Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Wall – ceiling – or floor designed for utilities
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-26
2001-10-30
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Wall, ceiling, or floor designed for utilities
C052S263000, C052S036100, C312S223600, C312S351100, C211S026000, C108S050020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308477
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates in general to the installation of telecommunications equipment cabinets. More particularly, the invention relates to a means of electronically isolating an equipment cabinet from the floor and allocating floor space for an installation of cabinets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with installing and electronically isolating telecommunications switching equipment cabinets, as an example.
The backbone of a telecommunications network consists of switching centers and either wireless or wireline communication links coupling the switching centers. A switching center is a place where telephony and electronic communications are routed from one point to another point in the network service area. The switches and equipment in a switching center are customarily mounted in a cabinet for protection. Typically, cabinets are installed in rows with cabinets placed side-by-side to form what is known in the industry as a “suite”. Suites of cabinets are also placed back-to-back with to create a “double suite”.
Since switching centers have a limited amount of floor space, it is important to keep the installation of a cabinet or suite in a precise and compact area. It is a time consuming task for cabinet installers to measure and layout the exact locations for the cabinets. It is especially time consuming to identify the proper location for cabinet mounting bolts and cable ways. Cable ways are chutes which allow cables to pass from the cabinet into areas beneath the floor of the switching center. In some installations, switching centers have a “computer floor”. A computer floor is a raised tile floor which allows cables to be routed between individual cabinets. The cables run from the bottom of a cabinet, underneath the computer floor and up in to another cabinet.
It is important for the protection of the equipment inside the cabinet that the cabinet be electronically isolated from the building. if the cabinet is not isolated, damage to the equipment inside the cabinet may result from, for example, electric overcharge or unexpected power supply disturbances. The damage results in unnecessary expense to replace the damaged equipment, loss of revenue from the equipment down time, and possible harm to people.
One means of achieving isolation involves the use of an electrically nonconductive material, such as plastic. Pieces of such a material have been placed beneath a cabinet in a manner intended to prevent the cabinet from making direct contact with the floor. These pieces are taken from whatever sources of electrically nonconductive material are available at the time of installation.
The disadvantages of this method are that the pieces do not always assure complete isolation of the cabinet, and are not suitable for reuse when cabinets are relocated in a telecommunications switching center or another location. Another disadvantage of many pieces of electrically nonconductive material is that extensive manual labor is required to measure and layout the cabinets in the proper locations.
The disadvantages of this method are that the pieces do not always assure complete isolation of the cabinet, and are not suitable for reuse when cabinets are relocated in a telecommunications switching center or another location. Another disadvantage of many pieces of electrically nonconductive material is that a extensive manual labor is required to measure and layout the cabinets in the proper locations.
Accordingly, a means of facilitating the installation of equipment cabinets in a telecommunications switching center that provides insulation between the cabinet and the floor upon which it is installed would provide numerous advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a method and system for isolating the equipment inside a cabinet of the type typically used in a telecommunications switching center. With the present invention the cabinet is electrically isolated from the floor.
Disclosed in one embodiment is a method for installing a telecommunications equipment cabinet. The method includes the step of locating an isolating plate within a desired location of a switching room floor. Next, the cable ways and mounting holes are located in the floor and the cabinets are placed in position over the isolating plate permitting the cables to be routed into the cabinet.
In one embodiment, the method includes the step of using an isolator plate as a template for establishing the proper location for a cabinet and the location for openings such as cable ways and bolt holes in the floor. The installer lays the isolating plate in the proper location on the floor. The isolator plate can simply just lay down on the floor or alternatively, the installer attaches the isolating plate to the floor with screws, adhesive or other appropriate means. This allows an installer to quickly establish the location of a cabinet and to cut any holes that need to be made in the floor.
In another embodiment, an isolating plate is generally the same size as the base of a cabinet. The isolating plate is placed between the cabinet and a floor to isolate the cabinet. The isolating plate has a precut opening to allow cables to pass through from the computer floor and into the cabinet. The isolating plate is a nonconductive material such as Haysite H950, GPO-3 composite.
In another embodiment, the isolating plate is attached to the cabinet prior to the installation on the floor. The isolating plate may be installed on the cabinet at the installation site or at the manufacturing factory. The cabinet is then attached to the floor and the cables are routed as necessary.
Disclosed in one embodiment is a telecommunications cabinet mounting system that uses the isolating plate and a insulated bolt assembly to protect the equipment inside the cabinet.
A technical advantage of the present invention is a simplified method for installing or relocating cabinets in a switching center, since it allows the exact location of a cabinet to be quickly and accurately determined.
An additional technical advantage is the complete electrical isolation of the cabinet, since the entire cabinet is separated from the floor by the isolating plate and the insulated bolt assembly. Electrical isolation is important for the proper functioning of the equipment inside the cabinet and to prevent harm to the equipment, building or people.
REFERENCES:
patent: Re. 33220 (1990-05-01), Collier
patent: 3924370 (1975-12-01), Cauceglia
patent: 6129434 (1998-12-01), Melane
Ericsson Inc.
Friedman Carl D.
Navarro Arthur I.
Nguyen Chi
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