NO20230597A1

NO20230597A1 - A portable rack

Info

Publication number: NO20230597A1
Application number: NO20230597A
Authority: NO
Inventors: Kay Robot Yksnøy; Knut Steinnes; Arnfinn Velle
Original assignee: Rufo As
Priority date: 2023-05-23
Filing date: 2023-05-23
Publication date: 2024-11-25
Also published as: WO2024242572A1

Description

A PORTABLE RACK

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a portable rack for supporting electronic equipment modules such as amplifiers, signal- and power distribution modules. The portable rack is modular and comprises interchangeable side, top and bottom panels.

BACKGROUND

A rack is a standardized frame or enclosure for mounting one or more electronic equipment modules designed to be fitted in the rack. There are several standards for racks, and one such rack is a 19-inch rack. A 19-inch rack is designed to support electronic equipment modules that has a front panel that is 19 inches (482.6 mm) wide, also known as a 19-inch module. The height of these electronic equipment modules is standardized as multiples of 1.75 inches (44.45 mm), or commonly denoted one rack unit.

A portable rack is a rack specifically intended to be hauled and moved frequently, and is configured for supporting electronic equipment modules such as amplifiers, equalizers, signal- and power distribution, stage boxes, power distribution, light processors, etc. Such modules can be very expensive, and may not be designed to withstand large impacts. Portable racks are typically used at concerts and similar events where the electronic equipment is rigged and moved frequently. Portable racks are typically designed to house fewer modules than e.g. a rack cabinet or similar stationary equipment. Portable racks may also comprise handles, which make them easy to lift and carry.

To withstand hauling, impact and even weather, commonly used portable racks have a fixed outer shell, i.e. the two side panels, the top panel and the bottom panel of the rack are fixed together and thus constructed to house a predetermined number of modules or rack units. Such a fixed outer shell may be durable, but even when empty, such portable racks are inconvenient to both store and ship due to the volume. The weight of portable racks with fixed outer shells may be significant, even when empty, due to the massive construction of the outer shell. If more electronic equipment modules are needed in the portable racks, the whole portable rack must be swapped into a larger rack to accommodate the additional modules. Some racks comprise shock absorbing means for reducing vibrations to the electronic equipment modules, but such means are large and bulky, and not suited for portable racks. Portable racks offer limited free space for mounting shock absorbing means.

The above mentioned aspects make commonly available portable racks little sustainable, flexible or protective. There is a large variety of electronic equipment modules in the industry, and there is a need for portable racks that can be customized to any selection of such modules. There is therefore a need for an improved portable rack to reduce or eliminate the abovementioned disadvantages of known techniques. It is an objective of the invention to achieve this and to provide further advantages over the state of the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate one or more of the above-identified deficiencies and disadvantages in the prior art and solve at least the above mentioned problem.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a portable rack for supporting electronic equipment modules. The portable rack comprises:

two opposing interchangeable side panels each comprising a handle;

module support elements for fastening to the interchangeable side panels and configured for supporting electronic equipment modules in the portable rack;

a plurality of interchangeable top panels arranged side by side and removably fastened to an upper part of the interchangeable side panels;

a plurality of interchangeable bottom panels arranged side by side and removably fastened to a lower part of the interchangeable side panels.

According to an embodiment the handle comprises an insert element configured for fastening to a module support element, for adding thickness and increasing grip.

According to an embodiment the insert element is reversible, for accommodating electronic equipment modules of various depth.

According to an embodiment the insert element is configured for fastening to an opening in the interchangeable side panels.

According to an embodiment a dampening element is provided between a module support element and an interchangeable side panel for reducing vibrations from the portable rack to the electronic equipment modules.

According to an embodiment the dampening element is configured for releasable fastening with first and second releasable fastening elements, and a centre axis of the first releasable fastening element is offset from a centre axis of the second releasable fastening element.

According to an embodiment the dampening element is housed in a housing for restricting movement in a radial direction of the centre axes of the first and second releasable fastening elements.

According to an embodiment the housing comprises a recess in the insert element.

According to an embodiment at least one interchangeable top and bottom panel comprises a stiffening element for providing rigidity to the portable rack.

According to an embodiment the interchangeable top and bottom panels are made of sheet metal and the stiffening element is a longitudinal edge protruding from the interchangeable top and bottom panels.

According to an embodiment the interchangeable side panels are made of sheet metal and the upper and lower part of the interchangeable side panels comprise a flange acting as a stiffening element and as a contact face to the plurality of interchangeable top and bottom panels.

According to an embodiment the interchangeable top and bottom panels comprise stack openings configured for holding a stack element for mating adjacent portable racks stacked on top of each other.

According to an embodiment the module support elements comprise an electronic equipment module fastening portion arranged perpendicular to a side panel fastening portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying figures. The figures are provided to illustrate the general structures of the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

Fig. 1a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable rack comprising three interchangeable top panels and a handle comprising an insert element in a first orientation.

Fig. 1b shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable rack comprising three interchangeable top panels and a handle comprising an insert element in a second orientation.

Fig. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a rack comprising three interchangeable top panels and three interchangeable bottom panels.

Fig. 3a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of dampening elements provided on a module support element.

Fig. 3b shows a sectional view through the embodiment of the dampening elements and module support element of figure 3a. The arrangement of fastening elements is shown.

Fig. 4a shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a module support element fastened to an insert element.

Fig. 4b shows a sectional view through the embodiment of the module support element fastened to the insert element of figure 4a. The arrangement of fastening elements is shown.

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable rack comprising four interchangeable top panels and a front panel.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable rack comprising two interchangeable top panels and a front panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which preferred example embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in other forms and should not be construed as limited to the herein disclosed embodiments. The disclosed embodiments are provided to fully convey the scope of the invention to the skilled person.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claim, the articles "a", "an" and "the" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements or steps unless the context explicitly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a unit" or "the unit" may include several devices, and the like.

Furthermore, the words "comprising", "including", "containing" and similar wordings do not exclude other elements or steps.

Figure 1a shows an embodiment of a portable rack 1. The portable rack 1 is configured for supporting electronic equipment modules such as amplifiers, signaland power distribution modules. The portable rack 1 may be a 19-inch rack, configured for supporting 19-inch electronic equipment modules. The portable rack 1 comprises two opposing interchangeable side panels 2, a plurality of interchangeable top panels 3 and a plurality of interchangeable bottom panels 4. The illustrated embodiment comprises three interchangeable top panels 3 and three interchangeable bottom panels 4 (only two are visible in figure 1a). A portable rack 1 may preferably comprise two, three or four interchangeable top panels 3 and two, three or four interchangeable bottom panels 4. A portable rack 1 may also comprise an uneven number of interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4. Although not shown in the figures, the portable rack 1 may also comprise an interchangeable back panel.

Interchangeable is to be understood as being removable and replaceable. The interchangeable side panels 2 may as such be replaced with e.g. taller or shorter interchangeable side panels. The interchangeable side panels 2 may in an embodiment also be swappable, such that a left interchangeable side panel may be swapped with a right interchangeable side panel, and vice versa. Similarly, the interchangeable top panels 3 and interchangeable bottom panels 4 may have one or all of the panels removed and/or replaced. The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3, may also be swappable, such that an interchangeable top panel 3 may be swapped with an interchangeable bottom panel 4. The width of the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may as such vary from one panel to another, and the specific composition of interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 of varying widths may be decided by the user. Due to this modular design, the interchangeable panels allow a user to change the shape and function of the portable rack 1 as needs arise. The portable rack 1 may e.g. be completely disassembled for ease of shipping and storing. If a portable rack 1 needs to house e.g. more electronic equipment modules, the interchangeable side panels 2 can be replaced with interchangeable side panels 2 that are taller, allowing more space inside the portable rack 1. The height of the interchangeable side panels 2 may e.g. vary in whole numbers of rack units. The interchangeable side panels 2 protect the sides of the electronic equipment modules housed within the portable rack 1. The interchangeable side panels 2 are preferably solid, such that the sides of the electronic equipment modules are completely protected, but the interchangeable side panels 2 may also comprise e.g. openings for allowing a flow of air through portions of the interchangeable side panels 2.

