Securing apparatus and system

{
  "publication_number": "US9506491B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Securing apparatus and system",
  "abstract": "An apparatus that may be used to facilitate securing or mounting of an assembly. The device may be constructed of a shaft and a torque managing device, where the shaft has two ends, the first end having an engagement portion. The torque managing device is coupled to the second end of the shaft having a portion of the torque managing device enabled to rotate independently from the shaft when a predetermined force used on the torque managing device has been met.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus, comprising: a shaft, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes an engagement portion; wherein the shaft includes a circumferential slot enabled to receive a retaining clip, wherein the retaining clip is enabled to hold the shaft in place while allowing the shaft to rotate; a torque managing device coupled to the second end of the shaft, including a first portion constructed and arranged to enable rotation around a longitudinal axis of the shaft, independently from the shaft; wherein the first portion is formed to enable tool-less installation using the torque managing device; wherein the torque managing device is coupled to the second end of the shaft using a single screw, which holds the first portion and a second portion of the torque managing device to the shaft; wherein the second portion of the torque managing device is configured and constructed to mesh with the first portion of the torque managing device, wherein the shaft includes a flat portion at the second end of the shaft to enable the second portion to be rotationally fixed to the shaft; a cover portion removeably coupled to the torque managing device, wherein the cover portion is enabled to receive a tool tip; and wherein the torque managing device includes at least one aperture enabled to receive a portion of the cover portion, wherein torque managing device is enabled to hold the cover portion attached to the torque managing device by retaining the portion of the cover portion within the at least one aperture.",
    "2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the torque managing device includes a rotor, and wherein the torque managing device further includes: a stator disposed on the second end of the shaft and constructed and arranged to (a) enable movement along the longitudinal axis of the shaft and (b) be substantially fixed to the shaft with respect to rotational movement around the longitudinal axis thereof; and a force imparting device imparting a force along the longitudinal axis of the shaft upon the stator, resulting in contact between the rotor and stator at an interface therebetween.",
    "3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the force imparting device is a spring.",
    "4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the force imparting device and the interface result in a predetermined force between the stator and rotor, wherein in a first state, the predetermined force is such that the rotor is enabled to rotate the shaft through the interface with the stator.",
    "5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a rotational force is applied to the rotor which exceeds the predetermined force, causing a second state, wherein the rotor pushes the stator away, along the longitudinal axis, resulting in movement of the rotor independent of movement of the shaft.",
    "6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the interface comprises a ramped tooth configuration on the rotor and the stator, enabling the stator to mesh with the rotor.",
    "7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the torque managing device is enabled to be modified to augment an amount of leverage imparted by tool-less use of the apparatus.",
    "8. A system, comprising: an assembly, including opposing front and rear surfaces defining a volume therebetween; wherein the front surface and rear surface each have an aperture therein; and an apparatus comprising: a shaft, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a threaded portion; wherein the shaft includes a circumferential slot enabled to receive a retaining clip, wherein the retaining clip is enabled to hold the shaft in place while allowing the shaft to rotate; a torque managing device coupled to the second end of the shaft, including a first portion constructed and arranged to enable rotation around a longitudinal axis of the shaft, independently from the shaft; wherein the first portion is formed to enable tool-less installation using the torque managing device; wherein the torque managing device is coupled to the second end of the shaft using a single screw, which holds the first portion and second portion of the torque managing device to the shaft; the shaft disposed within the assembly, placed through the aperture in the front surface and the aperture in the rear surface therein and spanning the volume therebetween; wherein the second portion of the torque managing device is configured and constructed to mesh with the first portion of the torque managing device, wherein the shaft includes a flat portion at the second end of the shaft to enable the second portion to be rotationally fixed to the shaft; a cover portion removeably coupled to the torque managing device, wherein the cover portion is enabled to receive a tool tip; and wherein the torque managing device includes at least one aperture enabled to receive a portion of the cover portion, wherein torque managing device is enabled to hold the cover portion attached to the torque managing device by retaining the portion of the cover portion within the at least one aperture.",
    "9. The system of claim 8, wherein the first portion of the torque managing device includes a rotor, and wherein the torque managing device further includes: a stator disposed on the second end of the shaft and constructed and arranged to (a) enable movement along the longitudinal axis of the shaft and (b) be substantially fixed to the shaft with respect to rotational movement around the longitudinal axis thereof; and a force imparting device imparting a force along the longitudinal axis of the shaft upon the stator, resulting in contact between the rotor and stator at an interface therebetween.",
    "10. The system of claim 9, wherein the force imparting device is a spring.",
    "11. The system of claim 9, wherein the force imparting device and the interface result in a predetermined force between the stator and rotor, wherein in a first state, the predetermined force is such that the rotor is enabled to rotate the shaft through the interface with the stator.",
    "12. The system of claim 11, wherein a rotational force is applied to the rotor which exceeds the predetermined force, causing a second state, wherein the rotor pushes the stator away, along the longitudinal axis, resulting in movement of the rotor independent of movement of the shaft.",
    "13. The system of claim 11, wherein the interface comprises a ramped tooth configuration on the rotor and the stator, enabling the stator to mesh with the rotor.",
    "14. A system, comprising: an assembly, including opposing front surface and rear surface defining a volume therebetween; wherein the front surface and rear surface have an aperture therein; an apparatus comprising: a shaft, having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end includes a threaded portion; wherein the shaft includes a circumferential slot enabled to receive a retaining clip, wherein the retaining clip is enabled to hold the shaft in place while allowing the shaft to rotate; a torque managing device coupled to the second end of the shaft, including a first portion constructed and arranged to enable rotation around a longitudinal axis of the shaft, independently from the shaft; wherein the first portion is formed to enable tool-less installation using the torque managing device; wherein the torque managing device is coupled to the second end of the shaft using a single screw, which holds the first portion and a second portion of the torque managing device to the shaft; wherein the second portion of the torque managing device is configured and constructed to mesh with the first portion of the torque managing device, wherein the shaft includes a flat portion at the second end of the shaft to enable the second portion to be rotationally fixed to the shaft; the shaft disposed within the assembly, placed through the aperture in the front surface and the aperture in the rear surface therein and spanning the volume therebetween; a cover portion removeably coupled to the torque managing device, wherein the cover portion is enabled to receive a tool tip; and wherein the torque managing device includes at least one aperture enabled to receive a portion of the cover portion, wherein torque managing device is enabled to hold the cover portion attached to the torque managing device by retaining the portion of the cover portion within the at least one aperture; and a rack, having an inner space configured to receive the assembly; the inner space having an receptacle, wherein at least part of the receptacle is threaded and configured to receive the engaged portion of the shaft of the apparatus.",
    "15. The system of claim 14, wherein the first portion of the torque managing device includes a rotor, and wherein the torque managing device further includes: a stator disposed on the second end of the shaft and constructed and arranged to (a) enable movement along the longitudinal axis of the shaft and (b) be substantially fixed to the shaft with respect to rotational movement around the longitudinal axis thereof; and a force imparting device imparting a force along the longitudinal axis of the shaft upon the stator, resulting in contact between the rotor and stator at an interface therebetween.",
    "16. The system of claim 15, wherein the force imparting device is a spring.",
    "17. The system of claim 15, wherein the force imparting device and the interface result in a predetermined force between the stator and rotor, wherein in a first state, the predetermined force is such that the rotor is enabled to rotate the shaft through the interface with the stator.",
    "18. The system of claim 17, wherein a rotational force is applied to the rotor which exceeds the predetermined force, causing a second state, wherein the rotor pushes the stator away, along the longitudinal axis, resulting in movement of the rotor independent of movement of the shaft.",
    "19. The system of claim 17, wherein the interface comprises a ramped tooth configuration on the rotor and the stator, enabling the stator to mesh with the rotor."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The disclosure is directed to an apparatus and system for mounting assemblies, generally applicable to rack mounted assemblies.\n\nThis disclosure relates to hardware mounting systems used to mount an assembly to a rack or into a chassis component. Current mounting techniques include using threaded mounting screws or latched mounting brackets. The threaded mounting screws are merely long screws which go through the assembly and may be tightened using tools. Latched mounting brackets are also mounted through the assembly and tightened using a flipping latch at the end of the mounting bracket. When using either mounting method, there is no indication of complete and proper installation of the assembly, or protection against deviations from acceptable securing tolerances caused by premature wear of mounting components. In addition, tools are often required for installation to ensure the mounting brackets or screws are used properly and torqued appropriately.\n\nVarious disclosed embodiments are directed towards an apparatus for facilitating mounting of assemblies. The apparatus includes a shaft with a torque managing device attached to one end and an engageable mounting mechanism at the other end. When using the securing apparatus, the torque managing device is designed to allow independent rotation of the torque managing device from the shaft.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16B 31/027",
    "G06F 1/183"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F16B 31/02",
    "G06F 1/18"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "LEWIS JEFFREY M",
    "KING JR JOSEPH P",
    "EMC IP HOLDING CO LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "LEWIS JEFFREY M",
    "KING JR JOSEPH P"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-06-30",
  "publication_date": "2016-11-29",
  "grant_date": "2016-11-29",
  "priority_date": "2011-06-30",
  "application_number": "US-201113174047-A",
  "family_id": "57351825",
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  ]
}