Supports: racks – Special article – Electrically powered
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-07
2001-03-20
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Electrically powered
C211S189000, C361S829000, C312S265400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202860
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic equipment enclosures, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a modular electronic equipment enclosure including a frame and interchangeable bracket assembly sets for supporting electronic equipment components having various mounting characteristics.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
Electronic equipment enclosures are widely used to support and to enclose electronic equipment such as relays, computer components, switching gear, and the like. Generally, the enclosures have an upstanding frame provided with mounting holes for the attachment of shelf members that, in turn, support the electronic equipment. The frame typically defines a central shelf receiving cavity into which the shelves are disposed, and panels or doors are often supported on the frame to provide an enclosure cabinet.
The frame is designed to withstand external forces to protect the electronic equipment from damage. The most rigorous frames are designed to withstand earthquake-level forces. The required structural integrity is often achieved by the use of structural bracing members. However, a frame having a corrugated sheet metal construction has recently been proposed. Cross-sectional strengthening flanges impart the desired strength to the frame, thereby eliminating the need for bracing members.
The corrugated frame has opposing pairs of upstanding support members, each provided with a pattern of apertures for securing shelves to the interior of the frame. The frame is thereby limited to a particular aperture pattern. Consequently, the shelves secured to the frame are restricted to being of a particular size and having a particular mounting hole pattern that will matingly align with the aperture pattern of the frame.
A specific pattern of apertures in the frame is suitable where the mounting hole pattern of the shelves correspond with the apertures of the frame. However, if a shelf having a different aperture pattern is specified, or is more readily available, a frame having the corresponding aperture pattern is required to be constructed. In that numerous types of shelves are available, having to provide a frame with an aperture pattern for every different type of shelf significantly increases manufacturing costs.
To this end, a need exists for a modular electronic equipment enclosure having a frame and interchangeable bracket assembly sets for supporting shelves having various mounting characteristics. It is to such an apparatus that the present invention is directed.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a modular electronic equipment enclosure for the installation of electronic equipment shelves having various mounting characteristics. Shelves with different mounting characteristics such as different mounting hole patterns and different widths, as well as shelves mounted at different depths can be simultaneously installed into the enclosure.
The enclosure has a frame supporting a mounting bracket assembly set comprising opposed pairs of mounting bracket assemblies which support both ends of a shelf. The mounting bracket assemblies have mounting flanges which provide an abutting surface for a pressing engagement with a mounting portion of each end of the shelf, the mounting flanges furthermore having spaced apertures which align with a mounting hole pattern of the shelf mounting portions. The mounting flanges are supported by mounting brackets of the mounting bracket assemblies, the mounting brackets being removably attached to the frame.
The adaptability of the enclosure to support shelves having particular mounting characteristics is thus provided by removably attached mounting bracket assembly sets. If a shelf having different mounting characteristics is desired for use in the enclosure, an existing mounting bracket assembly set can be readily replaced with a different mounting bracket assembly set without modifying or replacing the frame of the enclosure. This arrangement provides flexibility and cost reduction associated with the task of specifying new or replacing existing electronic equipment for use in the enclosure. These and various other features as well as advantages which characterize the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following detailed description and review of the associated drawings.
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“Associated Products”: Hendry Telephone Products, Manufacturer's Catalogue, 02/98(pp. 8 & 9).
“Indoor Cabinets”: Hendry Telephone Products, Manufacturer's Catalogue, 03/98 (pp. 7 & 8).
“Announcement of a New Electronic Equipment Enclosure”, Digest of Technical Information—Licensing Agreement Negotiated with W.H. Stewart Co. for Bellcore Electronic Equipment Enclosure, Dec. 1997, (pp. 5 & 6).
Pending U.S. Patent Application 08/630,304; Title: “Earthquake Resistant Enclosure for Electronic Equipment”; Filing Date: Apr. 10, 1996; Inventors: Gemra et al.
Dunlap Codding & Rogers P.C.
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
W. H. Stewart Co.
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