Patent Description:
This disclosure relates to cabinets, and more particularly, to cabinets for housing equipment and including brackets for providing structural support and fluid resistance between the brackets and frame members of the cabinet.

<CIT> discloses, systems and methods for cabinet frames, including frame members coupled together via corner copulas. Frame members may include external and internal channels and surfaces for mounting external and internal components. Systems and methods are also disclosed for coupling the frame members and corner copulas.

<CIT> discloses a sealing assembly for sealing a corner of an enclosure. The sealing assembly includes a substantially rigid bracket and a flexible seal. The bracket includes a first latch and a second latch. The first and second latches are configured for releasable connection to an enclosure adjacent a corner with the first and second latches on opposing sides of said corner. The bracket is configured to provide a force to couple the flexible seal to a corner of an enclosure when the bracket is attached to said enclosure. The flexible seal includes a first surface for coupling to the corner of the enclosure, and a second surface opposite the first surface. At least a portion of the second surface is configured for contact with the bracket. The flexible seal may include a connector for releasable connection to the bracket.

Article <NUM>(<NUM>)EPC prior art <CIT> discloses a bracket for coupling at least three frame members to one another may include a structural portion including at least one relatively rigid first material, and a sealing portion including at least one second material different than the at least one first material. The bracket may also include first, second, and third receivers, each including a retainer portion configured to be coupled to an end of a respective frame member, and a sealing interface configured to provide a substantially dirt-resistant and fluid-resistant seal between a portion of the end of the respective frame member and the respective receiver. The bracket and frame members may form a joint configured to be incorporated into a frame for forming a cabinet.

Cabinets may be used to enclose and protect equipment, such as, for example, fiber optic equipment associated with fiber optic cables including optical fibers. For example, fiber optic equipment may be enclosed in cabinets and provide connections and circuitry for facilitating broadband voice, video, and data transmission. One example of a cabinet for enclosing fiber optic equipment is a fiber optic distribution outdoor cabinet, some of which may be intended to be installed in an outdoor environment exposed to the elements. In order to substantially prevent moisture and dust from the environment from entering the interior of the cabinet, some cabinets include a seamless single-piece shell. However, cabinets formed in such a manner may exhibit a number of possible drawbacks. For example, due at least in part to the single-piece shell construction, such cabinets are not scalable, and thus, cannot be easily assembled or modified in the field to increase (or reduce) the size of the cabinet to tailor the cabinet to meet the capacity requirements of the equipment being enclosed therein. Thus, it may be necessary to manufacture such cabinets in a large number of different sizes to meet the needs for different installations, which may result in manufacturing and inventory inefficiencies. In addition, larger cabinets needed to meet large capacity requirements may be cumbersome to transport and install due to their large size and weight. Further, it may be difficult to repair or replace damaged portions of the cabinet due, at least in part to having a single-piece construction and/or the possible need to disconnect any cables entering the cabinet when repairing the cabinet, which may result in additional complexity and expense.

The present disclosure is generally directed to a bracket for coupling two or more frame members to one another. The bracket includes a structural portion including at least one first material, and a sealing portion including at least one second material. The at least one first material is relatively more rigid than the at least one second material, and the at least one second material is relatively more elastic than the at least one first material. The bracket also includes a first receiver defining a first longitudinal axis and configured to receive an end of a first frame member. The first receiver includes a first retainer portion configured to be coupled to the end of the first frame member, and a first sealing interface configured to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal between a portion of the end of the first frame member and the first receiver. The bracket also includes a second receiver defining a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis of the first receiver and configured to receive an end of a second frame member. The second receiver includes a second retainer portion configured to be coupled to the end of the second frame member, and a second sealing interface configured to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal between a portion of the end of the second frame member and the second receiver. The structural portion includes the first retainer portion and the second retainer portion, and the sealing portion includes the first sealing interface and the second sealing interface. The first retainer portion includes a first attachment portion presenting an abutment surface facing a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis of the first receiver; and one or more holes extending through the first attachment portion configured to receive one or more fasteners configured to secure the end of the of the first frame member to the first retainer portion. A central region of the bracket defines a recess configured to receive therein an edge of at least one door panel.

Whenever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

This disclosure is generally directed to cabinets, such as, for example, cabinets for housing equipment and including brackets for providing structural support and fluid resistance between the brackets and frame members of the cabinet. According to some examples, the cabinets described herein may be assembled on site and may be scalable to meet the capacity requirements of the equipment being enclosed by the cabinet. For example, some examples of the cabinet may be formed by a frame assembled from frame members coupled to one another by brackets. The frame members may be provided (or modified on-site) to build a frame (e.g., off-site or on-site) defining the desired interior dimensions, and the brackets may be used to couple the frame members to one another. Thereafter, panels may be attached to the frame to create the cabinet. In some examples, one or more of the panels may be pivotally coupled to the frame to provide one or more doors configured to pivot between open and closed orientations.

In some examples, the equipment to be enclosed in the cabinet may be assembled and/or coupled to the interior of the cabinet during and/or after completion of assembly of the cabinet. In some examples, the brackets may provide both structural support for securely coupling two or more frame members to one another (e.g., rigidly coupling them to one another) and a substantially-fluid resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between the bracket and the two or more frame members and, in some examples, between the bracket and the panels of the cabinet. Some examples may also at least partially provide a cabinet that is scalable to tailor its exterior size and/or interior size to meet the capacity needs of a particular installation due to the cabinet being formed as a frame with panels secured thereto, as compared to a cabinet including a monolithic shell having a size that cannot be easily altered. For example, brackets such as at least some of the example brackets disclosed herein may be used with frame members having different lengths (or different combinations of frame members and brackets) to create cabinets having different dimensions to meet the capacity needs of a particular installation. In addition, some examples may provide an ability to repair and/or replace portions of a cabinet, for example, by removing one or more of the panels from the frame and repairing and/or replacing the portions of the cabinet desired to be replaced and/or repaired. In addition, if the future requirements of a particular installation change, such that, for example, a larger interior space is desired to meet greater interior capacity requirements, some examples may provide the ability to be modified to increase the size of cabinet, for example, by removing some of the exterior panels, increasing the size of the frame to the desired size using frame members and brackets, and installing panels onto the modified frame to create a cabinet having the desired interior capacity.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of an example cabinet <NUM> including a detailed perspective view of an example joint <NUM> including an example bracket <NUM> coupling two example frame members <NUM> to one another. The example cabinet <NUM> shown in <FIG> is a cabinet for enclosing fiber optic equipment, such as fiber optic cables including optical fibers, and connections and circuitry for facilitating broadband voice, video, and data transmission. In some examples, the cabinet <NUM> may be a fiber optic distribution outdoor cabinet, which may be intended to be installed in an outdoor environment exposed to the elements. Other types of cabinets for enclosing other types of equipment are contemplated.

As shown in <FIG>, the example cabinet <NUM> defines an interior <NUM> and an exterior <NUM>. In the example shown, the interior <NUM> includes various structures <NUM> known to those skilled in the art for facilitating routing and/or connection of fiber optic cables including optical fibers (not shown for clarity). The example cabinet <NUM> shown includes a frame <NUM> and a plurality of exterior panels <NUM> secured to the frame <NUM> for enclosing the interior <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. For example, the cabinet <NUM> includes a back panel <NUM> coupled to a back side of the frame <NUM>, a top panel <NUM> coupled to a top side of the frame <NUM>, a first side panel <NUM> coupled to a first side of the frame <NUM>, a second side panel <NUM> coupled to a second side of the frame <NUM> opposite the first side panel <NUM>, a first door panel <NUM> coupled to a front side of the frame <NUM>, such that it pivots with respect to the frame <NUM>, and a second door panel <NUM> coupled to a front side of the frame <NUM>, such that it pivots with respect to the frame <NUM>. In some examples, the cabinet <NUM> also includes a bottom panel <NUM> coupled to a bottom side of the frame <NUM>. In some examples, the bottom panel <NUM> may include apertures (not shown for clarity) facilitating entry of cables, such as, for example, fiber optic cables, into the interior <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM>. The example shown also includes a skirt <NUM> coupled to and extending around the periphery of the bottom of the frame <NUM>, which provides protection for cables entering the interior <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> through the bottom panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the first door panel <NUM> or the second door panel <NUM> may include a latch assembly <NUM> for securing the first and second door panels <NUM> and <NUM> in the closed orientation. In the example shown, the latch assembly <NUM> includes an upper latch mechanism <NUM> and a lower latch mechanism <NUM>, each including a keeper (not shown) configured to selectively engage a respective upper member of the frame <NUM> and lower member of the frame <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the latch assembly <NUM> coupled to an interior side of the second door panel <NUM>, in some examples, a second latch mechanism may be coupled to the interior side of the first door panel <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the frame <NUM> includes frame members <NUM> coupled to one another via brackets, such as, for example, the example bracket <NUM> shown. The example bracket <NUM> defines an interior side <NUM> and an exterior side <NUM> and is configured to couple a first frame member <NUM> (e.g., a first cross member) having a first longitudinal axis X and a second frame member <NUM> (e.g., also a cross member) having a second longitudinal axis Y to one another, for example, such that the longitudinal axes X and Y are substantially parallel with respect to one another.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of two example frames 24A and 24B for respective cabinets including a detailed perspective partial section view of an example joint <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the example frame 24A may include an upper back frame member <NUM> including a first frame member <NUM> and a second frame member <NUM> coupled to one another by a bracket <NUM>, an upper first side frame member <NUM>, an upper front frame member <NUM> including a first frame member <NUM> and a second frame member <NUM> coupled to one another by a bracket <NUM>, an upper second side frame member <NUM> opposite the upper first side frame member <NUM>, a lower back frame member <NUM> including a first frame member <NUM> and a second frame member <NUM> coupled to one another by a bracket <NUM>, a lower first side frame member <NUM>, a lower front frame member <NUM> including a first frame member <NUM> and a second frame member <NUM> coupled to one another by a bracket <NUM>, and a lower second side frame member <NUM> opposite the lower first side frame member <NUM>. The example frame 24A also includes a first upper corner bracket <NUM> coupling the upper back frame member <NUM> and the upper first side frame member <NUM> to one another, a second upper corner bracket <NUM> coupling the upper first side frame member <NUM> and the upper front frame member <NUM> to one another, a third upper corner bracket <NUM> coupling the upper front frame member <NUM> and the upper second side frame member <NUM> to one another, and a fourth upper corner bracket <NUM> coupling the upper second side frame member <NUM> and the upper back frame member <NUM> to one another. The example frame 24A further includes a first lower corner bracket <NUM> coupling the lower back frame member <NUM> and the lower first side frame <NUM> member to one another, a second lower corner bracket <NUM> coupling the lower first side frame member <NUM> and the lower front frame member <NUM> to one another, a third lower corner bracket <NUM> coupling the lower front frame member <NUM> and the lower second side frame member <NUM> to one another, and a fourth lower corner bracket <NUM> coupling the lower second side frame member <NUM> and the lower back frame member <NUM> to one another.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the frame 24A also includes a first corner frame member <NUM> (e.g., an upright) coupling the first upper corner bracket <NUM> and the first lower corner bracket <NUM> to one another, a second corner frame member <NUM> (e.g., an upright) coupling the second upper corner bracket <NUM> and the second lower corner bracket <NUM> to one another, a third corner frame member <NUM> (e.g., an upright) coupling the third upper corner bracket <NUM> and third lower corner bracket <NUM> to one another, and a fourth corner frame member <NUM> (e.g., an upright) coupling the fourth upper corner bracket <NUM> and the fourth lower corner bracket <NUM> to one another.

In some examples, the brackets <NUM> may serve to increase the length of the frame <NUM>, provide coupling points <NUM> for additional frame members, such as frame member <NUM>, and/or provide structural support and/or fluid-resistant sealing structures (e.g., fluid-tight sealing structures) for one or more of the first door panel <NUM> and the second door panel <NUM>. Use of brackets such as the brackets <NUM> may facilitate expanding the length of the frame <NUM>. In some examples, although not shown, brackets similar to the brackets <NUM> may be used to facilitate increasing the height and/or width of the frame <NUM> by incorporating such brackets into the corner frame members and/or side frame members, respectively. Such brackets may facilitate increasing the size of the cabinet, (e.g., on-site) without replacing the entire cabinet.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the example frame 24B has been lengthened relative to the example frame 24A described above. For example, the length of the frame 24B has been doubled relative to the length of the example frame 24A by using additional pairs of brackets at least similar to the example brackets <NUM> to effectively connect two of the example frames 24A to one another in an end-to-end fashion. In addition, the example frame 24B also includes additional frame members <NUM> (e.g., uprights) to provide additional support for the cabinet in which the frame 24B is incorporated. In this example manner, the brackets <NUM> and the frame members <NUM> may be used to create frames <NUM> of different dimensions, for example, in the length, height, and/or width dimensions.

As shown in <FIG>, one or more of the brackets <NUM> (e.g., all of the brackets) include a structural portion <NUM> including at least one first material, and a sealing portion <NUM> including at least one second material different than the at least one first material. The at least one first material is relatively more rigid than the at least one second material, and the at least one second material is relatively more elastic than the at least one first material. For example, the at least one first material may be sufficiently rigid to rigidly secure the frame members <NUM> to one another, such that the frame <NUM> provides a structural support to which the panels <NUM> of the cabinet <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be secured. In some examples, it may be desirable for the frame <NUM> to be sufficiently rigid to support the weight of the cabinet <NUM> and the equipment enclosed therein, and/or to prevent flexing of the frame <NUM> sufficient to compromise a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between the frame <NUM> and the panels <NUM> coupled to the frame <NUM>. In some examples, the at least one first material may include one or more of steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, platinum, fiber reinforced plastic, carbon fiber, or any other suitable strong and rigid material(s). In some examples, the at least one second material may be sufficiently elastic to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between the brackets <NUM> and the frame members <NUM>. In some examples, the at least one second material may include one or more of natural and/or synthetic rubbers and plastics. In some examples, the structural portion <NUM> is formed as a single unitary piece.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective exploded view of an example bracket <NUM> coupling two example frame members <NUM> to one another to form a joint <NUM>. For example, the frame members <NUM> include a first frame member <NUM> and a second frame member <NUM> defining respective longitudinal axes X and Y that are substantially parallel with respect to one another when coupled to the example bracket <NUM>. In the example shown, the first frame member <NUM> and the second frame member <NUM> have substantially the same cross-section (e.g., the same size and/or shape taken orthogonal with respect to the respective longitudinal axes X and Y). For example, each of the first and second frame members <NUM> and <NUM> includes an upper flange <NUM> (e.g., a substantially planar flange) configured to extend toward the exterior side <NUM> of the corner bracket <NUM> when coupled to the corner bracket <NUM>. Each of the first and second frame members <NUM> and <NUM> also includes a web <NUM> (e.g., a substantially planar web) configured to extend transverse to (e.g., substantially orthogonal to) the upper flange <NUM>, and a lower channel <NUM> configured to extend away from the exterior side <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> when coupled to the bracket <NUM>, for example, in a direction substantially parallel to the upper flange <NUM>. In the example shown, the lower channel <NUM> includes a trough <NUM> (e.g., a substantially planar trough) extending from the web <NUM> and terminating with a lip <NUM> that extends transverse to the trough <NUM> (e.g., substantially orthogonal to the trough <NUM>). In the example shown, the web <NUM>, the trough <NUM>, and the lip <NUM> form a channel configured to provide a fluid passage between the web <NUM> and the lip <NUM>.

Although the bracket <NUM>, the first frame member <NUM>, and the second frame <NUM> and related structures are sometimes described herein including terminology related to upper, lower, and lateral relationships, which may imply absolute relative orientations and/or relationships, these descriptions should not be interpreted in a manner to necessarily require absolute relationships, but rather, they should be interpreted in manner consistent with relative orientations and relationships.

