US2488372A - Cabinet for office communication apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Nova 15, 1949 E. w. BREISCH 2,488,372

I CABINET FOR OFFICE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1946 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1 I I I l I I I I I l I I I I IN VEN TOR I BY 47 W Zi'mzQa.

1715' ATTORNEY Nov. 15, 1949 z w. BREISCH CABINET FOR OFFICE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS Filed Feb. 11, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet III-until lllllllvlllllllhfl V INVENTOR Myer! Wflpaz'safi.

BY ad Hi9 ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 15, 1949 CABINET FOR OFFICE COMMUNICATION APPARATUS Edgar W. Breisch, Edgewood, Pa., assignor to The Union Switch & Signal Company, Sw1ssvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 11, 1946, Serial No. 546,736

3 Claims. (Cl. 175-298) My invention relates to cabinets for office communication apparatus, and more particularly to cabinets for communication apparatus arranged in assemblies.

' In communication systems the apparatus is generally arranged in assemblies. For example, in railway train communication systems the apparatus is generally arranged in a receiver assembly, a transmitter assembly and a power assembly. Each of these assemblies comprises a number of related devices mounted on a common frame or chassis and the assembly can be handled as a unit. Such assemblies have a relatively large number of circuit connections with outside circuits, and such outside circuit connections are frequently completed through a plug-in type of connector, one element of this connector being fixed on the portable assembly and the other unit being fixed in the cabinet in which the assembly is located. With such an arrangement each assembly has a definite assigned location in the cabinet. Many of the circuits associated with each assembly must be tested from time to time to check the operating condition of the circuits and to facilitate this testing the circuits should be made accessible for connecting testing instruments thereto. Confusion of the circuits is avoided if the wires can be kept in an orderly manner as they are run in the housing to the associated terminals of the assemblies. Also, time is saved in the original wiring of the housing when the wire channels are located to be convenient to the workmen. Furthermore, such assemblies function more quietly and with less static when each assembly is locked in place and vibration thereof is avoided.

Accordingly, a feature of my invention is the provision of a novel and improved cabinet for assemblies of communication apparatus and wherewith the interior of the cabinet can be readily arranged to accommodate assemblies of different designs and dimensions and outside circuits of widely different characters can be segregated to avoid interference therebetween.

Another feature of my invention is the provision of a cabinet for apparatus of the type here involved incorporating novel means for locating the different assemblies of the apparatus at preselected locations in the cabinet and locating the terminals of the various circuits so as to be acces sible for making the original connections and for maintenance testing.

Again, a feature of my invention is the provision of a communication apparatus cabinet incorporating improved means for bringing the wires of the circuits to designated terminals in an orderly manner.

Still another feature of my invention is the provision of a novel apparatus cabinet of relatively rugged structure, of neat appearance for office installation and of relatively simple and inexpensive construction.

Other features, objects and advantages of my invention will appear as the specification progresses.

To attain the foregoing features, objects and advantages of my invention, I provide a metal case of neat construction and the interior of which is such as to permit various arrangements of shelving for holding assemblies of different dimensions. A compartment at the bottom of the case serves as a space into which the lead wires of the outside circuits enter the cabinet. The terminals for receiving these outside lead wires are mounted in the front end of the cabinet and adjacent to both sides of a door frame, the terminal support being V-shaped with one leg welded to the inside of the case and the terminals mounted on the other leg so that the terminals face the door and are readily accessible for original connection of the Wires thereto and for con necting an instrument for testing purposes. The problem of bringing the lead Wires from the bottom compartment to these terminals is solved by making the door frames of channel shape and wide enough to serve as a wire chase and each individual wire can be readily brought up from the compartment to the terminal without special treatment, such as lacing of the wires. This position of the wires makes it easy for the workmen to put the Wires in place. Also the Wires are fully protected and are unexposed giving a neat appearance to the interior of the cabinet.

Each shelf is secured to a support welded to the inside of the cabinet and a shelving arrangement can be provided to accommodate assemblies of different dimensions with no change in the basic design of the case. Each shelf is of an inverted channel construction to give the shelf ample strength and at the same time provide a compartment underneath the shelf in which locking means can be secured. Supporting members are secured to the rear element of the shelf and these supporting members serve for mounting one unit of a plug-in type of connector. For example, the plug contact unit of such a connector would preferably be secured to such supporting member. Means at the back of the case and at each side serves to retain in place the wires run from the terminals of the connectors to corresponding terminals mounted near the door. This extra space at the back of each shelf also makes it possible for wires of special circuits, such as high frequency circuits, to be brought into the case through special openings directly to the associated assembly, and thus avoid interference with the power and the control circuits brought into the compartment at the bottom of the case.

Each shelf is equipped with guide bars, interlocking plates and a worm wheel so that each assembly can be easily drawn into place to engage the units of the connector, and also to lock each assembly in place to avoid vibration. Conversely, such means aids in disengaging the cormector when an assembly is to be removed. Furthermore, the interlocking means is such that only a unit or assembly of proper. constructioncan be placed on that shelf.

I shall describe one form Of cabinet embodying my invention and shall thenpoint out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying; drawings, Figs. 1 and 2 are front elevation and" top views, respectively, showing one former cabinet embodying my invention when used for office apparatus ofrailway train'communication systems, the door of the cabinet being'removed'in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing the mounting of the terminals of the cabinet of Figs. land 2.

In each of the different views like reference characters designate similar parts.

It is to be understood that cabinets embodying my invention are not limited to use with railway train communication apparatus and this one use serves to illustrate the many places such cabinets are useful.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character l designates a case of .a cabinet and which case is preferably arectangular sheet iron case of dimensions preselected suitable for the apparatus to be housed therein. A sub-base l l of suitable material, such as stainless steel, is securedto the bottom-of the case [0 and serves as a mopping stripto prevent damage to the cabinet when installed on the floor.

Directly. above the sub-base- H is a compartment l2 reserved for the incoming lead wires of the outside circuits associated with'the apparatus housed inthe cabinet. Twoconduit hubs [3 are providedone at each side of the case to provide means for bringing the wires into the compartment I2 from either'direction. A front panel M of the compartment I2 is secured in place by screws [5 and this panel can be readily removed andthe interior of the compartment l2 exposed so as to facilitate thedistribution' of the wires to different wire channels to'bedescribed later, and with the panel l4 put back in place the crisscrossing of the'wires is concealedto give a neat appearance to the interior of the cabinet.

The front of the'case l0 is'formed with a door frame 20, the vertical door jambs of which frame are shaped to formwire' chases2l and 22, one on each side of the door. An enclosing door 23 is retained in place through locating pins 24and 25 fitting into" holes inithe top of the panel 14 and two'la't'ches 26" and?! near the top of the cabinet. Thus this door 23 can be removed to provide access to theinterior of the cabinet. Also the door is of such a width and height thatthe assemblles housed in the cablnetcan be readily installedtherein.

In the form ofcabinet here disclosed, three shelves, a top shelf IS, a middle shelf l1 and'a lower shelf [8, are provided. The shelves are alike and each is of an inverted pan shaped structure. That is, each shelf has a dependent portion on all sides making a relatively rigid construction and also providing a protected compartment below each shelf. Each shelf is bolted to a channel shaped support l9 welded to the inside of the case, there being one support at each end of the shelf. Each support I9 is made to extend out from the case a preselected distance to provide a space for carrying circuit wires along each end of the shelf. Each shelf is made of a length so as to slide easily into place between two supports [9. It is clear that with such a structure the spacing of the shelves can be readily arranged to accommodate different assemblies of different dimensions. That is to say, any specific shelving arrangement can easily be provided by proper positioning of the supports l9 and such arrangements can be made without any change in the basic design of the case H].

A vertical support 28 is secured to the back member of each shelf. The top shelf IS on which two receiving assemblies are located is provided with two such supports 28. Each support 28 carries one unit of a plug-in connector, each support 28 and its associated connector unit being located for the. unit to mate with the other unit of the connector secured to the frame of the associated assembly.

Each shelf is equipped with interlocking plates, guide bars anda worm wheel for each assembly, the top shelf 16 having two sets of such devices to take care of the two receiving assemblies located thereon. Looking at Fig. 2, two beveled guide bars 29 and 30, two interlocking plates 3! and 32, and a worm wheel 33 are provided for a first one of the receiving assemblies. The guide bars 2s and 30 are accurately welded to the shelf l6 and are beveled to fit two guide bars secured to the frame of the associated assembly and indicated at 34 and 35 in Fig. 1. The guide bars 29 and 30 secured to the shelf l6 are arranged in a V-shaped pattern so that the assembly when slid into place on the shelf has its guide bars 34 and 35, also of a V-shaped pattern, mating and looking with the guide bars on the shelf when the assembly has reached its final position.

The two interlocking plates 3| and 32 are provided with slots 36 and 3'! which mate with plates secured on the assembly frame. It is to be seen therefore that only assemblies having plates positioned properly to fit the slots 36 and 37 can be mounted in this position on the shelf Hi. It is to be observed that plates 38 and 39 for the other assembly mounted on shelf I6 have slots differently spaced from those of the plates 3| and 32 and thus with the interlocking plates of the different shelves and different assemblies arranged in a different order each assembly can be placed only in its proper place in the cabinet.

The worm wheel 33 is secured to a small shaft 40 journaled on the underside of the shelf 16, the arrangement being such that the worm wheel extends up through an opening in the shelf to engage a rack fixed to the frame of the associated assembly. The outer end of the shaft is formed with a-head 4| to receive a socket wrench. Thus when an assembly is tobe housed the assembly can be slid onto the shelf with the guide bar of the assembly straddling with the guide bars on the shelf, if the interlocking plates of the assembly mate with the slots of the interlocking plates of the shelf. The assembly canbe slid into place far enough for the rackof the assembly to engage the worm: wheel 33. The worm wheel 33.is then turned through thewrench fitting onto the head 4| of the shaft 40. and the assembly is drawn into its final place to connect the units of the plug-in connector. At this final position, the guide bars are drawn into firm engagement due to their V-shaped pattern, and the assembly is locked against all vibration.

Control and power connecting wires from each connector secured to the back of a shelf are carried to terminals 41 located in a vertical arrangement just inside of the door frame of the same shelf. V-shaped metal strips 42 form terminal supports, one leg of each strip 42 being Welded to the wall of the case Ill and the terminals 41 being mounted on the free leg of the strip. As shown in Fig. 3, each terminal 41 is preferably secured to the strip 42 through an insulation lock 43. The leads from the connector to the terminals are held in place and concealed through Z- shaped strips 44 screwed to the shelf support 19.

The wires of the outside circuits for an assembly are brought in through the compartment I2 in the manner explained hereinbefore, and the individual wires are brought up to the terminals 41 adjacent the shelf which holds the associated assembly through one or the other of the wire chases 20 or 21. The position of the wire chases 20 and 2| just inside the door and the position of the terminals 41 just inside the door make it easy to install the wires and at the same time the wiring is protected and almost entirely concealed.

Special openings 45 on each side of the case I0 are provided adjacent to the receiver and transmitter shelves and cable grips are inserted in these openings for bringing in cables from high frequency or special circuits. Each support 28 is provided with a special terminal 46 for receiving such high frequency Cables and thus the high frequency circuits are brought into the proper assembly without interference with the control of power circuits.

A cabinet such as here disclosed has the advantages that all control and power lead wires enter through conduit hubs in a separate compartment at the bottom of the cabinet, vertical wire chases built into the frame of the door make it easy to run the wires to their terminals and the wires are protected and concealed, the supporting means for the individual shelves allow special arrangement of the shelving without a change in the cabinet case, the shelves are equipped with interlocking and locking features to assure that only proper assemblies can be placed on any shelf and the assembly can be easily drawn into place for engagement with the associated connector unit, an assembly can be readily disconnected for replacement by a new assembly, terminals supported vertically adjacent to each shelf and at the front near the door make it easy to wire the housing and to test the circuits, all wiring of the cabinet is largely concealed and protected, and high frequency connections are brought in where interference with the other circuits is avoided.

Although I have herein shown and described but one form of cabinet for office communication apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In a housing for electrical apparatus assemblies, the combination comprising, a metal case, a pair of shelf supports secured to opposite inside walls of said case, a shelf secured to said shelf supports, a vertical panel member secured to the rear flange of said shelf to mount one unit of a plug-in connector in a position predetermined with respect to said shelf, and a pair of interlocking plates secured to said shelf and each said plate having a slot disposed in a position predetermined with respect to the position of said one connector unit whereby assemblies provided with interlocking plates can be slid onto said shelf for the other unit of said connector fixed on the assembly to engage said one connector unit only when the interlocking plates fixed on the assembly mate with said slots of said interlocking plates secured to said shelf.

2. In a housing for electrical apparatus assemblies, the combination comprising, a case having a shelf secured therein, means to mount one unit of a plug-in connector in said case in a position predetermined with respect to said shelf, and a pair of interlocking plates secured to said shelf and each said plate provided with a slot disposed in a predetermined position with respect to the position of said one connector unit whereby assemblies provided with interlocking plates and having fixed thereon the other unit of said plugin connector can be housed on said shelf in position for the connector units to engage each other only when such assembly is provided with interlocking plates that mate with said slots of the interlocking plates secured to said shelf.

3. In a housing for electrical apparatus assei: blies, the combination comprising, a case having a shelf secured therein, means to mount one unit of a plug-in connector in said case in a position predetermined with respect to said shelf, a pair of guide bars secured to said shelf in a V-pattern in a position predetermined with respect to the position of said one connector unit, said guide bars formed with looking surfaces to engage locking surfaces of mating guide bars secured to an assembly when such assembly is slid onto said shelf for the other unit of said plug-in connector mounted on the assembly to engage with said one connector unit mounted in said case, a pair of interlocking plates secured to said shelf and each such plate having a slot disposed in a position predetermined with respect to the position of said one connector unit, whereby assemblies provided with interlocking plates can be housed on said shelf for said connector units to engage and said guide bars to lock the assembly in place only when such assembly is provided with interlocking plates that mate with said slots of the interlocking plates secured to said shelf.

EDGAR W. BREISCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,379,767 Krantz May 31, 1921 1,718,374 Oberst May 25, 1929 1,791,446 French Feb. 3, 1931 1,883,893 Flaherty Oct. 25, 1932 2,041,112 Bucher May 19, 1936 2,077,160 Wilson Apr. 13, 1937 2,129,723 Wood Sept. 13, 1938 2,158,868 Stacy May 16, 1939 2,178,220 Blancha Oct. 31, 1939 2,319,415 Li htfoot May 18, 1943

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