Rack frame structure and method of assembling same

Abstract

A cabinet having a frame, a plurality of posts and a plurality of connector assemblies. The connector assemblies adapted to connect the posts to the frame. The connector assembly is provided with a gusset rigidly supported by the frame, and a clamp plate supported by the gusset and spaced a distance therefrom to form a channel between at least a portion of the gusset and the clamp plate. At least a portion of the post positioned within the channel and clamped between the gusset and the clamp plate.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cabinet, comprising: 
 a frame;    a post; and    a connector assembly adapted to connect the post to the frame, the connector assembly comprising: 
 a gusset precisely located and rigidly supported by the frame;  
 a clamp plate supported by the gusset and spaced a distance therefrom to form a channel between at least a portion of the gusset and the clamp plate, at least a portion of the post positioned within the channel and clamped between the gusset and the clamp plate.  
   
     
     
         2 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a horizontal wall and one or more slots formed in the horizontal wall, and wherein the gusset includes at least one tab positioned within the slot formed in the frame.  
     
     
         3 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the frame includes a vertical sidewall and the gusset includes a vertical sidewall, at least one of the frame and the gusset having a hole formed in the vertical sidewall, and the other one of the frame and the gusset having a semi-shear positioned in the hole.  
     
     
         4 . The cabinet of  claim 3 , wherein the frame has the hole and the gusset has the semi-shear.  
     
     
         5 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the frame and the gusset include mutually orthogonal vertical sidewalls positioned adjacent to one another.  
     
     
         6 . The cabinet of  claim 1 , wherein the frame defines a corner cutout, and wherein the post is positioned within at least a portion of the corner cutout.  
     
     
         7 . A method for constructing a cabinet, comprising the steps of: 
 connecting a gusset to a frame;    positioning a clamp plate a distance away from the gusset such that a channel is formed between at least a portion of the gusset and the clamp plate;    positioning at least a portion of a post in the channel; and    moving the clamp plate relative to the gusset to clamp the post between the clamp plate and the gusset.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the frame includes a horizontal wall and one or more slots formed in the horizontal wall, and wherein the method further comprises the step of positioning a tab of the gusset within the slot formed in the frame.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the frame includes a vertical sidewall and the gusset includes a vertical sidewall, at least one of the frame and the gusset having a hole formed in the vertical sidewall, and wherein the method further comprises the step of positioning the other one of the frame and the gusset in the hole.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the frame has the hole and the gusset has the semi-shear.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the frame and the gusset include mutually orthogonal vertical sidewalls, and the step of connecting the gusset to the frame includes the step of positioning the mutually orthogonal vertical sidewalls adjacent to one another.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the frame defines a corner cutout, and wherein the step of positioning at least a portion of the post in the channel is defined further as positioning at least a portion of the post within the corner cutout.