Filler panel for equipment racks and enclosures.

(54) Title: FILLING PANEL FOR EQUIPMENT FRAMES AND ENCLOSURES.

(54) Title: FILLER PANEL FOR EQUIPMENT RACKS AND ENCLOSURES.

(57) Summary

A filler panel for a rack includes two locking regions that duplicate each other. The closure regions include a pair of guide posts configured to enter round and square-shaped holes and guide the filler panel in a rack. The closure region further includes a pair of locating walls configured to enter square holes, along with guide posts to guide the filler panel into a rack. Each closure region includes one or more closure members that have surfaces to engage a railing of a frame. At least one pair of closure members includes an angled stepped surface configured to engage railings of different thicknesses.

(57) Abstract

A filler panel for a rack includes two latching regions that mirror each other. The latching regions include a pair of guide posts configured to enter both round-shaped and square-shaped holes and guide the filler panel into a rack. The latching region further includes a pair of locator walls configured to enter square shaped holes along with the guide posts to guide the filler panel into a rack. Each latching region includes one or more latching members having surfaces for engaging a railing of a rack. At least one pair of latching members includes an angled stepped surface configured to engage railings of different thicknesses.

<img file="MX360313B_D0001.tif" />

IMPI

JM * El - »*

Π Λ fe .'- I 'i • tVii μ.ί-U

<img file="MX360313B_D0002.tif" />

PATENT TITLE No. 360313

Headlines):

ORTRONICS, INC.

Home:

125 Eugene O'Neill Drive, New London, Connecticut, 06320, USA

Denomination:

FILLING PANEL FOR EQUIPMENT FRAMES AND ENCLOSURES.

Classification:

A47F7 / 00

CPC: A47F7 / (W ^ ¿3 |) ^ 4^HI ^ M '¹⁸.AND^{* 1}i^{T29 / 49826}

LARS R. LAR ^ N- ÓHRIS M. VACCA; ROBÉftt /.

CIP:

Inventor (s)

Number ^

MX / a / 2013/004180

<img file="MX360313B_D0003.tif" />

irrogadles, told

12/19

Validity: Twenty year ^

Date of V ^ | ffinien ^ K

Date of E ^ wtfBión '* Patent Referen *

In accordance with the starting date of the Law of &lt;A la sol

Who subscribes the present ti (Official Gazette of the Federation ·) 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 06/01/2019 ^ and 12th fractions I and III of the Regime, 07/28/2004 and 09/07 / 2007); Articles 1 Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, re faculties in the Adji General Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subalt 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

^ thematic:

2011

..4 / t (Miner:

12/005,298

Industrial.

And of Industrial Property '01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, the 1st, 3rd fraction V, subsection a), 4th of 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, ico of the Institute Mexican of the 5th paragraph a) of the Agreement that delegates Regionals, Divisional Deputy Directors, ial. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000,

This document is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), with fu&gt; mb in articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law; 3 of its Regulations, and 1 fraction III, 2 fraction V, 26 BIS and 26 TÉR of the Agreement establishing the guidelines for the use of the Electronic Payment and Services Portal (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property, in the procedures indicated.

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

<img file="MX360313B_D0004.tif" />

Original string:

NAHANNY MARISOL CANAL REYES | 00001000000403252793 | Administration Service

Tax | 1695 || MX / 2019/3790 | MX / a / 2013/004180 | PCT patent title | 1220 | RRGO | Page (s) | 3rpZLfxH + pqb6DR + PHJLSRWZm1w =

Digital stamp:

ZDK3MaZhW6V7DelulT1tHWB6ZTigjR0oM8UgBfl9JPxTC1KW07LXc4SGy0DdJwBirR Trxm¡EvpyZ5 + + 3 + + Rnai1XToDJS5vCekb9vrHbgqb5ru 29pZJB1Xg IYZVk5Qzib8G3WVJPk9GCr4eH50k7unBkCzW1iM8sKjVpGITtPyrzyng1Mfce wfelmAkflPjeSSRQdta0ngqxbm07g / 9qvmCrohCnw9IYWfuJHBebkOPWOenYpLq4e3oLuPwy vTfWxQv + == + XosCk3xik Me1dqyR2o5hV3Y9H2EMb6LOZZoi08oWG9Mle7viXrtzll346h8MbGdwvY19gyvzz3ZC33IAA

Arenal No, 550, Floor 1, Pueblo Santa María Tepepan, Xochimilco, 16020,

Mexico City, (55) 53340700 www.gob.mx/impi

<img file="MX360313B_D0005.tif" />

MX / 2019/3790 μχ | α | ΖΟΐ ^ ΙοΟΗΙδό

Field of the Invention

one. Technical field

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX360313B_D0006.tif" />

The present description relates generally to rack-mounted devices particularly, to filler panels removably mounted with respect to similar structure.

