Patent US4023871A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4023871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cabinet
Assignee: TCI ACQUISITION CORP
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Filing: 1976-03-15
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Granted: 1977-05-17
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Expires: 1996-03-15
Abstract
Abstract To form a universal electrical cabinet that can be assembled without conventional fasteners, the side sections of a U-shaped member each have an outwardly-extending flange that abuts a corresponding outwardly-extending flange on the side sections of an inverted U-shaped member, with the central sections of the U-shaped member and inverted U-shaped members forming the bottom and top of the cabinet respectively and the side sections combining to form two sides of the cabinet. Tracks or grooves along the front and the rear of the U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members receive front and rear panel members for the cabinet, with the front member having the dials and meters and the like and the rear member generally having electrical connectors. Elongated C-shaped members fit over the flanges where they abut to hold the side sections together so as to form a cabinet. Printed circuits and the like are mounted within the cabinet by suitable abutments and ridges in the U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members.
Inventors
- 👤 Danny M. Dantzler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 12:09
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/26; H02B1/46; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/10; A; A47; A47B; A47B2220/00; A47B2220/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A cabinet for electronic equipment comprising; a front panel and a rear panel; a U-shaped member having a central section and two side sections, said side sections extending at an angle to said central section; each of said side sections of said U-shaped member having a different outwardly-extending flange at its distal end; an inverted U-shaped member having a central section and two side sections extending at an angle to the central section; each of said side sections of said inverted U-shaped member having a different outwardly-extending flange at its distal end; fastener means along said U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members for receiving said front and rear panels; said outstanding flanges being shaped to abut each other when said U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members are positioned together around said front and rear panels; channel means for holding said end flanges of said first U-shaped member to said flanges of said inverted U-shaped member, whereby a cabinet is formed for holding electrical equipment within it;
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A cabinet for electronic equipment comprising; a front panel and a rear panel; a U-shaped member having a central section and two side sections, said side sections extending at an angle to said central section; each of said side sections of said U-shaped member having a different outwardly-extending flange at its distal end; an inverted U-shaped member having a central section and two side sections extending at an angle to the central section; each of said side sections of said inverted U-shaped member having a different outwardly-extending flange at its distal end; fastener means along said U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members for receiving said front and rear panels; said outstanding flanges being shaped to abut each other when said U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members are positioned together around said front and rear panels; channel means for holding said end flanges of said first U-shaped member to said flanges of said inverted U-shaped member, whereby a cabinet is formed for holding electrical equipment within it;
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
63 words
said fastener means including parallel wall members forming slotted ridges; said parallel wall members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said panels; said side sections forming an obtuse angle with said center sections of said U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members; said slotted ridges being larger at the top of said end members than at the bottom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
said fastener means including parallel wall members forming slotted ridges; said parallel wall members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said panels; said side sections forming an obtuse angle with said center sections of said U-shaped and inverted U-shaped members; said slotted ridges being larger at the top of said end members than at the bottom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cabinet according to claim 1 in which said front and rear panels have relatively flat planer edges in the same plane extending there around.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cabinet in accordance with claim 2 in which said channel means are extruded channel-shaped plastic members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cabinet in accordance with claim 1 in which one side of said flanges includes abutting ears of at least the same size as said channel means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cabinet in accordance with claim 4 in which said flanges include longitudinal grooves adjacent to said side sections, whereby the edges of said channel means fit within said grooves.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cabinet in accordance with claim 1 in which said channel means are extruded channel-shapped plastic members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cabinet in accordance with claim 6 in which said fastener means include parallel wall members forming slotted ridges, said parallel wall members being spaced from each other a distance substantially equal to the thickness of said panels.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A cabinet according to claim 7 in which said side sections include inwardly-extending spaced ledges positioned from each other to receive printed circuit boards.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
A cabinet according to claim 7 in which said central section of said U-shaped member includes upstanding bosses to which electrical components may be fastened.
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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) | 1980-05-16 | 1980-11-15 | 1981-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-05-16 | 1984-11-15 | 1985-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-05-16 | 1988-11-15 | 1989-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |