Patent US5349135A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5349135A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fastener for electrical power distribution in divider panels
Assignee: ROS ACQUISITION Inc 21785 HAMBURG AVENUE
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Filing: 1992-06-08
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Granted: 1994-09-20
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Expires: 2012-06-08
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus to fasten panel electrical distribution units to divider panels. Mounting tabs are formed from a panel bracket. Mounting ears with holes to receive the mounting tabs and a slidable locking member with openings to receive the mounting tabs are carried on the panel distribution unit. The mounting tabs are inserted through the holes and openings, and the lock member is then moved to a locked position. The slidable lock member contains a spring member which provides positive friction force to keep the lock member in its locked position.
Inventors
- 👤 Lloyd C. Mollenkopf
- 👤 Russsell J. Rein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 08:55
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/28; H02G3/286; H02G3/288; E; E04; E04B; E04B2/00; E04B2/74; E04B2/7407; E04B2/7416; E04B2/7422; E04B2002/7488
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for fastening separable utility distribution units on divider panels comprising: a bracket adapted to be mounted to a bottom of a divider panel and having a depending tab with an outer end that forms a lock; movable slide locking means carried on a panel distribution unit and having first a tab receiving opening; fixed receiving means mounted to the panel distribution unit mounted adjacent to the movable slide locking means and having at least one second opening aligning with the tab receiving opening for receiving the depending tab and the outer end, the movable locking means being movable from a position permitting the outer end to pass through the first and second openings to a locked position to prevent the outer end from passing out of the first tab receiving opening to thereby retain the tab in the opening; and a detent to retain the movable slide locking means in locked position.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
An apparatus for fastening separable utility distribution units on divider panels comprising: a bracket adapted to be mounted to a bottom of a divider panel and having a depending tab with an outer end that forms a lock; movable slide locking means carried on a panel distribution unit and having first a tab receiving opening; fixed receiving means mounted to the panel distribution unit mounted adjacent to the movable slide locking means and having at least one second opening aligning with the tab receiving opening for receiving the depending tab and the outer end, the movable locking means being movable from a position permitting the outer end to pass through the first and second openings to a locked position to prevent the outer end from passing out of the first tab receiving opening to thereby retain the tab in the opening; and a detent to retain the movable slide locking means in locked position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the mounting means comprises a divider panel bracket with formed mounting tabs thereon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the formed tabs are L-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the movable slide locking means comprises a spring member, the spring member frictionally holding the movable slide locking means in place.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the detent means are dimple depressions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the mounting means receiving openings are L-shaped.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the spring member is frictionally in contact with a portion of the panel distribution unit and forces the movable locking means upward into contact with the fixed receiving means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as in claim 4 wherein the spring member is formed from spring steel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the fixed receiving means for receiving the tab of the bracket comprises at least one mounting ear having the second opening to receive the tab.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for fastening a panel distribution unit to a divider panel comprising: a panel bracket mounted to a lower edge of the divider panel, the panel bracket having mounting tabs formed thereon to have a shank and an end portion; and a panel distribution unit carrying a bracket assembly including a slidable lock member, the bracket assembly having formed mounting ears with openings to receive the mounting tabs, the lock member having means for providing a frictional locking force and having lock openings with two port ions to receive the mounting tabs, a first portion of the lock openings being of size to permit the end portion of the mounting tabs to pass therethrough and a second portion of the lock openings slidably fitting over the shank of the mounting tabs as the lock member moves to a second position, the second portion of the lock openings being narrower than the end portion of the mounting tab to trap the mounting tab on an opposite side of the lock member from the panel bracket.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
175 words
An apparatus for fastening a panel distribution unit to a divider panel comprising: a panel bracket mounted to a lower edge of the divider panel, the panel bracket having mounting tabs formed thereon to have a shank and an end portion; and a panel distribution unit carrying a bracket assembly including a slidable lock member, the bracket assembly having formed mounting ears with openings to receive the mounting tabs, the lock member having means for providing a frictional locking force and having lock openings with two port ions to receive the mounting tabs, a first portion of the lock openings being of size to permit the end portion of the mounting tabs to pass therethrough and a second portion of the lock openings slidably fitting over the shank of the mounting tabs as the lock member moves to a second position, the second portion of the lock openings being narrower than the end portion of the mounting tab to trap the mounting tab on an opposite side of the lock member from the panel bracket.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the mounting tabs are L-shaped tabs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the mounting ears are formed through slots of the lock member, the mounting ears being adjacent to and above the lock member and substantially parallel to the panel bracket.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the openings in the lock member are L-shaped.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as in claim 10 wherein the spring member is formed from spring steel and frictionally slides upon the panel distribution unit, the spring member forces the lock member upwards into frictional contact with the mounting ears.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for fastening panel distribution units to divider panels comprising: a plurality of panel brackets mounted to an end of a divider panel, said panel brackets having mounting tabs formed thereon; and a panel distribution unit carrying a bracket assembly integrally contacting a slidable lock member, the bracket assembly having formed mounting ears with openings to receive the mounting tabs, the slidable lock member having a spring member to provide a frictional locking force and dimple depressions which when the lock member is slid to a locking position contact a portion of the mounting tabs to positively lock the slidable lock member in a desired position with the tabs passing through the openings in mounting ears.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
117 words
An apparatus for fastening panel distribution units to divider panels comprising: a plurality of panel brackets mounted to an end of a divider panel, said panel brackets having mounting tabs formed thereon; and a panel distribution unit carrying a bracket assembly integrally contacting a slidable lock member, the bracket assembly having formed mounting ears with openings to receive the mounting tabs, the slidable lock member having a spring member to provide a frictional locking force and dimple depressions which when the lock member is slid to a locking position contact a portion of the mounting tabs to positively lock the slidable lock member in a desired position with the tabs passing through the openings in mounting ears.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the mounting tabs are L-shaped tabs.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the mounting ears are formed through slots of the lock member, the mounting ears being adjacent to and above the lock member and substantially parallel to the panel bracket.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the openings in the lock member are L-shaped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus as in claim 15 wherein the spring member is formed from spring steel and frictionally slides upon the panel distribution unit, the spring member forces the lock member upwards into frictional contact with the mounting ears.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for fastening utility distribution units on divider panels comprising: mounting means mounted to a bottom of a divider panel; movable locking means carried on a panel distribution unit, the movable locking means comprising mounting means receiving openings and a spring member, the spring member frictionally holding the mounting means in place, and a detent adjacent to the mounting means receiving openings to detent the movable locking means in a locked position; and fixed receiving means mounted to the panel distribution unit mounted adjacent to the movable locking means and having at least one opening for receiving the mounting means, the movable locking means being movable to retain the mounting means received in the opening of the receiving means.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
120 words
An apparatus for fastening utility distribution units on divider panels comprising: mounting means mounted to a bottom of a divider panel; movable locking means carried on a panel distribution unit, the movable locking means comprising mounting means receiving openings and a spring member, the spring member frictionally holding the mounting means in place, and a detent adjacent to the mounting means receiving openings to detent the movable locking means in a locked position; and fixed receiving means mounted to the panel distribution unit mounted adjacent to the movable locking means and having at least one opening for receiving the mounting means, the movable locking means being movable to retain the mounting means received in the opening of the receiving means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-09-19 | 1998-03-21 | 1998-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-09-19 | 2002-03-21 | 2002-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-09-19 | 2006-03-21 | 2006-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |