Abstract:
A support and method for supporting equipment within a rack system regardless of its design is disclosed. The base of the support includes a surface capable of supporting the equipment reducing unintended movement of the equipment. Brackets capable of being securely attached to the rack system, regardless of whether it is two-post or four-post in design, are associated with the base of the support. The method of the present invention comprises the steps of selecting a design of rack system, attaching the support of the present system, and placement of the equipment to be supported.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/549,060, filed on Oct. 12, 2006, now abandoned which is a continuation of U.S. patent application No. Ser. 10/389,661, filed on Mar. 14, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,558 B1, issued Nov. 14, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/365,228, filed on Mar. 14, 2002, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a support rack, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for supporting equipment, such as electronic equipment. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The physical support of objects or devices (e.g., electronic equipment) on a horizontal plane presents a number of related issues. For purposes of this application, the term “equipment” shall be used to include, without limitation, computers (of all designs, including desktop and tower), computer components, tape backups, hubs, switches, power supplies, audio/visual components, and the like. 
     It is generally desirable to support equipment in a manner that facilitates their operation, if applicable. For example, such support should orient the equipment in proper or recommended spatial orientation. Other orientation may be dictated by the function (e.g., placement of cooling fan) or other consideration. Next, support should be accomplished in a manner that consumes the smallest amount of space, but still provides the user with a desired level of access. Such access may be necessary to monitor and/or maintain the equipment being supported. With modern office and storage space at a premium, the development of racks and other stacking devices for such equipment has occurred. 
     Existing shelf designs are typically made by rack manufacturers and are limited to coupling with the respective manufacturer&#39;s two- or four-post rack design, and few, if any, others. Many manufacturers provide two- or four-post racks designed to support equipment, such as servers and the like, for being supported on shelves that are respectively coupled to the two- or four-post rack systems. However, there is a need for a universal rack mountable shelf that is adapted to attach to substantially all two- or four-post rack systems, regardless of manufacturer. In addition, because space is a premium concern for users of two- or four-post rack systems, there is a need for multiple mounting orientations of shelves in the two- or four-post rack system. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention is an apparatus and method for supporting equipment on a horizontal surface or shelf, which may be secured to a two- or four-post rack having various configurations known in the art. According to the principles of the present invention, a universal rack mountable shelf is designed to mount in substantially all two- and four-post racks, regardless of mounting depth, rack-post style, and manufacturer. The shelf of the present invention may be mounted right-side-up or in a reverse configuration, depending on the requirements of the user. 
     In general, the principles of the present invention provide for a fixed, rack mountable shelf that couples to a two- or four-post rack and supports electrical equipment such as computer components, servers or the like. The apparatus of the present invention includes a base portion having a support surface adapted to support various types of equipment. Slots or holes may be provided on the support surface to serve several functions. First, the slots or holes reduce the overall weight of the shelf Second, the slots 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 rubber feet of the equipment supported thereon. The orientation of the slots serves to reduce the likelihood of equipment inadvertently sliding off of the shelf. Third, the slots may be oriented in a front-to-back direction to allow equipment to be coupled to the shelf via straps or other coupling mechanisms. The coupling of equipment to the shelf may be desirable in regions prone to structural shifting and the like. 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the 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 
       The FIGURES outlined below further illustrate the apparatus and method of the present invention. Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a front. angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 4-post configuration; 
         FIG. 2  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 2-post, center-mount configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 2-post, flush-mount configuration; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 4-post, shallow rack configuration; 
         FIG. 4B  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 4-post, deep rack configuration; 
         FIG. 5A  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 2-post, flush-mount configuration; 
         FIG. 5B  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention assembled in a 2-post, center-mount configuration; 
         FIG. 6  is a front, angled view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention unassembled; 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a front bracket attachment; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a front sliding bracket attachment; 
         FIG. 9A  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a right-side-up mount; 
         FIG. 9B  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a up-side-down mount; 