2. Background or cabinets and, more than suit for rack, cab or

Wiring management systems (such as racks, will call modules or frames, which will be referred to hereafter as racks) have long been used in many diverse applications, such as communications and electronic services. The frames are substantially rectilinear metal frames with several vertical rails, each provided with a plurality of mounting and alignment openings or holes that allow mounting of various devices.

It is generally desirable to place a filler panel (also known as a blind panel) to cover the empty space in a rack.

The use of a filler panel may be for aesthetic reasons, safety reasons, and / or to guide airflow through components placed on, or in, the rack for cooling purposes. To improve efficiency, it is desirable and

provide a filler panel that

<img file="MX360313B_D0007.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY be f &amp; m^{TO THE}d that it can be used in connection with vartTO'dasLidwe's and rack designs.

The Electronic Industries Association (EIA) has promulgated standards for various dimensions of racks. These standards have allowed manufacturers to produce devices with standard dimensions that can fit within any EIA-compliant rack. Although these standardizations have improved the interchangeability of devices between different racks, certain elements of the racks have not been standardized. For example, the holes that are formed in the rails on a frame can be round, square and / or threaded. The thickness or depth of the rails in the frame can also vary, for example, due to the use of different metal thicknesses in the manufacturing process. When making filler panels for racks, it is generally desirable to provide filler panels that can be used in a variety of racks, for example, regardless of the depth / thickness of the rails. It is further desirable to provide filler panels that can be removed from one frame and mounted on a different frame, for example, that are interchangeable from one frame to another, both initially and repeatedly after initial use.

IMPI

Est! S £ fd &amp; · united Patent Publication No. 2008/0310126 to Lakoduk et al. (Hoffmafl EnClOSTnrey, —ΤΤΤδ.) Describes a blind panel that includes a first pin and a second removable pin. The pins are configured so that the main body of the panel can alternatively be attached to a square-shaped hole with the pull-out pin intact, or fixed to a round-shaped hole with the pull-out pin removed and the first pin extended through the hole . The Hoffman Enclosures blind panel, however, fails by allowing a pulled pin to be reattached for interchangeable use of the filler panel on a square hole track rail.

United States Patent number 7,506,768 to Rassmussen et al. (American Power Conversion Corporation) describes a blind panel for use with equipment racks / cabinets that is tailored to be mounted with respect to a pair of vertical mounting rails or edges of a rack or cabinet without the use of tools or other equipment . When the blind panel is installed inside the rack or cabinet, parts of a blind panel body interact with a surface of an equipment component or other blind panel installed above or below the blind panel, thereby forming an air seal among them.

Despite the efforts so far, there is a need for a panel to mate with an interchangeable.

These

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

<img file="MX360313B_D0008.tif" />

INDUSTRIAL filler easy to install, capable of a variety of mode frames and other disadvantages and / or limitations are addressed and / or overcome by the devices and methods of the present description.

Brief description of the drawings

To assist those skilled in the art in making the described panels, systems, and fill methods, reference is made to the accompanying figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an exemplary filler panel in accordance with the present disclosure;

<td colspan="2">FIG.</td><td>2 is</td><td>a</td><td>view</td><td colspan="2">front of a filler panel</td>

<td>example</td><td>of the</td><td>FIG.</td><td> 1;</td><td></td><td></td><td></td>

<td>the</td><td>FIG.</td><td>3 is</td><td>a</td><td>view</td><td colspan="2">top schematic panel</td>

<td>filling</td><td colspan="2">of example</td><td>i of</td><td>the FIG</td><td> . 1;</td><td></td>

<td>the</td><td>FIG.</td><td>4 is</td><td>a</td><td>view</td><td>in cross section</td><td>along</td>

<td colspan="2">of line E</td><td>- E</td><td colspan="2">of FIG.</td><td> 3;</td><td></td>

<td>the 4 *</td><td>FIG.</td><td>5 is</td><td>a</td><td>view</td><td>enlarged from box A</td><td>of FIG.</td>

<td>"F the</td><td>FIG.</td><td>6 is</td><td>a</td><td>view</td><td>enlarged panel</td><td>filler</td>

<td>example</td><td>of the</td><td>FIG.</td><td colspan="2">1 mounted</td><td>in a rack;</td><td></td>

<td>the</td><td>FIG.</td><td> 7</td><td>is</td><td colspan="2">an enlarged view of the</td><td>part of</td>

<td colspan="2">interlocking</td><td colspan="2">of other</td><td>panel</td><td>sample filler</td><td>agree</td>

with<img file="MX360313B_D0009.tif" />present description;

<img file="MX360313B_D0010.tif" />

<img file="MX360313B_D0011.tif" />

<img file="MX360313B_D0012.tif" />

<td></td><td>IMPI</td>

<td>FIG. 8 is a</td><td>schematic perspective view of</td>

another exemplary filler panel in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged top schematic view of the interlocking portion of FIG. 8;

<td>the</td><td>FIG.</td><td> 10</td><td>is</td><td>a view on</td><td>section</td><td>cross</td><td>to what</td>

<td>length of</td><td colspan="2">the line</td><td>TO</td><td>- A of FIG.</td><td> 9;</td><td></td><td></td>

<td>the</td><td>FIG.</td><td> 11</td><td>is</td><td>a view on</td><td>section</td><td>cross</td><td>to what</td>

<td>length of</td><td colspan="2">the line</td><td>B</td><td>- B of FIG.</td><td>9; and</td><td></td><td></td>

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the exemplary filler panel of FIG. 9, mounted on a rack.

Summary

The present description describes the filler panels that can be interchangeably mounted on EIA racks with different rail thickness and hole shapes. In an exemplary embodiment, the filler panel includes a pair of interlocking elements disposed on opposite sides of the filler panel that have an angled stepped surface configured to engage on a plurality of rails. A pair of guide posts and locating walls are provided adjacent to each interlocking element and are configured to guide the filler panel on a frame.

Thus, in accordance with the example embodiments of the present disclosure, a panel of

<img file="MX360313B_D0013.tif" />

<img file="MX360313B_D0014.tif" />

<img file="MX360313B_D0015.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE DF. LA PaüFítVAi) padding characterized by an inter alia body, (i) two or more interlocking elements, each defining a cap part, in which each cap part includes an angled interlocking surface, staggered; (ii) two or more guide turrets; and (iii) two or more location walls. The staggered, angled interlocking surfaces of the cap portion are generally arranged relative to the panel body so that they are securely and removably coupled to a plurality of frames characterized by different depth dimensions. The two or more guide turrets are typically configured to enter holes associated with a rail and to guide the locking element to engage the rail. Notably, the two or more siting walls and the two or more guide turrets can be configured to enter holes of varying geometries.

According to exemplary embodiments, the angled, stepped locking surfaces associated with the cap portions of the locking elements can define a plurality of stepped surfaces, eg, two stepped surfaces. The cap portion can define an angle of between about 45 degrees and 60 degrees relative to the x axis defined by the panel body. The filler panel of claim 1, wherein the distance between each of the interlocking elements

<img file="MX360313B_D0016.tif" />

respective and the respective guide posts is sufficient to allow said locking element to engage securely with the rail of a frame. The panel body may further define finger grip (s) and / or reinforcing ribs. Furthermore, the body of the panel can further define a removable insertion zone that is adapted to receive a component, for example, a camera, a temperature monitor, a connection panel, etc.

The present disclosure further provides advantageous methods for removably coupling a filler panel with respect to rails of a frame. In one such method, the steps include (a) providing a filler panel that includes (i) two or more interlocking elements, each defining a cap part, wherein each cap part includes an interlocking surface in angle, staggered; (ii) two or more guide turrets; and (iii) two or more site walls; (b) the alignment of the filler panel guide turrets with the holes defined in the rails; and (c) applying sufficient force to removably engage the filler panel latch with respect to the rails. During application of the indicated force, the stepped angled surface associated with at least one cap portion advantageously engages with the frame rails. The filler panel can be removed from the

<img file="MX360313B_D0017.tif" />

frame by, for example, applying force to a finger grip associated with the filler panel, sufficient to remove the filler panel from the frame.

In a still further embodiment of the present disclosure, an interlocking element for a filler panel is provided including a stepped angled surface having at least a first stepped surface and a second stepped surface separated from the first stepped surface by a slot ; wherein each of the first and second stepped surfaces are adapted to removably engage a frame of different thicknesses.

a lane associated with a

A third interlocking element may be provided which is separated from the second interlocking element by a second slot, the third interlocking element defining a third, stepped, angled surface that is substantially the same as the first, angled, stepped surface defined by the first interlocking element.

The additional functional features and structural features of the described filler panels and associated systems and methods will be apparent from the detailed description below, particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Detailed description of embodiment or embodiments of

<img file="MX360313B_D0018.tif" />

<img file="MX360313B_D0019.tif" />

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE DB INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

The present disclosure provides advantageous filler panels that are configured to be interchangeably and removably mounted on a variety of racks. The filler panels of the present disclosure can be advantageously dimensioned to operate in cooperation with conventional EIA rack structures, for example, 19-inch and 23-inch racks.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a first exemplary filler panel 100 of the present disclosure is depicted. Filler panel 100 includes a first side wall 102a, a second side wall 102b, a front wall 106, and end walls 104a-104d. Defined on the opposite ends of the filler panel 100 are the interlock zones 150a and 150b configured to engage securely and removably with the frame rails. Interlock zone 150a includes an interlock element 120a, a first guide post 130a, a second guide post 130b, a first location wall 140a, a second location wall 140b, a first end wall 104a, and a second wall of the end 104b. The end walls 104a and 104b additionally include a finger grip 146a on a portion of the front wall 106. Arranged on the front wall 106 are a plurality of support ribs Il-llld. Arranged additionally on the front wall 106 is a

<img file="MX360313B_D0020.tif" />

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL first shoulder 115a and a second shoulder 115b.

interlock 150b is a mirror image of interlock zone 150a and includes interlock element 120b, guide posts 130c and 130d, and locating walls 140c and 140d. Similarly, end walls 104c and 104d define a second finger grip 146b on front wall 106. Further defined on front wall 106 is a portion 106a. In some embodiments, part 106a can be removed to accommodate an optional device, such as a temperature monitoring device, a camera, a patch panel, or the like.

Changing to FIGS. 4 and 5, a detailed view of an exemplary interlocking portion 150b is shown. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of filler panel 100 taken along line B-B of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the locking part 150b focused on the area enclosed in a square A in FIG. 4. The locking element 120b includes a cap part 122b and a stem part 128b. Cap portion 122b has substantially a triangular cross section. Cap portion 122b includes stepped angled surface 124b. The stepped angled surface 124b includes a first stepped surface 125b and a second stepped surface 126b. The surfaces

<img file="MX360313B_D0021.tif" />

what rises

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE DB LA PROPIEDAD

INDUSTRIAL staggered 125b and 126b may be at an angle from the x axis. In use, one of a pair of angled stepped surfaces 125a and 125b (or 126a and 126b) engages with the frame rails with enough force to detachably, yet fixedly hold, the filler panel 100 in its position relative to the frame. Those of skill in the art will recognize that the elevation between the angled surfaces 125b and 126b can be varied to facilitate engagement of the locking element 120b with respect to rails of different thicknesses.

Those of skill in the art will further recognize that by varying the angle of the cap portion 122b to the x axis, the force with which the latch member 120b engages in the frame rails (and conversely, the force required to separate the locking element 120b from the rails of a frame). In some embodiments, the angle defined between the cap portion 122b and the x axis may be approximately 45 degrees. In other embodiments, the angle defined between the cap portion 122b and the x axis may be approximately 60 degrees. In some embodiments, the stepped angled surfaces 124a and 124b can be configured to include more than two stepped surfaces.

Referring again to FIGS. 1-5, guide posts 130a - 130d include a box base part 138a - 138d

<img file="MX360313B_D0022.tif" />

<img file="MX360313B_D0023.tif" />

134d substantially rectangular and a substantially cylindrical upper part. The guide posts 130a-130d can be substantially identical in shape and size. The diameter of the cylindrical tops 134a - 134d is smaller than the diameter of the screw holes in the EIA approved rack rails. The cylindrical parts 134a-134d are configured to enter the holes of the rails to guide the filler panel 100 on the rails when the locking elements 120a and 120b engage on the rails. The distance between the locking elements 120a - 120b and the guide posts 130a - 130d is chosen to ensure that the locking elements 120a and 120b securely engage with the surface of a rail. In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, guide posts 130a '- 130b' are substantially cylindrical. Guide posts 130a 130d can be constructed of metal or plastic by any means known in the art including molding and stamping.

Still referring to FIGS. 1-5, the siting walls 140a-140d have a substantially rectangular cross section. The siting walls 140a-140d can be substantially identical to each other in size and shape. The siting walls 140a-140d are positioned to abut the side walls 102a and

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX360313B_D0024.tif" />

102b. The locating walls 140a - 140d are configured to enter the square shaped holes in the rails together with the guide posts 130a - 130d to guide the filler panel 100 over the rails when the interlocking elements

120a and 120b engage with the rails.

When the filler panel 100 is placed in a frame with rounded holes, the location walls 140a

140d act as a rail splitter. The height at which the locating walls 140a 140d extend over the anterior walls 102a and 102b is chosen to ensure that the locating walls 140a 140d do not interfere with the retention of the rails by the interlocking elements 120a and 120b. For insertion into square lane buildings, the length of the siting walls 140a - 140d along the x axis is chosen to be less than the length of the sides of the square shaped holes found in the EAI frames . Site walls 140a-140d can be constructed of metal or plastic in a manner known in the art including molding and stamping.

Switching to FIG. 6, an enlarged view of the filler panel 100 is shown that engages the rails 13 of the frame 7. The frame 7 includes rails having substantially round-shaped holes 12. With additional reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the

<img file="MX360313B_D0025.tif" />

INSTITUTO MEXICANO DI LA PROPKD * n INDUSTRIAL installation of filler panel 100 on frame 7.

During operation, an installation technician holds filler panel 100 by finger grips 146a and 146b to position guide posts 130a-130d inside holes 12 in a rounded shape. Once in place, the technician pushes filler panel Í00 into the frame 7. The force applied by the technician is sufficient to cause the latching elements 120a and 120b to flex toward the center of the filler panel 100 until the stepped surface 125b engages with the rails 13. The finger grips 146a and 146b are similarly used to remove filler panel 100 from frame 7. By pulling filler panel 100, interlocking elements 120a and 120b are disengaged to remove filler panel 100 from frame 7. The interlocking elements 120a and 120b of the filler panel 100 are configured to be easily removed from the frame. The latching elements 120a and 120b can be constructed of any material that allows the latching elements 120a and 120b to flex and engage with rails. The interlocking elements 120a and 120b, the guide posts 130a-130d and the locating walls 140a-140d can be attached to the front wall 106 by any means known in the art.

Changing to FIGS. 8-11, is depicted

I Μ ΡI ίΝίΤΓΠΙΤη MFYir * Mn «Ρ &lt;-?

<img file="MX360313B_D0026.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE Give THE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY schematically an example alternative filler panel 200 according to the present description. The structure of the filler panel 200 is substantially similar to the filler panel 100, except that the filler panel 200 has more than one interlocking element located in each interlocking zone 250a and 250b. Interlocking zones 250a and 250b are mirror images of each other. As shown in more detail in FIG. 9, the locking area 250a includes a first locking element 260a, a second locking element 260b and an intermediate locking element 260c. The first locking element 260a is separated from the intermediate locking element 260c by the slot 223a, and the intermediate locking element 260c is separated from the second locking element 260b by the slot 223b. The indicated slots 223a, 223b allow each of the latching elements 260a, 260b and 260c to operate substantially independently.

In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the first interlocking element 260a and the second interlocking element 260b define a first angled rung for interlocking purposes, while the intermediate interlocking element 260c defines a different angled rung; so that the first and second interlocking elements 260a, 260b are adapted to

IMPI tWTTTVTO MEXICANO

OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX360313B_D0027.tif" />

to be coupled to rails of a first dimension in depth and the intermediate locking element 260c is adapted to be coupled to rails of a second dimension in depth. In accordance with this exemplary implementation, the locking forces of the first and second locking elements 260a, 260b are additive and substantially balanced so that a potential torque relative to the frame is avoided. In exemplary implementations of filler panel 200, the interlocking surface of the intermediate interlocking element 260c may be approximately equal (at least of comparable dimension) to the accumulated interlocking surface of the first and second interlocking elements 260a, 260b.

Advantageously, the use of more than one interlocking element allows the filler panel 200 to be attached to a larger number of rails of varying thickness.

With reference to FIG. 10, a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 9. The locking element 260c includes a cap part 222a and a stem part 228a. Cap portion 222a has a substantially triangular cross section that includes an angled stepped surface 224a. The angled stepped surface 224a includes a first stepped surface 225a and a second stepped surface 226a configured to engage a rail. With 16

<img file="MX360313B_D0028.tif" />

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICA.NO

DB PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL additional reference to FIG. 9, the cap portion 222a may include core cavities 221a and 221b. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the core cavities of

<td colspan="2">variable size</td><td>can be</td><td>include in any</td><td>of</td><td>the</td>

<td>realizations</td><td>of</td><td>example</td><td colspan="3">of the interlocking element</td>

<td>described in</td><td>the</td><td>Present</td><td>document without impact</td><td>in</td><td>the</td>

<td>functionality</td><td>of the</td><td>element of</td><td>interlocking.</td><td></td><td></td>

Now changing to FIG. 11, a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B of FIG. 9. The second interlocking part 260b includes a cap part 262b and a stem part 268b. Cap portion 262b includes an angled surface 264b. Angled surface 264b is configured to engage rails in a rack. The angled surface 264b rests in a different plane on the axis and than the planes of the stepped surfaces 225a and 226a of the locking element 260c. Surface 264b may be at an angle rising from the x axis. Advantageously, the described interlocking elements associated with the filler panel 200 allow the filler panel 200 to be removably and interchangeably coupled with rails of different thicknesses, because any of the stepped surfaces of the interlocking elements 260c-260c 'or 260a, 260b, 260a', 260b '(not shown) can be attached to the rails depending on the rail thickness of the

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

<img file="MX360313B_D0029.tif" />

themselves.

Switching to FIG. 12, an enlarged view of filler panel 200 is shown engaging frame rails 15 9. Rails 15 include holes 14 with a substantially square shape. With additional reference to FIGS. 8, 10 and 11, the installation of the filler panel 200 on the frame 9 is described. During operation, an installation technician holds filler panel 200 by finger grips 246a and 246b to position guide posts 230a-230d and locating walls 240a-240d in holes 14 square. Once in place, the technician pushes filler panel 200 into frame 9. The force applied by the technician is sufficient to cause the cap parts 222a-222b of the interlocking elements 260c and 260c 'and the cap parts 262a-262d of the first and second interlocking elements 260a, 260a', 260b, 260b 'flex toward the center of filler panel 200 until the cooperating angled surfaces of the appropriate interlocking members engage the rails 15. To remove filler panel 200 from frame 9, a technician holds filler panel 200 by finger grips 246a and 246b and pulls filler panel 200 to uncouple the coupling elements from frame 9. The described coupling elements can be built from any material that

IMPI

<img file="MX360313B_D0030.tif" />

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF THE PROPERTY . z-. , -. ._t industrial ΐ2 ***&gt; ^ allow sufficient flexibility to couple to rails. The coupling elements ^ guide posts and locating walls can be integrally formed or manufactured separately and then attached to the front wall 206 by any means known in the art.

As will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art, the exemplary filler panels 100 and 200 described herein advantageously allow interchangeable and removable mounting of the filler panels with respect to the frames. In the example embodiments, the filler panels include guide posts configured to enter both round-shaped holes and square-shaped holes in the rails. In additional exemplary embodiments, the filler panels include locating walls configured to enter the square-shaped holes along with the guide posts. When used with racks that have round shaped holes, the siting walls act as rail spacers. Furthermore, the described filler panels may advantageously include one or more pairs of identical interlocking elements arranged on opposite sides of the filler panel to securely engage the surface of a rail. Each pair of coupling elements may include one or more stepped surfaces configured to engage rails. Advantageously,

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

OF THE PROPERTY

INDUSTRIAL

<img file="MX360313B_D0031.tif" />

the filler panels of the present description can be mounted on a rack having round, square or threaded holes without removing any part of the filler panel.

Additionally, once installed, a filler panel can be removed from a rack and placed in a rack with different hole shapes and rail thickness.

Although the present description has been described with reference to example embodiments and implementations, it is to be understood that the present description is neither limited nor restricted to such example embodiments and / or implementations. To the contrary, the present description is susceptible of various modifications, improvements and variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the present description. In fact, the present description expressly encompasses such modifications, improvements and variations as will be clearly evident to those skilled in the art from the description contained herein.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to put the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

IMPI

Mexican Institute of Industrial Property

<img file="MX360313B_D0032.tif" />