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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an enclosure for electronic, data
processing and other housed equipment wherein a number of covers or panels
are assembled onto a frame.
It is usual to provide electronic and other equipment mounted in a support
frame. The frame is then surrounded by panels to provide an enclosure. In
cases where the equipment is small, the frame, which is usually made of
metal, can be made to fairly precise dimensions. There is no difficulty in
fitting panels around the frame. As the equipment becomes larger, the
dimensions of the frame become less accurate. Tolerance errors between
mounting points on the panels and mounting points on the frame often make
it necessary to provide instant modification to either the panel or the
frame before the panels can be mounted upon the frame to make the
enclosure.
It is known in the art to fabricate the frame itself as an exposed part of
the enclosure and to apply panels to open portions thereof. This increases
the cost of the frame by adding a requirement for cosmetic acceptability
and allows direct electrical access to the equipment in its frame. The
latter condition causes problems with electrostatic discharge and radio
interference.
The present invention consists in an equipment enclosure comprising: a
support frame; a side panel for attachment to a top edge of a side face of
the frame to cover the side face; a top panel for covering a top face of
the frame with a front edge of the top panel in proximity with a top edge
of a front face of the frame and a rear edge of the top panel in proximity
with a top edge of a rear face of the frame; a front panel for attachment
to the front face of the frame and for attachment to the top panel at the
front edge; and a rear panel for attachment to the rear face of the frame
and for attachment to the top panel at the rear edge; the front panel and
the rear panel being co-operative with the top panel to hold the top panel
onto the frame; and the top panel being co-operative with the top edge of
the side face of the frame to prevent removal of the side panel from the
frame.
An equipment enclosure according to the present invention is made where
tolerance build up on the frame does not prevent mounting of the panels.
The outer dimensions of the case or enclosure are determined by the
interaction between the panels, rather than by the interaction between
each panel and its mounting point on the frame.
It is a preferred feature of the present invention that all panels be in
contact with the frame by means of elastic members such as gaskets,
allowing further movement between the panel and the frame while
maintaining mechanical contact.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention hereinafter described, the
frame has a pair of side panels mounted on catches which allow those side
panels a degree of freedom of movement relative to the frame. A top panel
is placed upon a top face of the frame and the side panels contact the
edges of the top panel to define the width of the enclosure. Thereafter,
front and rear panels are attached first to front and rear edges of the
top panel and then to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the front
and rear panels are attached to the frame by means respectively of front
and rear based panels. The latter panels engage a lower edge respectively
of the front and rear panels and are in turn attached to the frame by a
releasable locking mechanism. In the preferred embodiment, the top panel
can thus have dimensional tolerance with respect to the frame in a forward
and backward direction as well as in a side-to-side direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is further explained, by way of an example, by the following
description which should be read in conjunction with the appended
drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows an exploded projected view of an equipment enclosure according
to the present invention with all except the front and rear panels
present.
FIG. 2 shows an example of a catch suitable for attaching the side panels
of FIG. 1 to the frame of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 shows the elements of FIG. 1 assembled and further shows the manner
of addition of the front and rear panels.
FIG. 4 shows the manner in which the front and rear panels each come
together with the top panel. The front and rear panels engage the top
panel respectively along the front edge of the top panel and the rear edge
of the top panel.
FIG. 5 shows the manner in which the top panel and the side panels engage
the frame and one another.
FIG. 6 shows the manner in which either the front or rear panel and the
front or rear base panel of the enclosure are brought together to complete
assembly of the enclosure; and
FIG. 7 shows the elements of FIG. 6 in the finally assembled position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of an equipment
enclosure according to the present invention, lacking only front and rear
panels.
A frame 10 is fitted on either side with a side base panel 12 at the lower
edge of a side face 14.
A side panel 16 is provided to cover each side face 14 of the frame 10. The
side panels 16 are provided with studs 18 for fitting into complementary
recesses 20 in the open framework of the frame 10. Although in the
preferred embodiment there are shown to be four such studs 18 and recesses
20 associated with each side face 14 of the frame 10, it is to be
appreciated that fewer or more than four studs 18 can be so used.
A top panel 22 is positioned upon a top face 24 of the frame 10. Cut-away
portions 26 on a side edge 28 of the top panel 22 straddle the studs 18
when the enclosure is assembled (in a manner later described in relation
to FIG. 2) to allow movement of the side panels 16 in a direction towards
and away from the side faces 14 of the frame 10.
When the enclosure is assembled, side edge 28 of the top panel 22 projects
down between the top side edges 30 of the frame 10 and the side panels 16.
The side edges 28 of the top panel 22 are given a generally tapered
outline in cross section with increasing thickness with increasing height
and there is one side edge 28 on the top panel 22 associated with each
side of the frame 10. The side edges 28 therefore overhang the frame 10
when the top panel 22 is in place.
FIG. 2 shows a stud 18 and recess 20 suitable for use in the invention, the
stud 18 comprising a head 32 on a shank 34.
The side top edge 30 of the frame 10 (which is generally constructed from
bent steel sheet) has a pair of recesses 20 formed therein. The recess 20
comprises a recess opening 36 designed to accept and roughly centralize
the head 32 of the stud 18. A channel 38 in the lower half of the recess
20 accepts the shank 34 of the stud 18 and allows free movement of 34 over
a range of positions within the channel 38. While the head 32 of the stud
18 is shown in this example as being of triangular outline, it is to be
appreciated that many other shapes will work. For example, a circular or
rectangular head 32 may instead be provided. Likewise, the opening 36 to
the recess 20 may be made wider than the head 32 of the stud 18 to
accommodate a degree of mismatching between the position of the stud 18 on
the side panel 16 and the position of the recess 20 on the frame 10.
Similarly, the channel 38 can be made much wider than the shank 34 of the
stud 18 to accommodate such mismatching. When the top panel 22 is in
position, the cut-away portions 26 thereof pass around the shank 34 of the
stud 18 to define the position of the side panel 16 in relation to the top
panel 22 without reference to the position of the frame 10.
Returning to FIG. 1, a front base panel 40 is applied to a bottom edge of a
front face 42 of the frame 10, and a rear base panel 44 is applied to the
bottom edge of a rear face 46 of the frame 10, each in a manner to be
described later.
During assembly, the side panels 16 are first applied with the studs 18 in
the recesses 20 loosely held against the side face 14 of the frame 10. The
top panel 22 is then placed upon the top face 24 of the frame 10 and
remains there under the influence of gravity. In being placed upon the top
face 24 the side edges 28 of the top panel 22 pass between upper edge
portions 48 of the side panel 16 and the top side edges 30 of the frame
10. Top panel 22 moves the side panel 16 away from the side faces 14 of
the frame 10 until it is seated on the top face 24 of the frame 10 with
one of the side edges 28 of the top panel 22 on either side of the top
side edges 30 of the frame 10. The wedge shape of the side edges 28 of the
top panel 22 ensures a snug fit no matter what the dimensional tolerances
of the frame 10. The cut-away portions 26 in the top panel 22 engage the
shanks 34 of the studs 18 in the side panels 16 and thus cause the side
panels 16 to move such that the shanks 34 of the stud 18 become
centralized in the cut-away portions 26 of the top panel 22. Thus, the
side panel 16 and the top panel 22 move into a mutually correct positional
relationship despite any mechanical tolerances present upon the frame 10.
When the side panels 16 of the enclosure are in place, a front edge portion
50 of each side panel 16 extends beyond the front face 42 of the frame 10
and a rear edge portion 52 of each side panel 16 extends beyond the rear
face 46 of the frame 10.
When the top panel 22 is in place over the top face 24 of the frame 10, a
front edge 54 of the top panel 22 overhangs the front face 42 of the frame
10 and a rear edge 56 of the top panel 22 overhangs and extends beyond the
rear face 46 of the frame 10.
While here described as being generally constructed of bent sheet metal,
the frame 10 can equally well be made from solid metal or plastics or any
other suitable material.
FIG. 3 shows the elements of FIG. 1 assembled onto the frame 10 as
described and further shows a front panel 58 and a rear panel 60 ready for
placement.
The top panel 22 traps the studs 18 in the recesses 20 and prevents removal
of the side panel 16 while the top panel 22 is in place.
The front panel 58 and the rear panel 60 each include arms 62,64,66. The
arms 62 are provided on either side of the front 58 and rear 60 panels and
fit into a gap 68 between the front edge 54 of the top panel 22 and the
front edge portions 50 of the side panel 16. The arms 62 together with a
staircase structure (to be described later with reference to FIG. 4) hold
the front panel 58 onto the front edge 54 of the top panel 22.
The rear panel 60 is similarly attached to the rear face 46 of the frame 10
by attachment to the rear edge 56 of the top panel 22.
When in place, the upper surface of the top panel 22 is substantially at
the same level as the uppermost part of the top edge portion 48 of each
side panel 16. Likewise, it is intended that the outer surface 58 of each
of the front 58 and rear 60 panels should be substantially level with the
most extreme part respectively of each of the front edge portions 50 and
rear edge portions 52 of the side panels 16.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the manner in which the front
panel 58 joins with the top panel 22 along the front edge 54 of the top
panel 22.
The front edge 54 of the top panel 22 is provided with a tip portion 70
which engages a complementary tip portion 72 of the front panel 58. The
tip portion 70 of the top panel 22 comprises a staircase structure at its
extreme end which engages a complementary staircase structure at the
extreme end of the tip portion 72 of the front panel 58 in such a manner
that the top panel 22 provides mechanical support to the front panel 58.
The combined action of the arms 62 (FIG. 3) upon ledges or pivots beneath
the top cover 22 and the mutually engaging staircase structures in the tip
portion 70 of the top panel 22 and the tip portion 72 of the front panel
58 provides a firm support for the front panel 58 on the front edge 54 of
the top panel 22, without the front panel 58 being directly attached to
the frame 10. The position of the front panel 58 with respect to the front
face 42 of the frame 10 is thus defined by the position of the front edge
54 of the top panel 22.
The rear panel 60 is attached to the rear edge 56 of the top panel 22 in a
similar manner.
A sealing gasket 74 in the form of a thin rubber or elastic cylindrical
body of material is held between the tip portion 70 of the top panel 22
and the tip portion 72 of the front panel 58. This sealing gasket 74 not
only provides a seal resistant to ingress of liquid, solid and gaseous
contaminants, but also assists in mechanical support of the front panel 58
on the front edge 54 of the top panel 22. The gasket 74 further allows a
degree of mutual movement and variability of position between the top
panel 22 and the front panel 58 while maintaining the integrity of the
enclosure. The mutually engaging staircase structure on the tip portions
70,72 also permit such movement.
A staircase structure of similar type is also provided on the front base
panel 40 and the lower edge 76 of the front panel 58 so that the front
panel 58 is supported both at the top and bottom by such a staircase
structure comprising a sealing gasket 74. The rear panel 60 is similarly
provided with staircase structures and the rear base panel 44 also has a
complementary structure.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X--X' shown in FIG. 3
looking in the direction of the arrows, and showing the relationship
between the side cover 16, the top cover 22 and the frame 10.
A top cover support gasket 78, of rubber or other elastic material, allows
the top cover 22 to rest upon the top face 24 of the frame 10 proximate to
the top side edges 30 of the frame 10. Likewise, a side panel support
gasket 80, again in the form of rubber or other elastic or elastomer
material, supports the side panel 16 against the side face 14 of the frame
10. The side panel 16 is provided with a standoff arm or ledge 82. The
side edge 28 of the top panel 22 descends between the top edge portion 48
of the side panel 16 and the top side edge 30 of the frame 10 to reach a
point close to the standoff arm or ledge 82. The support gaskets 78, 80
extend along the entire length of the frame 10. The combination of the
shielding action of the top edge postion 48 of the side panel 16, the
shielding action of the side edge 28 of the top panel 22 and of the two
gaskets 78, 80 acting against the frame 10 provide further protection
against the ingress of foreign matter in the form of solids, liquids or
vapors.
FIG. 6 shows the manner in which the lower edge 76 of the front panel 58 is
attached to the front base panel 40 in cooperation with the side base
panel 12.
It should be understood that the rear panel 60 is attached to the rear face
46 of the frame 10 employing the rear base panel 44 and the side base
panel 12 in just the same manner. It should be further understood that
while FIG. 6 shows just one side of the lower edge 76 of the front panel
58, the other side is held in exactly the same manner as hereinafter
described.
Each side of the front base panel 40 and of the rear base panel 44 is
provided with a leg 84 (also shown in FIG. 1) which fits into an aperture
in the frame 10 on either side of the front 42 or rear 46 face. The
aperture forms a void and the leg 84 engages the edges or extremities of
the void to allow the front base panel 40 to swing as indicated by the
arrow 86. The leg 84 also provides support for the front base panel 40 on
the frame 10.
The lower edge 76 of the front panel 58 is provided at its extremity with a
projection 88. While the projection 88 is only required to perform the
function hereinafter described, it is preferred that the projection 88
should be identical with the arm 62 so that the front panel 58 may be
mounted upon the front face 42 of the frame 10 either way up.
The side base panel 12 comprises a recess 90 which accepts the leading edge
92 of the lower edge 76 of the front panel 58. The front base panel 40
comprises a clamp member 94 operative to trap the projection 88 in the
recess 90 to hold the front panel 58 in position.
With reference both to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the arm 62 on the top edge 64 of
the front panel 58 having been inserted into the gaps 68, the front panel
58 is swung as indicated by the arrow 96 such that the projection 88 enter
the recess 90 in the side base panel 12 all the time with the front base
panel 40 as indicated in FIG. 6 at an angle to its final position such
that the clamp member 94 allows passage of the projection 88 into the
recess 90 while the leg 84 is in its aperture or void in the frame 10.
Thereafter, the front base panel 40 is rotated as indicated by the arrow
86. The clamp member 94 comes up behind the projection 88 and traps the
projection 88 in the recess 90 to hold the front panel 58 in position. In
entering that position a further staircase structure 98 (also comprising a
gasket) engages its complementary staircase structure (not shown in FIG.
6) in the lower edge 76 of the front panel 58 to provide mechanical
support as generally indicated in FIG. 4.
The front base panel 40 is provided with a locking device 102 which also
comprises a portion (not shown) mounted on the frame 10. The locking
device 102 can be of any type. In a preferred embodiment, it may be a
simple mechanical key operated lock or a quick release screw device. In
this manner, the front base panel 40 may be quickly fixed in place and, if
dismantling of the enclosure is required, swung back into the position
indicated in FIG. 6 ready to allow disassembly of the enclosure.
When the enclosure is assembled, the front panel 58 rests between the front
edge portions 50 of the side panels 16 and the rear panel 60 rests between
the rear edge portions 52 of the side panels 16. The separation of the
side panels 16 can be defined by engagement of the front edge portions and
rear edge portions 50, 52 of the side panels 16 with the edges of the
front 58 and rear 60 panels. The overall dimensions of the completed
enclosure are thus defined by the mutual engagement of the panels 12, 16,
40, 44, 58, 60 and the frame 10 can be in range of possible positions
within the enclosure depending upon the build up of mechanical tolerances
between the frame 10 and the panels 16, 22, 40, 44, 58, 60 and between the
panels 16, 22, 40, 44, 58, 60 themselves. For example, if the top panel 22
is particularly wide, the separation between the side panels 16 will be
decided by the width of the top panel 22. On the other hand, if the top
panel 22 is narrower than its specified dimension, and the front or rear
panel 58, 60, is the widest, the overall width of the enclosure and the
separation between the side panels 16 will be determined by the width of
the widest panel 22, 58, 60.
Likewise, if the top panel 22 is longer than its specified dimension,
because the front panel 58 and the rear panel 60 are attached to the top
panel 22 alone at their respective top edges 64, 66, the front panel 58
will adopt a position spaced from the front face 42 of the frame 10 (the
gasket 74 filling any gap between the front panel 58 and the front face
42) and the overall dimensions of the enclosure front to rear will be
determined by the length of the top panel 22. The manner of attachment of
the lower edge 76 of the front panel 58 (and of the rear panel 60) as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 allows a degree of angular tolerance in the
position of the front panel 58 since only the lower edge 76 is attached.
The front panel 58 is therefore able to accomodate the above described
tolerances in length of the top panel 22.
The preferred use of the enclosure is for housing data processing equipment
including data processor, disk drives, communications devices, power
supplies, fans, blowers and the like. It is however to be appreciated that
other equipment can be housed in such an enclosure. Examples of such other
equipment include small scale laboratory chemical processing equipment,
pneumatic equipment and hydraulic equipment.
The frame 10 is preferably mounted upon castors (not shown) and the side
base panels 12 and the front 40 and rear 44 base panels together form a
plinth allowing the castors freedom to roll while providing visual
concealment. If the castors are omitted, the plinth so formed is the
overall support for the frame 10 together with concealed feet in place of
the castors.
It should be further appreciated that the frame 10 can comprise a base
panel for providing an insulated and enclosed support on its lower face.
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