GB2095101A

GB2095101A - Knock-down enclosure and method for assembling same

Info

Publication number: GB2095101A
Application number: GB8208122A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Amco Engineering Co
Current assignee: Amco Engineering Co
Priority date: 1981-03-19
Filing date: 1982-03-19
Publication date: 1982-09-29
Also published as: FR2501982A1; JPS57206410A; DE3209771A1; AU8153182A

Abstract

A knock down frame which can be assembled out of six pieces is disclosed which is useful for housing electronic components. The shipping assembly comprises two half frames, two base cross ties with lateral gussets, and two top cross ties. The gussets are integral with the base cross ties, and secured by removable fasteners at their remote ends to the bottom portions of the half frames. The top cross ties have brackets which secure interiorly of the top portion of the half frames. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Knock down enclosure and method for assembling same The present invention is directed to a knock down cabinet useful in the same environment disclosed in United States patent 2,991,140 assigned to the applicant, and classified in Class 312, sub-class 257.

The prior art is accurately represented by United States patent 2,991,140 directed to an enclosure modularized for housing instruments, electronic equipment, computers, and the like.

Such an enclosure is flexible in its usage, rugged from a standpoint of dimensional stability, shakeproof characteristics, and yet inherently economical to manufacture. Such enclosures, however, have in the past been manufactured in fully completed form, and therefore require shipping in the full size configuration. It is highly desirable to have a knock down version of the subject enclosure which will exhibit essentially the same strength characteristics, and yet be susceptible of shipment in a compact package.

The present invention is directed to a knock down cabinet which in finished and assembled form is useful in the same applications as those disclosed in United States patent 2,991,140. Only six parts are required, two half frames or side panels, two bottom cross tie assemblies with integral gussets, and two top cross tie assemblies having mount brackets at each end including integral gussets. The gussets in all instances are secured to the half frames or side panels with removable fasteners. In a preferred embodiment only twenty-eight removable fasteners are required to assemble the unit, twelve at the top portion, and sixteen at the bottom portion. The method of the assembly may be in varying stages.

Ideally when two men are working, one of the half frames is positioned on a flat surface. One man secures the bottom cross ties, and the other secures the top cross ties. Thereafter they pick up the second half frame, position the same above the four upright extending opposed base cross ties and top cross ties, and secure them in the same fashion as previously. Optionally, one man can secure the base cross ties, then the top cross ties, and use the same to position one side panel in a vertical plane. The other side panel is then brought into opposed relationship, and similarly secured.

The bolts which are used are optionally hexheaded and slotted so that a socket wrench, end wrench, or screwdriver can be employed for the assembly.

All of the nuts for receiving the bolts are preformed and prepositioned.

In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a six element knock down unit of an instrument enclosure which can be shipped in a small package, reducing the bulk for purposes of shipment by almost ninety per cent. The correlative advantage is to reduce shipping rates and permit the product to move into overseas markets, to be shipped to distribution centers for simple assembly, and the like.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a knock down instrument enclosure which can be readily assembled at the job site with very simple tools.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a knock down instrument enclosure in which the strength characteristics of a factory assembled and welded unit can be approached even though removable fasteners are employed to secure the opposed half frames.

A further object of the present invention is achieved by reducing space problems within the manufacturing facility, inventory problems, and thus reducing cost in the manufacturing as well as in the assembly of the enclosure.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a knock down instrument enclosure which still permits the customer to select multiple colors, multiple cowlings for securing a plurality of units together in alignment, and otherwise achieve the advantages heretofore enjoyed in connection with the ericlosure of United States patent 2,991,140.

Further objects and advantages of the subject invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds, taken in conjunction with the accompanying illustrative drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical cabinet with the interior instrumentation and electronics installed; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the subject instrument enclosure after it has been assembled from the six elements contained in the knock down package; FIG. 3 is a partially diagrammatic perspective view of the relationship between the six elements as they are packed for shipping and fit within a shipping container; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the two half frames in position for initial assembly; FIG. 5 is a further perspective partially exploded diagrammatic view showing how the half frames are spaced, and self-jigging into positioning for assembly;; FIG. 5a is a perspective diagrammatic view exploded from FIG. 5 showing a combination nut pad and bottom strut guide member secured at opposed lower portions of the half frames; FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the bottom side strut showing the presecured gusset in place; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a top cross tie assembly; FIG, 8 is a broken view of the bottom portion of a half frame; FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the opposed bottom cross tie assemblies in secured relationship to the lower end of the half frame; FIG. 1 0 is a perspective view from the opposite end of the half frame of FIGS. 8 and 9 showing the opposed mounting brackets to receive the top cross tie assembly; FIG. 11 is a perspective broken view showing the assembled relationship between the top cross tie assembly and the half frame;; FIG. 1 2 is an exploded perspective broken view showing the relationship between the cross tie mount bracket and the cross tie assembly; FIG. 1 3 is an exploded perspective view of the upper corner portion of the side frames; FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective partially broken view of the connection between the upper portion of the half frame and the end portions of the top cross tie assemblies; and FIG. 1 5 is a completed assembled perspective partially broken view of the connection between the top cross tie assembly and the upper end of the half frame.

Description of Preferred Embodiments The subject invention is directed to the assembly of an instrument cabinet 10, such as shown in FIG. 1 , which may contain various types of electronic equipment. For purposes of illustration, the instrument cabinet 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a tape deck 13, and controls 14. It will be appreciated that a wide variety of electronic components are intended for use in an instrument cabinet such as shown.

FIG. 2 shows the basic frame assembly 11 which is ultimately filled with electronic components and covered with side panels to finish the same as shown in FIG. 1. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the frame assembly 11 includes a pair of opposed half frames 15, each of which is made up of opposed vertical main channels 1 6, a bottom side strut 17, center side struts 18, and closed at the top by the top strut 19. Opposed bottom cross tie assemblies 20 secure the two half frames 15 at the lower portion, and two cross tie assemblies 25 secure the same at the top in the manner to be described in greater detail as this description proceeds.

The completed instrument cabinet 10, as well as the frame assembly 1 f, essentially serve the same function as applicant's now-expired United States patent 2,991,140. The principal and significant difference, however, is that the instrument cabinet of patent 2,991,140 is totally assembled and welded at the factory, and therefore when shipped demands the space of a completed intrument cabinet. As illustrated in FIG. 3, however, the shipping assembly 12 for the subject frame assembly 11 is small and compact, with the half frames 1 5 set on top of each other, and the bottom cross tie assemblies 20 and the top cross tie assemblies 25 nested interiorly of the two half frames 1 5.In this fashion the shipping space, from a standpoint of bulk, is reduced by almost ninety per cent from that required for a totally complete frame assembly 11 such as shown in FIG. 2.

Assembly is accomplished by securing ideally twenty-eight removable fasteners, twelve at the top and sixteen at the bottom. This will become apparent as the description proceeds.

When the shipping assembly 12 is received by the customer, the same is unpacked and optionally placed on a flat surface as shown in FIG.

4. There it will be seen that the two half frames 15 are separated, and two bottom cross tie assemblies 20 and two top cross tie assemblies 25, are ready for attachment. As shown in FIG. 5 the two bottom cross tie assemblies 20 are secured to one half frame 15, as well as the two top cross tie assemblies 25. Thereafter the second half frame 1 5 is positioned in parallel relationship to the first half frame 1 5 but spaced thereapart by the four cross tie pieces. The second half frame 15 is then secured into position, and the frame assembly 11 is completed. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, there are two center side struts 1 8. This number will vary in accordance with the height of the cabinet, and additional center side struts 1 8 may be employed or, in a short unit, only one center side strut 1 8 employed.The bottom side strut 1 7 and the top side strut 1 9 are present in all units.

As noted in FIG. 6, the bottom cross tie assembly 20 includes a bottom cross tie 21, and a caster mounting bracket and gusset 22. The caster mounting bracket and gusset 22 is welded at one end to the flange portion of the bottom cross tie 21. Caster hole clusters 23 are provided in the caster mounting bracket and gusset 22, along with a central optional floor tie hole 24. The two bolt holes 50 at the end of the gusset remote from the portion where it is welded to the bottom cross tie 21 are for final attachment when the frame is assembled. The top cross tie assembly 25 as shown in FIG. 7 includes the principal cross tie member 26, and a cross tie mount bracket 28 having a cap flange 30 and gusset portion 29. The gusset portion 29 is provided with gusset bolt holes 51 for securing the same in place.

The attachment of the removable fasteners is illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11 where it will be seen that removable fasteners or bolts 52 are employed to secure the bottom cross tie assembly 20. Removable fasteners or bolts 54, as shown in FIG. 11 are passed through the gusset plate 28 and its gusset 29 to secure the top cross tie assembly. The secured relationship of the bottom cross tie assemblies 20 and the top cross tie assemblies 25 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11 result from the configuration of the bottom and the top of the half frames 15 essentially as shown in FIGS.

8 and 10. More particularly it will be seen that three bolt holes 51 are provided at the upper portion of the half frames 1 5 (see FIG. 10) and two bolt holes 55 are at the lower portion of the half frames 15 as shown in FIG. 8.

Additional detail of the half frames 15 making possible the attachment to the bottom cross tie assembly 20 and the top cross tie assembly 25 will initially be noted in FIG. 5a. There it will be seen that a guide 36 is provided to be secured to the lower portion of the main channel 16 of the side frame. The guide 36 has a flange 38 to abut against the mounting flange 39 of the bottom cross tie 21. Threaded nut plates 37 are secured to the rear portion of the guide 36. Thus the guide 36 assumes a two-fold roll of positioning as well as providing the securing means for the bottom cross tie assembly.

The upper portion of the channel 1 6 of the side frame 1 5 is shown in exploded relationship in FIG.

13 where it will be seen that mounting bracket 40 is formed for positioning interiorly of the main channel 1 6 of the side frame 1 5. The mounting bracket 40 is essentially made up of an L-shaped main body 41 having an opposed L-shaped mounting portion 42 at the upper end thereof containing a backplate 44 with desirably three unitary nut mounts 45. Once the side frame 1 5 is mounted in its assembled relationship as shown in the righthand portion of FIG. 14 with the mounting bracket 40 in its interior relationship of the main channel 16, the same is ready for its secured relationship with the top cross tie assembly 25.Turning now to FIG. 12, it will be seen that the end of the top cross tie assembly 25 includes the remotely positioned cross tie mount bracket 28 which is secured interiorly underneath the main body of the top cross tie, and presents exteriorly the cross tie gusset plate 29 containing the bolt holes 51.

Further to be noted is the unfolded cap flange 30 at the end portion containing an extension 31 and a single EIA mounting hole 35. When the top cross tie assembly 25 is then moved over the half frame 1 5 as shown in FIG. 14, the cap flange 30 overlies the upper open portion of the mounting bracket 40 of the half frame 1 5, and thereafter the mounting bolts 54 are secured in place, concluding with a top corner assembly such as illustrated in FIG. 1 5. The nested relationship of all the elements provides a smooth relatively uninterrupted top appearance, and the same is achieved at the bottom of the frame assembly 11 such as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, side panels 60 such as shown in FIG. 1 are applied to the frame assembly 11 to complete the instrument cabinet 10.

The method of assembly can be speedily performed by two men following the sequence as shown in FIG. 5. First one of the half frames 15 is positioned on a flat surface. Then the bottom cross tie assemblies 20 are secured to the lower portions of the half frame 1 5 at one end, while the top cross tie assemblies 25 are secured to the other end.

