Network Cabinet

Abstract

A network cabinet is provided comprising a support frame and a threshold associated with the support flame. A door comprising first and second lateral sides is mounted to the support frame through a hinge pin. The hinge pin is moveable between retracted and extended positions and is positioned closer to the first lateral side of the door than the second lateral side. A bearing surface is also associated with the support frame and is aligned with the hinge pin such that the door is elevated relative to the threshold with the hinge pin in the extended position and in contact with the bearing surface.

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 II-II 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 support frame;a threshold associated with the support frame;a door comprising first and second lateral sides, the door being mounted to the support frame through a hinge pin, wherein the hinge pin is movable between retracted and extended positions and is positioned closer to the first lateral side than the second lateral side; anda bearing surface associated with the support frame and aligned with the hinge pin such that the door is elevated relative to the threshold with the hinge pin in the extended position and in contact with the bearing surface.

2. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the bearing surface is a surface of the support frame.

3. The network cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a bushing mounted to the support frame, wherein the bearing surface is a surface of the bushing.

4. The network cabinet of claim 3, wherein the bushing is positioned within a hole formed in the support frame.

5. The network cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a threaded member connected to the support frame, wherein the bearing surface is a surface of the threaded member.

6. The network cabinet of claim 5, wherein the elevation of the threaded member is adjustable in relation to the threshold.

7. The network cabinet of claim 5, wherein the threaded member is a trilobular screw.

8. The network cabinet of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a base frame and a door mount.

9. The network cabinet of claim 8, wherein the threshold is integral with the door mount.

10. The network cabinet of claim 1, further comprising: a second hinge pin also mounting the door to the support frame such that the door can rotate about either of the hinge pins, the second hinge pin being movable between retracted and extended positions and being positioned closer to the second lateral side than the first lateral side; anda second bearing surface associated with the support frame and aligned with the second hinge pin; whereinthe door is elevated relative to the threshold with the second hinge pin in the extended position and in contact with the second bearing surface.

11. A network cabinet, comprising: a support frame; anda door electrically connected to the support frame through a hinge assembly.

12. The network cabinet of claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly is electrically connected to the support frame.

13. The network cabinet of claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly is electrically connected to the door.

14. The network cabinet of claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a conductive body electrically connected to the door and a conductive hinge pin electrically connected to the body.

15. The network cabinet of claim 14, wherein the hinge pin is positioned with the body.

16. The network cabinet of claim 14, wherein the body is welded to the door.

17. The network cabinet of claim 14, wherein the hinge pin is retractable.

18. The network cabinet of claim 11, further comprising a top cover electrically connected to the support frame, wherein the door is electrically connected to the support frame through the top cover.

19. The network cabinet of claim 18, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a conductive hinge pin electrically connected to the door and to the top cover.

20. The network cabinet of claim 19, wherein the hinge assembly further comprises a conductive body electrically connected to the door, wherein the hinge pin is electrically connected to the body.

21. The network cabinet of claim 20, wherein the hinge pin is positioned within the body.

22. The network cabinet of claim 19, further comprising a threaded member electrically connected to the top cover, wherein the hinge pin contacts the threaded member to provide the electrical connection between the top cover and the hinge pin.

23. The network cabinet of claim 11, wherein the hinge assembly comprises a hinge pin that is electrically connected to the door and the support frame.

24. The network cabinet of claim 23, wherein the hinge pin is movable between retracted and extended positions.

25. The network cabinet of claim 23, wherein the hinge pin is electrically connected to the door through a jumper wire.

26. The network cabinet of claim 23, wherein the support frame comprises a base frame and a door mount.

27. The network cabinet of claim 23, further comprising a bushing mounted in the support frame, wherein the bushing is electrically connected to the support frame and the hinge pin contacts the bushing to provide the electrical connection between the support frame and the hinge pin.

28. The network cabinet of claim 23, further comprising a threaded member connected to the support frame, wherein the threaded member is electrically connected to the support frame and the hinge pin contacts the threaded member to provide the electrical connection between the support frame and the hinge pin.

29. The network cabinet of claim 28, wherein the threaded member is a trilobular screw.

30. A network cabinet, comprising: a handle:a cam plate connected lo the handle, such that the handle and the cam plate rotate about an axis of rotation;a first rod rotatably connected to the cam plate, wherein the first rod rotates about a first axis of rotation; anda second rod rotatably connected to the cam plate, wherein the second rod rotates about a second axis of rotation, wherein a first plane defined by the axis of rotation and the first axis of rotation is generally perpendicular to a second plane defined by the axis of rotation and the second axis of rotation.

31. The network cabinet of claim 30, wherein the first plane extends in a generally vertical direction and the second plane extends in a generally horizontal direction with the handle in a closed position.

32. The network cabinet of claim 30, wherein the first plane extends in a generally horizontal direction and the second plane extends in a generally vertical direction with the handle in an open position.

33. The network cabinet of claim 30, further comprising a first hinge assembly connected to the first rod and a second hinge assembly connected to the second rod.