         FIG. 10A  is front, angled view of a 4-post rack including an exemplary configuration of multiple examples of a 4-post embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a front, angled view of a 4-post rack including an exemplary configuration of multiple examples of a 4-post embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention and illustrating the sliding feature of one shelf; 
         FIG. 10C  is a front, angled view of a 4-post rack including an exemplary configuration of multiple examples of a 4-post, deep rack embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11A  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a right-side-up mount orientation to conserve vertical space on the rack; 
         FIG. 11B  is a front view of an embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention showing a up-side-down mount orientation to conserve horizontal space on the rack; and 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an embodiment of the method of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Various embodiments of the principles of the present invention are shown in  FIGS. 1-12 . In general, the principles of the apparatus of the present invention provide for a rack mountable shelf  10  that couples to a two- or four-post rack  20  and supports electronic equipment  25  (shown in.  FIGS. 11A and 11B ), such as a server. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , the shelf  10  includes a base portion  30  having a surface  35  adapted to support equipment (shown in  FIGS. 11A and 11B ). The surface  35  of the base  30  preferably provides a high-friction or non-slip surface upon which equipment can rest to prevent the unintentional movement of equipment. By way of example, and not limitation, a non-slip surface can be achieved by: (1) providing slots or holes  40  (or any other type or shape of opening) in the surface  35 , preferably with alternating orientation; (2) roughening the surface  35  via mechanical means or other means known in the art (e.g., textured paint); (3) covering the surface  35  with a material (e.g., commercially available anti-slip matting or rubber sheet); or (4) some combination thereof. When coupled with use of rubber or similar material feet on the equipment to be supported, the surface  35  substantially reduces the likelihood of unintentional movement of the equipment. It is noted that use of slots or holes ( 40 ) also provides other benefits to the operation of the shelf  10 . For example, such slots or holes  40  may be oriented in a front-to-back direction to allow equipment to be coupled to the shelf  10  via straps or other coupling mechanisms (not shown). The coupling of equipment to the shelf  10  may be desirable in regions prone to structural shifting and the like. Additionally, use of slots or holes  40  operate to-reduce the overall weight of the shelf  10 . 
     Preferably, the shelf  10  is composed of a durable, relatively lightweight material, such as aluminum or the like metal, but can be composed of any suitable material or combination of materials desired. For heavier equipment to be supported, steel or other heavier construction materials may be employed. 
     Two flanges  50  are provided on opposing ends of the base  30 . The flanges  50  may have a plurality of front fixed bracket mounting holes  60  proximal a front portion for coupling a front fixed bracket  70  thereto. The plurality of front fixed bracket mounting holes  60  may, in some embodiments, be aligned vertically or in any other desired configuration. The number and location of the front fixed bracket mounting holes  60  may be adjusted depending on the rack depth and the requirements of the user. A plurality of rear sliding bracket mounting holes  80  may also be provided on the flanges  50  for coupling a rear sliding bracket  90  thereto. The number and location of rear sliding bracket mounting holes  80  may be adjusted depending on the rack depth and the requirements of the user. The rear sliding mounting holes  80  may, in certain embodiments, be aligned horizontally or in any other desired configuration. A plurality of openings  95  may be provided on the flanges  50  to allow wires to pass therethrough for guiding and coupling, and to reduce the weight of the shelf  10 . A location  97  ( FIG. 6 ) on the shelf  10  may be provided for indicia (e.g., labeling), depending on the requirements and/or desires of the user. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 7 , the front fixed bracket  70  serves as a structural attachment between the shelf  10  and the front rack attachment flange (not shown). The front fixed bracket  70  has a plurality of shelf-mating holes  75  on a shelf attach flange  72  for coupling the front fixed bracket  70  to the shelf  10 . Fasteners, such as screws and the like, may be used to couple the front fixed bracket  70  to the shelf  10  through the shelf-mating holes  75 . Rack mounting holes  77  are provided on the rack attach flange of the front fixed bracket for coupling to a rack  20 . The rack mounting holes  77  are preferably located per EIA-310-D. The front fixed bracket  70  is preferably used on both sides of the shelf  10 , and may be coupled to the shelf  10  in the configurations shown and described in  FIGS. 1-11B . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the rear sliding bracket  90  includes a rack attach flange  100  and a shelf attach portion  102 . The rack attach flange  100  preferably has a plurality of rack mounting holes  105  located in accordance with EIA-310-D. A centrally located adjustment slot  110  is provided on the shelf attach portion  102 . The adjustment slot  110  is adapted to receive fasteners such as a shoulder nut  115  therethrough. The shoulder nut may be designed to allow the rear sliding bracket  90  to be adjusted horizontally with respect to the shelf  10 , and mates with screws and the like to couple the rear sliding bracket  90  to the desired location on the shelf  10 . 
     As can be appreciated from the description herein and from  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B,  5 A,  5 B,  7  &amp;  8 , the mounting locations on the shelf  10  for the front fixed bracket  70  and rear sliding bracket  90  allow coupling of the shelf  10  to a two- or four-post rack  25 . In addition and in an exemplary configuration on a two-post rack ( FIGS. 5A &amp; 5B ), the shelf  10  may be coupled flush to a surface of the posts  20  of the two-post rack system. In an additional exemplary configuration, the shelf  10  may be mounted in a center configuration ( FIGS. 2 &amp; 5B ). Both exemplary configurations are shown side by side in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . It can also be appreciated that the mounting holes of the shelf insure compatibility with substantially all rack hole styles, including, without limitation, round holes, threaded holes and square holes. This may be accomplished through the use of a flange design than may be mounted on the front of the front post and on the back of the back post. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B,  11 A &amp;  11 B, the design of the shelf  10  allows for coupling of the shelf  10  to two- or four-post rack systems in a right-side-up ( FIGS. 9A &amp; 11A ) or up-side-down ( FIGS. 9B &amp; 11B ) configuration. This allows wide equipment  25  to be mounted on the shelf  10 . In an up-side-down configuration, equipment  25  mounted to the shelf  10  may be as wide as the opening in the rack system as set forth in EIA-310-D. In the right-side-up configuration, the two flanges  50  on opposing ends of the base  30  may limit the width of the equipment  25  mounted thereto. Specifically referring to  FIG. 11A , which shows the right-side-up orientation, it can be seen this configuration conserves vertical rack space (or in this exemplary case, three units (3U)) while limiting the maximum width of the equipment  25  placed on the shelf  10 .  FIG. 11B  shows a second exemplary configuration of the shelf  10  in an up-side-down orientation, which provides for maximum equipment width while taking up, in this example, 1U of extra space., It can be appreciated that different users will have different needs, and may utilize the present invention in multiple configurations to best meet these needs. 
       FIGS. 10A-10C  show different exemplary configurations of the universal rack mountable shelves  10  as coupled to a four-post rack system  150 . Referring specifically to  FIG. 10A , the fronts of the shelves  10  are coupled to the four-post rack  150  to allow a flush configuration of the shelves  10  with respect to the front posts  20  of the rack system  150 . This is an exemplary installation for certain preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10B  shows a second exemplary configuration of universal rack mountable shelves  10  coupled to a four-post rack  150 . In this configuration, one shelf  10  is extended in front of the front rack post  20  via use of the rear sliding bracket  90 . It can be appreciated that all shelves  10  may be configured accordingly, if desired. This configuration is especially useful for supporting keyboards and other equipment on the extended shelf  10 , or for alternate accessibility to a component on the shelf  10 . 
       FIG. 10C  is a third exemplary configuration of universal rack mountable shelves  10  coupled to a four-post rack  150 . In this configuration, all shelves  10  are recessed behind the front posts  20  of the four-post rack  150 . It can be appreciated that only one or a plurality of shelves  10  may be recessed, if desired. This configuration is especially useful to provide space for patch cables (not shown). This configuration may also be used to provide an alternate means for providing additional space in the front of the rack system  150 . 
     Now referring to  FIG. 12 , the steps of the method of the present invention in shown. To use the universal rack mountable shelf  10 , in Step  10 , a two- or four-post rack system is selected. In Step  20 , the front fixed bracket  70  and the rear sliding bracket  90  are then coupled to the shelf  10  and the rack system selected in Step  10 . A load, such as a computer component or the like, may then be applied in step  30  to the base  30  of the shelf  10  and supported thereon. If enhanced access to the equipment  25  supported on shelf  10  is desired, in Step  40 , the shelf  10  may be extended away from its resting position within the rack system selected in Step  10 . Once extended, the user has enhanced access to the equipment supported by the shelf  10 . 
     It is to be appreciated that the shelf  10  may couple to substantially any existing two- or four-post rack system and support loads accordingly. It is to be further appreciated that the universal rack mountable shelf  10  of the present invention provides numerous configurations for supporting a variety of loads, depending on the requirements and desires of the user. 
     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.