Abstract:
Embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system for supporting an enclosure. The system includes a compression fitting that couples an enclosure mounting assembly to a hollow connector tube and provides a substantially sealed pathway between the enclosure mounting assembly to the hollow connector tube. The compression fitting includes at least one coupling body and at least one compression nut. The compression nuts are tightened around portions of the coupling bodies to secure end portions of the enclosure mounting assembly and the hollow connector tube within the coupling bodies.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/260,333 filed on Nov. 11, 2009, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Suspension systems, such as pendant arms, are used for the mounting and/or positioning of human machine interfaces (HMIs). Pendant arms can be mounted to walls, ceilings, machines, etc., and can be rotated or adjusted horizontally to provide adjustment of the HMI to a desired position. Pendant arms can be used in sanitary applications such as in the food service industry, pharmaceutical environments, manufacturing plants, and hospital environments. 
         [0003]    Pendant arms can use tubing connected by joints or elbows. The tubing can be connected to the joints or elbows using set screws. However, the set screws do not provide a water-tight seal between the inside of the tubing and the outside environment. As a result, during, for example, a washdown procedure, water may enter into the pendant arm at the joints or elbows and contact cables being run through the tubing to the HMI. 
         [0004]    The set screws and their respective hubs can also collect bacteria. The small parts and crevices are difficult and tedious to clean. In addition, since there is no seal between the inside of the tubing and the outside environment, the bacteria can travel into the tubing, creating a hazardous situation for food service, pharmaceutical, and hospital applications. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Some embodiments of the invention provide a compression fitting for securing a coupling end portion of an enclosure suspension system component. The compression fitting includes a first coupling body which receives the coupling end portion and includes a threaded portion and a notch. The compression fitting also includes a first compression ring positioned between a portion of the coupling end portion and a portion of the first coupling body, and a first compression nut tightened over the threaded portion of the first coupling body. The first compression nut forces the first compression ring against the coupling end portion and secures a protrusion of the coupling end portion within the notch of the first coupling body to prevent rotation of the coupling end portion within the first coupling body. 
         [0006]    Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system for supporting an enclosure. The system includes an enclosure mounting assembly with a first coupling portion, a connector tube with a second coupling portion, and a compression fitting. The compression fitting includes a first end and a second end and couples the enclosure mounting assembly to the connector tube by fixing the first coupling portion inside the first end of the compression fitting and fixing the second coupling portion inside the second end of the compression fitting. The compression fitting also provides a substantially sealed pathway between the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion. 
         [0007]    Some embodiments of the invention provide a suspension system for supporting an enclosure. The system includes an enclosure mounting assembly with a first coupling portion, a support mounting assembly with a first compression fitting, and at least one hollow connector tube positioned between the enclosure mounting assembly and the support mounting assembly. A first end of the at least one hollow connector tube is coupled to the support mounting assembly by the first compression fitting, where the first compression fitting provides a substantially sealed pathway between the support mounting assembly and the at least one hollow connector tube. The system also includes a second compression fitting that couples the enclosure mounting assembly to a second end of the at least one hollow connector tube. The second compression fitting provides a substantially sealed pathway between the first coupling portion and the at least one hollow connector tube. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a suspension system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a suspension system according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a suspension system according to yet another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are perspective views of a fixed flange and a swivel flange, respectively, for use with the suspension system. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  are a side view and a partially exploded perspective view, respectively of a fixed coupling for use with a suspension system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are a side view and a partially exploded perspective view, respectively of a fixed coupling for use with a suspension system according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIGS. 7A-7C  are perspective, exploded, and side cross-sectional views, respectively, of a swivel coupling for use with a suspension system according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 8A-8C  are perspective, exploded, and side cross-sectional views, respectively, of a swivel coupling for use with a suspension system according to another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective exploded view of a coupling end portion of a component of a suspension system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 9B  is a side view of the coupling end portion of  FIG. 9A  inserted within a coupling of the suspension system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the swivel flange of  FIG. 4B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. 
