Abstract:
An electrical panel support stand includes a base having an aperture for receiving an electrical conduit. A cabinet disposed on the base has a top surface which includes an aperture for providing electro-mechanical connection between the electrical conduit and a first electrical panel associated with the cabinet. In one of the embodiments, a vertical support extends from the top surface of the cabinet and is connected to the first electrical panel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/540,507, filed on Jan. 30, 2004 entitled PANEL SUPPORT STAND. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally relates to electrical panel support stands. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electrical panel support stand that protects electrical equipment and provides access thereto.  
         [0003]     There is a great need for panel supports that allow a user to efficiently support electrical panels as well as provide access to electrical equipment associated therewith.  
         [0004]     Many different types of panels have been employed to house electrical equipment and connections. For example, one common style of conventional electrical panel is a generally rectangular compartment for housing electrical equipment, made of sheet metal, attached to a wall of a structure, with knockouts or the like to allow wires to enter and exit the panel. The panel may have a door to allow a user access the contents therein or an access plate that must be unscrewed from the panel in order to provide access to the contents within the panel. However, this panel merely houses the electrical equipment, must be supported by a wall or similar surface, and is subject to corrosion.  
         [0005]     While panels such as the one described above may provide means of housing electrical equipment and connections, such devices can always be improved to allow a user to support the panel, and provide access the contents therein while preventing the contents therein from coming into contact with the external environment.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is a need for a stand-alone panel support stand that supports a panel without needing to connect the panel to a wall of a structure. There is a further need for a panel support stand that provides a user with improved access to the electrical connections to the contents of the panel. There is an additional need for a panel support stand that prevents the contents of the panel or the electrical connections thereto from coming into contact with the external environment. There is a further need for a panel support stand that is economical and easy to manufacture. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention provides a stand-alone panel support stand that supports a panel without needing to connect the panel to a wall of a structure. The panel support stand disclosed herein provides a user with improved access to the electrical connections and the contents of the panel. The panel support stand described below prevents the contents of the panel and/or the electrical connections thereto from coming into contact with the external environment.  
         [0008]     In one embodiment of the present invention, an electrical panel support stand includes a base having an aperture for receiving an electrical conduit. A cabinet disposed on the base has a top surface which includes an aperture for providing electromechanical connection between the electrical conduit and a first electrical panel associated with the cabinet. A vertical support extends from the top surface of the cabinet and is connected to the first electrical panel.  
         [0009]     The vertical support shares a common side with the cabinet. A second electrical panel is connected to the vertical support on a side thereof opposite that of the first electrical panel. The vertical support includes a top portion having a plurality of apertures for securing the first electrical panel to the stand. A second electrical panel is electrically connected to the electrical conduit and mechanically connected to the vertical support on a side thereof opposite that of the first electrical panel.  
         [0010]     The base and cabinet may be separate components or of unitary construction. In any event, the base and stand are made of UV resistant, corrosive resistant molded plastic.  
         [0011]     A divider separates the cabinet into a low voltage wire portion and a high voltage wire portion. The low and high voltage wires from the electrical conduit run through the cabinet to the first electrical panel through the aperture of the top surface of the cabinet. A ground bus is located inside the cabinet for connection to wires passing through the cabinet between the electrical conduit and the electrical panel.  
         [0012]     A cabinet cover is removably fixed over a front side of the cabinet and connected thereto by fasteners.  
         [0013]     A ground fault receptacle aperture is located on one side of the cabinet. A switch located on the side of the cabinet regulates the flow of electricity between the electrical conduit and the electrical panel.  
         [0014]     One side of the cabinet includes at least one knock-out hole for a twist-lock connector providing electrical connection between the electrical panel and a motor. A ground bus is located inside the cabinet for connection to wires passing through the cabinet between the electrical conduit and the electrical panel.  
         [0015]     The base includes a plurality of fastening apertures for connecting the base of the stand to a horizontal concrete surface.  
         [0016]     The stand is made of UV resistant, corrosive resistant molded plastic.  
         [0017]     Steps may be taken to prevent the contents of the panel and/or the electrical connections thereto from coming into contact with the external environment. In this manner, a first rubber gasket is positioned between the concrete surface and the base to provide an environmental seal therebetween. A second rubber gasket is positioned between the cabinet cover and the cabinet to provide an environmental seal therebetween.  
         [0018]     In another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical panel support stand includes a base having an aperture for receiving an electrical conduit. A cabinet is disposed on the base and has an accessible front side and a top surface which includes an aperture for providing electro-mechanical connection between the electrical conduit and a first electrical panel associated with the cabinet. A cabinet cover is removably fixed to the front side of the cabinet.  
