GB2128032A

GB2128032A - Housing for fitting electrical measuring instruments or the like on boards or panels

Info

Publication number: GB2128032A
Application number: GB08315937A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Santino Calvi
Original assignee: IME INSTR MISURE ELETTRICHE
Current assignee: IME INSTR MISURE ELETTRICHE
Priority date: 1982-09-24
Filing date: 1983-06-10
Publication date: 1984-04-18
Also published as: DE3321299A1; GB8315937D0; ES273007U; ES273007Y; IT8223019V0

Abstract

A housing for electrical measuring instruments or the like, adapted to be inserted into a suitable opening in a board or support panel, consists of a base plate 2, to which a measuring instrument is integrally fixed, the plate 2 being joined to a box-shaped body 3 provided in front with an externally projecting flange 4 and at two opposed rear corners with internally threaded portions 11b formed integrally with said housing and being part of substantially cylindrical tubular portions 11 provided with longitudinal slots 11d. Fastening means 17 for securing the housing to the boards or panels have threaded portions 21 engaged with the internally threaded portions 11b and adapted to abut the rear surfaces of the boards or panels. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Enclosing structure for fitting electrical measuring instruments or the like on boards or panels in general The present invention relates to an enclosing structure for fitting electrical measuring instruments or the like on boards or panels in general, which structure is intended to be normally inserted into a corresponding slit or window provided on said boards or panels and consists of a plate-shaped base on which a measuring instrument orthe like is fixed and a front and back opened box-shaped body suitable to receive said instrument when the above mentioned base has been fixed to the back of said box-shaped body, the fore part of the latter being provided with a circumferential side projecting edge suitable to abut on said boards or panels.

With the structures of the known type, in order to fix them to boards or the like it is necessary to use screws, brackets, etc. which must be applied acting from the back on the inner surface of the same boards, at the same time engaging the side portions of the structures to be assembled.

Such a fixing method however appears rather difficult and irrational as it requires the carrying out of rather complicated handlings, being generally necessary to act in uncomfortable positions on the inner surface of said boards and support panels.

Furthermore, the fastening means of the known art does not always give satisfactory results and requires much time both during the assembling and the disassembling steps when it is necessary to replace some of the measuring instruments or all of them.

The main object of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks mentioned above as to the fastening means of the known art by accomplishing an enclosing structure for measuring instruments or the like that allows its immediate assembling and disassembling on boards or support panels.

A further object of the present invention is to accomplish a structure of the kind mentioned above which can be fixed in a very efficient manner on boards or panels of any kind, without requiring any particular arrangement in the application areas.

These and other objects which may appear from the following description are attained by the enclosing structure according to the present invention for fitting electrical measuring instruments or the like on boards or panels in general, which structure is intended to be normally inserted into a corresponding slit or window provided on said boards or panels and consists of a plate-shaped base on which a measuring instrument or the like is fixed and a front and back opened box-shaped body, suitable to receive said instrument when the above mentioned base has been fixed to the back of said box-shaped body, the fore part of the latter being provided with a circumferential side projecting edge suitable to abut on said boards or panels, said structure being characterized in that internal threaded holes are obtained on the sides of said box-shaped body, these holes being accessible from the back and the axes thereof being disposed, after the assembling, at right angles to the lying of said boards or panels, means suitable to secure said enclosing structure to the same boards or panels being screwable in said holes.

Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more evident from the detailed description of an enclosing structure for fitting a measuring instrument on a support panel, given hereinafter by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a cut away perspective view of the structure according to the invention; Figure 2 is a back view of the box-shaped body of the structure according to the invention; Figure 3 is a front view of the plate-shaped base intended to be joined to said box-shaped body; Figure 4 is a part cross-sectional side view of a fastening element for locking the structure to a panel orthe like; Figure 5 is a view according to arrow V in Figure 4;; Figures 6 and 7 are side views of the structure of the invention, during its application to a support panel and after its locking to the same respectively, according to a flush arrangement; Figure 8 is a side view of the structure of the invention mounted on a support panel according to a projecting arrangement; Figure 9 is a side view of a fastening element related to the arrangement shown in Figure 8.

Referring to the drawings, it has been generally indicated at 1 the enclosing structure according to the invention, at 2 its plate-shaped base, intended to support a measuring instrument (not shown) and at 3 the box-shaped body to which base 2 is fastened and in which said measuring instrument is housed after the assembling.

The box-shaped body 3 is opened at its front and back ends and is provided in the front with a circumferential side projecting edge suitable to abut on the support panel 5. At its opposite end, that is on the back, the box-shaped body 3 has some projecting hook-shaped tongues 6 (Figures 1 and 2) formed enbloc with the box-shaped body itself so that the base 2 can be snap-hooked thereto, being provided for the purpose with corresponding windows 7 (Figure 1) arranged on the side edge in correspondence of the recesses 7a (Figure 3).

