U.S. patent application number 11/340855 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for frame structure.
Invention is credited to Gerhard Bumeder, Josef Knab, Alexander Prinz, Siegfried Schneiderbauer, Werner Spateneder.
Application Number | 20070175836 11/340855 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38320985 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bumeder; Gerhard ; et
al. |
August 2, 2007 |
Frame structure
Abstract
The invention relates to a rack or frame structure for
electronic cabinets, specifically for network cabinets and cabinet
rows with high cabling densities. To ensure in the case of high
stability unhindered access to a reception area and cable routing
in each direction, two vertical members and four depth members are
so connected that a right and left-hand double-T frame is formed.
The vertical members are in particular positioned as central
members. The preferably releasable connection of the right and
left-hand double-T frame takes place with the aid of a lower and
upper transverse member in the vicinity of the vertical members,
accompanied by the formation of a front and a rear frame
recess.
Inventors: |
Bumeder; Gerhard;
(Moosthenning, DE) ; Knab; Josef; (Rossbach,
DE) ; Schneiderbauer; Siegfried; (Rossbach, DE)
; Prinz; Alexander; (Postmunster, DE) ;
Spateneder; Werner; (Pfarrkirchen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN PLLC
400 SEVENTH STREET N.W.
SUITE 600
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
38320985 |
Appl. No.: |
11/340855 |
Filed: |
January 27, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/26 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04Q 1/062 20130101;
H04Q 1/025 20130101; H04Q 1/064 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/026 |
International
Class: |
A47F 7/00 20060101
A47F007/00 |
Claims
1. Frame structure for electronic cabinets with a right and a
left-hand vertical member, two upper and lower depth members and
transverse members, wherein a right-hand and a left-hand vertical
member is in each case terminally connected to an upper and lower
depth member to form a right and left-hand double-T frame and
wherein the right and left-hand double-T frames are connected by an
upper and a lower transverse member, accompanied by the formation
of a front and rear frame recess.
2. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical
members are connected by welded joints to the upper and lower depth
members to form right and left-hand double-T frames.
3. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the right and
left-hand double-T frames are in each case releasably connected to
the upper and lower transverse members.
4. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the right and
left-hand double-T frames are connected in the vicinity of the
vertical members by screwed connections to the upper and lower
transverse members.
5. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical
members are positioned as central members.
6. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical
members are open multichamber sections and are formed by multiple
bends and have a rectangular contour with narrow short sides.
7. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the vertical
members have an inner longitudinal side with a front and a rear
inner leg, as well as a central opening and a parallel, outer
longitudinal side with a front and rear opening, as well as a
connecting leg connected by transverse legs to the front and rear
inner legs of the outer longitudinal side.
8. Frame structure according to claim 7, wherein fixing holes are
formed in the front and rear inner legs of the vertical members for
the screwed connections between the right and left-hand double-T
frames and the upper and lower transverse members.
9. Frame structure according to claim 7, wherein the front inner
leg has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management
components.
10. Frame structure according to claim 7, wherein the vertical
members are constructed for cable routing and the cables can be
introduced via the central opening and also the front and rear
openings.
11. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein, in the vicinity
of an outer longitudinal side, the vertical members have short
legs, which are in each case constructed as right-angled bends from
a front and rear short side.
12. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the depth members
are C-shaped in cross-section.
13. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein, for the terminal
reception of vertical members, the depth members have in each case
a recess.
14. Frame structure according to claim 13, wherein the recess is
formed in an inside horizontal leg and an upper and a lower inner
leg of the depth members.
15. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the depth members
have connection points for the covering parts, for a hinging and a
locking device for a door.
16. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the depth members
are constructed for the depth-adjustable fixing of metric assembly
members.
17. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the transverse
members are constructed as U-shaped supports with front fixing
plates.
18. Frame structure according to claim 17, wherein the fixing
plates have holes for a screwed connection to the right and
left-hand double-T frames.
19. Frame structure according to claim 17, wherein the transverse
members have horizontal marginal webs, which extend up to the
fixing plates and are terminally bounded by fixing side plates on
both sides of the fixing plates.
20. Frame-structure according to claim 1, wherein the width of the
frame structure can be varied through differently dimensioned
transverse members.
21. Frame structure according to claim 7, wherein the rear inner
leg has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management
components.
22. Frame structure according to claim 7, wherein the front short
side has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management
components.
23. Frame structure according to claim 7, wherein the rear short
side has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management
components.
24. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the depth members
have fixing points for covering parts, such as a rear wall, a cover
and side walls.
25. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the depth members
are constructed for the depth-adjustable fixing of 19'' assembly
members.
26. Frame structure according to claim 1, wherein the transverse
members are constructed as C-shaped supports with front fixing
plates.
27. Frame structure for network cabinets and cabinet rows with high
cabling densities, having a right and a left-hand vertical member,
two upper and lower depth members and with transverse members,
wherein a right and a left-hand vertical member is in each case
terminally connected to an upper and lower depth member to form a
right and a left-hand double-T frame and wherein the right and
left-hand double-T frames are in each case connected by an upper
and a lower transverse member, accompanied by the formation of a
front and a rear frame recess.
Description
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a rack or frame structure for
electronic cabinets with a right and a left-hand vertical member,
two upper and lower depth members and with transverse members.
[0003] The invention is particularly suitable for instrument and
equipment cabinets used for setting up local networks and for
receiving electrical, electronic and optoelectronic equipment,
parts and components and which are intended to receive relatively
large cable quantities, as well as cables with different
diameters.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background
[0005] Known frame structures for equipment cabinets have an upper
and a lower, horizontal frame of in each case two depth and
transverse members. The frames are interconnected by four vertical
members in the corner regions and as a result a reception area for
equipment, components and cables is formed. To the frame structure
can be fitted covering parts, e.g. a front door, side walls, a rear
wall, a cover and a bottom plate in order to form an equipment
cabinet closed on all sides.
[0006] For applications with large cable quantities and for cables
with relatively large diameters and limited bendability, it is
necessary to have frame structures, which permit free access to the
cables in the reception area and unhindered cabling and cable
routing with a preferably all-round access to the cabling
areas.
[0007] DE 94 05 618.8 discloses a frame structure with four
vertical sections or two lateral supporting walls, which link an
upper cover plate and a lower base plate. The cover and base plates
have fastening or mounting holes and are provided with two front
and rear, mutually aligned arms through which is formed a front and
rear recess for cable harnesses. Cable installation can take place
on the relatively open, component-equipped frame structure.
[0008] WO 99/48305 A1 describes a frame structure for a
telecommunications and network cabinet, in which upper and lower
horizontal, rectangular frames are connected by two vertical
sections. The installation of the subassemblies, equipment, cable
units, etc. takes place on vertical, front and rear assembly
members, which have fixing holes of the corresponding standard and
which are fixed to additional lower and upper, horizontal
transverse sections.
[0009] GB 2 345 240 B discloses a frame structure for an equipment
cabinet with two or four vertical members, which are interconnected
at the top and bottom by in each case two transverse members. The
two transverse members have a U-shaped construction and are
interconnected in the vicinity of their transverse webs or form an
elongated, centrally connected cross.
[0010] The known frame structures, which are relatively complicated
to manufacture, do not in all cases satisfy the demands for an
unhindered cabling and vertical and horizontal cable routing with
free access to the cabling areas, particularly in the case of
cabinet rows with laterally adjacent cabinets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The object of the invention is to provide a frame structure
for electronic cabinets, particularly those in network and
telecommunications technology, as well as for cabinet rows, which
in the case of an inexpensive manufacture and installation ensure
unhindered laying of relatively large cable quantities and
differing bendability, together with a vertical and horizontal
cable routing without threading.
[0012] According to the invention this object is achieved by a
frame structure for electronic cabinets with a right and a
left-hand vertical member, two upper and lower depth members and
with transverse members, a right and a left-hand vertical member
being in each case terminally connected to an upper and a lower
depth member to form a right and a left-hand double-T frame and in
which the right and left-hand double-T frames are linked by an
upper and a lower transverse member, accompanied by the formation
of a front and a rear frame recess.
[0013] Appropriate and advantageous developments are described in
the subclaims and drawings.
[0014] A fundamental idea of the invention is to create a
self-supporting base frame construction, in which four depth
members, two vertical members and two transverse members are so
arranged and connected that an extremely stable and at the same
time disassemblable base frame is obtained ensuring unhindered
cabling of a large number of cables, together with a cable routing
in the vertical and horizontal directions and in particular from
one cabinet to an adjacent cabinet with free access to cabling
areas from all sides.
[0015] According to the invention a right and a left-hand vertical
member is in each case connected at the upper and lower end with an
upper and a lower depth member so as to form a right and a
left-hand double-T frame.
[0016] Preferably the connection of the vertical members to the
upper and lower depth members takes place by welding and the thus
formed unit is advantageous for the storage, transportation and
installation of the frame structure.
[0017] The two in particular right and left-side double-T frames
are inventively connected by an upper and a lower transverse
member, a detachable connection, e.g. a screwed connection, being
advantageous for a disassemblable construction which can e.g. be
delivered as a flat pack.
[0018] In plan view the inventive frame structure can also be
considered as a H-frame, in which the depth members form the
vertical webs and the transverse members the horizontal web.
[0019] The right and left-hand double-T frames can also be looked
upon, following a 90.degree. rotation, as H-frames, particularly if
the vertical member is in each case centrally connected to the
upper and lower depth member and is therefore positioned as a
central member.
[0020] Due to the fact that the vertical members located in the
corner regions in the known cabinet constructions are omitted and
front and rear frame recesses are formed without interfering front
and rear transverse members, an unhindered cabling and vertical
cable routing is ensured from above or from below, together with
horizontal cable routing from the left and/or right and from one
cabinet to an adjacent cabinet, e.g. in the case of cabinet rows.
There is no need for the threading of cables, which is complicated
and difficult to manipulate in the case of cables with
corresponding diameters.
[0021] There is also an unhindered access to the cabling areas from
essentially all sides, in particular from the front and side.
[0022] The necessary stability of the inventive frame structure is
achieved through multiply folded or bent vertical members and depth
and transverse members constructed as C and/or U-beams.
[0023] In particularly advantageous manner open multichamber
sections can be used as vertical members and have a rectangular
contour with relatively narrow short sides and approximately two to
four times longer longitudinal sides. Open multichamber sections,
e.g. three-chamber sections, formed by multiple folds or bends can
appropriately be manufactured from a sheet steel blank in a rolling
shaping method or also in a bending method and, apart from their
supporting function, can also be used for cable routing and/or
fixing cable management components, e.g. cable wells and the like.
The vertical members provided in the direction of a reception area
with at least one central opening and a front and rear inner legs
provide connection points for section or profile rails and
accessories, e.g. 19'' accessories, such as socket ledges and the
like.
[0024] In the front and rear inner legs which, with a central
opening, form an inside of the vertical members, appropriately
fixing openings are formed in grid-like manner in accordance with a
respective given standard. In the upper and lower area
appropriately holes are provided for screwed connections for the
detachable connection to the transverse members.
[0025] Further fixing openings can advantageously be formed in the
narrow short sides of the vertical sections in order to be able to
fix accessories, assembly members, equipment, subassemblies and
cable management components.
[0026] A cable routing or reception of cables is possible in the
vicinity of the outer longitudinal side of the vertical members,
the cables being introduceable by means of a front and rear
longitudinal opening.
[0027] For the preferably fixed connection of a vertical member to
an upper and lower depth member, end regions of the vertical
members are positively received in a corresponding recess of the
particular depth member and in particular welded. Advantageously
connection takes place with depth members with a C-shaped section
and a recess, which is formed in an inside horizontal leg and an
upper and lower inner leg, so that the outside end region of a
depth member engages with a vertical C-leg and frontally on an
outside horizontal leg. Advantageously there is a further
connection in the vicinity of the upper and lower inner leg of the
depth members.
[0028] Appropriately the depth members are provided with connection
points for hinging, particularly pin hinging, as well as for a
locking device, e.g. a locking hook of a covering part in the form
of a door. These connection points are preferably provided at the
front and end and can e.g. be constructed on the outside horizontal
legs as angle members with corresponding openings.
[0029] It is advantageous that the depth members can also be
manufactured from a sheet steel blank by multiple bends and
punching out. The connection points integrated into the depth
members can also be used for a detachable fixing of a rear wall and
side walls, as well as a cover and a bottom plate.
[0030] Appropriately U or C-shaped supports are used as transverse
members and in the same way as the depth members can be arranged
with their openings facing. For example, the width of the
transverse members can correspond to the depth of the vertical
members. An advantageous, releasable fixing of the transverse
members takes place on the depth members, so that the frame
structure can be disassembled to provide two double-T frames and
two transverse members, which ensures delivery can take place in
flat pack form.
[0031] For advantageous screw fixing the transverse members are
frontally provided in each case with a fixing plate, which is much
higher than the vertical legs of the U or C-shaped transverse
members and has holes for the screwed connection to the vertical
members of the right and left-hand double-T frame.
[0032] The fixing plates of the transverse members are provided
with fixing side plates to increase stability and the supporting
function and they are bent at right angles and embrace or engage on
end regions of the vertical legs and a horizontal marginal web of
the transverse members in each case.
[0033] The frame construction according to the invention is
advantageously usable for frame structures or cabling cabinets of
different widths and in an extremely simple manner it is only
necessary to adapt the length of the transverse members. The
lateral double-T frames can be used in unchanged form.
[0034] It falls within the scope of the present invention through a
simple modification of the recess in the depth members, to arrange
and connect the vertical members eccentrically for forming
different front and rear frame recesses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter
relative to the highly diagrammatic drawings, wherein show:
[0036] FIG. 1 A perspective representation of a frame structure
according to the invention.
[0037] FIG. 2 A larger scale representation of the base area of the
inventive frame structure of FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 3 A perspective representation of the depth member of
the inventive frame structure.
[0039] FIG. 4 A perspective representation of an upper area of a
vertical member of the inventive frame structure.
[0040] FIG. 5 A cross-section through the vertical member of FIG.
4.
[0041] FIG. 6 A perspective representation of a transverse
member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0042] FIG. 1 shows a frame structure 2 ensuring high stability and
unhindered cabling and cable routing in all directions and
therefore an advantageous use for network cabinets and cabinet rows
with high cabling densities.
[0043] The frame structure 2 comprises two vertical members 3, four
depth members 4 and two transverse members 5, which are so
positioned and interconnected that a frontal frame recess 8 and a
rear frame recess 9 are formed. FIG. 1 and the larger scale partial
representation of FIG. 2 make it clear that cable routing without
disadvantageous threading is possible, because both the generally
conventional front and rear vertical members and also the front and
rear upper and lower transverse members are omitted.
[0044] High stability and simultaneously advantageous accessibility
and cabling are achieved through the connection of in each case one
vertical member 3 to a depth member 4 fixed to the upper and lower
end so as to form a double-T frame. The connection of the depth
members 4 to end regions of the vertical members 3 preferably takes
place by welded connections 10 of the vertical members 3 inserted
in recesses 30 of depth members 4 (cf. also FIG. 3).
[0045] The right 6 and left-hand double-T frames 7 are
interconnected by an upper and lower transverse member 5 and there
is an advantageous, releasable screwed connection 11 between the
transverse members 5 and depth members 4 of the right-hand double-T
frame 6 and left-hand double-T frame 7.
[0046] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the mirror-inverted arrangement of the
right and left-hand vertical member 3, the upper and lower depth
members 4 and upper and lower transverse member 5, which define a
reception area 28 for electrical, electronic and optoelectronic
equipment and cable runs (not shown).
[0047] In each case the depth members 4 are provided with terminal
connection points 34 for fixing covering parts, e.g. a rear wall,
two side walls, a cover and a base plate (not shown) as well as for
hinging and locking means for a door (not shown).
[0048] The depth members 4 are also constructed for fixing assembly
members 38, said fixing can be performed directly or indirectly by
means of adaptors 39 and advantageously in depth-adjustable
manner.
[0049] FIG. 2 shows a base-side area of the frame structure 2
according to FIG. 1. Identical features are given the same
reference numerals. The larger scale partial representation of FIG.
2 shows further details and in particular the profile
cross-sections of vertical members 3, depth members 4 and
transverse members 5 and the connection areas 10, 11.
[0050] FIG. 3 shows the left-hand, lower depth member 4 according
to FIGS. 1 and 2. The depth member 4 has a C-shaped cross-section,
which is formed by an externally positioned, vertical C-leg 35,
horizontal legs 36, 37 bent at right angles thereto and inner legs
32, 33 bent at right angles.
[0051] A recess 30 for receiving an end region of a vertical member
3 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2) is formed centrally in this embodiment, in
that the inner horizontal leg 37 and the bent inner leg 33, as well
as the bottom inner leg 32 bent on the outer horizontal leg 36 are
not constructed in continuous manner. The recess 30 is dimensioned
in complimentary manner to the end regions of the depth members 4
and ensures a positive reception and a welding of the vertical
member 3 engaging flat on the vertical C-leg 35 and outer
horizontal leg 36 and adjacent to the horizontal leg 37 and the two
inner legs 32, 33.
[0052] FIG. 3 shows that the connection points 34 can be
constructed as inwardly directed angle members with different
openings 31.
[0053] FIG. 4 shows an upper area of the left-hand vertical member
3 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of said
vertical member 3. Both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the
construction of the vertical members 3 as open three-chamber
sections, which can be manufactured by multiple bends or folds of a
blank.
[0054] In cross-section the vertical members 3 have a rectangular
contour with a front and rear short side 12, 13 and an inner and
outer longitudinal side 14, 15. The inner longitudinal side 14
embraces a front inner leg 16 and a rear inner leg 17 between which
is formed a central opening-18 as a result of bent transverse legs
22, 23 and an outer connecting leg 21. Advantageously cables can be
inserted and laid through the central opening 18. Cable routing is
also possible in the vicinity of the outer longitudinal side 15
which, as a result of approximately right-angled bends, has a front
opening 19 and a rear opening 20. Into said front and rear openings
19, 20 project short legs 26, which are constructed as right-angled
bends of the front short side 12 and rear short side 13.
[0055] Fixing openings 24 are formed both in the short sides 12, 13
and in the front and rear inner legs 16, 17. There are also fixing
holes 25 for the screwed connections 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which are
used for connecting the right-hand double-T frame 6 and the
left-hand double-T frame 7 to the upper and lower transverse member
5.
[0056] FIG. 6 shows that the fixing holes 25 are constructed in
complimentary manner to the holes 41 in the front fixing plates 40
of transverse members 5. In this embodiment there are four holes 41
in the transverse member 5 and fixing plates 40 and correspondingly
four fixing holes 25 in the vertical leg 3 and the two inner legs
16, 17.
[0057] The transverse member according to FIG. 6 is upwardly and
downwardly open and in cross-section is U or C-shaped and is
provided on either side of a horizontally positioned leg 45 with
vertical legs 44 and bent horizontal marginal webs 42, which are
directed inwards and are terminally embraced by fixing side plates
43. The fixing side plates 43 are constructed as bevelled
90.degree. bends of the fixing plates 40 and contribute to
increasing the supporting and carrying function.
[0058] The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit
and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the
art, the invention should be constructed to include everything
within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *