US3901571A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Instrument cabinet
Assignee: Amco Engineering Co
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Filing: 1974-02-01
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Granted: 1975-08-26
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Expires: 1994-02-01
Abstract
Abstract An instrument cabinet is disclosed which has four main channels at its four corners which define vertical columns at the two front edges and two rear edges of the cabinet. Each of the main channels has a generally triangular gusset at each of its ends. Struts are provided for joining the side pairs of main channels, the struts having an L-shaped cross section with undercut T-slots which are utilized for securing the struts to the gussets of the main channels. Cross ties are provided in the front and the rear to define a bezel at each of the front and rear of the cabinet, each of the cross ties also having at least one T-slot for engaging the main channel. In addition, certain of the struts and cross ties are provided with slots and a fulcrum to impart a rattle-free construction to the panels. The interior elements as well as the main channel, strut, and cross ties are all secured within the cabinet by means of slideable fasteners which fit within the T-slots which permits virtually infinite length and width variations of the cabinet as well as interior members.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald W Begitschke
- 👤 Warren J Olsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:38
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/04; A; A47; A47B; A47B47/00; A47B47/04; A47B47/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 37
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
A cabinet comprising, in combination, four main channels defining vertical columns at the two front edges and the two rear edges of the cabinet, each of said main channels terminating in a gusset perpendicular to each end, struts for joining from front to rear opposed pairs of channels, each of said struts having an angle type configuration with two legs, the legs being perpendicular to each other, T-slots having an undercut portion in each of the legs of the struts, and flanking the junction of the two legs, clamping means for mounting the gusset portions of the main channel to each of said struts, one portion of said means slideably engageable with each of said T-slots, and cross ties defining a front and rear bezel for said cabinet, each of said cross ties having at least one T-slot for engaging the main channel adjacent gussets, whereby the cabinet is self-jigging for purposes of assembly by securing the struts and cross tie members to their respective main channels and its opposed end gussets.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
A cabinet comprising, in combination, four main channels defining vertical columns at the two front edges and the two rear edges of the cabinet, each of said main channels terminating in a gusset perpendicular to each end, struts for joining from front to rear opposed pairs of channels, each of said struts having an angle type configuration with two legs, the legs being perpendicular to each other, T-slots having an undercut portion in each of the legs of the struts, and flanking the junction of the two legs, clamping means for mounting the gusset portions of the main channel to each of said struts, one portion of said means slideably engageable with each of said T-slots, and cross ties defining a front and rear bezel for said cabinet, each of said cross ties having at least one T-slot for engaging the main channel adjacent gussets, whereby the cabinet is self-jigging for purposes of assembly by securing the struts and cross tie members to their respective main channels and its opposed end gussets.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
In the cabinet of claim 1 above, panels enclosing the areas between respective ones of the cross ties and struts, slots in ones of said struts and cross ties, one of said slots having a fulcrum at its outer edge, whereby sheets of material forming panels may be mounted interiorly of said slots, the fulcrum serving to deformingly engage and pre-stress the same into a rattle-free nesting engagement with the respective slots and struts and cross ties.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the cabinet of claim 1 above, each of said cross tie members having a deep channel in its outwardly facing portion, each of said channels terminating in an undercut botton, whereby decorative strips may be inserted in the base of said cross tie channels to customize the cabinet as to design.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the cabinet of claim 1, each of said main channels having an offset mounting flange, a plurality of holes in said mounting flange, whereby panels and other accessories may be secured to the front portion of the main channel for completing the open portion of the front bezel of the cabinet.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
In the cabinet of claim 1, each of said main channels and gusset being formed of a single piece of maTerial, with the gusset bent at substantially right angles to the main channel, and a mounting flange at the front of the portion of each such main channel having a plurality of holes for mounting a variety of interior structures and exterior panels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 1, vertical members between the cross tie ends, each of said vertical members having a cross sectional configuration substantially the same as the cross tie members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
In the cabinet of claim 1, an accessory mount being a vertical elongate member, the same being characterized by an offset strut mounting flange, said strut mounting flange having a plurality of holes at its opposed end portions to the T-slots of the adjacent strut, and a plurality of holes on the main body of the accessory mount for mounting various accessories at pre-selected locations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
63 words
In the cabinet of claim 4, each of said main channels and gusset being formed of a single piece of material, with the gusset bent at substantially right angles to the main channel, and a mounting flange at the front of the portion of each such main channel having a plurality of holes for mounting a variety of interior structures and exterior panels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the cabinet of claim 2, each of said main channels having an offset mounting flange, a plurality of holes in said mounting flange, whereby panels and other accessories may be secured to the front portion of the main channel for completing the open portion of the front bezel of the cabinet.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 5, vertical members between the cross tie ends, each of said vertical members having a cross sectional configuration substantially the same as the cross tie members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cabinet comprising, in combination a front bezel having top and bottom cross ties and a pair of opposed vertical members, a rear bezel having top and bottom cross ties and a pair of opposed vertical members, upper and lower struts joining the front and rear bezels at the four corners with the bezels, each strut, cross tie, and vertical member having an undercut T-slot disposed interiorly of the cabinet, and a plurality of clamps adjustably positioned in ones of the T-slots permitting structural and accessory members to be adjustably secured in place.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cabinet comprising, in combination a front bezel having top and bottom cross ties and a pair of opposed vertical members, a rear bezel having top and bottom cross ties and a pair of opposed vertical members, upper and lower struts joining the front and rear bezels at the four corners with the bezels, each strut, cross tie, and vertical member having an undercut T-slot disposed interiorly of the cabinet, and a plurality of clamps adjustably positioned in ones of the T-slots permitting structural and accessory members to be adjustably secured in place.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
In the cabinet of claim 11, main channels having opposed end gussets, each gusset having mounting means to secure the same to adjacent strut and cross tie members.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
77 words
In the cabinet of claim 11 above, panels enclosing the areas between respective ones of the cross ties and struts, slots in ones of said struts and cross ties, one of said slots having a fulcrum at its outer edge, whereby sheets of material forming panels may be mounted interiorly of said slots, the fulcrum serving to deformingly engage and pre-stress the same into a rattle-free nesting engagement with the respective slots and struts and cross ties.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the cabinet of claim 11 above, each of said cross tie members having a deep channel in its outwardly facing portion, each of said channels terminating in an undercut bottom, whereby decorative strips may be inserted in the base of said cross tie channels to customize the cabinet as to design.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
52 words
In the cabinet of claim 12, each of said main channels having an offset mounting flange, a plurality of holes in said mounting flange, whereby panels and other accessories may be secured to the front portion of the main channel for completing the open portion of the front bezel of the cabinet.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
In the cabinet of claim 12, each of said main channels and gusset being formed of a single piece of material, with the gusset bent at substantially right angles to the main channel, and a mounting flange at the front of the portion of each such main channel having a plurality of holes for mounting a variety of interior structures and exterior panels.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
In the cabinet oF claim 15, each of said main channels and gusset being formed of a single piece of material, with the gusset bent at substantially right angles to the main channel, and a mounting flange at the front of the portion of each such main channel having a plurality of holes for mounting a variety of interior structures and exterior panels.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 11, vertical members between the cross tie ends, each of said vertical members having a cross sectional configuration substantially the same as the cross tie members.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
65 words
In the cabinet of claim 11, an accessory mount being a vertical elongate member, the same being characterized by an offset strut mounting flange, said strut mounting flange having a plurality of holes at its opposed end portions to the T-slots of the adjacent strut, and a plurality of holes on the main body of the accessory mount for mounting various accessories at pre-selected locations.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
77 words
In the cabinet of claim 12 above, panels enclosing the areas between respective ones of the cross ties and struts, slots in ones of said struts and cross ties, one of said slots having a fulcrum at its outer edge, whereby sheets of material forming panels may be mounted interiorly of said slots, the fulcrum serving to deformingly engage and pre-stress the same into a rattle-free nesting engagement with the respective slots and struts and cross ties.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
69 words
A cabinet comprising in combination, four main channels, each channel having a gusset at each end thereof extending substantially perpendicularly to the channel, four struts each having an L-shaped cross section defining two perpendicular legs, each leg having an undercut T-slot clamp means securing each strut end to a main channel end slidable in the T-slots, and cross tie members joining parallel main channels not jointed by the struts.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
69 words
A cabinet comprising in combination, four main channels, each channel having a gusset at each end thereof extending substantially perpendicularly to the channel, four struts each having an L-shaped cross section defining two perpendicular legs, each leg having an undercut T-slot clamp means securing each strut end to a main channel end slidable in the T-slots, and cross tie members joining parallel main channels not jointed by the struts.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 each of said struts being an extrusion of uniform cross section.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 each of said cross ties being an extrusion of uniform cross section.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
27 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 each main channel being a sheet metal stamping, each gusset end being integral with the main channel and bent perpendicular thereto.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 each main channel having a parallel mounting flange perpendicular therewith.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 a plurality of uniformly spaced mounting holes in said mounting flange.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 a plurality of uniformly spaced mounting holes along an edge of said channel remote from said mounting flange.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
In the cabinet of claim 21 a pair of opposed gear hinge lifting handles formed beneath the upper opposed struts and running substantially the length of said upper struts, whereby lifting points may be adjusted to the center of balance of the cabinet.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the cabinet of claim 21, an undercut slot along the intersecting vertex of the legs of the strut, and a resilient member proportioned for a sliding fit in said slot, whereby the cabinet is cushioned along its strut edges.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
In the cabinet of claim 22, an undercut slot along the intersecting vertex of the legs of the strut, and a resilient member proportioned for a sliding fit in said slot, whereby the cabinet is cushioned along its strut edges.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 1, a wedge form in the bend line between the gusset and main channels, whereby the angular relationship between the gusset and main channel is reinforced.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 8, a wedge form in the bend line between the gusset and main channels, whereby the angular relationship between the gusset and main channel is reinforced.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 21, a wedge form in the bend line between the gusset and main channels, whereby the angular relationship between the gusset and main channel is reinforced.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
31 words
In the cabinet of claim 24, a wedge form in the bend line between the gusset and main channels, whereby the angular relationship between the gusset and main channel is reinforced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-25 | 1979-02-24 | 1979-08-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-25 | 1983-02-24 | 1983-08-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-25 | 1987-02-24 | 1987-08-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |