FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to a delivery system for racks that hold information handling systems.

BACKGROUND

Servers, networking devices, storage systems, and other devices known in the art are sometimes used in racks. Each rack can house multiple devices coupled to each other as well as devices in other racks. Some of those racks are relatively tall to enable the rack to house a relatively large number of devices. For example, conventional 42 unit (42U) racks may measure up to 7 feet tall, and other rack types can exceed that height. The shipping and delivery of such racks can raise a number of issues. Conventional rack delivery systems typically involve rigidly mounting the rack to a shipping pallet (e.g., via brackets secured to the shipping pallet and bottom of the rack) that provides a wider base than the rack, and increases the tip angle of the rack to reduce the chances of the rack tipping-over during shipping and delivery.

However, in addition to tipping-over, other concerns arise during rack shipping and delivery. For example, racks may be subject to external forces during shipping and delivery that can damage the rack and/or components in the rack. Such damage can be expensive as racks may be shipped and delivered with equipment valued up to several million dollars. Conventional solutions for dealing with such forces during rack delivery and shipping have included the use of foam as a layer in the shipping pallet (sometimes referred to as a “shock pallet”). The foam is configured to absorb vertical forces that may be induced during delivery (e.g., in a truck or other delivery vehicle) and transmitted to the shipping pallet. However, it has been found that racks can experience significant horizontal motion that can provide damaging forces on the rack as well. For example, forces induced by the rack delivery vehicle during rack shipping and delivery are typically transmitted to the bottom portion of the rack (e.g., at the mounting location to the shipping pallet), and have been found to introduce significant horizontal motion at the unconstrained top portion of the rack. This can result in the bending of structural members in the rack, seizing of rack casters, and in extreme cases, rack component damage. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved rack delivery system.

SUMMARY

The following is a simplified summary of one or more embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of present technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments of the present technology. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all examples, nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the present technology. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more examples in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The present disclosure provides a shock and vibration absorber system which includes an elastic device and a mounting device. The mounting device can be connected to the elastic device. The mounting device can include at least two securing elements and at least two sliders. Each securing element can be configured to secure opposing portions of a structure. Each slider can have at least two corresponding surfaces which are interconnected by at least one inclined surface and at least one ground surface. The inclined surface can be facing an opposing slider and slidably connected to one of the securing elements. Each slider can be further arranged to move in response to an applied force. Each slider can be configured to slidably connect to an inner wall within a box.

In some embodiments, the securing element can be positioned between two stoppers on the inclined surface to restrict movement of the securing element in response to an applied force. In some embodiments, each of the securing elements can include at least one bearing configured to connect one of the inclined surfaces to a corresponding securing element. In some embodiments, each of the ground surfaces can include at least one bearing. Each bearing can be configured to connect each slider to the inner wall. A first end of the elastic device can be connected to a first slider of the at least two sliders. A second end of the elastic device is connected to a second of the at least two sliders. In some embodiments, a first end of the elastic device can be connected to a first of the at least two sliders. A second end of the elastic device can be connected to the inner wall. In some embodiments, the system can also include a first mounting device connected to a top frame of the box and a second mounting device connected to a bottom frame of the box. In some embodiments, the elastic device can also include a spring device.

In some exemplary embodiments, the securing elements can secure opposing portions which are substantially aligned with each other along at least one axis. In some embodiments, each slider can be connected to a corresponding securing element at a spring-biased pivot element.

The present disclosure also provides a delivery system implementing the shock and vibration absorption system. The delivery system can include a container structure, a device, and at least two mounting devices. The container structure includes a top inner surface and a bottom inner surface. The rack device includes a top frame and a bottom frame. Each mounting device includes at least two securing elements and at least two sliders. Each securing element is configured to secure opposing portions of the device. Each slider can have at least two surfaces which are interconnected by an inclined surface facing an opposing slider. The inclined surface can be slidably connected to one of the at least two securing elements. Each slider can be further arranged to move in a direction perpendicular to an applied force and in an opposing direction from the opposing slider. Each slider can be configured to slidably connect to an inner wall within a box.

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the principles disclosed herein. The features and advantages of the disclosure can be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the disclosure will become fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or can be learned by the practice of the principles set forth herein.

