Rack for a switchgear cabinet

Details Rack for a switchgear cabinet Rack for a switchgear cabinet

2000-07-10

2001-11-13

Gibson, Jr., Robert W. (Department: 3634)

Supports: racks

Special article

Electrically powered

C211S189000, C312S265100, C312S265400, C361S829000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06315132

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a rack for a switchgear cabinet with vertical and horizontal profiled frame sections, wherein two of the horizontal profiled frame sections are connected by a corner connector to at least one rack corner area, and wherein the two horizontal profiled frame sections are connected with each other, forming a corner angle and having a receptacle, which is open toward the exterior of the rack, wherein the receptacle is embodied symmetrical with respect to a bisecting line dividing the angle of the corner angle. A corner connector is fixed in place, and the vertical profiled frame section can be fixed in place in the receptacle using a fastening shoulder of the corner connector, wherein the vertical profiled frame section can selectively be designed symmetrical or asymmetrical with respect to the bisecting line of the angle of the receptacle, and wherein the corner connector has a compensating element for fixing the asymmetrical profiled frame section in place.
2. Description of Related Art
A rack is known from German Patent Reference DE 196 47 791 A1. This document discloses a rack, wherein the horizontal depth and latitudinal struts have a beveled section. Respectively, two depth and latitudinal struts are placed against each other in this beveled section for forming a bottom and a top frame. Receptacles are created in the corner areas of the bottom/top frames, into which corner connectors are welded. The corner connectors project past the bottom/top frame with fastening shoulders. The vertical profiled frame sections can be installed on the fastening shoulders. Depending on the intended use, symmetrical or asymmetrical vertical profiled frame sections are selectively installed as vertical frame profiles. Thus, different clearances can be achieved between two adjoining vertical profiled frame sections. It is difficult to exchange symmetrical vertical profiled frame sections of an existing rack for asymmetrical ones. To do this it is necessary to dismantle the entire rack. Only then is it possible to push the asymmetrical vertical frame sections, which are designed as profiled hollow chambers, onto the fastening shoulder of the corner connector with their hollow chambers.
As German Patent Reference DE 196 47 791 shows, it is not possible to insert the asymmetrical vertical frame profile into the receptacle of the bottom/top frame. It rests instead with a front end on longitudinal ends of the depth and latitudinal struts. However, an open area is thus created, which must be elaborately sealed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of this invention to further develop a profiled frame section of the type mentioned above so that a simple and solid installation of the asymmetrical vertical profiled frame section is possible.
This object is attained with an asymmetrical vertical profiled frame section that can be inserted into the receptacle in the direction of the bisecting line of the angle and can be attached to the fastening shoulder. In an assembled state a profiled side of the asymmetrical vertical profiled frame section rests against the front face of the horizontal profiled frame section extending in the direction of the rack depth, and is designed as a depth strut and covers this front face, at least partially. A shoulder of the asymmetrical profiled frame section is attached flat on a contact surface of the compensating element, wherein the contact surface extends transversely with respect to the center longitudinal axis of the horizontal profiled frame section, which is designed as a latitudinal strut and extends in the direction of the width of the rack.
The shoulder of the asymmetrical vertical profiled frame section can be inserted into the receptacle from the outside of the profiled frame section, the same as the symmetrical one, and can then be fixed in place on the fastening shoulder. This makes it possible for a simple change of various types of vertical profiled frame sections, since it is no longer necessary to completely dismantle the rack. The asymmetrical vertical profiled frame section can be solidly fixed in place in the receptacle, since it is in flat contact with the front end of the depth strut, as well as on the contact face of the compensating element. Because the asymmetric vertical profiled frame section can be placed snugly into the receptacle, the receptacle is filled, and elaborate sealing measures are then not required.
To reduce the cost for parts and handling, the compensating element can be formed in one piece on the corner connector for the asymmetric vertical profiled frame section. It is possible to design a particularly solid rack if the depth strut is connected with, preferably welded to, the latitudinal strut by the corner connector.
In one preferred embodiment of this invention, the corner connector has a base element, which is inserted by fastening shoulders from the front into the hollow chambers enclosed by the depth strut and the latitudinal strut. The corner connector can be aligned with respect to the depth and latitudinal struts by the fastening shoulders. Also, the fastening shoulders can be used for improving the sealing of the corner connection.
To form a transporting possibility, by which the switchgear cabinet can be handled, the depth and latitudinal struts can have partial recesses in the area of the front ends which, in the assembled state, are combined into a common opening which is arranged flush in connection with a receptacle of the corner connector that is accessible from the exterior of the rack through the opening. The receptacle thus be a threaded receiver, for example, into which a transport eye is screwed.
In order to be able to align the asymmetric vertical profiled frame section exactly with respect to the depth strut and the latitudinal strut, in one embodiment of this invention the corner connector has two support surfaces facing the exterior of the rack, which are arranged at an angle relative to each other and on which the vertical profiled frame section is aligned by counter-faces. In this case, the fastening shoulder has a fastening element having an overhanging protrusion that extends behind an undercut of the vertical profiled frame section.
Depending on installation conditions in the interior of the switchgear cabinet, or respectively space conditions in the surroundings, the vertical profiled frame section is screwed together with the corner connector from direction of the exterior of the rack and/or from the direction on the interior of the rack. The selective fixation method from the inside or the outside provides the assembler with easier assembly options, in case of restricted spatial conditions.
Thus, the fastening of the vertical asymmetrical profiled frame section from the inside can be such that the vertical profiled element has a further profiled side bent off at right angles from the profiled side resting against the depth strut and which faces the interior of the rack. The two profiled sides have rows of fastening receivers. The fastening shoulder of the corner connector is screwed together with the inner profiled side from the direction of the interior of the rack. For assembly on the exterior, the vertical profiled frame section can have a connecting section extending vertically with respect to the line bisecting the angle of the receptacle, which rests with its inner side against the corner connector, and which is screwed together with the corner connector from the direction of the exterior of the rack.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5498073 (1996-03-01), Charbonneau et al.
patent: 5997117 (1999-12-01), Krietzman
patent: 6123400 (2000-09-01), Nicolai et al.
patent: 6149255 (2000-11-01), Benner et al.
patent: 6164737 (2000-12-01), Benner et al.
patent: 6170673 (2001-01-01), Nicolai
patent: 6174034 (2001-01-01), Benner et al.
patent: 6231142 (2001-05-01), Pochet
patent: 196 47 791 (1996-11-01), None

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