BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the drawings that form a part of the original disclosure:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an interconnect tower according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the interconnect tower of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the interconnect tower of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an interconnect tower and rack assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the interconnect tower and rack assembly of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an interconnect tower and rack assembly according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention having first and second interconnect towers; and
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the interconnect tower and rack assembly of FIG. 6.
Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be understood to refer to like parts, components and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
As shown in FIGS. 1-7, exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to a rack assembly 11 having a first interconnect tower 21 and a rack 31. The rack 31 has a first face 32 adapted to receive a plurality of switches 13. The first interconnect tower 21 has a second face 22 adapted to receive a first plurality of patch panels 12. The first interconnect tower 21 is disposed adjacent the rack 31 such that the second face 22 of the first interconnect tower 21 is proximal the first face 32 of the rack 31, thereby allowing shorter patch cords to be used and occupying less floor space. A second interconnect tower 41 having a third face 42 adapted to receive a second plurality of patch panels 14 may be disposed adjacent the rack 31 such that the third face 42 of the second interconnect tower 41 is proximal the first face 22 of the rack 31 (FIGS. 6 and 7).
The first interconnect tower 21 is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Four vertical members 23, 24, 25 and 26 are disposed between an upper support 27 and a lower support 28. A second face 22 of the first interconnect tower 21 is defined by the first and second vertical members 23 and 24 and the upper and lower supports 27 and 28. An inner edge 29 of the first vertical member 23 defining the second face 22 has a plurality of fastener holes. An inner edge 20 of the second vertical member 24 forming the second face 22 has a plurality of fastener holes. A first plurality of patch panels 12 may be secured in the first face 22 between the fastener holes formed along the edges 29 and 20 of the first and second columns 23 and 24, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Feet 51 and 53 are connected to the first interconnect tower 21 to secure the first interconnect tower to a support, such as the floor 15.
As shown in the top plan views of FIGS. 3 and 5, the front 71 and rear 73 of the first interconnect tower 31 are substantially parallel. First and second sides 74 and 75 connect the front 71 and rear 73 to form an isosceles trapezoid. An angle α is formed between the second side 75 and a line extending perpendicularly from the rear 73 of the first interconnect tower 21, as shown in FIG. 3. Preferably, the angle α is between approximately zero and ten degrees, and more preferably the angle α is approximately eight degrees. Thus, the second side 75 forms an angle with the rear 73 between approximately 80 and 90 degrees, and more preferably about 82 degrees. An angle formed between the first side 74 and the rear 73 is substantially similar to that of the second side 75. A fourth face 81 of the first interconnect tower 21 is defined by the second and third vertical members 24 and 25. Therefore, the fourth face 81 is at an angle with respect to the second face 22 between approximately 80 and 90 degrees, and more preferably about 82 degrees. Preferably, the width W1 of the front 71 of the first interconnect tower 21 is less than the width W2 of the rear 73 of the first interconnect tower, as shown in FIG. 5.
The rack 31, as shown in FIGS. 4-7, has first and second vertical members 33 and 34. Preferably, the first and second vertical members 33 and 34 are C-shaped channels, although any suitable vertical member may be used. The first vertical member 33 has a base 61 and two legs 62 and 63 extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, as shown in FIG. 5. A first plurality of fastener holes 35 extends along the leg 62. The second vertical member 34 has a base 64 and two legs 65 and 66 extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom. A second plurality of fastener holes 36 extends along the leg 65. A plurality of switches 13 are connected between the first and second plurality of fastener holes 35 and 36 of the rack 31. Feet 37 and 38 are connected between the first and second vertical members 33 and 34 to secure the rack 31 to a support, such as the floor 15. Upper supports 67 and 68 are connected between the first and second vertical members 33 and 34 to provide stability to the rack 31. The first face 32 of the rack 31 is defined by the legs 62 and 65 of the first and second vertical members 33 and 34, the upper support 67 and the foot 37.
The second interconnect tower 41 is substantially similar to the first interconnect tower 21, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. Four vertical members 43, 44, 45 and 46 are disposed between an upper support 47 and a lower support 48. A third face 42 of the second interconnect tower 41 is defined by the first and second vertical members 43 and 44 and the upper and lower supports 47 and 48. An edge (not shown) of the first vertical member 43 defining the third face 42 has a plurality of fastener holes. An edge 40 of the second vertical member 24 forming the third face 42 has a plurality of fastener holes. A second plurality of patch panels 14 may be secured in the third face 42 between the fastener holes formed along the edges of the first and second vertical members 23 and 24, as shown in FIG. 6. Feet 55 and 57 are connected to the second interconnect tower 41 to secure the second interconnect tower to a support, such as the floor 15.
A first door 91 may be connected between the first and second interconnect towers 21 and 41 to control access thereto, as shown in FIG. 6. A second door 93 may be connected to the second and third vertical members 24 and 25 of the first interconnect tower 21, as shown in FIG. 7, to control access thereto. Similarly, a door (not shown) may be connected to the second and third vertical members 44 and 45 of the second interconnect tower 41.
Preferably, the first and second interconnect towers 21 and 41 and the rack 31 are made of a metal, such as steel.
Assembly and Disassembly
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a first interconnect tower 21 is disposed adjacent the rack 31 such that the second face 22 of the first interconnect tower 21 is proximal the first face 32 of the rack 31. The feet 51 and 53 of the first interconnect tower 21 are secured to the floor 15. The feet 37 and 38 of the rack 31 are secured to the floor 15. Preferably, the first interconnect tower 21 and the rack 31 are not directly mechanically connected.
A first plurality of patch panels 12 are connected in the second face 32 between the first and second vertical columns 23 and 24 of the first interconnect tower 21. A plurality of switches 13 are connected in the first face 32 between the legs 62 and 65 of the relay 31. Patch cords 16 are connected between electrical connectors received by the patch panels and the appropriate ports of the switches 13. Relatively short patch cords 16 may be used between the patch panels 12 and the switches 13 because the second face 22 of the first interconnect tower 21 is proximal the first face 32 of the rack 31, thereby requiring substantially less patch cords than in conventional rack systems. Preferably, the angle formed between the second and first faces 22 and 32 is between approximately eighty and ninety degrees, and more preferably is approximately 82 degrees.
Preferably, the length L of the first interconnect tower 21 and the rack 31, as shown in FIG. 5, is approximately 36 inches compared to the configuration of conventional rack systems requiring a length of approximately 84 inches. Thus, the configuration of the rack assembly 11 of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention requires less floor space, thereby allowing the unoccupied space to be used for other purposes.
A second interconnect tower 41 is disposed adjacent the rack 31, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, such that the fourth face 42 of the second interconnect tower 41 is proximal the first face 32 of the rack 31. The feet 55 and 57 of the second interconnect tower are secured to the floor 15. Preferably the second interconnect tower 41 and the rack 31 are not directly mechanically connected. A second plurality of patch panels 14 are connected in the fourth face 42 between the first and second vertical columns 43 and 44 of the second interconnect tower 41. Patch cords 16 are connected between electrical connectors received by the patch panels 14 and the appropriate ports of the switches 13. Relatively short patch cords 16 may be used between the patch panels 14 and the switches 13 because the fourth face 42 of the second interconnect tower 41 is proximal the first face 32 of the rack 31. Preferably, the angle formed between the fourth and first faces 42 and 32 is between approximately eighty and ninety degrees, and more preferably is approximately 82 degrees. Preferably, the second face 22 of the first interconnect tower 21 in which the first plurality of patch panels 12 are disposed and the fourth face 42 of the second interconnect tower 41 in which the second plurality of patch panels 14 are disposed are substantially parallel.
A first door 91 may be connected between vertical columns 23 and 43 of the first and second interconnect towers 21 and 41, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, to provide access to the first and second plurality of patch panels 12 and 14, the plurality of switches 13 and the patch cords 16. A second door 93 may be connected between vertical members 24 and 25 of the first interconnect tower 21 to provide access to the first plurality of patch panels 12, the plurality of switches 13 and the patch cords 16. Similarly, a door may be connected between vertical members 44 and 45 of the second interconnect tower 41 to provide access to the second plurality of patch panels 14, the plurality of switches 13 and the patch cords 16.
While advantageous embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080085638
