Supports: racks – Special article – Electrically powered
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-05
2001-08-28
Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)
Supports: racks
Special article
Electrically powered
C211S189000, C312S265400, C361S829000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279756
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to racks or bays used primarily for mounting and housing telecommunications equipment, and more specifically to an improved rack for mounting and housing telecommunications equipment which provides enhanced structural strength through the use of novel reinforcement gusset members. The telecommunications equipment rack of the present invention is particularly intended for use to protect equipment from forces encountered during a seismic event.
BACKGROUND ART
Telecommunications equipment racks or bays are typically installed in controlled environments, vaults, central switching offices, and remote switch buildings. As known to those in the telecommunications field, telecommunications equipment racks or bays can be ordered in many different sizes and configurations. To provide strength and stability, telecommunications equipment racks are typically bolted to the floor and tied-off to the ceiling superstructure, and cables and wires may be run from the superstructure directly through the tops of the racks. The telecommunications equipment racks today can be expected to support fiber optic transmission cable and small scale, fully electronic components in addition to conventional bulky and heavy equipment such as copper wiring and electro-mechanical switching components that have been accommodated in the past by telecommunications equipment racks.
Regardless of the use of the telecommunications equipment rack, there is always a need for a rack with improved structural rigidity and greater ease of manufacture than is found in conventional telecommunications equipment racks and bays known at the present time. This is particularly desirable in localities where the telecommunications racks or bays must adhere to rigid industry standards regarding the ability of the telecommunications racks to withstand seismic forces. For example, racks intended to withstand seismic forces must be designed to comply with BELLCORE Zone 4 seismic tests set forth in document number GR-63-CORE.
Accordingly, the telecommunications equipment rack or bay of the present invention meets a long-felt need for a stronger telecommunications rack which is easier to manufacture than conventional racks. The novel structural reinforcement elements of the telecommunications rack or bay of the present invention can be used in a number of different types of racks, and the high strength telecommunications rack or bay of the present invention is particularly well adapted for use in seismic force resistant racks. The improved strength telecommunications equipment rack or bay of the present invention is described in detail hereinbelow so that the long-felt need for such an improved strength rack will be fully apparent.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, applicant provides a new rack assembly for mounting telecommunications equipment that is designed so as to provide enhanced strength and ease of manufacture, and which lends itself particularly well to incorporation into the structure of seismic force resistant racks. The rack assembly comprises a pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members wherein each of the frame members has an upper and a lower end. A horizontal frame member extends between the upper ends of the pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members, and a base extends between the lower ends of the pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members. The improved rack assembly of the present invention comprises a reinforcement gusset that is welded to the internal juncture of the lower end of each of the pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members and the base so as to provide a welded reinforcement gusset at each opposing side of the base of the rack assembly.
The reinforcement gusset that is welded to the rack assembly comprises an upwardly inclined member having an upper end and a lower end and that defines an inverted U-shaped cross section that will abut one of the upstanding frame members at the upper end thereof and that will abut the base at the lower end thereof. The reinforcement gusset further comprises a triangular wing member extending outwardly and downwardly from the bottom of each side of the channels so that one side of each wing member abuts the base and another side of each wing member abuts the upstanding frame member of the rack assembly. The use of the pair of reinforcement gussets to reinforce the rack assembly provides enhanced structural strength as well as ease of attachment during the manufacture of the rack assembly so as to negate the additional step used in the manufacture of conventional rack assemblies wherein two L-shaped anchor brackets are bolted into place subsequent to manufacture of the rack assembly.
Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved telecommunications equipment rack assembly that possesses enhanced structural strength.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved rack assembly that provides for improved structural integrity to the rack assembly as well as simplifying the manufacturing process of the rack assembly.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved rack assembly that provides for increased strength at the upright-to-base junctions at the base thereof with smaller reinforcement elements that will still allow the rack to meet seismic force resistence standards of the industry.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved rack assembly that incorporates improved reinforcement elements at the upright-to-base junctions at the bottom thereof and that can be used on a variety of different types of equipment racks, including seismic force resistant equipment racks.
Some of the objects of the invention having been stated hereinabove, other objects will become evident as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings as best described hereinbelow.
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U.S. application No. 09/587,178 Walter, et al., filed Aug. 20, 1998.
Caudill Bryan Chesley
Reece Gilbert Walden
Walter Jonathan Trent
Gibson , Jr. Robert W.
Jenkins & Wilson, P.A.
Newton Instrument Company, Inc.
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