[0002] This disclosure generally pertains to fiber optic hardware assemblies, and more particularly to a rack mounting device for fiber optic hardware assemblies. BACKGROUND

[0003] The mounting of housings to equipment racks is typically done via screws. When installing a housing in a rack, or other fiber optic hardware assembly, the installer first positions the housing relative the rack in the location they desire to mount the housing. The installer then inserts screws through the mounting flanges of the housing and into the rails of the equipment rack. Once a screw is in position, the installer may then tighten the screw using a screwdriver, securing the housing to the rack. Until several or all the screws are tightened, the installer holds the housing in the desired position.

[0004] This process may cumbersome for the installer. The weight of some housings may make holding the housing in the installation position difficult, especially while positioning and tightening screws. Additionally, fiber optic hardware assemblies may be located in relatively small spaces, which may make holding the housing and/or using tools difficult or awkward for the installer. Finally, positioning, holding and tightening each screw may add significant time to the total installation procedure. SUMMARY

[0005] An embodiment of the disclosure is directed a screw-less and tool-less rack mounting device. More particularly, the provided rack mounting device includes a clip and a locking plate. The rack mounting device is a reversible, e.g. removable, but serves as a rigid fastener that may replace screws in the mounting of optical fiber housings into fiber optic hardware assemblies, such as equipment racks.

[0006] The clip may include a first and second plate configured to be mounted to a frame of an equipment rack. The clip may include a biasing element disposed between the first and second plate configured to bias the first plate toward the second plate, thereby applying pressure to the frame and retaining the clip in position. In some examples the clip may include one or more projections configured to project into one or more corresponding apertures in the frame.

Interaction between the projections and the apertures may limit or prevent vertical movement of the clip relative to the frame.

[0007] The clip may include one or more posts projecting outward from the first plate and configured to support an equipment housing, such as a fiber optic equipment housings, thereon. The locking plate may include one or more slots configured to engage the one or more posts, such that a mounting plate of the housing is disposed between the first plate and the locking plate, thereby limiting or preventing movement of the housing relative to the frame. The locking plate may be removably engaged with the posts, such that the locking plate may be removed to enable removal of the housing.

[0008] The locking plate may include one or more lever arms and the slots may be disposed in the lever arms. The lever arms may be movable between a lock position, in which the slots engage the posts, and a release position, in which the slots, or a portion thereof, are disengaged from the posts. In some example embodiments, an actuator is disposed at an end of the lever arm to enable tool-less movement of the lever arms between the locked position and the release position.

[0009] In some example embodiments, the mounting device may include a coupling feature, such as a hinge disposed between the clip and locking plate. The coupling feature may assist in alignment of the locking plate with the clip. Additionally, the coupling feature may cause installation to the faster or easier since the locking plate is integral to the clip and not a separate detachable piece.

[0010] One advantage of the rack mounting device may be a reduction in the complexity of installation leading to faster installation and easier future moves or removal of housings.

Additionally, the rack mounting device may reduce or eliminate the need for tools during mounting the housings to a fiber optic hardware assembly, thereby reducing risk of damage to optical components during installation due to dropping the housing or tools. Further, the clip may be used in any applicable orientation, left, right, up, down, etc., and can accommodate a range of frame thicknesses reducing the number of rack mounting device types needed to secure various equipment housings to various equipment rack frames. [0011] Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description or recognized by practicing the embodiments as described in the written description and claims hereof, as well as the appended drawings.

[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary, and are intended to provide an overview or framework to understand the nature and character of the claims.

[0013] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings are illustrative of selected aspects of the present description, and together with the specification explain principles and operation of methods, products, and compositions embraced by the present description. Features shown in the drawing are illustrative of selected embodiments of the present description and are not necessarily depicted in proper scale. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter of the written description, it is believed that the specification will be better understood from the following written description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0015] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example rack mounting device according to an example embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 2 is rear perspective view of the example rack mounting device of FIG. 1 according to an example embodiment;

[0017] FIGS. 3A-3C are perspective views of clip portions of the rack mounting devices according to different example embodiments;

[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates the example rack mounting device installed on a rack frame according to an example embodiment;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a top down view of the rack mounting device of FIG. 4 according to an example embodiment;

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates an example equipment housing installed on the rack mounting device of FIG.4 according to an example embodiment; [0021] FIG. 7A illustrates the rack mounting device of FIG. 4 in the locked position according to an example embodiment;

[0022] FIG. 7B illustrates another example rack mounting device in the locked position according to an example embodiment;

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates and example laterally sliding locking plate according to an example embodiment; and

[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an additional example rack mounting device according to an example embodiment.

[0025] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not intended to be limiting of the scope of the detailed description or claims. Whenever possible, the same reference numeral will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like feature. The drawings are not necessarily to scale for ease of illustration an explanation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present disclosure is provided as an enabling teaching and can be understood more readily by reference to the following description, drawings, examples, and claims. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspects of the embodiments described herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results. It will also be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the present embodiments can be obtained by selecting some of the features without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations are possible and can even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific articles, devices, and methods disclosed unless otherwise specified. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example rack mounting device 10 according to an example embodiment. FIG.2 is rear perspective view of the example rack mounting device of FIG. 1. The rack mounting device 10 may include a clip 12 configured to be mounted to a frame 100, such as a telecommunication rack frame that is configured to support telecommunication equipment, as shown in FIG. 4. The clip 12 may include a first plate 18 configured to engage a first side of the frame 100 and a second plate 20 configured to engage a second side of a frame 100. The clip 12 may include a biasing element 24 disposed between the first plate 18 and the second plate 20 configured to bias the first plate 18 toward the second plate 20. The biasing element may be a plurality of bends in the material forming the clip, such as a V-bend or Z-bend. The V-bend or Z-bend may be configured to elastically deform under pressure moving the first plate 18 away from the second plate 20 and return to a neutral position. In some example embodiments, the second plate 20 may include an inclined or raised edge 21 configured to increase the size of the opening between the first plate 18 and the second plate 20. The increased size of the opening between the first plate 18 and second plate 20 may enable easier installation of the clip 12 onto different size frames 100. Additionally, in an example embodiment, the distance between the first plate 18 and the second plate 20 may be increases, such that the clip 12 may be affixed to a frame rail, such as depicted in FIG.9.

[0028] The first plate 18 of the clip 12 may include one or more posts 22 configured to support an equipment housing 104, such as a telecommunication equipment housing, as shown in FIG.5. The posts 22 may align with the one or more apertures 102 in the frame, such that the rack mounting device 10 may be compatible with mounting geometries of existing equipment frames 100 and equipment housings 104. The locking plate 14 may include one or more slots 26 configured to receive and retain corresponding posts of the clip 12. The distal end of the posts 22 may have a diameter that is larger than a diameter of the posts 22 at a proximal end. The increased diameter of the posts 22 at the distal end may provide resistance to removal of the equipment housing 104 and/or the locking plate 14 in an axial direction. In an example embodiment, the locking plate 14 may be configured to be installed on the posts 22 by sliding the locking plate 14 laterally from the side under the larger diameter distal end of the posts 22. FIG. 8 illustrates a locking plate 14’ with slots 26’ that may encompass greater than fifty percent of the periphery of the post 22, when installed, such that the side walls of the slot 26’ engage the periphery of the posts 22 resisting removal. The side wall of the slots 26’ may elastically deform when installed to allow the posts 22 to enter the slot 26’.

[0029] In some embodiments, such as those illustrated in FIGS.1-7B, the locking plate 14 may include one or more lever arms 28. The side wall of the slots 26 may be formed of a portion of the associated lever arm 28 and a non-moving portion 29. In a further example embodiment, the slots 26 may be formed in the lever arms 29 and no non-moving portion may be provided, such as depicted in FIG.9. The lever arm 28 may move between a locked position, in which the lever arms 28 engage the posts 22, and a release position, in which the lever arms 28 are disengaged from the posts 22. In some embodiments, the lever arms 28 may be shifted between the locked position and the release position by applying pressure to the locking plate 14 laterally against the posts 22 in either the installation direction or removal direction, causing the lever arms 28 to deflect away from the posts 22 and return to the locked position when the force is removed. In an example embodiment, an actuator 30 may be disposed at the distal end of the lever arm 28. The actuator 30 may be configured to cause the associated lever arm 28 to be moved from the locked position to the release position, such as when a force is applied to the actuator 30 by an operator. In the depicted embodiment, the clip 12 includes two posts 22 and the locking plate 14 includes two slots 26. The lever arms 28 and their associated actuators 30 are disposed in opposing directions, such that an operator may operate both actuators 30 simultaneously, such as by pinching the actuators 30 toward each other.

[0030] Turning to FIG. 3A, the clip 12 may include one or more projections 32 configured to limit or prevent vertical movement of the clip 12 on the frame 100. The projections 32 may be disposed on internal faces of the first plate 18 and/or second plate 20. The projections 32 may be configured to extend into corresponding apertures 102 in the frame 100, as depicted in FIG.4.

[0031] In some example embodiments, the larger distal end diameter of posts 22, discussed above in reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 may be formed from one or more beveled capture lips 23. The beveled capture lips 23 may cause the posts 22 to have a beveled distal end. The posts 22 may have any of a plurality of beveled capture lip 23 configurations, Such as two sets of opposing beveled capture lips 23, one set of opposing beveled capture lips 23 in a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal orientation, other numbers of beveled capture lips 23, or the like. Further, the configuration of beveled capture lips 23 on each post 22 on a clip 12 may be the same or different. In the example depicted in FIG. 3A, a first post 22 (top of FIG. 3A) includes two sets of opposing beveled capture lips 23, the first being vertically aligned and the second being horizontally aligned. The second post 22 (bottom of FIG. 3A) includes one set of opposing beveled capture lips 23 that are horizontally aligned. The example clip 12’ depicted in FIG. 3B includes two posts 22, each including one set of beveled capture lips 23 aligned in a vertical orientation. FIG. 3C illustrates an example clip 12’ including two posts 22 each including two opposing sets of beveled capture lips 23. The first set of beveled capture lips 23 in FIG. 3C is oriented in the horizontal orientation, and the second set of beveled capture lips 23 is oriented in the vertical orientation. In some embodiments, such as depicted in FIG. 3C, the beveled capture lips 23 and/or a portion of the post 22 including the beveled capture lips 23 may be configured to deflect inward toward a central axis of the post 22. The beveled capture lips 23 and/or the deflection of a portion of the post 22 or beveled capture lips 23 may enable the locking plate 14 to be attached by applying the locking plate 14 axially on the posts 22. The lever arms 28 may move to the release position as the locking plate 14 is pressed against the posts 22. The force applied by the posts 22 against the lever arms 28 may cause the lever arms 28 to move to the release position and then return to the locked position when the force is removed, such as when the slot 26 is aligned with the smaller diameter portion of the posts 22.

[0032] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rack mounting device 10 may include a coupling feature 16 disposed between the clip 12 and the locking plate 14. The coupling feature 16 may retain the locking plate 14 in connection with the clip 12. The coupling feature 16 may be a hinge, such as a pin hinged with one or more hinge segments; (as shown in FIG.9), a living hinge (as shown in FIGs.1 and 2), or other suitable hinge. The coupling feature 16 may be configured to assist in the alignment of the locking plate 14 with the posts 22. Additionally, the coupling feature 16 may reduce installation time and complexity by reducing loss and disassociation of the locking plate 14 from the clip 12, e.g. eliminating looking for multiple parts of the mounting device.

[0033] FIGS. 4-7A depict a method of installing the equipment housing 104 onto a frame 100 of an equipment rack according to an example embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the installer may slide the clip 12 onto the frame 100, such that the frame 100 is disposed between the first plate 18 and the second plate 20. In some example embodiments, the raised edge 21 of the second plate 20 may increase the insertion target area for the frame 100, thereby reducing the precision necessary for instillation and enabling frames of varied thickness to be inserted. In an example embodiment in which the first plate 18 and/or second plate 20 include one or more projections 32 to prevent movement of the clip 12 relative to the frame 100, the clip 12 may be moved along the frame 100 until the projections 32 engage one or more apertures 102 in the frame 100, as depicted in FIG.5.

[0034] Turning to FIG. 6, an equipment housing 104 may be mounted on the frame 100. The equipment housing 104 may include a mounting feature 106, such as a mounting plate. the mounting plate may be affixed to a portion of the equipment housing 104 or may integral to the equipment housing 104. The mounting feature 106 may include one or more mounting apertures 107 configured to receive a mounting device therethrough. The mounting apertures 107 may be space to align with one or more apertures 102 in the frame 100, such that a conventional mounting device, such as a screw or bolt, may be passed through both the apertures 102 in the frame and the mounting apertures 107 in the mounting feature 106. The installer may position the equipment housing 104, such that the posts 22 extend through the mounting apertures 107. In some instances the beveled capture lips 23 may retain the mounting feature 106 proximate to, or in contact with the first plate 18 of the clip 12.

