Universal Mounting Channel

Abstract

A universal mounting channel for use in an electronic equipment cabinet is provided which allows various mounting structures to be secured to the channel at various locations along the channel. The channel includes an elongate slot extending along the entire length of the channel and a number of opposed pairs of openings disposed on opposite sides of the slot. The slot allows for the mounting members to be slid along the channel while the openings allow for the mounting members to be aligned at the same position with each channel to which the rail is secured to ensure the mounting members are attached to the channels at the desired location. Each channel also includes apertures along each side of the channel to which ties or straps can be attached that secure cable bundles along the sides of the channels.

1 . A universal mounting channel for use within an electronic equipment cabinet, the channel comprising;
 a) a pair of side sections adapted to be secured to the frame of the cabinet;   b) a central section extending between the side sections; and   c) a number of alignment markings located on at least one of the side sections or the central section.   
   
   
       2 . The channel of  claim 1  further comprising opposed pairs of alignment markings located on opposite sides of the central section. 
   
   
       3 . The channel of  claim 1  wherein the alignment markings are spaced equidistant from one another. 
   
   
       4 . The channel of  claim 1  wherein the central section includes an elongate slot having a pair of enlarged notches spaced from one another and spaced from opposite ends of the slot. 
   
   
       5 . The channel of  claim 4  wherein the notches are oriented generally perpendicular to the slot. 
   
   
       6 . The channel of  claim 1  wherein the pair of side sections are disposed in an offset position with regard to the central section. 
   
   
       7 . The channel of  claim 6  wherein the pair of side sections and the central section define a channel having a generally U-shaped configuration. 
   
   
       8 . The channel of  claim 1  further comprising a number of cable attachment apertures disposed on at least one of the pair of side sections in a manner that positions the apertures in a first plane different from a second plane in which a mounting rail is adapted to be secured to the channel. 
   
   
       9 . The channel of  claim 8  wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane. 
   
   
       10 . The channel of  claim 1  wherein each of the pair of side sections includes a mounting aperture disposed adjacent opposite ends of each side section. 
   
   
       11 . An enclosure for electrical components comprising:
 a) a frame defining a top end and a bottom end with a number of frame rails extending between the top end and bottom end;   b) at least one mounting channel secured between the frame rails, the at least one mounting channel including a pair of side sections secured to the frame rails and a central section extending between the side sections and including a number of cable attachment apertures disposed on at least one of the pair of side sections in a manner that positions the apertures in a first plane different from a second plane in which a mounting rail is adapted to be secured to the at least one channel; and   c) at least one mounting rail movably secured to the at least one mounting channel.   
   
   
       12 . The enclosure of  claim 11  further comprising at least two channels mounted to the same side of the enclosure. 
   
   
       13 . In the enclosure of  claim 11  further comprising a number of alignment markings located on at least one of the side sections or the central section. 
   
   
       14 . A universal mounting channel for use within an electronic equipment cabinet, the channel comprising;
 a) a pair of side sections adapted to be secured to the frame of the cabinet;   b) a central section extending between the side sections; and   c) a number of cable attachment apertures disposed on at least one of the pair of side sections in a manner that positions the apertures in a first plane that is different from a second plane formed by the central section.   
   
   
       15 . The channel of  claim 14  wherein the first plane is perpendicular to the second plane. 
   
   
       16 . The channel of  claim 14  further comprising a number of alignment markings located on at least one of the side sections or the central section. 
   
   
       17 . A method for securing electronic equipment within an enclosure, the method comprising:
 a) providing an enclosure having a frame defining a top end and a bottom end with a number of frame rails extending between the top end and the bottom end;   b) securing at least two mounting channels to the frame rails, the at least two mounting channels including a pair of side sections secured to the frame rails and a central section extending between the side sections and including a number of marking indicators on at least one side of the center section;   c) attaching at least one equipment mounting rail to the at least two mounting channels; and   d) mounting a piece of electronic equipment to the at least one equipment mounting rail.   
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the step of attaching and the at least one equipment mounting rail to the at least two mounting channels comprises:
 a) aligning the at east one mounting rail with corresponding marking indicators on each of the at least two mounting channels at a desired position for the at least one mounting rail; and   b) engaging the at least one mounting rail with each of the at least two mounting channels at the desired position.   
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the at least two mounting channels each include a number of cable attachment apertures disposed on at least one of the pair of side sections in a manner that positions the apertures in a first plane that is different from a second plane formed by the central section, the method further comprising the step of engaging cables or wiring connected to piece of electronic equipment to the at least two mounting channels with the number of cable attachment openings. 
   
   
       20 . A mounting channel for securing one or more pieces of electronic equipment within an enclosure, the channel comprising:
 a) a body adapted to be secured to the enclosure;   b) a number of alignment markings located on the body and adapted to be used to align a mounting rail on the body; and   c) a number of cable attachment apertures disposed on the body in a first plane that is different from a second plane formed by the body.