U.S. patent application number 13/562671 was filed with the patent office on 2012-11-22 for enclosure with integral wire reel support.
This patent application is currently assigned to LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.. Invention is credited to Edward A. Enyedy, Kenneth Justice, Michael Kindig, Jason Leach, Luke Petrila.
Application Number | 20120292325 13/562671 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43927825 |
Filed Date | 2012-11-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120292325 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Enyedy; Edward A. ; et
al. |
November 22, 2012 |
ENCLOSURE WITH INTEGRAL WIRE REEL SUPPORT
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention include a welding wire
feeder enclosure, the enclosure including a front, a rear, a top,
and a bottom forming a perimeter of the enclosure. The enclosure
further includes opposing side openings separated by a width of the
enclosure, each of the side openings being adapted for receiving a
side panel. Particular embodiments further include a divider panel
extending substantially between the front, rear, top, and bottom,
and positioned along an intermediate portion of the width of the
enclosure to divide an internal volume of the enclosure into a
service side and a user side, the divider panel being formed
monolithically with the front, rear, top, and bottom of the
enclosure, the divider panel further including an integral spindle
shaft location.
Inventors: |
Enyedy; Edward A.;
(Eastlake, OH) ; Justice; Kenneth; (Wickliffe,
OH) ; Kindig; Michael; (Chagrin Falls, OH) ;
Leach; Jason; (Cleveland Heights, OH) ; Petrila;
Luke; (Westlake, OH) |
Assignee: |
LINCOLN GLOBAL, INC.
City of Industry
CA
|
Family ID: |
43927825 |
Appl. No.: |
13/562671 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12645449 |
Dec 22, 2009 |
8256659 |
|
|
13562671 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/504 ;
242/597.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23K 9/32 20130101; B23K
9/1333 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/504 ;
242/597.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04; B65H 49/26 20060101 B65H049/26; B65D 25/10 20060101
B65D025/10 |
Claims
1. A divider panel for a welding wire enclosure, the enclosure
having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and opposing sides
separated by a width, the divider panel comprising: a panel sized
to substantially extend between the top and bottom, and the front
and rear of the enclosure for positioning between the opposing
sides, the panel having one or more strengthening members extending
outwardly from, and at least partially vertically along, a side
surface of the panel in proximity to a spindle shaft location, the
one or more strengthening members extending from a side of the
panel opposite the spindle shaft location.
2. The panel of claim 1, wherein the divider panel and the one or
more strengthening members are monolithic.
3. The panel of claim 1, wherein the spindle shaft location
includes one or more apertures for attaching a spindle to the
divider panel.
4. The panel of claim 1, wherein a spindle shaft is monolithic with
the panel, the spindle shaft extending from the spindle shaft
location.
5. The panel of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the one or
more strengthening members comprise one or more lateral members
extending from the panel.
6. The panel of claim 1, wherein the one or more strengthening
members include a recess.
7. A divider panel for a welding wire enclosure, the enclosure
having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and opposing sides
separated by a width, the divider panel comprising: a panel sized
to substantially extend between the top and bottom, and the front
and rear of the enclosure for positioning between the opposing
sides, the panel having one or more strengthening members extending
outwardly from, and at least partially along, a side surface of the
panel in proximity to a spindle shaft location, the one or more
strengthening members extending from a same side of the panel as
the spindle shaft location.
8. The panel of claim 7, wherein the divider panel and the one or
more strengthening members are monolithic.
9. The panel of claim 7, wherein the spindle shaft location
includes one or more apertures for attaching a spindle to the
divider panel.
10. The panel of claim 7, wherein a spindle shaft is monolithic
with the panel, the spindle shaft extending from the spindle shaft
location.
11. The panel of claim 7, wherein at least one of the one or more
strengthening members comprises one or more vertical members
extending from the panel.
12. The panel of claim 11, wherein at least one of the one or more
strengthening members comprises one or more lateral members
extending from the panel.
13. The panel of claim 11, wherein the at least one or more
strengthening members further comprise one or more non-lateral
members.
14. The panel of claim 13, wherein the at least one or more
non-lateral strengthening members are selected from the group
consisting of curvilinear and zig-zag.
15. A divider panel for a welding wire enclosure, the enclosure
having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and opposing sides
separated by a width, the divider panel comprising: a panel sized
to substantially extend between the top and bottom, and the front
and rear of the enclosure for positioning between the opposing
sides, the panel having one or more strengthening members extending
outwardly from, and at least partially along, at least one side
surface of the panel in proximity to a spindle shaft location.
16. The panel of claim 15, wherein the divider panel and the one or
more strengthening members are monolithic. at least one of the one
or more strengthening members comprises one or more vertical
members extending from the panel.
17. The panel of claim 15, wherein at least one of the one or more
strengthening members comprises one or more lateral members
extending from the panel.
18. The panel of claim 15, wherein the at least one or more
strengthening members further comprise one or more non-lateral
members.
19. The panel of claim 18, wherein the at least one or more
non-lateral strengthening members are selected from the group
consisting of curvilinear and zig-zag.
20. The panel of claim 15 wherein the spindle shaft location
includes one or more apertures for attaching a spindle to the
divider panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent
application Ser. No. 12/645,449 filed on 22 Dec. 2009, the
co-pending application fully incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to enclosures for retaining
welding wire reels. Such enclosures may comprise, without
limitation, a welding wire feeder, or a welding unit also including
a welding wire reel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Wire feeders, like those used in arc welding applications,
convey wire from a continuous feed source to a weld torch. In many
instances, the wire is fed from a reel or drum rotationally
attached to a spindle. The spindle is attached to a mast, which
supports the spindle and the weight of any reel attached
thereto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Particular embodiments of the present invention include
apparatus for enclosing and housing a welding wire feeder, and in
particular embodiments a welding wire feeder and a welder.
Embodiments of the present invention include a welding wire feeder
enclosure, the enclosure including a front, a rear, a top, and a
bottom forming a perimeter of the enclosure. The enclosure further
includes opposing side openings separated by a width of the
enclosure, each of the side openings being adapted for receiving a
side panel. Particular embodiments of the enclosure further include
a divider panel extending substantially between the front, rear,
top, and bottom, and positioned along an intermediate portion of
the width of the enclosure to divide an internal volume of the
enclosure into a service side and a user side, the divider panel
being formed monolithically with the front, rear, top, and bottom
of the enclosure, the divider panel further including an integral
spindle shaft location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded side view of a welding wire
feeder enclosure being monolithically formed with a divider panel,
according to one embodiment of the invention;
[0006] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of an enclosure for a
welding wire feeder, according to one embodiment of the invention,
wherein the top, bottom, front, rear, and opposing sides are shown
in hidden view to better expose the divider panel and other extents
of an internal volume of the enclosure;
[0007] FIG. 3 is a top view of the enclosure shown in FIG. 2,
except that the panel is shown integrally mounted within the
enclosure;
[0008] FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the divider panel shown
in FIG. 2;
[0009] FIG. 5 is a top view of the divider panel shown in FIG.
2;
[0010] FIG. 6 is a perspective side view of an alternative divider
panel of the enclosure shown in FIG. 2, according to an embodiment
of the invention;
[0011] FIG. 7 is a top view of a variation of the alternative
divider panel shown in FIG. 6;
[0012] FIG. 8 is a perspective side view of another alternative
divider panel of the enclosure shown in FIG. 2, according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 9 is a top view of a variation of the alternative
divider panel shown in FIG. 8;
[0014] FIG. 10 is a perspective exploded view of an exemplary
spindle rotating assembly, according to one embodiment of the
present invention;
[0015] FIG. 11 is a top view of a welding wire feeder enclosure
that also houses a welding unit to form a combination welder/wire
feeder according to a particular embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0016] FIG. 12 is a perspective side view of the combination
welder/welding wire feeder enclosure shown in FIG. 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Particular embodiments of the present invention provide
enclosures for housing a welding wire feeder, which may also
include a welding unit. The enclosures include panels (or walls),
which may include an integral wire reel support shaft or
strengthening member, where said panels may also be integral with
said enclosures. In particular embodiments, particular components
of the panel may be formed monolithically with the panel, while the
panel may be formed monolithically with portions of the
enclosure.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 1, an enclosure 10 for housing
welding wire generally includes a divider panel 40 formed
monolithically with a top 12 and bottom 14, and a front 16 and rear
18 of the enclosure. The enclosure further includes an integral
spindle shaft 50 extending from a spindle shaft location 49 (shown
in FIGS. 4-9) along the panel 40. The spindle shaft 50 is provided
for mounting a welding wire reel or spool 30 thereon. With general
reference to FIGS. 2-3, enclosure 10 may also include a spindle
shaft strengthening member 60, which provides additional support to
the panel when a wire reel 30 is operable mounted upon the spindle
shaft 50. By stating that the panel, or any other component, is
monolithic or monolithically formed, it is meant that the panel or
component is formed of a single, continuous piece from one or more
materials. Monolithic formation provides improved strength for
enclosure 10, such as when retaining a welding wire reel 30
therein, and reduces labor and inventory for assembling enclosure
10. Enclosure 10 comprises a housing for a welding wire feeder, and
in particular embodiments, the welding wire feeder enclosure is
further adapted to house a welding unit 39, which is exemplarily
shown in FIG. 11.
[0019] With continued reference to FIGS. 2-3, the top 12, bottom
14, front 16, and rear 18 form a perimeter about the enclosure,
while opposing sides 20, 22 include openings generally separated by
a width W of the enclosure, each of the side openings being adapted
for receiving a side panel 20a, 22a, respectively. The top 12,
bottom 14, front 16, and rear 18 with opposing sides 20, 22
generally form or define an interior volume (or chamber) 24 of the
enclosure 10. The interior volume 24, having a length L, a height
H, and a width W, is adapted to receive a welding wire reel 30,
which retains welding wire 32 for ultimate disposition from
enclosure 10 during a welding operation. Interior chamber 24 may
also include one or more motors 34 to drive one or more wheels or
rollers 36 for dispensing welding wire 32 from reel 30. One or more
apertures 37 are positioned within panel 40, whereby a shaft
extends from a corresponding roller 36 for communication with a
motor 34. It is understood that one or more of the rollers 36 may
be rotationally fixed, where each associated shaft may be attached
to panel 40 or extend there through. In the embodiment shown, wire
32 from reel 30 is generally positioned between the rollers 36,
which control and drive the dispensing of the wire from reel 30. A
controller or microprocessor 38 for controlling the wire feeder
and/or welding unit 39, as well as any other desired component or
apparatus, may also be contained within enclosure 10 as desired.
When the enclosure is a combination welding wire feeder/welder, as
discussed above with reference to FIG. 11, the enclosure also
includes a welding unit 39, which may include a transformer or the
like to facilitate a welding operation.
[0020] The interior volume 24 may be partitioned by a divider panel
(or wall) 40. For example, in FIGS. 1-3, the divider panel
partitions the interior volume 24 into a service side associated
with side 20 and having a width W.sub.1, and a user side associated
with side 22 and having a width W.sub.2. With general reference to
FIG. 4, any divider panel 40 generally includes a length l
generally extending longitudinally between the front 16 and rear
18, and a height h generally extending vertically between the top
12 and bottom 14 of enclosure 10. While divider panel 40 may
comprise any size relative to interior volume 24, in particular
embodiments, panel length l may be substantially equal to or less
than volume length L, and divider height h may be substantially
equal to or less than volume height H. In extending generally
between the front 16 and rear 18, it is understood that front
and/or rear edges 46, 48 of panel 40 may engage one or more front
and/or rear extensions 17, or otherwise be offset from the front 16
and/or rear 18. Likewise, in extending generally between the top 12
and bottom 14, it is understood that top and/or bottom edges 42, 44
of panel 40 may engage a top and/or bottom extension (not shown,
but similar to the front and/or rear extension 17 discussed above),
respectively, or otherwise be offset from the top 12 and/or bottom
14. Divider panel 40 is also laterally positioned between opposing
side openings, that is, in other words, along an intermediate
portion of the width W, such as shown in FIGS. 1-3, for example,
where the intermediate portion comprises the lateral mid-point of
the width W and any other position along width W between sides 20,
22, such that the divider panel 40 divides interior volume 24 into
a user side and a service side. Various divider panels 40 are
generally shown in FIGS. 4-9 without enclosure 10 for ease of
viewing, as it is understood that each such panel 40 may be
integrally secured or attached within enclosure 10, or
monolithically formed with enclosure 10.
[0021] As generally shown in the FIG. 4-7, divider panel 40 is
monolithically formed of one or more materials with a spindle shaft
50 and one or more strengthening members 60. In other variations,
divider panel 40 is monolithically formed with either the spindle
shaft 50 or one or more strengthening members 60. When the spindle
shaft 50 is monolithically formed with panel 50, the spindle shaft
50 extends from a spindle shaft location 49 of the panel. It is
understood that in other embodiments, however, any of the spindle
shaft 50 and one or more strengthening member 60 may be separately
formed and integrally attached to panel 40 by any known means, such
as by use of fasteners, adhesives, or welding, for example. For
example, as shown by example in FIG. 8, the panel 40 is adapted to
receive a spindle shaft 50 in a spindle shaft location 49, where
the spindle shaft location 49 includes one or more apertures 70 for
attaching the spindle shaft 50 to panel 40 by way of fasteners.
[0022] Panel 40 may also be monolithically formed with other
components of enclosure 10. For example, divider panel 40 may be
monolithically formed with the top 12, bottom 14, front 16, and
rear 18 as shown in an exemplary configuration in FIG. 1. In other
embodiments, divider panel 40 may be monolithically formed with any
one or more of the top 12, bottom 14, front 16, and rear 18. A
panel 40 monolithically formed with top 12, bottom 14, front 16,
and/or rear 18 may or may not include a spindle shaft 50 or one or
more strengthening members 60 also formed monolithically with panel
40. Monolithic formation of divider panel 40 and/or enclosure 10 is
achieved by any known molding process. In other variations, panel
40 may be formed separately from top 12, bottom 14, front 16,
and/or rear 18 portions and integrally installed within enclosure
10 by use of any fasteners, adhesives, welding, mechanical
interference, or any other means known to one having ordinary skill
in the art. One or more extensions 17 may extend relative to any
edge of panel 40 from any portion of enclosure 10 to assist in
installing divider panel 40, which are shown generally in FIG.
3.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1-2, each side 20, 22 may also
include, or form, a separable side panel or wall 20a, 22a,
respectively. As with divider panel 40, each side panel or wall
20a, 22a generally includes a length extending longitudinally
between the front 16 and rear 18, and a height extending vertically
between the top 12 and bottom 14 of enclosure 10. Any side panel
20a, 22a may be fixedly or pivotably attached to enclosure 10, such
as being hinged along a top, side, or bottom edge, for example, to
enclosure 10 for providing access to interior volume 24. In the
embodiment shown, side panel 20a provides access to a service side
of the interior volume, while side panel 22a provides access to a
user side of the interior volume.
