Patent Abstract:
A control panel, which might be enclosed within an openable housing, can be movably supported on a pivotable support structure. The support structure which incorporates one or more pivot points facilitates movement of the control panel from a normal operational position to a displaced maintenance/service position the control panel can be moved both arcuately and linearly on the support element.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention pertains to devices which facilitate movement of housings, which might include electrical equipment, for installation or service purposes. More particularly, the invention pertains to such devices which incorporate multiple pivots whereby the housing can be moved in two directions while at the same time a particular orientation can be maintained. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Various ways have been developed to provide access to mechanical and electrical equipment for installation or service. For example, removable panels have long been used to provide access. However, merely removing a panel or opening a door does not displace any of the equipment behind or adjacent to the panel or door to facilitate installation or service functions. 
     Alternately, electrical and electronic chassis have been mounted on pull-out slides which not only displace the chassis but can also provide a rotary degree of freedom. With such slides, the respective chassis can be both translated and rotated to present a bottom or a back panel for service or maintenance. 
     Hinges have also been used to make it possible to rotate housings, or other equipment for service. While hinges to permit the respective housings or equipment to be moved, such motion is limited to rotation through a particular angle. 
     Known solutions have not made it possible to conveniently and cost effectively move equipment temporarily out of the way so that other equipment in the immediate area can be serviced. This is especially a problem in installations where space is at a premium and the various devices, control systems, pumps motors and the like are assembled adjacent to an exterior housing or protective enclosure. Installation and service is always a challenge where it is necessary to work immediately next to a side wall or roof of a housing or enclosure. Where the installed equipment is bulky or heavy the problem is exacerbated. 
     There thus continues to be a need for devices which will conveniently and easily facilitate the movement of equipment. Preferably such devices will be able to support a wide range of weights or configurations while at the same time continuing to perform in harsher environments than in office buildings Preferably such divides will themselves be low maintenance, robust devices which can be incorporated into larger pieces of equipment without adding substantially to the cost of the associated housing or equipment being supported. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An equipment carrying device incorporates first and second spaced apart pivots. A two part support arm extends between the pivots. One part of the arm is at a selected angle relative to the other. Acceptable angles fall into a range of 35 to 135 degrees. 
     In one aspect, a single arm can be used. One pivot is rotatably coupled to a fixed pivot support. The other pivot is rotatably coupled to a device or housing to be supported. 
     As the supported device or housing is pulled or pushed, it can move in one or two directions. One direction is away from or toward the fixed pivot support. A second direction is generally perpendicular to the one direction. The relationship between the directions is set by the angle between the arms. 
     In one embodiment, the arms can be oriented at ninety degrees to one another. As the arms rotate about the fixed pivot support, a piece of equipment carried at the second pivot can be maintained at a fixed relationship to that support. Where the equipment is supported at a first position adjacent to a housing, it can be moved to a displaced second location. In this location, the equipment can retain the same orientation as when in the first position. 
     The device thus makes it possible to move equipment from an initial, operating position to a final, service position with little effort. Since the equipment is displaced in two directions, when in the final position it has been moved enough that the initial position has been vacated. An opening remains at the initial position through which maintenance personnel can access other equipment located behind the equipment which has been moved out of the way. The structure of the device provides flexibility in the orientation of the equipment when in the final position. 
     In another embodiment, heavier equipment can be supported for movement by using two arms. The pivot axes share a common center line. 
     In yet another embodiment, a hanger includes an angle bracket having first and second rigid members joined at an angle to one another. One end of the bracket is pivotably supported on a mounting post. 
     The housing is movable in two directions, in a horizontal plane, for access or service. The rigid members can be pivotably attached to one another. The housing can be rigidly coupled to one of the rigid members. Alternately, the housing can be pivotably coupled, at a central location to the rigid member. 
    
    
     Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, from the claims and from the accompanying drawings. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIGS. 1A-1C taken together are perspective views of a system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2A is a side elevational view of an alternate system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2B is a top plan view of the system of FIG. 2A; 
     FIG. 2C is a side elevational view of an alternate form of a support post in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another system in accordance with present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a top plan view of yet another system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 5 is a top plan view of yet another system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a top plan view of yet another system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a different system in accordance with the present invention; and 
     FIG. 8 is a top plan view of yet another embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawing and will be described herein in detail specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated. 
     FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate various views of an embodiment of a system  10  in accordance with the present invention. The system  10  can movably support the unit U from a fixed post P. 
     Where the post P is located adjacent to or within an opening O of a building B, the unit U can be moved linearly and/or arcuately into and away from the Opening O. When moved into the opening O, the Unit U assumes its normal operating location. The Unit U can be electrically connected via cabling and/or conductors C to other equipment located within the Building B. 
     The other equipment can include without limitation motors, sensors or transducers or the like, all without limitation. Also without limitation, the unit U can be a closed housing which carries control elements of various types therein. 
     For maintenance and service purposes, the system  10  enables the personnel to move the unit U away from the opening O to gain access to the building B. When service or maintenance work is concluded, the unit U is re-positioned, on the support system  10 , to again close off, at least in part, the opening O. 
     The system  10  includes at least one support element  12  which includes first and second rigid elongated sides  14   a ,  14   b . Each of the sides has a free end, corresponding to free end  16   a  and free end  16   b.    
     In the embodiment of FIG. 1 c , the sides  14   a, b  of the element  12  are fixedly attached to one another at a region  18 . For stability and convenience, the system  10  can incorporate a second support element  12 ′ which is displaced from but substantially identical to the element  12 . 
     The first and second sides  14   a ,  14   b  are oriented at an angle  20  relative to one another. The angle  20 , in a preferred embodiment of the system  10  is on the order of 90°. However, the angle  20  can extend in a range from 30 to 150° without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Each of the free ends  16   b ,  16   b ′ of the sides of  14   b ,  14   b ′ carries a pivotable coupling, for example, a pin, a socket or any other pivotable coupling  22   b ,  22   b ′. The adjacent post P carries a mating pivotable coupling element  24   b ,  24   b′.    
     The unit U is pivotably attached to free ends  16   a ,  16   a ′ of sides  14   a ,  14   a ′. Each of the free ends  16   a ,  16   a ′ carries a pivotable coupling which rotatable engages a respective coupling element  24   a ,  24   a ′. The coupling elements  24   a ,  24   a ′, which can be attached to the unit U by a bracket such as would be known to those of skill in the art, in conjunction with the coupling elements  24   b ,  24   b ′ make it possible to translate and rotate the unit U out of the opening O and off to the side for service access within the building B. Motion can be both arcuate  30   a  and linear  30   b.    
     As will be understood by those skill in the art, the elements of the system  10  can be varied without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, FIGS. 2 a  and  2   b  illustrate alternate embodiment  10 ′ in accordance with the present invention. The system  10  includes first and second support elements  12 - 1 , - 2  comparable to the elements  12 ,  12 ′ of the system  10 . In the system  10 ′, the unit U is supported by centrally located pivoting joints  24   a - 1 ,  24   a ′- 1 . Hence, the unit U can be rotated on the two pivots illustrated in the system  10 ′ for both arcuate and linear displacement. 
     FIG. 2C illustrates a post P′- 1  which has a two-part telescoping structure for purposes of moving the unit U vertically in addition to the previously discussed motion in a horizontal plane. 
     FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate multi-pivot support structures in accordance with the present invention with various illustrated alternative configurations. As those of skill in the art will understand, the support structures of FIGS. 3 through 6 as was the case with systems  10 ,  10 ′ support the respective unit U for movement in both linear and arcuate directions simultaneously. 
     FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate single-pivot systems  40  and  50  in accordance with the present invention. In each of systems  40 ,  50 , at least support element having first and second sides oriented at an angle therebetween, for example  42   a ,  42   b  or  52   a ,  52   b  are movably supported by a pivotable joint carried on a respective post P- 1 , P- 2 . In the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 8, the unit U is fixedly attached, without relative motion, to the respective side of  42   a ,  52   a . Notwithstanding the presence of only a single pivoting axis, adjacent to the respective supporting post P- 1 , P- 2 , the systems  40 ,  50  will move the support of unit U both arcuately and linearly relative to the support post P- 1 , P- 2 . 
     In all instances, the embodiments disclosed herein make it possible to translate and rotate a support of the unit such as the unit U into and out of an opening of an enclosure or building for purposes of service and maintenance. The support of the unit U remains electrically connected to equipment within the structure to facilitate maintenance and service while the unit U has been moved from its normal operating position to its service position. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4