GB1583022A - Instrument housing - Google Patents

Description

(54) IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO AN INSTRUMENT HOUSING (71) We, LAFRANCE PRECISION CASTING COMPANY, a cor oration or and ised and existing under the aws of the State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, of Enterprise and Executive Avenues, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19153, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The present invention relates to an instrument housing provided with a handle which may be adjusted without disengagement thereof from the housing.

According to the present invention there is provided an instrument housing including a pair of opposite side walls and a U-shaped handle spanning the side walls with securing means mounting the free ends of the handle to the side walls, said handle having an axis of rotation through said free ends, locking means on each of said free ends of said handle symmetrical about and concentric to said axis of rotation, respective complementary locking means on said side walls symmetrical about and concentric to said axis of rotation for engagement with said handle locking means in any one of a number of preselected positions, respective resilient means urging each of said locking means into locking engagement with the respective said complementary locking means, and said free ends of said handle being movable along said axis of rotation to overcome the force of said resilient means and to thereby permit disengagement of said locking means with said complementary locking means without further manipulation of said securing means whereby said handle may be rotated to another one of said preselected positions.

Preferred features and advantages will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of an instrument housing including an adjustable handle structure.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an instrument housing embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation view of an instrument housing illustrating the handle in its carrying position; Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a portion of an instrument housing as shown in Figures 1 and 2 and showing a handle receiving socket; Figure 4 is a side elevation view of a handle adapted for securement to the socket of Figure 2; Figure 5 is an assembly view partly in section of the handle adjustability and locking components for the handle structure shown in Figures 1-4; Figures 6 and 7 are side elevation views partly in section showing the handle structures of Figures 1-4 in different phases of operation; and Figure 8 shows the manner of mounting a housing embodying the invention in a mounting structure.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 illustrates an instrument housing 10 embodying the invention. The housing includes a top cover 12 comprising an intermediate member 14 preferably having a slight tapered or arcuate configuration and terminating in depending vertical flanges or side extensions 16. A pair of peripheral grooves or slots, of which one is seen at 20, are provided. A bottom cover 22 is also provided and is generally of the same shape and configuration as top cover 12 in that the bottom cover 22 includes a slightly bowed intermediate member with upstanding vertical flanges or side extensions 26. A pair of side walls, of which one is seen at 36, are also provided and are formed H-shaped in cross section thus creating relatively deep upper and lower grooves for receiving flanges or side extensions 16 in the upper groove and flanges or side extensions 26 in the lower groove.A longitudinal slot is formed at each end on the inner surface of each side wall 36 for alignment with slots in the top and bottom covers 12, 22 to thus provide endless peripheral slots or grooves into which end plates such as 44 may be fitted. The entire assembly is then secured together by means of threaded fasteners extending between the top and bottom covers. As illustrated in Figure 1 an adjustable handle 56 is mounted on the side walls 36 for disposing the housing 10 in various orientations and for carrying purposes. The housing side walls may also have reinforcing ribs 58 and the handle is preferably attached to these reinforcing ribs.

The handle may be set in any chosen one of a plurality of angular positions with respect to the housing and it is thus possible to mount the housing 10 at various inclinations. By disposing the handle 56 generally longitudinally in line with the housing 10 as illustrated in Figure 2 the handle may be used as a handle tor its portability.

The invention provides a spring loaded handle illustrated in Figures 3-7 which not only provides a positive lock but also permits adjustment without completely disengaging the handle. Figure 5 illustrates the various components of this handle structure.

On the outer surface of exPander 36 an integral boss 126 is formed. An annular recess 128 defines the outer edge of socket 130. Locking formations 132 such as ratchet teeth or undulations are formed at the upper edge of socket 130 while the lower inner surface 134 is smooth. Extending from the center of socket 130 is an upstanding post 136 having an aperture 138 designed to receive screw 14b. The inner surface of aperture 138 may be threaded or may be smooth using a diameter smaller than that of the diameter of screw 140. Post 136 functions not only as means of securement, as later described, but also as a centering post to assure rapid proper registration of the various elements during assembly. Handle 56 is U-shaped and made of a resilient material and terminates in a pair of free legs 142.Each leg has an inwardly directed tongue or extension 144 which has a smooth outer surface at its extreme end at about the same diameter or slightly smaller than the diameter of inner surface 134. An interlocking structure 146 is formed on projection 144 in a manner which complements or interlocks with formation 132 of socket 130.

The length of locking formations 146 is less than that of formation 132. The outer end of leg 142 terminates in a slight boss 148 having a series of recesses 150, 152,154 progressively decreasing in diameter forming shoulders 156, 158 and end wall 160. An aperture is formed in end wall 160 of a diameter slightly larger than post 136 so that the post can fit therethrough. The other locking components include spring 164 for fitting over post 136 and abutment or spring retainer 166. Retainer 166 has a recess 168 at its lead end of a diameter about the same as post 136 for very snugly fitting thereon.

A recess 170 is formed in the opposite end thereof for receiving the head of screw 140 which extends through central aperture 172 of retainer 166. Shoulder 174 on retainer 166 is disposed for contacting shoulder 158 of handle end 142 as later described. The final element of the locking components for handle 56 is cap 176 made of a diameter to snugly fit in recess 154 against shoulder 156.

The inner surface of cap 176 is likewise provided with a recess 178 for accommodating retainer 166.

Figure 6 shows the handle structure in assembled condition. For assembling the handle structure legs 142 are spread apart so that the ends thereof with its locking structure may fit over boss 126 as the handle is brought into contact with the expanders 36. Post 136 slides through aperture 162 in the handle wall 160 to act as a guide for properly positioning the handle. Handle 56 is rotated to generally the desired orientation with projection 144 sliding toward inner surface 134 until the interlocking formations 132, 146 begin to contact. Very slight rotation may be necessary to properly register these locking formations and the handle is then snapped into place.Shoulder 180 at the end of leg or end 142 rests upon and leg 142 is generally of the same outer diameter as boss 126 so as to generally appear to form a continuous extension with shoulder 180 resting on the outer face of boss 126. Spring 164 is then telescoped over post 136 in recess 150 until spring 164 contacts wall 160. Retainer 166 is then placed over spring 16 4 with its cylindrical leading end 1g2 extending into recess 150. Retainer 166 is pushed or squeezed until internal shoulder 175 in recess 168 fits over post 136. Spring 164 is thus compressed being captured in a chamber formed by recessed handle end 142 and reacts against retainer 166 and end wall 160 urging handle end 142 toward expander 36 thereby assuring positive engagement between locking formations 146, 132. Screw 140 is then inserted through retainer 166 and screwed into outwardly extending post 136 to firmly lock the components in place. Cap 176 is then snapped into recess 154 and is so dimensioned as to be almost a press fit therein for shielding screw 140 with recess 178 of cap 176 fitting over retainer 166.

The spring biased lock afforded by this construction is a positive locking action vastly superior to the looser less positive locking formations known in the prior art. By these prior arrangements for example if one were to pick up a casing by holding only one leg 120 of the handle the handle might become disengaged. This, however, is prevented by the arrangement above described.

The improved handle construction not only provides a more positive locking action but also permits adjustability in a simple and convenient manner without detaching the handle securing means. Figure 7 illustrates the handle structure during such adjustment. Handle ends 142 are pulled apart away from expanders 36. Since retainer 166 is screwed to post 136, retainer 166 is prevented from any movement and its shoulder 174 acts as a stop member when contacted by shoulder 158 of handle end 142 preventing any further outward movement of the handle ends. At this stage the components are in the position illustrated in Figure 7.

Spring 164 is further compressed by the outwardly moving wall 160. Since cap 176 is mounted to handle end 142, cap 176 is displaced away from the outer surface of retainer 166. Locking formation 146 is moved out of engagement with corresponding locking formation 132 and smooth extension 144 is disposed at locking formation 132 without making any contact therewith. Since the locking formations are disengaged, the handle can be rotated to a new position and upon release thereof the handle snaps into the locking position illustrated in Figure 6. As can be appreciated the only manipulations thus necessary to adjust the position of handle 56 is an outward pull and a rotation without the need to disengage or otherwise manipulate any of the securing elements such as removing cap 176 or unscrewing fastener 140. This handle construction thus represents a marked improvement over the prior art.

Figure 8 illustrates a means of mounting housing 10 in a fixed condition. As illustrated therein a frame 186 is provided which would be secured to a suitable support in any conventional manner. Frame 186 includes an intermediate wall 188 which spans opposite side walls 190. Guide means or rails 192 are mounted on each side wall and include channels 194 into which the sides or arms of handle 56 may be slid. The lead end of each guide 192 has a V-shaped detent 196 made of a springy material so that the handle would urge the detent upwardly until it has completely passed thereby and the detent 196 would then spring outwardly to prevent accidental dislodgement of the casing or housing 10.The guide member 192 and particularly its detent 196 may be made of a suitable plastic material such as a polycarbonate having proper memory characteristics so that it will not lose its proper springiness. If preferred other spring biased means may be utilized.

In operation frame 186 would be mounted in place by, for example, conventional fasteners inserted through any number of spaced openings 198 in the intermediate wall 188. In certain applications it would be desirable to minimize any tendency of the housing to vibrate. To accomplish this a support block 200 may be attached in any suitable manner such as by threaded fasteners to the lower surface of intermediate wall 188. Support block 200 includes a bifurcated end defining a channel 202 into which the bight of handle 56 is slid to minimize vibration thereof.

The arrangement described with respect to Figure 8 is particularly advantageous not only in the particular type of mounting but also that the same mounting structure could be utilized for various type housings. Thus, for example, if a need arises to replace an existing housing with one which is higher or one which is shallower all that is necessary is to snap the old housing out of guides 192 beyond detents 196 and then insert a new housing having the same type of handle structure therein.

Our co-pending Application No.

15313/78, (Serial No. 1 583 021) from which the present application is divided, describes and claims a particular construction of instrument housing.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An instrument housing including a air of opposite side walls and a U-shaped handle spanning the side walls with securing means mounting the free ends of the handle to the side walls, said handle having an axis of rotation through said free ends, locking means on each of said free ends of said handle symmetrical about and concentric to said axis of rotation, respective complementary locking means on said side walls symmetrical about and concentric to said axis of rotation for engagement with said handle locking means in any one of a number of preselected positions, respective resilient means urging each of said locking means into locking engagement with the respective said complementary locking means, and said free ends of said handle being movable along said axis of rotation to overcome the force of said resilient means and to thereby permit disengagement of said locking means with said complementary locking means without further manipulation of said securing means whereby said handle may be rotated to another one of said preselected positions.

2. A housing in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said side walls has a socket, each of said sockets having a smooth inner surface over a portion thereof with said complementary locking means being on the remaining portion of said inner surface adjacent the outer edge of said socket, each of said free ends of said handle having an inwardly extending generally cylindrical projection terminating in a smooth outer surface with said locking means disposed inwardly thereof, said smooth outer surface being of lesser diameter than the inner

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

1. **WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

   only provides a more positive locking action but also permits adjustability in a simple and convenient manner without detaching the handle securing means. Figure 7 illustrates the handle structure during such adjustment. Handle ends 142 are pulled apart away from expanders 36. Since retainer 166 is screwed to post 136, retainer 166 is prevented from any movement and its shoulder 174 acts as a stop member when contacted by shoulder 158 of handle end 142 preventing any further outward movement of the handle ends. At this stage the components are in the position illustrated in Figure 7.

   Spring 164 is further compressed by the outwardly moving wall 160. Since cap 176 is mounted to handle end 142, cap 176 is displaced away from the outer surface of retainer 166. Locking formation 146 is moved out of engagement with corresponding locking formation 132 and smooth extension 144 is disposed at locking formation 132 without making any contact therewith. Since the locking formations are disengaged, the handle can be rotated to a new position and upon release thereof the handle snaps into the locking position illustrated in Figure 6. As can be appreciated the only manipulations thus necessary to adjust the position of handle 56 is an outward pull and a rotation without the need to disengage or otherwise manipulate any of the securing elements such as removing cap 176 or unscrewing fastener 140. This handle construction thus represents a marked improvement over the prior art.

   Figure 8 illustrates a means of mounting housing 10 in a fixed condition. As illustrated therein a frame 186 is provided which would be secured to a suitable support in any conventional manner. Frame 186 includes an intermediate wall 188 which spans opposite side walls 190. Guide means or rails 192 are mounted on each side wall and include channels 194 into which the sides or arms of handle 56 may be slid. The lead end of each guide 192 has a V-shaped detent 196 made of a springy material so that the handle would urge the detent upwardly until it has completely passed thereby and the detent 196 would then spring outwardly to prevent accidental dislodgement of the casing or housing 10.The guide member 192 and particularly its detent 196 may be made of a suitable plastic material such as a polycarbonate having proper memory characteristics so that it will not lose its proper springiness. If preferred other spring biased means may be utilized.

   In operation frame 186 would be mounted in place by, for example, conventional fasteners inserted through any number of spaced openings 198 in the intermediate wall 188. In certain applications it would be desirable to minimize any tendency of the housing to vibrate. To accomplish this a support block 200 may be attached in any suitable manner such as by threaded fasteners to the lower surface of intermediate wall 188. Support block 200 includes a bifurcated end defining a channel 202 into which the bight of handle 56 is slid to minimize vibration thereof.

   The arrangement described with respect to Figure 8 is particularly advantageous not only in the particular type of mounting but also that the same mounting structure could be utilized for various type housings. Thus, for example, if a need arises to replace an existing housing with one which is higher or one which is shallower all that is necessary is to snap the old housing out of guides 192 beyond detents 196 and then insert a new housing having the same type of handle structure therein.

   Our co-pending Application No.

   15313/78, (Serial No. 1 583 021) from which the present application is divided, describes and claims a particular construction of instrument housing.

   WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An instrument housing including a air of opposite side walls and a U-shaped handle spanning the side walls with securing means mounting the free ends of the handle to the side walls, said handle having an axis of rotation through said free ends, locking means on each of said free ends of said handle symmetrical about and concentric to said axis of rotation, respective complementary locking means on said side walls symmetrical about and concentric to said axis of rotation for engagement with said handle locking means in any one of a number of preselected positions, respective resilient means urging each of said locking means into locking engagement with the respective said complementary locking means, and said free ends of said handle being movable along said axis of rotation to overcome the force of said resilient means and to thereby permit disengagement of said locking means with said complementary locking means without further manipulation of said securing means whereby said handle may be rotated to another one of said preselected positions.
2. 2. A housing in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said side walls has a socket, each of said sockets having a smooth inner surface over a portion thereof with said complementary locking means being on the remaining portion of said inner surface adjacent the outer edge of said socket, each of said free ends of said handle having an inwardly extending generally cylindrical projection terminating in a smooth outer surface with said locking means disposed inwardly thereof, said smooth outer surface being of lesser diameter than the inner

   diameter of said socket, said handle projection having an axial opening of stepped construction increasing in diameter away from said socket with an apertured end wall disposed toward said socket, said resilient means including a spring disposed in said projection against said end wall, a spring retainer having an axial opening extending completely therethrough, said spring retainer having an enlarged head on its outer end and an inwardly projecting generally cylindrical body and dimensioned for insertion into said projection to react against said spring for urging said handle toward said socket, said securing means comprising a fastener extending through said spring retainer and abutting thereagainst and extending through said projection and being secured to said socket to maintain said spring housed within said projection against said spring retainer, and said projection having an inner length outwardly from said end wall sufficiently long to permit said free end of said handle to be pulled away from said socket a sufficient distance to disengage said locking means from said complementary locking means whereby said handle may be rotated to a new position without adjusting said fastener.
3. 3. A housing in accordance with claim 2 wherein a post is mounted in said socket and extends through said projection with said fastener being secured thereto, and said spring being mounted around said post.
4. 4. A housing in accordance with claim 3 including a cover snapped into said projection, and said cover having a dished-out inner surface for accommodating said spring retainer and the remote end of said fastener.
5. 5. A housing in accordance with any one of claims 1-4 wherein said U-shaped handle comprises a support plate with a pair of depending hangers suspended therefrom, said hangers being parallel with each other while engaging said sockets, and at least one of said hangers being movable away from the other of said hangers to permit engagement with said sockets.
6. 6. A housing in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said hangers is pivotally mounted, biasing means urging said hangers toward each other, and said support plate having an exposed cavity on its lower surface for receiving said locking means on said free ends whereby said hangers may be pivoted to an in line orientation against said support plate during periods of non-use.
7. 7. A housing in accordance with any one of claims 1-6 in combination with a frame including a pair of side walls connected to a mounting structure, guide means being provided on said side walls of said frame, and said housing being slid into said frame with said handle detachably secured to said guide means.
8. 8. A combination in accordance with claim 7 wherein said mounting structure comprises an intermediate wall spanning and connected to said side walls, a support block mounted to said intermediate wall, the bight of said handle being held in said support block to minimize vibration thereof, and V-shaped spring detents secured to the leading face of each said guide means for releasably locking said housing in said frame.
9. 9. The housing of claim 1 wherein each of said side walls has a post extending outwardly thereof along said axis of rotation, a bearing member disposed across said post with a bearing face perRendicular to said axis of rotation and radially outwardly of said post, a fastener securing said bearing member to said post, said free end of said handle being disposed between said bearing member and said side wall, said resilient means comprising a spring detachably disposed externally of said housing around said post and reacting between said bearing face of said bearing member and said free end of said handle to urge said free end toward said side wall, said complementary locking means being on said side wall disposed externally of said housing and said locking elements on said free end being disposed for locking engagement with said locking elements under the influence of said spring urging said handle toward said side wall, and said free ends of said handle being disposed for axial movement along said post whereby said free ends of said handle may be pulled outwardly away from said side walls to overcome the force of each spring whereby said free ends may be moved axially to permit disengagement of said complementary locking from said locking means and then rotated to another position and returned to locking engagement by the release of the force overcoming the force of said springs without manipulation of said fastener.
10. 10. The housing of claim 9 wherein each of said free ends includes an annular shoulder concentric to said axis of rotation, said locking means being disposed on said annular shoulder, each of said side walls having a socket with an inner annular surface concentric to said axis of rotation, and said complementary locking means being disposed on said inner annular surface.

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