Switchboard housing apparatus

Claim 1

Switchboard housing apparatus comprising A. a. a pair of vertically oriented structural support columns, each adapted to support and carry a plurality of components thereon; b. A first pair of channel members respectively affixed to the lower extremities of said columns; c. a base frame coupled to said first pair of members so that said columns, said members, and said frame form a completely free standing assembly; d. a second pair of channel members respectively affixed to the upper extremities of said columns; e. a top frame coupled to said second pair of members; and f. corner posts coupled to said top frame and said bottom frame; B. means, within said frames and corner posts, for supporting a bus bar comprising a. an elongated steel member having at least one bolt hole therethrough, said steel member being coated with an insulative material; b. a first formed washer of insulative material adapted to seat within said hole at one side of said steel member; c. a second formed washer of insulative material adapted to seat within said hole at a side opposite to said one side of said steel member; d. a metal bolt adapted to fit within said washers and said hole; e. a nut adapted to engage with said bolt; and f. a flat washer adapted to fit between said nut and said second formed washer; C. a bus distribution arrangement for bus bars comprising a. a plurality of bus bars for carrying and distributing current of a particular voltage at a first phase; b. a like plurality of bus bars for carrying and distributing current of said particular voltage at a second phase; and c. a like plurality of bus bars for carrying and distributing current at said particular voltage at a third phase, wherein all of said bus bars are oriented parallel to one another, and said bus bars are spaced in an interjacent manner: first phase, second phase, third phase, first phase, second phase, etc.; and D. a distribution bus bar having a length substantially greater than its other two rectangular coordinates, said distribution bus bar having a uniform cross section in planes containing said other two rectangular coordinates, a. said distribution bus bar being formed with a first groove along one side thereof extending along its length; b. said distribution bus bar being formed with a second groove along a second side, opposite to said first side, thereof extending along the length of said distribution bus bar; each of said grooves being formed so that a carriage bolt, or a hexagon head bolt with a flat washer, can be retained by said bar while permitting said bolt to be slid along its retaining groove; and c. the opposed sides of said distribution bus bar, interjacent said grooves, each being formed with a pair of longitudinally extending crevices and intermediate and side longitudinal ridges, whereby said formed crevices and formed ridges provide for great rigidity of said distribution bus bar during a short circuit condition, while providing for a convenient shape to manufacture by way of extrusion, while further providing for an efficient heat sink.