US3724702A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Equipment enclosure
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-02
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-03-02
Abstract
Abstract This invention provides an enclosure in which the principle structural support is provided by a pair of generally horizontal sheet metal planes separated by a central column with each of the members being formed of a continuous piece of sheet metal. The central column cooperates with the top and bottom structural members, not only to support, but to provide alignment and gauging functions and may further simultaneously provide for shielding, compartmentalization and ducting functions. The enclosure is completed by top and side covers supported from the principle structural elements.
Inventors
- 👤 R Kay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:54
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/20; H05K7/20009; A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00; A47B47/02; A47B47/03; H05K5/00; H05K5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
An enclosure comprising a continuous sheet metal top member having a longitudinally extending channel formed therein to present a pair of longitudinally extending attachment flanges; a continuous sheet metal bottom member having a central longitudinally extending channel formed therein to present a pair of longitudinally extending attachment flanges; and a central sheet metal column element extending from said top member to said bottom member, said column element having a first vertical wall portion presenting an upper alignment flange abutting and secured to said top member along one of said pair of attachment flanges at longitudinally spaced positions and a lower alignment flange abutting and secured to said bottom member along one of said pair of attachment flanges at longitudinally spaced positions, said column element including second and third wall portions projecting angularly from said first wall portion, each of said second and third wall portions having upper and lower marginal edge surfaces respectively abutting the web portions of said top member and said bottom member channel portions, whereby said alignment flanges and attachment flanges transversely position said members and said column with respect to one another and said marginal edge surfaces gauge the vertical separation between said top member and said bottom member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
An enclosure comprising a continuous sheet metal top member having a longitudinally extending channel formed therein to present a pair of longitudinally extending attachment flanges; a continuous sheet metal bottom member having a central longitudinally extending channel formed therein to present a pair of longitudinally extending attachment flanges; and a central sheet metal column element extending from said top member to said bottom member, said column element having a first vertical wall portion presenting an upper alignment flange abutting and secured to said top member along one of said pair of attachment flanges at longitudinally spaced positions and a lower alignment flange abutting and secured to said bottom member along one of said pair of attachment flanges at longitudinally spaced positions, said column element including second and third wall portions projecting angularly from said first wall portion, each of said second and third wall portions having upper and lower marginal edge surfaces respectively abutting the web portions of said top member and said bottom member channel portions, whereby said alignment flanges and attachment flanges transversely position said members and said column with respect to one another and said marginal edge surfaces gauge the vertical separation between said top member and said bottom member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The enclosure of claim 1 wherein said column element has a fourth vertical wall portion substantially parallel to said first vertical wall portion and presenting alignment flanges along the upper and lower marginal edges, said first and fourth wall portion alignment flanges respectively abutting said attachment flanges at opposite transverse side of said formed channels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The enclosure of claim 2 wherein said column element further comprises a fifth wall portion extending between said first and fourth wall portion to form a closed column portion extending from said top member to said bottom member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
99 words
The enclosure of claim 1 further comprising cover means extending vertically from the marginal edge portion of said top member to the underlying marginal edge portion of said bottom member, at least one unit of said cover means being swingably connected about a vertical axis by coaxial first and second pivot means disposed respectively between the top member and said cover unit and said bottom member and said cover uniT, one of said pivot means permitting said cover unit and the other said pivot means permitting limited axial relative motion between said cover unit and said pivotally interconnected member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The enclosure of claim 4 wherein one said cover unit comprises upper and lower horizontal supports; a foraminous sheet extending between and secured to said supports, and a plurality of parallel partial rectangular channel struts extending between and respectively fastened at the ends thereof to said upper and lower supports.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The enclosure of claim 5 wherein said struts each have a first surface abutting and secured to said foraminous sheet at a second planar surface, said second planar surfaces being co-planar and horizontally spaced from said foraminous sheet and from one another, whereby a louvered surface is formed with the space intermediate said struts affording access to the free opening area of said foraminous sheet.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1224234A
Cited
US2774808A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |