초록 ▼

An apparatus and method for adapting two-post rack systems to support four-post rack mounted equipment. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a coupling member for modifying a two-post equipment rack. The coupling member may include a vertical support member having a first and second lateral end

An apparatus and method for adapting two-post rack systems to support four-post rack mounted equipment. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a coupling member for modifying a two-post equipment rack. The coupling member may include a vertical support member having a first and second lateral end, and a first and second longitudinal end. A first torsion member may be coupled to the vertical support member at the first longitudinal end, and a second torsion member may be coupled to the vertical support member at the second longitudinal end. A coupling feature on the torsion members may be included to allow coupling to adjacent coupling members. An equipment attachment flange may be coupled to the first lateral end, and may further be adapted to emulate a vertical upright in a four-post rack. A rack attachment flange may be coupled to the second lateral end, and may be adapted to provide a load transfer path from the vertical support member to the two-post equipment rack. A lower flange end may be provided on the first and second torsion member, and may be adapted to provide a pivot point for load support.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A coupling member for converting a two-post equipment rack, comprising: a vertical support member having a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a first longitudinal end, and a second longitudinal end; an equipment attachment flange coupled to the first lateral end, wherei

What is claimed is: 1. A coupling member for converting a two-post equipment rack, comprising: a vertical support member having a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a first longitudinal end, and a second longitudinal end; an equipment attachment flange coupled to the first lateral end, wherein the equipment attachment flange defines a vertical supporting point for a load, and wherein the equipment attachment flange is further operable to secure the load to the equipment attachment flange; means for securing the coupling member to a respective post of the two-post equipment rack; a first torsion member attached to the vertical support member at the first longitudinal end, the first torsion member including an aperture for receiving a fastener for attaching the coupling member to an adjacent coupling member; and a second torsion member attached to the vertical support member at the second longitudinal end. 2. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said supporting point emulates a vertical upright in a four-post equipment rack having a hole pattern that includes at least three holes linearly disposed across approximately 1.75 inches of the vertical upright, and wherein the center-to-center distance between a first hole and a second hole is approximately 0.625 inches, and wherein the center-to-center distance between a second hole and a third hole is approximately 0.625 inches. 3. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said load comprises electronic equipment. 4. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said means for securing the coupling member to the two-post rack comprises a rack attachment flange coupled to the second lateral end of the vertical support member. 5. The coupling member of claim 4, wherein said rack attachment flange is adapted to provide a load transfer path from said vertical support member to the two-post equipment rack. 6. The coupling member of claim 4, wherein said rack-attachment flange is in a pre-loading configuration. 7. The coupling member of claim 6, wherein the pre-loading configuration is provided by said rack attachment flange being secured to said vertical support member at an acute angle. 8. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is adapted to be mounted adjacent to other coupling members and to be supported by adjacent coupling members. 9. The coupling member of claim 1, further including an outwardly extending portion on said first torsion member, wherein said first torsion member further includes a lower flange end on said outwardly extending portion adapted to provide a pivot point for load support. 10. The coupling member of claim 1, further including an outwardly extending portion on said second torsion member, wherein said second torsion member further includes a lower flange end on said outwardly extending portion adapted to provide a pivot point for load support. 11. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said first and second torsion members have terminating portions formed at an obtuse angle relative to said vertical support member. 12. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said first torsion member is substantially perpendicularly coupled to said vertical support member at the first longitudinal end. 13. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said second torsion member is substantially perpendicularly coupled to said vertical support member at the second longitudinal end. 14. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein the coupling member is formed in increments of one modular unit in height. 15. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said vertical support member is provided with one or more openings thereon. 16. The coupling member of claim 15, wherein said openings are adapted to provide ventilation. 17. The coupling member of claim 15, wherein said openings provide tie-points for securement of cables thereto. 18. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said first torsion member terminates at a point prior to said equipment attachment flange, forming a gap. 19. The coupling member of claim 1, wherein said second torsion member terminates at a point prior to said equipment attachment flange, forming a gap therein. 20. A two-post rack system, comprising: a first vertical post including a first side and a second side; a second vertical post including a first side and a second side, wherein the second vertical post is coupled to the first post via a base; a first coupling member, the first coupling member coupled at a lateral end to the first post and independently extending substantially horizontally outward from the first post, and wherein the first coupling member replicates at least one post in a four-post equipment rack, and wherein the first coupling member comprises: a vertical support member including a first lateral end, a second lateral end, a first longitudinal end, and a second longitudinal end; a first torsion member attached to the vertical support member at the first longitudinal end, the first torsion member including an aperture for receiving a fastener for attaching the first coupling member to an adjacent coupling member; and a second torsion member attached to the vertical support member at the second longitudinal end; an equipment attachment flange coupled to the first lateral end, wherein the equipment attachment flange is adapted to emulate a vertical upright in a four-post equipment rack, and wherein the equipment attachment flange is further adapted to secure to a load; and a rack attachment flange coupled to the second lateral end of the vertical support member, and a second coupling member, the second coupling member coupled at a lateral end to the second post and independently extending substantially horizontally outward from the second post, and wherein the second coupling member replicates at least one post in the four-post equipment rack; and wherein the second coupling member comprises at least one aperture for receiving a fastener for coupling the second coupling member to an adjacent coupling member. 21. The two-post rack system of claim 20, further comprising: a third coupling member coupled to the first post and independently extending substantially horizontally outward from the first post; and a fourth coupling member coupled to the second post and independently extending substantially horizontally outward from the second post, wherein the first coupling member, the second coupling member, the third coupling member, and the fourth coupling member each substantially replicate a different vertical upright in a four-post equipment rack. 22. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 20, further comprising said rack attachment flange operable to provide a load transfer path from said vertical support member to the two-post equipment rack. 23. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 20, further comprising said rack attachment flange being in a pre-loading configuration. 24. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 23, wherein said pre-loading configuration comprises said rack attachment flange being secured to said vertical support member at an acute angle. 25. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 20, further comprising said first torsion member having a lower flange end adapted to provide a pivot point for load support. 26. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 20, further comprising said second torsion member having a lower flange end adapted to provide a pivot point for load support. 27. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 20, further comprising said first torsion member substantially perpendicularly coupled to said vertical support member at said first longitudinal end. 28. The two-post equipment rack system of claim 20, further comprising said second torsion member substantially perpendicularly coupled to said vertical support member at said second longitudinal end.