         [0019]     A second electrical panel may be connected to the cabinet. The second electrical panel may also be connected to an interior wall of the cabinet. Low and high voltage wires from the electrical conduit run through the cabinet to the electrical panel through the aperture of the top surface of the cabinet.  
         [0020]     A ground fault receptacle aperture is located on one side of the cabinet. Additionally, a switch is located on one side of the cabinet for regulating the flow of electricity between the electrical conduit and the electrical panel. A ground bus is located inside the cabinet for connection to wires passing through the cabinet between the electrical conduit and the electrical panel.  
         [0021]     Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an orthogonal view of a panel support stand embodying the present invention shown supporting a conventional panel;  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an orthogonal view of a panel support stand embodying the present invention shown supporting a conventional panel and electrical conduits entering the stand from below;  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view of the panel support stand of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a front elevational view of the panel support stand of  FIG. 1  shown with a front cover removed;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a cut-away view of a portion of the interior of the panel support stand taken along line  5  of  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a panel cover of the panel support stand of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a side elevational view of the panel cover of  FIG. 6 ;  
         [0030]      FIG. 8  is a top cross-sectional view of a base of the panel support stand of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0031]      FIG. 9  is. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0032]     The present invention is useful in a variety of ways. The present invention provides support to a panel (e.g., an electrical pool panel in a swimming pool equipment area) where mounting locations are often difficult and unsightly and the panel support stand provides simplified installation and hook up of the electrical system to the pool equipment.  
         [0033]     As shown in  FIGS. 1-8  for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a panel support stand  10 . The panel support stand  10  may be made of many materials including, without limitation, plastic (e.g., UV-rated, corrosion-resistant plastic, PVC, or the like), metal (e.g., aluminum, steel), a composite material, any corrosion-resistant material, or the like.  
         [0034]     The panel support stand  10  includes a base  12 , a wireway pedestal cabinet  14  located atop the base  12 , and a panel support back  16  extending upward from a panel support platform (i.e., top side)  18  of the pedestal cabinet  14 . The panel support back  16  shares a common side  17  with the cabinet  14 . In the alternative, the panel support back  16  may be positioned centrally on the panel support platform  18  such that knock-out holes  30  are on either side of the support back  16 . The base  12  and cabinet  14  may be of single-piece construction or made as separate pieces and connected to each other by fasteners, adhesives, welds or the like.  
         [0035]     The pedestal cabinet  14  is designed to receive electrical conduits  20  up through a central aperture  22  in the base  12  or, alternatively, a number of knock-out holes (not shown) in the base  12 . The cabinet  14  is divided into a low voltage wire portion  24  and a high voltage wire portion  26  by a center panel or divider  28 . The low and high voltage wires  25 ,  27  (only partially shown for clarity) extend from the conduits  20  and run through the interior of the cabinet  14  to the panel support platform  18 . A number of 3/4 inch knock-out holes  30  located on the panel support platform  18  provide access into a conventional electrical panel  32  positioned thereon and connected to the panel support back  16 .  
         [0036]     A number of openings  34  are located on the sides  36  of the stand  10  for electrical devices  33  (e.g., switches  35 , ground fault receptacles  37  or the like). The switches  35  may be of several varieties including, without limitation, an on/off switch or the like. Alternatively, an opening for an electrical outlet (not shown) connected to the wires  25 ,  27  of the conduits  20  may be on the side of the cabinet  14 . The base  12 , in the form of a 1/4 inch wide flange at the bottom portion of the stand  10 , includes a number of holes  38  for fasteners  40  (e.g., 3/8 inch anchor bolts) that connect the stand  10  to a horizontal concrete surface (not shown). A rubber gasket  42  is positioned between the concrete surface and the base  12  to provide a seal. The support back  16  of the stand  10  is also designed to mount additional electrical panels  39  and other units (not shown) including, without limitation low voltage timers, chlorinators, remote control units, etc. that may be electrically connected to wires  25 ,  27  through knock-out holes  30 . The sides  36  of the stand  10  also include knock-out holes  44  for electrical connection of wires  25 ,  27  to motors and the capability of twist-lock connectors for easy motor hook up. A number of openings  46  are located along a top portion of the panel support back  16  for securing the conventional panels  32 ,  39  or the like to the stand  10  using fasteners (not shown for clarity).  
         [0037]     A cabinet cover  48  is positioned over the front of the pedestal cabinet  14 . The cover  48  includes a number of apertures  50  positioned around the perimeter of the cover  48 . The cover  48  includes a perimeter flange  52  surrounding a raised portion  54  that extends inwardly towards the cabinet  14  when the cover  48  is in position over the front of the cabinet  14 . When the cover  48  is in position, each of the apertures  50  align with a particular bore  56  in the cabinet  14 . A fastener  58  (e.g., a screw, nut and bolt, or the like) is inserted through each aligned aperture  50 /bore  56  to connect the cover  48  to the cabinet  14 . A rubber gasket  60  is positioned around the flange  48  to provide an environmental seal between the cabinet cover  48  and the cabinet  14 .  
