DESC:BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
In order to provide a complete understanding of the manner in which these and other objectives are attained in accordance with the invention, particularly advantageous embodiments thereof will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification and wherein:

Fig 1 is a perspective assembly view of portion of equipment having IEC-60320 connector without shroud, a power cord retainer as per present disclosure, a conventional non-lockable moulded plug cord wherein the power cord retainer provides lockable feature in accordance with the invention.

Fig 2 is an exploded assembly perspective view of portion of equipment having IEC-60320 connector without shroud, cabinet of power source hereinafter called as PDU cabinet, a conventional non-lockable power plug and the power cord retainer that provides lockable feature in accordance with the invention.

Fig 3 is a front view of Fig1 of the assembly of the power cord retainer, power outlet, power plug to the PDU cabinet.

Fig 4 is a perspective view of the power cord retainer showing the actuating face of retainer. This exhibits the profile and orientation of a pair of cantilevers.

Fig 5 is a perspective view of the power cord retainer showing the mounting face of retainer.

Fig 6 is a side view of the power cord retainer which exhibits the profile contour of the cantilevers.

Fig 7 is a perspective view of assembly of a power outlet, power plug, PDU cabinet and the power cord retainer suitable for use with conventional power outlets having outer shroud.

Fig 8 is an exploded perspective view of assembly as per Fig 7.

Fig 9 is a front view of the assembly of power outlet, power plug, PDU cabinet, and the power cord retainer. This image indicates the overview of latching of the power cord retainer with the power plug and the plug retention thereof.

Fig 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the power cord retainer from one direction which exhibits the mounting base and the outer face of the cantilever.

Fig 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment as per Fig 10 from other direction which exhibits the inner face of the cantilever which latches with the power plug after actuation.

Fig 12 is a perspective assembly view of portion of equipment having IEC-60320 power outlet, a conventional non-lockable moulded plug cord and a power cord retainer having a projecting extension.

Fig 13 is an exploded assembly perspective view of portion of equipment having IEC-60320 power outlet, a conventional non-lockable moulded plug cord and the power cord retainer.

Fig 14 is a perspective view indicating the assembly of PDU cabinet and the power cord retainer.

Fig 15 is the perspective view of the assembly as per Fig 14 from backside.

Fig 16 is a perspective view of the power cord retainer indicating various features and portions of it.

Fig 17 is a perspective view of the power cord retainer indicating various features and portions of it from the backside.

Fig 18 is a perspective view of the assembly with a side way screw mount version of the power cord retainer with the PDU cabinet having mounting holes disposed on side wall of the PDU Cabinet.

Fig 19 is a perspective view of the side way screw mount version of the power cord retainer with respective features.

Fig 20 is a perspective view of first variant of alternate embodiment of power cord retainer as shown in Fig 19 having a pair of locking studs that latch on to the PDU cabinet.

Fig 21 is a perspective view of second variant of alternate embodiment of power cord retainer as shown in Fig 19 having a pair of locking studs shaped like a claw for greater stability after fitment on the PDU cabinet.

Fig 22 is a perspective view of third variant of alternate embodiment of power cord retainer of Fig 19 wherein a pair of stepped cylindrical pegs with slot is provided for stability and better grip with the PDU cabinet.

Fig 23 is a perspective view indicating the assembly of PDU cabinet and the side way screw mount version of power cord retainer suitable for conventional power outlets having outer shroud.

Fig 24 is a perspective view of side way screw mount version of power cord retainer suitable for conventional panel mount power outlets with outer shroud showing more details of it.

Fig 25 is a perspective view of first variant of alternate embodiment of power cord retainer of Fig 24 wherein additional locking studs are provided for better gripping with the PDU cabinet.

Fig 26 is a perspective view of second variant of alternate embodiment of power cord retainer of Fig 24 wherein a pair of additional locking studs with a shape like a claw is added for greater stability after fitment on the PDU cabinet.

Fig 27 is a perspective view of third variant of alternate embodiment of power cord retainer of Fig 24 wherein a pair of stepped cylindrical pegs with slot is provided for stability and better grip with the PDU cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein the same numerals are used to denote the same part. However, the drawings only illustrate the disclosure and in no way limit the disclosure.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the disclosure. The description given herein is only representative of the illustrative embodiments and examples. Only for the sake of convenience, the description has focused on a limited number of representative examples of the drawings. However, the drawings and/or illustrations and/or the appended claims in no way limit the scope of the disclosure. It is understood that modifications and/or alterations of the drawings/illustrations of this disclosure other than those specifically set forth herein may be achieved by those skilled in the art and that such modifications and alterations are to be considered as falling within the overall scope of this disclosure.

It can be understood that when an element is referred to with “first” and “second”, the element is not limited thereby. The terms “first,” “second,” etc. may be used only for a purpose of distinguishing the element from the other elements and may not limit the sequence or importance of the elements. In some cases, a first element may be referred to as a second element without departing from the scope of the claims set forth herein. Similarly, a second element may also be referred to as a first element.

Terms used herein are used only in order to describe an exemplary embodiment rather than limiting the present disclosure. In this case, singular forms include plural forms unless interpreted otherwise in context.

Power source with a power cord retainer disclosed herein facilitates the versatility of using any conventional nonlocking power cord and impart a locking feature wherein the power plug can be extracted only by deliberate manual separation. The locking feature is possible by provision of a power cord retainer which is placed on one side of the power outlet on the PDU cabinet. The retainer configured with cantilevers having perpendicular projections which latch with the step on the mating power plug. Various embodiments of the power cord retainer disclosed herein are described with reference to the accompanying drawings:

Referring to the drawings, the power source and the connections as shown in Fig 1 comprise of a PDU cabinet 10 having the spaced notches configured to receive power outlets 40 with which the mating power plug 30 is coupled. A power cord retainer 20 placed is fixed to the power outlet 40 acts as a means of locking the plug 30.

The power cord retainer 20 is fixed to the PDU cabinet 10 with the help of mounting screws 60 fixed to the threaded metallic inserts 50 riveted to the PDU cabinet as seen in Fig 2. Once the power plug 30 is coupled with the power outlet 40 it is expected that the plug 30 should stay engaged even in the presence of vibrations, shocks, or pulls thereby providing a fool proof locking. The power cord retainer provides the locking feature to keep the power plug engaged with the power outlet as seen in Fig.3.

Referring to Fig 2, 4 ,5 & 6 the power cord retainer 20 comprises of a base 20F having a pair of chamfered holes 20C on top of the base 20F having a spacing to match with the spaced holes 10C on the PDU cabinet 10. These holes 20C act as a means of mounting and fixing of the power cord retainer 20 to the PDU cabinet 10. The power cord retainer 20 is configured to meet the locking requirements for both IEC-60320 C-13 as well as C-19 power plugs. For that the retainer is profiled with a pair of cantilever outer arm 20A and cantilever inner arm 20B, with cantilever outer arm 20A configured to provide locking for C-20 power plugs and cantilever inner arm 20B configured to provide locking for C-14 power plug. The slant stiffeners 20G1 and 20G3 are provided at ends of edge adjoining the cantilever outer arm 20A and mounting base 20F. Similarly, stiffener 20G2 is provided between the centre of base of cantilever inner arm 20B and mounting base 20F. These stiffeners are placed towards outer face of the cantilevers near the mounting holes 20C which add to the stiffness of cantilever outer arm 20A and cantilever inner arm 20B whereby the cantilevers deflect outward during entry of power plug and regain almost a nearby original position at the time of latching. The entry portion of cantilevers is sufficiently curved and serrated to facilitate easy entry and gripping of finger during manual actuation of arms at the time of power plug extraction. The cross-projecting ribs 20D and 20E placed at an appropriate height suitable for C-14 & C-20 power plug type, act as a means of latching of power plug when engaged in the power outlet. During the extraction of power plug the cantilever outer arm 20A on the power cord retainer is manually actuated away from the power outlet and then the power plug 30 is pulled out.

In another embodiment the power cord retainer 120 is configured to offer the locking feature for a non-lockable power plug 110 with conventional panel mount power outlet 140 installed in the PDU cabinet 100 as seen in Fig 7. The locking is imparted by action of a cantilever 120A and the projecting cross rib 120B. A pair of screws 130 fixed with threaded metallic inserts 150 riveted to the PDU cabinet provide a means of fixing of retainer 120 to the PDU cabinet 100 as shown in Fig 8 and Fig 9.
The power cord retainer as per this embodiment is profiled with a mounting base 120F having a pair of chamfered holes 120C as shown in Fig 10 configured to match with the spacings of spaced holes on PDU cabinet 100 of power source. A cantilever 120A having a typically curved convex profile is additionally sufficiently serrated at the top for better grip during manual actuation of snap. The projecting cross rib 120B over the cantilever 120A is profiled such that the rib starting from the arm is extended downwards till such a level that it shall latch with the step on mating power plug.as seen in Fig 9. The latching with cross rib 120B is desired on the power plug 110 which lies just vertically above the power outlet when coupled and at the same time the power cord retainer is to be mounted over the PDU cabinet 100 adjacent to the power outlet. This is attained by adding a convex profile over the cantilever such that the mounting base 120F lies at one side of the power outlet 140 and the apex of arm lies towards the centre of the power outlet. The slant stiffeners 120G1 and 120G3 are provided at ends of edge adjoining the cantilever 120A and mounting base 120F. Similarly, stiffener 120G2 is provided between the centre of base of cantilever 120A and mounting base 120F. These stiffeners are placed towards outer face of the cantilever near the mounting holes 120C which add to the stiffness of cantilever 120A. During the extraction of power plug the cantilever 120A on the power cord retainer is manually actuated away from the power outlet and then the power plug 110 is pulled out.