[0035] In FIGS. 7A and 7B the rack mounting device 10 has been transitioned to the locked position, thereby limiting or preventing movement of the equipment housing 104 relative to the frame 100. The installer may slide the locking plate 14 laterally, such that the slots 26 engage the posts 22. In some embodiments, the lever arms 28 may be moved to the release position allowing the posts 22 to enter the slots 26. As discussed above, the lever arms 28 may be moved to the release position by moving the actuators 30 and/or by force applied by the posts 22 as the locking plate 14 is moved laterally into the locking position. Lateral motion of the locking plate 14 toward the locked position may be stopped by the non-moving portion 29 of the sidewall of the slots 26. The lever arms 28 may return to the locked position in response to the installer removing a force applied to the actuators 30 and/or the posts 22 no longer being in a position to exert force on the lever arms 28.

[0036] Alternatively, the locking plate may be installed on the posts 22 axially. The installer may apply a force on the locking plate 14 positioned over the posts 22. In an embodiment in which the posts 22 include beveled capture lips 23, the lever arms 28 and/or the beveled capture lips 23 may deflect, or elastically deform to allow the locking plate 14 to travel over the distal end of the posts 22. The beveled capture lips 23 and/or the lever arms may return to the locked position once the locking plate 14 passes the beveled capture lips 23.

[0037] In the example depicted in FIG. 7B, the beveled capture lips 23 are an integral portion of a solid post 22, e.g. the beveled capture lips 23 do not elastically deform or deflect. Additionally, the lever arms 28 include a rib 34 disposed on an outer engaging portion of the side wall of the slots 26. The rib 34 may be disposed to engage the posts 22 along an edge in a longitudinal direction. [0038] The method of installing the equipment housing 104 using the rack mounting device 10, as described herein, may be performed in parallel at other locations, such as a second side of the equipment housing 104 and equipment frame 100 or other suitable locations.

[0039] The installation procedure may be reversed to remove or relocate the equipment housing 104. For example, if the locking plate 14 includes lever arms 28, the lever arms 28 may be moved to the release position, such as by depressing associated actuators 30. The installer may slide the locking plate 14 laterally to disengage the slots 26 of the locking plate 14 from the posts 22. With the locking plate 14 removed from the clip 12, the equipment housing 104 may be removed from the posts 22. If desired, the clip 12 may be removed or moved to another location on the frame 100.

[0040] The rack mounting device may be enable a reduction in the complexity of installation, leading to faster installation times and easier future moving or removal of housings.

Additionally, the rack mounting device may reduce or eliminate the need for tools during mounting the housings to a fiber optic hardware assembly, thereby reducing risk of damage to optical components during installation due to dropping or shifting of the housing or tools.

Further, the clip may be used in any applicable orientation and can accommodate a range of frame thicknesses reducing the number of rack mounting device types needed to secure various equipment housings to various equipment rack frames.

[0041] In an example embodiment, a mounting device for a hardware assembly is provided including a clip configured to be mounted on a frame. The clip includes a first plate configured to engage a first side of the frame, a second plate configured to engage a second side of the frame, a biasing element disposed between the first plate and second plate configured to bias the first plate toward the second plate, and at least one post extending outward and away from the first plate. The mounting device also includes a locking plate including at least one slot configured to receive and retain the at least one post therein.

[0042] In some example embodiment, the mounting device also includes a coupling element disposed between the clip and the locking plate. In an example embodiment, the coupling element includes a hinge. In some example embodiments, a distal end of the at least one post has a first diameter that is larger than a second diameter of a proximal end of the at least one post. In an example embodiment, a portion of the locking plate is configured to slide laterally between the first plate and the distal end of the at least one post. In some example embodiments, the locking plate also includes a lever arm. The at least one slot is disposed in the lever arm. In an example embodiment, the lever arm is biased toward a locked position. In an example embodiment, the lever arm includes a release actuator configured to move the lever arm between a locked position and a release position. In some example embodiments, the at least one post comprises a beveled end. In an example embodiment, clip also includes one or more projections disposed on the first plate or second plate. The projections are configured to extend into one or more apertures in the frame.

[0043] In other example embodiments a hardware assembly is providing including a frame and at least one mounting device, as described above.

[0044] Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or description that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that any particular order be inferred.

[0045] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the illustrated embodiments. Since modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and variations of the disclosed embodiments that incorporate the spirit and substance of the illustrated embodiments may occur to persons skilled in the art, the description should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.