         [0038]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the stand  10  is constructed of UV resistant, corrosive resistant molded plastic; the base  12 , pedestal cabinet  14  and support back  16  being of single-piece construction in the form of 1/2 inch thick molded plastic.  
         [0039]     A ground bus  62  is located in the interior of the cabinet  14  for connection to various wires that pass through the cabinet  14 .  
         [0040]     As shown in  FIG. 9  for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in a panel support stand  90  similar to the panel support stand  10  discussed above except that the panel support stand  90  does not include the support back  16 . The panel support stand  90  may be made of many materials including, without limitation, plastic (e.g., UV-rated, corrosion-resistant plastic, PVC, or the like), metal (e.g., aluminum, steel), a composite material, any corrosion-resistant material, or the like.  
         [0041]     The panel support stand  90  includes a hollow base  92  and a hollow wireway pedestal cabinet  94  located atop the base  92 . The base  92  and cabinet  94  may be of single-piece construction or made as separate pieces and connected to each other by fasteners, adhesives, welds or the like.  
         [0042]     The pedestal cabinet  94  is designed to receive electrical conduits  96  up through a central aperture  98  in the base  92  or, alternatively, a number of knock-out holes (not shown) in the base  92 . Low and high voltage wires  100 ,  102  (only partially shown for clarity) extend from the conduits  96  and run through the interior of the cabinet  94  to a panel support platform  104  (i.e., a top surface of the cabinet  94 ). A number of 3/4 inch knock-out holes  106  located on the panel support platform  104  provide access into a conventional electrical panel  108  positioned thereon and connected to the panel support back  16  by fasteners (not shown) inserted through a number of holes  110  on the panel support platform  104 . A rubber gasket (not shown) may be positioned between the cabinet  94  and the conventional electrical panel  108  to provide an environmental seal.  
         [0043]     A number of openings  112  are located on the sides  114  of the stand  90  for electrical devices  116  (e.g., switches  118 , ground fault receptacles  120  or the like). The switches  118  may be of several varieties including, without limitation, an on/off switch or the like. Alternatively, an opening for an electrical outlet (not shown) connected to the wires  100 ,  102  of the conduits  96  may be on the side of the cabinet  94 . The base  92  includes a number of holes  122  for fasteners  124  (e.g., 3/8 inch anchor bolts) that connect the stand  90  to a horizontal concrete surface (not shown). A rubber gasket (not shown) may be positioned between the concrete surface and the base  92  to provide an environmental seal. The interior of the cabinet  94  is also designed to mount (via mounting holes  126 ) additional electrical panels  128  and other units  130  including, without limitation low voltage timers, chlorinators, remote control units, etc. that may be electrically connected to wires  100 ,  102 . The sides  114  of the stand  90  also include knock-out holes  132  for electrical connection of wires  100 ,  102  to motors and the capability of twist-lock connectors for easy motor hook up. The sides  114  of the stand  90  additionally include apertures  134  for mechanically connecting (via fasteners (not shown)) the stand  90  to a side of a structure, such as a house, shed, garage or the like in order to provide additional support in maintaining the stand  90  in an upright position.  
         [0044]     A cabinet cover  136  is positioned over the front of the pedestal cabinet  94 . The cover  136  includes a perimeter flange  138  surrounding a raised portion  140  that extends inwardly towards the cabinet  94 . The cover  136  is positioned over an aperture  142  on the front of the cabinet  94  and connected to the cabinet  94  by interference fit with the aperture  142 . A rubber gasket (not shown) may be positioned around the flange  138  to provide an environmental seal between the cabinet cover  136  and the cabinet  94 . Alternatively, the cover  136  includes a number of apertures (not shown) positioned around the perimeter of the cover  136  When the cover  136  is in position, each of the apertures align with a particular bore in the cabinet  94  around the perimeter of the aperture  142 . A fastener (e.g., a screw, nut and bolt, or the like) is inserted through each aligned aperture/bore to connect the cover  136  to the cabinet  94 .  
         [0045]     In one embodiment of the present invention, the stand  90  is constructed of UV resistant, corrosive resistant molded plastic; the base  92  and pedestal cabinet  94  being of single-piece construction in the form of ½ inch thick molded plastic.  
         [0046]     One or more ground buses  144  are located in the interior of the cabinet  94  for connection to various wires that pass through the cabinet  94 .  
         [0047]     The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects.