AU2011205036B2

AU2011205036B2 - A Frame Assembly

Info

Publication number: AU2011205036B2
Application number: AU2011205036A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Andrew Hills; Trevor Hills
Original assignee: QUB Pty Ltd
Current assignee: QUB Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-07-28
Filing date: 2011-07-28
Publication date: 2016-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-28
Also published as: AU2010100865A4; AU2010100865B4; AU2011205036A1

Abstract

The present invention is for a frame assembly for use with a rectangular switchboard cabinet having a door and a door opening. The assembly includes a frame base having four stands or feet located at each corner of the cabinet, each stand having a 5 base, back and shelf. A platform including a top rail, bottom rail, hanger and striker is attached to and supported by the stands. A mounting base is attached to the frame base and supports electrical components and is located below the platform. An escutcheon face plate is attached to the hanger. The dimension of the frame assembly is such that its footprint is larger than the door opening and fits snugly within the cabinet thereby 10 containing the frame assembly within the cabinet. Fig. 1 33 - 33 Fig. 2

Description

A Frame Assembly

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a frame assembly adaptable for use with switchboard enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Switchboard enclosures typically comprise a box or cabinet which can be mounted or fixed to a vertical wall and contain electrical switchgear attached to a mounting base and protected by a faceplate or escutcheon. The switchboard enclosures or cabinets are usually of a steel construction and include a door sealing agent which protects the electrical equipment from the elements and is particularly useful in environments such as the mining industry, where safeguarding electronics from foreign material is imperative.

The electrical switchgear and mounting base are protected by the escutcheon, however currently these often require separate attachment means such as bolts or welding on either side of the switchboard. Current designs also include the escutcheon door as a separate piece which has to be bolted through the side or back of the cabinet, or fixed by some other means such as a spot welded nut or stud. A disadvantage of this design is that the different elements must be fixed to the cabinet separately, rather than having a frame using existing mounted positions. This often requires the nuts to be pulled off the back of the existing hinges for the fixing of these elements, or the box to be perforated. A further disadvantage of this setup is that the escutcheon may not fit correctly to the frame and may create openings between the escutcheon and the edges of the box, which may result in damage or injury if a foreign object were to fall through or get caught in these openings. There is also the risk of electrocution to the user if they were to come into contact with open wiring.

Commonly the frame is welded together to ensure that all elements remain secure once the box is mounted. However this is a time-consuming process and the switchboard box and frame assembly can take many weeks to construct. A further disadvantage is that the box and assembly is pre-constructed and cannot be adapted to varied application by the user, such as customised escutcheons or switchboards.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly that overcomes the above mentioned problem or that provides a useful alternative.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame which can be easily assembled within a switchboard enclosure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly which allows the easy fitting of an escutcheon to a commercially available switchboard enclosure.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame assembly and escutcheon which reduces the likelihood of damage to the equipment or injury to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, in a broad aspect, the invention could be said to reside in a frame assembly adaptable for use with a square or rectangular switchboard cabinet having a front opening adapted to be closed by a hinged door, the frame assembly comprising: a frame base including upright stands adapted to be fixed at each comer of the cabinet, each stand having a base and a shelf elevated from said base; a mounting base fixable at a predetermined height above the base of each stand and adapted to support electrical components thereabove; and a platform supported above said shelves adapted to support an escutcheon face plate for said electrical components, said platform comprising of individual elements that extend between stands located at adjacent corners of the cabinet; and whereby the dimension of the frame assembly is such that its footprint is larger than the door opening.

Preferably the cabinet includes upright threaded male members at each of its comers to which the base of each stand is adapted to be fixed.

In preference each stand base includes at least one aperture or part aperture through which the male member is adapted to pass to be engaged by a nut above the base.

Preferably the mounting base is supported above a second nut engaged with each of said male members and is thus height adjustably by way of rotation of said supporting nut.

In preference a still further nut is used to lock the mounting base at a desired height.

Preferably the platform individual elements comprise a top rail, bottom rail, hanger and striker element which together form an opening for access to said electrical components.

In preference the hanger and striker include suspended threaded lugs adapted to extend through cut-outs in the top and bottom rails and cut-outs in the stand shelf so as to be secured thereto by use of a nut.

Preferably the escutcheon face plate is hingedly connected to the hanger and moveable between an open and a closed position, the dimension of the platform and face plate being such that the face plate is moveable through the cabinet opening.

In preference the striker element is adapted for supporting a means of locking the escutcheon face plate in its closed position.

In a further form of the invention there is proposed an electrical switchboard cabinet housing a frame assembly as defined in any one of the above claims.

In a still further form of the invention there is proposed an electrical switchboard cabinet comprising: a square or rectangular hollow cabinet body including a base and upright side walls defining a front opening, the opening being closable by a hinged lid, said base including an upright threaded male member disposed at each comer of the cabinet; and a frame including: upright stands adapted to be fixed at each comer of the cabinet, each stand having a base and a shelf that is elevated from said base, the base including at least one aperture or part-aperture adapted for accommodating said upright threaded male member; a first nut associated with each male member for locking the stand base to the cabinet base; a mounting base for supporting electrical components; a second adjustable nut associated with each male member for supporting one corner of said mounting base; a third nut associated with each male member for locking the mounting base at a desired height; a platform supported above said shelves, the platform adapted to support an escutcheon face plate for said electrical components, said platform comprising of individual elements that extend between stands located at adjacent comers of the cabinet at least two of which include suspended threaded lugs adapted to extend through cut-outs in the stand shelf so as to be secured thereto by use of a further nut; and whereby the dimension of the frame assembly is such that its footprint is larger than the door opening.

Preferably the platform individual elements comprise a top rail, bottom rail, hanger and striker element which each include a surface supported above the shelf of each stand and an upright surface which together form an opening for access to said electrical components.

In preference the escutcheon face plate is hingedly connected to the hanger and moveable between an open and a closed position, the dimension of the platform and face plate being such that the face plate is moveable through the cabinet opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several implementations of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the advantages and principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the switchboard cabinet with the cabinet door open and the escutcheon visible;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the switchboard cabinet without the frame assembly or escutcheon;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a stand;

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the top rail;

Figure 4B is a perspective view of the bottom rail;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the escutcheon hanger;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the escutcheon striker;

Figure 7 A is a perspective view of the escutcheon frame as assembled;

Figure 7B is a perspective view of the escutcheon frame as assembled with the escutcheon inserted; and

Figure 7C is a perspective view of the escutcheon frame as assembled inside the switchboard cabinet with the escutcheon inserted.

LIST OF COMPONENTS 20 Cabinet 22 Circuit breakers 24 Electrical isolator 26 Labels 30 Cabinet body 32 Cabinet door 33 Mounting tabs 34 Escutcheon 36 Escutcheon hinges 38 Escutcheon lock 39 Escutcheon cutout 40 Stand 41 Top left stand 42 Top right stand 43 Bottom left stand 44 Bottom right stand 46 Stand base 48 Stand back 50 Stand shelf 52 Locating hole 54 Locating lug 55 Cutout 56 Top rail 57 Rail back 58 Rail lip 60 Bottom rail 61 Escutcheon hanger 62 Hanger back 63 Hanger lip 64 Hinge mounting hole 65 Escutcheon striker 66 Striker back 67 Striker lip 68 Escutcheon frame 69 Escutcheon assembly 70 Mounting stud 72 Nut and washer 74 Gland plate cutout

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Although the description includes exemplary embodiments, other embodiments are possible, and changes may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of the parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and/or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

In the present description and in the claims which follow, the terms “front,” “rear,” “top” and “bottom” must be understood from the view point of a person standing in front of an electric switchboard cabinet mounted on a vertical wall.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated in Figure 1 a cabinet 20 comprising of a rear rectangular wall which has extending perpendicularly therefrom further walls which form a body 30 and define at the front an opening able to be closed by a conventional hinged door panel 32. The cabinet also includes a sealing agent which can securely attach the hinged door panel, when closed, to the cabinet base. The cabinet is of a commercially available variety and which forms the enclosure for the switchboard, mounting base, escutcheon and frame assembly.

While it is a preferred embodiment of the invention that the enclosure is made from steel, it can also be made from any other material of equivalent strength and durability.

An escutcheon 34 is located at the front of the cabinet and incorporates a face plate, labels 26, hinges 36 and lock 38. Switchgear such as circuit breakers 22 and electrical isolator 24 extend through cutouts in the escutcheon 34.

The escutcheon 34 is of a design which allows the tight fitting of the switchgear through these cutouts and therefore does not leave any gaps between the switches or frame and the escutcheon.

While it is a preferred embodiment of the invention for the escutcheon to be as hereinfore described, it is to be understood that the escutcheon cutouts can be of any formation and number to allow for variances in switchboard design. It is also to be understood that the escutcheon can be supplied as a blank faceplate with no cutouts.

Labels 26 are attached to the escutcheon 34 in proximity to circuit breakers 22 and electrical isolator 24 to indicate these items. The hinges 36 are located on the same side as the hinged cabinet door 32 and allow the escutcheon to be opened and the switchboard beneath to be accessed. The lock 38 is located on the opposite side of the escutcheon from the hinges 36 and prevents keeps the escutcheon securely closed and preventing access to the wiring by unauthorised or unqualified persons.

Figure 2 illustrates the cabinet 20 without the frame or escutcheon. Fixed on the rear rectangular wall are four threaded male members acting as mounting studs 70, one of each in close proximity to the four comers which make up the rear rectangular wall.

Acting as an attachment means is a nut and washer combination 72 for each mounting stud which secure the frame to the cabinet. Also attached to the outside corners of the cabinet body 30 are rectangular mounting tabs 33 so that the cabinet can be fixed to a wall by a mounting apparatus.

The lower bottom wall of the cabinet body 30 also comprises of a gland plate cutout 74 which allows for the insertion of cables.

Figure 3 illustrates a stand (or foot) 40 which is part of the frame assembly and shown in isolation from the rest of the frame. The stand base 46 consists of a plurality of openings which act as locating holes 52 for the insertion of the threaded male members shown in Figure 2. The stand back 48 holds the stand vertically, while the base 46 and the shelf 50 extend horizontally therefrom. The shelf 50 contains two cutouts 52 which are adapted for the insertion of other elements of the frame. Four stands are used in the assembly of the frame.

The frame also consists of a top rail 56 shown in Figure 4A, a bottom rail 60 shown in Figure 4B, an escutcheon hanger 61 shown in Figure 5 and a escutcheon striker 65 shown in Figure 6.

The top rail 56 consists of a rail back 57, a rail lip 58 and a cutout 55 on the rail lip 58 and locating lug adapted for the insertion of other elements of the frame.

The bottom rail 60 consists of a rail back 57, a rail lip 58 and a locating lug 54 adapted to engage with other elements of the frame.

The escutcheon hanger 61 consists of a hanger back 62, and hanger lip 63, hinge mounting holes 64, locating lug 54 and cutouts 55 to engage with other elements of the frame. The mounting holes 64 and cutouts 55 are particularly directed to the attachment of the escutcheon hinges.

The escutcheon striker 65 consists of a striker back 66, a striker lip 67 and a locating lug adapted to engage with other elements of the frame.

Figure 7A illustrates the assembly of the escutcheon frame 68 in isolation from the switchboard cabinet and escutcheon. The four stands 41, 42, 43 and 44 are arranged in a rectangular formation with the top two stands positioned so that the stand base and shelf are parallel with the top rail 56 and the bottom two stands face each other, being parallel with the hanger 61 and the striker 65. The top rail 56 therefore extends between stand 41 and stand 42, the bottom rail 60 extends between stand 43 and stand 44, the hanger 61 extends between stand 41 and stand 43 and striker 65 extends between stand 42 and stand 44. The rails, hanger and striker are therefore interconnected together and attached to the stands by means of the shelf cutouts 52 and locating lugs 54, at appropriate comers, and form a platform.

The stands include multiple cutouts and locating holes 52 so that they can be manufactured identically and used at any one of the four corners. The skilled addressee would appreciate that appropriate fastening means such as nuts and washers may be used to secure each lug 54 to the appropriate stand cutouts.

When assembled, all of these elements combine to create a tight-fitting frame which is held in place by the abutment of the elements against one another. This is achieved by the dimensions of the elements being such that they are pressed tightly against one another and are thus held in place by the abutting force created between the cutouts and secured by the locating lugs engaged with the locating holes. The frame may also be reinforced by the attachment of further studs, screws, washers and nuts.

Thus the frame can be assembled quite easily and without the need for welding or other attachment methods. The entire product can therefore be constructed in a reasonable amount of time when compared to welded frames.

Figure 7B illustrates the assembly 69 of the escutcheon frame 68 with the escutcheon 34, which is fitted into the rectangular casing created by the rails, hanger and striker. The hinges 36 are fitted to the hinge mounting holes on the hanger and the lock 38 is adapted to engage with the striker to lock the escutcheon to the frame, or allow access to the wiring underneath if required by unlocking.

Figure 7C illustrates the frame assembly 69 and escutcheon located inside the cabinet 20. Mounting studs 70 are engaged with the stand 43 through locating hole 52 in the stand base 46 and secured by a nut and washer 72. The washer is attached to the mounting stud, the stand base is then attached to the stud and washer by the locating hole, and the nut is secured thereon. This formation is repeated for all four stands attaching the frame securely to the cabinet wall. The assembled frame is thus securely attached to the cabinet body 30, and can be mounted by means of mounting tabs 33 and mounting apparatus (not shown.)

The dimensions of the frame are such that its footprint is larger than the front opening of the cabinet and therefore fits securely inside the enclosure. Thus, even if the frame was not secured to the rear rectangular wall, the frame would still be held firmly inside the cabinet. A mounting base (not shown) for the switchboard can also be secured to the stands 40 by a cutout in each corner of the mounting base adapted to engage with the mounting studs 70 and also secured by the nut and washer 72. This provides a base for the switchboard electrical equipment to be secured and engaged with the escutcheon. The mounting base also includes a plurality of holes through which cables can be threaded.

The skilled addressee would also realise that the height of the switchboard can thus be easily adjusted.

While it is a preferred embodiment of the invention that the switchboard enclosure and frame are constructed to order or sold pre-assembled, it is to be understood that the elements can be sold as a ‘kit’ allowing the user to construct the invention themselves following written instructions.

Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope and spirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus.

In the summary and description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprising” is used in the sense of “including”, i.e. the features specified may be associated with further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A frame assembly adaptable for use with a square or rectangular switchboard cabinet having a front opening adapted to be closed by a hinged door, the frame assembly comprising: a frame base including upright stands adapted to be fixed at each corner of the cabinet, each stand having a base and a shelf elevated from said base; a mounting base fixable at a predetermined height above the base of each stand and adapted to support electrical components thereabove; and a platform supported above said shelves adapted to support an escutcheon face plate for said electrical components, said platform comprising of individual elements that extend between stands located at adjacent comers of the cabinet; and whereby the dimension of the frame assembly is such that its footprint is larger than the door opening.

2. A frame assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cabinet includes upright threaded male members at each of its comers to which the base of each stand is adapted to be fixed.

3. A frame assembly according to claim 2 wherein each stand base includes at least one aperture or part aperture through which the male member is adapted to pass to be engaged by a nut above the base.

4. A frame assembly according to claim 3 wherein the mounting base is supported above a second nut engaged with each of said male members and is thus height adjustably by way of rotation of said supporting nut.

5. A frame assembly according to claim 4 wherein a still further nut is used to lock the mounting base at a desired height.

6. A frame assembly according to any one of the above claims wherein the platform individual elements comprise a top rail, bottom rail, hanger and striker element which together form an opening for access to said electrical components.

7. A frame assembly according to claim 6 wherein the hanger and striker include suspended threaded lugs adapted to extend through cut-outs in the top and bottom rails and cut-outs in the stand shelf so as to be secured thereto by use of a nut.

8. A frame assembly according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the escutcheon face plate is hingedly connected to the hanger and moveable between an open and a closed position, the dimension of the platform and face plate being such that the face plate is moveable through the cabinet opening.

9. A frame assembly according to claim 8 wherein the striker element is adapted for supporting a means of locking the escutcheon face plate in its closed position.

10. An electrical switchboard cabinet housing a frame assembly as defined in any one of the above claims.

11. An electrical switchboard cabinet comprising: a square or rectangular hollow cabinet body including a base and upright side walls defining a front opening, the opening being closable by a hinged lid, said base including an upright threaded male member disposed at each comer of the cabinet; and a frame including: upright stands adapted to be fixed at each corner of the cabinet, each stand having a base and a shelf that is elevated from said base, the base including at least one aperture or part-aperture adapted for accommodating said upright threaded male member; a first nut associated with each male member for locking the stand base to the cabinet base; a mounting base for supporting electrical components; a second adjustable nut associated with each male member for supporting one corner of said mounting base; a third nut associated with each male member for locking the mounting base at a desired height; a platform supported above said shelves, the platform adapted to support an escutcheon face plate for said electrical components, said platform comprising of individual elements that extend between stands located at adjacent comers of the cabinet at least two of which include suspended threaded lugs adapted to extend through cut-outs in the stand shelf so as to be secured thereto by use of a further nut; and whereby the dimension of the frame assembly is such that its footprint is larger than the door opening.

12. An electrical switchboard cabinet according to claim 11 wherein the platform individual elements comprise a top rail, bottom rail, hanger and striker element which each include a surface supported above the shelf of each stand and an upright surface which together form an opening for access to said electrical components.

13. An electrical switchboard cabinet according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein the escutcheon face plate is hingedly connected to the hanger and moveable between an open and a closed position, the dimension of the platform and face plate being such that the face plate is moveable through the cabinet opening.