Patent ID: 12200894

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a rack rail support is disclosed, comprising: a support portion configured to support a portion of rack equipment to be installed on a rack rail; and an engagement portion coupled to a first end of the support portion and configured to be inserted through a first hole in the rack rail and to engage with a first surface of the rack rail.

In some aspects, a support surface of the support portion is generally flat.

In some aspects, a support surface of the support portion is concave.

In some aspects, the support portion comprises one or more edge surfaces extending upwards from a perimeter of the support portion.

In some aspects, the support portion comprises one or more lips on a perimeter thereof.

In some aspects, the engagement portion comprises an engagement member that is angled relative to the support portion and engages with the first surface of the rack rail such that when the engagement member is engaged with the rack rail, the support portion is arranged in a support position and extends from a second surface of the rack rail opposite the first surface.

In some aspects, the engagement member extends upwardly from the support portion at a first angle relative to the support portion.

In some aspects, the first angle between the engagement member and the support portion is between 65 and 85 degrees.

In some aspects, the first angle between the engagement member and the support portion is approximately 75 degrees.

In some aspects, the support portion in the support position extends from the second surface of the rack rail in a generally horizontal direction.

In some aspects, the rack rail support further comprises a securing portion coupled to a second end of the support portion opposite the first end and comprising an angled section that is angled relative to the support portion.

In some aspects, the angled section extends downwardly from the support portion at a second angle relative to the support portion towards the second surface of the rack rail.

In some aspects, the second angle between the angled section and the support portion is greater than 30 degrees.

In some aspects, the securing portion further comprises an insertion member coupled to a distal end of the angled section and configured to be inserted into a second hole in the rack rail below the first hole.

In some aspects, the insertion member is coupled to the distal end via an insertion member coupling section at the distal end of the angled section.

In some aspects, the insertion member coupling section is perpendicular to the second surface of the rack rail when the support portion is in the support position.

In some aspects, the rack rail support further comprises one or more structural members extending between the support portion and the securing portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a kit is disclosed that comprises a plurality of rack rail supports of any of the above aspects.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of installing a rack rail support onto a rack rail is disclosed, comprising: inserting an engagement portion of the rack rail support through a first hole in the rack rail, wherein the engagement portion is coupled to a first end of a support portion of the rack rail support that is configured to support a portion of rack equipment to be installed on the rack rail; and engaging the engagement portion of the rack rail support with a first surface of the rack rail.

In some aspects, the engagement portion comprises an engagement member that is angled relative to the support portion, and engaging the engagement portion of the rack rail support with the first surface comprises rotating the rack rail support to engage the engagement member with the first surface of the rack rail, and when the engagement member is engaged with the rack rail, the support portion is arranged in a support position and extends from a second surface of the rack rail opposite the first surface.

In some aspects, the rack rail support further comprises a securing portion coupled to a second end of the support portion opposite the first end, the securing portion comprising an angled section that is angled relative to the support portion and that extends downwardly from the support portion at a second angle relative to the support portion towards the second surface of the rack rail, and an insertion member coupled to a distal end of the angled section and configured to be inserted into a second hole in the rack rail below the first hole, and the method further comprises inserting the insertion member to a second hole of the rack rail below the first hole.

The present disclosure describes a rack rail support that provides an easier way to install shelves and other rack equipment on a rack rail. In accordance with one aspect, the rack rail support comprises a support portion configured to support a portion of rack equipment to be installed on a rack rail, and an engagement portion coupled to a first end of the support portion and configured to be inserted through a first hole in the rack rail and to engage with a first surface of the rack rail. With the engagement portion engaged with the first surface of the rack rail, the support portion is configured to support the portion of rack equipment and thus provides a temporary support that can be used to support the rack equipment for installing onto the rack rail. That is, the rack equipment can be supported by the rack rail support, installed onto the rack rail at one or more holes above the first hole through which the rack rail support is inserted through, and the rack rail support may then be removed.

By using the rack rail supports to provide a temporary support for supporting the rack equipment at a desired position, the installation of the rack equipment onto the rack rail becomes faster and easier, saving installers time and frustration.

In further aspects, the engagement portion comprises an engagement member that is angled relative to the support portion and engages with the first surface of the rack rail, such that when the engagement member is engaged with the rack rail, the support portion is arranged in a support position and extends from a second surface of the rack rail opposite the first surface. The rack rail support may further comprise a securing portion coupled to a second end of the support portion opposite the first end and comprising an angled section that is angled relative to the support portion, the angled section extending downwardly from the support portion at a second angle relative to the support portion towards the second surface of the rack rail, and the securing portion further comprising an insertion member coupled to a distal end of the angled section and configured to be inserted into a second hole in the rack rail below the first hole. The configuration of the securing portion of the rack rail support may further secure the rack rail support onto the rack rail and helps to prevent movement/rotation of the rack rail support on the rack rail.

Embodiments are described below, by way of example only, with reference toFIGS.1A-5.

FIGS.1A and1Bshow a representation of a rack rail support100in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically,FIGS.1A and1Bshow isometric views from different angles of the rack rail support100.

The rack rail support100comprises a support portion102that is configured to support a portion of rack equipment to be installed on a rack rail. As shown inFIG.1, the support portion102may generally extend in an x-y plane, which as described in more detail below is generally perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the rack rail that the rack rail support is to be installed on, and the support portion102may be generally horizontal when installed on a vertically extending rack rail. An upper support surface of the support portion102is shown as being a generally flat surface, though other configurations such as a concave surface to support the portion of rack equipment are also possible. Further, the support portion102may comprise one or more lips or upwardly extending edge surfaces along a perimeter thereof to help prevent the portion of the rack equipment from sliding off the support portion102. The support portion102is shown as being a generally square or rectangular shape, though other shapes and configurations of the support portion102are possible provided that the support portion102is configured to support relevant portions of the rack equipment thereon. Specific shapes and configurations of the support portion102may be used to support specific types of rack equipment, though it is also apparent that a single shape and configuration of the support portion102can support several different types of rack equipment to be installed.

The rack rail support100also comprises an engagement portion110coupled to a first end102aof the support portion102. The engagement portion110is configured to be inserted through a first hole in the rack rail and to engage with a first surface of the rack rail, as described in more detail with reference toFIGS.2A and2Bbelow. When the engagement portion110is engaged with the first surface of the rack rail, the support portion is arranged in a support position to support the portion of rack equipment thereon. In the rack rail support100shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the engagement portion110comprises a through-hole section112and an engagement member114. The engagement member114is angled relative to the support portion102and is configured to engage with the first surface of the rack rail. Specifically, the engagement member114extends upwards (i.e. in a first longitudinal direction (z-direction) of the rack rail support100) at an angle relative to the support portion102in the x-y plane such that it comes in contact with a first surface of the rack rail (in this case, a rear surface of the rack rail). The angle between the engagement member114and the support portion102is such that when the engagement member114is engaged with the rack rail, the support portion102is arranged in a support position and extends from a second surface of the rack rail opposite the first surface (i.e. a front surface) and is in a position to support the portion of rack equipment thereon. For example, the support portion102may be generally horizontal. The angle between the engagement member114and the support portion102may be between 65 and 85 degrees, and may in particular be approximately 75 degrees. The engagement member114and the support portion102are coupled via the through-hole section112, which is configured to extend through a hole in a rack rail when in use such that the engagement member114engages with a first surface of the rack rail and the support portion102extends from the second surface of the rack rail.

As also shown inFIGS.1A and1B, the rack rail support100may further comprise a securing portion120coupled to a second end102bof the support portion102opposite the first end102a. The securing portion120comprises an angled section122extending downwards from the second end102bof the support portion102(i.e. in a second longitudinal direction (negative z-direction) of the rack rail support100) opposite the engagement member114, and is angled relative to the support portion102in the x-y plane such that the angled section122extends from the second end102bof the support portion102towards the second surface (i.e. the front surface) of the rack rail when the support portion102is arranged in the support position. The angle between the angled section122and the support portion102may be greater than approximately 30 degrees. The securing portion120may further comprise an insertion member126extending from a distal end122aof the angled section122that is configured to be inserted into a second hole in the rack rail below the first hole. In this manner, the securing portion120helps to hold the rack rail support100in place when in use by insertion of the insertion member126into the second hole. The size and shape of the insertion member126may vary, provided that when inserted into the second hole the insertion member126helps to prevent, for example, movement and/or rotation of the rack rail support100. The size and shape of the insertion member126may be configured specifically to the types of holes in the rack rails that the rack rail support is to be used in. The insertion member126may be coupled to the distal end122aof the angled section122via an insertion member coupling section124. The insertion member coupling section124may be generally horizontal when in use, and arranged perpendicular to the second surface of the rack rail (i.e. the front surface) when the support portion102is in the support position.

The rack rail support100may be made of a durable material, such as 14 gauge steel, and may be finished in a powder paint finish. Different weight capacities are possible with different thicknesses of metal. In some embodiments, the securing portion120may be made of spring steel. Alternatively, the rack rail support100may be manufactured from 3D printing or injection molding.FIGS.1C and1Dshow a representation of another rack rail support100′ in accordance with the present disclosure. The rack rail support100′ generally corresponds to the rack rail support100, though it has a slightly different design in that it further comprises structural members130extending between support portion102′ and securing portion120′. In this example, the rack rail support100′ has been manufactured from injection molding. The rack rail supports100and100′ may be designed to be compliant with all relevant codes/standards, such as RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals).

FIGS.2A and2Bshow a representation of four rack rail supports ofFIGS.1A and1Bused in a four post rack shelf comprising rack rails200. As described, rack rail supports such as rack rail support100shown inFIGS.1A and1B(and also rack rail support100′ shown inFIGS.1C and1D) may be used to provide a temporary support when installing rack equipment. The rack rail supports may be used to support various types of rack equipment, and may be used in a four post rack shelf, two post rack shelf, etc. The rack rail support100shown inFIGS.1A and1Band rack rail support100′ shown inFIGS.1C and1Dmay be provided as part of a kit comprising a plurality of rack rail supports.

Each rack rail200comprises a plurality of holes (e.g. holes202a,202b, etc.) that may be used for installing the rack equipment, such as rack equipment300shown inFIG.2B. The rack rail supports (corresponding to rack rail support100) are engaged with a rack rail by inserting the engagement portion110as shown inFIGS.1A and1Bthrough a first hole in the rack rail. When the engagement member114as shown inFIGS.1A and1Bhas been inserted through the first hole in the rack rail, the rack rail support100may be rotated to engage the engagement member114with a first surface of the rack rail200(i.e. the rear surface inFIGS.2A and2B). With the engagement member114in contact with the first surface of the rack rail, the support portion102shown inFIGS.1A and1Bis in a configuration to support a portion the rack equipment thereon, as shown inFIG.2B. For example, the support portion102may be substantially horizontal and extend substantially perpendicular from a front surface of the rack rail200to support the portion of rack equipment thereon. InFIG.2B, the rack rail support100is shown as supporting mounting ears300aof the rack equipment300. The rack rail supports thus provide a temporary support for the rack equipment300that facilitates installation of the rack equipment onto the rack rails. The rack rail supports also advantageously provide a tool-free design and the rack rail supports may easily be installed onto the rack rails.

Where the rack rail support100comprises the securing portion120, the securing portion120is configured such that when the engagement member114is engaged with the rack rail and the support portion102is in the support position, the insertion member126as shown inFIGS.1A and1Bis configured to be inserted into a second hole in the rack rail below the first hole.

The rack rail support100and100′ may be designed to fit threaded rail, square, or round hole rails. For example,FIG.3shows an example of a rack rail support for a rack rail having square holes, andFIG.4shows an example of a rack rail support for a rack rail having tapped holes. As shown inFIGS.3and4, an engagement portion410of a rack rail support400for a rack rail having tapped holes may be thinner than an engagement portion310of a rack rail support300for a rack rail having square holes. It will also be appreciated that the detailed drawings shown inFIGS.3and4are provided for the sake of example only and the dimensions and angles shown in the drawings are non-limiting.

FIG.5shows a method500of installing a rack rail support onto a rack rail. For example, the method500may be used to install a rack rail support, such as rack rail support100,100′,300, or400, onto a rack rail. The method comprises inserting an engagement portion of the rack rail support through a first hole in the rack rail (502). As described previously, the engagement portion is coupled to a first end of a support portion of the rack rail support that is configured to support a portion of rack equipment to be installed on the rack rail. The method further comprises engaging the engagement portion of the rack rail support with a first surface of the rack rail (504).

As also described above, the engagement portion may comprise an engagement member that is angled relative to the support portion, and engaging the engagement portion of the rack rail support with the first surface of the rack rail comprises rotating the rack rail support to engage the engagement member with the first surface of the rack rail. When the engagement member is engaged with the rack rail, the support portion is arranged in a support position and extends from a second surface of the rack rail opposite the first surface.

As also described above, the rack rail support may further comprise a securing portion coupled to a second end of the support portion opposite the first end and comprising an angled section that is angled relative to the support portion and that extends downwardly from the support portion at a second angle relative to the support portion towards the second surface of the rack rail, and comprising an insertion member coupled to a distal end of the angled section and configured to be inserted into a second hole in the rack rail below the first hole. The method may further comprise inserting the insertion member to a second hole of the rack rail below the first hole (506).

With the rack rail support installed onto the rack rail, the support portion is configured to support a portion of rack equipment thereon. An installer can thus more easily install the rack equipment onto the rack rail, and subsequently the rack rail support can be removed.

It would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the system and components shown in the figures may include components not shown in the drawings. For simplicity and clarity of the illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, are only schematic and are non-limiting of the elements structures. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a number of variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as described herein.