Cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment. The cabinet may include: a body for accommodating an electronic device; a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the body, with each leg secured to a different bottom corner of the body; a plurality of balls, each ball being fixed to one of the legs; and a plurality of support cups configured to be secured to a support surface.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Indian Provisional Patent Application no. 202321059238 filed on September 4, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates generally to electronic equipment racks and, more particularly, to seismic bearings for electronic equipment racks. Background Art

[0004] Description of Related Art Outside Plant (OSP) cabinets are exposed to a variety of environmental conditions that may include earthquakes. In at least some cases, such electronic equipment cabinets need to meet the seismic requirements of the area or location where the electronic equipment cabinet is intended to be installed.

[0005] Existing cabinet designs may have a stud structure or base structure on which the cabinet is mounted. The entire weight of the cabinet may rest on a support structure, which is typically fixed to the ground or floor. Whenever an external force is applied, such as due to an earthquake or other vibration, a physical imbalance of the support structure may occur, which may disturb the support structure and produce movement in the support structure. Such vibrations and / or movement may be transmitted to the cabinet, which may cause the cabinet to lose its stability and / or be subjected to relatively high movement and / or stress. The resulting cabinet failure may damage the equipment installed in the cabinet and / or interrupt the operation of the equipment. Some cabinets include additional structures for increasing rigidity, etc., in an attempt to overcome or prevent such problems. However, this approach may increase the cost and weight of the cabinet. Summary of the invention

[0006] Applicants have created novel and useful devices, systems, and methods for seismic supports for electronic equipment cabinets. In at least one embodiment, a cabinet for housing electronic equipment can be mounted to a support surface, and the cabinet can include a body for housing the electronic equipment, a plurality of support cups secured to the support surface, a plurality of legs extending downward from the body, a plurality of balls, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, each ball can be secured to one of the legs and / or can rest in one of the cups. In at least one embodiment, a cabinet for housing electronic equipment can include four support cups, four balls, four legs, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be secured to one of the four bottom corners of the body of the cabinet.

[0007] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include a concave upper surface configured to receive one of the spherical members. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the concave upper surfaces may be curved symmetrically in two dimensions. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include a peripheral edge or other stopper configured to keep the spherical member within the periphery or boundary of the concave upper surface. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include an elastic boot that seals the concave upper surface to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include a lubricant located within the boot. In at least one embodiment, the lubricant may provide lubrication between the spherical member and the concave upper surface.

[0008] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigid. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigidly attached to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigidly attached to the bottom surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, each of the legs may be rigidly attached to a different corner of the bottom surface of the cabinet.

[0009] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be flexible and / or flexibly mounted to the cabinet, such as flexibly mounted to different corners of the bottom surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can extend downward from the cabinet, extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, through the elasticity of the legs, one or more of the legs can be biased to extend downward from the cabinet, extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet.

[0010] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigid and flexibly mounted to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be flexibly mounted to the cabinet via one or more swivel joints. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the swivel joints may be configured to rotate around one or more axes. In at least one embodiment, two or more of the axes may be parallel. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the swivel joints may be configured to rotate around two perpendicular axes. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be biased toward a stationary position via one or more springs.

[0011] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may include a curved surface configured to contact a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, the curved surface may be at least partially hemispherical. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to pivot in one or more directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to pivot in multiple directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to roll in one or more directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to roll in multiple directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups.

[0012] In at least one embodiment, a cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment can be mounted to a support surface, and the cabinet can include a body for accommodating the electronic equipment, four legs extending downward from the body, four balls, four support cups configured to receive one of the balls, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be fixed to different bottom corners of the body. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the balls can be fixed to one of the legs. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups can be fixed to the support surface in a rectangular pattern, such as in a rectangular pattern that matches the center spacing of the legs and is fixed to the support surface. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups can include a symmetrically curved concave upper surface configured to receive one of the balls. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups can include an elastic protective cover that seals the lubricant in the concave upper surface. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be flexibly mounted to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be biased to extend downwardly from the cabinet, such as perpendicularly downwardly from a bottom surface of the cabinet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 is a front view of one of many embodiments of currently available electronic equipment racks.

[0014] Figure 2is a front view of one of many embodiments of an electronic equipment rack having anti-vibration supports according to the present disclosure.

[0015] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A close-up front view of the seismic support.

[0016] Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing displacement in one direction.

[0017] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A close-up front view of the seismic support.

[0018] Figure 6 yes Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing the displacement in another direction.

[0019] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A close-up front view of the seismic support.

[0020] Figure 8 is a close-up elevation view of one of many embodiments of a seismic bearing according to the present disclosure.

[0021] Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A close-up front view of the seismic support.

[0022] Fig.10 is a front view of another of the many embodiments of an electronic equipment rack having anti-seismic supports according to the present disclosure.

[0023] Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A close-up front view of the seismic support.

[0024] Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing displacement in one direction.

[0025] Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A close-up front view of the seismic support.

[0026] Fig.14 yes Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing the displacement in another direction.

[0027] Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A close-up front view of the seismic support. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The above drawings and the following written description of specific structures and functions are not intended to limit the scope of the applicant's invention or the scope of the appended claims. On the contrary, the drawings and written descriptions are provided to teach any person skilled in the art to make and use the present invention for which patent protection is sought. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, not all features of the commercial implementation of the present invention are described or shown. It will also be understood by those skilled in the art that the development of an actual commercial implementation incorporating various aspects of the present invention will require many implementation-specific decisions to achieve the ultimate goal of the developer for the commercial implementation. Such implementation-specific decisions may include, but do not appear to be limited to, compliance with system-related, business-related, government-related and other constraints, which may vary depending on the specific implementation, location and time. Although the efforts of the developer may be complex and time-consuming in an absolute sense, these efforts will be no more than a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the present disclosure. It must be understood that the invention disclosed and taught herein is susceptible to many and various modifications and alternative forms.

[0029] The use of singular terms such as but not limited to "one" does not mean the quantity of limiting items. In addition, for the sake of clarity, in the written description specifically with reference to the accompanying drawings, relational terms such as but not limited to "top", "bottom", "left", "right", "upper", "lower", "upper", "side" are used, and these relational terms are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention or the appended claims. The terms "including" and "such as" are illustrative, rather than restrictive. The terms "will ... connect (couple)", "coupled (coupled)", "connect (coupling)", "coupler (coupler)" and similar terms are widely used in this article and can include such any method or device, described any method or device is used to fix, combine, bond, fasten, attach, engage, insert therein, be formed thereon or therein, for communicating together by intermediate element, one or more pieces of components or being associated in other ways such as mechanically, magnetically, electrically, chemically, operably, directly or indirectly, and these terms and similar terms can also include but not limited to forming a functional component with another functional component in an integral manner in an integral manner. Connection can occur in any direction, including rotationally connecting. In addition, all physically achievable parts and components of the present disclosure inherently include fictitious and real features, whether or not such features are explicitly described herein, including but not limited to features such as axes, ends, inner and outer surfaces, interior spaces, tops, bottoms, sides, boundaries, dimensions (e.g., height, length, width, thickness), mass, weight, volume, and density.

[0030] Any process flow chart discussed herein illustrates the operation of possible implementations of the system, method and computer program product according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In this regard, each box in the flow chart may represent a module, fragment or part of the code, which may include one or more executable instructions for implementing a specified logical function. It should also be noted that in some implementations, the functions indicated in the box may not occur in the order depicted in the accompanying drawings. For example, the boxes shown in succession can actually be executed substantially simultaneously. It will also be noted that each box in the flow chart diagram can be implemented by a special-purpose hardware-based system or a combination of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions that performs a specified function or action.

[0031] Applicants have created novel and useful apparatus, systems, and methods for seismic-resistant supports for electronic equipment cabinets. In at least one embodiment, a cabinet for housing electronic equipment may include a body for housing the electronic equipment, a plurality of support cups for securing to a surface or structure supporting the cabinet, a plurality of legs, and a plurality of balls for cooperating with the support cups to minimize or eliminate adverse effects of external forces or vibrations acting on the cabinet or the structure supporting the cabinet on the cabinet or its contents.

[0032] Figure 2 is a front view of one of many embodiments of an electronic equipment rack having anti-vibration supports according to the present disclosure. Figure 3 yes Figure 2 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing displacement in one direction. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Figure 6 yes Figure 2 FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing the displacement in another direction. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Figure 8 is a close-up elevation view of one of many embodiments of a seismic bearing according to the present disclosure. Fig. 9 yes Figure 8 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Fig.10 is a front view of another of the many embodiments of an electronic equipment rack having anti-seismic supports according to the present disclosure. Fig.11 yes Fig.10 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Fig.12 yes Fig.10 A front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing displacement in one direction. Fig.13 yes Fig.12 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Fig.14 yes Fig.10 FIG. 1 is a front view of an electronic equipment cabinet showing the displacement in another direction. Fig.15 yes Fig.14 A close-up front view of the seismic support. Figures 2 to 15 are described in conjunction with each other.

