Modular Switch Rack

Abstract

Disclosed are methods and apparatus for a modular field switch rack.

Claims

1. A switch rack comprising: a lower.

2. The switch rack of claim 1 wherein the lower is comprised of a plurality of vertical and horizontal bars.

3. The switch rack of claim 2 wherein the plurality of vertical and horizontal bars are mated by passing a plurality of bolts through a plurality of vertical bar holes and a plurality horizontal bar holes, and then using a plurality of nuts to secure said vertical and horizontal bars in place.

4. The switch rack of claim 3 wherein the lower is secured to the ground by passing bolts through a plurality of base plate holes in a base plate.

5. The switch rack of claim 4 wherein the vertical bars are I beams.

6. The switch rack of claim 5 wherein the vertical bars and horizontal bars are made from aluminum.

7. The switch rack of claim 6 wherein the horizontal bars are c-channel bars.

8. A switch rack comprising: an upper; and, a lower.

9. The switch rack of claim 8 wherein the upper is comprised of an inner strut, an outer strut, and a slope bar.

10. The switch rack of claim 9 wherein the upper and the lower attach and detach modularly by way of an attachment plate, a plurality of holes, a plurality of bolts, and a plurality of nuts.

11. The switch rack of claim 10 wherein the lower is comprised of a plurality of vertical bars and a plurality of horizontal bars.

12. The switch rack of claim 11 wherein the slope bar of the upper gives the upper a triangular prism shape.

13. The switch rack of claim 12 wherein the inner struts and struts attach to the slope bar by bolts, nuts, a plurality of wedges, and their respective wedge holes.

14. The switch rack of claim 13 wherein the wedge is an “L” shaped plate.

15. The switch rack of claim 14 wherein the upper features a loop.

16. A method of setting up and operating a switch rack in the field comprising: obtaining a lower; placing the lower on the ground; and, passing a plurality of bolts through a plurality of holes in a base plate of the lower.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising bolting the upper to the lower via an attachment plate.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one attachment plate hole is aligned with at least one vertical bar hole by a notch.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising placing switches on the switch rack.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising hanging lights, canopy, and cabling from the switch rack via a loop.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described. The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a switch rack 1;

[0046] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the switch rack;

[0047] FIG. 3 is a front view of the switch rack;

[0048] FIG. 4 is a top view of the switch rack;

[0049] FIG. 5 is a side view of the switch rack;

[0050] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the switch rack;

[0051] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the alternate embodiment of the switch rack;

[0052] FIG. 8 is a front view of the alternate embodiment of the switch rack;

[0053] FIG. 9 is a top view of the alternate embodiment of the switch rack;

[0054] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a partially assembled lower;

[0055] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a partially assembled lower;

[0056] FIG. 12 is a front view of a partially assembled lower;

[0057] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a partially assembled lower;

[0058] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a partially assembled switch rack;

[0059] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a partially assembled switch rack;

[0060] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a partially assembled switch rack;

[0061] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a partially assembled upper;

[0062] FIG. 18 is a front view of a partially assembled upper;

[0063] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an upper; and,

[0064] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a switch rack;

[0065] In the figures each component of the mount shown in the figures is labeled and indicated by the numeral as shown on the list below;

[0066] 1—switch rack;

[0067] 1a—bolt;

[0068] 1b—nut;

[0069] 2—upper;

[0070] 3—vertical bar;

[0071] 3a—vertical bar holes;

[0072] 3b—notch;

[0073] 4—base plate;

[0074] 4a—base plate holes;

[0075] 5—horizontal bar;

[0076] 5a—horizontal bar holes;

[0077] 6—strut;

[0078] 6a—strut holes;

[0079] 7—inner strut;

[0080] 7a—inner strut holes;

[0081] 8—slope bar;

[0082] 9—lower;

[0083] 10—loop;

[0084] 11—wedge;

[0085] 11a—wedge holes;

[0086] 12—attachment plate;

[0087] 12a—attachment plate holes;

[0088] 13—temporary lifting lugs;

[0089] 14—roofing panels; and,

[0090] 15—concrete piers.

[0091] It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0092] In one embodiment, the disclosed subject matter is a varying length, modular, and bolted switch rack 1. In use, a switch rack may be delivered to, and setup at oil harvesting sites where the rack houses and weather-protects various controls and switches for on-site equipment. The switch racks may be shipped as modular, to-order sizes, and rapidly assembled at the jobsite.

[0093] The more specific details of the preferred embodiment are described with relevance to the figures.

[0094] FIGS. 1 & 6 are perspective views of the switch rack 1. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment with a shorter plurality of horizontal components. FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment with longer horizontal components. Specifically, there are differences in the lengths of a plurality horizontal bars 5, a plurality of inner struts 7, and a plurality of struts 6. However, these sizes are not intended to be limiting. This application speaks to horizontal components of all sizes. The switch rack 1 can be made to order so sizes of all components can be customized for different customers and their intended use of the switch rack 1. Regardless, both switch racks 1 may be comprised of an upper part 2 and a lower part 9. The upper part 2 may be comprised of a plurality of struts 6, a plurality of inner struts 7, a plurality of slope bars 8, a plurality of loops 10, a plurality of nuts 1b and a is plurality of bolts 1a. The lower 9 may be comprised of horizontal bars 5, vertical bars 3, and a plurality of base plates 4 which are attached to the vertical bars 3. The horizontal bars 5 may preferably be c-channel bars or alternatively I-beams. The vertical bars 3 may preferably be I beams or alternatively c-channel bars. These bars may be constructed out of a metal or an alloy such as aluminum. The bars of both the upper 2 and the lower 9 may be attached by using threaded nuts 1b and bolts 1a to mate different bars together.

[0095] FIGS. 2 & 7 are exploded views of the switch rack 1. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment with a shorter plurality of horizontal components (e.g., like the switch rack shown in FIG. 1). FIG. 7 shows an alternate embodiment with longer horizontal components (e.g., like the switch rack 1 of FIG. 6. As shown in either embodiment, the switch rack 1 may be characterized by horizontal parts such as the horizontal bar 5, strut 6, and inner strut 7. Worth noting, is that both switch racks 1 in FIGS. 2 & 7 show the upper removed from the lower 9.

[0096] As shown and described in this application the switch rack 1 is suitably easy to assemble and modular. The upper part 2 is mated to the lower part 9 by lowering the upper part 2 onto the lower part 9. Once in place, an attachment plate 12 featuring two holes is placed parallel to the is vertical bar 3. Both the vertical bar 3 and the attachment plate 12 feature at least one attachment plate hole 12a, and at least one vertical bar hole 3a. The holes may be cooperative and correspondent of each other. In one mode or embodiment, there is a plurality of holes 12a & 3a within both parts, i.e., the vertical bar 3 and the attachment plate 12, and each part has cooperative and correspondent hole layouts. Suitably, the base of the attachment plate 12 may also sit upon a notch 3b. The notch 3b may protrude outward from the top of the vertical bar 3. The notch 3b may be useful in aligning the attachment plate 12 and the vertical bars 3, and constructing the switch rack 1. Once the holes 12a & 3a are aligned, the bolts 1a may be passed through both holes. Once the bolt 1a is in place a nut 1b may be screwed to the bolt 1a matting the upper 2 and lower 9.

[0097] FIG. 3. Shows a front view of the switch rack 1. FIG. 8 shows a front view of the alternate embodiment of the switch rack 1. Most prominent in both figs. is the lower part 9. The differences between the lower 9 of FIGS. 3 and 8 are different lengths of their respective horizontal bars 5. Other than that, both embodiments are largely the same. The lower part 9 may suitably be comprised of a plurality of vertical bars 3 which feature base plates 4, and horizontal bars 5. In one mode of use, the lower part 9 may suitably be the component wherein IT infrastructure, such as switches, servers, cabling, or telecommunications equipment may be stored upon or upheld by the horizontal and vertical structures of the lower part 9. The lower part 9 may provide a frame for said infrastructure.

[0098] Still referring to FIGS. 3 and 8, the lower part 9 is preferably characterized by at least two vertical bars 3, which provide structural support for the horizontal bars 5. The vertical bars 3 may be preferably be I beams, but may also be c-channel bars. The vertical bar 3 may feature a base plate 4 on its lower end and a notch 3b on its upper end. The notch 3b shown is a triangular prism, however it may be another extruded shape, such as a square or a rectangle, so long as the notch 3b is configured so that it may sit flush with the attachment plate 12. The base plate 4 may provide stability to the entire switch rack 1. The base plate 4 may be square and may feature a plurality of holes. These base plate holes 4a may be used to attach the lower 9, and in turn the entire switch rack 1 into the ground. Attached to the vertical bar 3 there may be at least one horizontal bar 5. The horizontal bar 4 may provide support for the IT infrastructure. The horizontal bar 5 may be a c-channel bar, an I-beam, or a rectangular beam. The horizontal bar 5 shown in the figures is a c-channel bar. The horizontal bar 5 is attached to the vertical bar 3 by nuts 1b, bolts 1a, and through a correspondent hole layout.

[0099] The lower part 9 may be assembled by gathering all the parts which comprise the lower 9. This may include vertical bars 3, horizontal bars 5, nuts 1b, and bolts 1a. One may start by aligning a plurality of vertical bar holes 3a and a plurality of horizontal bar holes 5a. Once the holes 3a & 5a have been aligned on may pass a bolt 1a through the aligned holes. Thereafter on may screw a nut 1b onto the bolt 1a. This process may be repeated until all the vertical bars 3 have been affixed onto the horizontal bars 5. Once this has happened, the lower 9 may be fixed into the ground. The lower part 9 can be fixed to the ground via the base plate 4 which is attached, perhaps by weld, to the base of the vertical bar 3. In one use, such installation is done by drilling the base plate into the ground with bolts 1a via the base plate holes 4a.

[0100] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the upper part 2. FIG. 9 shows a top view of the alternate embodiment of the upper part 2. One can clearly discern that the difference between the upper part 2 of FIG. 4 and the upper part 2 of FIG. 9, is that is that the upper part 2 of FIG. 9 features a plurality of longer components such as the strut 6 and the inner strut 7. Again, the two sizes of said parts are not limiting, as the sizes of the strut 6 and inner strut 7 can be customized to a particular job site or need of the user. In one embodiment, the switch rack 1 is often made to the order of a user. In is either case, the upper part 2 may provide protection for its stored goods from the elements, such as the sun, rain, or wind. This is achieved by the roof or awning like structure provided by the upper part 2. The roof like structure comes largely from the peaked and diagonal orientation of the slope bar 8. The upper part 2 may also feature at least one loop 10. FIGS. 4 & 9 show two loops 10 at opposite ends of the upper 2. The loop 10 may feature a through hole. It is attached to the upper part 2. These loops 10 may be used to hang or string different items such as cabling, wires, lights, or canopies from the upper part 2.

[0101] The upper part 2 may be assembled by gathering the components of the upper such as a wedge 11, the struts 6, slope bars 8, inner struts 7, loops 10, bolts 1a, and nuts 1b. One may start by aligning a plurality of inner strut holes 7a and a plurality of wedge holes 11a. The wedge 11 is an “L” shaped structure with a wedge hole 11a or hole layout on its outwardly protruding portion which is attached to the slope bar 8. The wedge 11 may be attached permanently to the slope bar 8 by welding or other means. Once the wedge holes 11a and inner strut holes 7a are aligned one may pass a plurality of bolts 1a though the inner strut holes 7a and the wedge holes 11a. Then one may screw a plurality of nuts 1b onto the plurality of bolts 1a. Shortly thereafter, one may repeat the same process for the inner is strut 7 and its respective slope bar 8 via the wedge 11. At this point, the only pieces missing from the upper 2 are the struts 6. Each strut 6 is added to the upper 2 individually. The strut 6 may be attached by aligning a plurality strut holes 6a and the plurality of wedge holes 11a. Once the strut holes 6a and the wedge holes 11a are aligned, bolts 1a may be passed through both holes 6a & 11a. Now, one may screw a nut 1b or plurality of nuts 1b onto the bolts 1a which have been passed through the holes. To add the strut 6 on the opposite side of the upper 2 the process of aligning strut holes 6a and wedge holes 11a, and attaching nuts 1b to bolts 1a once the bolts 1a have passed through the hole is repeated.

[0102] FIG. 5 shows a side view of a switch rack 1. It should be noted that this side view may show both the preferred or alternate embodiments of the switch rack 1. As shown, the upper 2 displays a roof shape due to the peaked and diagonal orientation of the slope bar 8. From this view, one can see that the switch rack may be subtlety asymmetrical. This asymmetry comes from the horizontal bars 5 which may only be featured on one side of the switch rack 1.

[0103] FIG. 10-20 demonstrate switch rack 1 construction and installation step by step. As shown in FIG. 10 one may start by assembling the lower 9. First, one may attach the horizontal bars 5 to a vertical bar 3 using ½″ bolts 1a and tighten to finger tight. As shown in FIG. 11, attach the other vertical bar 3 to the opposite side of the horizontal bars 5 using ½″ bolts 1a and tighten to finger tight. The next step, shown by FIG. 12 involves ensuring all vertical 3 and horizontal bars 5 are square and tightening the bolts 1a at the connection points to 75 ft-lbs. Then one may attach a plurality of temporary lifting lugs 13 to the top of the vertical bars 3 using ½″ bolts 1a and tighten the bolts 1a to 75 ft-lbs, as shown in FIG. 13.

[0104] Now that the lower 9 is built one must determine how to secure it to a jobsite. Three options for securing the lower 9 are by using A) a plurality of concrete piers 15 with ½″ diameter by 15″ anchors, B) concrete piers 15 with embedded base plates 4 and bolts 1a, and C) soil mount using feet. It should be noted that option C requires installation specific civil engineering. For purposes of illustration and example one may choose option B (shown by FIG. 14) wherein one may attach the base plates 4 of the vertical bars 3 that comprise the upper 2 to the base plates 4 of two other vertical bars 3 using ¾″ bolts 1a. Then one may tighten the bolts 1a to 175 ft-lbs. For purpose of another example or illustration, as shown by FIG. 15, one may secure the lower 9 into the concrete piers 15 via the newly attached vertical bars 3. The following step, shown in FIG. 16, involves removing the lifting lugs 13 from the vertical bars 3.

[0105] With the lower 9 built and secured, all that remains to be done is to assemble and attach the upper 2. To begin, one may assemble the upper 2 as shown by FIG. 17. This is done by attaching the struts 6, inner struts 7, slope bars 8, loops 10, and attachment plates 12 using ½″ bolts 1a and then tightening the bolts 1a to finger tight. Next, as shown by FIG. 18, one may ensure all components are square and tighten the bolts 1a to 75 ft-lbs. The following step is shown by FIG. 19. Now that the structure of the upper 2 is in place one may attach a plurality of pre-drilled roofing panels 14 to the upper 2. As shown in FIG. 20, one may now attach the upper 2 and the lower 9 then place bolts 1a and tighten the bolts 1a to 75 ft-lbs.

[0106] Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

[0107] Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.

[0108] The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances is shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent. The use of the term “assembly” does not imply that the components or functionality described or claimed as part of the module are all configured in a common package. Indeed, any or all of the various components of a module, whether control logic or other components, might be combined in a single package or separately maintained and might further be distributed across multiple locations.

[0109] Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.

[0110] All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.