Each interchangeable side panel 2 comprises a handle 5. The handle 5 is preferably positioned on a front portion 28 of the interchangeable side panel 2. The handle 5 makes it convenient and easy for a user to hold and lift the portable rack 1, as electronic equipment modules housed inside the portable rack 1 may be heavy. The handle 5 preferably comprises an insert element 6. The insert element 6 adds thickness and increases grip to the handle 5. This is preferable especially if the interchangeable side panels 2 are made of sheet metal and similar thin-walled panels. The insert element 6 may be a plate-element, and may e.g. be symmetrical about a plane, such that the insert element 6 is reversible. In figure 1a this may be a horizontal plane such that the top half and bottom half of the insert element 6 is symmetrical about the horizontal plane. As such, the insert element 6 is easy to fit to the interchangeable side panels 2 and may also be used on both interchangeable side panels 2. A reversible insert element 6 is thus shaped such that it can be positioned in two different orientations on the interchangeable side panel 2; a first orientation and a second, reverse, orientation. These orientations are described later.

The interchangeable side panels 2 may comprise a handle opening 7 to which the insert element 6 is configured for fastening. The insert element 6 may be fastened to the interchangeable side panels 2 by releasable fastening means such as screws. The insert element 6 may comprise a handle portion 8 and a module support element fastening portion 9. The insert element 6 is thus configured for fastening to a module support element 10. More specifically, a module support element 10 may be fastened to the module support element fastening portion 9. A module support element 10 is an element configured for supporting electronic equipment modules. The module support element 10 is described in more detail with reference to figures 2, 3 and 4. If the insert element 6 is not present, the module support elements 10 may in an embodiment be fastened directly to the inside of the interchangeable side panels 2.

The insert element 6 is in figure 1a positioned in a first orientation where the module support element fastening portion 9 is closer to the rear of the portable rack 1 than the handle portion 8. The module support elements 10 may thus be positioned in a standard distance from the rear of the portable rack 1, and the portable rack 1 is in this configuration configured to support electronic equipment modules of standard size and depth. In the configuration of figure 1a, where the insert elements 6 are in the first orientation, the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 positioned closest to the front (i.e. closest to the handles 5) of the portable rack 1 may comprise a notch 11. This makes the handles 5 protrude from the portable rack 1, and the handles 5 are easily accessible.

The interchangeable top panels 3 and interchangeable bottom panels 4 may in one embodiment be identical, such that they can be used interchangeably at the top and bottom of the portable rack 1. The interchangeable side panels 2 may in an embodiment also be identical, such that they can be used interchangeably. The interchangeable side panels 2 may in another embodiment be inverted, such that a left interchangeable side panel is a mirrored version of a right interchangeable side panel.

The interchangeable top panels 3 are arranged side by side and fastened to an upper part 12 of the interchangeable side panels 2, to protect the top of the electronic equipment modules housed within the portable rack 1. The interchangeable top panels 3 may not overlap, but may be arranged adjacent to one another. The interchangeable top panels 3 are fastened to the upper part 12 at distal ends, in a longitudinal direction, of the interchangeable top panels 3. Longitudinal side edges of neighboring interchangeable top panels 3 are thus adjacent each other when the interchangeable top panels 3 are fastened to the interchangeable side panels 2. The interchangeable bottom panels 4 are correspondingly arranged side by side on a lower part 13 of the interchangeable side panels 2, to protect the bottom of the electronic equipment modules housed within the portable rack 1. The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 are preferably solid, such that the top and bottom of the electronic equipment modules are completely protected, but the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may also comprise e.g. openings for allowing a flow of air through portions of the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4.

The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 are removably fastened to the upper and lower parts 12,13, respectively, of the interchangeable side panels 2. The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 are removably fastened on two opposing outer portions of the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4. The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may comprise holes or openings on the opposing outer portions, corresponding to holes or openings on the upper and lower parts 12,13 of the interchangeable side panels 2. The holes or openings of the interchangeable side panels 2 may preferably be threaded holes. The holes or openings may be spaced apart such that e.g. three interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may be positioned in any order on the upper and lower parts 12,13, respectively, of the interchangeable side panels 2. The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may be removably fastened to the interchangeable side panels 2 by releasable fastening means such as screws.

Figure 1b shows an embodiment of a portable rack 1 with the insert element 6 in a second orientation. In the second orientation, the handle portion 8 is closer to the rear of the portable rack 1 than the module support element fastening portion 9. The portable rack 1 is thus configured to support an electronic equipment module of a greater size and depth, or, alternatively, allows for more space in the rear of the electronic equipment module. The outermost interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may be regular, rectangular panels without a notch when the insert element 6 is in the second orientation. The interchangeable side panels 2 may comprise module support element connection means 27 that allows the module support elements supporting the rear of an electronic equipment module to be moved forwards or backwards on the inside of the interchangeable side panels 2 as needed. The module support element connection means 27 may simply be holes allowing a pair of fastening means such as screws to fasten the module support elements to the interchangeable side panels 2.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the portable rack 1. The portable rack 1 of figure 2 corresponds to the embodiment shown fully assembled in figure 1a. At least one of the interchangeable top panels 3 and at least one of the interchangeable bottom panels 4 may comprise a stiffening element 14. The stiffening elements 14 provide rigidity to the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4, and may be an integrated element of the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4. The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may be made from sheet metal, and more preferably aluminum sheet metal. The stiffening element 14 may as such be a protruding sheet metal edge. The stiffening elements 14 may preferably extend along two opposing edges in the lengthwise direction of the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4. At least one interchangeable top panel 3 and at least one interchangeable bottom panel 4 may comprise a stiffening element 14, and preferably all the interchangeable top panels 3 and all the interchangeable bottom panels 4 comprise stiffening elements 14.

The interchangeable side panels 2 are preferably also made of sheet metal, and more preferably aluminum sheet metal. The upper and lower part 12,13 of an interchangeable side panel 2 may comprise a flange. The flange may as such be a protruding sheet metal edge. The flange may preferably extend along the upper and lower part 12,13 in the lengthwise direction of the interchangeable side panels 2. The flanges may act both as stiffening elements and as contact faces to the plurality of interchangeable top and bottom panels 3, 4. The flanges of the upper and lower part 12,13 of an interchangeable side panel 2 may comprise holes or openings for fastening to the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4. The holes or openings may be threaded, and may be provided on separate elements fastened to the interchangeable side panels 2. The separate elements may preferably be releasably fastened to the interchangeable side panels 2, to accommodate fastening means of various diameters, and easy replacement if a thread is worn. The interchangeable side panels 2 each comprise a handle 5. As previously described, a handle 5 is provided at the front portion 28 of an interchangeable side panel 2, and the insert 6 adds thickness and grip to the handle 5.

The portable rack 1 may comprise four module support elements 10, as known in the art. One module support element 10 may be located approximately in each corner of the portable rack 1, inside the interchangeable side panels 2 and plurality of interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4, such that electronic equipment modules may be sufficiently supported in the portable rack 1. The module support elements 10 are fastened to the inside of the interchangeable side panels 2. As previously described, one module support element 10 may be fastened to each insert element 6 on the interchangeable side panels 2. These may be regarded as the front module support elements 10. The rear module support elements 10 may be fastened to the interchangeable side panel 2 at module support element connection means 27.

To reduce vibrations from the portable rack 1 to an electronic equipment module housed within, the module support elements 10 may not be fastened directly to the interchangeable side panels 2 (comprising the insert elements 6). A dampening element 15 may be provided between the module support elements 10 and the interchangeable side panels 2, for reducing vibrations and impacts from the outer panels of the portable rack 1 to the electronic equipment modules inside. The dampening element 15 may comprise an elastic material with dampening characteristics, such as a rubber element. A plurality of dampening elements 15 may be provided between a module support element 10 and an interchangeable side panel 2.

The dampening element 15 may be provided in a housing 16. The housing 16 may in a first embodiment be a separate, open-sided box into which the dampening element 15 is positioned. The dampening element 15 extends outside the housing 16 through the open side, thus allowing the dampening element 15 to be compressed and thereby reduce vibrations. The housing 16 may in a second embodiment comprise a recess in the insert element 6. The dampening element 15 extends outside the recess, allowing the dampening element 15 to be compressed and thereby reduce vibrations. The dampening element 15 and housing 16 are described further with reference to figures 3a,b and 4a,b.

The interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 may comprise stack openings 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the stack openings 17 are circular holes. All the interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 of a portable rack 1 may comprise stack openings 17, or just a select few. An interchangeable top or bottom panel 3,4 may preferably comprise two stack openings 17, e.g. one stack opening 17 may be provided at each distal end of the interchangeable top or bottom panel 3,4.

Preferably, two interchangeable top and bottom panels 3,4 comprise stack openings 17.

A stack element 18 may be positioned in the stack openings 17 of the e.g. interchangeable bottom panels 4. A stack element 18 may be a generally cylindrical element which may be positioned and removably fastened in the stack opening 17 by e.g. snap-lock or other mechanical fastening. The stack elements 18 may also be fastened to the interchangeable side panels 2, e.g. to a protruding portion of the lower part 13 of the interchangeable side panels 2. The stack elements 18 preferably protrude from the interchangeable bottom panels 4. When two or more portable 19-inch racks 1 are stacked on top of each other, the stack elements 18 of the interchangeable bottom panels 4 of a portable rack 1 may mate with the stack openings 17 of the interchangeable top panels 3 of a portable rack 1 below, in a male-female connection. Portable 19-inch racks 1 stacked on top of each other may thus releasably interlock and form a stable, stacked assembly. The stack elements 18 may also serve as feet on which the portable rack 1 may rest when positioned on a flat surface.

Figure 3a shows an embodiment of dampening elements 15 provided in housings 16 on a module support element 10, and figure 3b shows a sectional view through the dampening elements 15, housings 16 and module support element 10 of figure 3a. The module support element 10 comprises an electronic equipment module fastening portion 29 which electronic equipment module is configured for being fastening to. The electronic equipment module fastening portion 29 may comprise square openings, as is known in the art. The electronic equipment module fastening portion 29 may be arranged perpendicular to a side panel fastening portion 30. The module support element 10 may as such be an element comprising two flanges. The housings 16 are provided on the side panel fastening portion 30.

A dampening element 15 is releasably fastened to the housing 16 and the module support element 10 by a first releasable fastening element 19. The first releasable fastening element 19 may be a screw, and it is guided through the module support element 10, through the housing 16 and into the dampening element 15. The dampening element 15 may comprise a first threaded portion 20, and the first releasable fastening element 19 may as such be releasably fastened to the dampening element 15 by means of a threaded connection. The first threaded portion 20 may be a nut or similar insert element in the dampening element 15. The first threaded portion 20 may also be an integrated part of the dampening element 15.

The module support element 10 and the dampening element 15 are releasably fastened to an interchangeable side panel (not shown in figures 3a,b) by a second releasable fastening element 21. The second releasable fastening element 21 may be a screw, and it is guided through the interchangeable side panel and into the dampening element 15 from an opposite direction of the first releasable fastening element 19. The dampening element 15 may comprise a second threaded portion 22, and the second releasable fastening element 21 may as such be releasably fastened to the dampening element 15 by means of a threaded connection. The second threaded portion 22 may be a nut or similar insert element in the dampening element 15. The second threaded portion 22 may also be an integrated part of the dampening element 15. The dampening element 15 is thus configured for releasable interlocking with the first and second releasable fastening elements 19,21 from opposite directions relative to the dampening element 15.

The centre axis of the first releasable fastening element 19 is offset from the centre axis of the second releasable fastening element 21. The centre axis of the first and second releasable fastening elements 19,21 do thereby not coincide, i.e. they are not concentric. The length of the first and second releasable fastening elements 19,21 therefore overlap, and the thickness of the dampening element 15 can be made very thin. This is advantageous for occupying as little space as possible inside the portable rack 1. If the dampening element 15 is damaged or breaks, the housing 16 still maintains the electronic equipment modules housed in the portable rack 1 in place, so the flexible connection between the electronic equipment modules and the portable rack 1 is made less vulnerable. Also, the housing 16 prevents excessive movement of the dampening element 15 (and thus the electronic equipment modules) in a sideways direction (in the YZ-plane indicated in figure 3a), while the dampening properties in the X-direction are maintained.

Movement in the sideways direction corresponds to movement in a radial direction of a center axis of the first and/or second fastening elements 19,21.

Figure 4a shows an embodiment of a module support element 10 releasably fastened to an insert element 6, and figure 4b shows a sectional view through the module support element 10, dampening elements 15 and insert element 6 of figure 4a. The insert element 6 comprises a handle portion 8 and a module support element fastening portion 9. The insert element 6 may comprise an opening forming part of the handle portion 8. The module support element 10 is releasably fastened to the module support element fastening portion 9. The insert element 6 may comprise insert element connection means 23 for releasably fastening the insert element 6 to an interchangeable side panel (not shown in figures 4a,b). The insert element connection means 23 may in an embodiment simply be holes or openings.

The housing 16 is in the embodiment shown in figures 4a,b a recess in the insert element 6. A dampening element 15 is releasably fastened to the module support element 10 by a first releasable fastening element 19. The first releasable fastening element 19 may be a screw, and it is guided through the module support element 10 and into the dampening element 15. The dampening element 15 may comprise a first threaded portion 20, and the first releasable fastening element 19 may as such be releasably fastened to the dampening element 15 by means of a threaded connection. The first threaded portion 20 may be a nut or similar insert element in the dampening element 15. The first threaded portion 20 may also be an integrated part of the dampening element 15.

The module support element 10 and the dampening element 15 are releasably fastened to the insert element 6 by a second releasable fastening element 21. The second releasable fastening element 21 may be a screw, and it is guided through the insert element 6 and into the dampening element 15 from an opposite direction than the first releasable fastening element 19. The dampening element 15 may comprise a second threaded portion 22, and the second releasable fastening element 21 may as such be releasably fastened to the dampening element 15 by means of a threaded connection. The second threaded portion 22 may be a nut or similar insert element in the dampening element 15. The second threaded portion 22 may also be an integrated part of the dampening element 15. The dampening element 15 is thus configured for releasable interlocking with the first and second releasable fastening elements 19,21 from opposite directions relative to the dampening element 15.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment of a portable rack 1 comprising four interchangeable top panels 3. Three of the top panels 3 are removably fastened to the upper part 12 of the interchangeable side panels 2. One top panel 3 is a hatch panel 24. The hatch panel 24 may comprise a quick release mechanism 25 which makes the hatch panel 24 swift and easy to remove from the portable rack 1, e.g. for placing a monitor or similar external equipment into the portable rack 1. The portable rack 1 in the illustrated embodiment also comprises a front panel 26, for protection of the electronic equipment modules housed inside the portable rack 1. The front panel 26 may also comprise a quick release mechanism 25.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a portable rack 1 comprising two interchangeable top panels 3.

Claims

1. A portable rack (1) for supporting electronic equipment modules, comprising:

two opposing interchangeable side panels (2) each comprising a handle (5); module support elements (10) for fastening to the interchangeable side panels (2) and configured for supporting electronic equipment modules in the portable rack (1); a plurality of interchangeable top panels (3) arranged side by side and removably fastened to an upper part (12) of the interchangeable side panels (2);

a plurality of interchangeable bottom panels (4) arranged side by side and removably fastened to a lower part (13) of the interchangeable side panels (2).

2. The portable rack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the handle (5) comprises an insert element (6) configured for fastening to a module support element (10), for adding thickness and increasing grip.

3. The portable rack (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insert element (6) is reversible, for accommodating electronic equipment modules of various depth.

4. The portable rack (1) according to claim 3, wherein the insert element (6) is configured for fastening to an opening (7) in the interchangeable side panels (2).

5. The portable rack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a dampening element (15) is provided between a module support element (10) and an interchangeable side panel (2) for reducing vibrations from the portable rack (1) to the electronic equipment modules.

6. The portable rack (1) according to claim 5, wherein the dampening element (15) is configured for releasable fastening with first and second releasable fastening elements (19,21), and a centre axis of the first releasable fastening element (19) is offset from a centre axis of the second releasable fastening element (21).

7. The portable rack (1) according to claim 6, wherein the dampening element (15) is housed in a housing (16) for restricting movement in a radial direction of the centre axes of the first and second releasable fastening elements (19,21).

8. The portable rack (1) according to claim 7, wherein the housing (16) comprises a recess in the insert element (6).

9. The portable rack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one interchangeable top and bottom panel (3,4) comprises a stiffening element (14) for providing rigidity to the portable rack (1).

10. The portable rack (1) according to claim 9, wherein the interchangeable top and bottom panels (3,4) are made of sheet metal and the stiffening element (14) is a longitudinal edge protruding from the interchangeable top and bottom panels (3,4).

11. The portable rack (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the interchangeable side panels (2) are made of sheet metal and the upper and lower part (12,13) of the interchangeable side panels (2) comprise a flange acting as a stiffening element and as a contact face to the plurality of interchangeable top and bottom panels (3, 4).

12. The portable rack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interchangeable top and bottom panels (3,4) comprise stack openings (17) configured for holding a stack element (18) for mating adjacent portable racks (1) stacked on top of each other.

13. The portable rack (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module support elements (10) comprise an electronic equipment module fastening portion (29) arranged perpendicular to a side panel fastening portion (30).