         [0020]    The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the invention. Various modifications to the illustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles herein can be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from embodiments of the invention. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to embodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein. The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives and fall within the scope of embodiments of the invention. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates an enclosure suspension system  10  according to one embodiment of the invention. The suspension system  10  can include an enclosure mounting assembly  12 , a support mounting assembly  14 , and one or more fittings or couplings, such as fixed couplings  18  (as shown in  FIGS. 5A-6B ) and/or swivel couplings  20  (as shown in  FIGS. 7A-8C ). The enclosure mounting assembly  12  can substantially hold or be coupled to an enclosure  22  including an HMI  24  or a touch screen computer, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The enclosure mounting assembly  12  and the support mounting assembly  14  can be coupled together via the couplings  18 ,  20 , as well as connector tubes  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, a connector tube  26  can be directly coupled to the support mounting assembly  14 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The connector tube  26  can be coupled to the enclosure mounting assembly  12  via a single coupling  18 ,  20 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or via one or more additional connector tubes  26  coupled together via one or more couplings  18 ,  20 , a shown in  FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the support mounting assembly  14  and the connector tubes  26  coupled together can form a support assembly for the enclosure  22 , where the support assembly is coupled to the enclosure mounting assembly  12 . 
         [0023]    The support mounting assembly  14  can include a fixed flange  28 , as shown in  FIG. 4A , or a swivel flange  30 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the support mounting assembly  14  can permit floor mounting of the suspension system  10 . In other embodiments, the support mounting assembly  14  can permit wall mounting of the suspension system  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , ceiling mounting of the suspension system  10 , or mounting of the suspension system  10  to a surface of an industrial machine or other equipment. The fixed flange  28  or the swivel flange  30  can be compression fittings which can be directly coupled to a connector tube  26 , as further described below. In addition, in some embodiments, the enclosure mounting assembly  12  can include an enclosure adapter  32 , as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , which can be coupled to a connector tube  26  via a coupling  18 ,  20 . In other embodiments, the fixed flange  28  or the swivel flange  30  can be coupled to the enclosure  22  as an enclosure mounting assembly  12 . The fixed flanges  28 , the swivel flanges  30 , the enclosure adapter  32 , the connector tubes  26 , and the couplings  18 ,  20  can be substantially hollow to permit routing of cables (not shown) through the suspension system  10  to the enclosure  22 . Also, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the suspension system  10  can include a protective and/or decorative cover  33  over the fixed flange  28  (or the swivel flange  30 ). 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the connector tubes  26  can include straight connector tubes, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , U-shaped connector tubes, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and/or L-shaped connector tubes, as shown in  FIG. 3 . One or more of the different-shaped connector tubes  26  can be coupled to the support mounting assembly  14  and the enclosure mounting assembly  12  in order to help position the enclosure  22  at a desired position. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the fixed coupling  18  according to one embodiment of the invention. The fixed coupling  18  can be a compression fitting that secures two parts together. In one example, the two parts can include the enclosure mounting assembly  12  and a connector tube  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In another example, the two parts can include two connector tubes  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Once coupled together by the fixed coupling  18 , the two parts may not move or twist relative to each other, as described below. 
         [0026]    As shown in  FIG. 5B , the fixed coupling  18  can include a first end  34  and an identical second end  36 . Both the first end  34  and the second end  36  can include an o-ring tube seal  38 , a compression nut  40 , an o-ring nut seal  42 , and a slit compression ring  44 . A single, fixed coupling body  46  can substantially prevent the first end  34  and the second end  36  from twisting or rotating relative to one another. As shown in  FIG. 5B , the fixed coupling body  46  can include one or more notches  48 , as further described below. In addition, the fixed flange  28  can include a first end  34  with the above-mentioned components and a fixed coupling body  46  extending from a platform  50 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the fixed coupling  18  according to another embodiment of the invention. The fixed coupling  18  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  can include the above-mentioned components of the first end  34  and the second end  36 , such as the o-ring tube seal  38 , the compression nut  40 , the o-ring nut seal  42 , and the slit compression ring  44 . In addition, the fixed coupling  18  of  FIGS. 6A and 6B  can include separate coupling bodies  46 , without notches  48 , fixed together to prevent rotation between the first end  34  and the second end  36 . 
         [0028]      FIGS. 7A-7C  illustrate the swivel coupling  20  according to one embodiment of the invention. The swivel coupling  20  can be a compression fitting that secures two parts together. In one example, the two parts can include the enclosure mounting assembly  12  and a connector tube  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . In another example, the two parts can include two connector tubes  26 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Once coupled together by the swivel coupling  20 , the two parts can move or twist relative to each other along a longitudinal axis of the swivel coupling  20 , as described below. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIGS. 7B and 7C , the swivel coupling  20  can include a first end  34  and a second end  36 . Similar to the fixed coupling  18 , both the first end  34  and the second end  36  of the swivel coupling  20  can include an o-ring tube seal  38 , a compression nut  40 , an o-ring nut seal  42 , a slit compression ring  44 . In addition, both the first end  34  and the second end  36  of the swivel coupling  20  can include separate, swivel coupling bodies  46  with notches  48 . The two swivel coupling bodies  46  can allow the first end  34  and the second end  36  to twist or rotate relative to one another. In addition, the swivel flange  30  can include a first end  34  with the above-mentioned components and a swivel coupling body  46  extending from a platform  50 , as shown in  FIG. 4B . The swivel coupling bodies  46  of the swivel coupling  20  can be rotated relative to one another and the swivel coupling body  46  of the swivel flange  30  can be rotated relative to the platform  50 , as described below. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 7B and 7C , the coupling bodies  46  of the first end  34  and the second end  36  can be coupled together by a locking assembly  54 . In addition, the swivel coupling body  46  of the swivel flange  30  can be coupled to the platform  50  by a similar locking assembly (not shown). The locking assembly  54  can include a threaded sleeve  56 , hearing washers  58 , and a retaining nut  60 . The threaded sleeve  56  can include a locking patch to prevent unscrewing of the coupling bodies  46 , but still allow the coupling bodies  46  to rotate relative to one another. In some embodiments, the swivel coupling  20  and/or the swivel flange  30  can allow up to about 330 degrees of rotation and can include rotation stops to prevent rotation past about 330 degrees. In addition, in some embodiments, the swivel coupling  20  can be adjusted for load and freedom of movement by adjusting the retaining nut  60 . In one embodiment, the fixed coupling  18  (e.g., the fixed coupling  18  as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 613 ) can include the locking assembly  54  with the above-mentioned components fixed together to prevent rotation of the separate coupling bodies  46 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 8A-8C  show the swivel coupling  20  according to another embodiment of the invention. The swivel coupling  20  of  FIGS. 8A-8C  can include the above-mentioned components of the first end  34  and the second end  36 , such as the o-ring tube seal  38 , the compression nut  40 , the o-ring nut seal  42 , the slit compression ring  44 , and swivel coupling bodies  46  without notches  48 . 
         [0032]    The fixed coupling  18 , the swivel coupling  20 , the fixed flange  28 , and the swivel flange  30  of  FIGS. 4A-8C  can be coupled to a system component, such as a connector tube  26  or an enclosure adapter  32 , as described below. For example,  FIG. 1  shows a first connector tube  26  coupled to a fixed flange  28  and one end of a swivel coupling  20 , a second connector tube  26  connected to another end of the swivel coupling  20  and one end of a fixed coupling  18 , and an enclosure adapter  32  coupled to another end of the fixed coupling  18 .  FIG. 2  shows a connector tube  26  coupled to a fixed flange  28  and a first end of a swivel coupling  20 , and an enclosure adapter  32  coupled to a second end of the swivel coupling  20 .  FIG. 3  shows a connector tube  26  coupled to a fixed flange  28  and a first end of a swivel coupling  20 , and an enclosure adapter  32  coupled to a second end of the swivel coupling  20 . The fixed coupling  18 , the swivel coupling  20 , the fixed flange  28 , or the swivel flange  30  can be coupled to a part as described below. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 5B ,  6 B,  7 C, and  8 C, a coupling end portion  52  of one of the connector tubes  26  or the enclosure adapter  32  can be at least partially fixed inside a first end  34  (or a second end  36 ) of one of the couplings  18 ,  20 . The coupling end portion  52  can be inserted into the coupling body  46  and the compression ring  44  can be positioned between a portion of the coupling end portion  52  and a portion of the coupling body  46 . The compression nut  40  can be threaded to engage threading  59  on the coupling body  46  and can be tightened against the compression ring  44  over the coupling body  46 . Tightening the compression nut  40  against the compression ring  44  can force the compression ring  44  to taper into the coupling body  46 . As a result, the compression ring  44  can compress against the coupling end portion  52 , which can help center and secure the coupling end portion  52  within the coupling body  46 . The compression nut  40  and/or the coupling body  46  can include flat plane indents  62  so that a wrench (not shown) can be used to tighten the compression nut  40  and/or the coupling body  46 . The compression ring  44  can be compressed and tapered into the coupling body  46  more or less depending on a diameter of the coupling end portion  52 , which can help compensate for varying tube connector diameters in some applications. 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 9A , the coupling end portions  52  can include one or more slots  64  and a screw  66  can be positioned within each slot  64  and secured in place by a nut  68 . As shown in  FIG. 9B , when the screw  66  is secured within the slot  64 , a head of the screw  66  can form a protrusion  70  extending outward from the coupling end portion  52 . The slot  64 , the screw  66 , and the nut  68  can help secure the coupling end portion  52  within a coupling body  46  when a compression nut  40  is tightened around the coupling body  46 , as shown in FIG.  7 C. For example, the coupling end portion  52  can be slid into the coupling body  46  (e.g., of the fixed coupling  18  of  FIGS. 5A-5B , the swivel coupling  20  of  FIGS. 7A-7C , the fixed flange  28 , or the swivel flange  30 ) so that the protrusion  70  can be positioned within the notch  48  of the coupling body  46 . By securing the protrusion  70  within the notch  48  (e.g., by tightening the compression nut  40  over the coupling body  46 ), the coupling end portion  52  can be prevented from twisting or rotating within to the coupling body  46 . In some embodiments, the protrusion  70  can be formed by other components. As shown in  FIGS. 5B and 7B , in some embodiments, the compression ring  44  can also include a notch  72  to accommodate its positioning around the coupling body  46  without interference by the protrusion  70 . In addition, as shown in  FIG. 7C , when the compression nut  40  is tightened around the coupling body  46 , the protrusion  70  can be substantially secured within the notch  48  by a ridge  74  of the compression nut  40  (e.g., the ridge  74  can substantially abut the protrusion  70  when the compression nut  40  is tightened over the coupling body  46 ). The ridge  74  can help prevent the coupling end portion  52  from sliding outward from the coupling body  46  under large loads. 
         [0035]    As described above, the interior of the fixed coupling  18 , the swivel coupling  20 , the fixed flange  28 , and the swivel flange  30  can be hollow to permit the routing of cables through the suspension system  10  to the enclosure  22 . Since the compression ring  44  is tightened against the coupling end portion  52 , there is substantially continuous contact around the circumference of the coupling end portion  52 , as opposed to conventional fittings that only have point contact at set screw locations. This substantially continuous contact around the coupling end portion  52  can help substantially center the coupling end portion  52  within the coupling  16  or the flange  28 , and prevent movement and/or sag of the connector tube  26  or enclosure adapter  32 . In addition, the o-ring seals  38 ,  42 , and/or the bearing washers  58 , can help provide a water-tight seal between the interior of the suspension system  10  (i.e., inside the connector tubes  26 , the couplings  18 ,  20 , the flanges  28 ,  30 , the enclosure adapter  32 , etc.) and the outside environment at connection points between the couplings  18 ,  20 , the flanges  28 ,  30 , the enclosure adapter  32 , and the connector tubes  26 . The water-tight seal can seal out moisture, such as water from high-pressure, high-temperature washdowns, as well as contaminants, such as bacteria and dust, from the interior of the suspension system  10 , allowing the suspension system  10  to maintain NEMA type 4 and IP69K ratings. In addition, since there are no screw hubs or inserts, there are fewer external catch points that can harbor bacteria compared to conventional fittings. In some embodiments, one or more components of the suspension system  10 , such as the couplings  18 ,  20 , as well as the connector tubes  26 , the enclosure mounting assembly  12 , and the support mounting assembly  14  can be constructed of type 304 stainless steel. 
         [0036]    The support assembly (i.e., the couplings  18 ,  20  and the support mounting assembly  14 ) can act as a load bearing member for the suspension system  10 . In some embodiments, the support assembly can withstand up to between about 100-pound loads and about 135-pound loads. With heavier loads, the support assembly can maintain the rigidity of the suspension system  10 , as compared to conventional set screw-type fittings which tend to sag with heavier loads. For example, the fixed flange  28  and the swivel flange  30  (as shown in  FIG. 10 ) can include leveling screws  46  through the platforms  50 . The leveling screws  46  can help compensate for slanted or uneven mounting surfaces. In addition, the leveling screws  76  can compensate for flexing of the connector tubes  26  due to heavy loads in order to keep the enclosure  22  at a desired position. As a result, due to adjustment of the leveling screws  76 , the enclosure  22  can be kept substantially level in relation to the mounting surface even though one or more of the connector tubes  26  is flexing under the load. 
         [0037]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.