GB2552463A

GB2552463A - Adjustable support

Info

Publication number: GB2552463A
Application number: GB1612417.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Holt Mark; Hancock Paul
Original assignee: Vodafone IP Licensing Ltd
Current assignee: Vodafone IP Licensing Ltd
Priority date: 2016-07-18
Filing date: 2016-07-18
Publication date: 2018-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2036-07-18
Also published as: GB201612417D0; GB2552463B; WO2018015731A1

Abstract

The folding shelf apparatus comprises a central portion, a first attachment portion 5 and a second attachment portion 6. The central portion may be made up of two parts 2, 3. The central portion provides a support surface 9 between the attachment portions 5, 6. The attachment portions are each configured to be mounted to a rack rail and are hingedly connected to the ends of the main portion. The attachment portions may be apertures, such as captive threaded bolts, or may be clamping mechanisms. The central portion has an adjustable length and is adapted to vary the distance between the attachment portions 5, 6. This adjustment may be made via folding or sliding parts. Components of the shelf may be movable from a first position in which parts are brought together or lie against each other to a second position in which portions are spaced apart, and may include an arrangement biasing the parts towards the first position.

Description

(71) Applicant(s):

Vodafone IP Licensing Limited (Incorporated in the United Kingdom)

The Connection, NEWBURY, Berkshire, RG14 2FN, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Mark Holt Paul Hancock

(51) INT CL:
A47B 43/00 (2006.01) H05K5/00 (2006.01)	A47B 45/00 (2006.01) A47B 96/02 (2006.01)
(56) Documents Cited: CN 204260165 U	CN 203885020 U
CN 203789452 U	CN 201557778 U
DE 019623138A1	US 6123207 A
US 4155312 A	US 3948191 A
(58) Field of Search: INT CLA47B, H05K Other: EPODOC, WPI

(74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Boult Wade Tennant

Verulam Gardens, 70 Gray's Inn Road, LONDON, WC1X 8BT, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Adjustable support Abstract Title: Folding Shelf (57) The folding shelf apparatus comprises a central portion, a first attachment portion 5 and a second attachment portion 6. The central portion may be made up of two parts 2, 3. The central portion provides a support surface 9 between the attachment portions 5, 6. The attachment portions are each configured to be mounted to a rack rail and are hingedly connected to the ends of the main portion. The attachment portions may be apertures, such as captive threaded bolts, or may be clamping mechanisms. The central portion has an adjustable length and is adapted to vary the distance between the attachment portions 5, 6. This adjustment may be made via folding or sliding parts. Components of the shelf may be movable from a first position in which parts are brought together or lie against each other to a second position in which portions are spaced apart, and may include an arrangement biasing the parts towards the first position.

a

Figu-e 1

Figure 6

ADJUSTABLE SUPPORT

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns an apparatus for use as an adjustable support, and more specifically, an adjustable support for use in rack installations.

Background to the Invention

Installations of communication or server equipment in a rack environment can present challenges to the person or persons carrying out the installation. Particularly, some equipment is of significant bulk, and may be of suitable bulk to necessitate the attendance of more than one person to carry out the installation.

The attendance of more than one person may not only be time inefficient, but may also present significant expense to a customer in having multiple persons attend, despite their needing to participate in only a small part of the installation task.

Moreover, Health and Safety requirements may present regulations to which persons installing communication or server equipment must adhere, which may necessitate the attendance of more than one person for a small part of the installation task.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the requirement for the additional time and cost of multiple persons attending an

Summary of the Invention

Against this background, the present invention provides a folding shelf apparatus comprising a central portion and a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, wherein the first and second attachment portions are each configured to be attached to a rack rail, the first and second attachment portions are hingedly attached to respective first and second ends of the central portion, the central portion has an adjustable length and is adapted to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions, and the central portion is configured to provide a support surface between the first and second attachment portions .

Preferably, the central portion is formed of a first central portion and a second central portion.

Conveniently, the first and second central portions are hingedly attached to one another so as to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions.

Alternatively, the first and second central portions are configured such that the second central portion may slide within the first central portion so as to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions.

Alternatively, the first and second central portions are configured such that the first central portion may slide within the second central portion so as to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions.

Advantageously, the first and second central portions are moveable from a first position in which the first and second attachment portions are brought together and a second position in which the first and second attachment portions are spaced apart to enable them to each be attached to a rack rail.

Preferably, the first and second central portions include a biasing arrangement to urge the first and second central portions toward the first position.

Conveniently, the support surface comprises a lip which protrudes from an edge of each of the first and second central portions.

Advantageously, the first and second attachment portions each include a series of apertures spaced so as to align with the holes present in a rack rail.

Preferably, the apertures in each attachment portion include a captive threaded bolt.

Alternatively, the first and second attachment portions each comprise a clamping mechanism configured to be releasably attached to the rack rail.

Alternatively, the first attachment portion includes a series of apertures spaced so as to align with the holes present in a rack rail, and the second attachment portion comprises a clamping mechanism configured to be releasably attached to the rack rail.

Alternatively, the first attachment portion comprises a clamping mechanism configured to be releasably attached to the rack rail, and the second attachment portion includes a series of apertures spaced so as to align with the holes present in a rack rail.

Conveniently, the first and second attachment portions are movable from a first position in which they lie against the respective first and second central portions, and a second position in which they are moved away from the first and second central portions so as to each be attached to a rack rail.

Advantageously, the first and second attachment portions include a biasing arrangement to urge the first and second central portions toward the first position.

Preferably, the central portion and the first and second attachment portions are constructed from metal.

Alternatively, the central portion and the first and second attachment portions are constructed from fibreglass.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention may be put into practice in various ways, one of which will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a top view of a folding shelf apparatus in an unfolded state;

Figure 2 shows a front view of a folding shelf apparatus in an unfolded state;

Figure 3 shows a bottom view of a folding shelf apparatus in an unfolded state;

Figure 4 shows a close up of one end of a folding shelf apparatus;

Figure 5 shows an end view of a folding shelf apparatus in a folded configuration; and

Figure 6 shows a bottom view of a folding shelf apparatus in a folded configuration.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment

Referring first to Figure 1, there is shown a folding shelf apparatus 1 having a central portion formed of a first central portion 2 and a second central portion 3. The first and second central portions 2, 3 are hingedly attached together by hinge 4.

The first central portion 2 is hingedly attached to a first attachment portion 5 by way of hinge 7, and the second central portion 3 is hingedly attached to a second attachment portion 6 by way of hinge 8. A support surface 9 is provided on each central portion 2, 3, which takes the form of a lip.

Turning to Figure 2, a front view of a folding shelf apparatus 1 is shown. The first and second attachment portions 5, 6, along with the hinges 7, 8, can be seen. Apertures 10 are provided on each of the first and second attachment portions 5, 6, to enable the folding shelf 1 to be attached to a communications rack (not shown), with each of the first and second attachment portions 5, 6 capable of being attached to a respective rack rail (not shown).

From Figure 2, it can be seen that the first central portion 2 is configured such that its top edge 11 is relatively higher than the top edge 12 of the second central portion 3. This is discussed in more detail later, but this arrangement of the first and second central portions 2, 3 is such that the top edges 11, 12 of the first and second central portions 2, 3, and therefore the support surfaces 9, may be overlapped when the folding shelf 1 is moved into a folded configuration.

Moving on to Figure 3, it can be seen that the support surfaces 9 protrude from the top edges 11, 12 of the first and second central portions 2, 3. The hinges 4, 7, 8 can also be seen clearly. A lower edge portion 13 is also provided on the lower edge of each of the first and second central portions 2, 3.

Figure 4 shows a close-up of one end of the folding shelf arrangement 1 in an unfolded configuration. The first attachment portion 5 is shown, attached to the first support portion 2, by way of hinge 7. Moreover, apertures 10 and slot 100 can be seen. The slot 100 may be used to locate the shelf arrangement 1 during installation, with the apertures 10 used to attach the shelf arrangement 1 to a rack rail. This will be discussed in more detail later.

Figure 5 shows a folding shelf arrangement 1 in a folded configuration, with the overlap of the two support surfaces 9 clearly visible. The hinges 4, 7, 8 can also be seen clearly, along with the lower edge portions 13.

A folded shelf arrangement 1 is also shown in Figure 6, in which the overlap of the two support surfaces 9 is clearly visible, as are the lower edge portions 13, but in this representation, the two support portions 5, 6 are hinged into their installation positions.

The lower edge portions may be provided to make the shelf 1 easier to grasp and/or manipulate by a user, and may also reduce the likelihood of a sharp edge being presented on the lower side of the shelf 1.

