Patent Description:
Servers and other remote hardware such as may be used in, for example, edge computing are usually operated in data centers or similar storage spaces. Multiple customers or partners may store equipment in the same room. Rooms in such spaces are typically divided only by tall vertical cabinets, meaning an entire cabinet and the floor space the cabinet occupies are the smallest possible unit that can be devoted to a given customer. As a result, when some customers need less than an entire cabinet, some cabinets will hold wasted vertical space. This wastage has become more common as computer hardware has become more compact.

Security in known storage spaces is also at the level of the cabinet or, in some instances, the entire room. Customers may therefore have little freedom in choosing the security measures applied to their hardware, and facility operators may face significant expenses in retrofitting large spaces for new technology.

For these reasons, greater divisibility in computer hardware storage may be more efficient for customers and facility operators. <CIT> describes an expandable cabinet that allows for the storing and positioning of electrical component boxes of different lengths. One or more expansion brackets are capable of being secured by one or more brace guides at fixed positions relative to a rear corner post or posts and the back portion of the cabinet fame. An expanded space is formed between a back door and back portion of the cabinet frame when the expansion brackets are extended in a rearward direction from the rear corner post or posts, enabling the expansion cabinet to accommodate electrical component boxes that are too large to fit within the cabinet frame. One or more box mounts are also installed within the cabinet at or near the rear corner posts and near the expanded space. Each box mount engages and positions a component box with respect to the back portion of the cabinet frame. <CIT> relates to equipment housings for mounting telecommunications equipment and to telecommunications equipment housings having adjustable dimension interlocking upright members and variable components. <CIT> Al discloses an enclosure for housing electronic equipment, which includes a frame for mounting the electronic equipment, a gateway connected to the frame and in communication with a management application, a door removably mounted to the frame, the door including a plurality of door-mounted electronic devices, at least one of the door-mounted electronic devices requiring an interface that is different from at least one other of the door-mounted electronic devices, a door module attached to the door, the door module providing a plurality of interfaces wherein each of the plurality of door-mounted electronic devices is connected to one of the plurality of interfaces, and a communication link between the door module and the gateway, at least a portion of the communication link consisting of a single communication cable.

Objects of the present invention are achieved by subject matters of the independent claims, wherein dependent claims define some of possible exemplary embodiments.

Aspects of this disclosure are directed to a cargo rack which may be used to store electronic devices, such as servers, while the electronic devices operate. The cargo rack has a telescoping enclosure. The telescoping enclosure includes at least two hulls, with an inner hull being partially received in an outer hull. The cargo rack includes a rail system for guiding telescoping movement of the hulls relative to one another. The enclosure may further include one or two doors for selectively closing either or both ends of the enclosure.

The cargo rack may also include an onboard electronic system. The electronic system may include a power outlet for the enclosed computer hardware. The electronic system may also include an access control system for selectively locking or unlocking the door or doors of the enclosure. The access control system may include a security interface at which access credentials may be presented from outside the enclosure for recognition by electronics within the enclosure.

In another aspect, a telescopic server cargo rack may include an enclosure and an electronic system. The enclosure may include an inner hull and an outer hull in which an end of the inner hull is telescopically received. The enclosure may also include a door closing an end of the enclosure. The electronic system may be mounted within the enclosure and including a power outlet.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the electronic system may further include an access control system that selectively locks or unlocks the door.

In arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the access control system may further include a security interface integrated with the door and through which access credentials may be presented to prompt the access control system to unlock the door.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the security interface may include an ID bezel through which an ID reader within the enclosure may read an ID card and a window, separate from the ID bezel, through which a camera within the enclosure may obtain an image.

According to the invention, the cargo rack includes a rail system connected to the inner hull and the outer hull and arranged to guide a telescoping motion of the inner hull within the outer hull.

According to the invention, the rail system includes rails for guiding movement of the enclosure relative to an external fixture to which the rail system is fixed.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the enclosure may include an aperture arm fixed to either the inner hull or the outer hull and including an opening through which electrical cables may pass, the door including a slot and being positionable to close off an end of the enclosure without obstructing the opening of the aperture arm while the aperture arm is received in the slot.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the aperture arm may include an aperture portion through which the opening extends and receivable in the slot, the aperture portion being flexible or hinged at one end so as to enable widening of the opening when the aperture portion is not received in the slot.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the end of the inner hull may be a first end and the door is a first door closing off a second end of the inner hull and wherein the enclosure further includes a second door closing off an end of the outer hull.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the cargo rack may include feet arranged on a bottom surface of the enclosure and studs arranged on a top surface of the enclosure in a pattern matching the arrangement of the feet.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the studs may include posts extending upward, and the feet include bottom surfaces with receptacles therein.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, a rack system may include including a plurality of cargo racks according to the foregoing examples.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the electronic system may include a programmable controller.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the cargo rack may include a swinging standoff mounted to the enclosure, the swinging standoff including a fastener plate, a frame, a hinge connecting the frame to the fastener plate, and a plurality of electrical connections connected to the frame.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the electrical connections may be modularly connectable and removable to the frame.

In another aspect, a server cabinet may include one or more removable cargo racks. Each cargo rack may include an enclosure with an interior adapted for retaining a server, an electronic system integrated with the enclosure and including a connection for receiving external power and an outlet through which the server may receive power, and an independent access control system configured to selectively permit or prevent opening or closing of the enclosure.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the enclosure may include at least two telescopic hulls.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, each cargo rack may further include a rail system for guiding movement of the telescopic hulls relative to one another.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the telescopic hulls may include an outer hull and an inner hull and the enclosure includes inner conduits mounted inside the inner hull and outer conduits mounted inside the outer hull, the outer conduits being at least partially spaced from an interior surface of the outer hull such that the inner hull may pass between the outer conduits and the interior surface of the outer hull.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the outer conduits and inner conduits may be telescopically fitted together.

In another arrangement according to any of the foregoing, the enclosure may include a door, a hull, and an aperture arm fixed to the hull and including an opening through which electrical cables may pass, the door including a slot and being positionable to close off an end of the hull without obstructing the opening of the aperture arm while the aperture arm is received in the slot.

<FIG> illustrates a partial rack or cargo rack <NUM> for storing computing equipment, such as a server or a part of a server. Though illustrated as solid material, any component of cargo rack <NUM> may be constructed from perforated or woven material such as honeycomb metal mesh. Cargo rack <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a variable length enclosure <NUM>. The interior of enclosure <NUM> may be configured to specifically be suitable for supporting and housing a specific type of computer hardware, such as a server, while the hardware operates. To that end, the interior of enclosure <NUM> may include any features that are included within known cabinets for the same type of computer hardware. Though not present in the illustrated example, enclosure <NUM> according to some arrangements may include slots on at least its lateral sides to allow portions of enclosed electronic equipment to extend out. For example, some known servers include lateral flanges to sit upon interior supports within a typical server cabinet, and enclosure <NUM> may have slots allowing the lateral flanges to extend out of the enclosure. Cargo racks <NUM> having enclosures <NUM> with such slots may have approximately or exactly the same lateral width as the received server or other electronic equipment, and may therefore rest upon the supports provided for such equipment within preexisting cabinets.

Enclosure <NUM> includes an outer hull <NUM> and an inner hull <NUM>. Inner hull <NUM> fits closely and slidably within outer hull <NUM> to provide enclosure <NUM> with a telescoping construction and to prevent access to the interior of the enclosure except through an open end of either hull. Hulls <NUM>, <NUM> may have lengthwise tongue-and-groove or dovetail features running along their length to maintain alignment between the hulls and further impede tampering. For example, grooves may run lengthwise along either or both of the inner surface of outer hull <NUM> and the outer surface of inner hull <NUM>, and corresponding tongues or dovetails may protrude from and extend lengthwise along the other of the inner surface of the outer hull and the outer surface of the inner hull. Enclosure <NUM> may therefore be adjusted in length in order to fit either or both of the hardware stored within the enclosure or the space provided for the enclosure. If the installation permits, enclosure <NUM> may also be extended for ease of use when access to the stored electronics is needed, then shortened when access is no longer needed. Enclosure <NUM> further includes a posterior door <NUM>, closing an end of outer hull <NUM> opposite from that in which inner hull <NUM> is disposed, and an anterior door <NUM> closing an end of the inner hull opposite from that which is disposed within the outer hull. The terms "posterior" and "anterior" here denote that cargo rack <NUM> of the illustrated example is intended to be installed within a conventional server cabinet such that anterior door <NUM> faces the cabinet's door and posterior door <NUM> faces the back of the cabinet. Anterior door <NUM> is therefore a front door that may typically be accessed with relative ease. However, any anterior or posterior features throughout this disclosure are reversible. For example, in other arrangements, outer hull <NUM> may provide a posterior portion of enclosure <NUM>, and anterior door <NUM> may therefore be mounted to the outer hull.

Cargo rack <NUM> of the illustrated example also includes a rail system <NUM> to guide the telescoping of hulls <NUM>, <NUM> relative to one another. Rail system <NUM> may be constructed according to the principles of any known type of sliding rail device. For example, rail system <NUM> may be generally alike to the systems commonly used in furniture drawers. Rail system <NUM> of the illustrated example includes a posterior rail <NUM> slidably connected to an anterior rail <NUM>. A posterior bracket <NUM> connects posterior rail <NUM> to outer hull <NUM>, and an anterior bracket <NUM> connects anterior rail <NUM> to inner hull <NUM>. Though not visible from the perspective of <FIG>, a second rail system may be present on the opposite side of cargo rack <NUM> to provide enclosure <NUM> with symmetrical guidance. In alternatives to the illustrated example, cargo rack <NUM> may be provided with rail systems in any other quantity, design, or location that a designer prefers, or with no rail system at all.

Though not illustrated, rail system <NUM> may include additional rails or other features to enable cargo rack <NUM> in its entirety to slide relative to any fixture within which the cargo rack is installed, such as a cabinet. In some arrangements, rail system <NUM> is specifically configured for suspension of cargo rack <NUM> within the type of rack or cabinet commonly used in network data centers. Rail system <NUM> therefore enables multiple cargo racks to be removably secured within a single such cabinet. Such suspending features may further be configured to allow for multiple cargo racks <NUM> to be separately installed adjacent to one another at the same height within a cabinet. In examples of cargo rack <NUM> without a rail system <NUM>, such suspending features may be connected to the cargo rack otherwise, such as by mounting directly to enclosure <NUM>.

Several variations on the illustrated construction of cargo rack <NUM> are possible. Outer hull <NUM>, inner hull <NUM>, posterior door <NUM>, and anterior door <NUM> may each be monolithically formed, providing enclosure <NUM> with a simple, four-piece construction. Alternatively, any or all of hulls <NUM>, <NUM> and doors <NUM>, <NUM> may be constructed from multiple pieces according to preference or convenience. Moreover, posterior door <NUM> may be omitted altogether, and the posterior end of outer hull <NUM> may be closed, such that access to stored devices may only be possible from the anterior end of enclosure <NUM>. Further, the variable length function of enclosure <NUM> may be provided by more than two telescoping hulls <NUM>, <NUM>, or by mechanisms other than telescoping hulls altogether. In yet further examples, enclosure <NUM> may be of fixed length, such as by construction from only one hull and one or two doors. Though the illustrated example of cargo rack <NUM> includes a variable length enclosure <NUM>, any features described in the present disclosure with regard to the illustrated example of the cargo rack but not directly related to length-variability are equally applicable to examples with fixed length enclosures.

Cargo rack <NUM> according to the illustrated example includes functional features specifically suiting cargo rack <NUM> to storage of operating computer hardware, though in other arrangements these features may, individually or in any combination, differ in shape, size, number, or location from that which is illustrated, or may be absent altogether. For example, features shown as part of either door <NUM>, <NUM>, may instead be located on either hull <NUM>, <NUM>, or vice versa. Similarly, features shown or described with regard to either door <NUM>, <NUM> may exist additionally or instead in the other door.

One such functional feature is aperture arm <NUM>, which is fixedly connected to or formed with inner hull <NUM> and extends into anterior door <NUM>. Aperture arm <NUM> includes an aperture portion <NUM> that provides an ingress or egress for cables, cords, wires, or other elongated connectors, with fibers and copper wires being specific examples, that connect to devices within enclosure <NUM>. Aperture portion <NUM> may include a brush or rubber flap, or an opposed pair of brushes or rubber flaps <NUM>, extending along a length of the aperture portion and partially obstructing an opening through the aperture portion such that the bristles or rubber would grip any connector extending through the opening. The grip provided by the bristles or flaps <NUM> would resist unintended movement of any connectors extending through the opening in aperture portion <NUM> while allowing connectors to be added, removed, or repositioned as necessary. The opening in aperture portion <NUM> may be made relatively narrow so as to enable connector ends to pass through the opening while making tampering with the contents of enclosure <NUM> through the opening difficult. Though aperture portion <NUM> could be integrated into either door <NUM>, <NUM>, the fixation of aperture arm <NUM> of the illustrated example to inner hull <NUM> enables connectors extending through aperture portion <NUM> to remain undisturbed when anterior door <NUM> is opened or removed. Aperture portion <NUM> may be flexible or hinged at one end so as to be widenable or openable when anterior door <NUM> is removed. Though not illustrated, a similar aperture arm may instead or in addition be fixed to outer hull <NUM> and extend into posterior door <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrate features of anterior door <NUM>, though the features shown and described with regard to the anterior door may instead or in addition be applied to posterior door <NUM>. Anterior door <NUM> includes a slot <NUM> into which aperture arm <NUM> extends when the anterior door is closed on the end of inner hull <NUM>. Slot <NUM> freely releases aperture arm <NUM> when anterior door <NUM> is opened or removed, so the interior of enclosure <NUM> may be accessed through the anterior door without disturbing any connectors disposed through aperture portion <NUM>. Aperture arm <NUM> may or may not include tracks for sliding over edges of slot <NUM>.

Anterior door <NUM> may also include a security interface <NUM>, which in the illustrated example includes an ID bezel <NUM> and a window <NUM> for a camera. ID bezel <NUM> indicates where a user should place an identification card or badge for recognition by an ID reader that may be integrated with enclosure <NUM>. A camera integrated with enclosure <NUM> may serve to ensure that the enclosure is only accessed by authorized personnel, and that work done on the contents of the enclosure remains confined to the authorized scope and timeframe. The camera may also be used to observe what hardware is removed from or added to enclosure <NUM> any time the enclosure is accessed. Window <NUM> may be shaped, sized, and located to limit the camera's field of view while anterior door <NUM> is closed upon inner hull <NUM> to a portion of the storage area relevant to cargo rack <NUM>, thus preventing the observation of irrelevant activity in the area. In other arrangements, either or both of ID bezel <NUM> and window <NUM> may be absent, and in further arrangements security interface <NUM> may include other features for selectively granting access to enclosure <NUM>, such as a keyhole, key pad, biometric scanner, or any other known hardware for receiving access credentials.

