Leveling foot assembly for equipment rack

Abstract

A leveling foot assembly includes a foot and a rod secured to the foot. The rod includes a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion, and a third unthreaded portion between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. The leveling foot assembly also includes a leveling nut configured to engage the first threaded portion of the lever when the foot is in the raised position and configured to engage the second threaded portion of the nut when the foot is in the lowered position.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to enclosures and equipment racks and, more particularly, to enclosures and equipment racks for housing data processing, networking and telecommunications equipment. Background Art

[0002] Equipment racks or enclosures for electronic equipment, such as data processing, networking, and telecommunications equipment, have been in use for many years. Such equipment racks are typically moved into position by rolling the equipment rack on casters provided at the bottom of the equipment rack. Specifically, four casters are provided at the four corners of the bottom of the equipment rack to provide proper support for the equipment rack during transportation. Once positioned, in order to remove the weight of the equipment rack from the casters and maintain the equipment rack in a level position, four leveling feet are provided at the bottom of the equipment rack. Leveling feet are also provided at the four corners of the equipment rack, adjacent to their respective casters. Figure 1 A corner of an equipment rack 2 with casters 4 and leveling feet 6 is shown.

[0003] Currently, most leveling feet do not have top access because of the limited space between the leveling nut associated with the leveling foot and the bottom frame of the equipment rack. People installing equipment racks typically adjust the leveling feet by rotating the leveling nut from one side of the leveling foot. This is a slow and inconvenient process because the installer must adjust each leveling foot of the equipment rack so that the leveling foot extends beyond the caster. Rotating the leveling foot so that the stem of the leveling foot passes through the leveling nut along the entire length of the stem is time consuming and inconvenient. Summary of the invention

[0004] One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a leveling foot assembly, including a foot and a rod secured to the foot. The rod includes a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion, and a third non-threaded portion between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. The leveling foot assembly also includes a leveling nut configured to engage the first threaded portion of the rod when the foot is in a raised position, and configured to engage the second threaded portion of the nut when the foot is in a lowered position.

[0005] Embodiments of the leveling foot assembly may further include a spring configured to move the rod to the lowered position. The leveling foot assembly may further include a spring configured to move the rod to the lowered position when the threads of the leveling nut disengage from the threads of the first threaded portion. The spring may also be configured to engage a shoulder of the second threaded portion to move the rod to the lowered position. The leveling nut may be securely fixed and the rod rotates relative to the leveling nut. The leveling nut may be securely fixed to the frame of the rack equipment rack. The leveling foot assembly may further include a swivel nut securely fastened to the rod, the swivel nut being located between the foot and the first threaded portion of the rod. When the foot is in the raised position, when the leveling nut engages the first threaded portion of the rod, the foot may be located above the caster of the equipment rack. The leveling nut may be securely fixed to the frame of the rack equipment rack, the swivel nut may be securely fixed to the rod, and the rod is configured to rotate relative to the leveling nut. The leveling foot assembly may further include a spring configured to bias the rod toward the lowered position, the spring configured to move the rod to the lowered position when the leveling nut disengages from the first threaded portion. The spring may also be configured to engage a shoulder of the second threaded portion to bias the rod toward the lowered position.When the rod is moved from the raised position to the lowered position, the leveling nut may pass over the third non-threaded portion without interference.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method for positioning a leveling foot assembly. In one embodiment, the method includes: providing a rod fixed to the foot, the rod being configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position; when the rod is in the raised position, rotating the rod to disengage threads of a first threaded portion of the rod from threads of a leveling nut; once disengaged, moving the rod to a lowered position to position threads of a second threaded portion of the rod next to threads of the leveling nut; and rotating the rod to engage threads of the second threaded portion of the rod with threads of the leveling nut.

[0007] Embodiments of the method may further include biasing the rod with a spring configured to move the rod to a lowered position. The leveling nut may be securely secured to a frame of the rack equipment rack. The swivel nut may be located between the foot and the first threaded portion of the rod. When the foot is in the raised position, the foot may be located above a caster of the equipment rack when the leveling nut engages the first threaded portion of the rod. Further, the method may include securing the leveling nut to the frame of the rack equipment rack and securing the swivel nut to the rod, the rod being configured to rotate relative to the leveling nut. When the rod is moved from the raised position to the lowered position, the leveling nut may pass over a third unthreaded portion of the rod without interference, the third unthreaded portion being located between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. The method may further include returning the rod to the raised position by rotating the rod to disengage the threads of the second threaded portion of the rod from the threads of the leveling nut, moving the rod to the raised position to position the threads of the first threaded portion next to the threads of the leveling nut, and rotating the rod to engage the threads of the first threaded portion of the rod with the threads of the leveling nut.

