Patent ID: 7506768

Claim:
A blanking panel for use with an equipment rack, the blanking panel comprising: an elongated body constructed and arranged to install the blanking panel in a substantially horizontal orientation between a pair of mounting rails of an equipment rack, the elongated body including a first side wall and a second opposing side wall, a front wall connecting the first side wall with the second side wall in such a manner that the first side wall, the front wall and the second side wall create a C-shaped channel, and opposite ends, wherein the first and second side wall are of equal length; an attachment configuration disposed along each end of the elongated body, the attachment configuration being constructed and arranged to facilitate installation and removal of the blanking panel with a pair of mounting rails; and at least a portion of the first side wall and at least a portion of the second side wall being constructed to interface with a second blanking panel installed within the equipment rack adjacent to and above or below the blanking panel to form an air seal there between, and wherein the portion of the first side wall and the portion of the second side wall are constructed of at least one material that permits the portions of the first and second side walls to one of deflect, flex and compress in response to an application of force.