CA1046125A - Resealable knockout - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A knockout portion is coined in a wall of a wrapper for an appliance. The knockout has a second position, differing from its coined position, wherein it at least grossly reseals the opening. Tabs are provided around the perimeter of the knockout so that when the knockout is in its second position a first edge portion of the knockout is supported by at least three interleaving tabs, there being at least one tab on each of the knockout and its opening.
A further tab which may be on either the knockout or the perimeter of the opening supports a second edge of the knock-out generally opposed to the first edge, and a screw passing through the tab secures the knockout in position.

Description

Case 2475 ~04~

This invention relates to wrapper~ forming part of an e~ncasing structure, for example for domestic appliances such a~ washing machines. It particularly relates to the provision of an easily re~ealable access opening in the wrapper.
In the manufacture of domestic appliances, it is ~ `
often desired to provide an access opening in the wrapper wall.
This may be for the purpose of providing an entry to service a ~-component part contained within the cabinet, for example. It is known to shape the knocknut such that it may be used to at least grossly reseal the access opening. My invention -contemplates a simplified means for retaining the knockout neatly in the resealing position.
Briefly, my invention comprises coining or otherwise forming in a wall of the appliance wrapper a knockout portion.
Located at defined portions of the peripheral edges of the knockout and its opening are tabs forming a first, second and third tab means. The first tab means is formed on the peripheral edge of the knockout opening; the second tab means ~-is formed on the peripheral edge of the knockout. At least one of the first and second tab means comprises at least two spaced apart tabs. The knockout has a first, as coined, position of closure in the knockout opening and a second position wherein the opening is grossly resealed. The first and second tab means are located respectively on the peripheral edges of the opening and the knockout such that in the second position of closure they interleaf to support a first edge i portion of the knockout in the knockout opening. The third tab means is located optionally on the periphery of either the knockout or the opening such that it supports the knockout in a position generally opposed to that supported by the first and , Case 2475 - 104~1Z5 second interleafing tab means. A securing means associated with the third tab means secures the knockout to the wrapper.
My invention will be made more clear with reference to the accompanying description of preferred embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying ~igures, which show in Figures 1 and 2 a portion of a wrapper in plan form immediately surrounding knockouts of this invention.
Referring to Figure 1, in diagram A of that figure, a portion of a wrapper wall is indicated by the numeral 10.
Wrapper 10 is normally formed from sheet metal such as aluminum or steel. As part of the forming operation a knockout portion 15 is coined in the wrapper. Diagram A shows knockout 15 in the as-coined position. Diagram B shows the same knockout 15 in a second position of general register in the knockout opening, in this instance where the knockout 15 has been rotated through 180 relative to wrapper 10. The arrows on the knockout in the first and second positions of register reference this rotation. A first tab means comprising tabs ~
12 and 14 is formed in the coining operation on a portion of ~-the periphery defining the opening for knockout 15. A second tab means is formed in the coining operation on a peripheral portion of knockout 15 and comprises tabs 16 and 18. When knockout 15 is in its second position of register in the knockout opening, as in Figure lB, tabs 16 and 18 interleaf with tabs 12 and 14 to retain the lower edge portion of the knockout, as illustrated, in position. me tabs are shown in dotted outline to represent them as being deformed to lay behind the plane of wrapper wall 10; this slight deformation of the tabs is normally accomplished merely by engaging tabs 16 and 18 behind the periphery of the knockout opening and forcing knock-out 15 toward its resealing position by the application of manual pressure.

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Knockout 15 has a third tab means formed by tab 20,which i5 located on the periphery of the knockout such that when the knockout is in its second, resealing p~ ition, tab 20 is generally opposed to the interleafing tab means. Tab 20 is provided with a slot 30 and wrapper 10 with a hole 32 which indexes wi~h the slot when knockout 15 is in its second, ~ ~
resealing position. A screw 34 engages in slot 20 and hole 32 -to secure one edge of knockout 15, the opposed edge being retained by the interleafing tab means.
In Figure 2, diagram A shows a square knockout 35 in a surrounding portion of a wrapper lO. A first tab means is `- formed on the periphery of the knockout opening by tabs 22 ~j! and 24, and a second tab means on the periphery of knockout 35 by tab 26. In diagram B of Figure 2 showing knockout 35 in its second, resealing position wherein it is rotated through 90 , as referenced by the arrows, tabs 22 and 24 lay on each side of tab 26 to interleaf therewith and support one side of knockout 35. A third tab means, formed on the periphery of the knockout opening by tab 28 locates opposite the int~r-leafing tab means, and a second side of knod~ 35 is secured thereto by any convenient securing means such as screw 36 i engaging slot 38 and hole 39 which indexes therewith.
Generally speaking the knockout will have a regular geometric form such as a rectangle. It is preferable that the first and second tab means are formed so as to support an edge of the knockout having a major dimension, as shown in Figure l. It will be apparent that additional tabs can be formed on the periphery of the knockout whatever its regular shape, or along the periphery of the knockout opening, to provide further support to the knockout in its resealing position. Such variations and others will be a matter of - - .

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choice, hence the Rcope of my invention i8 not to be limited to t.he precise embodiments shown for the purpose of illustrating my invention or to immaterial variations thereof, but according to the appended claims.

Claims (5)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An appliance wrapper having coined in a wall therein an area defining a knockout and an opening therefor, said knockout having a position of closure differing from the coined position wherein said opening is grossly resealed, a first tab means forming a portion of the periphery defining said opening, a second tab means forming a portion of the periphery of said knockout, at least one of said first and second tab means comprising at least a pair of spaced apart tabs, said first and second tab means being located such that when said knockout is in said second position of closure said tab means interleaf to support a first portion of said knock-out in said opening, third tab means optionally forming a portion of the periphery of said knockout or the opening there-for and located to support a second portion of said knockout opposed to said first portion, securing means associated with said third tab means to secure said knockout in said second position of closure.

2. An appliance wrapper as claimed in Claim 1 where-in said first and second tab means each comprise a pair of tabs.

3. An appliance wrapper as claimed in Claim 1 where-in said third tab means forms part of the periphery of said knockout.

4. An appliance wrapper as in Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said knockout is rectangular and wherein said tab means are formed along major peripheral edges of said knockout and the opening therefor.

5. An appliance wrapper as in Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said third tab means comprises a single tab.