[0024] According to an aspect of this invention, each enclosure 10
includes a spindle shaft 50 that is integral with any panel or wall
of enclosure 10. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-7, divider
panel 40 includes an integral spindle shaft 50 monolithically
formed with panel 40, whereby the spindle shaft extends from a
spindle shaft location 49 along panel 40. An integral shaft 50 may
be formed separately from panel 40 and attached to a panel 40 as
suggested above. As also suggested above, it is understood that any
side panel 20a, 22a may instead include an integral spindle shaft
50 that is formed separately and attached by any known means in a
spindle shaft location 49 along such panel 20a, 22a. Spindle shaft
50 comprises a generally cylindrical body extension 51a, where the
generally cylindrical shaft may be cylindrical or slightly tapered
to form a frusto-conical extension (i.e., having the frustum of a
cone). It is understood that the shaft 50 may be hollow or
solid.
[0025] The welding wire reel 30 may rest directly on the shaft 50,
or a rotating assembly may be positioned between the reel 30 and
shaft 50, which may be operably secured to either the shaft (as
exemplarily shown in FIG. 10) or the reel 30. By way of example, an
exemplary rotating assembly is shown in FIG. 10. The assembly
includes a rotating spindle sleeve 52 having a central bore
extending axially (i.e., longitudinally) there through for
receiving shaft 50. One or more bearings may be located along the
central bore of sleeve 52 for improved rotation. Sleeve 52 may also
include a reduction or step 54 located within the central bore,
which abuts shaft end 51b for the purpose of facilitating the
retention of sleeve 52 upon shaft 50. Reduction or step 54 may form
an intermediate wall of the central bore. Shaft end 51b is shown to
comprise a reduced section or diameter of shaft 50 relative to body
extension 51a; however, in other variations, the end 51b may be
similarly sized, or a continuation of body 51a. Friction
facilitating members 55 may be positioned on either side of bore
step 54 to improve the braking capabilities of sleeve 52 when
rotation is no longer desired (i.e., when wire feeding ceases).
Friction members 55 may comprise, for example, cork washers. A
protective member 56, such as a metallic or plastic washer, may
then be positioned between the outermost member 55 and a spring 57.
Spring 57 applies additional force to the attachment of sleeve 52
upon shaft 50 for the purpose of further preventing the rotation of
sleeve 52 when any wire feeding force (i.e., any rotational drive
force) is no longer applied to the spindle sleeve 52. A threaded
fastener 59 extending through the central bore and an aperture in
step 54 secures sleeve 52 upon shaft 50, while also retaining
spring 57 is a compressed arrangement. By further tightening or
loosening fastener 59, the spring force can be adjusted to further
control the braking capabilities of the assembly. A collar 58
secured along the outer surface of sleeve 52 retains any wire reel
30 upon sleeve 52. In the variation shown, a tab 58a, which may be
spring loaded, extends from collar 58 to releasably engage any
groove 53 positioned along the outer surface of sleeve 52.
[0026] In other embodiments, it is also understood that the
rotating assembly may simply comprise one or more bearings or
bushings disposed between any of the shaft 50, sleeve 52, and reel
30, whereby such one or more bearings or bushings may be secured to
any of the shaft 50, sleeve 52, or reel 30. As suggested above, a
rotating assembly may not be provided, as reel 30 may simply rotate
along shaft 50 or a stationary protective sleeve 52. In any
embodiment discussed above, any means of retaining reel 30 along
shaft 50 or sleeve 52 may be employed, which may comprise, without
limitation, any fastener, pin, or collar. For example, one or more
apertures (not shown) may be provided for receiving a pin,
fastener, or other device for retaining a welding wire reel 30 upon
the shaft 50 or sleeve 52. In other examples, the end of spindle
shaft 50 or sleeve 52 may be threaded to receive a collar or other
device for retaining spool 30 upon spindle shaft 50.
[0027] According to another an aspect of this invention, enclosure
10 includes one or more integral strengthening members 60 extending
from a panel also containing an integral spindle shaft 50.
Strengthening members 60 extend outwardly from a side of any
divider or side panel to further strengthen the corresponding panel
and to resist the forces generated by mounting a wire spool 30 upon
spindle shaft 50. To achieve its purpose, strengthening members 60
are positioned in close proximity to, or, in other words, adjacent
to, the integral spindle shaft 50 or the spindle shaft location 49,
from which a spindle shaft 50 is intended to extend from. In being
adjacent to the spindle shaft location 49 or to the spindle shaft
50, a strengthening member 60 may be aligned with, or offset a
distance d from, the spindle shaft location 49 or spindle shaft 50.
For example, the pair of strengthening members 60 shown in FIGS.
2-5 are arranged adjacent to spindle shaft location 49 and spindle
shaft 50, whereby members 60 extend an offset distance d from the
spindle shaft location 49 and spindle shaft 50. In other words, the
adjacently positioned strengthening members 60 are offset a
distance d from a plane extending substantially parallel to a
longitudinal side of spindle shaft 50, as shown in FIGS. 2-5,
whereby such plane may also extend substantially perpendicular to a
panel side surface as also shown. By further example, the
strengthening members 60 shown in FIGS. 6-9 extend in adjacent
relation to the spindle shaft location 49 and spindle shaft 50,
whereby the strengthening members 60 each are aligned with the
spindle shaft location 49 and spindle shaft 50. Offset distance d
may comprise a distance one inch (1'') or less, two inches (2'') or
less, or three inches (3'') or less. Of course, offset distance d
may comprise any desired distance suitable for any particular
application to sufficiently function to strengthen panel 40 to
support a reel 30 when mounted on shaft 50. Therefore, greater
offset distances d may be employed while still remaining adjacent
to the spindle shaft location 49 or spindle shaft 50 in larger
enclosures.
[0028] Regardless of whether a strengthening member 60 is offset
from or aligned with the spindle shaft location and spindle shaft
50, it is further understood that strengthening members 60 may be
adjacently positioned relative to the spindle shaft location 49 or
spindle shaft 50 when the strengthening member 60 is positioned on
the same side or side surface of panel 40 as is the spindle shaft
location 49 or spindle shaft 50, such as is shown by way of example
in FIGS. 6-9, or when positioned along a side or side surface of
panel 40 opposite the side or side surface along which the spindle
shaft location or spindle shaft 50 is positioned, such as is shown
by example in FIGS. 2-5. With reference to FIGS. 6-9, it is further
described that the spindle shaft location 49 and/or spindle shaft
50 may be adjacently located along any one or more strengthening
members 60.
[0029] In the embodiments shown, strengthening members 60 generally
extend outwardly and vertically from any side of a panel or wall.
For example, strengthening members 60 may extend in a straight
vertical line or within a plane, such as is generally shown in
FIGS. 2-5. By further example, generally vertically extending
strengthening members 60 may also extend vertically without
extending in a straight line or within a plane. In other words,
such members 60 may extend vertically in a curvilinear, zig-zag, or
other non-linear path. In fact, a non-linear path may decrease the
severity of any stress concentrations associated with a linear
path, while also increasing the strength and efficiency of
strengthening members 60 by increasing the section modulus thereof.
With reference to FIGS. 6-7, which include a strengthening member
60 extending vertically along the height h as well as strengthening
members 60 extending about shaft 50 less than the height h or
length l of panel 40. The members 60 extending around shaft 50
exemplify that any strengthening member 60 may also extend in a
longitudinal direction along the length l of panel 40, or any other
direction between vertical and longitudinal.
[0030] Strengthening members 60 generally extend vertically along a
side of any panel 40. It is understood that members 60 may extend
any distance along the height h of any panel, and in particular
embodiments, members 60 extend substantially the full height h as
generally shown in FIGS. 2-9. For improved strength and rigidity,
regardless of how far a member 60 extends along height h, it can be
beneficial for a strengthening member 60 to extend from the bottom
of the associated panel, so that the bottom of the strengthening
member 60 is adjacent to the bottom of the enclosure, whereby the
strengthening member 60 rests against, and thereby gains support
from, a base structure, such as the enclosure bottom 14, for
example, as generally shown in FIGS. 2-3.
[0031] For further improvements in strength and rigidity, members
60 may extend between a side panel 20a, 22a and a divider panel 40.
This is generally shown in FIGS. 2-3, where members 60 extend a
distance w, which is substantially equal to a width W.sub.1 of a
first partitioned interior volume. While the members 60 are shown
to extend from divider panel 40, it is contemplated that
strengthening members 60 may instead extend from, and be integral
with, any side panel 20a, 22a to ultimately engage divider panel 40
in area of close proximity or adjacent to spindle shaft 50. In lieu
of extending the full width W.sub.1 or W.sub.2 of any partitioned
volume, it is understood that any strengthening member 60 may
extend any distance less than the full width W.sub.1 or W.sub.2 as
desired, such as is exemplarily shown in FIGS. 6-9.
[0032] It is understood that a strengthening member 60 may comprise
any of a variety of configurations or structures. For example, with
reference to FIGS. 2-5, a pair of members 60 comprise planar
extensions protruding in parallel relation and perpendicularly from
a side of panel 40. It is understood that one or more of such
members 60 may be employed on any panel. By further example, with
reference to FIG. 4, strengthening member 60 comprises a vertically
extending box or channel, whereby opposing sidewalls 62 are
connected by a cross-member 64. In the embodiment shown, spindle
shaft 50 extends from the cross-member 64; however, in other
arrangements, such a strengthening member 60 may extend from a
panel side opposite to spindle shaft 50. Cross-member 64 may extend
from the ends of sidewalls 62 as exemplarily shown, or from any
intermediate portion thereof. Further, one or more intermediate
members 66 may extend at any angle or bias within any strengthening
member 60, whether extending between the panel 40 and the
cross-member 64, such as is generally shown in FIGS. 7-9, or
between sidewalls 62 (not shown). In FIGS. 7-8, the intermediate
members 66 extend orthogonally from panel 40, while members 66
extend at any other angle not perpendicular to panel 40. It is
understood that sidewalls 62 may also extend at any relative angle
or bias, whether being perpendicular to an associated panel, such
as is generally shown in FIGS. 6-7, or at any other angle, such as
is shown generally in FIGS. 8-9. It is also understood that any
strengthening member 60 may include one or more recesses 68 to
reduce the weight of enclosure 10 or for receiving a component or
providing clearance for a component of the enclosure 10, for
example. With reference to FIG. 12, exemplary recesses 68 are
provided in each strengthening member 60 to provide sufficient
space for a welding unit 39. In any variation, the recess may be
positioned along any portion of any length, height, or width of a
strengthening member 60, or of panel 40.
[0033] Any panel 40 may be made from any desired material, such as,
for example, any plastic or metal, and manufactured by any means
known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Exemplary plastics
include polycarbonate (PC), a
polycarbonate/acrylontitrile-butadiene styrene blend (PC/ABS),
polycarbonate/polybutylene terephthalate blend (PC/PBT), and a
polyester blend. When any such panel is made of plastic, the panel
may be formed by any desired molding process. When any such panel
is made of metal, the panel may be formed by any molding or
fabrication process. The spindle shaft 50 and/or any strengthening
members 60 may be permanently or removably attached to an
associated panel to form an integral spindle and/or integral
strengthening members 60. In such embodiments, attachment may be
achieved by use of welding, adhesives, fasteners, or any other
means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. It is also
understood that a spindle shaft 50 and/or any strengthening members
60 may be formed monolithically with any associated panel, such as
by a molding process for example. Any spindle shaft 50 and/or
strengthening member 60 may be hollow or solid in
cross-section.
[0034] While this invention has been described with reference to
particular embodiments thereof, it shall be understood that such
description is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.
Accordingly, the scope and content of the invention are to be
defined only by the terms of the appended claims.
* * * * *