Telecommunications equipment rack having hemmed upright supports for improved structural stiffness

Abstract

A rack assembly for mounting telecommunications equipment is provided which utilizes at least one but preferably two upstanding spaced-apart frame members that have at least one but preferably both front and back flanges hemmed in order to provide improved structural stiffness to the rack as well as enhanced distance between the upstanding frame members for mounting digital telecommunications equipment and the like therebetween.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a rack assembly for mounting telecommunications equipment of the type comprising a pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members wherein each of said frame members defines an upper and a lower end; a horizontal frame member extending between the upper ends of said pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members; and a base extending between the lower ends of said pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members; the improvement wherein at least one of said pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members comprises: 
 an upstanding spaced-apart frame member with a generally U-shaped cross-section comprising a web having a bottom with a relatively short side portion on one side and a relatively long side portion on the other side and said frame member being outwardly directed relative to the other of said pair of frame members and said rack assembly, and wherein the upstanding spaced-apart frame member comprises a web having a bottom length and a first bend to form the relatively short side portion on one side that is then bent back upon itself at an acute angle to create the relatively short side portion, and having a first bend to form the relatively long side portion on the other side of the frame member that is then bent back upon itself at an acute angle to create the relatively long side portion of the frame member;    wherein the rack assembly possesses enhanced structural strength.    
     
     
         2 . The rack assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the lengths of the relatively short and relatively long side portions bent back upon themselves each forms an acute angle to the remaining length of the side portion, and the bent back lengths are each parallel to the other.  
     
     
         3 . The rack assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the frame member is formed of steel having four bends and five wall segments.  
     
     
         4 . The rack assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the acute angle is between about 15 to 45 degrees.  
     
     
         5 . In a rack assembly for mounting telecommunications equipment of the type comprising a pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members wherein each of said frame members defines an upper and a lower end; a horizontal frame member extending between the upper ends of said pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members; and a base extending between the lower ends of said pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members; the improvement wherein at least one of said pair of upstanding spaced-apart frame members comprises: 
 an upstanding spaced-apart frame member with a generally U-shaped four bend and five wall segment cross-section comprising a web having a bottom length and a first bend to form the relatively short side portion on one side that is then bent back upon itself at an acute angle to create the relatively short side portion and having a first bend to form the relatively long side portion on the other side of the frame member that is then bent back upon itself at an acute angle to create the relatively long side portion of said frame member;    wherein the rack assembly possesses enhanced structural strength.    
     
     
         6 . The rack assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the length of the relatively short side portion bent back upon itself is parallel to the length of the relatively long side portion bent back upon itself.  
     
     
         7 . The rack assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the acute angle is between about 15 to 45 degrees.  
     
     
         8 . The rack assembly according to  claim 7  wherein the acute angle is preferably about 15 degrees.