Data processing equipment structure

Abstract

A data processing equipment structure includes a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame components, which, together, define an equipment structure frame, and a plurality of panels disposed relative to the equipment structure frame to define a periphery. At least one of the plurality of vertical and horizontal frame components is an extruded strut having a generally uniform cross-section. The extruded strut includes an outwardly-facing channel extending along each of a pair of opposing sides of the extruded strut, at least one of which includes a set of evenly-spaced ridges, extending along each of two sides of the channel, for accommodating a threaded fastener. The extruded strut further includes one or more ledges, each having a depth sufficient to accommodate a thickness of one of the plurality of panels.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 : A method of arranging frame components at an angle within a data processing equipment structure, the method comprising:
 providing first and second extruded struts, each of which has a uniform cross-section and includes at least one channel extending along a side thereof;   providing a gusset including a body, having a triangular shape, and first and second mounting plates, wherein each mounting plate extends generally perpendicularly from a respective edge of the body, and wherein each mounting plate includes a mounting aperture and a positioning tab;   placing the positioning tab of the first mounting plate into the at least one channel of the first extruded strut;   positioning a first fastener through the mounting aperture of the first mounting plate and into the at least one channel of the first extruded strut;   placing the positioning tab of the second mounting plate into the at least one channel of the second extruded strut; and   positioning a second fastener through the mounting aperture of the second mounting plate and into the at least one channel of the second extruded strut.   
     
     
         2 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first extruded strut is a vertical frame component and the second extruded strut is a horizontal frame component. 
     
     
         3 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second extruded struts are arranged at a perpendicular angle relative to one another. 
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second extruded struts have identical dimensions. 
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second fasteners are threaded fasteners. 
     
     
         6 : A data processing equipment structure comprising:
 a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame components, which, together, define an equipment structure frame;   a plurality of panels disposed relative to the equipment structure frame to define a periphery; and   at least one gusset connecting at least one of the vertical frame components with at least one of the horizontal frame components, the at least one gusset comprising:
 a body having a triangular shape; and 
 a pair of mounting plates, each extending generally perpendicularly from a respective edge of the body and each including a mounting aperture; 
   wherein each mounting plate accommodates a fastener extending through the mounting aperture such that one of the pair of mounting plates is secured to the at least one vertical frame component and the other of the pair of mounting plates is secured to the horizontal frame component.   
     
     
         7 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the plurality of vertical and horizontal frame components is an extruded strut having a uniform cross-section. 
     
     
         8 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 7 , wherein the extruded strut is a vertical frame component. 
     
     
         9 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 7 , wherein the extruded strut is a horizontal frame component. 
     
     
         10 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 6 , wherein each of at least one of the vertical frame components and at least one of the horizontal frame components is an extruded strut having identical dimensions with each other. 
     
     
         11 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 6 , wherein one of the fasteners extends through the mounting aperture of one of the mounting plates and is received within the corresponding channel of the at least one vertical frame component, and the other of the fasteners extends through the mounting aperture of the other of the mounting plates and is received within the corresponding channel of the at least one horizontal frame component. 
     
     
         12 : A data processing equipment structure comprising:
 a plurality of vertical and horizontal frame components, which, together, define an equipment structure frame;   a plurality of panels disposed relative to the equipment structure frame to define a periphery; and   a gusset connecting one of the vertical frame components with one of the horizontal frame components, the gusset including a body, having a triangular shape, and a mounting plate extending generally perpendicularly from one of the edges of the body, the mounting plate including a mounting aperture;   wherein at least one of the vertical frame component and the horizontal frame component with which the gusset is connected is an extruded strut having a uniform cross-section, the extruded strut including at least one channel extending along a side thereof; and   wherein the mounting plate accommodates a fastener extending through the mounting aperture and received within the at least one channel of the extruded strut.   
     
     
         13 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one channel is a first channel, and wherein the extruded strut further includes a second channel extending along an opposite side thereof. 
     
     
         14 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second channels of the extruded strut are aligned with each other. 
     
     
         15 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 12 , wherein the extruded strut includes one or more ledges to accommodate a thickness of one of the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         16 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 12 , wherein the extruded strut is a vertical frame component. 
     
     
         17 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 12 , wherein the extruded strut is a horizontal frame component. 
     
     
         18 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 12 , wherein each of the vertical frame component and the horizontal frame component with which the gusset is connected is an extruded strut having identical dimensions with each other. 
     
     
         19 : The data processing equipment structure of  claim 12 , wherein the mounting plate includes at least one positioning tab that extends into the at least one channel of the extruded strut.