A lock <NUM> is controlled to open or close in response to inputs at security interface <NUM>. Lock <NUM> may be, for example, a magnetic lock, or any other type of electronically controllable or analog lock. Lock <NUM> may include one or more tumblers or pins reversibly movable between a locked position, wherein the pins or tumblers prevent movement of anterior door <NUM> to inner hull <NUM> away from a position wherein the door closes off enclosure, and an unlocked position, wherein the pins or tumblers permit rotation of the anterior door or removal of the anterior door from the inner hull. Lock <NUM> thus includes features mounted or integral to anterior door <NUM> and features mounted or integral to inner hull <NUM>. In the unlocked position, the pins or tumblers are retracted to a position at which they do not prevent anterior door <NUM> from moving relative to inner hull <NUM>, and in the locked position the pins or tumblers extend to be received in corresponding recesses in the opposing portion of the lock. Lock <NUM> may be configured as a "fail closed" or "fail open" lock. If configured to "fail closed," lock <NUM> will prevent opening of anterior door <NUM> and access to enclosure <NUM> when cargo rack <NUM> loses power, which would add another layer of security.

A lock controller <NUM> may be associated with lock <NUM>. Lock controller <NUM> may be configured to receive inputs regarding the presence or absence of authorized credentials presented at security interface <NUM> and to move lock <NUM> between the locked and unlocked positions accordingly. Alternatively, lock <NUM> may be controlled directly by a central controller for cargo rack <NUM> overall. In order to simplify construction and wiring, lock controller <NUM> all electronic portions of lock <NUM> may be mounted to inner hull <NUM>. If electronic portions of lock <NUM> and all electronics associated with security interface <NUM> are either mounted to inner hull <NUM> or wirelessly powered by features mounted to the inner hull, anterior door <NUM> may be simply constructed and freely removable from enclosure <NUM>.

Anterior door <NUM> may be connected to inner hull <NUM> by any type of hinge or releasable connection. In the illustrated example, anterior door <NUM> includes several hooked pins <NUM> receivable in corresponding features of inner hull <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, inner hull <NUM> of the illustrated example includes hoops <NUM> for receiving hooked pins <NUM>. When unlocked, anterior door <NUM> may therefore rotated about a hinge created by hooked pins <NUM> and hoops <NUM>, or the anterior door may be translated to remove the hooked pins from the hoops to free the anterior door from inner hull <NUM>. The same functionality may be achieved by mounting hooked pins <NUM> to inner hull <NUM> and hoops <NUM> to anterior door <NUM>.

In the illustrated example, electronics associated with security interface <NUM> of anterior door <NUM> are mounted to inner hull <NUM>. These include an ID reader <NUM>, such as an RFID or HID scanner, configured to read an ID card or badge positioned at ID bezel <NUM>, and a camera <NUM>. However, these electronics could instead be mounted directly to anterior door <NUM>. A main controller <NUM> is also mounted to inner hull <NUM>. Security interface <NUM>, the associated electronics such as ID reader <NUM> and camera <NUM>, lock <NUM> and, if present, lock controller <NUM> collectively provide an access control system that selectively permits or prevents opening of enclosure <NUM>.

Perforated flanges <NUM> extend along opposed sides of inner hull <NUM> according to the illustrated arrangement, though in other arrangements such flanges may be different in number, location, or size. Perforations such as those in flanges <NUM> facilitate fastening of other features, such as anterior brackets <NUM>, to inner hull <NUM>.

Each of the features, components, and interactions described above with regard to anterior door <NUM> and inner hull <NUM> may apply additionally or instead to posterior door <NUM> and outer hull <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, cargo rack <NUM> may be wired in a front-to-back manner, with connectors <NUM>, such as wires, cords, or cables, extending into and out of aperture portions <NUM>, <NUM>' at anterior and posterior ends of enclosure <NUM>. Connectors <NUM> may be contained within conduits <NUM> mounted to interior surfaces of outer hull <NUM> and inner hull <NUM>. Conduits <NUM> mounted within outer hull <NUM> may only be connected to the outer hull near the posterior end of enclosure <NUM> so as not to obstruct telescoping of inner hull <NUM> within the outer hull. Conduits <NUM> mounted to outer hull <NUM> may therefore be spaced from an interior surface of the outer hull along at least part of their length such that inner hull <NUM> may pass between the interior surface of the outer hull and the conduits mounted to the outer hull while the conduits mounted to the inner hull telescope with the conduits mounted to the outer hull. The telescopic fit or arrangement of conduits <NUM> may be such that either the conduits mounted to outer hull <NUM> or inner hull <NUM> are smaller and may therefore be received within the conduits mounted to the other hull. In another example, the above mentioned tongues or dovetails may act as conduits <NUM> by including tubes within which wires or other connectors may extend.

<FIG> illustrates a swinging standoff <NUM> that may be mounted inside enclosure <NUM> to any of outer hull <NUM>, inner hull <NUM>, posterior door <NUM>, and anterior door <NUM>, such as to perforated flanges <NUM> or other fastener holes thereon. Any number of such standoffs <NUM> may be mounted within enclosure <NUM>. Standoff <NUM> includes a fastener plate <NUM>, which is perforated to facilitate fastening, a hinge <NUM>, and a frame <NUM>. Hinge <NUM> enables frame <NUM> to swing relative to whichever feature fastener plate <NUM> is fastened to so as to provide convenient access to any area within enclosure <NUM>. In the illustrated arrangement, standoff <NUM> is modular, and frame <NUM> retains several removable modules <NUM>, though in other arrangements, the standoff may simply be constructed with several electrical sockets, plugs, or other connectors irremovably connected to the frame.

Standoffs <NUM> may be mounted within cargo rack <NUM> with respective fastener plates <NUM> mounted at or near either the anterior end or posterior end of enclosure <NUM>. Hinges <NUM> enable frames <NUM> to lie flat against either side, either door, or the top or bottom of enclosure <NUM>, or to swing away from any side of the enclosure to allow a worker to access both the front and the back of the frame.

A module <NUM> for use with standoff <NUM> is illustrated in <FIG>. Module <NUM> includes contacts <NUM> for establishing electrical and mechanical connection between an active component <NUM> of the module and frame <NUM>. Active component <NUM> of the illustrated example is an electrical socket, but in other examples the active component may be, for example, a plug, another type of electrical connector, or any feature that might be useful within enclosure <NUM>.

<FIG> diagrams a possible arrangement of electronic components that may be integrated with cargo rack <NUM>, though any one or any combination of the components in <FIG> may be absent from other arrangements of the cargo rack or included in different quantities. In the illustrated arrangement, a main controller <NUM> is grounded and receives input from and governs the various other electronic hardware integrated with cargo rack <NUM>. Main controller may be, for example, any kind of small programmable computer, such as a Raspberry Pi or similar device. The electronic hardware connected to main controller <NUM> includes lock <NUM>, lock controller <NUM>, ID reader <NUM>, and camera <NUM> as described above with regard to the anterior end of enclosure <NUM>, as well as another lock <NUM>', lock controller <NUM>, ID reader <NUM>', and camera <NUM>' that may be included at the posterior end of the enclosure. Main controller <NUM> is also connected to an external power source <NUM>, a network connection <NUM>, tamper sensors <NUM>, <NUM>', which may, for example, be mounted respectively at or near the posterior and anterior ends of enclosure <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, which may optionally be configured only to power the locks <NUM>, <NUM>' and lock controllers <NUM>, <NUM>', a USB port <NUM>, which may be part of security interface <NUM>, and a Bluetooth or NFC transceiver <NUM>. In various arrangements, the computing device, such as a server, stored within enclosure <NUM> may either be connected directly to external power source <NUM> or may receive power through main controller <NUM> at a controlled outlet <NUM>. Though not specifically illustrated, one or more fans may optionally also be mounted to cargo rack <NUM>, and the fans may also be connected to main controller <NUM>. The fans may be placed to direct airflow in a specific direction through enclosure <NUM>, such as from front to back or from back to front.

<FIG> illustrates an optional stacking system that may be applied to cargo rack <NUM> for allowing the cargo rack to stand freely without a cabinet or to elevate the cargo rack within a cabinet and to enable multiple cargo racks to be stacked upon one another with some space in between. Stacking system includes feet <NUM> and studs <NUM>, though the studs themselves are optional such that the feet may be employed without any studs. In the illustrated example, studs <NUM> are cylinders <NUM> and feet <NUM> are tapered bodies <NUM>, though studs and feet of other examples may be of any shape. Tapered bodies <NUM> include a cylindrical barrel <NUM>' and a frustoconical portion <NUM>" tapering from the barrel to a narrow end of the tapered body.

Feet <NUM> are mounted to the bottom of cargo rack <NUM>, and a corresponding arrangement of studs <NUM> are mounted to the top of the cargo rack. The elevation provided by feet <NUM> protects cargo rack <NUM> from some flooding or other hazards that may spread along the ground. Feet <NUM> and studs <NUM> may be present in any number, and may be mounted in any combination to outer hull <NUM>, inner hull <NUM>, posterior door <NUM>, and anterior door <NUM>. However, feet <NUM> are typically applied in a number and arrangement such that cargo rack <NUM> may rest stably on the feet. Further, if studs <NUM> are of a type intended for receipt in feet <NUM> of another cargo rack <NUM>, the studs are provided in an arrangement aligning with the receiving set of feet and in a quantity that does not exceed the quantity of receiving feet.

Feet <NUM> and studs <NUM> may each be simple solid bodies of material such as rubber, plastic, metal, or another type of material suitable for supporting cargo racks <NUM>. However, in the illustrated example, each foot <NUM> includes a receptacle <NUM> in a side of the foot opposite from cargo rack <NUM>, and each stud <NUM> includes a post <NUM> extending from a side of cylinder <NUM> opposite from the cargo rack. Posts <NUM> may each be received in a receptacle <NUM> of a corresponding foot <NUM> to align stacked cargo racks <NUM> relative to one another. Further to the illustrated example, posts <NUM> are externally threaded and receptacles <NUM> are internally threaded. Either or both of studs <NUM> and feet <NUM> may be rotatably mounted to cargo rack <NUM> such that posts <NUM> may be threaded or unthreaded from receptacles <NUM>, enabling reversible fastening of one cargo rack to another. However, in other arrangements, posts <NUM> may be unthreaded.

The foregoing features of cargo rack <NUM> are compatible with several storage configurations. One such configuration is a cabinet <NUM>, which may be generally alike to known cabinets for servers or other computing equipment except for the new features described herein. Rail systems <NUM> of each cabinet may sit upon existing flanges, rails, or other supports provided within cabinet <NUM> for the purpose of supporting the server or other computer hardware. Cabinet <NUM> includes a main door <NUM> through which cargo racks <NUM> may be accessed. Main door <NUM> may include one of or any combination of the features described above with regard to anterior door <NUM>, except adapted to fit cabinet <NUM> overall. Specifically, main door <NUM> may include a lock, which may optionally be a fail closed lock. The lock may be controlled in response to security electronics, which may be either or both of a camera and an ID reader, either or both of which may be stored within cabinet <NUM>. A security interface may be provided on either or both of main door <NUM> and cabinet <NUM> itself. The security interface may include, for example, either or both of a window through which the camera may obtain an image and a bezel at which an ID card or badge may be presented for reading by the ID reader. Such security at the cabinet level provides another layer of protection against unexpected lock failures or active tampering.

<FIG> illustrate a wall-mount configuration for cargo rack <NUM>, including buttress brackets <NUM> and a hook bracket <NUM>. Buttress brackets <NUM> extend from a wall to support the weight of cargo rack <NUM> and its contents, while hook bracket <NUM> extends over top and at least partially down at least one side of the cargo rack, or both sides as illustrated. By extending down the side of cargo rack <NUM> opposite the wall, hook bracket <NUM> prevents cargo rack <NUM> from sliding laterally off of buttress brackets <NUM>. By extending between cargo rack <NUM> and the wall, hook bracket <NUM> spaces the cargo rack from the wall.

Because buttress brackets <NUM> must support the weight of cargo rack <NUM>, more buttress brackets may be needed than hook brackets <NUM>. For example, a cargo rack <NUM> holding a typical server might be supported by three buttress brackets <NUM> spaced apart by <NUM> inches from one another and retained by one hook bracket <NUM> as in the arrangement illustrated in <FIG>. However, the number and spacing of buttress brackets <NUM> and hook brackets <NUM> used may depend on the size and construction of the brackets themselves, the weight of the cargo rack <NUM> and contained equipment, the structure of the supporting wall, and installer preference.

<FIG> illustrate hanging brackets <NUM> for ceiling mounting cargo rack <NUM>. In the illustrated example, each hanging bracket has a squared-off "U" shape conforming at least approximately to the bottom and sides of one portion along the length of cargo rack <NUM>. Each hanging bracket <NUM> is fixed to the ceiling with fasteners or chains <NUM>. The number and spacing of hanging brackets <NUM> used for ceiling mounting cargo rack <NUM> can vary according to the structure of the supporting ceiling or any of the factors described above with regard to buttress brackets <NUM>. As with buttress brackets <NUM>, hanging brackets <NUM> according to one example may be arranged in a group of three, spaced <NUM> inches apart, to support a cargo rack <NUM> containing a typical server.

<FIG> illustrates two cargo racks <NUM> retained by lifting brackets <NUM>, <NUM>'. Lifting brackets <NUM>, <NUM>' may be used with or without posts <NUM> and feet <NUM> as illustrated. Lifting brackets <NUM>, <NUM>' of the illustrated example are inverted, squared-off "U" shaped structures that may be made of any sufficiently strong and durable material, such as, for example, metal. Each lifting bracket <NUM>, <NUM>' extends over a cargo rack <NUM> to support some or all of the weight of another cargo rack that may be stacked thereon. Each lifting bracket <NUM>, <NUM>' may be fastened directly to the floor, but extend to a different height so as to reach over a different number of cargo racks <NUM>. For example, as shown, lifting bracket <NUM> is tall enough to extend only over one cargo rack <NUM>, while lifting bracket <NUM>' is tall enough to extend over a second cargo rack that is stacked on top of the first. In the same manner, stacks of more cargo racks <NUM> may include lifting brackets taller than those shown in <FIG>, up to a maximum height corresponding to the number of cargo racks in the stack. Multiple lifting brackets <NUM>, <NUM>' may be used at each level to provide additional support, if an installer prefers. Optionally, a vertical conduit <NUM> may be used with lifting brackets <NUM>, <NUM>' to protect the wires or other connectors extending from cargo racks <NUM> stacked with the lifting brackets. Such vertical conduit <NUM> may also be used without lifting brackets <NUM>, <NUM>'.

<FIG> illustrates a skeletal cabinet <NUM> usable with cargo racks <NUM>. Because each cargo rack <NUM> may be self-contained, the cargo racks have less need for the degree of enclosure provided by typical server cabinets. Skeletal cabinet <NUM> may be a relatively simple frame of material, such as metal or other sufficiently strong and rigid material, providing internal supports for cargo racks <NUM> and creating the general shape and dimensions of a typical cabinet, but with fewer or none of the side, front, back, top, or bottom panels such cabinets usually include. Skeletal cabinet <NUM> may therefore provide free access to cargo racks <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A telescopic server cargo rack (<NUM>) comprising:
an enclosure (<NUM>) including:
an inner hull (<NUM>) and an outer hull (<NUM>) in which an end of the inner hull is telescopically received; and
a door (<NUM>) closing an end of the enclosure;
an electronic system mounted within the enclosure and including a power outlet; and
a rail system (<NUM>) connected to the inner hull and the outer hull and arranged to guide a telescoping motion of the inner hull within the outer hull, wherein the rail system further comprises rails for guiding movement of the enclosure relative to an external fixture to which the rail system is fixed.