Locking mechanism for rack mounted devices

A locking mechanism for limiting access to a rack mounted electronic device, the locking mechanism comprising:

• a locking bar having a first end, a second end and a length defined there between, the length of the locking bar being sized to span a space between a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced support posts;
• a support device constructed and arranged to support the first end of the locking bar to one of the support posts;
• a locking member movable between a locked and unlocked position, the locking member constructed and arranged to detachably secure the second end of the locking bar to the other of the support posts, the bar being movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position;
• wherein in the first, open position the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is unsecured at its second end by the locking member being disengaged from the other of the support posts, such that a user can access an electronic device supported within the rack in order to remove components of the electronic device in the open position, and wherein in the second, closed position, the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is locked at its second end to the other of the support posts by the locking member which is in a locked position, at least a portion of the electronic device being obstructed by the bar and access to components of the electronic device being restricted to users who have access to unlock the locking member;
• wherein the support device has a mounting plate including an opening there through for receiving a fastener, and the mounting plate including a first mounting plate portion and a second mounting plate portion, the second mounting plate portion disposed substantially 90 degrees from the first mounting plate portion, and in the second, closed position the locking bar disposed substantially 90 degrees from the second mounting plate portion and substantially parallel to the first mounting plate portion, the support device being constructed and arranged to attach to a rear side of the one of the support posts;
• and
• wherein the mounting plate is configured to support the locking bar at a predetermined distance from the one of the support posts so as to provide a clearance between the locking bar and the electronic devices when the locking bar is disposed in the second, closed position in order to allow translation of at least one electronic component of the electronic components along a direction substantially perpendicular to the locking bar and within the distance defined between the at least one electronic component and the locking bar when the locking bar is disposed in the second, closed position.

A lockable rack assembly for storing electronic devices, the assembly comprising:

• a rack having at least a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced support posts, each of the posts including one or more holes disposed there through, the posts being spaced so as to receive and support one or more electronic devices there between;
• a locking bar having a first end, a second end and a length defined there between, the length of the locking bar being sized to span the space between the pair of adjacent, parallel spaced posts;
• a support device constructed and arranged to secure the first end of the locking bar to one of the support posts;
• a locking member movable between a locked and unlocked position, the locking member constructed and arranged to detachably secure the second end of the locking bar to the other of the support posts such that the bar is movable between a first, open position and a second, closed position;
• wherein in the first, open position the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is unsecured at its second end by the locking member being disengaged from the other of the support posts, such that a user can access an electronic device supported within the rack in order to remove components of the electronic device in the open position, and wherein in a second, closed position, the locking bar is secured at its first end to one of the support posts by the support device and is locked at its second end to the other of the support posts by the locking member which is in a locked position, at least a portion of the electronic device being obstructed by the bar, and access to components of the electronic device being restricted to users who have access to unlock the locking member;
• wherein the support device has a mounting plate including an opening there through for receiving a fastener, the fastener also being sized to be received through the one or more holes in the post during use;
• wherein the locking bar is supported a predetermined distance from the post so as to provide a clearance between the bar and the electronic devices in order to allow partial removal of the electronic components while the locking bar is in the closed position;
• wherein a first post of the at least a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced support posts defines a front side and a rear side, the front side of the first post facing outward from the rack assembly in a plane of the at least a pair of adjacent, substantially parallel spaced support posts, the rear side of the first post opposing the front side of the first post;
• wherein the rack assembly further comprises a fastener constructed and arranged to secure the support device to the rack;
• and
• wherein the support device attaches to the rear side of the first post, and the fastener secures the support device to the first post through one of the holes of the first post.