[0033] In at least one embodiment, a cabinet 100, such as a cabinet for housing electronic equipment, can be mounted to a support surface 102 and can include a body 104, such as a body for housing the electronic equipment. In at least one embodiment, the electronic equipment can include a computer server, a data storage device, a telecommunications device, a power supply, a network device, other electronic equipment, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the support surface 120 can be a floor, a base, a frame, or another structure configured to support the weight of the cabinet 100 and the contents of the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, the cabinet 100 can include a top surface and a bottom surface, one or more sides, one or more doors, or any combination thereof.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, the cabinet 100 may include one or more support cups or cradles 110 secured to the support surface 102, one or more legs 120 extending downwardly from the body 104, one or more balls 130, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, each ball 130 may be secured to one of the legs 120 and / or may rest in one of the cups 110. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the balls 130 may be pivoting balls or may otherwise be configured to pivot in one or more directions relative to the corresponding support cup 100, such as when external forces or vibrations from a seismic event act on the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, the cabinet 100, such as a cabinet for housing electronic equipment, may include four support cups 110, four legs 120, four balls 130, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 may be secured to one of the four bottom corners of the body 104 of the cabinet 100 .

[0035] In at least one embodiment, according to the present invention, one or more of the spherical members 130 (or for brevity, "spherical member 130") can be or include a spherical member or spherical element that is used to cooperate with a corresponding support cup 110 to support the cabinet 100 according to the present disclosure. In other words, as shown for exemplary purposes in Figures 2 to 15 As illustrated, in at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members 130 may be spherical (i.e., at least substantially spherical), and thus spherical in the conventional sense of the word "ball." However, this need not be the case, and in at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members 130 may be differently shaped. For example, in at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members 130 may have a hemispherical or semi-spherical surface for mating with a corresponding support cup 110, and the remainder of the spherical member 130 may be any shape for coupling with a corresponding leg 120. As another example, in at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members 130 may have one or more other curved or contoured surfaces (which may be symmetrical, asymmetrical, irregularly shaped, or otherwise) for mating with a corresponding support cup 110, which may include a continuous curvature, a discontinuous curvature, a series of linear or other shaped surfaces that approximate a curved surface, or any combination thereof. Furthermore, each of the balls 130 can be statically or dynamically coupled to a corresponding leg 120 as needed or desired by implementations of the present disclosure. For example, in at least one embodiment, one or more of the balls 130 can be configured to roll in one or more directions, such as along or otherwise relative to one or more surfaces of a corresponding support cup 110.

[0036] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 may include a concave upper surface 112 configured to receive one of the balls 130. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the concave upper surfaces 112 may be curved symmetrically in two dimensions, such as to allow the balls 130, and therefore the legs 120, and in turn the cabinet 100, to move relative to the support cups 110. For example, during a seismic event, the ground may shake, thereby causing the support surface 102 to shake, and in turn the support cups 110 to shake. By allowing movement between the support cups 110 and the balls 130, movement between the ground and the cabinet 100 may be allowed, thereby allowing the cabinet 100 to maintain position and stability during a seismic tremor or similar event. In at least one embodiment, when ball 130 rests at the lowest point of concave upper surface 112 , the weight of cabinet 100 and / or the contents of cabinet 100 biases cabinet 100 toward a desired position relative to support surface 102 .

[0037] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 may include one or more stops 114, such as one or more protrusions, edges, walls, or other retaining structures, configured to retain the ball 130 within the perimeter or other boundaries of the concave upper surface 112. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 may include an elastic boot 116 for at least partially sealing the concave upper surface 112 to the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 may include a lubricant 118, such as a lubricant 118 located within the boot 116. In at least one embodiment, the lubricant 118 may provide lubrication between the ball 130 and the concave upper surface 112 of the support cup 110.

[0038] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be rigid. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be rigidly attached to the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be rigidly attached to the bottom surface of the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, each of the legs 120 can be rigidly attached at a different corner of the bottom surface of the cabinet 100 or to a different corner of the bottom surface of the cabinet 100.

[0039] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be flexible and / or flexibly mounted to the cabinet 100, such as flexibly mounted to one or more corners or one or more other portions of the bottom of the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, for a given range of motion between the support cup 110 and the ball 130, making the legs 120 flexible and / or flexibly mounting the legs 120 to the cabinet 100 can allow for a greater range of motion between the ground and the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, this greater range of motion can provide greater shock resistance.

[0040] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 may extend downward from the cabinet 100, extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, through the elasticity of the legs, one or more of the legs 120 may be biased to extend downward from the cabinet 100, extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet 100. For example, in at least one embodiment, the flexible legs 120 may be elastic, so that the elasticity of the legs 120 may bias the ball 130 to a position centered within the support cup 110 and / or the lowest point of each concave upper surface of the concave upper surface 112 or bias the ball 130 toward a position centered within the support cup 110 and / or the lowest point of each concave upper surface of the concave upper surface 112. For example, in at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be made entirely or partially of an elastically deformable material (e.g., rubber, a polymer, or another elastomer), and the elasticity or resiliency of such material can support biasing the legs 120 and / or the ball 130 toward a normal resting position relative to the corresponding support cup 110, and can help resist or absorb forces acting on the cabinet 100 during a seismic event.

[0041] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be rigid and can be flexibly mounted to the cabinet 100 to allow the rigid one or more legs 120 to transfer forces to the flexible mount or flexible mount assembly to help resist or absorb forces acting on the cabinet 100 during a seismic event. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be flexibly mounted to the cabinet 100 by or via one or more rotatable joints or swivel joints 140, such as a ball joint or another joint, to allow the legs 120 to bend or move relative to the body 104 of the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the swivel joints 140 can be configured to rotate about one or more axes. In at least one embodiment, two or more of the axes can be parallel. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the swivel joints 140 can be configured to rotate about two perpendicular axes. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be biased toward a rest position, such as a rest position relative to a corresponding one of the support cups 110. For example, in at least one embodiment, the legs 120 can extend downward from the cabinet 100, which can (but does not necessarily) include extending in a direction perpendicular (i.e., at least approximately perpendicular) to a bottom surface or other portion of the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be biased toward the rest position by one or more springs 142, one or more swivel joints 140, an elastically deformable material, or any combination thereof.

[0042] In at least one embodiment, a cabinet 100, such as a cabinet for housing electronic equipment, can be mounted to a support surface 102, and the cabinet can include a body 104 for housing electronic equipment, four legs 120 extending downwardly from the body 104, four balls 130, four support cups 110 configured to receive one of the balls 130, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 can be secured to different bottom corners of the body 104. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the balls 130 can be secured to one of the legs 120. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 can be secured to the support surface 102 in a rectangular pattern, such as can be secured to the support surface 102 in a rectangular pattern that matches the center spacing of the legs 120. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 may include a symmetrically curved concave upper surface 112 configured to receive one of the balls 130. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups 110 may include an elastic protective cover 116 that seals the lubricant 118 within the concave upper surface 112. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 may be flexibly mounted to the cabinet 100. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs 120 may be biased to extend downward from the cabinet 100, such as extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet 100.

[0043] In at least one embodiment, a cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment can be mounted to a support surface, and the cabinet can include a body for accommodating electronic equipment, a plurality of support cups fixed to the support surface, a plurality of legs extending downward from the body, a plurality of balls, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, each ball can be fixed to one of the legs and / or can rest in one of the cups. In at least one embodiment, the cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment can include four support cups, four balls, four legs, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be fixed to one of the four bottom corners of the body of the cabinet.

[0044] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include a concave upper surface configured to receive one of the spherical members. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the concave upper surfaces may be curved symmetrically in two dimensions. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include a peripheral edge or other stopper configured to keep the spherical member within the periphery or other boundaries of the concave upper surface. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include an elastic protective cover that seals the concave upper surface to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups may include a lubricant located within the protective cover. In at least one embodiment, the lubricant may provide lubrication between the spherical member and the concave upper surface.

[0045] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigid. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigidly attached to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigidly attached to the bottom surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, each of the legs may be rigidly attached to a different corner of the bottom surface of the cabinet.

[0046] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be flexible and / or flexibly mounted to the cabinet, such as flexibly mounted to different corners of the bottom surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can extend downward from the cabinet, extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, through the elasticity of the legs, one or more of the legs can be biased to extend downward from the cabinet, extending downward perpendicularly to the bottom surface of the cabinet.

[0047] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be rigid and flexibly mounted to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be flexibly mounted to the cabinet by one or more swivel joints. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the swivel joints may be configured to rotate around one or more axes. In at least one embodiment, two or more of the axes may be parallel. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the swivel joints may be configured to rotate around two perpendicular axes. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may extend downward from the cabinet and / or may be perpendicular to the bottom surface or other surface of the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be biased toward a stationary position by one or more springs. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs may be biased toward a stationary position by at least one of a spring, a rotatable joint, an elastic portion of the leg, and a combination thereof.

[0048] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may include a curved surface configured to contact a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, the curved surface may be at least partially hemispherical. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to pivot in one or more directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to pivot in multiple directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to roll in one or more directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the spherical members may be configured to roll in multiple directions relative to a corresponding one of the plurality of support cups.

[0049] In at least one embodiment, a cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment can be mounted to a support surface, and the cabinet can include a body for accommodating the electronic equipment, four legs extending downward from the body, four balls, four support cups configured to receive one of the balls, or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be fixed to different bottom corners of the body. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the balls can be fixed to one of the legs. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups can be fixed to the support surface in a rectangular pattern, such as in a rectangular pattern that matches the center spacing of the legs and is fixed to the support surface. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups can include a symmetrically curved concave upper surface configured to receive one of the balls. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the support cups can include an elastic protective cover that seals the lubricant in the concave upper surface. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be flexibly mounted to the cabinet. In at least one embodiment, one or more of the legs can be biased to extend downwardly from the cabinet, such as perpendicularly downwardly from a bottom surface of the cabinet.

[0050] Without departing from the spirit of the applicant's disclosure, it is conceivable to utilize other and further embodiments of one or more aspects of the present disclosure. For example, devices, systems and methods can be implemented for many different types and sizes in many different industries. In addition, various embodiments and various methods of devices, systems and methods can be combined with each other to produce variations of the disclosed methods and embodiments. The singular elements discussed can include plural elements, and the plural elements discussed can include singular elements. The order of steps can occur in various orders, unless otherwise specifically limited. The various steps described herein can be combined with other steps, inserted into the steps described and / or split into multiple steps. Similarly, elements have been described functionally, and elements can be implemented as separate components or can be combined into components with multiple functions.

[0051] The present invention has been described in the context of preferred embodiments and other embodiments, rather than every embodiment of the present invention has been described. Obvious modifications and changes to the described embodiments may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. The disclosed and undisclosed embodiments are not intended to limit or restrict the scope or applicability of the invention conceived by the applicant, but in accordance with patent law, the applicant intends to fully protect all such modifications and improvements that fall within the scope or category of equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cabinet for accommodating electronic equipment, the cabinet comprising: A body, the body being used to accommodate the electronic device; a plurality of legs extending downwardly from the body; a plurality of balls, each ball being secured to one of the legs; as well as a plurality of support cups configured to be secured to a support surface supporting the cabinet; Wherein each of the spherical members is configured to rest in one of the support cups.

2. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of support cups includes four support cups.

3. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of legs includes four legs, wherein one leg is fixed to one of the four bottom corners of the body.

4. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of spherical members includes four spherical members.

5. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: Each support cup includes a concave upper surface configured to receive one of the balls.

6. The cabinet according to claim 5, wherein: Each concave upper surface is symmetrically curved in two dimensions.

7. The cabinet according to claim 5, wherein: Each support cup includes one or more stops configured to retain the ball within the confines of the concave upper surface of the support cup.

8. The cabinet according to claim 5, wherein: Each support cup includes a resilient protective cover that seals the concave upper surface to the cabinet. 9 . The cabinet of claim 8 , further comprising a lubricant located within the protective cover, the lubricant being used to provide lubrication between the ball and the concave upper surface.

10. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: Each leg is rigid.

11. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: Each leg is flexible.

12. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: Each leg is biased toward a rest position wherein a longitudinal axis of the leg is parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cabinet.

13. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: Each leg is rigid and flexibly mounted to the cabinet.

14. The cabinet according to claim 13, wherein: Each leg is flexibly mounted to the cabinet via one of a plurality of swivel joints.

15. The cabinet according to claim 14, wherein: Each rotary joint is configured to rotate about one of a plurality of axes.

16. The cabinet according to claim 15, wherein: The multiple axes are parallel to each other.

17. The cabinet according to claim 14, wherein: Each rotary joint is configured to rotate about two perpendicular axes among the plurality of axes.

18. The cabinet according to claim 14, wherein: Each leg extends downwardly from the cabinet and is biased toward a rest position by one or more springs.

19. The cabinet according to claim 1, wherein: One or more of the plurality of ball-shaped members includes a curved surface configured to contact a corresponding one of the plurality of support cup-shaped members.

20. The cabinet according to claim 19, wherein: The curved surface is at least partially hemispherical.

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