Returning to a discussion of Figure 1, the folding shelf arrangement 1 is shown in a state ready for installation. The shelf 1 may be installed in a communications rack (not shown) before an item of communication or server equipment is installed in the rack. The first and second support portions 5, 6 (which can be seen more clearly in Figure 2) may be aligned with threaded apertures, or standard cage nuts, in a rack. The first support portion 5 may be aligned with a first rack rail, and the second support portion 6 may be aligned with a second rack rail. As mentioned above in relation to Figure 4, the slots 100 may be used to locate the shelf 1 whilst it is being installed, with a threaded bolt placed through each slot 100 and tightened sufficiently into a cage nut to allow the shelf 1 to be slid up and down. A further threaded bolt may be placed through apertures 10 and into further cage nuts to secure the shelf tightly and safely.

It is also important to note that the width of the rack in which the shelf 1 is to be installed may not always be the same, and it is envisaged that the central portion of the shelf 1, formed of the first and second central portions 2, 3 may allow the shelf 1 to be received and secured in racks of differing widths. Common rack widths in networking and server environments is 19, and in the communications sector, racks may be 21 wide. Of course, it is envisaged that other rack widths could be used, and the central portions 2, 3 may be folded appropriately to achieve this.

The support portions 5, 6, by way of the hinges 7, 8 may then be angled so as to align with the rack rails, to ensure a safe fit of the shelf 1.

The top edges 11, 12 of the central portions 2, 3, as discussed above, may include support surfaces 9. These support surfaces 9, when the shelf is installed, may provide a bearing surface against which an item of communication or server equipment may be rested during installation. Use of

- 8 the folding shelf apparatus 1 will be described in more detail later.

Returning to a more general discussion of the shelf 1, the first and second central portions 2, 3 may be offset, as shown in Figures 2, 5, and 6. This may enable the shelf 1 to be folded up.

The shelf 1 may be moved from a first configuration, as shown in Figures 1-3, into a second configuration as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

As discussed above, in the first configuration, the shelf 1 may be installed in a rack. In the second configuration, the shelf 1 may be stored. In the second configuration, the shelf 1 is more space-efficient, and therefore it may be more easily stored in a tool box or tool bag. The offset nature of the first and second central portions 2, 3, and therefore the support portions 9 and the lower edge portions 3 may enable the shelf 1 to be folded efficiently. The support portions 5, 6 may also be moved from a first configuration in which they are folded away from the central portions 2, 3 into a second configuration in which they are folded such that they lie in line with the central portions 2, 3.

It is envisaged that the central portions 2, 3 may be biased into the second configuration, that is to say, into a folded configuration. A spring apparatus may be used to urge the first and second central portions 2, 3 into the second configuration, such that the bias of the spring must be overcome to move the central portions 2, 3 into the first configuration, that is to say the unfolded configuration.

The two support portions 5, 6 may also be biased into the second configuration, that is to say the folded configuration, in a similar way to the central portions 2,

3, so that they are biased into a folded configuration. A spring apparatus may be used to urge the support portions 5, 6 into the second configuration, such that the bias of the spring must be overcome to move the support portions 5, 6 into the first configuration, that is to say the unfolded configuration.

It is envisaged that the folding shelf apparatus 1 may take an all-metal construction, with the hinges 4, 7, 8, welded, riveted, or attached to the central portions 2, 3 and the support portions 5, 6. However, it is to be understood that bonding, adhesive, or any other appropriate method of fixing may be employed.

Alternatively, the folding shelf apparatus 1 may take a fibre-glass construction, with hinges bonded, epoxied, or riveted to the attached to the central portions 2, 3 and the support portions 5, 6. However, it is to be understood that adhesive, or any other appropriate method of fixing may be employed.

It is to be understood that the shelf apparatus 1 may also be constructed of any suitable material, for instance carbon fibre or a composite material, dependent upon the intended application. Living hinges, fabric hinges, or any other suitable type of hinge may be used for the hinges 4,

7, 8, in dependence upon the intended application of the shelf 1.

The support surfaces 9 may take a different shape or form to those shown in the Figures, in dependence upon the intended application of the shelf 1. If the item to be supported is particularly large or cumbersome, the support surfaces 9 may be longer, deeper, or a combination thereof. Additionally, in some embodiments, the support surfaces 9 may include a non-slip or other high friction surface to aid in the support of the equipment being installed.

Further, it is envisaged that the support portions 5, 6 may, in place of the apertures 10 and the slots 100, include a clamping mechanism (not shown in the Figures). The clamping mechanism may be present on one or both of the support portions 5, 6, with the other support portion 5, 6 including the apertures lOand slots 100, as discussed above.

The clamping mechanism may include portions which may protrude into and in some cases through the holes or threaded apertures in the rack rails. In some cases, the clamping mechanism may not pass through the apertures in the rack rail, but may bear against the rack rail in order to secure the shelf 1.

