Supports: cabinet structure – Knockdown or setup type – Skeletal frame
Patent
1991-12-13
1993-07-20
Sakran, Victor N.
Supports: cabinet structure
Knockdown or setup type
Skeletal frame
3122651, A47B 4700
Patent
active
052287629
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a metal cabinet constructed mainly from structural elements with the same cross-section. It is more particularly concerned with a new type of structural element offering multiple advantages and relatively simple to manufacture.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The patent document EP 144 955 discloses a type of metal frame made from a single structural element having a square cross-section central part and two orthogonal lateral flanges extending away from respective opposite edges of said central part. A structural element of this kind can be obtained by complex folding of a metal strip. Its unit cost is high because of manufacturing problems and the amount of metal required.
The invention proposes another type of structural element that is simpler to manufacture and less costly and whose structure offers increased possibilities for mounting doors and/or fixed or removable panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To this end, the invention consists in a metal cabinet frame, in particular for electrical or electronic equipment, at least partly constructed from sections of the same structural element comprising a substantially square or rectangular cross-section first part and an L-shape cross-section second part joined to said first part so as to define with it a channel, characterized in that said two parts are defined by parallel folds substantially at right angles in a metal strip, the edge of one face of said first part is constituted by a longitudinal edge of said metal strip, in that this edge faces a fold defining the boundary between said first part and said second part and in that a space is left between said fold and said edge so as to define a longitudinal slot enabling the insertion of panel mounting means.
The slot enables the mounting of removable panels (fitted with simple pivot tabs rather than hinges) capable of replacing doors if the cabinet is in a confined space preventing easy opening of a door.
As will be explained later, the channels join together to surround some openings of the cabinet and to prevent water or other liquids accumulating in the structure. They prevent the least quantity of liquid entering the cabinet on opening a door or removing a panel. The same channels are designed to accommodate fixing blocks adapted to receive (generally fixed) panel fixing means of the cabinet and door pivots.
According to an advantageous other feature of the invention the fold defining the boundary between said first and second parts defines a longitudinal groove running along one side of the corresponding wall of said first part so as to form on the outside of the fold a rounded edge of said longitudinal slot. Said rounded edge facilitates the fitting of a removable panel by guiding the tabs on the panel. The groove is used to immobilize a fixing block, as will emerge more clearly from the following description. The structural element as defined above may be easily obtained by longitudinal folding of a strip of steel, advantageously supplied from a spool, (by means of appropriate rollers). The strip is preferably zinc-plated on both sides to prevent any corrosion inside the completed structural element.
The invention will be better understood and other advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the following description of a metal cabinet frame in accordance with the invention given by way of example only and with to the appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a metal cabinet frame showing the mounting of panels and doors represented by cutaway portions in the vicinity of a fixing block;
FIG. 2 is a partial perspective exploded view showing the interconnection of three sections of said structural element;
FIG. 3 is another partial perspective view showing the assembly of three sections at the top of the frame and three sections at the bottom of the frame;
FIG. 4 is a perspective detail view showing the mounting of a fixing block in a channel;
FIG. 5 is another detail view in cross-se
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patent: 4643319 (1987-02-01), Debus et al.
patent: 4768845 (1988-09-01), Yeh
patent: 4997240 (1991-03-01), Schmalzl et al.
Sakran Victor N.
Transrack
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