WO2011080557A1

WO2011080557A1 - Modular element for the composition of supporting structures of hardware components and supporting structure thus obtained

Info

Publication number: WO2011080557A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/003191
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe Simonazzi
Original assignee: Metasystem Energy S.R.L.
Priority date: 2009-12-30
Filing date: 2010-12-10
Publication date: 2011-07-07
Also published as: ITMO20090319A1

Abstract

The modular element (1) for the composition of supporting structures (10) of hardware components comprises at least a carrying element (2) that can be connected to other carrying elements (2) to define a carrying framework (20) intended to be rested on a reference surface (P) and at least a supporting element (3) associable with one or more hardware components and associated removable with the carrying element (2).

Description

MODULAR ELEMENT FOR THE COMPOSITION OF SUPPORTING STRUCTURES OF HARDWARE COMPONENTS AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE THUS OBTAINED

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a modular element for the composition of supporting structures of hardware components and to a supporting structure thus obtained.

Background Art

The supporting structures for hardware components of known type, also known by the name of rackmounts, are generally made up of a plurality of modular elements interconnected to form a support frame suitable for supporting devices such as servers, switches, etc....

The modular elements of known type can be welded together in correspondence to the respective extremities, or can be reciprocally interconnected by means of relevant means of connection.

Generally speaking, the modular elements are of the standardized type, i.e., with dimensions and shapes that differ according to the type of mount to be made. Furthermore, the known modular elements also have engagement means for engaging with the electrical/electronic devices, i.e., they have holes, slots or the like associable with the hardware components to be supported and defined all one on the modular element itself.

Two examples of modular elements are known from TO1983U053387 and TO2003U000028.

Both TO1983U053387 and TO2003U000028 describe modular elements of complex geometry that can be connected together by means of angular interconnection elements.

These modular elements of known type also have a plurality of slots, defined integrally on the modular elements themselves, for connection with the hardware components.

These modular structures of known type have a number of drawbacks.

Such structures are in fact not very flexible to use.

In particular, if one of the modular elements has to be replaced for dimensional reasons or for technical reasons, or in case one of the hardware components to be positioned on the structure requires engagement means different to those provided on the modular elements used, the type of all the modular elements making up the structure itself has to be changed.

This naturally results in high investment costs as well as considerable inconvenience for the user.

Again, the manufacture of the modular elements of known type is particularly costly, especially because of their complex geometry and mechanical operations that have to be performed to make the engagement means with the hardware components.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to provide a modular element for the composition of a supporting structure for hardware components which is considerably more flexible to use with respect to the modular elements and therefore to the structures of known type.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure for hardware components that can be easily removed and reassembled and which can therefore be easily adapted to any type of technical requirement. Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular element for supporting structures of hardware components that calls for considerably lower production costs compared to modular elements of known type.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a modular element for the composition of supporting structures of hardware components and a supporting structure thus obtained which allows overcoming the mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art within the ambit of a simple, rational, easy and effective to use as well as low cost solution.

The above objects are achieved by the present modular element for the composition of supporting structures of hardware components, comprising at least a carrying element that can be connected to other carrying elements to define a carrying framework intended to be rested on a reference surface and characterised by the fact that it comprises at least a supporting element associable with one or more hardware components and associated removable with said carrying element.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from the description of a preferred, but not sole, embodiment of a modular element for the composition of supporting structures of hardware components and a supporting structure thus obtained, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view of a supporting structure according to the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view of a modular element according to the invention with the supporting element partially inserted in the carrying element;

figure 3 is a perspective view of the modular element of figure 1 with the supporting element almost completely inserted in the carrying element;

figure 4 is a perspective view of the detail of a vertex of the structure of figure 1.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to such figures, globally indicated by reference number 1 is a modular element for the composition of a supporting structure of hardware components, indicated in the illustrations by reference number 10. The modular element 1 comprises at least a carrying element 2 that can be connected to other carrying elements 2 to define a carrying framework 20 made to be rested on a reference surface P.

Preferably, the carrying element 2 has an elongated shape, a substantially tubular section, and is made from metal material, e.g., aluminium.

According to the invention, the modular element 1 comprises at least a supporting element 3 associable with one or more hardware components and associated in a removable way with the carrying element 2.

More in particular, the supporting element 3 has an elongated shape, is of the plate-shaped type and is made of metal material, e.g., steel.

Suitably, the supporting element 3 has engagement means 4 for engaging with one or more hardware components.

In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, the engagement means 4 are composed of a plurality of through openings, having a round or square shape, defined in correspondence to a peripheral area of the supporting element 3. Suitably, the through openings 4 are aligned with one another longitudinally and are obtained by mechanical machining of the supporting element itself, e.g., by means of numerical control machines.

Advantageously, the carrying element 2 comprises at least first locking means 5 suitable for preventing the movement of the supporting element 3 along a first direction indicated in the illustrations 2 and 3 by the double arrow 6.

More in detail, the first locking means 5 comprise a first guide 7 in which the supporting element 3 can be fitted sliding.

In the particular embodiment shown in the figures 2 and 3, the supporting element 3 has a first protrusion 8 suitable for fitting inside the first guide 7. The side walls of the first guide 7 prevent the movements of the first protrusion 8, and therefore of the supporting element 3, along the first direction 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the carrying element 2 also comprises second locking means 9 suitable for preventing the movement of the supporting element 3 along a second direction, indicated in the figures 2 and 3 by the double arrow 11. Suitably, the second direction 11 is substantially perpendicular to the first direction 6.

More in detail, the second locking means 9 comprise a second guide 12 in which the supporting element 3 can be fitted sliding.

In the particular embodiment shown in the illustrations, the supporting element 3 has a second protrusion 13 suitable for fitting inside the second guide 12. The side walls of the second guide 12 prevent the movements of the second protrusion 13, and therefore of the supporting element 3, along the second direction 11.

More in particular, the supporting element 3 has a plurality of first and second protrusions, respectively 8 and 13, arranged staggered the one to the other along its longitudinal extension.

Preferably, at least one between the first guide 7 and the second guide 12 extends along a third direction 14 distinct from the first and from the second direction 6 and 11. In the embodiment shown in the illustrations, both the first and the second guide 7 and 12 extend along the same third direction 14, i.e., parallel to one another.

Advantageously, the third direction 14 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of extension of the carrying element 2 and is arranged substantially at right angles to the first and second direction 6 and 11.

The modular element 1 then comprises electrical connection means between the carrying element 2 and the supporting element 3 not visible in detail in the illustrations and composed, e.g., of metal screw means that join the carrying element 2 to the supporting element 3.

As already said above, the supporting structure 10 is composed of one or more modular elements 1, wherein the carrying elements 2 are assembled together to define a carrying framework 20 designed to rest on the reference surface P, e.g., the floor, and the supporting elements 3 define a frame 30 supporting one or more hardware components associated integral with the framework 20 and distinct from this.

In the embodiment of figure 1, the framework 20 also comprises a number of carrying elements 2 without the relevant supporting elements 3 and connected to other carrying elements 2.

Advantageously, the carrying elements 2 are reciprocally interconnected in correspondence to their longitudinal extremities.

Suitably, the structure 10 comprises reciprocal interconnection means 17 of the carrying elements 2.

More in detail, the interconnection means 17 comprise at least an angular element 18 suitable for connecting together the longitudinal extremities of two or more carrying elements 2.

In the embodiment shown in figure 4, the angular element 18 is interlocked into the longitudinal extremities of three carrying elements 2 connecting these together.

The interconnection means 17 also comprise a connection plate 19 associated with the angular element 18 and fastening means 21 for fastening the plate 19 to the carrying elements 2.

More in detail, the fastening means 21 comprise screws suitable for fitting into corresponding holes defined on the longitudinal extremities of the carrying elements 2 passing through the plate 19 and the angular element 18.

Preferably, both the plate 19 and the screws 21 are made of metal material, so as to ensure the electrical continuity between the carrying elements 2.

The interconnection means 17 also comprise a covering element 22 which is applied by interlocking onto the angular element 18 to cover the plate 19 and the screws 21.

Advantageously, the carrying elements 2 arranged in correspondence to the longitudinal extremities of another carrying element 2 block the movement of the supporting element 3 associated with the latter carrying element thus interposed along the third direction 14.

The assembly of the structure 10 is described below.

After selecting the adequate length of the carrying elements 2, each single modular element 1 is then assembled by fitting the supporting element 3 in the relevant carrying element 2.

More in particular, the supporting element 3 is fitted inside the relevant carrying element 2 making its protrusions 8 and 13 slide inside the guides 7 and 12.

The supporting element 3 thus fitted is therefore blocked with respect to the relevant carrying element 2 along the two directions 6 and 11.

At this point the modular elements 1 thus assembled are connected to one another.

More in particular, the angular element 18 is interlocked into the longitudinal extremities of the carrying elements 2 to be connected together and, subsequently, the metal plate 19 is fastened on the angular element itself by means of the screws 21.

At this point the covering element 22 is fitted above the plate 19 and the screws 21 so as to obtain a better aesthetic finish and not make the screws themselves directly accessible from outside.

Once all the modular elements 1, and if necessary the carrying elements 2 without the relative supporting elements 3 have been connected together, the structure 10 according to the invention is obtained.

The supporting elements 3 thus mounted define therefore an internal frame 30 suitable for supporting one or more hardware components.

More in particular, the hardware components are fastened to the supporting elements 3 by means of the engagement means 4.

In the event of its being necessary to make changes to the structure 10, and in particular of its being necessary to use engagement means 4 of different shape, the supporting elements 3 simply have to be removed from the relative carrying elements 2, following separation of the latter, and have to be replaced with other supporting elements 3 having the adequate engagement means 4.

It has in fact been ascertained how the described invention achieves the proposed objects and in particular the fact is underlined that the structure according to the invention is considerably more flexible to use with respect to the modular structure of known type.

In fact, the particular composition of the modular elements according to the invention allows adapting the modular structure thus composed to the specific requirements of the case, without there being any need to replace the totality of the carrying elements making up the external framework.

More precisely, the separation of the carrying elements making up the external framework and the supporting elements supporting the hardware components allows the easy assembly of the modular elements thus composed as well as the simple and fast replacement of the supporting elements themselves if the hardware components call for a different type of engagement means.

The modular elements according to the invention also allow considerably reducing production costs; in fact the mechanical operations needed to make the engagement means are limited to the supporting elements, preferably made of steel and having a simple conformation.

This way, besides restricting the mechanical operations to just one part of the modular elements, it is also possible to make a diversified range of modular elements, which can be easily switched over to adapt the supporting structure to the specific requirements of the case.

Claims

1) Modular element (1) for the composition of supporting structures (10) of hardware components, comprising at least a carrying element (2) that can be connected to other carrying elements (2) to define a carrying framework (20) intended to be rested on a reference surface (P) and characterised by the fact that it comprises at least a supporting element (3) associable with one or more hardware components and associated removable with said carrying element (2).

2) Modular element (1) according to claim 1, characterised by the fact that said carrying element (2) comprises first locking means (5) suitable for preventing the movement of said supporting element (3) along a first direction (6).

3) Modular element (1) according to claim 2, characterised by the fact that said first locking means (5) comprise a first guide (7) in which said supporting element (3) can be inserted sliding.

4) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said carrying element (2) comprises second locking means (9) suitable for preventing the movement of said supporting element (3) along a second direction (11).

5) Modular element (1) according to claim 4, characterised by the fact that said second locking means (9) comprise a second guide (12) in which said supporting element (3) can be inserted sliding.

6) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that at least one between said first and said second guide (7, 12) extends along a third direction (14) distinct from said first and second directions (6, 11).

7) Modular element (1) according to claim 6, characterised by the fact that said carrying element (2) has an elongated shape and by the fact that said third direction (14) substantially corresponds to the longitudinal direction of extension of said carrying element (2).

8) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said supporting element (3) has at least a first protrusion (8) suitable for fitting into said first guide (7).

9) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said supporting element (3) comprises at least a second protrusion (13) suitable for fitting into said second guide (12).

10) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said supporting element (3) has an elongated shape and by the fact that said first and said second protrusion (8, 13) are arranged staggered to each other along its longitudinal extension.

11) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that said supporting element (3) comprises engagement means (4) for engaging with said hardware components.

12) Modular element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised by the fact that it comprises electrical connection means between said carrying element (2) and said supporting element (3).

13) Modular element (1) according to claim 12, characterised by the fact that said carrying element (2) and said supporting element (3) are made of metal material and by the fact that said electrical connection means comprise metal screw means that join said carrying element (2) to said supporting element (3).

14) Modular supporting structure (10) for hardware components, characterised by the fact that it comprises one or more modular elements (1) according to the claims from 1 to 13, wherein said carrying elements (2) are assembled together to define a carrying framework (20) intended to be rested on a reference surface (P) and said supporting elements (3) define a support frame (30) supporting one or more hardware components associated integral with said carrying framework (20) and distinct from this.

15) Structure (10) according to claim 14, characterised by the fact that said carrying elements (2) are reciprocally interconnected in correspondence to their longitudinal extremities.

16) Structure (10) according to claim 15, characterised by the fact that the carrying elements (2) arranged in correspondence to the extremities of another carrying element (2) block the movement of the supporting element (3) associated with said another carrying element (2) along said third direction (14).

17) Structure (10) according to one or more of the claims from 14 to 16, characterised by the fact that it comprises reciprocal interconnection means (17) of said canying elements (2).