IP Library Granted Patent US 10,172,255
Granted Patent B2
US 10,172,255 · App. 15/416,036 · Granted Jan 1, 2019

Enhanced rack/cabinet mobility and stability for a server rack

Inventors: Eric A. Eckberg (Rochester, MN); Cody J. Erie (Adams, MN); Michael J. MacPherson (Elgin, MN); Stephen P. Mroz (Rochester, MN); Christopher L. Tuma (Mantorville, MN)
Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
H05K7/18B60B33/0002B60B33/006B60B33/0063B60B33/0078B60B33/063Y10T16/182
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,172,255
App. No.
15/416,036
Granted
Jan 1, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mobility apparatus. The mobility apparatus may include a continuous fixed-length rail attached horizontally to a bottom structural member of the front or the rear of a server rack. The continuous fixed-length rail exceeds a width of the server rack by an equal amount on either side of the server rack. The mobility apparatus also includes a lower rail portion attached to a lower edge of the continuous fixed-length rail; a raised rail portion attached to an extended length of each portion of the continuous fixed-length rail; and at least one wheel attached to an underside of each end of the extended length of the continuous fixed-length rail.

Claims (40)

1. A mobility apparatus comprising:

a continuous fixed-length rail attached horizontally to a bottom structural member of a front or a rear of a server rack, wherein the continuous fixed-length rail exceeds a width of the server rack by an equal amount on either side of the server rack;

a lower rail portion attached to a lower edge of the continuous fixed-length rail, wherein the lower rail portion is substantially perpendicular to the continuous fixed-length rail;

a raised rail portion attached to an extended length of each portion of the continuous fixed-length rail, wherein each raised rail portion is substantially perpendicular to the continuous fixed-length rail; and

at least one wheel attached to an underside of each end of the extended length of the continuous fixed-length rail.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel is selected from a group consisting of:

a caster equipped with brake,

a swivel caster,

a fixed caster, and

an adjustable height caster.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one wheel includes: a skid shoe and a glide.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is temporarily attached to either the front or the rear of the server rack by one or more removable fasteners.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the continuous fixed-length rail is attached to the bottom structural member of the server rack by at least two sets of attachment points, wherein each set of attachment points has at least three holes.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the at least three holes are selected from a group consisting of:

bolt holes,

threaded holes,

tapped holes, and

square holes.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lower rail portion is permanently attached to the lower edge of the continuous fixed-length rail.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each raised rail portion is permanently attached to the continuous fixed-length rail.

9. A mobility apparatus comprising:

a left-hand rail portion and a right-hand rail portion each attached horizontally to a bottom structural member of a front or a rear of a server rack;

a lower rail portion permanently attached to a lower edge of each of the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail portion, wherein each lower rail portion is substantially perpendicular to the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail portion;

a raised rail portion permanently attached to an extended length of the left-hand rail portion and the extended length of the right-hand rail portion, wherein each raised rail portion is substantially perpendicular to the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail portion; and

at least one wheel attached to the extended length of each of the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one wheel is selected from a group consisting of:

a caster equipped with brake,

a swivel caster,

a fixed caster, and

an adjustable height caster.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the at least one wheel is selected from a group consisting of: a skid shoe and a glide.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is temporarily attached to either the front or the rear of the server rack by one or more removable fasteners.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the each of the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail is attached to the bottom structural member of the server rack by at least one set of attachment points, wherein each set of attachment points has at least three holes.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the at least three holes is selected from a group consisting of:

bolt holes,

threaded holes,

tapped holes, and

square holes.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each lower rail portion is permanently attached to the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail portion.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each raised rail portion is permanently attached to the left-hand rail portion and the right-hand rail portion.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 26, 2017
From: ECKBERG, ERIC A.; ERIE, CODY J.; MACPHERSON, MICHAEL J.; MROZ, STEPHEN P.; TUMA, CHRISTOPHER L.
To: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 041090/0372 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180213672A1 · Jul 26, 2018