Ruggedized composite rack mount transport case

• US 8,413,833 B1
• Filed: 04/19/2011
• Issued: 04/09/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TCF Composites, LLC
• Original Assignee: TCF Composites, LLC
• Inventors: Taylor, Alan, Root, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pickett, J. Gregory
• Assistant Examiner(s): Van Buskirk, James M
• Application Number:
  US13/089,929
• Time in Patent Office: 721 Days
• Field of Search: 220/315, 220/305, 220/320, 361/679.58, 361725-726
• US Class Current: 220/315
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0221 Locks; Latches
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/061 sealed by a gasket held between a removable cover and a body, e.g. O-ring, packing

Abstract

A ruggedized case for transportation and protection of electronic equipment used in harsh commercial or military environments. The ruggedized case is 30-70% lighter than other similar competing cases through the use of lightweight, low-density, superior strength composite materials. The ruggedized case includes a multi-panel case body open at each end and two removable covers. A chassis which may be vibration and shock isolated, and a removable rack mount frame are also provided. Each component of this ruggedized case, including recessed cover latches, and handles, weather and airtight seals, adjustable rack mount frame lock mechanisms, and vibration isolators, have been significantly improved to provide more ergonomic form and functionality.

Claims

1. A ruggedized transport case assembly comprising:

a rectangular hollow case body formed of a plurality of panels in mating edge engagement and having open ends thereof;

a removable cover closely sealingly releasably connected to each end of said case body;

a plurality of cover latches each rotatably secured in recessed cups in each said cover for releasably securing said covers and said case body together to form a closed interior of said case assembly;

each said cover latch including a T-handle being deployed by rotation outwardly and then swiveling of the T-handle axially to simultaneously rotate a cam to release said latch;

a plurality of recessed handles each connected to one said panel for pulling and carrying said case.

2. A ruggedized transport case assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said panels and said cover are formed of embossed continuous fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 composite having a thickness in a range of 0.5-3.0 mm.

3. A ruggedized transport case assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

said composite is formed from a combination of continuous carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic.

4. A ruggedized transport case assembly as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

each said handle is rotatable outwardly to a position orthogonal to said panel and swivelable against bias springs which automatically return said handle to an at rest non-use position recessed within an exterior surface profile of said panel.

5. A ruggedized rack mount transport case assembly comprising:

an open-ended rectangular hollow case body including a plurality of panels formed of composite material connected together in edge-to-edge mating engagement;

two removable covers each formed of a composite material and being closely sealingly releasably connected to each open end of said case body;

a plurality of cover latches each rotatably secured in a recessed cup in each said cover for releasably securing each said cover and said case body together to form a closed interior of said case;

each said cover latch including a T-handle deployed by rotation outwardly and then swiveling the T-handle axially to simultaneously rotate a cam to release said latch;

a plurality of recessed handles each connected to one said panel for pulling and carrying said case assembly;

a rigid cover parting bracket having a U-shaped open central portion connected to and extending entirely around a periphery of said cover and having a rigid parting blade extending around and against a surface of said cover parting bracket;

a case body parting bracket connected to, and extending entirely around, a periphery of each end of said case body, each said case body parting bracket including a compressible sealing gasket positioned within an open V-shaped central portion of said case body parting bracket;

each said parting blade being aligned with and sealingly compressing one said sealing gasket;

a chassis supportively mounted within, and generally coextensive with, said case body;

a removable rack mount frame slidably supported in said chassis, said rack mount frame for supportively securing electronic component therein;

a stop bracket connected to each corner of one end of said rack mount frame opposing a lock mechanism connected to each corner of one end of said chassis and having a plurality of spaced notches formed into said stop bracket for selective incremental locking positioning of said rack mount frame in said chassis.

6. A ruggedized rack mount transport case assembly as set forth in claim 5, wherein:

said panels and said cover are formed of embossed continuous fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 composite having a thickness in a range of 0.5-3.0 mm.

7. A ruggedized rack mount transport case assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

said composite is formed from a combination of continuous carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic.

8. A ruggedized rack mount transport case assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

each said handle is rotatable outwardly to a position orthogonal to said panel and swivelable against bias springs which automatically return said handle to an at rest non-use position recessed within an exterior surface profile of said panel.

9. A ruggedized rack mount transport case assembly as set forth in claim 6, wherein:

a plurality of vibration/shock absorbers each connected between an outer corner of said chassis and an inside corner of said case body;

each said vibration/shock absorber being oriented at an angle of 45°

to all orthogonal panel surfaces of said case body.

10. A ruggedized rack mount transport case assembly comprising:

an open-ended rectangular hollow case body including a plurality of panels formed of composite material connected together in edge-to-edge mating engagement;

two removable covers each formed of a composite material and being closely sealingly releasably connected to each open end of said case body;

a plurality of cover latches each rotatably secured in a recessed cup in each said cover for releasably securing each said cover and said case body together to form a closed interior of said case;

each said cover latch including a T-handle deployed by rotation outwardly and then swiveling the T-handle axially to simultaneously rotate a cam to release said latch;

a plurality of recessed handles each connected to one said panel for pulling and carrying said case assembly;

a rigid cover parting bracket having a U-shaped open central portion connected to and extending entirely around a periphery of said cover and having a rigid parting blade extending around and against a surface of said cover parting bracket;

a case body parting bracket connected to, and extending entirely around, a periphery of each end of said case body, each said case body parting bracket including a compressible sealing gasket positioned within an open V-shaped central portion of said case body parting bracket;

each said parting blade being aligned with and sealingly compressing one said sealing gasket;

a chassis supportively mounted within, and generally coextensive with, said case body;

a removable rack mount frame slidably supported in said chassis, said rack mount frame for supportively securing electronic component therein;

a stop bracket connected to each corner of one end of said rack mount frame opposing a lock mechanism connected to each corner of one end of said chassis and having a plurality of spaced notches formed into said stop bracket for selective incremental locking positioning of said rack mount frame in said chassis;

said panels and said cover are formed of embossed continuous fiber reinforced polyamide 6,6 composite having a thickness in a range of 0.5-3.0 mm;

each said handle being rotatable outwardly to a position orthogonal to said panel and swivelable against bias springs which automatically return said handle to an at rest non-use position recessed within an exterior surface profile of said panel;

a plurality of vibration/shock absorbers each connected between an outer corner of said chassis and an inside corner of said case body;

each said vibration/shock absorber being oriented at an angle of 45°

to all orthogonal panel surfaces of said case body.