NETWORK CABINET

Abstract
A network cabinet is provided comprising a door comprising first and second opposing lateral sides. A hinge lever is rotatably connected to the door and a retractable hinge pin is connected to the hinge lever and is positioned closer to the first lateral side of the door than the second lateral side. A lever stop is also connected to the door and is associated with the hinge lever. The lever stop prevents retraction of the hinge pin from an extended position with the second lateral side of the door in an open position.
Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details that are not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It should be understood of course, that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.



FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the network cabinet of the present invention;



FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of the base frame of the network cabinet of the present invention;



FIG. 2B is an enlarged partial exploded view of the front door mount and base frame shown in FIG. 2A:



FIG. 2C is an enlarged partial exploded view of the adjustable equipment rail and base frame shown in FIG. 2A;



FIG. 2D is a top view of the base member of the network cabinet of the present invention:



FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2A:



FIG. 4A is a bottom perspective view of the base frame of FIG. 2A and top cover of the network cabinet of the present invention;



FIG. 4B is an enlarged partial view of the base frame and top cover shown in FIG. 4A:



FIG. 5A is a top view of the top cover of the network cabinet of the present invention:



FIG. 5B is an enlarged partial view of a cable entry knockout shown in FIG. 5A;



FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2A:



FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of the base frame, top cover, and side panels of the network cabinet of the present invention;



FIG. 7B is an enlarged partial exploded view of the base frame and side panel brackets shown in FIG. 7A;



FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the base frame, top cover, and side panels of the network cabinet of the present invention, with one side panel partially installed;



FIG. 8B is an enlarged partial view of the base frame, top cover, and side panel shown in FIG. 8A:



FIG. 8C is an enlarged partial view of the top cover and grounding clip shown in FIG. 8B:



FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8A;



FIG. 10A is a back perspective view of the network cabinet of the present invention:



FIG. 10B is an enlarged partial view of the door handle shown in FIG. 10A:



FIG. 10C is an enlarged partial view of the back of the door handle shown in FIG. 10B;



FIG. 10D is a back perspective view of the back doors of the network cabinet of the present invention with an alternative latch mechanism:



FIG. 10E is an enlarged partial view of the alternative latch mechanism shown in FIG. 10D in the open position:



FIG. 10F is an enlarged partial view of the alternative latch mechanism shown in FIG. 10D in the closed position:



FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 10A:



FIG. 12A is a front perspective view of the network cabinet of the present invention, with the front door partially open;



FIG. 12B is an enlarged partial view of a safety hinge of the front door shown in FIG. 12A:



FIG. 12C is a back view of the safety hinge in FIG. 12B:



FIG. 12D is an enlarged partial view of a second safety hinge of the front door shown in FIG. 12A:



FIG. 12E is an enlarged partial view of a front door lifting mechanism of the front door shown in FIG. 12A;



FIG. 12F is a back perspective view of the front door of the network cabinet shown in FIG. 12A with an alternative latch mechanism:



FIG. 12G is an enlarged partial view of the alternative latch mechanism of the front door shown in FIG. 12F:



FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 13-13 in FIG. 12A:



FIG. 14A is a front perspective view of the base frame of the network cabinet of the current invention with caster assemblies, cable management units, and slack management spools attached:



FIG. 14B is an exploded, enlarged partial view of a caster assembly shown in FIG. 14A;



FIG. 15A is a back perspective view of a right hand cable management unit;



FIG. 15B is a back perspective view of a left hand cable management unit:



FIG. 16A is an exploded partial enlarged view showing the attachment of a right hand cable management unit to the base frame of the network cabinet of the present invention:



FIG. 16B is an exploded partial enlarged view showing the attachment of a left hand cable management unit to the base frame of the network cabinet of the present invention:



FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 17-17 in FIG. 15B:



FIG. 18A is an exploded partial enlarged view showing the attachment of a slack management spool to the base frame of the network cabinet of the present invention:



FIG. 18B is a side view, of the slack management spool shown in FIG. 18A;



FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of two network cabinets ganged together;



FIG. 20 is a front perspective view of the network cabinets in FIG. 19 with the front doors open: and



FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 21-21 in FIG. 20.


Claims
  • 1. A network cabinet, comprising: a door comprising first and second opposing lateral sides:a hinge lever rotatably connected to the door;a retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side and connected to the hinge lever: anda lever stop connected to the door and associated with the hinge lever, wherein the lever stop prevents retraction of the hinge pin from an extended position with the second lateral side in an open position.
  • 2. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the lever stop is moveable into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 3. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the lever stop is rotatably connected to the door.
  • 4. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the lever stop comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow retraction of the hinge pin from an extended position with the door in a closed position.
  • 5. The network cabinet of claim 4, wherein the release arm contacts the portion of the cabinet and moves the lever stop out of the path of rotation of the hinge lever with the door in a closed position.
  • 6. The network cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a resilient member associated with the hinge lever, wherein the resilient member urges the lever stop into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 7. The network cabinet of claim 6, wherein the resilient member is a torsion spring.
  • 8. The network cabinet of claim 1, further comprising an additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the hinge lever, wherein the additional lever stop prevents extension of the hinge pin from a retracted position with the first lateral side in an open position.
  • 9. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein the additional lever stop is moveable into the path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 10. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein the additional lever stop is rotatably connected to the door.
  • 11. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein the additional lever stop comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow extension of the hinge pin from a retracted position with the door in a closed position.
  • 12. The network cabinet of claim 11, wherein the release arm contacts the portion of the cabinet and moves the additional lever stop out of the path of rotation of the hinge lever with the door in a closed position.
  • 13. The network cabinet of claim 8, further comprising a resilient member associated with the hinge lever, wherein the resilient member urges the additional lever stop into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 14. The network cabinet of claim 13, wherein the resilient member is a torsion spring.
  • 15. The network cabinet of claim 13, wherein the resilient member also urges the lever stop into a path of rotation of the rocker to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 16. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the hinge pin engages an opening in a portion of the cabinet with the hinge pin in an extended position.
  • 17. The network cabinet of claim 16, further comprising a bushing positioned within the opening in the cabinet, such that the hinge pin engages the bushing with the hinge pin in an extended position.
  • 18. The network cabinet of claim 1, further comprising: a second hinge lever rotatably connected to the door:a second retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the second lateral side than the first lateral side and connected to the second hinge lever anda second lever stop connected to the door and associated with the second hinge lever, wherein the second lever stop prevents retraction of the second hinge pin from an extended position with the first lateral side in an open position.
  • 19. The network cabinet of claim 18, further comprising: an additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the hinge lever, wherein the additional lever stop prevents extension of the hinge pin from a retracted position with the first lateral side in an open position; anda second additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the second hinge lever, wherein the second additional lever stop prevents extension of the second hinge pin from a retracted position with the second lateral side in an open position.
  • 20. The network cabinet of claim 18, further comprising: third and fourth hinge levers rotatably connected to the door:a third retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the second lateral side than the first lateral side and connected to the third hinge lever;a fourth retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side and connected to the fourth hinge lever:a third lever stop connected to the door and associated with the third hinge lever, wherein the third lever stop prevents retraction of the third hinge pin from an extended position with the first lateral side in an open position; anda fourth lever stop connected to the door and associated with the fourth hinge lever, wherein the fourth lever stop prevents retractions of the fourth hinge pin from an extended position with the second lateral side in an open position.
  • 21. The network cabinet of claim 20, further comprising: an additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the hinge lever, wherein the additional lever stop prevents extension of the hinge pin from a retracted position with the first lateral side in an open position:a second additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the second hinge level, wherein the second additional lever stop prevents extension of the second hinge pin from a retracted position with the second lateral side in an open position;a third additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the third hinge lever, wherein the third additional lever stop prevents extension of the third hinge pin from a retracted position with the second lateral side in an open position: anda fourth additional lever stop connected to the door and associated with the fourth hinge lever, wherein the fourth additional lever stop prevents extension of the fourth hinge pin from a retracted position with the first lateral side in an open position.
  • 22. The network cabinet of claim 20, wherein the hinge pin extends from one of a top and bottom of the door and the fourth hinge pin extends from the other of the top and bottom of the door, opposite the hinge pin.
  • 23. The network cabinet of claim 20, wherein the second hinge pin extends from one of the top and bottom of the door and the third hinge pin extends from the other of the top and bottom of the door, opposite the second hinge pin.
  • 24. The network cabinet of claim 20, further comprising a handle connected to the door, wherein the handle is connected to the hinge lever and the fourth hinge lever.
  • 25. The network cabinet of claim 24, further comprising a second handle connected to the door, wherein the second handle is connected to the second hinge lever and the third hinge lever.
  • 26. The network cabinet of claim 25, wherein the handle is connected to the hinge lever through a first rod, the handle is connected to the fourth hinge lever through a second rod, the second handle is connected to the second hinge lever through a third rod, and the second handle is connected to the third hinge lever through a fourth rod.
  • 27. A network cabinet, comprising: a door comprising first and second opposing lateral sides:a hinge lever rotatable connected to the door:a retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side and connected to the hinge lever: anda lever stop connected to the door and associated with the hinge lever, wherein the lever stop prevents extension of the hinge pin from a retracted position with the first lateral side in an open position.
  • 28. The network cabinet of claim 27, wherein the lever stop is moveable into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 29. The network cabinet of claim 27, wherein the lever stop is rotatably connected to the door.
  • 30. The network cabinet of claim 27, wherein the lever stop comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow extension of the hinge pin from a retracted position with the door in a closed position.
  • 31. The network cabinet of claim 30, wherein the release arm contacts the portion of the cabinet and moves the lever stop out of the path of rotation of the hinge lever with the door in a closed position.
  • 32. The network cabinet of claim 27, further comprising a resilient member associated with the hinge lever, wherein the resilient member urges the lever stop into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 33. The network cabinet of claim 32, wherein the resilient member is a torsion spring.
  • 34. The network cabinet of claim 27, wherein the hinge pin engages an opening in a portion of the cabinet with the hinge pin in an extended position.
  • 35. The network cabinet of claim 34, further comprising a bushing positioned within the opening in the cabinet, such that the hinge pin engages the bushing with the hinge pin in an extended position.
  • 36. The network cabinet of claim 27, further comprising: second, third, and fourth hinge levers rotatably connected to the door;a second retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the second lateral side than the first lateral side and connected to the second hinge lever:a third retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the second lateral side than the first lateral side and connected to the third hinge lever:a fourth retractable hinge pin positioned closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side and connected to the fourth hinge lever;a second lever stop connected to the door and associated with the second hinge lever, wherein the second lever stop prevents extension of the second hinge pin from a retracted position with the second lateral side in an open position:a third lever stop connected to the door and associated with the third hinge lever, wherein the third lever stop prevents extension of the third hinge pin from a retracted position with the second lateral side in an open position: anda fourth lever stop connected to the door and associated with the fourth hinge lever, wherein the fourth lever stop prevents extension of the fourth hinge pin from a retracted position with the first lateral side in an open position.
  • 37. A network cabinet, comprising: a door comprising first and second opposing lateral sides:a first hinge assembly connected to the door and comprising a retractable hinge pin, the first hinge assembly being positioned closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side;a first handle connected to the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly:a second hinge assembly connected to the door and comprising a retractable hinge pin, the hinge second hinge assembly being positioned closer to the second lateral side than the first lateral side:a second handle connected to the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly;a first blocking assembly associated with the first hinge assembly, the first blocking assembly preventing retraction of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly with the second lateral side in an open position; anda second blocking assembly associated with the second hinge assembly, the second blocking assembly preventing retraction of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly with the first lateral side in an open position.
  • 38. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein: the first hinge assembly further comprises a hinge lever connected to the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly between the hinge pin and the handle:the second hinge assembly further comprises hinge lever connected to the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly between the hinge pin and the handle:the first blocking assembly comprises a lever stop connected to the door, wherein the lever stop is moveable into a path of rotation of the hinge lever of the first hinge assembly to prevent rotation of the hinge lever: andthe second blocking assembly comprises a lever stop connected to the door, wherein the lever stop is moveable into a path of rotation of the hinge lever of the second hinge assembly to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 39. The network cabinet of claim 38, further comprising a first rod connected to the hinge lever of the first hinge assembly between the hinge lever and the handle and a second rod connected to the hinge lever of the second hinge assembly between the hinge lever and the handle.
  • 40. The network cabinet of claim 38, wherein the lever stop of the first blocking assembly is rotatably connected to the door and the lever stop of the second blocking assembly is rotatably connected to the door.
  • 41. Tile network cabinet of claim 38, wherein the lever stop of the first blocking assembly comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow retraction of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly from an extended position with the door in a closed position and the lever stop of the second blocking assembly comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow retraction of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly from an extended position with the door in a closed position.
  • 42. The network cabinet of claim 40, wherein the release arms contact the portion of the cabinet and move the lever stops out of the path of rotation of the hinge levers with the door in a closed position.
  • 43. The network cabinet of claim 38, further comprising: a first resilient member associated with the hinge lever of the first hinge assembly, wherein the first resilient member urges the lever stop of the first blocking assembly into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever: anda second resilient member associated with the hinge lever of the second hinge assembly, wherein the second resilient member urges the lever stop of the second blocking assembly into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 44. The network cabinet of claim 42, wherein the resilient members are torsion springs.
  • 45. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein the hinge pins of the first hinge assembly and second hinge assembly engage openings in a portion of the cabinet with the hinge pins in extended positions.
  • 46. The network cabinet of claim 44, further comprising bushings positioned within the openings in the cabinet, such that the hinge pins engage the bushings with the hinge pins in extended positions.
  • 47. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein: the first blocking assembly also prevents extension of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly with the first lateral side in an open position: andthe second blocking assembly also prevents extension of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly with the second lateral side in an open position.
  • 48. The network cabinet of claim 47, wherein: the first hinge assembly further comprises a hinge lever connected to the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly between the hinge pin and the handle;the second hinge assembly further comprises hinge lever connected to the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly between the hinge pin and the handle;the first blocking assembly comprises a lever stop connected to the door and an additional lever stop connected to the door, wherein the lever stop is moveable into a path of rotation of the hinge lever of the first hinge assembly to prevent rotation of the hinge lever and prevent retraction of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly from an extended position with the second lateral side in an open position and the additional lever stop is moveable into the path of rotation of the hinge lever of the first hinge assembly to prevent rotation of the hinge lever and prevent extension of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly from a retracted position with the first later side in an open position: andthe second blocking assembly comprises a lever stop connected to the door and an additional lever stop connected to the door, wherein the lever stop is moveable into a path of rotation of the hinge lever of the second hinge assembly to prevent rotation of the hinge lever and prevent retraction of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly from an extended position with the first lateral side in an open position and the additional lever stop is moveable into the path of rotation of the hinge lever of the second hinge assembly to prevent rotation of the hinge lever and prevent extension of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly from a retracted position with the second lateral side in an open position.
  • 49. The network cabinet of claim 48, wherein: the lever stop of the first blocking assembly comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow retraction of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly from an extended position with the door in a closed position;the additional lever stop of the first blocking assembly comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow extension of the hinge pin of the first hinge assembly from a retracted position with the door in a closed position:the lever stop of the second blocking assembly comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow retraction of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly from an extended position with the door in a closed position: andthe additional lever stop of the second blocking assembly comprises a release arm positioned to contact a portion of the cabinet to allow extension of the hinge pin of the second hinge assembly from a retracted position with the door in a closed position.
  • 50. The network cabinet of claim 49, wherein the release arms contact the portion of the cabinet and move the lever stops and additional lever stop out of the path of rotation of the hinge levers with the door in a closed position.
  • 51. The network cabinet of claim 48, further comprising: a first resilient member associated with the hinge lever of the first hinge assembly wherein the first resilient member urges the lever stop and the additional lever stop of the first blocking assembly into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever; anda second resilient member associated with the hinge lever of the second hinge assembly, wherein the second resilient member urges the lever stop and the additional lever stop of the second blocking assembly into a path of rotation of the hinge lever to prevent rotation of the hinge lever.
  • 52. The network cabinet of claim 51, wherein the resilient members are torsion springs.
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60781923 Mar 2006 US
Continuations (3)
Number Date Country
Parent 11559708 Nov 2006 US
Child 11623358 US
Parent 11538884 Oct 2006 US
Child 11559708 US
Parent 11467956 Aug 2006 US
Child 11538884 US