Connectable support members

Abstract

An apparatus in one example comprises one or more support members that are alignable substantially along directions that are identifiable through reference to mutually perpendicular x, y, and z axes. The one or more support members comprise first, second, third, and fourth support members that are connectable upon alignment of the first support member substantially in parallel with the y axis, the second support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at a z offset with respect to the z axis, the third support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at an x offset with respect to the x axis, and the fourth support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at both the x offset and the y offset.

Description

BACKGROUND

Network operating center personnel often employ frames to support items in a computer room. Existing frames comprise pedestal devices and rack-mount devices. A pedestal device supports the item in a pedestal or vertical orientation to reduce floor space required by an item. A rack-mount device supports the item in a rack-mount or horizontal orientation to allow stacking of multiple items.

SUMMARY

The invention in one implementation encompasses an apparatus. The apparatus comprises one or more support members that are alignable substantially along directions that are identifiable through reference to mutually perpendicular x, y, and z axes. The one or more support members comprise first, second, third, and fourth support members that are connectable upon alignment of the first support member substantially in parallel with the y axis, the second support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at a z offset with respect to the z axis, the third support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at an x offset with respect to the x axis, and the fourth support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at both the x offset and the y offset.

Another implementation of the invention encompasses an apparatus. An item comprises a first major face and a second major face that are aligned substantially in parallel. The apparatus comprises means for supporting the first major face of the item along a first general direction. The apparatus comprises means for supporting the second major face of the item along a second general direction, where the first general direction and the second general direction comprise substantially orthogonal directions.

Yet another implementation of the invention comprises encompasses a method. An item comprises a first major face and a second major face that are aligned substantially in parallel. One or more support members are assembled into a freestanding frame that supports the first major face of the item along a first general direction and the second major face of the item along a second general direction, where the first general direction and the second general direction comprise substantially orthogonal directions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features of exemplary implementations of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective representation of one exemplary implementation of an apparatus that comprises one or more support members that support one or more items.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, perspective representation of the exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective representation of another exemplary implementation of the support members of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded, perspective representation of the exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded, perspective representation of the exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 2 and further illustrates an exemplary connector component that serves to connect two or more of the support members.

FIG. 6 is a perspective representation of yet another exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 1, further illustrating a first frame that comprises the one or more support members and supports the one or more items and a second frame that comprises another one or more support members and supports one or more additional items, and still further illustrating a stackable arrangement that comprises the first frame, the second frame, and one or more connector components.

FIG. 7 is a partially exploded, perspective representation of the exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a sectional representation of the freestanding arrangement of FIG. 6 directed along line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective representation of the exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 6 and further illustrates an exemplary connector component that serves to connect the first frame and the second frame.

FIG. 10 is another perspective representation of the exemplary implementation of the apparatus of FIG. 6 and further illustrates the exemplary connector component that serves to connect the first frame and the second frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the BACKGROUND section above, the pedestal device cannot be easily stacked or converted to support the item in the horizontal orientation. The rack-mount device cannot be converted to support the item in the vertical orientation. The rack-mount device also requires a large initial investment in hardware components, which decreases cost efficiency for supporting only a few items. The pedestal and rack-mount devices also require tools for configuration by a user.

Turning to FIG. 1, an apparatus 100 in one example comprises one or more components such as hardware components. A number of such components can be combined or divided in the apparatus 100. The apparatus 100 in one example comprises any (e.g., horizontal, oblique, or vertical) orientation, with the description and figures herein illustrating one exemplary orientation of the apparatus 100, for explanatory purposes.

One or more components of the apparatus 100 in one example are locatable with reference to an x axis 102, a y axis 104, and a z axis 106. The x, y, and z axes 102, 104, and 106 comprise mutually perpendicular axes, as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

In one example, the apparatus 100 comprises one or more support members, for example, support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126. The support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 are directly and/or indirectly connectable with each other. The support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 in one example serve to support an item 127.

The support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 in one example are connected with each other through employment of one or more connector components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, and 142. In a further example, one or more of the support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 and one or more of the connector components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, and 142 comprise one or more integrated and/or unitary components. For example, the support member 114 and the connector component 142 may be combined to comprise one integrated component. A frame 143 in one example comprises the support members 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, and 142 and the one or more connector components. For example, the frame 143 comprises the support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 and the connector components 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, 140, and 142. The frame 143 in one example comprises a freestanding frame. One or more support members of the frame 143 serve to support the item 127 in any one orientation of a plurality of available orientations with respect to a base 144, as described herein. The item 127 in one example comprises one or more of a computer, a network switch, and a power supply.

The support member 108 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the y axis 104. The support member 110 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the y axis 104 approximately at a z offset with respect to the z axis 108. The support member 112 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the z axis 106 approximately at an x offset with respect to the x axis 102. The support member 114 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the z axis 106 approximately at both the x offset and at a y offset with respect to the y axis 104.

The support member 116 in one example is connected with the support member 108 and the support member 112. In one example, the support member 116 is connected with a first end of the support member 108 and a first end of the support member 112 through employment of the connector components 128 and 130, respectively. In a further example, the support member 116 comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102. The support member 118 in one example is connected with the support member 108 and the support member 114. In one example, the support member 118 is connected with a second end of the support member 108 and a first end of the support member 114 through employment of the connector components 132 and 134, respectively. In a further example, the support member 118 comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at the y offset. The support member 120 in one example is connected with the support member 110 and the support member 112. In one example, the support member 120 is connected with a first end of the support member 110 and a second end of the support member 112 through employment of the connector components 136 and 138, respectively. In a further example, the support member 120 comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at the z offset. The support member 122 in one example is connected with the support member 110 and the support member 114. In one example, the support member 122 is connected with a second end of the support member 110 and a second end of the support member 114 through employment of the connector components 140 and 142, respectively. In a further example, the support member 122 comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at both the y offset and the z offset.

The support member 124 in one example is connected with one or more of the support member 116 and the support member 118. In a further example, the support member 124 is connected with one or more of the first end of the support member 112 and the first end of the support member 114 through employment of the connector components 130 and 134, respectively. The support member 126 in one example is connected with one or more of the support member 120 and the support member 122. In a further example, the support member 126 is connected with one or more of the second end of the support member 112 and the second end of the support member 114 through employment of the connector components 138 and 142, respectively. In one example, the support member 124 and the support member 126 abut the item 127. In a further example, the frame 143 employs one or more screws and/or bolts and one or more apertures of the support members 124 and 126 to connect the item 127 to the support members 124 and 126.

The frame 143 in one example serves to support the item 127. The item 127 in one example conforms to an “EIA RS-310” standard (Electronic Industries Alliance, Arlington, Va., http://www.eia.org). The support members 108 and 110 in one example comprise a same length. In a further example, the support members 112 and 114 comprise a same length. A ratio of the length of the support members 108 and 110 to the length of the support members 112 and 114 comprises a ratio to support an item 127 that complies with an Electronic Industries Alliance (“EIA”) RS-310 standard, for example, a “4U” standard.

The support members of the frame 143 in one example comprise a shape and/or orientation that promote a decrease in cost of manufacture. In a still further example, the shape and/or orientation of the support members of the frame 143 promote a variety of orientations of the frame 143. One or more of the support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122 in one example serve to abut the base 144 to support the item 127 in one or more orientations with respect to the base 144. In one example, referring to FIG. 1, the frame 143 is mounted such that the item 127 comprises a substantially vertical orientation with respect to the base 144, for example, a pedestal or tower orientation. In another example, referring to FIG. 6, the frame 143 is mounted such that the item 127 comprises a substantially horizontal orientation with respect to the base 144, for example, a rack-mount or desktop orientation. One or more support members of the frame 143 in one example facilitate a change in orientation of the item 127.

The frame 143 in one example provides an outer barrier to the item 127 to promote an increase in protection from other solid objects. For example, at least two of the support members of the frame 143 comprise a face of an outer barrier to the item 127. The frame 143 in one example serves to promote a free flow of air around a perimeter of the item 127. For example, the support members of the frame 143 contemporaneously abut one or more first portions of the item 127 and promote and expose one or more second portions of the item 127 to a free flow of air about a perimeter of the item 127. The frame 143 in one example comprises one or more panels and/or bezels along the outer barrier to the item 127. For example, the panels and/or bezels promote a decrease in perception of noise generated by the item 127. The frame 143 in one example comprises only eight support members, instead of twelve support members for forming a box structure.

One or more support members of the frame 143 in one example comprise one or more tubular structures. Exemplary materials for construction of the support member comprise steel, aluminum, other metals and/or alloys, and man-made materials such as plastic and nylon. The support members of the frame 143 in one example comprise a material and shape to promote an increase in ease of mobility of the frame 143. For example, a lightweight plastic tubular structure that slides easily on a hard and/or carpeted floor. The tubular structure promotes an increase in ease of mobility by a user. For example, a diameter of the tubular structure allows a user to easily grip the frame 143.

Turning to FIGS. 1-4, two or more of the support members of the frame 143 in one example comprise an integrated component. In one example, the support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, and 122 comprise an integrated component. In a further example, the support members 108, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 120, 122, 124, and 126 comprise an integrated component.

The integrated components and/or support members of the frame 143 may be combined and/or divided. In one example, the support member 108, the support member 116, the support member 118, and the support member 124 are combined and comprise an integrated component to promote an increase in structural strength. In another example, the support members of the frame 143 are combined to promote a decrease in a number of parts and/or cost to manufacture. In yet another example, the support member 112 and the support member 114 are divided, as described herein, to promote an increase in ease of transportation, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the support members 110, 120, 122, and 126 and the connector components 136 and 140 comprise an integrated component 202. The support members 108, 116, 118, and 124 and the connector components 128 and 132 comprise an integrated component 204. The integrated component 202 is connected with the second end of the support member 112 and the second end of the support member 114 through employment of the connector components 138 and 142, respectively. The integrated component 204 is connected with the first end of the support member 112 and the first end of the support member 114 through employment of the connector components 130 and 134, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 3-4, one or more support members of the frame 143 comprise one or more sub-members and one or more connector components. In one example, the support member 112 and the support member 114 comprise one or more sub-members and one or more connector components. The support member 112 comprises a sub-member 302, a sub-member 304, and a connector component 306. The sub-member 302 and the sub-member 304 are connected by the connector component 306, as described herein. The support member 114 comprises a sub-member 308, a sub-member 310, and a connector component 312. The sub-member 308 and the sub-member 310 are connected through employment of the connector component 312, as described herein. The support member 110, support member 120, support member 122, support member 126, sub-member 302, sub-member 308, and connector components 136, 138, 140, and 142 in one example comprise an integrated component 314. The support member 108, support member 116, support member 118, support member 124, sub-member 304, sub-member 310, and connector components 128, 130, 132, and 134 in one example comprise an integrated component 316. The integrated component 314 is connected with the integrated component 316 through employment of the connector components 306 and 312. Additional support members, sub-members, and/or connector components may be combined and/or divided to promote an increase in structural strength, a decrease in cost to manufacture, and/or an increase in ease of transportation, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Turning to FIGS. 2-5, exemplary connector components in one example comprise one of several configurations. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connector components 306 and 312 in one example comprise an insert for fitting inside a cavity of an exemplary tubular support member. The connector component 312 comprises a portion 406 and a portion 408. For example, the connector component 312 comprises an insert for fitting inside a cavity of the sub-member 308 and the sub-member 310. The portion 406 of the insert is press-fitted inside a cavity of the sub-member 308. The portion 408 of the insert is press-fitted inside a cavity of the sub-member 310.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2 and 5, the support member 112 and the support member 116 in one example comprise the connector component 130. The support member 112 comprises an end portion 502. The support member 116 comprises an end portion 504. The end portion 502 in one example comprises an outer diameter approximately equal to an inner diameter of the end portion 504. For example, the end portion 502 is press-fit into the end portion 504.

Turning to FIGS. 6-8, the frame 143 and another frame 601 in one example are combined to form a freestanding arrangement 602. In a further example, three or more frames 143 are configured in a freestanding arrangement 602. In one example, the shape and/or orientation of the support members of the frame 143 allow the freestanding arrangement 602 to be configured by a user through employment of only the frame 143 and the frame 601. In another example, one or more connector components 604 are required for a user to configure the freestanding arrangement 602.

The frame 143 and the frame 601 in one example are stacked to form a freestanding arrangement 602. The frame 601 comprises support members 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, and 624. The support members 606, 608, 610, 612, 614, 616, 618, 620, 622, and 624 are alignable substantially along the directions that are identifiable through reference to the mutually perpendicular x, y, and z axes, where the x offset comprises a first x offset.

