US3574433A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cabinet
Assignee: EICO ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENT CO
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Filing: 1969-03-13
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1989-03-13
Abstract
Abstract A cabinet consisting of essentially rectangular, substantially rigid top and bottom panels; four substantially rigid side panels; and, as the sole means for supporting the panels, a plurality of relatively nonelastic, essentially rigid connecting elements, each having two longitudinally extending grooves into which two edges of the respective adjacent bottom and side, top and side, and pairs of side panels are removably force fit.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert C Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 23:44
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00; A47B47/04; A47B47/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
A cabinet comprising a substantially rigid bottom panel; a substantially rigid top panel; four substantially rigid side panels; 12 elongated connecting elements respectively disposed at the adjacent edges of adjacent panels for interconnection thereof; each of said connecting elements being constructed of unitary, relatively nonelastic, essentially-rigid material; each of said connecting elements having therein two longitudinally extending grooves respectively receiving the two adjacent edges of two adjacent panels; the width of at least a portion of each of said grooves being slightly less than the thickness of the edge of the associated panel, to accommodate removable, frictional engagement among said connecting elements and said panels; said grooves and said edges being shaped to accommodate press fitting of said panels respectively into said connecting elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
A cabinet comprising a substantially rigid bottom panel; a substantially rigid top panel; four substantially rigid side panels; 12 elongated connecting elements respectively disposed at the adjacent edges of adjacent panels for interconnection thereof; each of said connecting elements being constructed of unitary, relatively nonelastic, essentially-rigid material; each of said connecting elements having therein two longitudinally extending grooves respectively receiving the two adjacent edges of two adjacent panels; the width of at least a portion of each of said grooves being slightly less than the thickness of the edge of the associated panel, to accommodate removable, frictional engagement among said connecting elements and said panels; said grooves and said edges being shaped to accommodate press fitting of said panels respectively into said connecting elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
Cabinet as defined in claim 1 in which each of said connecting elements is formed of plastic.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
CaBinet as defined in claim 1 in which each of said grooves includes a first region near the surface of the associated connecting element and having a width greater than the thickness of the edge of the associated panel, a second region away from said surface and having a width less than the thickness of said edge, and a third region between said first and second regions and having a width which tapers from the width of said first region to the width of said second region, said first region being operative loosely to receive said edge, said third region being operative to guide said edge into said second region where said edge is frictionally engaged.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
139 words
Cabinet as defined in claim 1 in which each of said grooves includes a first region near the surface of the associated connecting element and having a width greater than the thickness of the associated edge of the associated panel, a second region disposed away from said surface and having a width greater than the thickness of said edge, and a third region joining said first and second regions and having a width less than the thickness of said edge, each edge being defined by two substantially parallel planes, said first region being operative loosely to receive said edge, said second region accommodating temporary spread of the sides of said third region to permit movement of said edge through said third region and into said second region, whereby release causes frictional engagement between said third region and said edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
Cabinet as defined in claim 1 in which at least one of the panels is provided with knock-out holes for accommodation of controls, electrical lead wires and the like for equipment contained therein.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Cabinet as defined in claim 1 including at least one sloping side panel extending between the top and bottom panels.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
Cabinet as defined in claim 1 which the included angle between the grooves in each of the connecting elements, in unassembled state, is less than the included angle between the panels associated therewith when the cabinet is assembled.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
Cabinet as defined in claim 7 wherein the angle between the grooves in each of said connecting elements in the unassembled state is from about 2* to about 20* less than the angle between the panels in the final assembly.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US2715794A
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US3084916A
Cited
US3085839A
Cited
USRE26105E
Cited
US3450454A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |