Supports: cabinet structure – Arrangements of plural cabinets – Relatively movable
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-12
2001-07-17
Wilkens, Janet M. (Department: 3636)
Supports: cabinet structure
Arrangements of plural cabinets
Relatively movable
C200S343000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06260936
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to high density mobile storage, and more particularly to apparatus that controls the movement of mobile carriages.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrically powered mobile carriages for high density mobile storage are well developed. The mobile carriages are operated by a control system to move individually or as a group, depending on the location of a carriage and the particular aisle access required by the operator.
The control system typically includes a small operator housing containing manual switches and buttons. The operator housing is normally on an end panel of the carriage, where it is easily accessible to the operator. Typical control systems are generally shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,119,376, 4,733,923, 4,743,078, 5,160,190, and 5,569,910. U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,941 and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 331,388 show a mobile carriage switch assembly and control panel in some detail.
Prior mobile carriage control systems also included a module of electronic components on each carriage. The control modules were connected by electrical cables to the operator housings. The control modules typically receive line power and convert it to power suitable for driving the carriage motors. The modules also pass the line power to adjacent carriages.
The manual buttons and switches of prior mobile carriage control systems were strictly utilitarian. That is, the various switches and buttons performed their respective functions adequately but without regard for aesthetic considerations. Moreover, the prior buttons and switches gave minimal attention to any intuitive considerations of an operator as he made his decisions when operating the mobile carriages. In addition, the prior design of separate operator housings and electronic modules connected by a cable was undesirably expensive.
To enhance the appearance and ergonomics of high density mobile storage, a new interface between the mobile carriages and the operators was proposed. The new interface was to include a cluster of operating buttons incorporated into the interior of a frame. In keeping with the purpose of the buttons, they were to be made relatively long compared with their width, and they were to be shaped and located to conform to the intuition of an operator. Further, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) copolymer plastic was the preferred material, because very attractive parts could be made from that material.
However, two problems arose in trying to design the combined button-frame interface. The first problem was that a relatively long and narrow button requires some kind of a leveling mechanism so that it does not cock and bind in the frame when the button is depressed. One solution was to use thin wires retained in the frame and in the undersides of the buttons. However, the molds required for the proposed new mobile carriage interface with leveling wires between the frame and the buttons were prohibitively expensive for the relatively small volume of parts used with high density mobile storage. It was therefore necessary to find a way to self-level the buttons through a direct connection between the buttons and the frame. That necessity dictated that hinged connections be used between the buttons and the frame.
A hinged design raised the second problem, which is that ABS plastic material is generally unsuitable for parts that must flex during operation. If the hinge connection is relatively long and straight, ABS can work. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,375,585, 4,703,160, 4,786,892, 5,184,283; and 5,828,364 show various devices in which straight living hinges of ABS material extend for the full length of the parts hinged together. In the proposed mobile carriage interface, however, aesthetic considerations dictate that only curved sides be used on all the buttons.
Thus, a number of problems required solution to achieve a successful mobile carriage interface design.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a single-piece operator interface made of ABS material is provided that combines pleasing aesthetics with superior functionality. This is accomplished by apparatus that includes buttons shaped and arranged within and connected to a bezel in a manner that renders the button functions intuitive.
According to one aspect of the invention, the interface buttons are designed with peripheral walls that are all curved. They fit within respective matching curved openings in the bezel. The central portion of the bezel is preferably concave, and the buttons are located in the concave portion. Each button is connected on its periphery to the bezel by a living hinge. To enable the living hinges connecting to curved surfaces to operate, each hinge is relatively narrow. To improve the fatigue strength in bending of the living hinges, they are fabricated with grooves along their transverse axes.
There is a switch behind each button. Preferably, the contact area of the button on the switch is along the longitudinal axis of the button living hinge. Manually pressing a button causes it to pivot about the living hinge transverse axis and actuate the corresponding switch.
It is a feature of the invention that the interface buttons may be considerably longer than they are wide. Consequently, it is conceivable, and even desirable, that an operator's finger press on a button at a point that is relatively far from the living hinge longitudinal axis. To minimize the distance from the finger contact point to the living hinge longitudinal axis, the hinge is located approximately at a midpoint between the button ends.
As mentioned, the switch associated with each button is preferably located on the longitudinal axis of the button living hinge. The switches require a small but measurable amount of force to actuate. Because of the length of a button, it tends to rotate about the hinge longitudinal axis, as well as pivot about the transverse axis, when it is pressed near an end. To prevent the possibility that the button would not pivot about the transverse axis sufficiently when pressed at an end to actuate the switch, the living hinge is designed with substantial torsional rigidity about its longitudinal axis. Consequently, the button motion is primarily pivoting about the living hinge transverse axis when the button is pressed, regardless of where an operator places his finger. In practice, therefore, the button is self-leveling.
When applied to a mobile carriage of high density mobile storage, the operator interface possesses further desireable features. Specifically, two of the buttons are designed to intuitively indicate the opposite directions that a mobile carriage moves. An operator is thus inclined to press the button that corresponds with the desired direction of mobile carriage movement without exercising much conscious thought.
According to another aspect of the invention as applied to high density mobile storage, the operator interface is an integral part of the mobile carriage control assembly, thereby eliminating the cable connections of prior mobile carriage control systems. In the preferred embodiment, the control assembly includes the switches that are actuated by the operator interface. The control assembly is fastened to the inside surface of an end panel of the mobile carriage. There is an opening in the end panel to accommodate the switches. The operator interface bezel is mounted to the outside surface of the end panel such that the buttons are aligned with the associated switches of the control assembly. The control assembly also provides a mechanical stop that limits the pivoting of the buttons. That feature contributes to long fatigue life for the living hinges. The result is a very reliable and attractive control system for the mobile carriages.
The method and apparatus of the invention, using short living hinges between curved buttons and a bezel, thus provides a one-piece operator interface for mobile carriages. The living hinges have adequate fatigue strength, and the buttons are self-leveling, even though the interfa
Frank Jeffrey W.
Krug Steven
Cayen Donald
Tab Products Company, Inc.
Wilkens Janet M.
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