Abstract:
A stackable equipment rack system, including separate modular racks, that enables equipment to be mounted in the rack system continuously along the entire height of the rack system, including at the junction between the stacked racks.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to racks, and more specifically, to racks for mounting electronic and other equipment. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Equipment racks for mounting electronic equipment have existed in many forms for years. In cases where more than one rack is used, it is often desirable to stack the racks on top of each other so as to minimize the amount of floor space occupied by the rack, or to fit the rack in a closet with limited floor space. 
         [0003]    While stackable equipment rack systems are known, a drawback of these known systems is the discontinuity created at the junction of the racks. Often, such racks will have floor or top structures in the rack that occupy space. Consequently, when the racks are stacked, there is a space created at the top of the bottom rack and at the bottom of the top rack where equipment cannot be received in the rack. This is a waste of rack space, and can be unsightly. 
         [0004]    What is needed in the industry is a stackable equipment rack system that enables equipment to be mounted in the rack along the entire height of the rack, including at the junction between the stacked racks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention addresses the need of the industry for a stackable equipment rack system, including separate modular racks, that enables equipment to be mounted in the rack system continuously along the entire height of the rack system, including at the junction between the stacked racks. 
         [0006]    In an embodiment a modular equipment rack includes a first rack and a second rack, each of the first rack and the second rack including a pair of front columns, a pair of rear columns, a pair of bottom side rails, a pair of top side rails, and a pair of rear rails, the rear columns spaced apart and coupled by the pair of rear rails, each of the rear columns coupled to a corresponding front column by a separate one of the bottom side rails and a separate one of the top side rails to define a generally c-shaped enclosure when viewed from the top. The rack has an open front side, and the first rack and the second rack are stacked with each front column of the first rack registered with a corresponding front column of the second rack so as to define an unobstructed front opening extending from a top end of the modular equipment rack to a bottom end of the modular equipment rack. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment each of the front columns defines a plurality of threaded apertures for receiving fasteners to fasten panels or equipment to a front side of the rack, the apertures being substantially evenly spaced along each of the front columns. The substantially even spacing of the threaded apertures in the each of the front columns may extend across an interface between the first rack and the second rack. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment, an equipment rack includes a first rack including a pair of front columns, a pair of rear columns, a pair of bottom side rails, a pair of top side rails, and a pair of rear rails, the rear columns spaced apart and coupled by the pair of rear rails, each of the rear columns coupled to a corresponding front column by a separate one of the bottom side rails and a separate one of the top side rails to define a generally c-shaped enclosure when viewed from the top, the rack having an open front side defining an unobstructed front opening extending from a top end of the rack to a bottom end of the rack. Each of the front columns may define a plurality of threaded apertures for receiving fasteners to fasten panels or equipment to a front side of the rack, the apertures being substantially evenly spaced along each of the front columns. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, a modular equipment rack system includes a plurality of separate modular racks, each of the modular racks including a pair of front columns, a pair of rear columns, a pair of bottom side rails, a pair of top side rails, and a pair of rear rails, the rear columns spaced apart and coupled by the pair of rear rails, each of the rear columns coupled to a corresponding front column by a separate one of the bottom side rails and a separate one of the top side rails to define a generally c-shaped enclosure when viewed from the top. Each modular rack has an open front side, and the plurality of modular racks can be stacked with each front column registered with a front column of a vertically adjacent rack so as to define an unobstructed front opening extending from a top end of the stacked modular racks to a bottom end of the stacked modular racks. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, each of the front columns defines a plurality of threaded apertures for receiving fasteners to fasten panels or equipment to a front side of the rack, the apertures being substantially evenly spaced along each of the front columns. In an embodiment, the substantially even spacing of the threaded apertures in the each of the front columns extends across an interface between the vertically adjacent racks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]    The embodiments of the present invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a modular rack according to an embodiment of the invention, including shelves and blanking panels; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is an isometric view of the modular rack of  FIG. 1 , with the shelves and blanking panels omitted; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of a modular portion of the rack of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a partial isometric view of the rack portion of  FIG. 2  taken at inset  3  of  FIG. 2 , depicting the connection of the side rail and rear rail with the rear column, and with the side rail and rear rail shown in phantom for clarity; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a partial isometric view of the rack portion of  FIG. 2  taken at inset  4  of  FIG. 2 , depicting the connection of the side rail and front column; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a partial isometric view of the rack of  FIG. 1   a  taken at inset  5  of  FIG. 1   a , depicting the interface of the rack portions at the front column; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the rack of  FIG. 1   a.    
       
    
    
       [0019]    While the present invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the present invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    Rack system  10 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 1   a , generally includes first rack  12  and second rack  14 . First rack  12 , as depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  1   a , and  2 , and second rack  14  each, generally include front columns  16 ,  18 , rear columns  20 ,  22 , bottom side rails  24 ,  26 , top side rails  28 ,  30 , bottom rear rail  32 , and top rear rail  34 . As depicted in  FIGS. 1 ,  1   a ,  2 , and  4 , front columns  16  and  18  define a plurality of generally evenly spaced threaded apertures  36  for receiving threaded fasteners  38  to fasten blanking panels  40 , shelves  42 , or equipment (not depicted) in rack system  10 . Front column  16  is coupled to rear column  20  with bottom side rail  24  and top side rail  28 , and front column  18  is coupled to rear column  22  with bottom side rail  26  and top side rail  30 . These may be bolted connections as depicted in  FIG. 3 , with bolts  44  extending through corresponding apertures in the members, or welded or any other type of connection as desired. Each of the front columns  16 ,  18 , and the rear columns  20 ,  22 , may define a plurality of side apertures  46  for attaching first rack  12  to a laterally adjacent rack (not depicted) with fasteners. Bottom rear rail  32  and top rear rail  34  may define a plurality of keyhole apertures  48  and a plurality of elongate apertures  50  for receiving fasteners (not depicted) to mount rack  10  to a wall if desired. Bottom rails  24 ,  26 , may define apertures to receive leveling feet  52  such that rack  10 , first rack  12  or second rack  14  may be rested on a floor and leveled. 
         [0021]    As depicted in  FIGS. 1   a  and  5 , racks  12 ,  14 , may be stacked and bolted together with bolts  54  extending through apertures in bottom side rails  24 ,  26 , and top side rails  28 ,  30 , so as to form rack  10  as depicted in  FIG. 1   a . As depicted in  FIG. 1   a , the front opening  56  of rack  10  is uninterrupted for the entire height H of rack  10 , due to the general C-shape of rack  10  as viewed from the top as depicted in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0022]    Further, as depicted in  FIG. 1   a , when racks  12 ,  14 , are stacked, apertures  36  can be evenly spaced across interface  60  between rack  12  and rack  14 , thereby enabling equipment or blanking panels to be installed immediately adjacent, or even across interface  60 . 
         [0023]    The foregoing descriptions present numerous specific details that provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various embodiments, having been disclosed herein, may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, components as are known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail herein in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments are set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments, this disclosure is illustrative only. Other embodiments may be constructed that nevertheless employ the principles and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the invention. 
         [0024]    For purposes of interpreting the claims for the present invention, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms “means for” or “step for” are recited in a claim.