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[0001] The present application claims the benefit of a co-pending, commonly assigned provisional patent application entitled “Adjustable Server Rack,” filed on Sep. 27, 2000, and assigned Ser. No. 60/235,714, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
[0002] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to an adjustable equipment rack and, more particularly, to an equipment rack wherein front and rear equipment mounting rails are adjustable to accommodate electronic equipment of varying sizes, depths and/or configurations.
[0004] 2. Background of the Disclosure
[0005] Presently, in order to get the benefit of an open rack with equipment mounting rails that are adjustable, a user either has to purchase an equipment cabinet without sides and doors or an old style four post open rack. A disadvantage of using equipment cabinets is that such cabinets are significantly more expensive than a four post open rack and provide less room for accessing and storing equipment. A disadvantage of using prior four post open racks is that the posts in prior racks are also the mounting rails. Thus, the posts cannot be adjusted to varying depths once the rack is assembled and installed. In addition, prior four-post racks lack a sufficient range of adjustment to satisfy all installation requirements. Typically, a plurality of racks must be purchased, the racks being sized to fit the various pieces of equipment to be installed.
[0006] Thus, based on the problems with prior racks described above, there is a strong need for a rack that is adjustable, versatile, and able to accommodate equipment of various sizes, depths and/or configurations, to provide an inexpensive and efficient means of storing such equipment.
[0007] The equipment rack disclosed herein provides a remedy for the problems associated with prior devices and/or systems. An adjustable equipment rack is disclosed having two opposing structural support frames connected by a plurality of elongated beams defining an adjustable interior volume having a length, width and depth therein. Each opposing support frame has at least two posts defining two opposing sides. The posts are connected by a plurality of elongated cross beams which include a portion that extends outwardly from at least one of the opposing sides. At least two opposing rails are slidably mounted on the plurality of elongated cross beams to permit movement of the rails along the longitudinal axis of the elongated cross beams. Thus, the interior volume of the adjustable equipment rack may be adjusted, e.g., expanded by sliding the opposing rails of each opposing support frame along the plurality of cross beams and into the portion of the cross beams extending beyond the posts. Other features and benefits of the disclosed adjustable equipment rack will be apparent from the detailed description and accompanying figures which follow.
[0008] So that those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject disclosure pertains will more readily understand how to make and use the adjustable equipment rack of the present disclosure as described herein, preferred and/or exemplary embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the included figures, wherein:
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
[0012]
[0013]
[0014] The following detailed description of preferred and/or exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be read in the light of, or in context with, the preceding summary and background descriptions. Unless otherwise apparent, or stated, directional references, such as “up”, “down”, “left”, “right”, “front” and “rear”, are intended to be relative to the orientation of a particular embodiment of the disclosure as shown in the first numbered view of that embodiment. Also, a given reference numeral should be understood to indicate the same or a similar structure when it appears in different figures.
[0015] Referring to
[0016] The LH frame
[0017] Two equipment mounting rails
[0018] Each equipment mounting rail is adjustably mounted to each carrier beam with a cap screw
[0019] Posts
[0020] D, which may be about 23.75 inches or 0.603 meters;
[0021] L, which may be about 84 inches or 2.13 meters; and
[0022] W, which may be about 34 inches or 0.864 meters.
[0023] It is understood that the above-noted dimensions are merely exemplary dimensions associated with a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, and that one or more of the above-noted dimensions may be altered for various reasons, e.g., based on characteristics of the equipment to be installed, and that equipment racks incorporated such altered dimensions shall be within the purview of the present disclosure.
[0024] Referring now to
[0025] The channel nut and spring assembly
[0026] The adjustable equipment rack
[0027] Referring to
[0028] Front and back base angles
[0029] Described above are exemplary adjustable equipment racks that provide substantial improvements over existing prior art equipment racks. Advantageously, the equipment mounting rails can be adjusted independent of the frame so that the rails can be adjusted, e.g., from 6″ to 34″, at any time (e.g., after the rack has been assembled and secured to the floor). In addition, two or more carrier beams may be used to support two or more equipment mounting rails. The length of the equipment mounting rails can be full height (i.e., the height of the rack) or any length shorter to facilitate the particular installation.
[0030] Although the adjustable equipment rack of the subject disclosure has been described as a one or more preferred embodiments, it is apparent that modifications and changes thereto can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.