Field of Invention

This invention generally relates to a card cage that can be readily customized to accommodate a variety of cards of different sizes, types and arrangements.

Background of the Invention

Telecommunication network systems essentially consist of electronic devices arranged in a system. This system provides for a front panel consisting of a face plate, Printed circuit board (PCB), card cage and a latch mechanism on either side of the face plate to fasten the front panel with the chassis. At times independent telecommunication equipment comprising of Printed Circuit Board (PCB), card cage and a latch mechanism on either side forming part of the system is often referred to as the card. A card performs certain specific functions which includes providing support to the entire telecommunication network system. Hence a telecommunication equipment system may require a number of such cards arranged in a particular sequence enabling to co-ordinate the specific functions of each card so as to support the telecommunication network system. The above system is often enclosed in an electronic equipment enclosure which is used in a number of different industries and applications. These electronic equipment enclosures serve to receive electronic equipment devices such that these devices can operably interact with each other. Within these electronic equipment enclosures are "card cages".

The existing system of card cages provides for multiple card guides so as to accommodate multiple cards. It so happens that while accommodating several such cards within a multiple card guide, the size of each card should be uniform so as to fit in the rails of the card guide. Uniformity in the size of cards could not be practically maintained as the card size should be optimized to include as many functions either by increasing the components or increasing the components by increasing the size depending upon its functions and utility. Therefore accommodating cards having different sizes necessitated having an additional card guide within the multiple card guides. This additional card guide enclosed substantial space within the chassis thereby reducing its real estate. Further, fixing the additional card guide also required more number of rivets to fasten the card guides which would also lead to increase in the weight and components in the assembly.

In addition to this, each card guide requires support base plate at each of its layers to mount the card guides and the cards. Fixing the base plate also required more number of rivets to fasten them with the card guides which would ultimately lead to a bow formation thereby creating a gap which would cause EMI leakage. Therefore to remove this above said disadvantages and to provide for other advantages a card guide mechanism is required.

Summary of the Invention

Accordingly an aspect of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus of a multi-layer card cage having an integral card guide with a joggle at least on one side of the card guide such that at least one card accommodated at the layer above the joggled portion and at least one card accommodated at the layer below the joggled portion are of different sizes. Here, joggle includes any type of bending operations like joggle and bend.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to providing successive multiple joggles at least on one side of the card guide, which enables accommodating at least a card in between two successive joggles such that at least any two cards among the accommodated cards are of different sizes.

Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Brief description of the drawings

The features, advantages and other aspects of the embodiments of the present invention will be obvious to any person skilled in the art to appreciate the invention when read with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of multiple card cages accommodating cards of different sizes known in the prior art;

Figure 2 depicts an isometric view of an integral multi-layer card guide embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 3 depicts a perspective view of an aspect of a multi-layer card cage, embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 4 depicts a perspective view of another aspect of a multi-layer card cage, embodying the principles of the present invention.

Figure 5 depicts a perspective view of yet another aspect of a multi-layer card cage, embodying the principles of the present invention.

The figures are not drawn to scale and are illustrated for simplicity and clarity to help understand the various embodiments of the present invention. Throughout the drawings it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features and structures.

Detail description of the Invention

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Figs. 2 to 5, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way that would limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system. The terms used to describe various embodiments are exemplary. It should be understood that these are provided to merely aid the understanding of the description, and that their use and definitions in no way limit the scope of the invention.

By the term "substantially" it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Generally embodiments of the invention are concerned with a multi-layer card cage that can be readily customized by a user to accommodate a variety of card sizes, types, configurations and arrangements. In addition exemplary embodiments of the multi-layer card cage can be configured to accommodate various types and sizes of cards in a variety of different arrangements. One or more uniformly sized cards can be arranged to accommodate between the joggled layers. Additionally the entire multi-layer card cage can be configured so that individual cards are arranged either horizontally or vertically.

Referring to figure 1, a multiple card cages accommodating cards of different sizes enclosed within a chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure known in the prior art is shown comprising of a chassis, card guides, and cards. The multi-layer card cages 2 and 3 within the chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure 5 as shown in figure 1 comprises of a C-profile card guide 10 at either ends placed apart at a defined distance. These card guides are attached with the chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure by a riveting mechanism (not shown in figure) as a permanent fixture. The C-profile is an elongated structure extending to a specific length so as to accommodate cards of appropriate length. Along the C-profile of the card guide, guiding rails 11 extend inwards to a specific length within the C-profile. The groove within the rail supports cards used for that purpose (not shown in the diagram). From a perspective view, a card 15 having a specific size is shown to be accommodated within the card cage 2. Below the layer of card cage 2, card cage 3 within the electronic equipment enclosure 5 is shown with another set of card guides 20. These card guides 20 are shown accommodating a card 25 of a size bigger than the card 15 accommodated in the upper layer. Based on system requirements it is possible that few more cards of different sizes and configurations are required to be accommodated within the chassis 5. In such cases, each time a new card of varying size is added to the chassis 5, multiple card guides are required to be placed in the chassis 5 at different defined distances so as to accommodate such cards. Therefore accommodating cards having different sizes necessitated having an additional card guide within the multiple card guides. This additional card guide enclosed substantial space within the chassis thereby reducing its real estate. Further, fixing the additional card guide also required more number of rivets to fasten the card guides which would also lead to increase in the weight and components in the assembly (not shown in figure). In addition to this, each card guide requires support base plate 30 at each of its layers to mount the card guides and the cards. Fixing the base plate also required more number of rivets to fasten them with the card guides which would ultimately lead to a bow formation thereby creating a gap which would cause EMI leakage.

Figure 2 to 5 depicts the multi-layer card cage embodying the principles of the present invention that removes the disadvantages of the prior art and provides for other advantages.

Figure 2 depicts an isometric view of an integral multi-layer card guide embodying the principles of the present invention. The embodied features of the present invention provide for a multi-layer card cage comprising of a C-profile integral card guide 40. The C-profile is an elongated structure extending to a specific length 99 so as to accommodate cards of matching length. Along the C-profile of the card guide, guiding rails 42 and 48 extend inwards to a specific length 99 within the C-profile. The groove 98 within the rail 42 supports cards depending on the card size. A joggle 43 is provided on the card guide frame 47 just below the guiding rail 42 on the card guide 40. This joggle provides for an increased width to the card layer supported by the guide rails 48 on comparison with the card layer supported by the guide rails 42to the extent of the depth provided to the joggle 43. Therefore guiding rails 48 at the lower layer accommodates a card which is an increased size than that of the card accommodated within the guiding rails 42 on the upper layer. The card guide 40 is a single piece integral card guide which requires no support base plate at each layer to mount it with the chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure. For the purposes of illustration, only a simple integral multi-layer card guide is shown with the possibility of accommodating at least two different sized cards.

Figure 3 depicts a perspective front view of one aspect of a multi-layer card cage enclosed within a chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure embodying the principles of the present invention. In contrast to the multiple card cages 2 and 3 within the chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure 5 as shown in figure 1, the embodied features of the present invention provide for a multi-layer card cage comprising of a C-profile card guide 40 at one end and 39 at the other end, both placed apart at a defined distance 'A' as required for specific applications. These card guides are attached with the chassis 5 of an electronic equipment enclosure by a riveting mechanism (not shown in figure) as a permanent fixture. The C-profile is an elongated structure extending to a specific length so as to accommodate cards of appropriate length. Along the C-profile of the card guide, guiding rails 42 extend inwards to a specific length within the C-profile. The groove within the rail supports cards used for that purpose (not shown in the diagram). A joggle 43 is provided on the card guide frame 47 just below the guiding rail 42 on the card guide 40. This joggle provides for an increased width 'B' between the card guides 39 and 40 to the extent of the depth provided to the joggle 43. Therefore guiding rails 48 on the card guides 39 and 40 accommodates a card 46 of a slightly increased size than that of the card 45 accommodated within the guiding rails 42 on the upper layer. The card guide 40 is a single piece integral card guide which requires no support base plate to mount it with the chassis 5 of the electronic equipment enclosure. The embodiments of the present invention also provide for joggle on both the card guides 39 and 40. In such cases the increased width caused due to the joggle on both the card guides can be appropriated by different sized cards accommodated within the guide rails. For the purposes of illustration, only a simple multi-layer card cage accommodating two different sized cards are shown in the above figure.

Figure 4 depicts the perspective view of another aspect of multi-layer card cage enclosed within a chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure embodying the principles of the present invention. The embodied features of the present invention also provides for a multi-layer card cage comprising of a C-profile card guide 40 at one end and 39 at the other end, both placed apart at a defined distance 'A' as required for specific applications.

For the sake of brevity, features which are common to the card guides are avoided and only specific features embodying the principles of the present invention is alone discussed. As part of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention a joggle 43 is provided on the card guide frame 47 just below the guiding rail 42 on the card guide 40. This joggle provides for an increased width 'B' between the card guides 39 and 40 to the extent of the depth provided to the joggle 43. Based on the applications and specific system requirements, it is possible that, a simple multi-layer card guide with two layers, capable of accommodating three different sized cards may be required. In such cases, a card guide adapter 55 may be mounted on the chassis 5 below the upper layer card 45.

The card guide adapter 55 comprises of grooves along the guiding rails 48 and 52 on its either sides so as to accommodate one of the length portions of the cards 49 and 51 respectively. The adapter 55 is mounted at an appropriate distance enabling the guide rails 48 and 52 to accommodate cards 49 and 51. The increased width 'B' caused by the joggle depth 50 is appropriated by two different sized cards 49 and 51, wherein the guiding rails 48 between the card guide 40 and the adapter 55 accommodates a card 49 of a decreased size than that of the card 45 accommodated within the guiding rails 42 on the upper layer. Similarly the guiding rails 52 between the card guide 39 and the adapter 55 accommodates a card 51 of a slightly decreased size than that of the card 49 accommodated within the guiding rails 48 on the adjacent layer. The card guide 40 is a single piece integral card guide which requires no support base plate to mount it with the chassis 5 of the electronic equipment enclosure. Therefore three different cards having three different sizes are accommodated within the chassis of the embodied multi-layer card cage. The embodiments of the present invention also provide for joggle on both the card guides 39 and 40. In such cases the increased width caused due to the joggle on both the card guides can be appropriated by different sized cards accommodated within the guide rails.

