Patent ID: 8016126

Claim:
A frame structure for a rack mount computer system comprising: a set of four vertical support posts defining a computer rack having an interior volume between the vertical support posts, with a first pair of vertical support posts located at opposed sides of the computer rack and defining a first rack face, and each of the first pair of vertical support posts having a vertical planar side surface facing the other vertical support post; a top rail coupled between, and shorter in length than, the first pair of vertical support posts, the top rail defining along its length a pair of opposed rail faces and a pair of opposed rail edges joining the pair of opposed faces, the opposed rail faces and opposed rail edges each located between the two vertical support posts; an outer face distinct from the pair of opposed to rail faces, and substantially coplanar with the first rack face of the computer rack, the outer face being connected along its length to one of the opposed rail edges; a cross member disposed between the first pair of vertical support posts and coupled to corresponding interior edge surfaces of the vertical support posts; and a side panel having perimeter edges adjacent the interior edge surfaces of the first pair of vertical support posts and the to rail, the perimeter edges secured to the vertical support posts such that the side panel is recessed from the first rack face, wherein a first edge of the pair of opposed edges is positioned substantially closer to the first rack face of the computer rack than the second edge of the pair of opposed edges, so that the top rail resists twisting of the computer rack about a vertical axis through the computer rack and a horizontal axis through the computer rack, and wherein the top rail includes two opposed ends, each of the opposed ends being fixedly attached directly to the vertical planar surface of one of the first pair of vertical support posts, so that connection joints are defined between the opposed ends and the first pair of vertical support posts and between the first and second edges of the pair of opposed edges, the connection joints connecting the top rail to the vertical support posts and angled with respect to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis.