Abstract:
A system for a slide-out platform in a rack mount case includes a slide-out platform configured to secure electronic equipment. The platform is slideably attached to the rack mount case using a first rail and a second rail. The first and second rail have a series of indexing holes in order to allow a dagger pin to secure the platform in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Transportation of precision electronic instrumentation generally requires bulky packaging to insulate the instruments from shock or vibration. After use, the instruments must be repacked for shipping. In many circumstances, particularly in military field use, it is desirable that the instruments be as protected as possible during temporary operation. Additionally, when instruments are used intermittently at different locations it is desirable that the instruments be quickly and easily readied for transportation. 
     A rack mount case provides a sturdy protective shell for installments mounted in a shock and vibration resistant carriage. The case permits installation of rack mount instrument units without modification and permits operation of the units without removal from the case. While rack mount cases are useful for transportation of electronic equipment, cases are frequently too heavy and cumbersome to move, particularly when only needed to transport one or a few pieces of electronic equipment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Apparatus and method for slide-out platform electronics cases are disclosed herein. A system for a slide-out platform in a rack mount case includes a slide-out platform configured to secure electronic equipment. The platform is slideably attached to the rack mount case using first and second rails. The first and second rails have a series of indexing holes in order to allow a detent member, such as a dagger pin, to secure the platform in place with respect to the case. 
     In one example of the invention, a system for a slide-out platform in a rack mount case includes a slide-out platform configured to secure electronic equipment; a first rail and a second rail coupled to the rack mount case and configured to slideably engage the slide-out platform, the first and second rails each having a plurality of indexing holes; and at least one detent member coupled to the slide-out platform and movable for selected insertion into a desired indexing hole to substantially fix the slide-out platform relative to the case. 
     In another example of the invention, a system for a slide-out platform in a rack mount case includes means for attaching electronic equipment to the slideable platform in the rack mount case; means for slideably mounting the platform to the rack mount case; and means for securing the platform to the means for slideably mounting within the rack mount case. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred and alternative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings. 
         FIG. 1  shows a slide-out platform in a rack mount case in one embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  shows a view from underneath an example rack mount case showing the underside of the slide-out platform and pull out handles; 
         FIG. 3  shows a rear view of an example rack mount case with a slide-out platform in slide-out position; 
         FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of an example rack mount case; and 
         FIG. 5  shows an alternate view of an example rack mount case with an extended slide-out platform. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In one embodiment, an electronics case includes a slide-out platform that may take the form of a shock-mounted, composite, equipment platform. The platform is configured to slide out of the center body of the case. The slide-out platform may advantageously eliminate the weight and expense of a full rack mount inner frame in applications where the frame is underutilized as an electronic equipment mounting structure. The slide-out platform may be compression molded from fiber-reinforced composite materials embedded in a matrix, or may be made from other materials. 
       FIG. 1  shows an exemplary slide-out platform  104  in a rack mount case  102  according to an embodiment of the invention. The rack mount case  102  is configured to hold the slide-out platform  104 . The rack mount case is stackable with other cases and has a front and rear cover (not shown).  FIG. 1  shows the front cover removed. The front and rear covers may be attached to the case  102  to prevent ingress of undesirable water, dust, chemical agents or other debris. In one embodiment, front and rear covers are attached to the case  102  with seals that are located around a peripheral edge of the case  102  and an engaging region of the front and rear covers. Compression of the seals may be accomplished with one or more latches used to couple the front and rear covers to the case  102 . In addition, a pressure relief valve may be located in the case or in one or both of the covers to adjust an amount of internal in the case  102 . 
     The case  102  may be configured in a variety of shapes and sizes. The case  102  is preferably constructed using compression molded shells comprised of a 40% continuous glass strand reinforced polypropylene material. Likewise, the platform  104  may be made from the same molding process and materials. In one embodiment, the platform  104  is approximately 24.17 inches in length by 19.23 inches in width. However, the length and width of the platform  104  may be varied to accommodate different applications and a variety of equipment heights. 
     The slide-out platform  104  has a series of openings or holes to enable the attachment of electronic equipment (not shown) to the platform. Equipment may be mounted onto the platform  104  with threaded fasteners, which preferably bolt into stainless steel nut-bars (not shown) installed beneath the platform  104  corresponding to the series of holes. In one embodiment, the platform may include additional holes to allow for direct bolting of equipment onto the platform  104 , preferably from a bottom side of the platform  104 . Equipment may also be strapped to the platform  104 . In another embodiment, the equipment may be welded, glued, latched, clamped, hooked or otherwise coupled to the platform  104 . The platform  104  preferably contains at least one pull out handle  106 . In a preferred embodiment, the pull out handles  106  are spring loaded and configurable to activate dagger pins  108  ( FIG. 2 ) that are received in the openings. Biasing members  120  attach each handle  106  to the platform  104 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the rack mount case  102  and specifically shows an underside of the slide-out platform  104  and the pull out handles  106 . The bottom of the slide-out platform  104  preferably includes a plurality of nut-bars  105  for attaching equipment. The nut-bars  105  are generally used to secure equipment to the platforms by means of screws or bolts. 
       FIG. 3  shows a rear view of the rack mount case  102  with the slide-out platform  104 . In one embodiment, the slide-out platform  104  is mounted on rails  110 , which are mounted to a center body of the case using shock mounts  112 . The platform  104  may be mounted on any form of rail system, sliding platform, wheels and/or bearings in alternate embodiments. The platform  104  is configured to lock into a stowed position on the rails  110  using rear retaining dagger pins  116  that are preferably operable from the front of the platform, but in alternate embodiment are operable from any location on the platform. The platform  104  may be configured to lock into a variety of positions, but in a preferred embodiment locks into three positions: fully stowed, one third extended, and two-thirds extended out of the front of the case body ( FIG. 5 ). The dagger pins  108  engage the rails  110  at indexing holes  114  located on the rail  110  that are used to facilitate locking the platform at each of the plurality of positions. The rails are preferably shock mounted in order to provide shock and vibration protection for the platform  104  and any equipment located thereon. The shock mounts  112  may be made from rubber or other types of elastomeric materials having a desired durometer. In one embodiment, the material and geometry of the shock mounts  112  may be selected to obtain structural frequencies that minimize predetermined vibrational loads, inertial loads, or external loads. 
       FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of the rack mount case  102 , which includes the platform  104  extending from a front region of the case. The handles  106  are shown in an activated configuration to engage the rear retaining dagger pins  116 , which in turn may be operated to successively engage the indexing holes (not shown) in the rail  110 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the rack mount case  102  with the slide-out platform  104  extended to the ⅔ extension position as briefly described above. 
     While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.