As shown in Figure 1, the box-shaped body 3 is also provided with a side slit 8 within which a plate 9 bearing the reading scale can be inserted, said slit being closed by means of a closing element 10 suitable to be snap-fitted thereon.

Furthermore, the box-shaped body 3 is provided with substantially cylindrical inner portions formed enblocand referenced 11 in Figure 1, situated at two opposed corners of the box-shaped body and parallel to them. Each of said portions 11 consists of a solid innermost portion 11 a in which is coaxially obtained a threaded hole 11 b (Figures 1 and 2) and which extends rearwardly by means of a tubular-shaped portion 11 c provided with a longitudinal slot lid. Said tubular portions 1 1c project beyond the rear edge of the box-shaped body 3 along a length which is almost equal to the width of the edge of base 2, while slots 11 d are substantially disposed along the extension of the corners of body 3.Correspondingly, base 2 is provided with two substantially cylindrical recesses 12 which are disposed in register with two opposed corners (Figures 1 and 3) so that, after the assembling, said tubular portions 1 1c can be coaxially accommodated in the same recesses 12.

In order to ensure a perfect alignment of parts 2 and 3 and therefore obtain an efficient closing of structure 1 on the back, an edge 13 is provided on body 3 this edge being slightly recessed with respect to the side surfaces of the same body (this edge also has curved portions 13a partially surrounding the tubular portions 11 c as seen in Figure 2); after the assembling said edge is inserted into a corresponding groove 14 (Figure 3) provided on base 2, which in turn has edges 15 and centering tongues 16 (Figures 1 and 3) that abut against corresponding inner surfaces provided on body 3.

Said threaded holes 11 b formed in the cylindrical portions 11 are used to screw down respective fastening elements which are provided in two different types referenced 17 (Figures 1 - 4 - 5 and 6) and 18 (Figures 8 and 9) respectively. The first type is intended to fit structure 1 in a recessed position within an opening 5a (Figure 6) of panel 5 or the like, while the second type is intended to fasten the same structure so that it projects from panel 5 (Figure 8).

More particularly, said fastening element 17 consists of an L-shaped section referenced 19, made, for example, from plastic material, to which a small sleeve 20 provided with an annular groove 20a on its inner surface is integral; said sleeve 20 is disposed with its axis parallel to the length of section 19 and it coaxially receives a pin provided at one end with a threaded portion 21 and at the other end with a cylindrical knurled knob 22 having a slotted head which can engage with a screwdriver. Between portions 21 and 22 a small annular projection 21 a is provided which is suitable to be fitted by force in said annular groove 20a so that, after the assembling, pin 21-22 can rotate about its axis but cannot move axially with respect to sleeve 20.

Furthermore, the latter is spaced from the L-shaped section 19 as it is joined thereto by means of a spacer 23 (Figure 5) integral to the inner corner of the L-shaped section 19 and disposed at 450 with respect to the sides thereof.

Said threaded portion 21 can be screwed in holes 11 b provided in the cylindrical portions 11, by disposing the L-shaped section 19 so that it adheres to the sides of body 3, this arrangement allowing spacer 23 to be slidably inserted into the corresponding slot 11d.

As is clearly seen in Figures 6 and 7, after the assembling of structure 1, the latter is fitted into the opening 5a of panel 5, then the two fastening elements 17 are applied and the threaded portions 21 are screwed in holes 11 b, acting on knobs 22 manually or by means of a screwdriver. By this screwing down, while spacers 23 are slidably inserted into slots 11 d, the L-shaped sections 19 move forward according to the arrow A in Figure 7, till they abut against the inner surface of panel 5.

Therefore an efficient fastening of structure 1 can be reached, the projecting edge 4 of which abuting against the outer surface of panel 5 so that the latter is clamped between the edge itself and the two L-shaped sections 19.

The two elements 17 can be replaced by elements 18 so that it is possible to achieve the arrangement shown in Figure 8 where structure 1 is fastened to panel 5 projecting therefrom.

Each element 18 consists of a pin, for example, of plastic material, including different portions 24 - 25 26 and 27 (Figure 9) disposed coaxially one after the other. More particularly, portion 24 is threaded and is therefore suitable to be screwed into holes 11 b, portion 25 is of cylindrical form and can be fitted into the tubular portions 11 c, portion 26 is of cylindrical form too but is very short so that it forms an abutment flange against panel 5 and portion 27 has the shape of a longitudinally slotted spigot suitable to be inserted by force in corresponding holes 5b (Figure 9) provided on panel 5.

