Adjustable computing component rack

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9814155-B2
Application number	US-201514835431-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 25, 2015
Priority date	Aug 25, 2015
Publication date	Nov 7, 2017
Grant date	Nov 7, 2017

Abstract

A rack system for mounting a plurality of computing components includes an inner cabinet, and an outer cabinet adjustably coupled to the inner cabinet. The outer cabinet is selectively movable laterally over the inner cabinet to promote flexibility in configuring the plurality of computing components within the inner cabinet in three dimensional space.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A rack system for mounting a plurality of computing components, comprising:
a stationary inner cabinet;
an outer cabinet, the outer cabinet adjustably coupled to the inner cabinet;
wherein the outer cabinet is selectively movable laterally over the inner cabinet such that, as the outer cabinet is moved, a space gap of the inner cabinet is adjusted within a confine of the outer cabinet to promote flexibility in configuring the plurality of computing components within the inner cabinet in three dimensional space; wherein:
when the outer cabinet is moved laterally over the inner cabinet in a first direction, the space gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet is created on a first side, and
when the outer cabinet is moved laterally over the inner cabinet in a second direction, the space gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet is created on a second, opposing side;

a track system comprising a notched depth formed and disposed on an inside edge of either of a top and opposing bottom horizontal rail of the outer cabinet;
a plurality of guide wheels coupled to an outside edge of either of a top and opposing bottom horizontal rail of the inner cabinet, the plurality of guide wheels for positioning inside the track system of the outer cabinet for selectively moving and guiding the outer cabinet upon the plurality of guide wheels of the inner cabinet;
a plurality of apertures formed horizontally along the track system of the outer cabinet; and
a releasable latching mechanism disposed through each of the plurality of guide wheels, the releasable latching mechanism comprising a screw pin for engaging one of the plurality of apertures.

2. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the inner cabinet comprises a box frame having a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal rails, the plurality of horizontal rails configured for receiving and structurally supporting the plurality of computing components.

3. The rack system of claim 1 , wherein the outer cabinet comprises a box frame having a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal rails, the outer cabinet disposed over the inner cabinet.

4. A rack system for mounting a plurality of computing components, comprising:
a stationary inner cabinet having a plurality of posts and rails;
an outer cabinet having a plurality of posts and rails, the outer cabinet disposed over and adjustably coupled to the rails of the inner cabinet;
wherein the outer cabinet provides a clearance and is selectively movable laterally in a plurality of positions individually over the inner cabinet such that, as the outer cabinet is moved, a space gap of the inner cabinet is adjusted within a confine of the outer cabinet to promote flexibility in configuring a front to back depth ratio of the plurality of computing components within the inner cabinet in three dimensional space; wherein:
when the outer cabinet is moved laterally over the inner cabinet in a first direction, the space gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet is created on a first side, and
when the outer cabinet is moved laterally over the inner cabinet in a second direction, the space gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet is created on a second, opposing side;

a track system comprising a notched depth formed and disposed on an inside edge of either of a top and opposing bottom horizontal rail of the outer cabinet;
a plurality of guide wheels coupled to an outside edge of either of a top and opposing bottom horizontal rail of the inner cabinet, the plurality of guide wheels for positioning inside the track system of the outer cabinet for selectively moving and guiding the outer cabinet upon the plurality of guide wheels of the inner cabinet;
a plurality of apertures formed horizontally along the track system of the outer cabinet; and
a releasable latching mechanism disposed through each of the plurality of guide wheels, the releasable latching mechanism comprising a screw pin for engaging one of the plurality of apertures.

5. The rack system of claim 4 , wherein the inner cabinet comprises a box frame having the plurality of vertical posts and horizontal rails, the plurality of horizontal rails configured for receiving and structurally supporting the plurality of computing components.

6. The rack system of claim 4 , wherein the outer cabinet comprises a box frame having the plurality of vertical posts and horizontal rails, the outer cabinet disposed over the inner cabinet.

7. A method of manufacturing a rack system for mounting a plurality of computing components, comprising:
forming a stationary inner cabinet;
forming an outer cabinet, the outer cabinet adjustably coupled to the inner cabinet;
wherein the outer cabinet is selectively movable laterally over the inner cabinet such that, as the outer cabinet is moved, a space gap of the inner cabinet is adjusted within a confine of the outer cabinet to promote flexibility in configuring the plurality of computing components within the inner cabinet in three dimensional space; wherein:
when the outer cabinet is moved laterally over the inner cabinet in a first direction, the space gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet is created on a first side, and
when the outer cabinet is moved laterally over the inner cabinet in a second direction, the space gap between the inner cabinet and the outer cabinet is created on a second, opposing side;

forming a track system comprising a notched depth formed and disposed on an inside edge of either of a top and opposing bottom horizontal rail of the outer cabinet;
forming a plurality of guide wheels coupled to an outside edge of either of a top and opposing bottom horizontal rail of the inner cabinet, the plurality of guide wheels for positioning inside the track system of the outer cabinet for selectively moving and guiding the outer cabinet upon the plurality of guide wheels of the inner cabinet;
forming a plurality of apertures formed horizontally along the track system of the outer cabinet; and
forming a releasable latching mechanism disposed through each of the plurality of guide wheels, the releasable latching mechanism comprising a screw pin for engaging one of the plurality of apertures.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the inner cabinet comprises a box frame having a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal rails, the plurality of horizontal rails configured for receiving and structurally supporting the plurality of computing components.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the outer cabinet comprises a box frame having a plurality of vertical posts and horizontal rails, the outer cabinet disposed over the inner cabinet.

Assignees

• IBM

Inventors

• Cox Aaron R
• Minyard Jason E
• Sassano Camillo
• Schultz Kevin L

Classifications

• H05K7/1488 Primary

  Cabinets therefor, e.g. chassis or racks or mechanical interfaces between blades and support structures · CPC title