Another embodiment is a snap mount version 220 of the power cord retainer in place of a screw mount version. The snap mount version of the power cord retainer 220 has a projecting extension below the mounting base as shown in Fig 16 and Fig 17 wherein the snaps 220C and 220D are configured to fit into the corresponding notch 210E on the PDU cabinet 210 as seen in Fig 15. The snap mount version facilitates easy and quick mounting of the power cord retainer as it does not need the screws and rivet nuts on the PDU cabinet. The fitment notch 210E on the PDU cabinet is of a typical profile as seen in Fig 13, Fig 14 and Fig 15 which facilitates the entry of snap 220C of the power cord retainer followed by a latching of the snaps. The fitment notch 210E on the PDU cabinet 210 is configured with a stretched profile at its central portion which facilitates entry and latching of an additional snap from the power cord retainer. As seen in Fig 16 and Fig 17, the snap 220C is present beside the pair of snaps 220D on the portion below the mounting base 220F. This extra snap 220C along with the stretched profile adds to the stability of fitment of the power cord retainer with the PDU cabinet 210. The stiffeners 220G1, 220G3 placed at bottom on either ends of the edge adjoining cantilevers and mounting base 220F and the stiffener 220G2 placed at centre of cantilever 220A add to the stiffness of the power cord retainer. The projecting cross rib 220B over the cantilever is profiled such that the rib starting from the arm is extended downwards till such a level that it shall latch with the step on the mating power plug as shown in Fig 12.

One more alternative embodiment of a standard screw mount version is a side way screw version 260 of the power cord retainer 20 described earlier in the above explanation. According to this embodiment, the mounting base of the retainer 260F is extended at right angle on opposite side of the cantilevers as seen in Fig 18 and Fig 19. A pair of holes 250C disposed on the side wall of the PDU cabinet 250 wherein the threaded inserts are placed for fastening purposes. A pair of mounting holes 260C is disposed on extended right angled wall or the perpendicular side of the power cord retainer 260 with spacing configured to mate with the spaced holes 250C on the side wall of the PDU cabinet 250. The side way screw mount version offers an advantage of adaptability of retainer with PDU cabinets that have a narrow width.

In further variants of alternative embodiments of a side way screw mount version contain an additional pair of studs 270H1 and 270H2 as seen in Fig 20. These studs are located and inserted into correspondingly spaced openings on the PDU cabinet 250. The studs impart additional grip and stability to the power cord retainer when mounted on the PDU cabinet 250.
One more variant of the alternative embodiments of side way screw mount version as per Fig 21 contains a similar pair of studs 280H1 & 280 H2 but shaped like a claw with tips bent inside which impart a latching effect with the PDU cabinet. Yet another variant of the same alternative embodiment as per Fig 22 contains a pair of cylindrical stepped slotted pegs 290H1 and 290H2. The entry tip of these pegs is tapered to facilitate easy entry into the spaced openings provided on the PDU cabinet during mounting. Due to presence of slots over the stepped pegs, the pegs deflect inwardly during the entry into spaced openings of PDU cabinet and after that it revert to normal position when inserted fully. This imparts a latching effect with the PDU cabinet 250.
Another embodiment is a side way screw mount version 300 of the power cord retainer 120 which is compatible for use with conventional power outlets having outer shroud. Fig 23 shows its fitment on PDU cabinet 250 using screw fasteners 130. The said version 300 as shown in Fig 24 is profiled with three stiffeners 300G1, 300G2 and 300G3 placed at either ends and center of base of cantilever arm offer additional stiffness to the cantilever for locking purposes.
A further variant 310 of the said basic version 300 is seen in Fig 25 which is profiled with an additional pair of locking studs 310H1 and 310H2 for additional grip with the PDU cabinet when mounted. A further variant 320 as seen in Fig 26 is provided with a pair of modified studs 320H1 and 320H2 profiled like a claw with tips bent inside for a latching effect with the PDU cabinet. A yet another variant 330 of the basic version 300 as seen in Fig 27 is provided with a pair of cylindrical stepped slotted pegs 330H1 and 330H2 for better latching effect with the PDU cabinet. The entry tip of these pegs is kept tapered to facilitate easy entry into the spaced openings on the PDU cabinet during mounting.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:

1. A power cord retainer fastened to a PDU cabinet comprising:
at least one cantilever, each having at least one perpendicular projection; and
at least one stiffener locking the power cord to the power outlet.

2. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the power cord retainer is fastened to the PDU cabinet with screws which mate with corresponding holes placed on the power cord retainer and the PDU cabinet and are fixed by threaded metallic inserts.

3. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the holes placed on the top of the base of the power cord retainer and on the top of the PDU cabinet.

4. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 2, wherein, the holes are placed on the side of the base of the power cord retainer and the side of the PDU cabinet.

5. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein, the power cord retainer has projecting extension having snaps which snap onto the corresponding notch on the PDU cabinet.

6. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power cord retainer has a cantilever outer arm and a cantilever inner arm.

7. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the power cord retainer comprises of three stiffeners.

8. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the perpendicular projection is claw-shaped.

9. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the power cord retainer has a pair of extensions below its base.

10. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the extension is a pair of studs.

11. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the extension is a pair of claw-shaped studs.

12. The power cord retainer as claimed in claim 9 wherein the extension is a pair of cylindrical stepped slotted pegs.