When it is necessary to mount said structure, after the assembling thereof, on panel 5, two elements 18 are applied to the structure itself screwing them into holes 11 b, then spigots 27 are inserted in holes 5b.

So structure 1 is fixed to panel 5 projecting therefrom as shown in Figure 8.

After what above, the operation and use of the structure according to the invention appear evident.

The measuring instrument or the like to be mounted on a panel is first secured to base 2, for example by means of screws; then the instrument is introduced into the box-shaped body 3 and the base is snap-fitted to the body itself. This assembling can be carried out in a very simple and quick manner; in fact it should be noted that in the types constructed according to the known art the base must be joined to the body by means of screws or the like. At this point the pieces to be mounted are: the plate 9 bearing the reading scale, possible frames and the glass in correspondence of edge 4. The fastening to panel 5 is then carried out by means of elements 17 or 18 according to the desired arrangement, as described above. In any case this fastening can be achieved in a quick and simple manner, the operations are easy and comfortable and can be done even by unskilled persons.

Furthermore, the fastening by means of elements 17 allows a quick replacement of plates 9 bearing the reading scales without any need to completely disassemble the whole structure, which is required by the known types.

In fact, when it is necessary to replace said plate it is sufficient to unscrew pins 21-22 a certain amount so that, pushing forward structure 1, it is possible to space apart edge 4 from panel 5 an extent enough to uncover the closing element 10 (Figures 1 - 6 and 7) so that it can be reached from the outside. Then it is possible to remove this closing element and replace plate 9; afterwards element 10 is mounted again and pins 21-22 are screwed down till a complete fastening is obtained.

It should be noted that the structure according to the invention ensures an efficient fixing both of the different parts to each other and of the assembly to the support panels, at the same time reducing the handling time to a minimum and making the assembling and disassembling very easy.

Claims

1. An enclosing structure (1) fitting electrical measuring instruments or the like on boards or panels in general (5), which structure (1) is intended to be normally inserted into a corresponding slit or window (5a) provided on said boards or panels (5) and consists of a plate-shaped base (2) on which a measuring instrument or the like is fixed and a front and back opened box-shaped body (3), suitable to receive said instrument when the above mentioned base (2) has been fixed to the back of said box-shaped body (3), the fore part of the latter being provided with a circumferential side projecting edge (4), suitable to abut on said boards or panels (5), characterized in that internal threaded holes (11 b) are obtained on the sides of said box-shaped body (3), these holes being accessible from the back and the axes thereof being disposed, after the assembling, at right angles to the lying of said boards or panels (5), fastening means (17-18) suitable to secure said enclosing structure (1) to the same boards or panels being screwable in said holes (11b).

2. A structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said threaded holes (11 b) are provided in substantially cylindrical portions (11) formed enbloc with said box-shaped body (3), each of said cylindrical portions (11) consisting of a solid innermost portion 1 lea in which is obtained one of said threaded holes (11b) and of a substantially tubular-shaped portion (11c) provided with a longitudinal slot (lid) and disposed rearwardly along the extension of the solid portion (11 b), said tubular portion (liy) projecting beyond the rear edge of the box-shaped body (3) along a length which is almost equal to the width of the edge of base (2), the latter being provided with two corresponding peripheral recesses (12) suitable to receive the ends of said tubular protion (11 c).

3. A structure according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said fastening means (17) consists of at least two portions of an L-shaped section (19) which are intended to adhere to the sides of structure (1), each of them (19) being coupled with a threaded pin (21-22) screwable in said threaded holes (11 b), so that said portions of the L-shaped section are moved in a direction parallel to the axes of said holes (11 b) in order to allow, during the locking step, the engagement thereof with the inner surface of said boards or panels (5), the structure (1) being disposed in a recessed position.

4. A structure according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each portion of the L-shaped section (19) bears, by means of a spacer (23), a small sleeve (20) in which said threaded pin (21-22) can rotate though it cannot move axially with respect to the sleeve itself (20), said spacer (23) being slidably inserted into the longitudinal slot (lid) of the tubular portion (11c).

5. A structure according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said threaded pin (21-22) is provided with a knob (22) which can be operated from the back of structure (1) itself.

6. A structure according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said fastening means (18) consists of at least two pins, each of them comprising, at one end, a threaded portion (24) suitable to be screwed into holes (11 b) and, at the other end, an abutment flange (26) and a spigot (27), suitable to be inserted by force in corresponding holes (5b) provided on said boards or panels (5), so that said structure (1) can be fixed to the same boards or panels (5) in a projecting position.

7. A structure according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said base (2) and box-shaped body (3) are provided with means (6 - 7 7a) allowing them to be snap-joined together.

8. A structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.