Blank panel for rack units

• US 20020153338A1
• Filed: 04/19/2001
• Published: 10/24/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/19/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David Orr
• Original Assignee: David Orr
• Inventors: Orr, David
• Granted Patent: US 6,758,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 211/183
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 47/03 with panels separate from the frame
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/183 support rails therefor

Abstract

The invention generally comprises a blank panel for use with rack units. The blank panel comprises at least one face plate having a rectangular front plate surface, a back plate surface, top plate surface, bottom plate surface and two side plate surfaces. The face plate has a height corresponding to multiples of 1.75 inches. The face plate incorporates a means for slidably receiving fasteners. The blank panel further comprises fasteners with mating portions for being slidably engaged with the face plate, and fastening portions for being further attachable to a rack unit. The fasteners have varied geometry to accommodate rack units with alternate configurations. The blank panel further comprises a plurality of face plates attached along the top and bottom plate surfaces. Each of the face plates is capable of individually receiving fasteners. The individual face plates of the blank panel are also modular and can be separated to configure the blank panel to varied height requirements.

Claims

1. A blank panel for use with an electronic component rack unit, said blank panel comprised of at least one face plate having a rectangular front plate surface, a back plate surface, top plate surface, bottom plate surface, and two side plate surfaces, wherein said face plate has means for slidably receiving fasteners.

2. The blank panel of claim 1, wherein the approximate length of said face plate as measured along said top plate surface is selected from the group consisting of 19 inches, 24 inches, and 30 inches.

3. The blank panel of claim 1, wherein the height of said face plate as measured along one of said two side plate surfaces is a multiple of 1.75 inches.

4. The blank panel of claim 1, wherein said means for slidably receiving fasteners comprise channels in said face plate.

5. The blank panel of claim 1, further comprising fasteners for slidably engaging in said means for slidably receiving fasteners.

6. The blank panel of claim 5, wherein said fasteners comprise mating portions for slidably engaging in said means for slidably receiving fasteners in said face plate, and attachment portions for attaching to said electronic component rack unit.

7. The blank panel of claim 5, wherein said fasteners are disengagable from said means for slidably receiving fasteners in said face plate.

8. The blank panel of claim 5, wherein said fasteners are comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metals and polymers.

9. The blank panel of claim 1, wherein said face plate includes structural bracing members.

10. The blank panel of claim 1, wherein said face plate is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of metals and polymers.

11. The blank panel of claim 1, wherein at least one said face plate comprises two face plates, a first face plate and a second face plate, wherein said second face plate is attached to said first face plate along the bottom plate surface of said second face plate and top plate surface of said first face plate.

13. The blank panel of claim 12, wherein said plurality of face plates are separable.

14. The blank panel of claim 13, wherein said plurality of face plates are separable to further comprise a blank panel comprised of one or more face plates.

15. The blank panel of claim 13, wherein said plurality of face plates are separable to further comprise a blank panel comprised of a plurality of face plates attached along said top plate surfaces and bottom plate surfaces within a geometric plane.

16. The blank panel of claim 12, wherein said plurality of face plates further comprise a means for slidably receiving fasteners.

17. The blank panel of claim 16, wherein said means for slidably receiving fasteners comprise channels in said plurality of face plates.

18. The blank panel of claim 12, wherein said blank panel further comprises fasteners mated with one or more of said plurality of face plates.

19. The blank panel of claim 18, wherein said fasteners comprise mating portions for slidably engaging with one or more of said plurality of face plates and means for being attachable to an electronic component rack unit.

12. A blank panel comprised of a plurality of face plates including front plate surfaces, back plate surfaces, top plate surfaces, bottom plate surfaces and two side plate surfaces, wherein said plurality of face plates are attached along said top plate surfaces and bottom plate surfaces within a geometric plane.