Figure 5 depicts the perspective view of yet another aspect of multi-layer card cage enclosed within a chassis of an electronic equipment enclosure embodying the principles of the present invention. The embodied features of the present invention also provides for a multi-layer card cage comprising of a C-profile card guide 40 at one end and 39 at the other end, both placed apart at a defined distance 'P' as required for specific applications.

For the sake of brevity, features which are common to the card guides are avoided and only specific features embodying the principles of the present invention alone are discussed. As part of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention multiple joggles 63, 73 and 83 are provided on the frame 47 of the card guides 39 and 40. The joggle 63 on the card guide frame 47 provided on both the card guides 39 and 40, just below the guide rails 66 provides for an increased width 'Q' between the card guides 39 and 40 to the extent of the depth provided to the joggle 63. Therefore guiding rails 76 on the card guides 39 and 40 accommodates a card 75 of a slightly increased size than that of the card 65 accommodated within the guiding rails 66 on the top layer 'P'.

The joggle 73 on the card guide frame 47 provided on both the card guides 39 and 40, just below the guide rails 76 provides for an increased width 'R' between the card guides 39 and 40 to the extent of the depth provided to the joggle 73. Therefore guiding rails 86 on the card guides 39 and 40 accommodates a card 85 of a slightly increased size than that of the card 75 accommodated within the guiding rails 76 on the layer 'Q' below the top layer 'P'.

Similarly, the joggle 83 on the card guide frame 47 provided on both the card guides 39 and 40, just below the guide rails 86 provides for an increased width 'S' between the card guides 39 and 40 to the extent of the depth provided to the joggle 83. Therefore guiding rails 96 on the card guides 39 and 40 accommodates a card 95 of a slightly increased size than that of the card 85 accommodated within the guiding rails 86 on the layer 'R' below the layer 'Q'. The card guide 39 and 40 are made of a single piece integral card guides which requires no support base plate to mount it with the chassis 5 of the electronic equipment enclosure. Therefore, multiple cards of varying sizes and configurations may be accommodated within the chassis of the embodied multi-layer card cage.

The embodiments of the present invention also provide for multiple joggles on either of the card guides 39 and 40. In such cases the increased width caused due to the joggle on one of the card guide can be appropriated by different sized cards accommodated within the guide rails.

The feature of providing joggle as embodied can be made by any type of bending operations depending on the extent of the width required to accommodate a given card. In specific applications, where substantially large cards are used, the depth provided to the joggle to create the extra width, so as to accommodate such cards would be a bend.

The multi-layer card cage as embodied, occupies a minimal area of the chassis in an electronic equipment enclosure thus increasing the real estate of the chassis considerably making it more versatile for its different applications in printed circuit board sizes or its configurations.

The multi-layer card cage, embodying the principles of this invention can be used as a means of accommodating different sized cards with different configurations in a plurality of electronic equipments including telecom network systems comprising of circuit and packet based equipments like Multi-Service Provisioning Platform, Hubs, Switches, Routers, Add-Drop-Multiplexers, Base station of wireless technology, Gateways, Servers etc.

The foregoing thus makes clear that embodiments of the invention are not limited to any particular card cage configuration. Rather, various embodiments of the card cage are able to accommodate, in a variety of arrangements, one or more cards of various heights, widths and sizes. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should not be construed to be limited to any particular card cage configuration.

The embodiments of the handle pursuant to the principles of the invention can be made from any desired solid material preferably metal. Indeed, it can be made of steel, mild steel, plastic, fibre, moulded material making it weigh less and more portable. It could also be made of steel, mild steel, non-conducting alloys depending upon its applications.

It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to device numerous alternative arrangements that, while now shown or described herein, embody the principles of the invention and thus are within its spirit and scope.

We Claim:

1. A method for a Multi-layer card cage by steps comprising of;

Providing an integral card guide with a joggle at least on one side of the card guide such that at least one card accommodated at the layer above the joggled portion and at least one card accommodated at the layer below the joggled portion are of different sizes.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein successive multiple joggles at least on one side of the card guide enables accommodating at least a card in between two successive joggles such that at least any two cards among the accommodated cards are of different sizes.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein joggle includes any type of bending operations like joggle and bend.

4. A multi-layer card cage for an electronic equipment enclosure, the multi-layer card cage comprising:

An integral card guide with at least a joggle on one side of the card guide such that at least one card accommodated at the layer above the joggled portion and at least one card accommodated at the layer below the joggled portion are of different sizes.

5. The multi-layer card cage of claim 3 wherein multiple joggles at least on one side of the card guide enables accommodating at least a card in between two successive joggles such that at least any two cards among the accommodated cards are of different sizes.

6. The Multi-layer card cage as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said multi-layer card cage is formed of a metal.

7. The Multi-layer card cage substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.