Patent Publication Number: US-2023135533-A1

Title: Blank dummy structure and rack

Description:
FIELD 
     The subject matter herein relates to a rack, especially relates to a blank dummy structure and rack. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A rack blank plate is used to fill the U position in the empty area of the rack, but the U position in the empty area may have slide rails or without slide rails. It is difficult for the existing blank plate of the rack to meet the two situations of the U position in the empty area with slide rails or without slide rails at the same time. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG.  1    is an isometric, assembled view of a blank dummy structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric, exploded view of the blank dummy structure shown in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric, assembled view of a limiting component switched toward an avoidance position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is an enlarged view of delineated portion A in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a front view of the rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic diagram of part of a rack in  FIG.  5   , the blank dummy structure and slide rails mounted on the rack are matched. 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic diagram of the limiting component switched toward a limiting position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic diagram of the blank dummy structure ready for use in cooperation of a non-sliding rail part of the rack. 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged view of delineated portion C in  FIG.  8   . 
         FIG.  10    is an isometric view of a buckle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present application more obvious, a description of specific embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present application can be implemented in many ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the contents of the present application. Therefore, the present application is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments to those described herein. 
     Several definitions that apply throughout this disclosure will now be presented. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one skilled in the art. The terms used in the present application herein are only for describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  5   , an embodiment of the present application provides a blank dummy structure  100  adaptable for slide rails  200  and absence of slide rails  200 . The blank dummy structure  100  includes a main plate  10 , two buckles  20 , two rotating members  30 , and two fasteners  40 . Further, one of the two buckles  20 , one of the two rotating members  30 , and one of the two fasteners  40  are mounted on the one end of the main plate  10 , and the other end of the main plate  10  is also mounted with the other buckle  20 , the other rotating member  30 , and the other fastener  40 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , each of the two buckles  20  includes a snap component  22 . There is a gap between the snap component  22  and the main plate  10  forming a containment space between the snap component  22  and the main plate  10 . The buckle  20  is slidably connected with the main plate  10 . The buckle  20  can slide between a first position and a second position on the main plate  10 . In the first position, the snap component  22  can abut against the rack  1000 . In other words, a plate part of the rack  1000  can be clamped in the containment space. In the second position, the snap component  22  is separated from the rack  1000 . The buckle  20  and the rack  1000  being snapped together limits the blank dummy structure  100  in the direction of approaching or moving away from the rack  1000 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  5   , the buckles  20  at both of ends of the main plate  10  are clipped with the two inner sides of the rack  1000  that are opposite to each other. Before mounting the buckles  20  to the rack  1000 , the buckles  20  at both of ends of the main plate  10  can be driven to move toward each other, so that the buckles  20  at both ends of the main plate  10  can pass through the two inner sides of the rack  1000 . After passing through the two inner sides of the rack  1000 , the buckles  20  at both ends of the main plate  10  are drive to move in a direction away from each other. The corresponding parts of the two inner sides of the rack  1000  can be inserted into the receiving space between the buckles  20  and the main plate  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the rotating member  30  and the snap component  22  are arranged on the same side of the main plate  10 , and the rotating member  30  is rotatably connected with the main plate  10 . The rotating member  30  includes a limiting component  31 . The rack  1000  defines a plurality of holes  50 . The limiting component  31  is used for matching with the holes  50  of the rack  1000 . The limiting component  31  extends into the holes  50  of the rack  1000  to limit the blank dummy structure  100 . To reinforce the limiting effect, the limiting component  31  abuts against the hole  50  wall. 
     The rack  1000  is provided with a slide rail  200 . The limiting component  31  interferes with the slide rail  200 , so the limiting component  31  is used to cooperate with the rack  1000  when the slide rail  200  is not present. Therefore, the rotating member  30  is set to be rotatable relative to the main plate  10 , so that the limiting component  31  has a limiting position that can cooperate with the hole  50  on the rack  1000 , and take a position which does not interfere with the slide rail  200 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  to  6   , when the blank dummy structure  100  cooperates with the part of the rack  1000  provided with the slide rail  200 , the rotating member  30  is driven to rotate so that the limiting component  31  is switched to a non-interfering position. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  7  to  10   , when the blank dummy structure  100  cooperates with the rack  1000  which does not have the slide rail  200 , the rotating member  30  is driven to rotate so that the limiting component  31  is switched to the limiting position. 
     When the limiting component  31  cooperates with the rack  1000 , the blank dummy structure  100  is limited in a direction parallel to its board surface. When the blank dummy structure  100  cooperates with the rack  1000  having slide rails  200 , the rotating member  30  is in the non-interfering position, the fastener  40  provided on the main plate  10  needs to cooperate with the slide rail  200  in a limited position. 
     The fastener  40  may be a thumb screw or a combination of common bolt and nut. The fastener  40  is connected to the slide rail  200  by threaded connection. In another embodiment, the fastener  40  may also be a clip or other component. When the fastener  40  is the thumb screw, the blank dummy structure  100  can be quickly disassembled and assembled without tools. 
     The buckle  20  can slide between the first position and the second position for snapping onto with the rack  1000 . Referring to  FIG.  6   , when the buckle  20  and the rack  1000  are snapped together, the blank dummy structure  100  is limited in the direction of closing to or moving away from the rack  1000 . When the rack  1000  has the slide rail  200 , the blank dummy structure  100  connects to part of the slide rail  200 . After the limiting component  31  is rotated, it is switched to the position which avoids the slide rail  200 . The fastener  40  and the slide rail  200  are limited in cooperation, the blank dummy structure  100  is mounted on part of the slide rail  200 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , when the rack  1000  has no slide rail  200 , the blank dummy structure  100  is connected to part of the rack  1000 . After the limiting component  31  is rotated, it is switched to the limiting position, and the limiting component  31  cooperates with the hole  50  of the rack  1000 . The blank dummy structure  100  is limited in a direction parallel to its board surface, and the blank dummy structure  100  is mounted on part of the rack  1000 . 
     Using the above two methods, the blank dummy structure  100  cam be connected with the rack  1000  which has the slide rail  200 , and can also be connected to the rack  1000  without the slide rail  200 , thereby improving the versatility of the blank dummy structure  100 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 ,  5  and  6   , in an embodiment, the two buckles  20  are mounted on opposite ends of the main plate  10 , and the two buckles  20  are used to cooperate with the parts on the sides of the rack  1000 . The two buckles  20  are configured to be able to slide toward or away from each other for ease of mounting. 
     The two buckles  20  slide in opposite directions for switching the buckles  20  to the first position, the two buckles  20  slide toward the center of the two buckles  20  for switching the buckles  20  to the second position. In other words, the buckles  20  at both ends of the main plate  10  are set to move away from each other, so that the buckles  20  are switched to the first position. Parts of the rack  1000  can be clamped by the snap components  22  at both ends of the main plate  10 . 
     The buckles  20  at both ends of the main plate  10  are set to move toward each other, so that the buckles  20  are switched to the second position. The snap component  22  and the rack  1000  are thus disengaged. 
     Using the above two arrangements, the buckles  20  at the two ends of the main plate  10  snap onto the rack  1000 , which not only ensures that the buckle  20  has a sufficient movement in the stroke, but also enables the buckle  20  to move within the extension range of the main plate  10 , thereby saving installation space. 
     When the blank dummy structure  100  is mounted on the rack  1000 , the buckle  20  is switched to the second position, then the blank dummy structure  100  can be moved to the preset installation position. Switching the buckle  20  to the first position, the snap component  22  is clamped onto the plate part of the rack  1000 . 
     In an embodiment, the buckle  20  and the main plate  10  are elastically connected. The buckles  20  at both ends of the main plate  10  are pushed away from each other by the elastic action. The buckle  20  at both ends of the main plate  10  will remain in the first position without an external force. 
     When the blank dummy structure  100  is mounted on the rack  1000 , and it is necessary to switch the buckle  20  to the second position, force is exerted to overcome the elastic effect to maintain the unlocked position, and then the blank dummy structure  100  can be moved to the position. Release the buckle  20 , the buckle  20  is elastically forced back to the first position. Due to the elastic connection, the buckles  20  at both ends of the main body  10  are continuously under an elastic force, and thus pressed against the two inner sides of the rack  1000 , providing a better clamping effect. 
     The buckle  20  may itself have an elastic part, and the elastic part is elastically connected with the main body  10 . The buckle  20  may also be elastically connected with the main body  10  by other elastic members such as springs, torsion springs, elastic sheets, etc. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in an embodiment, if a torsion spring is positioned in the buckle  20 , one elastic leg of the torsion spring is connected to the buckle  20 , and the other elastic leg of the torsion spring is used for connecting to the main plate  10 . 
     The limiting position and the avoidance position of the rotating member  30   are usually located on the two opposite sides of the buckle  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3  and  7   , in some embodiment of the present application, the rotating member  30  is pivotally connected to the main plate  10 . The rotating member  30  can be rotated to switch between opposite sides of the buckle  20  for easy installation, thereby enabling the rotating member  30  to switch between the limiting position and the avoidance position. 
     The rotating member  30  may be arranged as a rectangular plate. In another embodiment, the rotating member  30  may also be arranged as a U-shaped plate or may be arranged in an arc-shaped plate. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , in some embodiment of the present application, both ends of the main plate  10  on which the rotating member  30  is installed are provided with a fixing plate group  1 . Each fixing plate group  1  includes two fixing plates  11  arranged opposite each other. The extending direction of each fixing plate  11  is the same as that of the main plate  10 . Opposite sides of each rotating member  30  are pivotally connected to the corresponding fixing plates  11 . 
     The fixing plate groups  1  at both ends of the main plate  10  can be understood as two sets of fixing plate  11  that are independent of each other. In other words, the main plate  10  is provided with four fixing plates  11 , and each opposite end of the main plate  10  is provided with two fixing plates  11 . 
