CA1166737A - Displaceable, electric distribution device for building sites or similar - Google Patents

Abstract

A b s t r a c t In a displaceable,electric distribution device for building sites or similar consisting of a main section holding current distribution equipment, other equipment and/or instruments, the main section is mounted in a rack, which when the device (1) is uninfluenced by outer forces assumes specific positions for use. By means of relatively small outer forces, the device can nevertheless be moved from one position for use to another by rolling the rack (3). The rack (3) can comprise two substantially equal sets of rockers (10a, 10b) arranged parallel to each other on either side of the main section (2). The rockers 10a, 10b) can have a generally oval shape or the shape of an ellipsis. Aside from assuming specific positions for use and allowing rolling of the device, the rack can in over-turned position allow for the possibility of stacking seve-ral devices on top of each other.
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Description

~ 3 ~fi~7 The present invention relates to a displace-able or portable, electric distribution device or apparatus for building sites or similar, comprising a main section or housing containing current distri-bution equipment, other equipment and/or instruments.
Displaceable or portable, electric distri-bution devices for building sites are previously known.
For example, there has been suggested a cabinet-like device provided on four legs. However, such cabinet-like devices are generally very heavy, and very oftentwo men are required for the displacement thereof.
Besides, such cabinets can easily overturn in case somebody should hit them, which could involve damage of the equipment. If the device is located outdoors, the equipment in such an overturned or tilted device can easily be further damaged, due to rain or other moisture entering the cabinet.
Further, such devices require a relatively flat base to be erected upon, and the manufacturing thereof is relatively costly.
An object of the present invention is to provide a displaceable or portable, electric dis-tribution device or apparatus, which, aside from offering an e~cellent protection for the current distribution equipment against bumps and impacts, also allows for an easy access to the equipment.
Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus which does not depend on a completely flat base, but which, even if overturned, offers the distribution equipment the best possible protection against bumps and impacts, as well as against water spray and rain.
Still another object of the present inven-tion is to provide an apparatus which can easily be moved or displaced at the site itself, the apparatus after the displacement adopting a correct position for use~

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' A still further object of the present inven-tion is to provide an apparatus which is inexpensive and simple to manufacture, and which can easily be stacked one upon the other and thus easily be expanded to larger, compound, compact units, in which the main sections constitute the main components which can easily be replaced according to demand.
In an apparatus of the type above mentioned, these objects are according to the invention achieved in that the main section or housing is mounted in a rac~ or rotatable frame means, which when the apparatus is uninfluenced by outer forces, assumes specific positions for use, but which by means of relatively small forces can be displaced by rolling the frame means.
In accordance with a particular embodiment of the invention there is provided a portable electri-cal distribution apparatus. The apparatus has a housing containing current distribution equipment and a rotatable support frame means having at least one stable rotational position and selectively rotatable for moving the hous-ing. The frame means comprises a pair of parallel frame members spaced from one another on opposite sides of the housing. Each frame member has a pair of rounded ~5 end sections of predetermined radius of curvature and at least one intermediate section of different shape than the end sections to define the one stable rotation-al position.
In an appropriate embodiment of the apparatus according to the invention, the frame means may comprise two frame members, which are arranged parallel to each other on either side of the housing and attached there-to, each set o~ frame members on the one hand being provided with approximate semi-circular portions allowing for rolling of the frame means, and on the other hand between the approximate semi-circular portions being provided with portions upon which the device in an ' . ' .

~ ~ ~6737 uninfluenced condition will rest to assume positions for use. Such resting portions of the frame members can be formed by portions having larger radius of curvature than the approximate semi-circular portions, the frame members then having an oval or ellipsis~
shaped design, or the resting portions of the frame members can be formed by inwardly bent frame member pieces forming points of supports for the positions for rest or use of the apparatus.
The housing, to which the frame means is attached, can have any suitable shape. For example, the frame means can be attached to a tube-shaped housing, the centre axis of which being parallel to the plane extending through the respective frame members of the frame means. Alternatively, the frame members and the housing may be provided in such a manner relatively to each other that the axis of the tube-shaped housing is perpendicular to the plane ex-tending through the respective frame members.
In order to enable rolling of the apparatus for the movement and displacement thereof, the frame members must be so provided that the housing is pro-vided inside the circumference thereof. When at the same time providing the frame members so that the planes extending therethrough also lie outside the housing, the apparatus can be turned over on the side for thereby adopting a stable position and allowing stacking of other overturned apparatus on top of each other.
Such a stacking can be appropriate in connec-tion with common transportation of a plurality of apparatus, but such a stacking can also be utilized in larger distribution centrals, which are composed of units in which the housings constitute the main com-ponents which can easily be replaced as necessary.
Preferably, the frame means is attached to the housing by attachment pieces, onto which the cable can be wound or from which the cable can be wound off.
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Suitably, the ca~le can then be wound on or off the appara-tus during the movement -thereof from one site to another.
In the following the invention will be further described, reference being had to the drawing which illustrates various embodiments of the device according to the invention.
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the inven-tion.
Fig. 2 is an end view of the device in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side view of the device in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a variant of the embodiment of a frame means, which is comprised by the present invention.
Fig. 5 is another variant of a frame means, which is comprised by the present invention.
Fig. 6a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a frame means and a housing.
Fig. 6b is a perspective view of a variant of the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 6a.
Fig. 7 depicts two overturned apparatus accord-ing to the invention stacked one upon the other.
In Figs. 1 - 3, which illustrate a perspective view, an end view and a side view, respectively, of a first embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, the apparatus itself is designated by 1, and compri.ses a main section or housing 2 containing current distribution equipment, other equipment and/or instruments and a rack or frame means 3 attached to the housing 2 by appropriate, not illustrated, holding means. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 - 3 the housing 2 has the general shape of a tube or pipe, which is manufactured from an electric insulating and somewhat yielding material, such as plastics, and which, for example, at the one end can be equipped with a spray-safe, not illustrated, lid, which can be attached to the housing 2 by a spring loade~ hinge means. At both ends of the tube-shaped housing 2 there is access ;- ~` ', .
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to the electric equipment contained in the housing 2, which equipment, for example, can consist of socket outlets 4, 5 and 6 having various ratings. For example, the socket outlet 4 and 5 may constitute outlets for lighting circuits, whereas the socket outlet 6 is an outlet for technical circuits, there being connected a branch conductor 7 to the socket outlet 6. In Fig. 1, there is also illustrated a supply cord 8, which either can be permanently cormected to the housing 2, or be plugged into a plug socket 9 provided in the housing 2.
The frame means 3 which is illustrated in Figs. 1 - 3, comprises two substantially like metal rockers or frame members lOa and lOb, respectively, which can be round or flat and which are provided parallel to each other on either side of the housing

2 and attached thereto by intermediate connection pieces lla, llb, llc and lld. Each frame member is given an oval shape, such as an egg- or ellipsis-shape, the large axis of the ellipsis being arranged parallel to the centre axis of the tube-shaped housing 2. Thus, the frame members lOa and lOb are provided with approxi-mate semi-circular end sections 12a and 12b and with intermediate sections 13a and 13~ which have larger radius of curvature than the approximate semi-circular sections 12a and 12b. The oval or ellipsis-shaped design of the frame members lOa, lOb of the frame means insures that when the apparatus 1 is uninfluenced by outer forces, it will assume a position for use, in which it rests on the intermediate sections 13a or 13b having relatively large radius of curvature, and when affected by light bumps or impacts it will on~y tip out of its normal position of use and will thereafter rock back to its normal position. The design of the frame means 3 also insures that it offers a further protection to the housing 2 in addition to what is already provided by its tube-shaped design, since the ~rame means will yield somewhat when it hits a hard base~ Besides, the `~, ~c..

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shape of the frame members of the frame means insures that the apparatus assumes quite specific positions for use, so that the housing 2 itself obtains an approxi-mate horizontal position and thereby an excellent protection against water-spray and rain. However, the shape of the frame means 3 also of~ers an addi-tional advantage because the use of relatively small outer force can displace the complete apparatus 1 by the rolling thereof on the frame members lOa, lOb of the frame meansO
Experiments have shown that a finished mounted apparatus which has been dropped several times from a substantial height onto a hard base, was not damaged due to the impact stresses imported thereonto during the drops.
It is to be understood that in order to facilitate the rolling of the apparatus in the frame means 3, the frame members lOa, lOb must be of such a size that they encircle the housing 2, as this most clearly appears from Fig. 3, to prevent parts of the housing from extending beyond the frame members to brake the rolling action. However, it is also to be understood that the frame members lOa, lOb should preferably be attached to the housing in such a way that the respective planes in which the frame members are located, lie peripherally beyond the housing 2.
In case the apparatus turns over on the side, it will then adopt a completely stable position, which is suit-able for stacking as this will be further described in connection with Fig. 7.
As mentioned, the frame means 3 is attached to the housing 2 by connecting means lla - lld and these may preferably be shaped so as to form support means onto which cable can be reeled as shown at 14 in ~ig. 2.
Appropriately, the winding on or win~iny o~f of the cable can take place durlng the rolling displace-ment of the apparatus from one site to another and in .~
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~ 1 66737 the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, in which the wound cable more or ]ess will cover the access to the equipment in the housing 2, it will be ensured that all cable is to be unwound before the device is taken into use. The device can then be used at maximum rating without the risk of too high heat development in the wound cable or cables or in the housing.
In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a diagrammatic side view of a variant of a frame means according ~o the invention. Here, the frame members 3a are provided with offset sections 15, so that between the rounded end sections 16a and 16b there are formed support points 17a, 17b on which the apparatus la will rest in its normal position for use.
In Fig~ 5 there is illustrated another variant of a frame member 3b, in which there are formed support points 18a, 18b by means of inwardly bent or twisted pieces 19.
In Fig. 6a there is illustrated an alternative embodiment of an apparatus according to the invention, wherein the frame means 3c can have a form genexally similar to the frame means 3 discussed in connection with Figs. 1 - 3, or have suitable shapes conforming to the intentions of the invention, but wherein the tube-shaped housing 2c has its central axis arranged perpen-dicular to the plane extending through the frame members lOc. In this embodiment a cable can be wound up between the members lOc on the connection pieces 20, and because the access to the equipment in the housing 2c is from ~0 the side, it is not necessary that all the cable is reeled off to allow for the operation of the apparatus.
Fig. 6b illustrates a variant of the embodi-ment in Fig. 6a, the frame members lOc here being pro-vided with substantially the same shape as the frame members in l~ig. 6a, i.e. ellipsis- or oval-~haped, but involving the difference that the apparatus can be put in an upright position and remain stable in this position ~ ~, !
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;6~37 because of concave zones 21 at the ellipsis portions having least radius of curvature. In Fig. 6b there are illustrated concave zones 21 only at the one end of the members 10c, but it is to be understood that such con-cave zones can also be provided at opposite portionsof the frame members. The concave zones 21 are shaped such that they form stable resting positions for the apparatus during normal working conditions, but they will nevertheless allow rolling of the apparatus by means of comparatively small outer forces.
In Fig. 7 there is illustrated an embodiment of an apparatus lb similar to that discussed in connec-tion with Figs. 1 - 3, but which is turned over on the side, in other words resting on one of the frame mem-bers 10d. In this position the apparatus ld rests com-pletely stable and at the same time allows full access to the instruments and the equipment which is housed in the housing 2d.
On top of the overturned apparatus ld there is stacked another similar apparatus le, which is also in its overturned but stable position~ Such a stacked arrangement of apparatus can be appropriate during transport of apparatus from the place of manufacture to the place of delivery, possibly by combining a plur-ality of units to a larger central, in which the housingsconstitute the main components which possibly can be replaced according to demand.
Appropriately, the stacks may be provided with suitable protrusions which facilitate the stacking of the apparatus in overturned position and maintain the stacked position thereof.
It is to be understood that the apparatus according to the invention offers a series of advantages compared to previously known displaceable, electric dis-tribution devices for building sites. The apparatusaccording to the invention can, although it is large and heavy, be rolled from one place to another by use i ~ ~6737 g of minimum force. Nevertheless, it will ater the move-ment adopt a position for use which entails that the contents of the housing will not be exposed to rain or water spray. Reeling on and reeling off of the cable can take place simultaneously with the movement, some-thing which can be appropriate when long and heavy cables are involved. Further, the frame means together with the cover of the housing render to the contents of the housing a double, mechanical protection, and experiments have shown that even when falling from sub-stantial heights against a hard base, the collision against the base has been so damped that the apparatus after the fall was quite intact.
The apparatus according to the invention can be turned over on the side and will then remain stable, the apparatus in this overturned position allowing for stacking for transport or interconnection with larger centrals.
Of course, the apparatus according to the invention can be implemented in other ways than the ones described above.
Thus, the shape of the housing need not be tube-shaped, but have any suitable form, for example as a cabinet, case or similar. Also the shape of the frame means can be varied within wide limits. Aside from oval- or ellipsis-shape, it can adopt a hexagonal-shape or suitable other shapes which allow for specific positions for use of the apparatus, but nevertheless allow rolling of the apparatus by use of minimum force.

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Claims (11)

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

1. A portable electrical distribution apparatus having a housing containing current distribution equip-ment and rotatable support frame means having at least one stable rotational position and selectively rotatable for moving said housing, said frame means comprising a pair of parallel frame members spaced from one another on opposite sides of said housing, each frame member having a pair of rounded end sections of predetermined radius of curvature and at least one intermediate sec-tion of different shape than said end sections to define said one stable rotational position.

2. The apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said rounded end sections of said frame members are gen-erally semi-circular.

3. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said end sections are spaced from one another by two opposite sections having a greater radius of curvature than said end sections so that each frame member takes the general form of an ellipse.

4. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said end sections are spaced from one another by two spaced intermediate sections formed by radially inwardly bent portions of the frame members.

5. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said housing has a generally tubular-shaped configuration with a central axis oriented parallel to said frame members.

6. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said housing has a generally tubular shaped configuration with a central axis oriented perpendicular to said frame members.

7. The apparatus according to Claim 2 further com-prising means securing the frame members to the main hous-ing such that the respective planes of the frame members lie peripherally beyond the housing and such that the apparatus can be turned over onto one of the frame members and remain stable and allow stacking of other overturned apparatus.

8. The apparatus according to Claim 7 further in-cluding means for locking the stacked apparatus together.

9. The apparatus according to Claim 2 further comprising connecting means securing the frame members to the housing, said connecting means including support means onto which cable can be reeled.

10. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said intermediate section has a concave zone defining the stable position for the apparatus.

11. The apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein said end sections are spaced from one another by gaps in said frame members defining two spaced intermediate sections which in turn define two stable rotational positions of said apparatus.