Abstract:
A sliding support shelf supports equipment within a rack system regardless of its design. The base of the support shelf includes a surface capable of supporting the equipment reducing unintended movement of the equipment, providing security of the supported equipment, and enhancing ventilation of the equipment. A slide is associated with the base to allow the base to move with respect to the rack. The slide lacks ball bearings, but provides smooth movement of the base without requiring direct attachment to the equipment. Cable management arms are integral to the base to manage the various cables and the like associated with the equipment. The method of the present invention comprises steps of use of the support shelf with various designs of racks and types and dimensions of equipment to be supported.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/622,402 filed on Jul. 18, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,201,279, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/396,759, filed Jul. 18, 2002, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to support racks, and more particularly to a sliding apparatus and method for supporting equipment, such as electronic equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The use of traditional fixed shelves to support electronic components or equipment not designed or modified for coupling with equipment racks has traditionally been problematic from an equipment configuration and maintenance standpoint. Such electronic equipment includes traditional personal computers or other standalone devices that are not configured to be coupled to rack slides as understood in the art. In the case of configuring electronic equipment not designed or modified for coupling to equipment racks, fixed shelving does not provide installation convenience for a number of reasons. For example, installing moderately heavy equipment (e.g., between 20 and 40 pounds) is difficult as it can be awkward to lift or place the equipment into a rack having a fixed shelf. To conserve rack space, which is premium, shelves are generally spaced as closely together as possible. Existing fixed shelves also lack cable management and fail to provide any means to couple equipment to the shelf 
     Existing sliding shelf options also suffer from several drawbacks. For example, such options generally fail to extend a sufficient length to allow access to the electronic components to be coupled thereon. Ideally, a shelf should extend several inches past the depth of the component to be supported so that access to the rear of the component and associated cables is provided. Additionally, the few options that provide extended sliding length are cost prohibitive for mounting the instant electronic equipment. It is not practical to expend a multiple of the costs associated with the equipment to be supported within the rack on the sliding shelf itself. 
     As a result, there remains a need for a rack mountable shelf capable of coupling to a two-or four-post rack and supporting computers or other electronic equipment not adapted or configured to be coupled to traditional rack mountable sliding shelves. 
     SUMMARY 
     The support shelf of the present invention includes a base portion having a support surface adapted to support electronic equipment, such as a personal computer. The base portion includes an integral handle for moving the base portion relative to slide sections coupled to the base portion. Optional slots or holes are provided on the support surface to serve several functions. For example, such openings provide weight reduction, versatility of shelf orientation, component stability/security and increased ventilation. 
     The support shelf of the present invention provides a number advantages over fixed shelf, and even existing sliding shelf, options, including versatility (the shelf can be flipped along a central axis to provide optimum spacing options); universality (the shelf can be used with both 2-post and 4-post rack systems); low cost (the shelf includes non-ball bearing slides), cable management (movable arms allow cable movement with shelf movement), and ease of maintenance. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the base of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention including openings; 
         FIG. 3  is a three-piece slide representative of existing prior art sliding shelves; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the base of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention including strap slots; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention, illustrating the attachment of the slides to the base; 
         FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention illustrating the shelf in an extended position; 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention illustrating the shelf in a fully extended position; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the cable management arm of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating attachment of the cable management arm to an embodiment of the present invention sliding support shelf, 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the use of a rear slider to allow the sliding support rack of the present invention to be used with racks of varying depths; 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention as coupled to a two-post rack design (centered position); 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention as coupled to a two-post rack design (flush position); 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective of an embodiment of the sliding support shelf of the present invention as coupled to a four-post rack design, illustrating installation of a relatively narrow component (upper) and a relatively wide component (lower); and 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the present invention method of utilizing a support shelf of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the principles of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-12 . The present invention comprises a sliding support shelf, and associated method for use of same, for electronic and related components to be supported in either two-post or four-post rack systems of various configurations. The sliding support shelf of the present invention is designed to provide support and security for components not adapted or configured for use with rack systems, such as desktop computers, tower computers, tape drives, hubs, switches and the like. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the support shelf  100  of present invention comprises a base  110  having a support surface  120  adapted to support electronic equipment (not shown), such as a personal computer, and inner side rails  125  on either side of the base  110 . The base  110  may include an optional integral handle  130  for moving the base  110  relative to the rack. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , one or more openings  150 , such as slots or holes, may be provided on the support surface  120  to serve one or more of several functions. First, the openings  150  reduce the overall weight of the shelf  100 . Second, the openings  150  may be orientated in a right-to-left or left-to-right direction, which increases the front-to-back friction between the shelf and the “feet” of the equipment supported thereon. The orientation of the openings  150  further serves to reduce the likelihood of equipment inadvertently moving or sliding around on the shelf  100 . Additionally, the openings  150  may be oriented in a front-to-back direction to allow equipment to be coupled to the shelf  100  via straps or other coupling mechanisms. The coupling of equipment to the shelf  100  may be desirable in regions prone to structural shifting and the like. Additionally, holes  155  may be provided within the base  110  to correspond to the location and size of feet associated with specific equipment models, if desired, to further limit lateral movement of equipment supported by the support shelf  100 . The openings  150  may be positioned conceivably anywhere on the base  110  to provide for coupling locations of the computers or electronic components. Pre-determined patterns may be used to correspond with the dimensions of various equipment components from different manufacturers. 
     The openings  150 , with the optional assistance of tabs, straps and the like, further serve to prevent the electronic component from moving after coupling to the base  110 . Anti-slip pads (not shown) also may be placed on the base  110  to increase friction between the support surface  120  and the electronic component coupled thereto. Ventilation is accomplished, in part, via the openings  150  within the support surface  120  of the base  110 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a three-piece slide  160  representative of existing prior art slides for use with shelves and the like. In typical prior art sliding shelf systems, the slide  160  is a component purchased separately and coupled to the shelf to provide the shelf the ability to slide with respect to the rack. Such prior art slides use ball bearings to ensure smooth movement of the shelf with respect to the rack. Installation of a prior art slide requires that an inner slide section  170  be attached to the outside of the equipment component to be supported, and additional brackets (not shown) be attached to the outer section of the rack. Such a prior art slide  170  adds substantial cost to sliding shelf systems and employs ball-bearing slides that are designed for significantly more sliding cycles (in-and-out) than is needed for electronics racking applications, requiring production labor and cost for screws, rivets, or other mechanical attachment, 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , a center slide member  180  of the present invention support shelf  100  includes slide slots  190  along its length. Two of the slide slots  190  are used in coupling the center slide member  180  to the inner slide rails  125  while allowing the center slide member  180  to translate with respect to base  110 . The inner slide rails  125  are also provided with one or more, and preferably two, holes  200 , preferably centrally located along the length of the inner slide rails  125 , and another preferably located near the rear of the base  110 . The holes  200  allow coupling of the inner slide rails  125  to the center slide member  180  via suitable fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the suitable fasteners include a screw  210 , a spacer washer  220 , and a shoulder washer  225 . The spacer washer  220  and the shoulder washer  225  are preferably made of a low friction material (e.g., brass). The spacer washer  220  is used between the center slide member  180  and the inner slide rails  125  to provide sufficient spacing to allow the center slide member  180  to move with respect to the inner slide rails  125  of the base  110 . The shoulder washer  225 , when threaded to mate with screw  210 , slides within the slot  190 , and couples the center slide member  180  to the inner slide member  125 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the center slide member  180  is preferably associated with an outer slide member  230 . The outer slide member  230  is coupled to the center slide member  180  through remaining slide slots  190  to provide additional extension of the base  110  of the support shelf  100  with respect to the rack. The outer slide member  230  is coupled to the center slide member  180  via the same suitable fasteners, (e.g., screw  210 , spacer washer  220 ) (See  FIG. 5 ), and shoulder washer  225 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates the center slide member  180  fully extended with respect to the base  110  of the support shelf  100 .  FIG. 6   b  illustrates the outer slide member  230  also fully extended to provide additional extension of the base  110  of the support shelf  100  with respect to the rack. Accordingly, not only does the center slide member  180  function to extend and retract the support shelf  100 , but the outer slide member  230  provides additional extension or retraction depth, providing additional access to the component and associated cables for ease of use/maintenance. 
     Now turning to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a cable management device  240  is illustrated. In one embodiment, the cable management device  240  comprises two cable management arms  250  of identical design coupled at their proximal ends  260  by an elbow pivot point  270 . The distal ends  280  of the cable management arms  250  are coupled to either the base  110  (of the support shelf  100  via arm attachment flanges  290  or other suitable fasteners, or directly to the rack. Thus, when the support shelf  110  is extended, the cable management arms  250  pivot about the elbow pivot point  270 , also extending in relation to the position of the support shelf  100 . Preferably, the shape of the cable management arms  250  is a C-channel design. Optionally, the cable management arms  250  may be provided with one of more slots  300  through which cable ties, Velcro™ ties, or the like may be threaded to constrain the cables associated with the equipment components being supported by the support shelf  100 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , deflection of the cable management arms  250  via the weight of the cables may be addressed by skewing the attachment angle of one or both cable management arms  250 , such that pivot point formed between the cable management arms  250  is elevated. When the orientation of the support shelf  100  is reversed (i.e., is in an upside-down configuration), the cable management arms  250  are attached on an opposing side from the right-side-up configuration, resulting in the same elevation of the pivot point formed between the cable management arms  250  and the attachment point to the base  110  of the support shelf  100 . 
     To accommodate attachment of the support shelf  100  of the present invention to racks of various depths, a rear attachment slider  300  coupled to a rack attachment bracket  310  is provided. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the rear attachment slider  300  slides via suitable fasteners  320  (e.g., shoulder nuts) coupled to the inner slide rails  125  via sliding slot  330 . The rear attachment slider  300  includes a rear attachment flange  340 , that can be adjusted continuously by moving the rear attachment slider  300  in the sliding slot  330 , moving the fasteners  320  to a different series of connection points  350  provided on the rack attachment bracket  310 , and/or inverting the direction of the rear attachment slider  300 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , there is shown a support shelf  100  of the present invention coupled to a two-post rack system in a centered and flush configuration, respectively. In  FIG. 10A , the support shelf  100  is coupled to a two-post rack system  355  utilizing a conversion bracket  360 . Using the conversion bracket  360 , the rack system  355  is, in effect, extended forward such that the support shelf  100  is centered, when mounted, on the rack system  355 . In  FIG. 10B , the conversion bracket  360  is used to extend the rack system  355  backwards, thereby allowing the support shelf  100  to be mounted in a position flush with the front of the rack system  355 . 
     In  FIG. 11 , there is shown two support shelves  100  attached to a four-post rack system  370 . Component A  380  is supported by the upper support shelf  100 , and Component B  390  is supported by the lower support shelf  100 . Component A  380  is relatively wide when compared with the width of Component B  390 . Accordingly, the upper support shelf  100  is installed to the rack system  370  in an inverted orientation to accommodate the larger width of Component A  380 . Although right side up orientation is preferred (to conserve rack space), the orientation feature of the present invention allows the support shelf  100  to accommodate varying widths of components to be supported. 
     Now turning to  FIG. 12 , the present invention method of using the support shelf  100  of the present invention includes the steps of: Step  10 —selecting a two-or four-post rack system (a two-post system modified to replicate a four-post system may also be selected) upon which to support a load, like an electronic component; Step  20 —select the proper orientation (up side down or right side up) to accommodate the width of the component to be supported by the support shelf  100 ; Step  30 —if a two-post rack system is selected, utilizing a conversion bracket  360  to mount the support shelf  100  in either a centered or flushed position; Step  40 —once installed, placing a load, such as a computer and the like, to the base  110  of the support shelf  100  to be supported thereon, and Step  50 —optionally, coupling cables and the like associated with the component to be supported to the cable management arms  250  for management thereof. 
     It is to be appreciated that the support shelf of the present invention may couple to substantially any existing two-or four-post rack system and support loads accordingly. It is to be further appreciated that the support shelf of the present invention provides numerous configurations for supporting a variety of loads, depending on the requirements of the user and dimensions of the loads to be supported. The present invention method may be used to accommodate use of the present invention support shelf with all the various rack systems and configurations thereof 
     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.