Rack mounted computer system including chassis retainer
View Patent ↗A rack mounted computer system. In one variation the computer rack is configured for side-by-side placement of computers. In another variation, the computer rack includes flanges for supporting the placement of computer units within the rack. In another variation the computer rack is configured with retaining clips. In yet another variation, the computer rack is configured to receive computers with chassis that are adapted for side-by-side placement.
1. A rack-mounted computer system, comprising:
a rack assembly, comprising a plurality of computer bays, each computer bay comprising a first computer retaining recess and a second computer retaining recess provided along an interior portion of the computer bay; and
a computer chassis configured to be received in one of the computer bays, the computer chassis comprising:
a first chassis retainer on a first side of the computer chassis, the first chassis retainer including a first flexible flange biased in a first direction and configured to mate with the first computer retaining recess when the computer chassis is fully inserted into the computer bay; and
a second chassis retainer on a second side of the computer chassis opposite to the first side, the second chassis retainer including a second flexible flange biased in the first direction and configured to mate with the second computer retaining recess when the computer chassis is fully inserted into the computer bay;
wherein the second flexible flange includes a protruding portion; and
wherein the computer chassis further comprises a door that, when closed, urges the second flexible flange in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein:
the protruding portion flexes in the first direction to allow the computer chassis to be received in the one of the computer bays; and
the protruding portion springs in the second direction to mate with the second computer retaining recess.
2. The rack-mounted computer system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first flexible flange comprises a release member which protrudes beyond a front side of the computer chassis.
3. The rack-mounted computer system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first chassis retainer further comprises a release member.
4. The rack-mounted computer system of claim 3 , wherein:
the first chassis retainer automatically engages the computer retaining recess when the computer chassis is inserted into the computer bay.
5. The rack-mounted computer system of claim 4 , wherein:
the release member is configured such that a user can depress the release member to disengage the first chassis retainer and pull the computer chassis out of the computer bay.
6. The rack-mounted computer system of claim 3 , wherein:
the release member comprises a handle that extends beyond a front face of the computer chassis, the handle configured such that a user can disengage the first chassis retainer from the retaining recess by moving the position of the handle.
7. The rack-mounted computer of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the plurality of computer bays comprises at least a pair of support flanges configured to support a weight the computer chassis when the computer chassis is inserted into the computer bay.
8. The rack-mounted computer system of claim 1 , wherein:
the first chassis retainer further comprises a release member configured such that a user can depress the release member to disengage the first chassis retainer from the retaining recess, and pull the computer chassis out of the computer bay.
9. A method of configuring a computer apparatus comprising:
providing a rack-mounted computer system according to claim 1 ;
inserting said computer chassis into one of said computer bays, wherein said computer chassis includes a central processing unit and a main board.