and a second side post 26b that is on the opposite side of the first side post 26a. For example, the first side post 26a and the second side post 26b may be a left side post and a right side post, respectively. Further, in this embodiment, for example, the article 24 to be supported may be an electronic device or a chassis. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The article 24 to be supported includes a first side portion L1 and a second side portion L2. For example, the first side portion L1 and the second side portion L2 may be a left side portion and a right side portion, respectively. Further, the article 24 to be supported further includes a front end portion f and a rear end portion r.

[0015] The support mechanism includes a first support member 28, a second support member 30, and a first handle assembly 32. Preferably, the support mechanism further includes a second handle assembly 34.

[0016] The first support member 28 and the second support member 30 have substantially symmetrical structures. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first support member 28 includes a first longitudinal portion 36 and a first support portion 38 bent relative to the first longitudinal portion 36. In this embodiment, for example, the first support portion 38 may be bent substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal portion 36. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The first longitudinal portion 36 is configured to be attached to the first side column 26a, and the first support portion 38 is configured to support the bottom B of the article 24 to be supported. Similarly, the second support member 30 includes a second longitudinal portion 40 and a second support portion 42 bent relative to the second longitudinal portion 40. In this embodiment, for example, the second support portion 42 may be bent substantially perpendicular to the second longitudinal portion 40. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The second longitudinal portion 40 is configured to be attached to the second side column 26b, and the second support portion 42 is configured to support the bottom B of the supported article 24.

[0017] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first longitudinal portion 36 of the first support member 28 and the second longitudinal portion 40 of the second support member 30 both extend in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction may be defined, for example, by the length direction of the support member, for example, the length direction of the first support member 28 or the second support member 30, and may be parallel to the X-axis. The transverse direction may be defined by the lateral direction of the support member, for example, the first support member 28 or the second support member 30, and may be parallel to the Y-axis. The vertical direction may be defined by the height direction of the support member, for example, the first support member 28 or the second support member 30, and may be parallel to the Z-axis.

[0018] The first handle assembly 32 and the second handle assembly 34 have substantially symmetrical structures. The first handle assembly 32 is configured to connect to the supported article 24. Preferably, the first handle assembly 32 is attached to the supported article 24 and positioned adjacent to the first side L1. Furthermore, the second handle assembly 34 is configured to connect to the supported article 24. Preferably, the second handle assembly 34 is attached to the supported article 24 and positioned adjacent to the second side L2.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3, the first longitudinal portion 36 of the first support member 28 and the second longitudinal portion 40 of the second support member 30 are attached to the first side column 26a and the second side column 26b, respectively, in the same manner. The method by which the first longitudinal portion 36 of the first support member 28 is attached to the first side column 26a will be described in detail below. Preferably, a plurality of first mounting features 44 are arranged on the first longitudinal portion 36 of the first support member 28, and a plurality of second mounting features 46 are arranged on the first side column 26a for inserting the first mounting features 44. This connects the first support member 28 to the first side column 26a. For example, the first mounting features 44 may be engagement hooks or insertion pins, and the second mounting features 46 may be holes.

[0020] Preferably, the first predetermined space 48 is formed in the first longitudinal portion 36 of the first support member 28, and the second predetermined space 50 is formed in the first side column 26a. For example, the first predetermined space 48 and the second predetermined space 50 may be a first opening and a second opening, respectively. The first predetermined space 48 and the second predetermined space 50 are configured to cooperate with the locking portion 33 of the first handle assembly 32.

[0021] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the first handle assembly 32 and the second handle assembly 34 are connected to the supported article 24 in the same manner. The connection of the first handle assembly 32 to the supported article 24 will be described in detail below. Preferably, the first handle assembly 32 includes a housing 52, which is configured to be detachably attached to the supported article 24. Specifically, the housing 52 includes a plurality of assembly portions, such as a first assembly portion 52a and a second assembly portion 52b, which are assembled together. The first assembly portion 52a and / or the second assembly portion 52b are detachably attached to the supported article 24 by at least one connecting member 54, such as a screw member or a bolt member.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the storage space K is formed (in a concave shape) on the first side L1 of the supported article 24. When the first handle assembly 32 is detachably attached to the first side L1 of the supported article 24 by the connecting member 54, the storage space K is configured to accommodate the first assembly 52a, thereby preventing an increase in the overall width in the transverse direction.

[0023] The first handle assembly 32 further comprises a handle member 56 and a locking member 58.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the locking member 58 and the handle member 56 are movably attached to the housing 52. For example, the locking member 58 may be pivotally connected to an auxiliary member 61 in the first assembly 52a of the housing 52 via a first shaft 60 extending in a first predetermined direction. The handle member 56 may be pivotally connected to the second assembly 52b of the housing 52 via a second shaft 62 extending in a second predetermined direction. That is, the longitudinal direction of the first shaft 60 may be aligned with the first predetermined direction, and the longitudinal direction of the second shaft 62 may be aligned with the second predetermined direction. For example, the first predetermined direction and the second predetermined direction may be two orthogonal directions, defined by the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction, respectively. Furthermore, the auxiliary member 61 may be fixedly attached to the first assembly 52a and therefore structurally may be considered part of the first assembly 52a. To make it easier to understand, in another embodiment, the auxiliary member 61 may be integrally formed with the first assembly part 52a.

[0025] The locking member 58 includes a locking portion 33 and a predetermined section 63. In this embodiment, for example, the predetermined section 63 is a protruding section and may be bent relative to the locking portion 33. Furthermore, the handle member 56 is movable relative to the housing 52. When the handle member 56 is in a first state S1 relative to the housing 52, the locking member 58 is in a locked state Q1. The handle member 56 includes an operating portion 64 and a drive portion 66 connected to the operating portion 64. In this embodiment, for example, the operating portion 64 and the drive portion 66 may be connected to each other substantially perpendicularly and cooperate to form an L-shaped structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. The operating portion 64 extends beyond the front end f of the supported article 24 by a predetermined longitudinal distance M, thereby preventing interference between the operating portion 64 and the supported article 24 when the handle member 56 is operated.

[0026] Preferably, the first handle assembly 32 further comprises an elastic member 57, which is configured to impart an elastic force to at least one of the locking member 58 and the handle member 56. In this embodiment, for example, the elastic member 57 may be a torsion spring configured to impart an elastic force J to the locking member 58. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. To make it understandable, in another embodiment, the elastic member 57 may be another elastic structure, such as an elastic clip.

[0027] Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, the drive unit 66 includes a drive section 68 positioned adjacent to a predetermined section 63 of the locking member 58, and the drive section 68 and the predetermined section 63 are configured to cooperate with each other.

[0028] Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, when the locking member 58 is held in the locked state Q1 in accordance with the elastic force J provided by the elastic member 57, a predetermined section 63 of the locking member 58 abuts against the drive section 68, and the handle member 56 is held in the first state S1.

[0029] Preferably, as shown in Figure 5, when the handle member 56 is in the first state S1, the longitudinal direction of the operating unit 64 and the longitudinal direction of the drive unit 66 are aligned to a first predetermined direction, for example, the vertical direction, and a second predetermined direction, for example, the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0030] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the handle member 56 is operated from the first state S1 to the second state S2, the handle member 56 is configured to drive the locking member 58 to move from the locked state Q1 to the released state Q2.

[0031] Specifically, when the handle member 56, for example, the operating part 64 of the handle member 56, is operated by an operating force F that overcomes the elastic force J provided by the elastic member 57, the handle member 56 can be driven and rotates around the second shaft 62 from a first state S1 (shown in Figure 5) to a second state S2 (shown in Figure 6) in the first rotation direction r1. As a result, when the handle member 56 rotates from the first state S1 to the second state S2, the drive section 68 of the drive section 66 of the handle member 56 is driven and presses a predetermined section 63 of the lock member 58 against the elastic force J provided by the elastic member 57. This drives the lock member 58 and rotates from a locked state Q1 (shown in Figure 5) to a released state Q2 (shown in Figure 6) in the release direction C1, compressing the elastic member 57 and accumulating the elastic force J.

[0032] One point to note is that when the operating force F is released from the handle member 56, the elastic member 57 can release the elastic force J, and as a result the lock member 58 returns from the released state Q2 (shown in Figure 6) to the locked state Q1 (shown in Figure 5) in accordance with the elastic force J, and drives the handle member 56 back to the first state S1 (shown in Figure 5) from the second state S2 (shown in Figure 6).

[0033] Preferably, when the handle member 56 is in the second state S2, the longitudinal direction of the operating section 64 and the longitudinal direction of the drive section 66 are aligned with the third predetermined direction and the second predetermined direction, respectively. For example, the third predetermined direction may be defined by the transverse direction. That is, the first predetermined direction, the second predetermined direction and the third predetermined direction may be perpendicular to each other.

[0034] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, when the handle member 56 is in the first state S1, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 protrudes from the housing 52 in a transverse or lateral direction, for example, through the auxiliary hole 70 of the second assembly portion 52b, in accordance with the elastic force J provided by the elastic member 57.

[0035] As shown in Figures 6 and 8, when the handle member 56 is operated from the first state S1 to the second state S2, the handle member 56 drives the drive section 68 of the drive unit 66 and presses a predetermined section 63 of the lock member 58. This drives the locking portion 33 of the lock member 58, causing it to retract into the housing 52 in a transverse or lateral direction, for example, through the auxiliary hole 70 of the second assembly portion 52b, thereby driving the lock member 58 from the locked state Q1 to the released state Q2.

[0036] As shown in Figures 9 to 11, the first support member 28 can be connected to the first side column 26a by the engagement of the corresponding first mounting feature 44 and the corresponding second mounting feature 46, for example by inserting a corresponding engagement hook or insertion pin into the hole. The first support member 28 can support the bottom B of the supported article 24 by the first support portion 38.

[0037] When the supported article 24 is in a retracted position R relative to the rack, for example, the first side column 26a of the rack, and the handle member 56 is in a first state S1, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58, which is in a locked state Q1, engages with the first side column 26a, preventing the supported article 24 from being pulled away from the retracted position R in a first direction D1.

[0038] Preferably, when the supported article 24 is in a retracted position R relative to the rack, for example, on the first side column 26a of the rack, and the handle member 56 is in a first state S1, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 in the locked state Q1 passes through a first predetermined space 48 in the first longitudinal portion 36 and a second predetermined space 50 in the first side column 26a, protruding transversely or laterally from the housing 52 and engaging with the wall 72 of the second predetermined space 50 of the first side column 26a. As a result, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 in the locked state Q1 is blocked by the wall 72 of the second predetermined space 50 of the first side column 26a, thereby preventing the supported article 24 from being pulled away from the retracted position R in the first direction D1.

[0039] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, when the handle member 56 is operated from the first state S1 to the second state S2, the handle member 56 is configured to drive the locking member 58 from the locked state Q1 to the released state Q2. This drives the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58, disengaging it from the first side column 26a, and allowing the supported article 24 to be pulled away from the retracted position R in the first direction D1.

[0040] Preferably, when the supported article 24 is in a retracted position R relative to the rack, for example, on the first side column 26a of the rack, and the handle member 56 is operated from a first state S1 to a second state S2, the drive unit 66 of the handle member 56 drives the locking member 58 from a locked state Q1 to a released state Q2 (shown in Figure 6), thereby driving the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 to disengage from the wall 72 of the second predetermined space 50 of the first side column 26a. As a result, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 in the second predetermined state Q2 is no longer blocked by the wall 72 of the second predetermined space 50 of the first side column 26a, allowing the supported article 24 to be pulled away from the retracted position R in a first direction D1.

[0041] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, when the locking member 58 is moved to the released state Q2 so as to disengage from the first side column 26a, the supported article 24 can be pulled away from the retracted position R to a predetermined position in the first direction D1, for example, the extended position E. When the supported article 24 is in the extended position E, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 abuts against the first longitudinal portion 36 of the first support member 28, thereby causing the elastic member 57 to accumulate an elastic force J.

[0042] Furthermore, when the supported article 24 is pushed back from the extended position E to the retracted position R in the second direction D2, which is opposite to the first direction D1, the locking portion 33 is aligned with the first predetermined space 48 in the first longitudinal portion 36 and the second predetermined space 50 in the first side portion 26a. As a result, in response to the elastic force J provided by the elastic member 57, the locking portion 33 of the locking member 58 can engage with the wall 72 of the second predetermined space 50 in the first side column 26a, thereby locking the supported article 24 again in the retracted position R.

[0043] It should be noted that the locking and releasing relationship between the second handle assembly and the second side column is the same as the locking and releasing relationship between the first handle assembly and the first side column. Therefore, for the sake of simplification, further detailed explanation is omitted in this specification.

[0044] Based on the above, the support mechanism of the present invention has the following features.

