Network cabinet

Abstract
A network cabinet is provided comprising at least one vertical frame rail and a cable management unit. The vertical frame rail comprises first and second opposing sidewalls, each of which define a plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail. The cable management unit comprises a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base. The projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages any one of the apertures of the first sidewall.
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: at least one vertical frame rail comprising first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein each of the opposing sidewalls define a plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail; anda cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base:wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages any one of the apertures of the first sidewall.
  • 2. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of said second sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet.
  • 3. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures on the first and second sidewalls are generally the same size and shape.
  • 4. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of apertures defined in the first sidewall and second sidewall each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion.
  • 5. The network cabinet of claim 4, wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 6. The network cabinet of claim 4, wherein: the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the aperture; andthe head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the aperture with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the first sidewall.
  • 7. The network cabinet of claim 6, wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 8. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection does not engage the apertures of the second sidewall.
  • 9. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of said second sidewall through which the plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet.
  • 10. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein the plurality of apertures of the first sidewall are different in at least one of size and shape than the plurality of apertures of the second sidewall.
  • 11. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein the plurality of apertures defined in the first and second sidewalls each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion.
  • 12. The network cabinet of claim 11, wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 13. The network cabinet of claim 8, further comprising: a second cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base:wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages anyone of the apertures of the second sidewall and does not engage the apertures of the first sidewall.
  • 14. The network cabinet of claim 13, wherein: the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the first sidewall; andthe head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the first sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the first sidewall.
  • 15. The network cabinet of claim 13, wherein: the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the second sidewall; andthe head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion and be positioned behind the second sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the second sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the second sidewall.
  • 16. The network cabinet of claim 14, wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 17. The network cabinet of claim 15, wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 18. The network cabinet of claim 13, wherein the plurality of apertures defined in the first sidewall each comprise a slot extending from the apertures in a predetermined orientation relative to each aperture and the plurality of apertures defined in the second sidewall each comprise a slot extending from the aperture in another predetermined orientation relative to the aperture.
  • 19. The network cabinet of claim 18, wherein: the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the first sidewall;the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the aperture of the first sidewall and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the aperture and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the first sidewall; andthe neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the first sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the first sidewall.
  • 20. The network cabinet of claim 18, wherein: the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the apertures in the second sidewall;the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the aperture of the second sidewall and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the aperture and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the second sidewall; andthe neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the apertures of the second sidewall with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the aperture and the second sidewall.
  • 21. The network cabinet of claim 13, wherein the fingers of the cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall the outside surface faces a direction.
  • 22. The network cabinet of claim 21, wherein the fingers of the second cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall the outside surface of the fingers of the second cable management unit face in the direction.
  • 23. The network cabinet of claim 13, further comprising: a second vertical frame rail spaced apart from the vertical frame rail, both vertical frame rails positioned in a front portion of the cabinet;wherein the second vertical frame rail comprises first and second opposing sidewalls;each of the opposing sidewalls of the second vertical frame rail define a plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the second vertical frame rail;the first sidewall of each of the vertical frame rail and the second vertical frame rail face generally toward a front portion of the cabinet; andthe projection of the second cable management unit further engages any one of the apertures of the first sidewall of the second vertical frame rail and the projection of the cable management unit further engages any one of the apertures of the second sidewall of the second vertical frame rail.
  • 24. The network cabinet of claim 23, wherein the fingers of the cable management unit and second cable management unit each comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a direction and with the cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the second vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the second vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a second direction, opposite the direction.
  • 25. A network cabinet, comprising: at least one vertical frame rail comprising first and second opposing sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall defines a first plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail and the second sidewall defines a second plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the vertical frame rail; anda cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base;wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and does not engage a second aperture of the first plurality of apertures.
  • 26. The network cabinet of claim 25, wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the first plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of said second sidewall through which the second plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet.
  • 27. The network cabinet of claim 25, wherein the first and second plurality of apertures each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion.
  • 28. The network cabinet of claim 27, wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 29. The network cabinet of claim 27, wherein: the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first aperture; andthe head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion of the first aperture and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture and the first sidewall.
  • 30. The network cabinet of claim 29, wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 31. The network cabinet of claim 25, wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection does not engage the apertures of the second sidewall.
  • 32. The network cabinet of claim 31, wherein a surface of the first sidewall through which the first plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a front portion of the cabinet and another surface of the second sidewall through which the second plurality of apertures extend generally faces in a direction toward a rear portion of the cabinet.
  • 33. The network cabinet of claim 31, wherein the first aperture is different in at least one of size and shape than the second aperture.
  • 34. The network cabinet of claim 31, wherein the first aperture is different in at least one of size and shape than the second plurality of apertures.
  • 35. The network cabinet of claim 31, wherein the first and second plurality of apertures each comprise an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the upper portion is larger in size than the lower portion.
  • 36. The network cabinet of claim 35, wherein the upper and lower portions of the apertures are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 37. The network cabinet of claim 31, further comprising: a second cable management unit comprising a base, a plurality of fingers extending from the base, and at least one projection extending from the base;wherein the projection is constructed of a size and shape such that the projection engages a first aperture of the second plurality of apertures, does not engage a second aperture of the second plurality of apertures, and does not engage the first plurality of apertures.
  • 38. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein: the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first apertures of the first plurality of apertures; andthe head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion of the first apertures of the first plurality of apertures and be positioned behind the first sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture and the first sidewall.
  • 39. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein: the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures; andthe head portion is a size which allows the head portion to pass through the upper portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and be positioned behind the second sidewall and the neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the second aperture and the second sidewall.
  • 40. The network cabinet of claim 38, wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 41. The network cabinet of claim 39, wherein the head and the neck portions are each generally constructed of a quadrilateral shape.
  • 42. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein: the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures comprises a slot extending from the first aperture in a predetermined orientation relative to the aperture; andthe first aperture of the second plurality of apertures comprises a slot extending from the second aperture in another predetermined orientation relative to the aperture.
  • 43. The network cabinet of claim 42, wherein: the projection of the cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures;the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the first sidewall; andthe neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture of the first plurality of apertures and the first sidewall.
  • 44. The network cabinet of claim 42, wherein: the projection of the second cable management unit comprises a head portion and neck portion positioned between the base and the head portion;the head portion is larger in size than the neck portion and the lower portion of the first apertures of the second plurality of apertures;the head portion comprises a protrusion such the head portion has generally the same shape as the upper portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and a size such that head portion can pass through the upper portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and the protrusion through the slot and position the head behind the second sidewall, andthe neck portion is a size wherein the neck portion is positionable within the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures with the head portion positioned behind the lower portion of the first aperture of the second plurality of apertures and the second sidewall.
  • 45. The network cabinet of claim 37, wherein the fingers of the cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall the outside surface faces a direction.
  • 46. The network cabinet of claim 45, wherein the fingers of the second cable management unit comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall the outside surface of the fingers of the second cable management unit face in the direction.
  • 47. The network cabinet of claim 37, further comprising: a second vertical frame rail spaced apart from the vertical frame rail, both vertical frame rails positioned in a front portion of the cabinet;wherein the second vertical frame rail comprises first and second opposing sidewalls;the first sidewall defines a third plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the second vertical frame rail and the second sidewall defines a fourth plurality of apertures positioned along a length of the second vertical frame rail;the first sidewall of each of the vertical frame rail and the second vertical frame rail face generally toward a front portion of the cabinet; andthe projection of the second cable management unit further engages a first aperture of the third plurality of apertures and does not engage a second aperture of the third plurality of apertures and the projection of the cable management unit further engages a first aperture of the fourth plurality of apertures and does not engage a second aperture of the fourth plurality of apertures.
  • 48. The network cabinet of claim 47, wherein the fingers of the cable management unit and second cable management unit each comprise an outside surface positioned on at least one side of the fingers such that with the cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a direction and with the cable management unit engaged to the second sidewall of the second vertical frame rail and the second cable management unit engaged to the first sidewall of the second vertical frame rail the outside surfaces of the fingers of the cable management unit and the second cable management unit face a second direction, opposite the direction.
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
60781923 Mar 2006 US
Continuations (1)
Number Date Country
Parent 11467956 Aug 2006 US
Child 11538884 US