The support member 606 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the y axis 104 approximately at a second x offset with respect to the x axis 102. The support member 608 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the y axis 104 approximately at both the second x offset and the z offset. The support member 610 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the z axis 106 approximately at a third x offset that comprises a combination of the first x offset and the second x offset. The support member 612 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the z axis 106 approximately at both the third x offset and the y offset. The support member 614 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at the second x offset. The support member 616 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at both the second x offset and the y offset. The support member 618 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at both the second x offset and the z offset. The support member 620 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the x axis 102 approximately at the second x offset, the y offset, and the z offset. The support member 622 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the y axis 104 approximately at the second x offset. The support member 624 in one example comprises an alignment substantially in parallel with the y axis 104 approximately at both the second x offset and the z offset.

The support members 124 and 126 in one example abut the support members 606 and 608, respectively. In a further example, the connector component 604 serve to connect the support member 124 and the support member 606, and the support member 126 and the support member 608, respectively.

Turning to FIGS. 9 and 10, the connector component 604 in one example serves to connect the frame 143 and the frame 601. The connector component 604 connects one or more support members of the frame 143 with one or more support members of the frame 601. For example, referring to FIG. 6, the connector component 604 couples the support member 608 with one or more of the support members 120, 122, and 126. The connector component 604 in one example comprises a press-fit coupling between the one or more support members of the first and second pluralities of support members. In one example, the connector components 604 allow a user to configure the freestanding arrangement 602 through employment of only the frame 143, and frame 601, and the connector components 604.

The steps or operations described herein are just exemplary. There may be many vacations to these steps or operations without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be added, deleted, or modified.

Although exemplary implementations of the invention have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more support members that are alignable substantially along directions that are identifiable through reference to mutually perpendicular x, y, and z axes;

wherein the one or more support members comprise first, second, third, and fourth support members that are connectable: upon alignment of the first support member substantially in parallel with the y axis; upon alignment of the second support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at a z offset with respect to the z axis; upon alignment of the third support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at an x offset with respect to the x axis; upon alignment of the fourth support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at both the x offset and a y offset with respect to the y axis.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprise a freestanding frame.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth support members serve to support one or more items.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth support members serve to abut a base to support the one or more items in any one orientation of a plurality of available orientations with respect to the base.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprise fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth support members;

wherein the fifth support member is connected with the first support member and the third support member;

wherein the sixth support member is connected with the first support member and the fourth support member;

wherein the seventh support member is connected with the second support member and the third support member;

wherein the eighth support member is connected with the second support member and the fourth support member.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first support member comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second support member comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the third support member comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the fourth support member comprises a first end and a second end;

wherein the fifth support member is connected with the first end of the first support member and the first end of the third support member;

wherein the sixth support member is connected with the second end of the first support member and the first end of the fourth support member;

wherein the seventh support member is connected with the first end of the second support member and the second end of the third support member;

wherein the eighth support member is connected with the second end of the second support member and the second end of the fourth support member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the fifth support member is aligned substantially in parallel with the x axis;

wherein the sixth support member is aligned substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at the y offset;

wherein the seventh support member is aligned substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at the z offset;

wherein the eighth support member is aligned substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at both the y offset and the z offset.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the one or more support members comprise ninth and tenth support members;

wherein the ninth support member is aligned substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at the x offset;

wherein the tenth support member is aligned substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at both the x offset and the z offset;

wherein the ninth support member is connected with one or more of the fifth support member, the sixth support member, the first end of the third support member, and the first end of the fourth support member;

wherein the tenth support member is connected with one or more of the seventh support member, the eighth support member, the second end of the third support member, and the second end of the fourth support member.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein one or more of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth and tenth support members serve to support one or more items;

wherein the ninth and tenth support members abut the one or more items.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein two or more of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth support members comprise one or more integrated components.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth support members comprise an integrated component.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first, fifth, and sixth support members comprise a first integrated component;

wherein the second, seventh, and eighth support members comprise a second integrated component;

wherein the first integrated component is connected with the second integrated component through employment of the third and fourth support members and one or more connector components.

13. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a support member of the one or more support members comprises one or more sub-members and one or more connector components;

wherein the one or more connector components serve to connect the one or more sub-members.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the one or more connector components comprise first one or more connector components;

wherein the one or more support members, the first one or more connector components, and second one or more connector components comprise an integrated component.

15. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the third support member comprises a first sub-member, a second sub-member, and one or more connector components;

wherein the fourth support member comprises a first sub-member, a second sub-member, and one or more connector components;

wherein the first support member, the first sub-member of the third support member, the first sub-member of the fourth support member, the fifth support member, and the sixth support member comprise a first integrated component;

wherein the second support member, the second sub-member of the third support member, the second sub-member of the fourth support member, the seventh support member, and the eighth support member comprise a second integrated component;

wherein the one or more connector components of the third support member and the one or more connector components of the fourth support member serve to connect the first integrated component with the second integrated component.

16. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the one or more support members comprise first one or more support members, the apparatus further comprising:

second one or more support members that are connectable;

wherein the first one or more support members and the second one or more support members are stackable in a freestanding arrangement.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the second one or more support members are alignable substantially along the directions that are identifiable through reference to the mutually perpendicular x, y, and z axes;

wherein the x offset with respect to the x axis comprises a first x offset;

wherein the second one or more support members comprise eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth support members that are connectable: upon alignment of the eleventh support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at a second x offset with respect to the x axis; upon alignment of the twelfth support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at both the z offset and the second x offset; upon alignment of the thirteenth support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at a third x offset that comprises a combination of the first x offset and the second x offset; upon alignment of the fourteenth support member substantially in parallel with the z axis approximately at both the third x offset and the y offset; upon alignment of the fifteenth support member substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at the second x offset; upon alignment of the sixteenth support member substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at both the second x offset and the y offset; upon alignment of the seventeenth support member substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at both the second x offset and the z offset; upon alignment of the eighteenth support member substantially in parallel with the x axis approximately at the second x offset, the y offset, and the z offset; upon alignment of the nineteenth support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at the second x offset; upon alignment of the twentieth support member substantially in parallel with the y axis approximately at both the second x offset and the z offset;

wherein the ninth support member abuts the eleventh support member, wherein the tenth support member abuts the twelfth support member.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising:

one or more connector components;

wherein the one or more connector components serve to connect the first one or more support members and the second one or more support members to support the freestanding arrangement.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support members contemporaneously abut one or more first portions of the item and promote and expose one or more second portions of the item to a free flow of air about a perimeter of the item.

20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more support members comprise a material and shape that promote an increase in ease of mobility of the item by a user.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more of the one or more support members comprise one or more tubular structures.

22. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second support members comprise a substantially same length;

wherein the third and fourth support members comprise a substantially same length;

wherein a ratio of length of the first and second support members to the length of the third and fourth support members comprises a ratio to support an item that complies with an Electronic Industries Alliance (“EIA”) RS-310 standard.

23. An apparatus, an item that comprises a first major face and a second major face that are aligned substantially in parallel, the apparatus comprising:

means for supporting the first major face of the item along a first general direction;

means for supporting the second major face of the item along a second general direction, wherein the first general direction and the second general direction comprise substantially orthogonal directions.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising:

means for facilitating a change by a user from a first orientation of a plurality of available orientations to any second orientation of the plurality of available orientations.

25. A method, an item that comprises a first major face and a second major face that are aligned substantially in parallel, the method comprising the step of:

assembling one or more support members into a freestanding frame that supports the first major face of the item along a first general direction and the second major face of the item along a second general direction, wherein the first general direction and the second general direction comprise substantially orthogonal directions.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the step of assembling the one or more support members into the freestanding frame that supports the first major face of the item along the first general direction and the second major face of the item along the second general direction comprises the step of:

connecting the one or more support members through employment of one or more connector components;

connecting the item to one or more of the one or more support members.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the item comprises a first item, a second item that comprises a first major face and a second major face that are substantially parallel, the method further comprising the step of:

supporting a second freestanding frame for the second item in a stacked freestanding arrangement with a freestanding frame for the first item.

28. A method, an item that comprises a first major face and a second major face that are aligned substantially in parallel, the method comprising the steps of:

supporting the first major face of the item along a first general direction;

supporting the second major face of the item along a second general direction, wherein the first general direction and the second general direction comprise substantially orthogonal directions.