Supports – Machinery support – Base or platform
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-12-04
King, Anita (Department: 3632)
Supports
Machinery support
Base or platform
C108S057170, C108S055100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06325352
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed, in general, to wireless communications systems and, more specifically, to a mounting base for telecommunications equipment racks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The world is currently experiencing revolutionary changes in communications systems, brought about, in part, by the general availability of access to, and evolution of, wireless telephony systems. It has been predicted that wireless telephony will eventually replace much of the existing wireline telephony systems; the period during which that will occur, however, is a function of the rate at which such systems can be developed and deployed.
To deploy a wireless telecommunications system requires the construction of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), or cell sites, that house the telecommunications system components. Typically, such system components are mounted in equipment racks, and most cell sites require the installation of at least several equipment racks. A conventional equipment rack, or cabinet, usually includes a removable mounting base that is used to secure the equipment rack to the floor of the cell site housing structure. A mounting base must be strong enough to support the weight of the equipment rack and the system components mounted therein. Furthermore, in some geographical locations, such as California, a mounting base must be sufficiently strong to withstand the forces generated by earthquakes.
In addition to the structural rigidity of a mounting base, the mounting base is preferably designed to allow for easy and rapid installation. The design of a mounting base, however, can be complicated by the fact that an equipment rack is typically installed immediately adjacent to, or between, other equipment racks. Thus, the presence of previously installed equipment racks can obstruct access to the means provided on a mounting base for securing it to an equipment rack and the floor of the cell site housing structure. Conventional mounting bases have not effectively addressed the problem of easy installation.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved mounting base for telecommunications equipment racks. Preferably, such mounting base will be structural rigid, and provide easy access to the means provided on the mounting base for securing it to an equipment rack and the floor of the cell site housing structure, whereby such equipment racks can be easily and rapidly installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art; the present invention relates to an improved mounting base for telecommunications equipment racks. The mounting base includes first and second side members, each side member having an upper planar portion including means for coupling the mounting base to a bottom portion of an equipment rack; and forward and rearward cross members, each cross member having a lower planar portion including means for coupling the mounting base to a floor surface. The upper planar portion of each side member is disposed above the lower planar portions of each cross member. When coupled to a bottom portion of an equipment rack, the forward cross member is disposed proximate a front portion of the equipment rack and defines an access passage between the lower planar portion of the forward cross member and the bottom portion of the equipment rack, such that the access passage allows frontal access to the means for coupling of the rearward cross member when the mounting base is disposed between a floor surface and the bottom portion of the equipment rack. The access passage of the mounting base allows for easier installation and removal of telecommunications equipment racks, particularly when a rack is to be positioned adjacent to, or between, other equipment racks.
In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first and second side members has a sidewall portion extending downwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the upper planar portion. In a particular embodiment described in detail hereinafter, the forward and rearward cross members include end portions having upwardly extending wall portions that engage and support the upper planar portions of the first and second side members. In a related embodiment, the rearward cross member has a sidewall portion extending upwardly from and substantially perpendicular to the lower planar portion. The sidewall portions of the first and second side members and forward and rearward cross members add strength and rigidity to the mounting base.
In an exemplary embodiment, the means for coupling the first and second side members to the bottom portion of an equipment rack, and the forward and rearward cross members to a floor surface, define apertures through which mounting bolts can be disposed. The mounting bolts can be placed through the apertures to engage internally-threaded means within the bottom portion of an equipment rack and a floor surface; alternatively, the mounting base can be positioned over threaded mounting studs affixed to the bottom portion of an equipment rack and/or a floor surface, and nuts can be placed thereon to secure the mounting base to the equipment rack and/or floor surface.
In one embodiment, the mounting base further includes a removable cable tray. The cable tray is preferably couplable to a front portion of the forward cross member, such that the cable tray substantially blocks the access passage between the lower planar portion of the forward cross member and the bottom portion of the equipment rack. The cable tray can be installed after securing the mounting base to an equipment rack and a floor surface. The mounting base can also include a drip tray disposed between the forward and rearward cross members; the drip tray is preferably removable. The drip tray provides a fire barrier between the electronic components mounted in the equipment rack and the floor surface on which the equipment rack is mounted.
To compensate for differences in height between an equipment rack and adjacent racks, which can prevent the use of cross braces, the mounting base can also include first and second mounting shims couplable to the upper planar portions of the first and second side members, respectively. The mounting shims have a thickness selected as a function of the height of a second mounting base adjacent to the mounting base.
The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, the principles of the present invention so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments that follow. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception and exemplary embodiments as a basis for designing or modifying other structures and methods for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1840971 (1932-01-01), Polk
patent: 4230050 (1980-10-01), Mays
patent: 4917345 (1990-04-01), Czech
patent: 5180134 (1993-01-01), Mallak
patent: 5402735 (1995-04-01), DeJean
patent: 5626231 (1997-05-01), Kwong et al.
patent: 5967056 (1999-10-01), Plante
Burleigh Roger S.
Ericsson Inc.
Ericsson Inc.
King Anita
Szumny Jon
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