As shown in <FIG>, the example bracket <NUM> includes a first receiver <NUM> defining a first longitudinal axis FR and receiving an end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM>. The first receiver <NUM> includes a first retainer portion <NUM> coupled to the end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM>, and a first sealing interface <NUM> configured to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between a portion of the end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM> and the first receiver <NUM>. The example bracket <NUM> also includes a second receiver <NUM> defining a second longitudinal axis SR substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM> and configured to receive an end <NUM> of the second frame member <NUM>. The second receiver <NUM> includes a second retainer portion <NUM> coupled to the end <NUM> of the second frame member <NUM>, and a second sealing interface <NUM> configured to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between a portion of the end <NUM> of the second frame member <NUM> and the second receiver <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the structural portion <NUM> includes the first retainer portion <NUM> and the second retainer portion <NUM>. The sealing portion <NUM> includes the first sealing interface <NUM> and the second sealing interface <NUM>. In some examples, the sealing portion <NUM> may at least partially encase the structural portion <NUM>. For example, the sealing portion <NUM> may be over-molded onto the structural portion <NUM>. In some examples, such as the example shown in <FIG>, the structural portion <NUM> may include a plurality of apertures <NUM> (see also <FIG>) in which a portion of the at least one second material may be received, providing engagement (e.g., additional engagement) between the structural portion <NUM> and the sealing portion <NUM>.

In the example shown in <FIG>, the bracket <NUM> also includes an inwardly extending flange <NUM> extending transverse with respect to the first receiver <NUM> and the second receiver <NUM>. In some examples, the structural portion <NUM> and the sealing portion <NUM> may comprise the inwardly extending flange <NUM>. In some examples, either the structural portion <NUM> or the sealing portion <NUM> may comprise the inwardly extending flange <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the first retainer portion <NUM> includes a first attachment portion <NUM> presenting an abutment surface <NUM> facing a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM>. The first retainer portion <NUM> includes one or more holes <NUM> (see <FIG>, and <FIG>) extending through the first attachment portion <NUM> configured to receive fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws and/or bolts (see <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) configured to secure the end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM> to the first retainer portion <NUM>. In some examples, the second retainer portion <NUM> may include a second attachment portion <NUM> presenting a second abutment surfaces <NUM> facing a direction transverse to the second longitudinal axis SR of the second receiver <NUM>. In some examples, the second retainer portion <NUM> may include one or more holes <NUM> extending through the second attachment portion <NUM> configured to receive fasteners <NUM> (e.g., screws and/or bolts) configured to secure the end <NUM> of the second frame member <NUM> to the second retainer portion <NUM>. In some examples, one or more of the holes <NUM> may have a square-shaped cross-section configured to engage with a complimentary portion of a carriage bolt (not shown). In some examples, devices and/or methods other than fasteners may be used to couple the one or more of the first frame member <NUM> or the second frame member <NUM> to the bracket <NUM>. In some examples, by attaching the frame members (e.g., directly) to the structural portion <NUM>, the frame members may be rigidly coupled to one another, with the structural portion <NUM> substantially maintaining the relative angles and/or relative positions between the frame members.

As shown in <FIG>, some brackets <NUM> may include one or more levels <NUM> coupled to the bracket <NUM>. For example, the example bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes two levels <NUM> (e.g., bubble levels) coupled to the first receiver <NUM> and the second receiver <NUM>, such that the levels <NUM> may be used to level the bracket <NUM> (e.g., and the frame <NUM> attached thereto).

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the example bracket <NUM> defines an interior side <NUM> and an exterior side <NUM>, and the holes <NUM> may be surrounded on the interior side <NUM> by portions <NUM> of the sealing portion <NUM>. Some such examples may result in providing a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a substantially fluid-tight seal) between the interior side <NUM> and the exterior side <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>, even though the holes <NUM> for receiving fasteners pass from the interior side <NUM> to the exterior side <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, some examples of the bracket <NUM> may be configured such that the sealing portion <NUM> defines exposed latching surfaces <NUM> of the structural portion <NUM> on the interior side <NUM> devoid of the at least one second material of the sealing portion <NUM>. The latching surfaces <NUM> may provide a rigid surface against which a portion of a latch assembly <NUM> (e.g. a keeper) may abut (see, e.g., <FIG>).

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, in some examples, the first sealing interface <NUM> may include a seal stop <NUM> including a first seal stop portion <NUM> extending in a first direction transverse (e.g., orthogonal) to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM>. In some examples, the first sealing interface <NUM> may also include a second seal stop portion <NUM> extending in a second direction oblique with respect to the first direction. The first seal stop portion <NUM> and the second seal stop portion <NUM> present respective seal surfaces for providing a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between the first seal stop portion <NUM> and a first portion of the end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM>, and between the second seal stop portion <NUM> and a second portion of the end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM>.

In some examples of the bracket <NUM>, the second sealing interface <NUM> may include a second seal stop <NUM> including a third seal stop portion <NUM> extending in a third direction transverse (e.g., orthogonal) to the second longitudinal axis SR of the second receiver <NUM>. In some examples, the second sealing interface <NUM> may also include a fourth seal stop portion <NUM> extending in a fourth direction oblique with respect to the third direction. The third seal stop portion <NUM> and the fourth seal stop portion <NUM> present respective seal surfaces for providing a substantially fluid-resistant seal (e.g., a fluid-tight seal) between the third seal stop portion <NUM> and a first portion of the end <NUM> of the second frame member <NUM>, and between the fourth seal stop portion <NUM> and a second portion of the end <NUM> of the second frame member <NUM>.

In some examples, for example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the first sealing interface <NUM> may include opposing fluid barriers <NUM> and <NUM> extending in a direction substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM> and defining a pocket <NUM> configured to receive therein an edge portion <NUM> of the end <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM>. In some examples, the pocket <NUM> and related structure may provide a relatively more reliable fluid-resistant seal between the bracket <NUM> and the first frame member <NUM>. In some examples of the bracket <NUM>, the second sealing interface <NUM> may include second opposing fluid barriers <NUM> and <NUM> extending in a direction substantially parallel to the second longitudinal axis SR of the second receiver <NUM> and forming a second pocket <NUM> at least similar to the opposing fluid barriers <NUM> and <NUM> and pocket <NUM> formed in the first sealing interface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, the first sealing interface <NUM> may include a first seal flange <NUM> extending in a first direction substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM>. In some examples, the first seal flange <NUM> may be configured to be biased against a surface of the first frame member <NUM>. For example, the first seal flange <NUM> may be configured to be biased against the trough <NUM> and/or the lip <NUM> of the first frame member <NUM>, which may provide a relatively more reliable fluid-resistant seal between the bracket <NUM> and the first frame member <NUM>. In some examples of the bracket <NUM>, the second sealing interface <NUM> may include a second seal flange <NUM> at least similar to the first seal flange <NUM> formed in the first sealing interface <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG>, some examples of the bracket <NUM> may include a first sealing interface <NUM> that also includes a first channel <NUM> extending obliquely relative to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM> from a central region <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> to the first seal flange <NUM>. The first channel <NUM> may include a first outer edge <NUM> configured to press against an interior surface of a panel (e.g., an interior surface of a door panel). In some examples, the first outer edge <NUM> may have a tapered cross-sectional shape extending away from the first channel <NUM> toward the interior surface of the panel (e.g., similar to an edge of a windshield wiper) and configured improve the sealing ability of the first outer edge <NUM>. In some examples, the second sealing interface <NUM> may also include a second channel <NUM> extending obliquely relative to the second longitudinal axis SR of the second receiver from the central region <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> to the second seal flange <NUM>. In some examples, the second channel <NUM> may include a second outer edge <NUM> configured to press against an interior surface of a panel (e.g., a door panel). In some examples, the second outer edge <NUM> may have a tapered cross-sectional shape extending away from the second channel <NUM> toward the interior surface of the panel (e.g., similar to an edge of a windshield wiper) and configured improve the sealing ability of the second outer edge <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, and <FIG> the central region <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> defines a recess <NUM> configured to receive therein an edge of a panel (e.g., one or more edges <NUM> of one of more door panels <NUM> and/or <NUM>) (see, e.g., <FIG>). In some examples, for example as shown in <FIG>, the central region <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> defines one or more raised ribs <NUM> extending obliquely with respect to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM> and the second longitudinal axis SR of the second receiver <NUM>, wherein the raised ribs <NUM> extend away from the structural portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> and are configured to divert fluid away from the recess <NUM>. In the example shown in <FIG>, the raised ribs <NUM> extend in a direction substantially parallel to the first channel <NUM> and the second channel <NUM>.

In some examples, as shown in <FIG>, the sealing portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM> also includes a transverse seal <NUM> in an upper portion of the recess <NUM> and configured to abut against one or more edges <NUM> of one or more respective door panels <NUM> or <NUM>. In the example shown, the transverse seal <NUM> extends in a direction substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis FR of the first receiver <NUM> and the second longitudinal axis SR of the second receiver <NUM>. The example bracket <NUM> shown in <FIG> also includes a pair of panel edge seals <NUM> and <NUM> extending substantially from the transverse seal <NUM> to the raised ribs <NUM>, thereby substantially connecting the transverse seal <NUM> and the raised ribs <NUM> to one another, which may provide an additional seal against fluid entering the cabinet <NUM> in an area where the edges <NUM> of two door panels meet and nest in the recess <NUM> when the door panels <NUM> and <NUM> are in the closed orientation.

<FIG> is a schematic perspective view of an example bracket <NUM> and an example latch assembly <NUM> shown from the interior of the cabinet <NUM>. As shown from the interior side <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>, the example bracket <NUM> couples a first frame member <NUM> and a second frame member <NUM> to one another. The example latch assembly <NUM> includes an operator housing <NUM> coupled to an interior side of a door panel <NUM>, and from which a latch bolt <NUM> may extend and abut an exposed latching surface <NUM> that is substantially free from the at least one second material of the sealing portion <NUM> of the bracket <NUM>. The exposed latching portion <NUM> allows the latch bolt <NUM> to abut the relatively more rigid surface of the structural portion <NUM> of the bracket. As shown in <FIG>, the example latch assembly <NUM> also includes an upper latch mechanism <NUM> including a catch <NUM>, which may abut an exposed latching surface <NUM> that is substantially free from the at least one second material of the sealing portion <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A bracket (<NUM>) for coupling two or more frame members (<NUM>) to one another, the bracket (<NUM>) comprising:
a structural portion (<NUM>) comprising at least one first material;
a sealing portion (<NUM>) comprising at least one second material;
wherein the at least one first material is relatively more rigid than the at least one second material, and the at least one second material is relatively more elastic than the at least one first material;
a first receiver (<NUM>) defining a first longitudinal axis (FR) and configured to receive an end (<NUM>) of a first frame member (<NUM>), the first receiver (<NUM>) comprising:
a first retainer portion (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the end (<NUM>) of the first frame member (<NUM>); and
a first sealing interface (<NUM>) configured to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal between a portion of the end (<NUM>) of the first frame member (<NUM>) and the first receiver;
a second receiver (<NUM>) defining a second longitudinal axis (SR) substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis (FR) of the first receiver (<NUM>) and configured to receive an end (<NUM>) of a second frame member (<NUM>), the second receiver (<NUM>) comprising:
a second retainer portion (<NUM>) configured to be coupled to the end (<NUM>) of the second frame member (<NUM>); and
a second sealing interface (<NUM>) configured to provide a substantially fluid-resistant seal between a portion of the end (<NUM>) of the second frame member (<NUM>) and the second receiver (<NUM>),
wherein the structural portion (<NUM>) comprises the first retainer portion (<NUM>) and the second retainer portion (<NUM>), and
wherein the sealing portion (<NUM>) comprises the first sealing interface (<NUM>) and the second sealing interface (<NUM>);
wherein the first retainer portion (<NUM>) comprises:
a first attachment portion (<NUM>) presenting an abutment surface (<NUM>) facing a direction transverse to the first longitudinal axis (FR) of the first receiver (<NUM>); and
one or more holes (<NUM>) extending through the first attachment portion (<NUM>) configured to receive one or more fasteners (<NUM>) configured to secure the end (<NUM>) of the first frame member (<NUM>) to the first retainer portion (<NUM>);
wherein a central region (<NUM>) of the bracket (<NUM>) defines a recess (<NUM>) configured to receive therein an edge of at least one door panel (<NUM>).