Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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JOINT FOR EXTRUDED PANELS
This invention relates to a joint for connecting extruded panels edge to
edge.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In US patent 5,521,838 issued May 28, 1996 of Glenn Rosendahl is
disclosed a micro processor controlled system is provided for supplying
electrical
power to a plurality of electrical outlets for example for use in a parking
lot. A central
power supply communicates with a series of outlet receptacles each arranged to
supply electrical power. Each receptacle has its own micro processor
controlled
control unit which is arranged to control the supply of power to the
receptacle. A
detector unit detects the insertion of a connector plug to the receptacle and
actuates
a comparator which compares the instantaneous current drawn by the load with a
predetermined variable maximum current and allows that current to be drawn
only if
it is less than the maximum. In the event that the maximum is exceeded, the
load is
disconnected and is only allowed to be reconnected after the connector plug is
removed. A thermostat can be used to control the supply of power depending
upon
the outside temperature. The microprocessors can select a part only of a cycle
for
supplying power so that the total power drawn by the central power supply is
reduced.
In US patent 7,642,670 issued January 5, 2010, the present inventor
provided additional features of an arrangement of the above type and disclosed
a
system for supplying electrical power to a plurality of vehicles from a
central power
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supply through a plurality of electrical outlets includes an outlet control
unit for each
of the outlets and a vehicle control unit for each of the vehicles. The outlet
microprocessor switches the supply of power to the outlet to communicate data
to
the vehicle. The vehicle microprocessor communicates data by switching a load
across the power supply to provide interaction between the microprocessors to
manage requirement and availability of power. The data includes whether the
power
plant of the vehicle is gasoline powered, diesel powered, hybrid or electric
battery
powered. The microprocessor of the vehicle control unit is arranged to control
switches which supply power to selected loads in the vehicle and includes an
interface which is arranged to connect to a Canbus communication system of the
vehicle.
These arrangements require a suitable housing to locate the electrical
components and to provide a support for the outlet receptacle by which the
vehicle
may be attached to the electrical supply. The housing should be resistant to
environmental conditions and provide a suitable structure which can be readily
mounted in place.
US patent 6,032,432 (Patti) issued March 7, 2000 discloses a modular
panel for light fixtures. The modular panel includes elongated extruded panels
of
different shapes including a corner panel with a curved cross section and a
flat side
panel. The side edges of the corner panel include a pair of spaced-apart lips
defining an elongated slot for accommodating a co-operating side edge of an
adjacent side panel for a tongue-in-groove connection. The corner panel has
evenly
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3
spaced fins along the surface to provide structural integrity as well as to
scatter light
passing through the panel. Multiple panels being assembled with adjacent
intermediate adjoining panels forming a housing having a closed cross section.
US patent 4,858,088 (Agabekov) issued August 15, 1989 discloses
-- an elongated lighting device having a housing with a bottom, two lateral
wings, a
longitudinally elongated opening adapted to receive a transparent closure, and
an
electric supply bar mounted on the bottom in the interior of the housing, so
as to be
enclosed between the lateral wings and to be placed in front of the elongated
opening, the electric supply bar having at least one insulating support
element
-- whereon a succeeding series of electric contact pairs is mounted and which
pairs
are each destined to receive the connection contacts at the ends of a current
consuming element such as a tubular electric lamp. A top cover is snap
fastened at
side edges onto the bottom section.
US patent 5,031,083 (Claesson) issued July 9, 1991 discloses an
arrangement for open profile lengths intended to permit them to be connected
together to produce a channel structure which is closed around its periphery.
Two
profile lengths of identical execution are connected together to produce a
closed
channel structure, each of which has its own flange with the desired external
form
and a number of connecting elements projecting from a common base are so
arranged, with their channel-shaped spaces facing towards one another, as to
be
connected together through the interaction between the flanges and connecting
elements in a tongue and groove connection.
