EP1915805A1

EP1915805A1 - A rack mounting assembly for computer enclosures

Info

Publication number: EP1915805A1
Application number: EP05772064A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Flaherty
Original assignee: Lakeland Designs Ltd
Current assignee: Lakeland Designs Ltd
Priority date: 2005-08-16
Filing date: 2005-08-16
Publication date: 2008-04-30
Also published as: WO2007020612A1

Abstract

A rack mounting assembly (1) for computer enclosures of the type comprising an upstanding framework (2), a rectangular brace (3) having castors (4), adjustable ground engaging legs (5), and a roof (9) above the base (3), is described. The framework (2) comprises four uprights (6) and a framework connection means (12) for releasably securing each upright (6) between the base (3) and the roof (9). Such a rack mounting assembly (1) can be assembled efficiently from a minimal number of component parts on site and can be delivered in 'broken down' form to sites.

Description

"A Rack Mounting Assembly for Computer Enclosures"

Technical Field

The present invention relates to rack mounting assemblies for computer enclosures of the type comprising an upstanding framework, a rectangular base having castors, adjustable ground engaging legs, and a roof above the base.

The term 'computer enclosure' as used in this specification encompasses not only what are known as computers per se, but also other forms of data storage device, telecommunications equipment and the like. The term 'computer enclosure' therefore includes any electrical or electronic processing or storage device.

Computer enclosures are often stored in vertical support structures commonly known as rack mounting assemblies. Such structures are particularly suited to the storage of server-type computers, which generally comprise a number of computer enclosures which are required to be stacked on top of one another.

Most rack mounting assemblies are delivered to sites fully assembled and as a result require a level of structural rigidity to withstand the rigors of handling by people and machinery throughout the distribution environment. Furthermore, rack mounting assemblies must also possess a level of stability in order to minimise the likelihood that the assembly will topple over as a result of a side impact and/or ground vibrations or movements which may cause damage to stored computer enclosures.

One approach to providing the required level of structural rigidity is to weld the individual components of each assembly together prior to delivery and installation. However, such pre-assembled assemblies occupy a relatively large volume of space which gives rise to high transportation and delivery costs. Furthermore, the space restrictions, such as the height in lifts, stairwells, doorways and the like, operating within an office or industrial workplace setting often render such pre- assembled units difficult and unwieldy to move around indoors and install at the desired location. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a rack mounting assembly which goes at least someway toward overcoming at least the above disadvantages, and/or which will provide the public and/or industry with a useful choice.

It is acknowledged that the term 'comprise', under varying jurisdictions may be provided with either an exclusive or inclusive meaning. For the purpose of this specification, and unless otherwise noted explicitly, the term comprise shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it may be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components. Accordingly, the term 'comprise' is to be attributed with as broad an interpretation as possible within any given jurisdiction and this rationale should also be used when the terms 'comprised' and/or 'comprising' are used.

It will be appreciated that in some instances the enclosure may be assembled off site and delivered to the site fully assembled. In such instances this will typically be done where transport costs are relatively low or there are other efficiencies involved in assembly off site.

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.

Statements of Invention

According to the invention there is provided a rack mounting assembly for computer enclosures of the type comprising an upstanding framework, a rectangular base having castors, adjustable ground engaging legs, and a roof above the base, characterised in that the framework comprises:

four uprights each having a proximal end and a distal end;

framework connection means for releasably securing the proximal end of each upright on the base and the distal end of each upright to the roof, the framework connection means comprising:

four elongate proximal male members upstanding from the base and four elongate distal male members which project downwardly from the roof,

a proximal female member secured relative to the proximal end of each of the uprights and comprising a proximal male member receiving bore;

a distal female member secured relative to the distal end of each of the uprights and comprising a distal male member receiving bore;

releasable locking means for rigidly securing each proximal male member relative to a proximal female member and each distal male member relative to a distal female member;

a door rotatably secured relative to the framework by a dropping hinge for downward movement on opening relative to the uprights.

Such a rack mounting assembly can be assembled efficiently and from a minimal number of component parts on site, which provides numerous advantages. In particular, such a rack mounting can be transported and delivered to a site as a kit of separate components, which will significantly reduce transportation costs since the space occupied within a delivery vehicle by each assembly will be significantly less than that which would be occupied if the assembly was fully pre-assembled. Furthermore, delivering the assemblies in "broken down" form will ensure that the space restrictions operating within work environments will not give rise to installation difficulties.

Such a rack mounting assembly will also provide a stable, rigid construction adapted to suitably store therein a number of computer enclosures.

In one embodiment of the invention the locking means comprises: - A -

a locking bolt and locking bolt receiving bore located at the free end of each proximal male member and each distal male member,

a C-shaped washer movable from a position free of each proximal male member receiving bore and each distal male member receiving bore to a position covering one of:

(a) a proximal male member receiving bore, and (b) a distal male member receiving bore.

Preferably, each locking bolt has a bolt head having a maximum width less than the width of each proximal male member receiving bore and each distal male member receiving bore.

In one embodiment of the invention, a C-shaped washer is pivotally connected to each proximal female member and each distal female member.

In another embodiment the locking means comprises:

a transverse pin receiving bore located in each proximal female member and each distal female member;

a transverse pin receiving hole located in each proximal male member and each distal male member;

a locking pin which is slideable through the transverse pin receiving bore and into a transverse pin receiving hole.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1: is a perspective view of a rack mounting assembly according to the invention;

Fig. 2: is an exploded perspective view of Fig. 1 also showing a door, a back wall and side walls;

Fig. 3: is an exploded perspective view from above the base of the rack mounting assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4: is an exploded perspective view from above the roof of the rack mounting assembly shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. 5: is a perspective view of a framework connection means according to the invention;

Fig. 6: shows the framework connection means of Fig. 5 in use;

Fig. 7: is a perspective view similar to Fig. 5 of an alternative embodiment of framework connection means according to the invention;

Fig. 8: shows the framework connection means of Fig. 7 in use;

Fig. 9: is a perspective view similar to Fig. 5 of a still further alternative embodiment of framework connection means according to the invention; and

Fig. 10: shows the framework connection means of Fig. 9 in use.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, there is shown a rack mounting assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 , comprising an upstanding framework, indicated generally by the reference numeral 2, having a rectangular base 3 supporting castors 4 (see Fig. 3), adjustable ground engaging legs 5 and a roof 9 above the base 3. The framework 2 further comprises four uprights 6, each having a proximal end 7 and a distal end 8. It should be understood that storage trays (not shown) on which computer enclosures can be positioned and supported within the assembly 1 may also be optionally located within the framework 2.

With reference to Fig. 2 also provided are a plurality of side walls 13, a base wall 14 and a door 10 which is rotatably secured relative to the framework 2 by a dropping hinge 11 which allows for downward movement of the door 10 on opening relative to the uprights 6. Also shown are framework connection means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 12, for releasably securing the proximal end 7 of each upright 6 on the base 3 and the distal end of 8 of each upright 6 to the roof 5.

Fig. 3 shows an exploded view from above the base 3 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Parts similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are identified by the same reference numerals. Shown on the base 3 is a first part of the framework connection means 12, which comprises four elongate proximal male members 14 each of which is integrally connected to a proximal mounting plate 16 which is positioned relative to the base 3 such that each proximal male member 14 is upstanding from the base 3.

Fig. 4 shows an exploded view from above the roof 9 shown in Figs. 1 and 2, again with parts similar to those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 being identified by the same reference numerals. Shown with respect to the roof 9 is a further part of the framework connection means 12, which comprises four elongate distal male members 19, each of which is secured relative to the roof 9 and projects down from the roof 9. It should be appreciated that although only one elongate distal male member 19 is visible in Fig. 4 that there are four elongate distal male members 19 present and that the view of the other non-visible three distal male members 19 is obscured by other components of the roof 9.

With reference to Fig. 5, there is shown a perspective view of an upright 6 being offered up to be secured to the base 3 by the connection means 12, again with parts similar to those shown in Figs. 1-4 being identified by the same reference numerals. It should be appreciated that the connection means 12 described with reference to Fig. 5, although shown with respect to a single upright 6, will be used to secure each of the four uprights 6 (see Figs. 1 and 2) to the base 3. In the instance shown, a proximal female member 18 is secured relative to the proximal end 7 of each upright 6 and comprises a proximal male member receiving bore 20. Similarly, and turning briefly to Fig. 2, a distal female member 22 is secured relative to the distal end 8 of each upright 6 and comprises a distal male member receiving bore 24. Returning to Fig. 5, the connection means 12 also comprises a locking means, indicated generally by the reference numeral 26, for releasably securing each proximal male member 14 relative to a proximal female member 18. It should be appreciated that the locking means 26 may also be used to secure each distal male member 19 (shown in Fig. 4) relative to a distal female member 22 (shown in Fig. 2). In the instance shown, the locking means 26 comprises a locking bolt 28 which is screwed into a locking bolt receiving bore, indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, located at the free end of the proximal male member 14. The locking bolt 28 has a bolt head 32 which has a diameter less then the diameters of the proximal male member receiving bore 20 and the distal male member receiving bore 24 (see Fig. 2).

The locking means 26 further comprises a C-shaped washer 34 which is movable from a position free of the proximal male member receiving bore 20 to a position covering the male member receiving bore 20. In the context of securing each distal male member 19 (shown in Fig. 4) relative to a distal female member 22 (shown in

Fig. 2) it should be appreciated that a C-shaped washer (such as that shown in Fig.

5) will be adapted to move from a position free of the distal male member receiving bore 24 (see Fig. 2) to a position covering the distal male member receiving bore

24.

Fig. 6 shows an upright 6 which has been secured to the base 3 by the locking means 26. In use, initially, the upright 6 is oriented so that the proximal male member 14 (view obscured) is positioned through the proximal male member receiving bore 30 (view obscured) of the proximal female member 18 such that the upright 6 is upstanding from the base 3. The C-shaped washer 34 is then placed on the proximal female member 18 and positioned to cover the proximal male member receiving bore 20 such that when the locking bolt 28 is tightened into the locking bolt receiving bore 30 the C-shaped washer 34 is then sandwiched between the bolt head 32 and the proximal female member 18. In this way the proximal male member 14 will be secured within the proximal male member receiving bore 20 which enables the upright 6 to be releasably secured upstanding on the base 3.

Conversely, to releasably secure the distal end 8 (not shown) of each upright 6 to the roof 9 each distal male member 19 (shown in Fig. 4) will be secured within the distal male member receiving bore 24 (shown in Fig. 2) using the same securing method as has been described and shown in Figs. 5 and 6 above.

Figs. 7 and 8 show an alternative construction of locking means 26 used in conjunction with the connection means 12. Parts similar to those shown in Fig. 1-6 are identified by the same reference numerals. In the instance shown, the C- shaped washer 34 is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the proximal female member 18 and pivots from a position free of the proximal male member receiving bore 20 to a position covering the proximal male member receiving bore 20. The method by which the proximal male member 14 is then secured within the proximal male member receiving bore 20 in order to secure the upright 6 on the base 3 is the same as that described with respect to Figs. 5-6 above, with the exception that the C-shaped washer 34 is able to be pivoted into a position covering the male member receiving bore 20.

Figs. 9 and 10 show yet a further alternative construction of locking means 26. Again, the parts similar to those shown in Figs. 1-8 are identified by the same reference numerals. In the instance shown, the locking means 26 comprises a locking pin 36, a transverse pin receiving bore 38 which is formed in the proximal female member 18 and a transverse pin receiving hole 40 which is formed in the proximal male member 14. To secure the upright 6 to the base 3, initially the upright 6 is oriented so that the proximal male member 14 is positioned through the proximal male member receiving bore 20 of the proximal female member 18 so that the transverse pin receiving bore 38 is facing the transverse pin receiving hole 40. The locking pin 36 is then pushed through the pin receiving bore 38 and into the pin receiving hole 40 to secure the proximal male member 14 within the proximal male member receiving bore 20. Conversely, to releasably secure the distal end 8 (not shown) of each upright 6 to the roof 9 each distal male member 19 (shown in Fig. 4) may also be secured within the distal male member receiving bore 24 (shown in Fig. 2) using the apparatus as described with reference to Figs. 9 and 10.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that additions and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A rack mounting assembly (1) for computer enclosures of the type comprising an upstanding framework (2), a rectangular base (3) having castors (4), adjustable ground engaging legs (5), and a roof (9) above the base (3), characterised in that the framework (2) comprises:

four uprights (6) each having a proximal end (7) and a distal end (8);

framework connection means (12) for releasably securing the proximal end

(7) of each upright (6) on the base (3) and the distal end (8) of each upright (6) to the roof (9), the framework connection means (2) comprising:

four elongate proximal male members (14) upstanding from the base (3) and four elongate distal male members (19) which project downwardly from the roof (9),

a proximal female member (18) secured relative to the proximal end (7) of each of the uprights (6) and comprising a proximal male member receiving bore (20);

a distal female member (22) secured relative to the distal end (8) of each of the uprights (6) and comprising a distal male member receiving bore (24 );

releasable locking means (26) for rigidly securing each proximal male member (14) relative to a proximal female member (18) and each distal male member (19) relative to a distal female member (22);

a door (10) rotatably secured relative to the framework (2) by a dropping hinge (11) for downward movement on opening relative to the uprights (6).

2. A rack mounting assembly (1) as claimed in claim 1, in which the locking means (26) comprises:

a locking bolt (28) and locking bolt receiving bore (30) located at the free end of each proximal male member (14) and each distal male member

(19),

a C-shaped washer (34) movable from a position free of each proximal male member receiving bore (20) and each distal male member receiving bore (24 ) to a position covering one of:

(a) a proximal male member receiving bore (20), and

(b) a distal male member receiving bore (24).

3. A rack mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 in which each locking bolt (28) has a bolt head (32) having a maximum width less than the width of each proximal male member receiving bore (20) and each distal male member receiving bore (24).

4. A rack mounting assembly as claimed in claim 2, in which a C-shaped washer (34) is pivotally connected to each proximal female member (18) and each distal female member (22).

5. A rack mounting assembly as claimed in claim 1 in which the locking means (26) comprises:

a transverse pin receiving bore (38) located in each proximal female member (18) and each distal female member (22);

a transverse pin receiving hole (40) located in each proximal male member (14) and each distal male member (19 );

a locking pin (36) which is slideable through the transverse pin receiving bore (38) and into a transverse pin receiving hole (40).