Receptacles – Sectional – Knockdown
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-06
2001-01-09
Pollard, Steven (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Sectional
Knockdown
C220S009100, C190S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06170687
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an enclosure for packaging and transporting apparatus and is particularly adapted for packaging and transporting a power supply for a welding torch or the like.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Various types of apparatus including power supplies for welding equipment, such as arc welders or plasma arc torches, are packaged or housed in enclosures for transportation and sometimes subsequent use from the enclosure. These power supplies are preferably housed in a packaging enclosure with handles thereon for transporting the enclosure with power supply apparatus therein from one place to the other and which has access openings therein so that the power supply may be connected to various other devices without removal from the enclosure.
A suitable apparatus packaging enclosure of this type, which has a rugged, modem, flexible design and which can be made in a number of different lengths without additional tooling costs, has not heretofore been available. Accordingly, there exist a need for such an apparatus packaging enclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It has been found by this invention that the above object and need may be filled by providing an apparatus packaging enclosure constructed, generally, as follows.
End members are provided which have inside surfaces and which are of a desired configuration to define a cross-sectional shape including a desired height and width to the packaging enclosure. Spaced-apart elongate fastener members extend longitudinally between the end members to define therewith a desired length to the packaging enclosure. Means (preferably adjustable screw thread means) are provided to secure opposite ends of the fastener members to the inside surfaces of respective end members at generally outer peripheral areas of the end members. Elongate panels extend between the end members and around the outside of the fastener members to define outside surfaces of the packaging enclosure. Means (preferably tongue and groove means) are provided for securing longitudinal edges of the panels to the fastener members.
The panels are positioned with edges thereof in abutting relationship with the inside surfaces of the end members. The panels are slightly longer in longitudinal dimension than the fastener members, so that when the apparatus packaging enclosure is assembled, the panels will be in compression and the fastener members will be in tension. This relationship of compression and tension creates desirable structural characteristics for the packaging enclosure including stronger and stiffer outside panels.
Preferably, first and second fastener members are respectively positioned at the bottom corners of the packaging enclosure and the end members, and third and fourth fastener members are respectively positioned generally midway of the sides of the packaging enclosure and the end members. The flexible panels include a base panel, opposite side panels and a top panel. The first and second fastener members connect the base panel to the opposite side panels and the third and fourth fastener members connect the opposite side panels to the top panel.
The enclosure is preferably constructed with plastic end members which have been injection molded, aluminum fastener members which have been extruded, and plastic flexible panels which have been pultruded.
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Griffin David C.
Wiersema Dale T.
Alston & Bird LLP
Pollard Steven
The ESAB Group, Inc.
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