Patent GB-1534284-A (GB)
Title: Support framework for electrical equipment
IPC: H05K7/18
Filed: 1975-11-25
Abstract: 1534284 Frameworks and joints CGEE ALSTHOM 25 Nov 1975 [29 Nov 1974] 48466/75 Heading A4H [Also in Division H1] A framework assembly for retaining and supporting electrical equipment casings e.g. indicating measuring and control equipment comprises Fig. 1 parallel facing longerons 2 inter-connected by crosspieces 3 to form a chequer work with meshes 11, 12 whose dimensions are multiples of those of an elementary mesh 10. Each longeron 2 Fig. 2 of light alloy has top and bottom edges 21, 22 with identical cutouts 20 spaced along its length; these having top and bottom U-shaped portions 4, 5. The former comprises a web 40 parallel to the top edge with inwardly extending limbs 41, 42, while the latter has a web 50 opposed to the ends of wings 41, 42 with limbs 51, 52 extending outwardly. Limbs 41, 51 are connected by a slideway 23 and the ends of limbs 42, 52 define locking notches 43, 53 of depth h. Each crosspiece 3 Fig. 4 of similar light alloy has top and bottom edges 31, 32 and sides 6, 7; the former having a rectangular protrusion 60 of height H cooperating with cutout portion 5 of a first longeron and the latter having a similar protrusion 70 cooperating with cutout portion 4 of a facing second longeron. Clearance 61 extends from protrusion 60 to a spacing h from the top edge 31 leaving a stop 62, while clearance 63 extends from the bottom edge 32 to a spacing h from the bottom edge of the protrusion 60. Similarly clearance 71 of depth equal to the longeron thickness E extends from bottom edge 32 to a spacing h from the bottom edge of protrusion 70. In assembly, crosspiece 3 is placed transversely between parallel spaced longerons 2 and 2<SP>1</SP> Fig. 5 with their cutout portions 20 facing each other. and clearance 71 is fitted to the wall of longeron 2<SP>1</SP> with projection 60 perpendicular to the wall of longeron 2. The crosspiece is moved in direction F 1  parallel to slideway 23 until the top of clearance 71 rests on the edge of longeron 2<SP>1</SP>, and is then  moved in direction perpendicular to F 1  so that protrusion 70 abuts the edge of the longeron and protrusion 60 aligned enters cutout 4 Figs. 6, 7 (not shown). The crosspiece is then moved parallel to direction F 1  so that protrusion 60 slides along limb 41 in slideway 23 of longeron 2 to a position Fig. 8 in which the upper edge of clearance 61 rests on edge 21 of longeron 2<SP>1</SP> and that of clearance 63 rests on the end limb 51 of cutout portion 5, while protrusion 70 is aligned with base 40 of web 4 of longeron 2 perpendicular to slideway 23. Then the crosspiece is moved perpendicular to longeron 2<SP>1</SP>, whereby the upper edge of clearance 61 slides on the upper edge of longeron 2 and that of clearance 63 slides on the edge of web 52 of cutout portion 5; while the upper edge of protrusion 70 slides on the wall of web 40 of cutout portion 4 of longeron 2<SP>1</SP> until the edge of distance piece 3 abuts the wall thereof Fig. 9 (not shown). Then the distance piece is moved in the direction F5 Fig. 10 into webs 40, 50, and thereafter moved so that protrusions 70, 60 respectively abut locking notches 43, 53 of opposite longerons Figs. 12, 13. Boss 72 above protrusion 70 then locks distance piece 3 by engagement with the wall of web 40 of cutout portion 4 of longeron 2<SP>1</SP>. An opening 80 Fig. 14 of an apparatus console may accommodate a framework of longerons 2, 2<SP>1</SP> inter-connected by crosspiece 3: the longeron 2 being supported on angle 81 integral with the console and fixed by screws 82. An indicator 9 occupying the top face of the grating formed by the longerons and crosspieces is secured by a tab whose boss 92 engages slot 34 of a longeron and is rotatable 90 degrees for engagement.