     In another embodiment, the fixing plate groups  1  at both ends of the main plate  10  can be the same group of fixing plates  11 . The main plate  10  is provided with two fixing plates  11 , and each fixing plate  11  extends from one end of the main plate  10  to the other end. 
     Referring to  FIG.  4   , the inner side walls of the two fixing plates  11  of each fixing plate group  1  are provided with a positioning component  111 , and the two outer side walls corresponding to the rotating member  30  are provided with accommodating components  32 . Or, the outer side walls of the two fixing plates  11  of each fixing plate group  1  both are provided with a positioning component  111 , and both inner side walls corresponding to the rotating member  30  are provided with an accommodating component  32 . The positioning component  111  and the accommodating component  32  are connected when the rotating member  30  is in the non-interference position. The accommodating component  32  is contained within the positioning component  111 . When the limiting component  31  needs to be switched to the non-interference position, the limiting component  31  can be maintained at the non-interference position. The positioning component  111  locates the rotating member  30  and prevents the rotating member  30  from shaking, to facilitate installation and transportation of the rack  1000 . 
     When the rotating member  30  needs to be switched to the limiting position, the cooperating connection between the positioning component  111  and the accommodating component  32  can also be released. For example, the positioning component  111  is a hook, and the accommodating component  32  is a slot matched with the hook. Or, the positioning component  111  is a slot, and the accommodating component  32  is a hook matched with the slot. 
     Further, the positioning component  111  is a protrusion, and the accommodating component  32  is a groove matching with the protrusion. Or, the positioning component  111  is a groove, and the accommodating component  32  is a protrusion matching with the groove. The protrusion and the groove can be a circular protrusion and a circular groove. The circular protrusion and the circular groove have the advantages of simple structure and easy fabrication. The protrusion and the groove not only have a positioning effect on the rotating member  30 , but also facilitate release of the positioning effect when required. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , in some embodiments of the present application, the limiting component  31  includes a first blocking part  311  and a second blocking part  312 . One end of the first blocking part  311  is connected to the rotating member  30 , the other end of the first blocking part  311  is connected to the second blocking part  312 . The extending directions of the second blocking parts  312  at both ends of the main plate  10  are inclined toward the end where the rotating member  30  is connected to the main plate  10 . 
     When the blank dummy structure  100  is mounted to the preset installation position on the rack  1000 , and the limiting is in position, the first blocking part  311  and the second blocking part  312  extend into the holes  50  on the sides of the rack  1000 . Since the extending direction of the second blocking part  312  at both ends of the main plate  10  is inclined toward the connecting end of the rotating member  30  and the main plate  10 , when the operator manipulates the blank dummy structure  100 , the second blocking part  312  can be in contact with the aperture of the hole  50  on the rack  1000 . After adjustment by the operator, the first blocking part  311  and the second blocking part  312  can easily extend into the hole  50  of the rack  1000 . Therefore, the second blocking part  312  plays a guiding role. 
     The first blocking part  311  and the second blocking part  312  may be integrally formed, or the first blocking part  311  and the second blocking part  312  may be connected and combined by connecting pieces. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 , and  8  to  10   , in some embodiments of the present application, the blank dummy structure  100  also includes a fastener  40 . The fastener  40  is connected with the slide rail  200  of the rack  1000 . The rotating member  30  also includes an avoidance component  33 . When the rotating member  30  is in the limiting position, the avoidance component  33  allows non-interference with the fastener  40 . 
     The avoidance component  33  may be a through hole defined on the rotating member  30 , or an avoidance notch defined on the rotating member  30 . 
     The fastener40 includes a connection section  41  and a fastening section  42 . The connection section  41  is connected to the main plate  10 . The fastening section  42  and the snap component  22  are arranged on the same side of the main plate  10 . When the rack  1000  has the slide rail  200 , the fastening section  42  can pass through the screw cap to connect the slide rail  200  and the fastener  40 . In another embodiment, a threaded hole can be provided on the slide rail  200 , the fastening section  42  is directly on the slide rail  200  and secured in the threaded hole. 
     The thumb screw can be directly locked by hand when the fastener  40  is a thumb screw, the blank dummy structure  100  can be quickly disassembled and assembled without tools. 
     Referring to  FIG.  10   , in some embodiments of the present application, the buckle  20  also includes an operation component  21 . The operation component  21  and the snap component  22  are positioned on two sides of main plate  10 . When installing the blank dummy structure  100 , the operation component  21  can be held to adjust the installation position of the blank dummy structure  100 , the buckles  20  at each end of the main plate  10  can be controlled to move toward or away from each other. The installation of the blank dummy structure  100  is time-saving and labor-saving by the operation unit  21 . 
     The operation component  21  may be a groove structure or a protruding handle structure. The operation component  21  may also be other structure. 
     The present application also provides a rack  1000 . The rack  1000  includes a blank dummy structure  100 . The specific structure of the blank dummy structure  100  refers to the above embodiments. Since the rack  1000  adopts the technical solutions of the above embodiments, it has at least the technical solutions of the above embodiments. 
     The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure, up to and including the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.