Modular stackable shelving framework and equipment storage system

1. A modular storage system comprising

a first module;

a second module being coupled to the first module;

a plurality of mating fasteners; and

a plurality of joint members;

wherein, each of the first and second modules comprising:

a top panel and a bottom panel, each of the top panel and bottom panel comprising first and second opposed edges; and

first and second extruded identical side members, each of the first and second extruded identical side members comprising:

a top edge and a bottom edge, each edge defining a self-tapping channel for receiving ones of the plurality of mating fasteners, wherein top edges of the first and second extruded identical side members being attached to opposed edges of the top panel, and the bottom edges of the first and second extruded identical side members being attached to opposed edges of the bottom panel using ones of the plurality of mating fasteners, and

a longitudinal attachment feature running along a length of a side member along a longitudinal axis of the side member, wherein the longitudinal attachment features of respective side members of the first and the second modules enabling the coupling together of the first and second modules, wherein when the first and second modules are positioned side by side, longitudinal attachment features of respective first and second modules are aligned and wherein the joint members are sized and shaped to engage with the longitudinal attachment features so as to enable the first and second modules to be coupled.

2. The modular storage system of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal attachment feature comprises a channel.

3. The modular storage system of claim 2 , wherein the channel has a trapezoidal shape in cross-section.

4. The modular storage system of claim 2 , wherein, for each of the extruded identical first and second side members, cross-sections taken in parallel planes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis are a same along an entire length of the longitudinal attachment feature.

5. The modular storage system of claim 1 , wherein each module is configured to store electronic equipment.

6. The modular storage system of claim 5 , wherein the electronic equipment comprises one or more of computer equipment, power supply equipment or cooling equipment.

7. The modular storage system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one submodule for installation in at least one of the modules, the submodule comprising mounted electronic equipment.

8. The modular storage system of claim 7 , the submodule comprising:

a mounting surface;

a mounting bracket mounted on the mounting surface;

at least one device mounted to the mounting bracket; and

at least one anti-vibration bobbin between the mounting bracket and the mounting surface.

9. The modular storage system of claim 8 , wherein:

the mounting surface defines at least one aperture through the mounting surface; and

the at least one device is mounted to the mounting bracket such that at least a portion of the device penetrates the at least one aperture.

10. The modular storage system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one device is a fan.

11. The modular storage system of claim 7 , the submodule comprising:

a mounting surface, the mounting surface defining at least one aperture through the mounting surface;

a mounting bracket mounted on the mounting surface; and

at least one device mounted to the mounting bracket such that at least a portion of the device penetrates the at least one aperture.

12. The modular storage system of claim 11 , wherein the at least one device is a fan.

13. The modular storage system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one electronic bus rail for installation in at least one of the first or second modules, the electronic bus rail comprising at least one electrical connection element for connecting to electronic equipment, the electronic bus rail enhancing mechanical characteristics of the modular storage system when installed in the one of the first or second modules.

14. The modular storage system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one electrical connection element comprises an electrical connector, the electrical connector being connectable to the submodule installed in at least one of the first or second modules.

15. The modular storage system of claim 1 , further comprising an anchor bracket secured to at least one of the first and second side members for securing the first or second module to a supporting surface.

16. The modular storage system of claim 15 , wherein the supporting surface is located below a bottom surface of a corresponding module.

17. The modular storage system of claim 1 , further comprising a side bracket comprising a mating element which mates with the longitudinal attachment feature of at least one of the side members to attach the side bracket to the at least one side member, the side bracket being adapted to permit mounting in a stack one of the first or second module at the at least one side member to another module.

18. A module for a modular storage system, comprising:

a top panel and a bottom panel, each of the top panel and bottom panel comprising first and second opposed edges; and

extruded identical first and second side members, each of the first and second side members comprising:

a top edge and a bottom edge, each edge defining a self-tapping channel for receiving mating fasteners, wherein the top edges of the first and second side members being attached to the opposed edges of the top panel, and the bottom edges of the first and second side members being attached to the opposed edges of the bottom panel using the mating fasteners that are tapped into respective locations in the respective self-tapping channel,

plural alignment channels; and

a longitudinal attachment feature running along a length of the side member along a longitudinal axis of the side member wherein the longitudinal attachment feature being shaped to receive a joint member so as to enable joining or stacking additional modules to the module, wherein an alignment channel is disposed above and below the longitudinal attachment feature, the alignment channel configured to receive a mating fastener to secure the joint member with the longitudinal attachment in a fully aligned assembly and facilitate coupling the modules when stacked or joined.

19. The module of claim 18 , wherein the longitudinal attachment feature comprises a channel.

20. The module of claim 19 , wherein the channel has a trapezoidal shape in cross-section.

21. The module of claim 19 , wherein, for each of the first and second side members, cross-sections taken in parallel planes orthogonal to the longitudinal axis are a same along an entire length of the longitudinal attachment feature.

22. The module of claim 18 , wherein each module is configured to store electronic equipment.

23. The module of claim 22 , wherein the electronic equipment comprises one or more of computer equipment, power supply equipment or cooling equipment.

24. The module of claim 18 , further comprising at least one submodule configured for installation in at least one of the first or second modules, the submodule comprising mounted electronic equipment.

25. The module of claim 24 , wherein the submodule comprising: a mounting surface;

a mounting bracket mounted on the mounting surface;

at least one device mounted to the mounting bracket; and

at least one anti-vibration bobbin between the mounting bracket and the mounting surface.

26. The module of claim 25 , wherein:

the mounting surface defines at least one aperture through the mounting surface; and

the at least one device is mounted to the mounting bracket such that at least a portion of the device penetrates the at least one aperture.

27. The module of claim 26 , wherein the at least one device is a fan.

28. The module of claim 18 , wherein the submodule comprising: a mounting surface, the mounting surface defining at least one aperture through the mounting surface;

a mounting bracket mounted on the mounting surface; and

at least one device mounted to the mounting bracket such that at least a portion of the device penetrates the at least one aperture.

29. The module of claim 28 , wherein the at least one device is a fan.

30. The module of claim 18 , further comprising at least one electronic bus rail for installation in at least one of the first or second modules, the electronic bus rail comprising at least one electrical connection element for connecting to electronic equipment, the electronic bus rail enhancing mechanical characteristics of the modular storage system when installed in the one of the first or second modules.

31. The module of claim 30 , wherein the at least one electrical connection element comprises an electrical connector, the electrical connector being connectable to the submodule installed in at least one of the first or second modules.

32. The module of claim 18 , further comprising an anchor bracket secured to at least one of the first or second side members for securing the module to a supporting surface.

33. The module of claim 18 , wherein the supporting surface is located below a bottom surface of a corresponding module.

34. The module of claim 18 , further comprising a side bracket comprising a mating element which mates with the longitudinal attachment feature of at least one of the side members to attach the side bracket to the at least one side member, the side bracket being adapted to permit mounting in a stack one of the first or second module at the at least one side member to another module.