Expandable blanking panel assembly for aisles in data centers and similar facilities

A panel assembly configured to provide an air barrier in a row of server racks in a data center or similar facility, comprising:

• a base panel assembly;
• and a slidable panel assembly, wherein:
• the base panel assembly and the slidable panel assembly are configured such that the slidable panel assembly can be slid along the base panel assembly between retracted and extended positions;
• the base panel assembly includes a first air impervious panel, a first base panel channel member and a second base panel channel member;
• the slidable panel assembly includes a second air impervious panel, a first slidable panel channel member and a second slidable panel channel member;
• the first base panel channel member has first and second channels;
• an edge of the first air impervious panel is retained in the first channel;
• an edge of the second air impervious panel is retained between knobs of the first slidable panel channel member;
• the slidable panel assembly is slidably retained in the second channel;
• the second base panel channel member is configured to be attached to a member or structure of the data center or similar facility;
• and the second slidable panel channel member is configured to be attached to another member or structure of the data center or similar facility;
• the first base panel channel member and the second base panel channel member are perpendicular;
• and the first slidable panel channel member and the second slidable panel channel member are perpendicular;
• and the first base panel channel member includes a base wall and outer, middle and inner flange walls that (i) extend from the base wall in a same direction and (ii) are parallel;
• the first channel is defined by the inner and middle flange walls;
• and the second channel is defined by the middle and the outer flange walls;
• and the outer flange wall and the middle flange wall have finger portions that extend toward each other and are configured to slidably engage the first slidable panel channel member.