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US patent 4,338,653 (Marrero) issued July 6, 1982 discloses a
fluorescent lighting fixture having a housing which will flush mount in either
a corner
or on a wall or ceiling surface, there being a recessed track in the back into
which
mounting plates slide. The front of the housing is adapted to accept either a
translucent shield for direct lighting or an opaque reflector apparatus spaced
somewhat from the housing for indirect lighting. The front reflector is snap
fastened
in place by a center snap and two edge tongue and groove connectors.
US patent 4,551,792 (Hoke) issued November 5, 1985 discloses an
exterior post top mounted lighting fixture with a housing formed by four
extruded
right-angled aluminum members interlocked together, the housing providing
means
for aligning an electrical assembly and the components thereof in a
predetermined
position.
US patent 3,596,427 (Bayamon) issued August 3, 1971 discloses
channel-shaped posts portions connected together by flanges interfitting with
each
other and joined by a plug wedge forced into the ends of the posts between the
webs and flanged thereof and concealed inside. The plug wedges are designed to
co-act with the webs and flanges of the posts in such manner that interlocking
tongue and groove connections between the flanges of one channel-shaped post
and the flanges of the other channel-shaped post so co-act with each other
that the
two posts form a single substantially rectangular post.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the invention to provide a joint between two extruded
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members. This joint is particularly designed for use in forming a housing from
a
plurality of side by side extruded members commented at the edges, but can be
used in many different fields and locations for connecting any extruded
members
regardless of their construction or purpose.
5
According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a joint
comprising:
a first extruded member having an outside surface, an inside surface
and a first side edge;
a second extruded member having an outside surface, an inside
surface and a second side edge;
wherein the outside surfaces of the first and second extruded members
define a substantially common outside plane;
the first side edge and the second side edge having first and second
cooperating ,connection members extending along the first and second side
edges
respectively by which the first side edge is fastened to the second side edge
along a
full length of the extruded members at the side edges;
wherein the first connection member includes a slot defined by an
inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall being spaced further away from
the
outside surface of the first and second extruded members than is the outer
wall;
wherein the second connection member includes a blade member with
an inner surface and an outer surface inserted into the slot, the inner
surface being
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spaced further away from the outside surface of the first and second extruded
members than is the outer surface;
wherein the blade member has a shoulder on the inner surface thereof
adjacent the inner wall of the slot;
wherein the inner wall of the slot includes a cooperating shoulder and
is flexible to allow the shoulders to pass;
wherein the outer surface of the blade member and the outer wall of
the slot define planar wall surfaces which slide over one another as the blade
member enters into and moves fully into the slot to guide movement of the
blade
-- member as it slides along the planar wall surface of the slot into the
slot;
and wherein the planar wall surfaces lie in a common plane which is
not parallel to the common outside plane so as to lie at an angle different
from 0
degrees to the common outside plane to guide the movement of the blade member
as it enters the slot in a direction toward the common outside plane.
In this way the engagement of the blade into the slot can be by a snap
action in a transverse direction rather than a sliding action in the
longitudinal
direction. Although it is not essential to provide the flexing snap action at
the joint.
Preferably the outer wall has a surface parallel to the outer surface of
the first and second extruded members at the joint for butting a retention
member so
that compression of the surface acts to squeeze the blade member in the slot.
This
acts to hold the blade in the slot and prevent the snap action from allowing
the joint
to open inadvertently.
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Preferably the outer wall has a thinner portion at a base of the slot and
a wider portion at an end of the slot with the wider portion defining the
shoulder. The
thinner portion allows the flex. In this way the extrusion can be formed from
aluminum or similar relatively stiff material while still allowing a snap
action.
Preferably the slot is inclined at an angle to the outer surface of the
first and second extruded members at the joint. This insertion of the blade at
an
angle to the outer surface can be used to pull the outer surfaces more
effectively
together in a plane containing the outer surface because this is not the same
angle
as the insertion angle thus allowing the insertion to better take up
tolerances in the
manufacture.
Preferably there is provided an overlapping rib portion on one of the
extruded members at outer surface which engages onto the outer surface of the
other of the extruded members in a recess at the outer surface. This provides
a
better seal at the outer surfaces than a mere butt joint so that the
connection
between the blade and the slot holds the rib in position.
Preferably the second connection member includes a second slot
parallel to the slot in the first connection member and arranged to receive
the outer
wall of the first connection member.
Preferably the insertion of the overlapping rib portion into the outer
recess is parallel to or in the plane of the outer surfaces at the joint.
Preferably the second connection member includes the slot on an
outer side of the blade to receive the overlapping rib portion of the first
connection
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member.
Preferably there is provided a retention member for contacting the
outer wall of the to hold the outer wall against flexing so that compression
of the
outer wall acts to squeeze the blade member in the slot.
Preferably the retention member is carried on a bridging member
spanning the joint and supported by the first and second extruded members.
However it can be supported on other components internally of the joint.
Preferably the retention member is a set screw so that it can be
adjusted into position engaging the inner wall of the slot but other
components can
also be used.
Preferably there is provided a bridging member for bridging the first
and second extruded members at the joint and the first and second extruded
members each include a receptacle for receiving insert portions of the
bridging
member such that the bridging member bridges the joint inside the inside
surface to
hold the joint against spreading.
Preferably the bridging member extends substantially along the full
length of the first and second extruded members to provide the holding force
along
the whole length. However the bridging member can be formed in separate short
pieces for example and the ends of the joint only.
Preferably the bridging member slides into place along the first and
second extruded members so that it acts to simulate a zip lock arrangement.
However it can also snap into place where the snap action is preferably
substantially
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at right angles to the snap action of the joint itself.
Preferably each receptacle forms a slot which can be part cylindrical.
Such a part cylindrical slot can be used to receive a screw inserted
longitudinally into
one end of the slot for fastening other components such as a base or top wall.
The bridging member can be simply an additional support for the joint
to increase resistance to opening of the joint but preferably the member forms
a
support for components located inside the first and second extruded members.
Preferably the first and second extruded members comprise two of a
plurality of such extruded members each having a first cooperating connection
member along a first side edge and a second cooperating connection member
along
a second side edge in the form of male and female fasteners.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a joint
comprising:
a first extruded member having an outside surface, an inside surface
and a first side edge;
a second extruded member having an outside surface, an inside
surface and a second side edge;
wherein the outside surfaces of the first and second extruded members
define a substantially common outside plane;
the first side edge and the second side edge having first and second
cooperating connection members extending along the first and second side edges
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=
respectively by which the first side edge is fastened to the second side edge
along a
full length of the extruded members at the side edges;
wherein the first connection member includes a slot defined by an
inner wall and an outer wall, the inner wall being spaced further away from
the
5 outside surface of the first and second extruded members at said side
edoes than is
the outer wall;
wherein the second connection member includes a blade member with
an inner surface and an outer surface inserted into the slot, the inner
surface being
spaced further away from the outside surface of the first and second extruded
10 members at said side edges than is the outer surface;
wherein the outer surface of the blade member and the outer wall of
the slot define planar wall surfaces which slide over one another as the blade
member enters into and moves fully into the slot to guide movement of the
blade
member as it slides along the planar wall surface of the slot defining a
sliding plane
into the slot;
wherein the blade member has a shoulder on the inner surface thereof
adjacent the inner wall of the slot;
wherein the inner wall of the slot includes a cooperating shoulder and
is flexible to allow the shoulders to pass;
wherein the blade member is inserted into the slot and holds the
outside surfaces of first and second extruded members in contact;
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and a generally U-shaped bridging member including a pair of legs and
a transverse center section bridging the first and second extruded members at
the
joint;
wherein the first and second extruded members each include a
receptacle receiving a respective leg of the bridging member;
and wherein the transverse center section is located inside the inner
wall of the slot generally parallel to the common outside plane and holds the
first and
second extruded members against movement in a direction which allows the
outside
surfaces thereof to move apart.
While the joint described herein can be used in many different
arrangements and uses of the extruded members, it is particularly of value in
forming a housing for containing electrical components which need to be
protected
from exterior environment.
The housing described herein is primarily designed for housing
electrical components where protection from the environment is required,
particularly
where the components are to be mounted externally such as on a post or other
ground support. This arrangement is particularly suitable where the electrical
components provide a controlled electrical outlet for supplying current to a
load such
as a vehicle. However the device can also be used, not only for the automotive
industries, but also the Recreational Vehicle (RV) and Marine industries,
which are
known to include hook-up for a water connection, telephone, cable and
Internet, and
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even perhaps natural gas. Thus the housing may contain components for
supplying
any one or more of these utilities.
Such a housing can be of the type comprising:
a plurality of extruded panels arranged side by side for connection at
side edges;
each of the panels having a male connection member along a first side
edge and a female connection member along a second side edge;
the male connection member being a snap fastening into the female
connection member by insertion in a direction at right angels to the edges to
form a
joint therebetween;
the panels cooperating to form an enclosure defined by the panels for
surrounding the electrical components.
In this arrangement, preferably the housing includes panels of different
cross section.
In this arrangement, preferably some of the panels are generally
straight in cross section.
In this arrangement, preferably some of the panels are generally
curved in cross section.
In this arrangement, preferably the male connection members of each
of the panels are of identical cross section and the female connection members
of
each of the panels are of identical cross section.
In this arrangement, preferably the panels are formed of an extruded
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metal.
In this arrangement, preferably there is provided a plurality of bridging
members each bridging the panels at a respective one of the joints between
panels
and wherein the panels each include a receptacle for receiving insert portions
of the
bridging member such that the bridging member bridges the joint inside an
inside
surface of the housing to hold the joint against spreading.
In this arrangement, preferably the bridging member extends
substantially along the full length of the panels.
In this arrangement, preferably the bridging member slides into place
along the panels.
In this arrangement, preferably the bridging member forms a support
for components located inside the panels.
In this arrangement, preferably the bridging member is connected at
one end to a support member extending generally at right angles to the panels
so as
to provide a connection between the panels and the support member.
In this arrangement, preferably the support member is an end plate.
In this arrangement, preferably the bridging member is connected at
each end to a respective one of two end support member extending generally at
right angles to the panels so that the two end support members and the
bridging
members form a supporting structure inside the panels.
In this arrangement, preferably the bridging member is fastened to the
support member by a screw through the support member engaging into a channel
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extending longitudinally of the bridging member.
In this arrangement, preferably at least one of the panels carries a
plurality of cooling fins extending generally outwardly therefrom.
In this arrangement, preferably the panels are arranged such that the
cooling fins form a cooling duct on an inside of the housing.
In this arrangement, preferably the panels are arranged such that the
cooling fins form a cooling duct inside an outer housing with the cooling duct
and the
housing being formed by respective ones of the panels.
In this arrangement, preferably the cooling duct has fins on an outside
surface thereof.
In this arrangement, preferably the panels are connected to form an
upstanding elongate post.
In this arrangement, preferably the panels are connected to form a
receptacle on top of a post.
In this arrangement, preferably some of panels have exterior slots to
receive edges of a slidable face panel.
In this arrangement, preferably some of panels are shaped so that they
are generally concave so as to form an interior recess.
In this arrangement, preferably at least one of the panels has an
opening for receiving an electrical outlet receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction
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with the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a joint according to the present
invention between two extruded members.
Figure 2 is a top plan view of the joint of Figure 1.
5 Figure 3 is a top plan view of one portion only of the joint of
Figure 1 on
=
an enlarged scale.
Figures 4 to 12 are a series of top plan views of different housing
shapes which can be formed by a series of different extruded panels using the
joint
of the present invention.
10 Figure 13 is an isometric view from the bottom and the front of
the
housing of Figure 12.
Figure 14 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a housing
according to the present invention using the components of the previous
figures to
define a post section and a top housing on top of the post.
15 Figure 15 is an exploded view of a second embodiment of a housing
according to the present invention using the components of the previous
figures to
define a post section and a top housing on top of the post.
Figure 16 is an exploded view of a third embodiment of a housing
according to the present invention using the components of the previous
figures to
define a housing with a central cooling duct.
Figure 17 is an exploded view of an internal construction of the post of
Figures 14 and 15.
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16
, Figure 18 is an exploded view of an alternative construction for use in
forming a post.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding
parts in the different figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The joint shown in Figures 1 to 3 is formed between a first extruded
member 10 having an outside surface 10A, an inside surface 10B and a first
side
edge 10C and a second extruded member 11 having an outside surface 11A, an
inside surface 11B and a second side edge 11C. The first side edge 10C and
second side edge 11C are arranged to provide co-operating connections for
connecting the side edges of the members together to form a connected
structure.
The extruded members can be of any construction and typically
include a second side edge 10D on the member 10 and a first side edge 11D on
the
member 11 for connection to a next extruded member so that each includes male
and female side connectors at respective side edges. In this way the members
can
be used to form a complete housing or other structure of connected members
with
male and female connections as required.
The members 10 and 11 are in the embodiment curved so as to be
part cylindrical but other shapes can be used as described hereinafter. The
members 10 and 11 have the outer surface 10A, 11A corrugated to form an
attractive appearance but this is of course not an essential requirement.
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The members 10 and 11 are extruded so that they have a constant
cross section along their length. The material from which they are formed can
vary
depending on requirements but typically is of sufficient strength and
stiffness to form
a structural member such as a housing, post or the like. In such a case the
use of
metal such as aluminum, mild coated steel or stainless steel is preferred.
Thicknesses and dimensions of the walls and the snap fastening components to
accommodate their functions as described hereinafter can be selected by
persons
skilled in the art using conventional knowledge.
The first edge 10C thus has a first cooperating connection member 20
and the second edge 11C thus has a second cooperating connection member 30
with each extending along the first and second edges respectively. The members
and 30 form cooperating male and female connections by which the first edge
10C is fastened to the second edge 11C along the length of the edges.
As best shown in the enlarged view of Figure 3, the first connection
15 member 20 includes a slot 201 defined by an inner wall 202 and an outer
wall 203.
The second connection member 30 includes a blade member 301 to be inserted
into
the slot 201 in a snap fastening action.
The blade member 301 is relatively stiff and is not intended to flex.
The blade member 301 has a ramp surface 303 leading to a shoulder 302 on the
20 side thereof adjacent the outer wall 203. The outer wall 203 includes a
cooperating
shoulder 204 so that when seated the shoulders sit in engagement at an angle
generally at right angles to a direction D of insertion of the blade into the
slot so as to
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hold the blade inserted into the slot against movement opposite to the
direction D.
In order to allow the insertion, the wall 203 is flexible to allow the
shoulders 302 and
204 to pass by the wall 203 flexing away from the blade when pressed inwardly
by
the ramp surface 303 sliding over an inlet surface 205 of the wall 203.
In order to allow the flexing of the outer wall 203, the outer wall 203
has a thinner portion 206 at a base end 207 of the slot 201 and a wider
portion 208
at the outer end of the slot 201 at the surface 205 with the wider portion
defining the
shoulder 204.
The slot 201 and the blade 301 are inclined at an angle A to a plane P
at the outer surface of the first and second extruded members at the joint.
The
angle A is of the order of 30 degrees but can be larger and as much as 45
degrees.
The second connection member 30 includes a second slot 304 parallel
to the slot 201 in the first connection member and arranged to receive the
outer wall
202 of the first connection member. As the slot 304 is parallel to the slot
201, these
slots define the direction D of insertion at the angle A to the plane P.
The first connection member 20 includes an overlapping rib portion
209 at the outer surface 10A which engages onto the outer surface 11A of the
second of the extruded members. In order to receive this rib portion and still
provide
a flush or contiguous outer surface at the junction between the surfaces 10A
and
11A, the surface 11A includes a recess 305 which matches the rib. Both the
recess
305 and the rib 209 include a side surface 210 which is parallel to the plane
P so
that the insertion of the overlapping rib portion 209 into the recess 305 is
parallel to
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19
the plane P and the outer surfaces at the joint.
The use of the inclination angle A as opposed to being just a straight
tongue and groove is that:
a) In order for the joint to fail and come apart it requires the
extruded members move apart one form the other in two directions, not just
movement one apart from the other, but also one moving up as the other moves
down.
b) As well the idea of the angle increases surface area of the joint
therefore creating a stronger joint.
c) The increased
surface area of the connecting joint increases the
water resistance of the joint due to the increased distance, and opposing
angle, of
the likely flow the water would have to travel in order to compromise the
joint.
d)
Also in assembly of the joint the visual clue to a tight joint is
easier to ascertain as one extrusion is set higher than the other if the joint
is not
properly connected.
As the snap action of connecting the connection members 20 and 30 is
based on the flexing of the thinner portion 206 of the wall 203, this can be
locked by
providing a retention member 401 of a bridging member 40. The retention member
401 is a set screw with a head 402 and a front face 403 for contacting the
outer wall
203 to hold the outer wall against flexing so that compression of the outer
wall 203
acts to squeeze the blade member 301 in the slot 201 and prevent the blade
from
being pulled out of the slot due to the engagement of the shoulders 204 and
302.
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Fore this purpose, the outer wall 203 at the wider portion 208 includes a
surface 211
which is parallel to the plane P and thus to the outer wall and thus butts
flush against
the front face 403 of the screw 401.
The bridging member 40 spans the joint and is supported by the first
5 and second extruded members at its respective ends. Thus the first and
second
extruded members 10, 11 each include a receptacle 10E, 11E for receiving
insert
portions 404, 405 of the bridging member such that the bridging member bridges
the
joint inside the inside surface to hold the joint against spreading. Each
receptacle
10E, 11E forms a part cylindrical slot with a part cylindrical inner wall 1OF
and an
10 open mouth 10G barrower than the wall. The insert portions include a
neck 407 and
a compressible bead 408 which can be snapped into the receptacle by
compression
of the bead so that the outside surface of the bead matches the cylindrical
surface
10F. The bridging member can extend substantially along the full length of the
first
and second extruded members and can slide into place along the first and
second
15 extruded members. The necks 407 extend generally at right angles to the
surface or
to the plane P so that tension tending to allow the joint to part is
communicated at
right angles to the neck and through the bridging member itself so that the
bridging
member resists the movement of the joint apart and thus acts as a lock. The
bridging member extends across the joint close to the inner surface of the
joint at the
20 wall 203 and thus provides a support for the joint without significantly
interfering with
the area inside the structure. The bridging member includes a longitudinal
slot 409
with a mouth 410 and a part cylindrical receptacle 411 for attaching
components
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21
inside the structure.
Each of the receptacles 10E, 11E and 409 is of the type which can
receive a screw fastener engaged into the end of the part cylindrical wall
inserted
longitudinally into one end of the slot.
The joint described herein can be used in many different situations but
examples of such joints used in housings for various components are described
as
follows.
Turning now to the construction of housing for electrical components
formed using the panels and joint construction described above and shown in
the
further figures, in Figure 14 particularly is shown a construction for
mounting a
housing for the electrical components (not shown). The construction comprises
a
concrete base 52 defined by a footing portion 50 and a cylindrical upstanding
portion
51. These are typically mounted in or on the ground as a structural base for
the
housing construction and can be of any shape or arrangement dependent on the
number of housings to be mounted and the terrain on which they are to be
mounted..
The housing construction includes a post 60 attached to the portion 51
and a top receptacle section 70. The electrical components can be mounted in
one
or both of the post and receptacle depending on the construction and size of
the
components. Typically an electrical supply and optionally communication cables
will
pass through the base 52 into the post for supplying the electrical
components.
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The post 60 comprises a plurality of extruded panels 10, 11 connected
by joints at edges 10C and 11C. A bridging member 40 spans the joint. All
these
components are of the construction described above so that it is not necessary
to
repeat that description here. Thus each of the panels has a male connection
member 30 along a first side edge and a female connection member 20 along a
second side edge for connection of the male members with the female members as
previously described. Thus the male connection member provide a snap fastening
into the female connection member by insertion in a direction of the blade 301
into
the slot 201 at right angles to the edges to form a joint therebetween. Thus
the
panels 10 and 11 cooperate to form a cylindrical enclosure forming a post
defined by
the panels for surrounding the electrical components.
At each joint is provided a respective one of the plurality of bridging
members 40 each bridging the panels at a respective one of the joints between
panels. Each of the panels includes the receptacle 10E, 11E for receiving the
insert
portions 404, 405 of the bridging member 40 such that the bridging member
bridges
the joint inside an inside surface of the housing to hold the joint against
spreading.
The bridging members 40 extend along the full length of the panels 10, 11 and
slide
into place along the panels.
The post 60 further includes, as best shown in Figure 17, a bottom end
plate 601 and a top end plate 602 at right angles to the panels. Each bridging
member is connected at one end to a support member or plate 601 and at the
other
end to the plate 602 extending generally at right angles to the panels so as
to
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provide a connection between the panels and the support members or plates 601,
602. Thus the plates and the bridging members form a structural member for
holding the panels 10, 11 in place.
Each plate 601, 602 includes a recess 603 indented onto the face
receiving the bridging member and shaped to match the inner face of the
bridging
member 40 at the receptacle 409 therein. Thus the end face of the bridging
member
sits in the recess 603 and is prevented from movement relative to the end
plate by
this recess. The bridging member is fastened to the plate by a screw 604
engaged
though holes 605 in the end plate at the recess 603 which screws engage into
the
end of the part cylindrical receptacle 409 as a screw fit to tighten the
bridging
member against the end plate.
Thus the bridging members are connected at each end to a respective
one of two end support member extending generally at right angles to the
panels so
that the two end support members and the bridging members form a supporting
structure inside the panels. The panels are then connected on the outside of
this
structure by engaging their joints and by attaching the bridging members, by
sliding
the connected panels along the supporting structure. The end plates 601 and
602
have a central hole 606 allowing the insertion of the electrical components
and/or
the connection leads.
The bottom plate 601 is fastened to the portion 51 by suitable
fasteners (not shown). The top plate forms a support for a base 701 of the
receptacle 70.
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In Figure 14, the receptacle 70 is relatively small and is formed by two
panels 702 and 703 connected by edge connection joints 20 and 30 as previously
described. Additional panels in the manner of Figure 4 can also be provided
depending on the size of the receptacle required. The bottom plate 701 is
formed in
two sections 706 and 706 with a hole 707 which is connected by edge connectors
20
and 30 as previously described. The bottom plate is fastened to the panels 702
and
703 by screws extending through the plate into the ends of the receptacles 10E
and
11E (Figure 3). A top plate 704 forms a closed top formed in one piece and
fastened to the panels 702 and 703 by screws (not shown). Each of the panels
702
and 703 includes a hole 709 through the wall thereof to access the interior so
that an
electrical outlet of a conventional construction can be mounted in the wall to
allow
connection of a plug from a vehicle or the like, with the electrical
connection to the
internal electrical components passing through the wall to the interior. In
this
embodiment most of the electrical components are housed in the pose and the
top
receptacle is primarily merely a support for the electrical outlets.
In Figure 15 is provided a similar arrangement in which there is
provided a base 52, a post 60 and a receptacle 80. in this case the receptacle
is
much larger and is intended to contain all of the electrical components. In
this case
the receptacle is formed of panels 801 and 802 and a top plate 803 all forming
a
generally rectangular construction with vertical sides. The panels 801 are
curved to
form corners of the receptacle. The panels 802 are flat and include holes 804,
805
for electrical outlets. In this arrangement the bridging members 40 are
omitted from
CA 02709726 2015-01-16
the receptacle and the fastening of the panels to the top and bottom plates is
effected solely by the insertion of screws 806 into the receptacles 10E, 11E.
Turning now to Figure 16, there is shown a further arrangement of
receptacle 90 which can be mounted on a post or directly in a ground base. A
base
5 plate 901 and a top plate 904 is connected to flat panels 902, with holes
913, and
corner panels 903 in the manner previously described.
In this embodiment there is provided a cover plate 905 mounted on top
of the top plate 904 and held spaced from it by spacer panels 906 and 907
around
the edge. The panels 906 and 907 match in shape the panels 902 and 903 and
10 attach in similar manner. A cooling duct 915 extends through the
receptacle 90 from
a bottom hole 912 in the plate 901 to a top hole 914 in the plate 904. The
cooling
duct is formed of two connected panels 909 and 909 using joints 916 and
receptacles 911 as previously described. The surface of the panels 908 and 909
carries cooling fins 910. These extend outwardly from the surface of the
respective
15 panel and can project to the interior or the exterior of the duct 915,
but preferably
extend to the interior so as to engage air passing though the duct. The air
flow is
caused by convection and thus enters the duct through the bottom hole 912 and
escapes the duct through the top hole 914 into the area between the top late
904
and the cover plate 905. The panels 906 have holes to allow the escape of the
air.
20 Thus the panels can be used to effect cooling of the electrical components
in
locations where significant ambient heat can cause overheating. Thus in this
embodiment, the panels 908 and 909 are arranged such that the cooling fins
form a
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26
cooling duct on an inside of the housing.
As shown in Figure 10, at least one of the panels carries a plurality of
cooling fins 120 on the exterior extending generally outwardly therefrom.
As shown in Figures 12 and 13 some of panels 130 and 140 are
shaped so that they are generally concave so as to form an interior corner
defining a
recess 141 which has a hole 142 for the mounting of an outlet. Thus the hole
142 is
protected in a recess and is not presented merely on the outside as previously
described. This allows some protection for the hole by way of a cover 143 and
a
sliding front panel 144. Both the cover 143 and the panel 144 have edge beads
145
mounted in receptacles 146 on the panels 130 and 140 thus defining exterior
slots to
receive edges of the slidable face panel.
As shown in Figures 4 to 12, the housing includes panels of different
cross section. Thus as shown in Figure 4, some of the panels 190 are generally
straight or flat in cross section and some 191 form corners. A short connector
panel
192 can also be provided.
Thus as shown in Figure 5, some of the panels 193 define a flat plate
194 with the connectors 20 and 30 extending at right angles to the rear face
of the
flat panel.
In Figure 6, a T-shaped cross section is formed using flat panels 190,
part cylindrical panels 197 and inverted corner panels 198.
In Figure 7, a hexagonal cross section is formed using flat panels 190,
and short 60 degree connector panels 198.
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27
In Figure 8, a circular cross section is formed using four part cylindrical
panels 197.
In Figure 9, a D-shaped cross section is formed using part cylindrical
panels 197 and flat plate panels 193.
In Figure 10, an oval cross section is formed using part cylindrical
panels 197 and short connector panels 198.
In Figure 11, a triangular cross section is formed using straight panels
190 and short connector panels 198.
This construction to form different cross sections is obtained since the
male connection members of each of the panels are of identical cross section
and
the female connection members of each of the panels are of identical cross
section.
Figure 18 shows a modification of the arrangement of Figure 17 where
the recesses 621 for the end of the bridging members 40 are spaced inwardly
from
an outer edge 624 of the plate 620 so that the panels 10 and 11 (not shown in
this
figure) sit on the outer periphery of the plate rather than being located
outside the
plates as in Figure 17. Thus the plate 620 fully closes the end of the
housing.