The clamping mechanism may take the form of a threaded clamp, threaded portions which protrude into or through the apertures of the rack rails, or may comprise an over-centre clamp mechanism. It is to be understood that any suitable clamping mechanism may be employed, and this may be varied in dependence upon the intended application of the shelf 1.

The clamping mechanism may be configured to be toolfree, to aid the installation and removal of the foldable shelf apparatus 1.

It is also envisaged that in some cases, the central portions 2, 3 may be arranged so as to be telescopic, with the first central portion 2 sliding within the second central portion 3, or the second central portion 3 sliding within the first central portion 2. Such a configuration may negate the requirement for the central hinge 4. In some cases, the central portion of the shelf 1 may be formed of more than two central portions, to enable the shelf 1 to be reduced in size yet further when in the first (storage) configuration.

Of course, the telescopic arrangement may be unsuitable in some scenarios, favouring the hinged arrangement, and the converse may also be the case.

In use, the folding shelf apparatus 1 may be unfolded from the first configuration, with the support portions 5, 6 hinged outwardly, and the first and second central portions 2, 3 hinged apart. The shelf 1 may then be aligned with the rack, and specifically each of the support portions 5, 6 may be aligned with a rack rail. The slots 100 in each of the support portions 5, 6 may be aligned with apertures in the rack rails, and a threaded bolt may be passed through the slots 100 and into a threaded aperture or a cage nut in the rack rails. The threaded bolts may then be partially tightened, the shelf 1 slid into position to align the apertures 10, and further threaded bolts passed through the apertures 10 and into the threaded apertures or cage nuts in the rack rails. The shelf 1 may then be used to support an item of communication or server equipment during installation, with the item supported without the need for multiple persons. If the item of communication or server equipment is particularly large, multiple shelves 1 may be used concurrently to provide a larger support area.

Once the item of equipment has been installed and secured, the shelf 1 may then be removed, with the threaded bolts removed from the apertures 10 and slots 100, and the shelf may then be folded away, and stored.

Although specific embodiments have now been described, the skilled person will appreciate that variations and modifications are possible.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms comprises and comprising and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the following claims or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process 10 for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof .

Claims

1. A folding shelf apparatus comprising a central portion and a first attachment portion and a second attachment portion, wherein:

the first and second attachment portions are each configured to be attached to a rack rail;

the first and second attachment portions are hingedly attached to respective first and second ends of the central portion;

the central portion has an adjustable length and is adapted to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions; and the central portion is configured to provide a support surface between the first and second attachment portions.

2. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 1, wherein the central portion is formed of a first central portion and a second central portion.

3. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second central portions are hingedly attached to one another so as to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions.

4. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second central portions are configured such that the second central portion may slide within the first central portion so as to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions.

5. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first and second central portions are configured such that the first central portion may slide within the second central portion so as to vary the distance between the first and second attachment portions.

6. The folding shelf apparatus of any one of claims 2-5, wherein the first and second central portions are moveable from a first position in which the first and second attachment portions are brought together and a second position in which the first and second attachment portions are spaced apart to enable them to each be attached to a rack rail.

7. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first and second central portions include a biasing arrangement to urge the first and second central portions toward the first position.

8. The folding shelf apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the support surface comprises a lip which protrudes from an edge of each of the first and second central portions .

9. The folding shelf apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second attachment portions each include a series of apertures spaced so as to align with the holes present in a rack rail.

10. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 7, wherein the apertures in each attachment portion include a captive threaded bolt.

11. The folding shelf apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first and second attachment portions each comprise a clamping mechanism configured to be releasably attached to the rack rail.

12. The folding shelf apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first attachment portion includes a series of apertures spaced so as to align with the holes present in a rack rail, and the second attachment portion comprises a clamping mechanism configured to be releasably attached to the rack rail.

13. The folding shelf apparatus of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the first attachment portion comprises a clamping mechanism configured to be releasably attached to the rack rail, and the second attachment portion includes a series of apertures spaced so as to align with the holes present in a rack rail.

14. The folding shelf apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second attachment portions are movable from a first position in which they lie against the respective first and second central portions, and a second position in which they are moved away from the first and second central portions so as to each be attached to a rack rail.

15. The folding shelf apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first and second attachment portions include a biasing arrangement to urge the first and second central portions toward the first position.

16. The folding shelf apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the central portion and the first and second attachment portions are constructed from metal.

17. The folding shelf apparatus of any one of claims 1-15, wherein the central portion and the first and second attachment portions are constructed from fibreglass.

10

18. A folding shelf apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1612417.4 Examiner: Mr Patrick Lucas