Once the four cross tie members are secured to their single associated half frame 15, the second half frame 15 is positioned on top, and the bolting step repeated. At this point the entire frame assembly 11 is completed. Alternatively when a single person is assembling the frame assembly 11, a single bottom cross tie assembly 20 may be secured to one half frame 15 thereafter defining an L-shaped support. Optionally the top cross tie assembly 25 can be secured at the upper portion of the half frame 1 5 thereby defining a completed L-shape. The half frame 1 5 is then rotated 900 and supported by the opposed bottom cross tie assembly 20 and the top cross tie assembly 25. The opposite bottom cross tie assemblies 20 and the top cross tie assemblies 25 are then secured into position. Thereafter the second half frame 1 5 is positioned against the four assembled bottom cross tie assemblies and top cross tie assemblies and the frame assembly 11 completed. The options available are more than two-fold for assembly, but for maximum man hour efficiencies two people can assemble the frame assembly 11 as just described with the method steps identified in their preferred sequence.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in full here, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention to the detaiis of such embodiments. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternatives, embodiments, usages and equivalents of a knock down enclosure and method for assembling the same, as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention, specification, and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A knock down instrument enclosure comprising, in combination, - a pair of half frames, -each half frame having elongate main channels intended for vertical orientation, each main channel having means for securing therein a bottom side strut and top side strut in substantially perpendicular relationship to the opposed main channels, - a pair of bottom cross ties, - each bottom cross tie having a gusset secured thereto at its end portions diagonally proportioned for mating relationship with the lower portion of the half frames, - receiving means at the lower portion of each half frame for accepting in nested and removably secured relationship the base cross ties and their associated gussets, - receiving means at the upper portion of the main channel for receiving top cross ties, - each top cross tie assembly having mounting means secured thereto, - and a plurality of removable fasteners for securing the bottom cross tie assemblies and top cross tie assemblies to the lower and upper portion respectively of each half frame.

2. In the instrument enclosure of claim 1, - a guide secured at the opposed lower portion of each half frame, - each said guide having an overlapping flange for nestingly receiving the bottom cross tie assembly, - and each such guide having means for receiving a removable fastener for securing the bottom cross tie assembly to the lower portion of its associated half frame.

3. In the instrument enclosure of claim 1, - each top cross tie assembly having a cross tie mount bracket at the end portion thereof closing the cross tie body portion, - each such cross tie mount brackets having means for receiving removable fasteners, - and each such bracket having a cap flange for overlying the upper open portion of the main channel of the associated half frame.

4. In the instrument enclosure of claim 1, - each half frame having a mounting bracket secured therein, - each such mounting bracl < et having a lower L-shaped main body, and an upper L-shaped mounting section mounted in opposed relationship to the main L-shaped body portion, - each said L-shaped mounting members having a backplate, with each said backplate having threaded engaging means, whereby the upper portion of the main channel of the half frame can receive the end portion of the top cross tie assembly, and means for removably securing the ends of the top cross tie assembly are received by the engaging means in the backplate.

5. In the instrument enclosure of claim 1, - each top cross tie assembly having a cross tie mount bracket at the end portion thereof closing the cross tie body portion, - each such cross tie mount brackets having means for receiving removable fasteners, - and each such bracket having a cap flange for overlying the upper open portion of the main channel of the associated half frame.

6. In the instrument enclosure of claim 2, -each half frame having a mounting bracket secured therein, - each such mounting bracket having a lower L-shaped main body, and an upper L-shaped mounting section mounted in opposed relationship to the main L-shaped body portion, - each said L-shaped mounting members having a backplate, with each said backplate having threaded engaging means, whereby the upper portion of the main channel of the half frame can receive the end portion of the top cross tie assembly, and means for removably securing the ends of the top cross tie assembly are received by the engaging means in the backplate.

7. In the instrument enclosure of claim 3, -each half frame having a mounting bracket secured therein, - each such mounting bracket having a lower L-shaped main body, and an upper L-shaped mounting section mounted in opposed relationship to the main L-shaped body portion, - each said L-shaped mounting members having a backplate, with each said backplate having threaded engaging means, whereby the upper portion of the main channel of the half frame can receive the end portion of the top cross tie assembly, and means for removably securing the ends of the top cross tie assembly are received by the engaging means in the backplate.

8. The method of assembling a knock down enclosure comprising the steps of: - providing a pair of side frames having receiving means at the upper and lower portions of the same, - providing bottom cross ties having gussets at each end portion, - providing top cross ties having securing means at each end thereof and including a cap flange, - secudng the bottom cross ties in upstanding relationship to a side frame and the top cross ties in upstanding relationship to a side frame, - positioning a second side frame atop the upstanding bottom and top cross ties, - positioning removably secured fasteners at the junction defined between the upstanding bottom cross tie assemblies and upstanding top cross tie assemblies thereby completing the structure, whereby a cabinet-type enclosure can be assembled from six elements including a pair of side frames, a pair of bottom cross tie members and a pair of top cross tie members.