Patent GB-1438085-A (GB)
Title: Mounting cabinet
IPC: H05K7/14
Filed: 1974-04-04
Abstract: 1438085 Component assemblies GTE INTERNATIONAL Inc 4 April 1974 15120/74 Heading H1R A rack or cabinet for mounting electronic components on members slidable in and out thereof comprises plural rectangular slide members within the framework of the rack or cabinet with their planes overlapping in parallel to receive a stack or row of adjacent members individually slidable in or out; each sliding member being supported between a pair of guide rods extending from front to rear of the rack or cabinet and engaging corresponding grooves in two opposed side edges of the member such rods being end supported from front and rear members of the framework and the relative spacing of adjacent rods being defined by spacers within the frame members defining sockets for receiving the rod ends. A mounting cabinet for components of a telephone exchange switching system comprises (Fig. 1, not shown) two rectangular metal side panels to whose front and rear vertical edges are affixed upright frame structures of U-section with inwardly facing openings. The forward edges of the panels are turned over to form sheet metal edge pillars. At the front horizontal crossbars are secured between the uprights of the frame with ends positioned within the channels and located vertically by notched strips engaging the front edges of the crossbars. A similar arrangement is provided at the rear, and slide members are supported between the front and rear crossbars with intervening paths for convection air currents. Each slide contains a component assembly connected into a system circuit by plug and socket connectors at the rear of the cabinet, and a grill at the front of the cabinet admits cooling air impelled by fans in a removable drawer at the top, which also contains a compartment for fixed components, e.g. fuses, instruments, and terminal connections. Slide members 6 (Figs. 2 to 4) comprise rectangular frames having front and rear members 10, 11 interconnected by horizontal members 12 grooved at 12a by which the slides are removably mounted in the cabinet. Numerous electrical components are mounted on the slides, and grooves 12a engage horizontal rods extending between the front and rear frame crossmembers 2, 3 which support plural pairs of upper and lower rods 13 inserted in channel 14a of rear member 14 and angled at 13b to embrace the front edge of front member 2. The rods are spaced along members 2, 14 by spacers 15, 16 recessed and bored respectively at 15a, 16a to receive the rod ends, and retained in position by clips 17, 18 embracing the members 2, 14 to enclose the spacers, with apertures 17a, 18a for the rods. At the rear leading end of each slide a tongue 20 (Fig. 4) forms the plug part of a plug and socket member for electrical interconnection of the components into circuit, e.g. as one end of a printed circuit board with plural conductive elements spaced therealong. Each corresponding socket member 21 comprises a self supporting bar with a socket receiving the tongue and other tongues 21a engaging channels 14b on the upper and lower sides of crossmembers 14 with sufficient play to permit limited vertical movement. Clips 17 space the sockets 21 along channels 14b and are notched at 17b to engage tongues 21a to permit horizontal play. Each crossmember 14 is recessed at 14c to permit insertion of sockets 21 and axial sliding into position before assembly of clips 17. Clips 18 locate identification strips 19 at the front of the cabinet. The frame members may, e.g. be of aluminium, and spacer members of injection moulded plastic. In a modification (Fig. 5, not shown) the slide members are mounted horizontally on four vertical posts attached to the top and bottom of a conventional cabinet with theron stacks of plural front and rear block spacers grooved in their horizontal faces to receive the right angled ends of plural rods. The spacers are then clamped together to retain the rods. The rear spacers are recessed to interlock with and locate respective socket members receiving the tongues of the slide members when the latter are engaged with the rods, and are also recessed to receive the leading end of each slide for guidance into its socket member. The rods are lowered inwardly for spring engagement with the grooves.