[0008] The invention will be more fully understood after reviewing the following drawings, detailed description, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, wherein:

[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an equipment rack having casters and leveling feet according to a known embodiment;

[0011] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of an equipment rack having a leveling foot assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, showing the leveling foot assembly in a raised or retracted position;

[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Another perspective view of the leveling foot assembly is shown, showing the leveling foot assembly in a lowered or extended position;

[0013] Figure 4 is a side view of the leveling foot assembly in a raised position;

[0014] Figure 5 is a side view of the leveling foot assembly in a lowered position;

[0015] Figure 6 is a side view of a rod of a leveling foot assembly having a leveling foot and a swivel nut configured to swivel the rod; and

[0016] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a leveling foot assembly according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] For the purpose of illustration only, and not to limit the generality, the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited in its application to the structural details and component arrangements set forth in the following description or shown in the accompanying drawings. The present invention can have other embodiments and can be practiced or implemented in various ways. In addition, the words and terms used herein are for descriptive purposes and should not be considered restrictive. The use of "including", "comprising", "having", "containing", "involving" and their variations herein means to include the items listed thereafter and their equivalents as well as additional items.

[0018] Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a leveling foot assembly for an equipment rack that enables a person deploying a leveling foot for an equipment rack to avoid having to rotate the entire thread of a rod when adjusting the leveling foot. In a certain embodiment, a spring is provided to bias the leveling foot from a raised or retracted position to a lowered or extended position to assist a person in installing the leveling foot in an efficient and convenient manner. The leveling foot assembly is intended to assist a customer in avoiding rotating or unscrewing the entire rod when adjusting the leveling foot.

[0019] Equipment racks are provided to support electronic equipment, such as data processing and network equipment (e.g., servers, server blades, associated power distribution equipment, etc.) and telecommunications equipment. In some embodiments, the equipment rack is a rectangular box-like structure that is configured so that it can be assembled or connected with other similarly shaped structures. In certain embodiments, the equipment rack has a front door assembly, a rear door assembly, a pair of side walls, a bottom wall, and a top cover or "roof plate." The equipment rack can be adjustably configured to accommodate equipment of various shapes and sizes.

[0020] As above reference Figure 1 The bottom of the frame of the equipment rack includes casters disposed at the four corners of the equipment rack. In some embodiments, a single caster is provided at each corner of the equipment rack. In other embodiments, two or more casters are used at each corner of the equipment rack. In order to remove the weight of the equipment rack from the casters and keep the equipment rack in a horizontal position, four leveling feet are provided at the bottom of the equipment rack. Each leveling foot is constructed in a similar manner and can be raised or lowered by turning a screw with a suitable tool, such as a wrench.

[0021] refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 , an embodiment of a leveling foot assembly of an embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated at 10. As shown, the leveling foot assembly 10 is secured within a frame member 12 of an equipment rack. Specifically, the leveling foot assembly 10 is vertically oriented within the frame member 12, which is positioned at a corner of the equipment rack. The leveling foot assembly 10 is configured to be moved from a raised or retracted position ( Figure 2 ) to the lowered or extended position ( Figure 3 As described above, in the raised position, the leveling foot assembly 10 is located above the casters to enable the equipment rack to roll along a flat surface, such as the floor of a data center. In the lowered position, the leveling foot assembly 10 is located below the casters to support the equipment rack.

[0022] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5, the leveling foot assembly 10 includes a foot 14 and a rod (generally indicated at 16) with one end of the rod secured to the foot. As shown, the foot 14 is disc-shaped and rests on a generally flat surface, such as a floor. The foot 14 may be formed as an integral part of the rod 16 or may be secured to the rod by a suitable coupling, such as a bearing. The foot 14 may have a relatively soft bottom surface, such as an elastomer or rubber, to protect the flat surface it engages.

[0023] In one embodiment, Figure 6 As best shown, the rod 16 includes a generally cylindrical body 18 having a first threaded portion 20 located near the foot 14, a second threaded portion 22 located at the distal end of the rod, and a third non-threaded portion 24 located between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. In one embodiment, the third non-threaded portion 24 includes a smooth outer surface. As shown, the diameter of the first threaded portion 20 and the second threaded portion 22 is greater than the diameter of the third non-threaded portion 24. The number of threads provided on each of the first threaded portion 20 and the second threaded portion 22 can be selected based on the size of the leveling foot assembly 10 and the size of the caster supporting the equipment rack. As the description of the leveling foot assembly 10 proceeds, the purpose of the first threaded portion 20 and the second threaded portion 22 will become apparent.

[0024] The leveling foot assembly 10 also includes a leveling nut 26, which in one embodiment is securely fixed, and the rod 16 is configured to be inserted into and rotated relative to the leveling nut. In one embodiment, the leveling nut 26 is securely fixed to the frame member 12 of the equipment rack. Figure 4 and Figure 5 In one example, the leveling nut 26 is fixed to the frame member 12 of the equipment rack by welding the leveling nut to the frame member. The leveling nut 26 includes an internal thread that is threadably mated with the external thread of the first threaded portion 20 and the external thread of the second threaded portion 22.

[0025] Since the leveling nut 26 is fixed in place on the frame member 12 of the equipment rack, when the first threaded portion 20 or the second threaded portion 22 of the rod 16 threadably engages the leveling nut, the rod is configured to move axially in the up-and-down direction depending on whether the rod is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise when the first threaded portion or the second threaded portion engages the leveling nut. This arrangement enables the leveling nut 26 to be configured to engage the first threaded portion 20 of the rod 16 when the foot 14 is in the raised position, and to engage the second threaded portion 22 of the leveling nut when the foot is in the lowered position. For each threaded portion 20, 22, by rotating the rod 16 clockwise, the length of the rod extending below the leveling nut 26 increases (extends), and conversely, by rotating the rod counterclockwise, the length of the rod below the leveling nut decreases (retracts).

[0026] The inner diameter of the leveling nut 26 is greater than the outer diameter of the smooth third unthreaded portion 24 of the rod 16. When the internal threads of the leveling nut 26 disengage the external threads of the first threaded portion 20, the leveling nut is released to move over the third unthreaded portion 24 of the rod 16 to a position where the internal threads of the leveling nut engage the external threads of the second threaded portion 22.

[0027] like Figure 2 and 4 As shown, the first threaded portion 20 of the rod 16 engages the leveling nut 26 to secure the rod in the raised (retracted) position. At any point along the length of the first threaded portion 20, when the outer threads of the first threaded portion engage the inner threads of the leveling nut 26, the foot 14 is raised above the caster 28 so that the caster can roll freely along the flat surface on which the equipment rack rests.

[0028] like Figure 3 and 5 As shown, the second threaded portion 22 of the rod 16 engages the leveling nut 26 to secure the rod in the lowered (extended) position. At any point along the length of the second threaded portion 22, when the outer threads of the second threaded portion engage the inner threads of the leveling nut 26, the foot 14 is lowered under the caster 28 to enable the leveling foot assembly 10 to support the equipment rack on a flat surface.

[0029] The leveling foot assembly 10 also includes a means for biasing the rod 16 toward the lowered (extended) position. Specifically, the means is configured to exert a downward force on the rod 16, as shown. In one embodiment, the means includes a coil spring 30 configured to move the rod 16 to the lowered position when the internal threads of the leveling nut 26 disengage the external threads of the first threaded portion 20. One end of the spring 30 engages the frame member 12 of the housing, and the opposite end of the spring engages the shoulder 32 ( Figure 6 ), to move the rod to the lowered position. In certain embodiments, the end of the spring 30 that engages the frame member 12 may be located within a pocket or recess formed in the frame member. It should be noted that any type of device, including a spring other than a coil spring, may be provided to exert a downward force on the rod 16 to bias the rod toward the lowered position.

[0030] The leveling foot assembly 10 also includes a swivel nut 34 that is securely secured to the body 18 of the rod 16. The swivel nut 34 is provided to a user to rotate the rod 16 relative to the leveling nut 26. In one embodiment, the swivel nut 34 includes a locking nut that is welded or otherwise secured to the body 18 of the rod 16. In other embodiments, the swivel nut 34 may be integrally formed with the body 18 of the rod 16. As shown, the swivel nut 34 is located between the foot 14 and the first threaded portion 20 of the rod 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer surface of the swivel nut 34 is hexagonal in shape, which allows an open-ended wrench to rotate the rod 16, thereby raising or lowering the foot 14 of the leveling foot assembly 10. A person operating the leveling foot assembly 10 engages the swivel nut 34 with a wrench in a conventional manner to rotate the swivel nut and the rod 16 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

[0031] During operation, the equipment racks are typically provided with the leveling feet 14 of the leveling foot assemblies 10 in their raised position prior to being deployed in the data center. To achieve this position, for each leveling foot assembly 10, the outer threads of the first threaded portion 20 are positioned adjacent the inner threads of the leveling nut 26, which is secured in place on the frame member 12 of the equipment rack. The rod 16 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to thread the rod to the leveling nut 26. All of the leveling foot assemblies 10 of the equipment rack are moved to the raised position. This enables the equipment rack to roll along a flat surface on the casters 28.

[0032] Once the equipment rack is positioned, the leveling foot assembly 10 can be moved to the lowered position. Specifically, for each leveling foot assembly 10, the rod 16 is rotated clockwise to threadably release the rod from the leveling nut 26. Once released, the spring 30 moves the rod 16 toward the lowered position so that the outer threads of the second threaded portion 22 engage the inner threads of the leveling nut 26. It should be understood that the person responsible for leveling the equipment rack does not have to rotate the rod 16 of the leveling foot assembly 10 over the entire length of the rod, because the rod is free to move downward until the outer threads of the second threaded portion 22 engage the inner threads of the leveling nut 26. In this position, the rod 16 is rotated clockwise to more fully engage the outer threads of the second threaded portion 22 with the inner threads of the leveling nut 26 and position the leveling foot assembly at the desired height or position. It should be noted that when the rod 16 is moved from the raised position to the lowered position by means of the spring 30, the leveling nut 26 passes over the third non-threaded portion 24 of the rod without interference.

[0033] To return the rod 16 of each leveling foot assembly 10 to the raised position, the rod is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to disengage the external threads of the second threaded portion 22 of the rod from the internal threads of the leveling nut 26. The rod 16 is moved to the raised position against the bias of the spring 30 to position the threads of the first threaded portion 20 alongside the internal threads of the leveling nut 26. Once engaged, the rod 16 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction to threadably engage the external threads of the first threaded portion 20 of the rod with the internal threads of the leveling nut 26.

[0034] Embodiments of the leveling foot assembly of the present disclosure may be modified depending on the size and weight of the equipment rack and / or the distance the equipment rack is raised from the surface. For example, the length of the body 14 of the rod 16 may be lengthened or shortened, the diameter of the rod body may be increased or decreased, and / or the length of each threaded portion 20, 22 may be increased or decreased, and the pitch of the threads may be varied.

[0035] For example, refer to Figure 7 , another embodiment of the leveling foot assembly of the present disclosure is generally indicated at 40. As shown, the leveling foot assembly 10 is similar in construction to the leveling foot assembly 10 and is configured to be vertically oriented within a frame member of the equipment rack at a corner of the equipment rack. In addition, the leveling foot assembly 40 is configured to move from a raised position to a lowered position. The leveling foot assembly 40 includes a foot 44 and a rod 46, one end of which is fixed to the foot. As shown, the foot 44 is in the shape of a disk and rests on a generally flat surface, such as the floor of a data center. The rod 46 includes a generally cylindrical body 48, the body 48 having a first threaded portion 50 located near the foot 44, a second threaded portion 52 located at a distal end of the rod, and a third non-threaded portion 54 located between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion. The first threaded portion 50 and the second threaded portion 52 of the leveling foot assembly 40 are configured to threadably engage the leveling nut in a manner similar to the manner in which the leveling nut 26 engages the first threaded portion 20 and the second threaded portion 22 of the leveling foot assembly 10. The leveling foot assembly 40 also includes a swivel nut 64 that is securely secured to the body 48 of the rod 46 just below the second threaded portion 52. As with the swivel nut 34, the swivel nut 64 is provided to the user to swivel the rod 46 relative to the leveling nut. Although not shown, the leveling foot assembly 40 also includes a spring to bias the rod 46 toward the lowered (extended) position.

[0036] The leveling foot assembly 40 is configured so that the foot 44 can rotate relative to the body 48 of the rod 46. Specifically, the leveling foot assembly 40 includes a ball and socket joint to enable rotational movement of the foot 44 relative to the rod 46. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the body 48 of the rod 46 includes a ball 70 that is press-fitted into a socket 72 formed in the foot 44.

[0037] Having described at least one embodiment of the present invention, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate various substitutions, modifications and improvements. These substitutions, modifications and improvements are intended to fall within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing description is merely exemplary and not restrictive. The limitations of the present invention are defined only in the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A leveling foot assembly, comprising: foot; a rod secured to the foot, the rod comprising a first threaded portion, a second threaded portion, and a third unthreaded portion between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion; and A leveling nut is configured to engage the first threaded portion of the rod when the foot is in the raised position and is configured to engage the second threaded portion of the nut when the foot is in the lowered position.

2. The leveling foot assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a spring configured to move the rod to the lowered position.

3. The leveling foot assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring configured to move the rod to the lowered position when the threads of the leveling nut disengage from the threads of the first threaded portion.

4. The leveling foot assembly according to claim 2, wherein: The spring is also configured to engage a shoulder of the second threaded portion to move the rod to the lowered position.

5. The leveling foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The leveling nut is securely fixed, and the rod rotates relative to the leveling nut.

6. The leveling foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The leveling nuts are securely fastened to the frame of the rack equipment rack.

7. The leveling foot assembly of claim 1, further comprising a swivel nut secured to the rod, the swivel nut being located between the foot and the first threaded portion of the rod.

8. The leveling foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein: When the foot is in the raised position, the foot is positioned over the caster of the equipment rack when the leveling nut is engaged with the first threaded portion of the rod.

9. The leveling foot assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The leveling nut is fixedly secured to a frame of the rack equipment rack, and the swivel nut is fixedly secured to the rod, the rod being configured to rotate relative to the leveling nut.

10. The leveling foot assembly of claim 11, further comprising a spring configured to bias the rod toward the lowered position, the spring configured to move the rod to the lowered position when the leveling nut is disengaged from the first threaded portion.

11. The leveling foot assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The spring is also configured to engage a shoulder of the second threaded portion to bias the rod toward the lowered position.

12. The leveling foot assembly of claim 1, wherein: When the rod is moved from the raised position to the lowered position, the leveling nut passes over the third unthreaded portion without interference.

13. A method of positioning a leveling foot assembly, the method comprising: providing a bar secured to the foot, the bar being configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position; When the rod is in the raised position, rotating the rod to disengage the threads of the first threaded portion of the rod from the threads of the leveling nut; Once disengaged, moving the rod to a lowered position to position the threads of the second threaded portion of the rod next to the threads of the leveling nut; and The rod is rotated to engage the threads of the second threaded portion of the rod with the threads of the leveling nut.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: A spring is provided to move the rod to the lowered position.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The leveling nuts are securely fastened to the frame of the rack equipment rack.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein: A swivel nut is located between the foot and the first threaded portion of the rod.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein: When the foot is in the raised position, the foot is positioned over a caster of the equipment rack when the leveling nut is engaged with the first threaded portion of the rod.

18. The method of claim 13, further comprising securing the leveling nut to a frame of a rack equipment rack and securing the swivel nut to the rod, the rod being configured to rotate relative to the leveling nut.

19. The method according to claim 13, wherein: When the rod is moved from the raised position to the lowered position, the leveling nut passes over the third unthreaded portion of the rod without interference, the third unthreaded portion being located between the first threaded portion and the second threaded portion.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising returning the rod to a raised position, wherein returning the rod to a raised position comprises: rotating the rod to disengage the threads of the second threaded portion of the rod from the threads of the leveling nut, moving the rod to a raised position to position the threads of the first threaded portion next to the threads of the leveling nut, and The rod is rotated to engage the threads of the first threaded portion of the rod with the threads of the leveling nut.

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