Removable lift handle panels

#1. Field of the Invention

#The invention pertains to the field of lifting devices, such as handles and the like, that are used to carry equipment from one point to another. More specifically, the handles may be selectively attached to electrical equipment and detached once the electrical equipment is installed, for example, in a sliding rack assembly where the attached handles protrude to interfere with sliding motion of the rack assembly.

#2. Discussion of the Related Art

#FIG. 1 is a left front isometric view of a chassis installed in an electrical equipment rack with carry handle assemblies stored on the electrical equipment rack for reattachment to the chassis and subsequent use in lifting operations;

#FIG. 1A is a diagram showing additional detail with respect to the stored carry handles of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 2 is an assembly view showing installation of the carry handle assemblies on the chassis;

#FIG. 1 depicts a system 100 including an electrical equipment rack 102 that supports a chassis 104. The electrical equipment rack 102 includes a plurality of upright posts, such as post 106, which are supported by a base 108. Paired roller slide assemblies 110 and 112, form tracks that facilitate forward and rearward shifting motions shown by double headed arrow 114. The roller slide assemblies 110 and 112 are bolted to the posts 106 at height intervals that permit installation of additional chassis above chassis 104. As shown in FIG. 1, chassis 104 is shifted fully forward for maintenance operations and in this position may be removed from the equipment rack 102. Full rearward motion exists when face 116 of chassis 104 is substantially even with front surface 118 of post 106. The equipment rack 102 may have the standard dimensions and features defined by EIA, or the dimensions of any other type of electrical equipment rack.

#The chassis 104 internally houses electrical equipment, such as a commercial or laboratory instrument, a telecommunications server or router, a computer, audio equipment, or any other form of electrical equipment. Roller slide assembly 110 bolts to chassis 104 along interval 120 beneath a removable side 122. Chassis 104 does not include carry handles. There is insufficient clearance between the removable side 122 and post 106 such that, if side-protruding carry handles were installed, the handles would prevent full rearward motion of chassis 104 by abutting post 106.

#FIG. 1A provides additional detail with respect to FIG. 1 and the mounting of carry handle assemblies, such as carry handle assembly 124. Carry handle assembly 124 is shown in a storage position mounted on equipment rack 102 with handles 128 protruding inward. Carry handle assembly 126 is shown in the process of being mounted for storage. Carry handle assemblies 124 and 126 are intended for team-lifting use when mounted on a side of chassis 104 remote from side 122. Any number of carry handle assemblies 124 and 126 may be installed on chassis 104 for team lifting purposes. Carry handle assemblies 124 and 126 are mounted on opposed wing brackets 132 and 134 after being telescopically adjusted to an overall length L. A shoulder screw 136 passes through a keyway 138 and fully engages slot-neck 140 with full lengthwise extension of carry handle assembly 126 to the overall length L. In this storage position, inwardly protruding handles 128 and 130 do not interfere with sliding motion of chassis 104 on roller slide assemblies 110 and 112, for example, due to the increased width dimension afforded by front edge 142 of front post 144.