Universal branding panel

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11423807-B2
Application number	US-202016778419-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 31, 2020
Priority date	Dec 29, 2016
Publication date	Aug 23, 2022
Grant date	Aug 23, 2022

Abstract

A branding device includes a housing, a faceplate, a backlit recess within the housing, housing retention features, and faceplate retention features. The branding device is configured to be installed within a corresponding recess of a panel, such that the faceplate can be removed and replaced without requiring replacement of the entire branding device. To update the branding information of the branding device, the faceplate retention features must be disengaged from the rear of the branding device, the faceplate is then removed, and a faceplate with updated branding information is then installed.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A branding device comprising:
a housing comprising:
one or more housing retention features configured to affix the housing within a recess of a computing infrastructure device; and
one or more housing-faceplate interface features;

a faceplate comprising:
a plurality of faceplate retention features formed external to the faceplate and protruding from a same side of the faceplate, each faceplate retention feature extending towards a rear of the housing when secured to the housing and being configured to secure the faceplate to an external face of the housing; and
a decorative pattern visible from an opposing side of the faceplate, which is opposite the side from which the plurality of faceplate retention features protrude;
wherein the branding device is configured to be updated by removing the faceplate from the housing and installing a replacement faceplate onto the housing;

a light source oriented to emit light into an interior of the housing; and
a harness in electrical communication with a power source and the light source.

2. The branding device of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of faceplate retention features are arranged as pairs of opposing faceplate retention features.

3. The branding device of claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs) or a luminescent coating applied to at least a portion of the housing.

4. The branding device of claim 3 , wherein the one or more LEDs are disposed along a perimeter of the interior of the housing.

5. The branding device of claim 1 ,
wherein the light source is configured to emit light from the opposing side of the faceplate.

6. The branding device of claim 5 , wherein the light source is a luminescent coating applied to the opposing side of the faceplate or one or more LEDs in a shape of the decorative pattern.

7. The branding device of claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a flange around at least a portion of a perimeter of a first side thereof.

8. The branding device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more housing retention features comprise movable tabs configured to lockingly interface with an edge of the computing infrastructure device surrounding the recess to secure the edge between each movable tab and a flange of the housing.

9. The branding device of claim 1 , wherein:
the one or more housing-faceplate interface features comprise one or more cavities formed in a side and/or rear wall of the housing; and
each faceplate retention feature comprises a tabbed structure, which is configured to interlock with a corresponding cavity of the housing-faceplate interface features.

10. The branding device of claim 9 , wherein the one or more faceplate retention features are only movable by accessing a rear side of the housing.

11. The branding device of claim 1 , wherein the one or more housing retention features comprise movable tabs configured to lockingly engage with an edge of the computing infrastructure device surrounding the recess.

12. The branding device of claim 11 , wherein:
the housing comprises a flange around at least a portion of a perimeter of the housing, at an external face thereof; and
the movable tabs are configured to secure the edge of the computing infrastructure device between each of the movable tabs and the flange.

13. The branding device of claim 12 , wherein the movable tabs are positioned along the perimeter of the housing, such that, when the housing is in an installed position within the recess of the computing infrastructure device, the movable tabs are adjacent to the edge of the computing infrastructure device surrounding the recess to lockingly interface therewith.

14. The branding device of claim 13 , wherein the decorative pattern is integrally formed with, and coplanar to, a portion of the faceplate from which the faceplate retention features protrude.

15. A method of branding a computing infrastructure device with a branding device, the method comprising:
installing a housing at least partially within a recess of the computing infrastructure device;
securing the housing to the computing infrastructure device by one or more housing retention features;
forming a plurality of faceplate retention features that are external to a faceplate and protrude from a same side of the faceplate, each faceplate retention feature extending towards a rear of the housing when secured to the housing;
providing a light source oriented to emit light into an interior of the housing;
installing the faceplate on the housing;
connecting a harness to provide electrical communication between the light source and a power source of the computing infrastructure device; and
securing the faceplate to the housing by engaging each faceplate retention feature with a corresponding housing-faceplate retention feature;
wherein the faceplate comprises a decorative pattern visible from an opposing side of the faceplate, which is opposite the side from which the plurality of faceplate retention features protrude.

16. The method of claim 15 , comprising illuminating an interior of the housing;
wherein the decorative pattern is at least semi-translucent; and
wherein illuminating the interior of the housing causes a corresponding illumination of the decorative pattern that is visible from an outside of the computing infrastructure device.

17. The method of claim 15 , comprising updating the branding of the computing infrastructure device, wherein updating the branding comprises:
accessing a rear portion of a branding device;
disengaging one or more interlocking faceplate retention features from corresponding housing retention features;
removing a faceplate from a housing affixed to the computing infrastructure device; and
installing another faceplate onto the housing.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein:
the one or more housing retention features comprise movable tabs configured to lockingly engage with an edge of the computing infrastructure device surrounding the recess;
the housing comprises a flange around at least a portion of a perimeter of the housing, at an external face thereof;
the movable tabs are configured to secure the edge of the computing infrastructure device between each of the movable tabs and the flange; and
the movable tabs are positioned along the perimeter of the housing, such that, when the housing is in an installed position within the recess of the computing infrastructure device, the movable tabs are adjacent to the edge of the computing infrastructure device surrounding the recess to lockingly interface therewith.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the decorative pattern is integrally formed with, and coplanar to, a portion of the faceplate from which the faceplate retention features protrude.

20. A branding device comprising:
a housing comprising:
one or more housing retention features configured to affix the housing within a recess of a computing infrastructure device; and
one or more housing-faceplate interface features;

a faceplate comprising:
a plurality of faceplate retention features formed external to the faceplate and protruding from a same side of the faceplate, each faceplate retention feature extending towards a rear of the housing when secured to the housing and being configured to secure the faceplate to an external face of the housing; and
a decorative pattern visible from an opposing side of the faceplate, which is opposite the side from which the plurality of faceplate retention features protrude;
wherein the brand

Assignees

• Vce Ip Holding Co Llc
• Emc Ip Holding Co Llc

Inventors

• Marrs Samuel Maxwell

Classifications

• G09F7/06

  the elements being secured or adapted to be secured by means of pins and holes · CPC title

• G09F2013/222

  with LEDs · CPC title

• G09F13/22 Primary

  electroluminescent (electroluminescent light sources per se H05B33/00) · CPC title

• G09F3/04

  to be fastened or secured by the material of the label itself, e.g. by thermo-adhesion (by a separate adhesive layer G09F3/10) · CPC title

• G09F3/02 Primary

  Forms or constructions (layered products B32B) · CPC title