Field

[0001 ] The present invention is directed to a panel and in particular to a panel for use in the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure industry such as in data centres.

Background

[0002] Wall panels exist throughout the world. Data centres for IT infrastructure such as servers or the like are also common. It has been identified that a significant cost to the operation of a data centre is the cooling system keeping the IT infrastructure at a regulated temperature. In order to reduce those costs, containment and recirculation of the cooled air within the data centre has been identified as important. Most data centre air is delivered and circulated by way of a raised floor plenum. Air flow control about the floor and walls has been proven to be effecti ve in increasing the efficiency of the cooling system of the IT infrastructure and reducing the operational cooling costs of the Data Centre.

[0003] Underfloor air control typically includes plastic curtains, nylon curtains, plasterboard or plastic sheets arranged under a floor. Those products and their method of installation, are labour intensive and require lengthy handling and securing processes and maintenance. Existing installation methods include typically installing sheets or curtains that are 1200 mm wide and in some cases up to 3000 mm wide, making installation difficult. They are also difficult to cut in situ and shape to control air flow effectively.

[0004] Other common barrier products are considered hard to remove, re-position and/or repair. They do not provide handy guide markings or the like to assist with installation around obstacles. They also do not provide guide markings to clearly allow accurate cutting to suit in situ to a specific floor height or width.

[0005] There is a need for a panel specifically designed for use in underfloor data centre cooling. There is also a need for a light weight panel that will reduce installation time by way of positioning and locating features, be cost effective and can be cut to size in situ to avoid existing obstacles. Object of Invention

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention

[0007] There is disclosed herein a panel having:

a pair of elongate side walls extending between an elongate top edge and an elongate bottom edge to define a planar front surface and a planar back surface;

at least one side or edge having a flap separable into a first portion and a second portion operatively associated with each other to define an enclosure extending along said respective side or edge, a locking means associated with said portions;

said enclosure adapted to receive a portion of a structure so that in use said panel is securable to said structure.

[0008] Preferably, said flap includes at least two elongate strips. [0009] Preferably, said flap includes at least three elongate strips.

[0010] Preferably, said strips are hingedly connected together and moveable with respect to each other in use.

[001 1 ] Preferably, said locking means includes at least one serration on said first portion and securable within a slot on said second portion, in use connectable together to secure said flap about said structure and in a use position.

[0012] Preferably, said first and second portions are formed as a single unitary blank in an unused configuration, said second portion being partially separable from said first portion in a use position.

[0013] Preferably, said panel includes a flap at said top edge and a flap at at least one side wall. [0014] Preferably, said panel includes a flap at said top edge and a flap at each said side walls.

[0015] Preferably, said panel is a twin wall sheet such that said front and back surfaces are separated by a web.

[0016] Preferably, said web includes a honeycomb. [0017] Preferably, said panel is polypropylene.

[0018] Preferably, including a series of holes extending along at least one said wall and/or edge, said holes adapted to receive fastening means to secure said panel to said structure.

[0019] Preferably, said holes are locatable in said flaps and said fastening means includes ties, strips, clips, cords or the like _^

[0020] Preferably, said front and/or back surface includes a series of markings to provide cutting guidance to a user. '

Description of Drawings

[0021 ] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0022] Figure 1 shows a panel of the present invention being folded by a user;

[0023] Figure 2 shows a panel of Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 3 shows panels of Figure 1 in situ;

[0025] Figure 4 shows a panel of Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 5 shows panels of Figure 1 in situ;

[0027] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the locking means of Figure 1 ; [0028] Figure 7 shows panels of Figure 1 in use marked before cutting to shape around obstacles;

[0029] Figure 8 shows panels of Figure 1 in use;

[0030 ^" ] Figure 9 shows panels of Figure 1 connected together around underfloor supports; [0031 ] Figure 10 shows a top view of a panel of Figure 1 in use; and [0032] Figure 1 1 shows another panel of the present invention. Description of Embodiments

[0033] There is disclosed in the drawings a panel 1 having a pair of elongate side walls 3 extending between an elongate top edge 4 and an elongate bottom edge 5 to define a planar front surface 6 and a planar back surface 8. At least one side wall or edge 3, 4, 5, includes a flap 10 operatively associated with at least one locking means 1 1 to define an enclosure 12 extending along a respective side wall or edge 3, 4, 5; As best seen in Figures 3 and 10, the enclosure 12 is adapted to receive a portion 15 of a structure (such as a data centre wall frame, raised floor support structure) so that in use the panel 1 is securable to the structure.

[0034] In the preferred form, the locking means 1 1 (as best seen in Figures 6 and 10) includes at least two portions 20, 21. Portion 21 being separable from portion 20 and moveable with respect to each other in use to define the enclosure 12. The portions 20, 21 include locking means in the form of interlocking serrations 31 securable in a slot 32. The serrations 31 could be any shape and size. It should be noted that the portions 20, 21 can be formed of the original panel 1 by cutting the top surface 6, flap 10, bottom surface 8, sides 3, 4, 5 to allow bending or they can be additional pieces secured together such as shown in Figure 6. In the preferred form, the panel 1 would include a flap 10 at the top edge 4 and additional flaps 13 at each of the side walls 3. It should however be noted that the flaps 10, 13 could be located at one or more of the walls 3 and edges 4, 5. The flaps 10, 1 1 being foldable as shown in Figure I . The flaps 10, 1 1 could also include a pair of strips 24, 25 which are foldable with respect to each other and include one or more corresponding holes or slots 34 for receipt of a tie 19, strip, clip or the like being used to connect holes 34 of adjacent panels 1 together. The panel 1 in a preferred form is separated by a web or honeycomb structure 40. That structure 40 allows space between the front surface 6 and back surface 8 to receive a brush (not shown) or the like which permits cabling or similar to extend from the front surface 6 to the back surface 8.

[0035] The panel 1 would be manufactured from a 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, (8 mm) or 1 mm Twin Wall Polypropylene sheet or the like. Such a sheet 1 is light weight, strong and durable, impact resistant, water resistant, antistatic, non-toxic, resistant to chemicals, cost effective, 100% recyclable, available in flame retardant versions and a wide colour range. For example, black, white, grey or silver.

[0036] In use, utilising a series of half cuts and reverse cuts placed in the front surface 6 and back surface 8 of the panel 1 , an enclosure 12 is created to allow attachment to the struts 15 of a raised floor frame of a data centre for example. The enclosure 12 can have any cross sectional shape such as square, circular, triangular or the like.

[0037] If not cut out of a single sheet, a heat sealing process or the like can be used to attach an extra sheet of polypropylene to the top edge 4 to create the flap 10. As seen in Figure 6 the portions 20, 21 can be secured to the panel 1 with a sonic weld 27, heat seal, rivet or the like. Said first and second portions 20, 21 are formed as a single unitary blank in an unused configuration, said second portion being partially separable from said first portion in a use position.

[0038] Utilising the natural form of the panel 1 , the structural "cells" or webs 40 align horizontally within the panel 1 , to facilitate strength when bending and fixing the portions 20, 21 and retaining folds 10 for attachment to the struts 15.

[0039] Utilising the natural form of the panel 1 , the structural "cells" take advantage of the natural "memory" of the material when "half cut" tabs 28 at the side walls 3 are used for attachment to frame 15.

[0040] Utilising a series of left hand side and right hand side half cuts and reverse cuts into the front surface 6 and rear surface 8 of the panel 1 , folds, flaps or tabs are easily achieved to enable location and positioning around frame structures. Fixing methods are typically, but not exclusively, by cable tie 1 , Velcro tie , string, tape, plastic rod, plastic clip, inserted comb, elastic band, steel clip or the like typically between corresponding holes 34.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, a series of grid lines 70 can be printed, etched, engraved, labelled or the like, to the front surface 6 or rear surface 8 of each panel 1 to provide cutting guidance to the installer for the purpose of clearance around existing objects or for the purpose of accurately trimming to the required floor depth. For example, at positions including but not limited to: 200 mm, 300 mm, 400 mm, 500 mm.

[0042] Utilising the natural form of the panel 1 , the structural "cells" 40 can be turned through 90 degrees and when aligned vertically within the panel I , can facilitate easy insertion of brush strips or the like to enhance air flow control and cable management from the left hand side and the right hand side. Particular to this process is the ability to provide "end cells" that are pre-cut to accept the insertion of brush strips(or rubber seals) (not shown). The underfloor panels 1 in use can be aligned to make a continuous wall under the floor to enhance air flow and cooling efficiency. The panels 1 can also be aligned to make a continuous wall above the floor (see Figure 5) to enhance air flow and cooling efficiency in "air containment strategies". These underfloor panels 1 can be supplied cut to size to align with a diagonal span equivalent but not limited to a dimension of 848 mm in length. Utilising the natural form of the material, the structural "cells" 40 can be aligned horizontally within the panel 1 , to facilitate easy cutting around underfloor obstacles such as cable trays and piping. The polypropylene material can be easily marked and cut on site to suit the local environment.

[0043] Manufactured from twin walled polypropylene, the panels 1 can be specifically cut to suit but not limited to, industry standard 600 mm x 600 mm data centre raised floor frame works and provide fast and efficient installation to improve the efficiency of cold air delivery within a data centre. Advantageously, the material is "Twin walled Polypropylene" to suit the application of mechanical retention and air sealing, for products related to, but not limited to, raised floor structures, data centre cabinets, ceilings, walls or the like. The material could for example be twin walled polypropylene UL 94 VI or V0). The memory capacity of the twin walled polycarbonate when specifically pre-cut and folded, assists retention of the panel 1 when mechanically presented to, but not limited to, raised floor structures, data centre cabinets, ceilings, walls or the like. Splitting the side wall or end wall of the twin walled polycarbonate, provides a receptacle for a "spined brush strip" or the like to assist with mechanical retention and/or air sealing of the panel 1. The pre-cut shape tabs, folds, flaps and facilitate a "self-locking" mounting method to frames 15. Those pre-cut shapes also facilitate accurate "alignment" on installation. The use of screen printed texts and diagrams (not shown) also facilitate accurate "alignment" on installation. The specific cuts 35 and folds facilitate easy eollapsibility (see Figure 1) of the panels 1 for transport and handling and to facilitate accurate "alignment" on installation.

[0044] While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0045] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.