Extendable electronics enclosure

1. An apparatus comprising:

a base unit configured to hold electronic equipment;

a first extension arm that is laterally restrained and, without pivoting, is vertically extendable from a proximal position along a selected dimension of the base unit;

a second extension arm that is laterally restrained and, without pivoting, is vertically extendable from a distal position along the selected dimension of the base unit; and

the first extension arm slide-ably coupled to a top panel and the second extension arm rotate-ably coupled to the top panel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the top panel may be raised while the electronic equipment is operating without disrupting the electronic equipment.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base unit comprises a plurality of side panels.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the top panel comprises a slot for slide-ably coupling the first extension arm to the top panel.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first extension arm comprises a sliding pin that protrudes into the slot and enables slide-able coupling to the slot.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base unit is less than 43 U in height.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base unit includes a detent mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the first extension arm comprises a plurality of holes for receiving the detent and holding the first extension arm at a selected vertical extension distance.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the second extension arm comprises a plurality of holes for receiving the detent and holding the second extension arm at a selected vertical extension distance.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners for securing the top panel to the base unit for shipping.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of extension side panels.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the plurality of extension side panels are installable from an interior extension region below a vertically raised top panel.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the base unit comprises a first plurality of rack rails for mounting electronic equipment.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of extension side panels comprise a second plurality of rack rails for mounting electronic equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the first plurality of rack rails and the second plurality of rack rails form a continuous set of rails when the extension side panels are installed below the vertically raised top panel.

16. A method comprising:

providing an enclosure comprising a base unit and a first extension arm that is laterally restrained and, without pivoting, is vertically extendable from a proximal position along a selected dimension of the base unit and a second extension arm that is laterally restrained and, without pivoting, is vertically extendable from a distal position along the selected dimension of the base unit, the first extension arm slide-ably coupled to a top panel and the second extension arm rotate-ably coupled to the top panel; and

raising one end of the top panel before raising the other end of the top panel.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising installing a plurality of extension side panels.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the plurality of extension side panels comprise a plurality of rack rails.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising mounting equipment to the plurality of rack rails.

20. The method of claim 16 , further comprising loosening one or more fasteners.