[0045] 1. The support mechanism may optionally include a first handle assembly 32 and / or a second handle assembly 34 that are detachably attached to the supported article 24 as needed for practical purposes, thereby providing flexibility during use.

[0046] 2. The support mechanism utilizes a support member, for example, a first support member 28 or a second support member 30, which is attached to a handle assembly, for example, a first handle assembly 32 or a second handle assembly 34, and connected to the supported article 24. This allows for selective prevention of the supported article 24 being pulled away from the retracted position R, or enables the supported article 24 to be pulled away from the retracted position R, by operating the handle member 56 between a first state S1 and a second state S2. This configuration enables the rack to comply with the Open Rack Standard as defined by the Open Compute Project (OCP) (registered trademark) and meets various application requirements.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will readily understand that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the apparatus and method while maintaining the teachings of the present invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be interpreted only within the scope of the limitations of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A handle assembly that is adapted to the supported article, A housing configured to be detachably attached to the supported article, A handle member is movably attached to the housing, A locking member that is movably mounted on the housing, comprising a locking member including a locking portion, When the handle member is in the first state, the locking portion of the locking member protrudes transversely from the housing. When the handle member is operated from the first state to the second state, the handle member drives the locking member to retract the locking portion of the locking member into the housing. Handle assembly.

2. The handle member is An operating section located beyond the front end of the supported article by a predetermined longitudinal distance, It includes a drive unit connected to the operating unit, which is configured to press the locking member and drive the locking member to retract the locking portion of the locking member into the housing, The handle assembly according to claim 1, wherein when the handle member is in the first state, the longitudinal direction of the operating part and the longitudinal direction of the drive part are aligned to a first predetermined direction and a second predetermined direction, respectively.

3. Furthermore, it comprises a first shaft and a second shaft, The locking member is pivotally connected to the housing via the first shaft, the longitudinal direction of the first shaft is aligned with the first predetermined direction, and the handle member is pivotally connected to the housing via the second shaft. The handle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the longitudinal direction of the second shaft is aligned with the second predetermined direction.

4. The handle assembly according to claim 2, wherein the second predetermined direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction perpendicular to the transverse direction, and the first predetermined direction and the second predetermined direction are perpendicular to each other.

5. Furthermore, the handle assembly according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member, wherein the elastic member is configured to apply an elastic force to one of the locking member and the handle member, and in accordance with the elastic force applied by the elastic member, the locking portion of the locking member is driven to protrude from the housing in the transverse direction.

6. A support mechanism adapted for supporting an article to be supported in a rack, wherein the rack includes a first side column and a second side column, A first support member having a first longitudinal portion and a first support portion bent relative to the first longitudinal portion, wherein the first longitudinal portion is configured to be attached to the first side column, and the first support portion is configured to support the article to be supported, A handle assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, When the supported article is in a retracted position relative to the rack and the handle member is in the first state, the locking portion of the locking member engages with the first side column, preventing the supported article from being pulled away from the retracted position in the first direction. When the handle member is operated from the first state to the second state, the handle member is configured to drive the locking member and disengage the locking portion of the locking member from the first side column, thereby enabling the supported article to be pulled away from the retracted position in the first direction. Support mechanism.

7. The support mechanism according to claim 6, wherein at least a portion of the housing is attached to a first side of the supported article and is positioned in a recessed housing space formed on the first side of the supported article.

8. When the handle member is in the first state, the locking portion of the locking member of the handle assembly passes through the first predetermined space in the first longitudinal portion and the second predetermined space in the first side column, engages with the wall of the second predetermined space, and prevents the supported article from being pulled away from the retracted position in the first direction. The support mechanism according to claim 6, wherein when the supported article is in the retracted position relative to the rack and the handle member is operated from the first state to the second state, the handle member drives the locking member to disengage the locking portion of the locking member from the wall of the second predetermined space.

9. Furthermore, it comprises a second support member and another handle assembly, The second support member includes a second longitudinal portion and a second support portion bent relative to the second longitudinal portion. The second longitudinal portion is configured to be attached to the second side column, and the second support portion is configured to support the article to be supported. The handle assembly and the other handle assembly are attached to the supported article and are positioned adjacent to two sides of the supported article. The support mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the handle assembly and the other handle assembly have substantially symmetrical structures.

10. The support mechanism according to claim 6, wherein when the supported article is moved from the retracted position to a predetermined position, the first longitudinal portion of the first support member is configured to abut against the locking portion of the locking member.

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