Frame structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a rack or frame structure for electronic cabinets, specifically for network cabinets and cabinet rows with high cabling densities. To ensure in the case of high stability unhindered access to a reception area and cable routing in each direction, two vertical members and four depth members are so connected that a right and left-hand double-T frame is formed. The vertical members are in particular positioned as central members. The preferably releasable connection of the right and left-hand double-T frame takes place with the aid of a lower and upper transverse member in the vicinity of the vertical members, accompanied by the formation of a front and a rear frame recess.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a rack or frame structure for electronic cabinets with a right and a left-hand vertical member, two upper and lower depth members and with transverse members.

The invention is particularly suitable for instrument and equipment cabinets used for setting up local networks and for receiving electrical, electronic and optoelectronic equipment, parts and components and which are intended to receive relatively large cable quantities, as well as cables with different diameters.

2. Discussion of the Background

Known frame structures for equipment cabinets have an upper and a lower, horizontal frame of in each case two depth and transverse members. The frames are interconnected by four vertical members in the corner regions and as a result a reception area for equipment, components and cables is formed. To the frame structure can be fitted covering parts, e.g. a front door, side walls, a rear wall, a cover and a bottom plate in order to form an equipment cabinet closed on all sides.

For applications with large cable quantities and for cables with relatively large diameters and limited bendability, it is necessary to have frame structures, which permit free access to the cables in the reception area and unhindered cabling and cable routing with a preferably all-round access to the cabling areas.

DE 94 05 618.8 discloses a frame structure with four vertical sections or two lateral supporting walls, which link an upper cover plate and a lower base plate. The cover and base plates have fastening or mounting holes and are provided with two front and rear, mutually aligned arms through which is formed a front and rear recess for cable harnesses. Cable installation can take place on the relatively open, component-equipped frame structure.

WO 99/48305 A1 describes a frame structure for a telecommunications and network cabinet, in which upper and lower horizontal, rectangular frames are connected by two vertical sections. The installation of the subassemblies, equipment, cable units, etc. takes place on vertical, front and rear assembly members, which have fixing holes of the corresponding standard and which are fixed to additional lower and upper, horizontal transverse sections.

GB 2 345 240 B discloses a frame structure for an equipment cabinet with two or four vertical members, which are interconnected at the top and bottom by in each case two transverse members. The two transverse members have a U-shaped construction and are interconnected in the vicinity of their transverse webs or form an elongated, centrally connected cross.

The known frame structures, which are relatively complicated to manufacture, do not in all cases satisfy the demands for an unhindered cabling and vertical and horizontal cable routing with free access to the cabling areas, particularly in the case of cabinet rows with laterally adjacent cabinets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention is to provide a frame structure for electronic cabinets, particularly those in network and telecommunications technology, as well as for cabinet rows, which in the case of an inexpensive manufacture and installation ensure unhindered laying of relatively large cable quantities and differing bendability, together with a vertical and horizontal cable routing without threading.

According to the invention this object is achieved by a frame structure for electronic cabinets with a right and a left-hand vertical member, two upper and lower depth members and with transverse members, a right and a left-hand vertical member being in each case terminally connected to an upper and a lower depth member to form a right and a left-hand double-T frame and in which the right and left-hand double-T frames are linked by an upper and a lower transverse member, accompanied by the formation of a front and a rear frame recess.

Appropriate and advantageous developments are described in the subclaims and drawings.

A fundamental idea of the invention is to create a self-supporting base frame construction, in which four depth members, two vertical members and two transverse members are so arranged and connected that an extremely stable and at the same time disassemblable base frame is obtained ensuring unhindered cabling of a large number of cables, together with a cable routing in the vertical and horizontal directions and in particular from one cabinet to an adjacent cabinet with free access to cabling areas from all sides.

According to the invention a right and a left-hand vertical member is in each case connected at the upper and lower end with an upper and a lower depth member so as to form a right and a left-hand double-T frame.

Preferably the connection of the vertical members to the upper and lower depth members takes place by welding and the thus formed unit is advantageous for the storage, transportation and installation of the frame structure.

The two in particular right and left-side double-T frames are inventively connected by an upper and a lower transverse member, a detachable connection, e.g. a screwed connection, being advantageous for a disassemblable construction which can e.g. be delivered as a flat pack.

In plan view the inventive frame structure can also be considered as a H-frame, in which the depth members form the vertical webs and the transverse members the horizontal web.

The right and left-hand double-T frames can also be looked upon, following a 90° rotation, as H-frames, particularly if the vertical member is in each case centrally connected to the upper and lower depth member and is therefore positioned as a central member.

Due to the fact that the vertical members located in the corner regions in the known cabinet constructions are omitted and front and rear frame recesses are formed without interfering front and rear transverse members, an unhindered cabling and vertical cable routing is ensured from above or from below, together with horizontal cable routing from the left and/or right and from one cabinet to an adjacent cabinet, e.g. in the case of cabinet rows. There is no need for the threading of cables, which is complicated and difficult to manipulate in the case of cables with corresponding diameters.

There is also an unhindered access to the cabling areas from essentially all sides, in particular from the front and side.

The necessary stability of the inventive frame structure is achieved through multiply folded or bent vertical members and depth and transverse members constructed as C and/or U-beams.

In particularly advantageous manner open multichamber sections can be used as vertical members and have a rectangular contour with relatively narrow short sides and approximately two to four times longer longitudinal sides. Open multichamber sections, e.g. three-chamber sections, formed by multiple folds or bends can appropriately be manufactured from a sheet steel blank in a rolling shaping method or also in a bending method and, apart from their supporting function, can also be used for cable routing and/or fixing cable management components, e.g. cable wells and the like. The vertical members provided in the direction of a reception area with at least one central opening and a front and rear inner legs provide connection points for section or profile rails and accessories, e.g. 19″ accessories, such as socket ledges and the like.

In the front and rear inner legs which, with a central opening, form an inside of the vertical members, appropriately fixing openings are formed in grid-like manner in accordance with a respective given standard. In the upper and lower area appropriately holes are provided for screwed connections for the detachable connection to the transverse members.

Further fixing openings can advantageously be formed in the narrow short sides of the vertical sections in order to be able to fix accessories, assembly members, equipment, subassemblies and cable management components.

A cable routing or reception of cables is possible in the vicinity of the outer longitudinal side of the vertical members, the cables being introduceable by means of a front and rear longitudinal opening.

For the preferably fixed connection of a vertical member to an upper and lower depth member, end regions of the vertical members are positively received in a corresponding recess of the particular depth member and in particular welded. Advantageously connection takes place with depth members with a C-shaped section and a recess, which is formed in an inside horizontal leg and an upper and lower inner leg, so that the outside end region of a depth member engages with a vertical C-leg and frontally on an outside horizontal leg. Advantageously there is a further connection in the vicinity of the upper and lower inner leg of the depth members.

Appropriately the depth members are provided with connection points for hinging, particularly pin hinging, as well as for a locking device, e.g. a locking hook of a covering part in the form of a door. These connection points are preferably provided at the front and end and can e.g. be constructed on the outside horizontal legs as angle members with corresponding openings.

It is advantageous that the depth members can also be manufactured from a sheet steel blank by multiple bends and punching out. The connection points integrated into the depth members can also be used for a detachable fixing of a rear wall and side walls, as well as a cover and a bottom plate.

Appropriately U or C-shaped supports are used as transverse members and in the same way as the depth members can be arranged with their openings facing. For example, the width of the transverse members can correspond to the depth of the vertical members. An advantageous, releasable fixing of the transverse members takes place on the depth members, so that the frame structure can be disassembled to provide two double-T frames and two transverse members, which ensures delivery can take place in flat pack form.

For advantageous screw fixing the transverse members are frontally provided in each case with a fixing plate, which is much higher than the vertical legs of the U or C-shaped transverse members and has holes for the screwed connection to the vertical members of the right and left-hand double-T frame.

The fixing plates of the transverse members are provided with fixing side plates to increase stability and the supporting function and they are bent at right angles and embrace or engage on end regions of the vertical legs and a horizontal marginal web of the transverse members in each case.

The frame construction according to the invention is advantageously usable for frame structures or cabling cabinets of different widths and in an extremely simple manner it is only necessary to adapt the length of the transverse members. The lateral double-T frames can be used in unchanged form.

It falls within the scope of the present invention through a simple modification of the recess in the depth members, to arrange and connect the vertical members eccentrically for forming different front and rear frame recesses.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter relative to the highly diagrammatic drawings, wherein show:

FIG. 1 A perspective representation of a frame structure according to the invention.

FIG. 2 A larger scale representation of the base area of the inventive frame structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 A perspective representation of the depth member of the inventive frame structure.

FIG. 4 A perspective representation of an upper area of a vertical member of the inventive frame structure.

FIG. 5 A cross-section through the vertical member of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 A perspective representation of a transverse member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a frame structure 2 ensuring high stability and unhindered cabling and cable routing in all directions and therefore an advantageous use for network cabinets and cabinet rows with high cabling densities.

The frame structure 2 comprises two vertical members 3, four depth members 4 and two transverse members 5, which are so positioned and interconnected that a frontal frame recess 8 and a rear frame recess 9 are formed. FIG. 1 and the larger scale partial representation of FIG. 2 make it clear that cable routing without disadvantageous threading is possible, because both the generally conventional front and rear vertical members and also the front and rear upper and lower transverse members are omitted.

High stability and simultaneously advantageous accessibility and cabling are achieved through the connection of in each case one vertical member 3 to a depth member 4 fixed to the upper and lower end so as to form a double-T frame. The connection of the depth members 4 to end regions of the vertical members 3 preferably takes place by welded connections 10 of the vertical members 3 inserted in recesses 30 of depth members 4 (cf. also FIG. 3).

The right 6 and left-hand double-T frames 7 are interconnected by an upper and lower transverse member 5 and there is an advantageous, releasable screwed connection 11 between the transverse members 5 and depth members 4 of the right-hand double-T frame 6 and left-hand double-T frame 7.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the mirror-inverted arrangement of the right and left-hand vertical member 3, the upper and lower depth members 4 and upper and lower transverse member 5, which define a reception area 28 for electrical, electronic and optoelectronic equipment and cable runs (not shown).

In each case the depth members 4 are provided with terminal connection points 34 for fixing covering parts, e.g. a rear wall, two side walls, a cover and a base plate (not shown) as well as for hinging and locking means for a door (not shown).

The depth members 4 are also constructed for fixing assembly members 38, said fixing can be performed directly or indirectly by means of adaptors 39 and advantageously in depth-adjustable manner.

FIG. 2 shows a base-side area of the frame structure 2 according to FIG. 1. Identical features are given the same reference numerals. The larger scale partial representation of FIG. 2 shows further details and in particular the profile cross-sections of vertical members 3, depth members 4 and transverse members 5 and the connection areas 10, 11.

FIG. 3 shows the left-hand, lower depth member 4 according to FIGS. 1 and 2. The depth member 4 has a C-shaped cross-section, which is formed by an externally positioned, vertical C-leg 35, horizontal legs 36, 37 bent at right angles thereto and inner legs 32, 33 bent at right angles.

A recess 30 for receiving an end region of a vertical member 3 (cf. FIGS. 1 and 2) is formed centrally in this embodiment, in that the inner horizontal leg 37 and the bent inner leg 33, as well as the bottom inner leg 32 bent on the outer horizontal leg 36 are not constructed in continuous manner. The recess 30 is dimensioned in complimentary manner to the end regions of the depth members 4 and ensures a positive reception and a welding of the vertical member 3 engaging flat on the vertical C-leg 35 and outer horizontal leg 36 and adjacent to the horizontal leg 37 and the two inner legs 32, 33.

FIG. 3 shows that the connection points 34 can be constructed as inwardly directed angle members with different openings 31.

FIG. 4 shows an upper area of the left-hand vertical member 3 according to FIG. 1 and FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of said vertical member 3. Both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 illustrate the construction of the vertical members 3 as open three-chamber sections, which can be manufactured by multiple bends or folds of a blank.

In cross-section the vertical members 3 have a rectangular contour with a front and rear short side 12, 13 and an inner and outer longitudinal side 14, 15. The inner longitudinal side 14 embraces a front inner leg 16 and a rear inner leg 17 between which is formed a central opening-18 as a result of bent transverse legs 22, 23 and an outer connecting leg 21. Advantageously cables can be inserted and laid through the central opening 18. Cable routing is also possible in the vicinity of the outer longitudinal side 15 which, as a result of approximately right-angled bends, has a front opening 19 and a rear opening 20. Into said front and rear openings 19, 20 project short legs 26, which are constructed as right-angled bends of the front short side 12 and rear short side 13.

Fixing openings 24 are formed both in the short sides 12, 13 and in the front and rear inner legs 16, 17. There are also fixing holes 25 for the screwed connections 11 (FIGS. 1 and 2), which are used for connecting the right-hand double-T frame 6 and the left-hand double-T frame 7 to the upper and lower transverse member 5.

FIG. 6 shows that the fixing holes 25 are constructed in complimentary manner to the holes 41 in the front fixing plates 40 of transverse members 5. In this embodiment there are four holes 41 in the transverse member 5 and fixing plates 40 and correspondingly four fixing holes 25 in the vertical leg 3 and the two inner legs 16, 17.

The transverse member according to FIG. 6 is upwardly and downwardly open and in cross-section is U or C-shaped and is provided on either side of a horizontally positioned leg 45 with vertical legs 44 and bent horizontal marginal webs 42, which are directed inwards and are terminally embraced by fixing side plates 43. The fixing side plates 43 are constructed as bevelled 90° bends of the fixing plates 40 and contribute to increasing the supporting and carrying function.

The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications of the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the invention should be constructed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. Frame structure for electronic cabinets with a right and a left-hand vertical member, two upper and lower depth members and transverse members,

wherein a right-hand and a left-hand vertical member is in each case terminally connected to an upper and lower depth member to form a right and left-hand double-T frame and wherein the right and left-hand double-T frames are connected by an upper and a lower transverse member, accompanied by the formation of a front and rear frame recess.

2. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the vertical members are connected by welded joints to the upper and lower depth members to form right and left-hand double-T frames.

3. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the right and left-hand double-T frames are in each case releasably connected to the upper and lower transverse members.

4. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the right and left-hand double-T frames are connected in the vicinity of the vertical members by screwed connections to the upper and lower transverse members.

5. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the vertical members are positioned as central members.

6. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the vertical members are open multichamber sections and are formed by multiple bends and have a rectangular contour with narrow short sides.

7. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the vertical members have an inner longitudinal side with a front and a rear inner leg, as well as a central opening and a parallel, outer longitudinal side with a front and rear opening, as well as a connecting leg connected by transverse legs to the front and rear inner legs of the outer longitudinal side.

8. Frame structure according to claim 7,

wherein fixing holes are formed in the front and rear inner legs of the vertical members for the screwed connections between the right and left-hand double-T frames and the upper and lower transverse members.

9. Frame structure according to claim 7,

wherein the front inner leg has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management components.

10. Frame structure according to claim 7,

wherein the vertical members are constructed for cable routing and the cables can be introduced via the central opening and also the front and rear openings.

11. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein, in the vicinity of an outer longitudinal side, the vertical members have short legs, which are in each case constructed as right-angled bends from a front and rear short side.

12. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the depth members are C-shaped in cross-section.

13. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein, for the terminal reception of vertical members, the depth members have in each case a recess.

14. Frame structure according to claim 13,

wherein the recess is formed in an inside horizontal leg and an upper and a lower inner leg of the depth members.

15. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the depth members have connection points for the covering parts, for a hinging and a locking device for a door.

16. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the depth members are constructed for the depth-adjustable fixing of metric assembly members.

17. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the transverse members are constructed as U-shaped supports with front fixing plates.

18. Frame structure according to claim 17,

wherein the fixing plates have holes for a screwed connection to the right and left-hand double-T frames.

19. Frame structure according to claim 17,

wherein the transverse members have horizontal marginal webs, which extend up to the fixing plates and are terminally bounded by fixing side plates on both sides of the fixing plates.

20. Frame-structure according to claim 1,

wherein the width of the frame structure can be varied through differently dimensioned transverse members.

21. Frame structure according to claim 7,

wherein the rear inner leg has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management components.

22. Frame structure according to claim 7,

wherein the front short side has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management components.

23. Frame structure according to claim 7,

wherein the rear short side has fixing openings for cabinet and cable management components.

24. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the depth members have fixing points for covering parts, such as a rear wall, a cover and side walls.

25. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the depth members are constructed for the depth-adjustable fixing of 19″ assembly members.

26. Frame structure according to claim 1,

wherein the transverse members are constructed as C-shaped supports with front fixing plates.

27. Frame structure for network cabinets and cabinet rows with high cabling densities, having a right and a left-hand vertical member, two upper and lower depth members and with transverse members, wherein a right and a left-hand vertical member is in each case terminally connected to an upper and lower depth member to form a right and a left-hand double-T frame and wherein the right and left-hand double-T frames are in each case connected by an upper and a lower transverse member, accompanied by the formation of a front and a rear frame recess.