Abstract:
An apparatus has been invented for the enclosure of electronic devices, electronics, electronic circuits and other materials, which provides for the apparatus to be supported or attached to a plurality of surfaces such as desktops, bulkheads, walls, panels, connectors, racks, structures and appendages. Such an apparatus also allows for the alignment and orientation of such enclosures to each other and other surfaces, allowing for multiple units to be manipulated as one assembly. The apparatus is also ergonomically correct for human hands in size, shape, texture and contour.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not Applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not Applicable  
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
       [0003]     Not Applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0005]     This invention relates to the enclosure or containment of industrial electronics, circuits and circuit boards, or other materials, specifically to the support of or attachment of such enclosures to various surfaces, desktops, backplanes, panels, walls, connectors, racks, structures or appendages, and to the alignment of such enclosures to each other and related articles.  
         [0006]     2. Prior Art  
         [0007]     While electronic enclosures are a mature product, many un-addressed or new problems with the existing designs remain. The industry has been unable to design one product to work for many surfaces, desktops, backplanes, panels, walls, connectors, racks, structures and appendages. New guidelines and legislation for ergonomic design of products to reduce worker stress have not yet been addressed by the industry. Because of these issues, assisting multiple enclosures to be aligned for ease of assembly has not been addressed. All of these issues have been addresses in this one invention presented here.  
         [0008]     The industrial and electronics enclosures industry has numerous firms designing and manufacturing such enclosures for the marketplace. In this industry, standard terms have evolved which describe the different types of enclosures, relating to how they are used and attached to the surfaces to which they must be applied. Terms such as “Desktop Enclosure”, “Flanged Enclosure”, “Rack Mount Enclosure”, “Tube Enclosure”, “DIN Enclosure” and even the differentiation of “industrial Enclosure” vs. “Electronics Enclosure” have evolved to draw the clear distinction between the different ways of operating these distinct designs.  
         [0009]     The Lego Brand block ( FIG. 1   a ), U.S. Pat. 6,554,676, operates in a fashion that is useful for stacking and alignment of toy blocks ( FIG. 1   b ). 
         
 
       DISADVANTAGES OF PRIOR ART  
       [0010]     Current electronic enclosures, mentioned above, require the user to redesign the electronics, circuits, circuit boards or other materials contained in these enclosures for each different mounting category. This would significantly increase the cost of design and manufacture of electronics, circuits, circuit boards and other components. Examples are leading firms such as Altech Corps&#39; “Industrial”, “DIN” and “Electronics” enclosures (see Attachment A), Zimm Manufacturing‘s’ “Desk Top”, “Flanged”, “Rack Mount”, “Split Body”, “Formed Metal” and “Tube” (see Attachment B), and Fiboxs&#39; “Cardmaster”, “Cardmaster 19” and “CardmasterII” (see Attachment C) enclosures. Recent concerns about the health and safety of workers, particularly with regard to repetitive stress injuries, have lead to new legislation and regulation in the US and abroad. General concerns for ergonomic design have increased. However, the designs of electronics enclosures have not responded to these concerns and are often not designed to fit in ones hand for even short periods of time, let alone long durations. This limitation in design is evident by the sharp, square edges on the products, the improper scale and size of the units, and the lack of gripable textures.  
         [0011]     Current electronic enclosures do not take stacking or bundling into consideration. A typical “Desktop Enclosure” may have a flat surface onto which one could place another “Desktop Enclosure”, but this would not be stable and could easily fall off. DIN enclosures are placed on a DIN rail but they are installed one at a time onto the DIN rail, When building an entire factory full of tens of thousands of “DIN Enclosures”, this can lead to significant repetitive stress disorders. Flanged Enclosures are unable to be stacked and placed on top of one another and attached to a bulkhead or wall. “Tube Enclosures” are impossible to stack and connect even with screws without one or more rolling away. “Rack Mount Enclosures” can be stacked but aligning them so that they may be screwed together and to the rack may require multiple people to hold everything in alignment.  
         [0012]     The Lego requires a great deal of force to engage the alignment, which does not allow for self-alignment with the assistance of gravity or minimal effort. The Lego is not an ideal design for the function of an electronic enclosure due to this behavior, as U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,676 clearly states, the intention is to have a specified amount of friction and force for the desired behavior.  
       OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
       [0013]     Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are:  
         [0014]     To provide an enclosure which can be supported by or attached to various surfaces, desktops, backplanes, walls, panels, connectors, racks, structures or appendages 
        a) To provide an enclosure which is ergonomically correct     b) To provide an enclosure which requires little if any effort to align, stack, bundle or group and manipulate as one     c) To provide an enclosure which will remain in position when stacked, bundled or grouped     d) To provide an enclosure which can be manipulated into many positions for optimal use by the user     e) To provide enclosures which can be oriented the same for with ease for consistent stacking and accessibility     f) To provide an enclosure which can be used for numerous applications, alleviating the need for redesign of the enclosed components        
 
         [0021]     Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0022]     An invention has been developed for the enclosure or containment of electronics, circuits, and circuit boards or other materials, with a unique allowing for universal attachment to various surfaces, desktops, backplanes, walls, panels connectors, racks, structures or appendages, and to the alignment of such enclosures to each other and related articles.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [heading-0023]     Drawing Figures  
         [0024]      FIG. 2   a —Front/Left Side view of enclosure  
         [0025]      FIG. 2   b —Front/Right Side view of enclosure  
         [0026]      FIG. 2   c —Front/Bottom view of enclosure  
         [0027]      FIG. 2   d —Back/Side view of enclosure  
         [0028]      FIG. 3   a —Close-up of eyelets for screw (Top/Back)  
         [0029]      FIG. 3   b —Close-up of eyelets for screw (Bottom/Front)  
         [0030]      FIG. 3   c —Close-up of DIN rail connection  
         [0031]      FIG. 4   a —Example Alignment Objects using inset showing mating surfaces  
         [0032]      FIG. 4   b —Example Alignment Objects using logo showing mating surfaces  
         [0033]      FIG. 5   a —Stacking of enclosures (Horizontal)  
         [0034]      FIG. 5   b —Grouping of enclosures (Vertical)  
         [0035]      FIG. 5   c —Stacking of enclosures (Perspective View)  
         [0036]      FIG. 6   a —Enclosure placed on desktop, in rack or on other horizontal surface on its side  
         [0037]      FIG. 6   b —Enclosure placed on desktop, in rack or on other horizontal surface on its bottom  
         [0038]      FIG. 6   c —Enclosure placed on desktop, in rack or on other horizontal surface on its back  
         [0039]      FIG. 6   d —Enclosure placed attached (with screws etc) to a bulkhead, wall, panel or other vertical surface  
         [0040]      FIG. 6   e —Enclosure supported by appendage (hand held)  
         [0041]      FIG. 6   f —Enclosure supported by DIN rail  
         [0042]      FIG. 7 —Enclosure surfaces showing ergonomic considerations  
         [heading-0043]     Reference Numerals in Drawings  
         [none]    
       
           1 . Top face  
           2 . Front face  
           3 . Left face  
           4 . Right face  
           5 . Rear face  
           6 . Bottom face  
           7 . Top/Rear eyelet  
           8 . Front/Bottom eyelet  
           9 . Stabilizer  
           10 . Top DIN rail engagement  
           11 . DIN rail catch  
           12 . DIN rail catch housing  
           13 . Bottom DIN rail engagement  
           14 . Assembly screw holes  
           15 . Left Clamshell  
           16 . Right Clamshell  
           17 . Top Bezel  
           18 . Front Bezel  
           19 . Alignment element, male couplings surfaces  
           20 . Alignment element, female couplings surfaces  
           21 . Alignment element, male logo couplings surfaces  
           22 . Alignment element, female logo couplings surfaces  
           23 . Alignment elements mated  
           24 . Enclosure in contact with horizontal surface, laying on side  
           25 . Enclosure in contact with horizontal surface, standing  
           26 . Enclosure in contact with horizontal surface, laying on back  
           27 . Enclosure in contact with surface  
           28 . DIN rail  
           29 . Multiple enclosures combined to act as one  
           30 . Proportions and scale of enclosure  
           31 . Rounded edges  
           32 . Textured surface  
           33 . Human appendage (hand)  
       
     
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [heading-0077]     Description— FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d    
         [0078]     A typical embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d  showing Front/Left Side, Front/Right Side, Front/Bottom, and Back/Side views. The enclosure may be made from plastic, metal, epoxy, silicone, paper, wood, glass, a composite of materials or any other solid or semisolid material. The enclosure may be manufactured in many ways including molding, machining, diecasting, carving, 3D lithography, or other solid or semisolid manufacturing technique.  
         [0079]     The enclosure is roughly rectangular and proportioned to fit in the average human hand, roughly 1.25 inches wide by 4.25 inches tall and 2.75 inches deep. The enclosure can composed of 5 components, the left clamshell ( 15 ), the right clamshell ( 16 ), the top bezel ( 17 ), the front bezel ( 18 ) and the DIN rail catch ( 15 ). The top bezel ( 17 ) and front bezel ( 18 ) could also be integrated with one or more of the clamshells to reduce the total part count and ease assembly.  
         [0080]     3 screws are used to hold the enclosure together and are inserted via the assembly screw holes ( 14 ). There are various possibilities with regard to the relative disposition of the sides, dimensions and screw hole count and location.  
         [0081]     Near the top ( 1 ) and rear ( 5 ) and corner of the enclosure, is an eyelet ( 7 ) for insertion of a screw, rod, wire, string, rivet, or other fastener for attaching the enclosure to surroundings or to each other. This eyelet extends no further than the DIN rail engagement ( 10 ), and DIN rail catch housing ( 12 ) in order to allow the enclosure to stand on its back. Near front ( 2 ) and bottom ( 6 ) corner is another eyelet ( 8 ) for the same purpose. This eyelet is recessed into the bottom ( 6 ) of the enclosure in order to allow for standing the enclosure on its bottom. The DIN rail catch ( 11 ) is encompassed by the DIN rail catch housing ( 12 ) in such a way as to prevent it from being removed from an assembled enclosure. The DIN rail catch ( 11 ) is also symmetrical, allowing for error free assembly.  
         [0082]     At the rear ( 5 ) of the enclosure, are the top DIN rail engagement ( 10 ), and the DIN rail catch ( 11 ) and its housing ( 12 ). These elements function together to provide snap-on contact with a DIN rail. Also on the rear is a stabilizer ( 9 ) which works with the DIN rail engagement ( 10 ) and DIN rail catch housing ( 12 ) when the enclosure is placed with its back ( 5 ) against a surface.  
         [heading-0083]     Description— FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c    
         [0084]     Close-up views of the elements of the enclosure are illustrated. The top/rear eyelet ( 7 ) located roughly near the top ( 1 ) and rear ( 5 ) corner is roughly centered across the rear ( 5 ). This allows for greater stability should a screw, rod, wire, string, rivet or other fastener be used to attach the enclosure to surfaces or other enclosures. The bottom/front eyelet ( 8 ) is also centered in the bottom ( 6 ) face for the same reason. This eyelet ( 8 ) is recessed into the bottom ( 6 ) of the enclosure in order to allow for standing the enclosure on its bottom. The DIN rail catch ( 11 ) is encompassed by the DIN rail catch housing ( 12 ) in such a way as to prevent it from being removed from an assembled enclosure.  
         [heading-0085]     Description— FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b    
         [0086]     A typical embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  and  4   b  showing various possibilities for alignment elements. Male ( 19  &amp;  21 ) and female ( 20  &amp;  22 ) alignment elements provide mating surfaces which are roughly the same size and shape, differing by less than 0.005 inch which allows the coupling surfaces to glide past one another without significant friction, thereby allowing gravity to induce the alignment. The coupling surfaces are angled slightly, allowing for greater freedom when the enclosures are further apart, and less freedom when the enclosures are closer together. Use of non-symmetrical designs such as the male ( 21 ) and female ( 22 ) logo coupling surfaces, also allow for the consistent orientation of multiple enclosures.  
         [heading-0087]     Operation— FIGS. 5   a  to  5   c    
         [0088]     The manner of using the invention to align to other enclosures is illustrated. The enclosures mate ( 23 ) by the left ( 3 ) and right ( 4 ) faces meeting along coupling surfaces ( 19 ,  20 ,  21  and  22 ). The result of such alignment of mated enclosures is an object that can be manipulated as if it were one object ( 29 ).  
         [heading-0089]     Operation— FIGS. 6   a  to  6   f    
         [0090]     The manners of using the invention to support or mount to other enclosures are illustrated. In each illustration, the enclosure is in contact with a surface ( 27 ) or connector such as the DIN rail ( 28 ) including the use of screw, rod, wire, string, rivet or other fastener.  
         [heading-0091]     Description— FIGS. 6   e  and  7   
         [0092]     A typical embodiment of the present invention shows the ergonomic considerations build into the design is illustrated. The proportions and scale ( 30 ) of the enclosure are ideal for the average human hand to hold comfortably for extended durations or to be held and released repeatedly as might be employed in an assembly line. The edges ( 31 ) are rounded with a roughly  1 / 8  inch radius of curvature to prevent any sharp edges causing pressure points or abrasions to a human hand. The surface us a slight texture ( 32 ) (Mold-Tech #11020) in order to provide better grip in the human hand.  
         [heading-0093]     Summary, Ramifications and Scope  
         [0094]     Accordingly, the reader will see that this invention can be used to contains electronics, circuits, circuit boards and other components in a manner that allows for one design of such components can be supported or attached to a multitude of different objects. The invention has the advantages in that: 
        it permits the support or attachment of the enclosures to a multitude of surfaces     it permits the self-alignment of multiple enclosures with little or no force     it permits the enforced orientation of multiple enclosures     it permits the enclosure to be ergonomically correct        
 
         [0099]     Although the description above contains many specifications, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention,  
         [0100]     Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.