GB2132472A

GB2132472A - Electrical appliance cabinet

Info

Publication number: GB2132472A
Application number: GB08236618A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Dudley Tuffnell
Original assignee: Thorn Emi Ferguson Ltd
Current assignee: Thomson Multimedia Sales UK Ltd
Priority date: 1982-12-23
Filing date: 1982-12-23
Publication date: 1984-07-11
Also published as: GB2132472B

Abstract

A loudspeaker cabinet 1, has a front panel 2 on which is mounted the loudspeaker, a back panel 3 and four side walls 4. The dimensions of the front panel 2 are such that it overlies, and thereby hides from view, the end faces of the side walls 4. However back panel 3 is dimensioned so as not to overlie these end faces. Each wall 4 has, as its engagement portions, two grooved side edges, each groove having one face 6 transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of wall 4 and another face 7 which is perpendicular to that plane. Face 7 has an elongate depression or recess 8 to receive excess adhesive when the panels and walls mate. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical appliance cabinet The present invention relates to an electrical appliance cabinet and particularly, but not exclusively, to a loudspeaker cabinet.

In a known loudspeaker cabinet, the front panel is connected to the side walls by a tongue-andgroove joint in which a peripheral flange on the panel (extending in the plane of the panel) is held within a rectangular cross-sectioned groove on the side wall. A characteristic of this type of joint is that whereas the joint can be parted by moving the grooved member outwardly in a direction perpendicular to its plane, it cannot be parted by moving the tongued member outwardly in a direction perpendicular to its plane.

When assembling this type of loudspeaker cabinet, the front panel and the side walls must be very carefully aligned before the flange is inserted in the groove because otherwise there is a substantial risk of the edge of the side wall being damaged or being broken off.

Objects of the present invention include providing a cabinet which is more sturdy and can be assembled easily without the necessity of such careful alignment.

The present invention provides an electrical appliance cabinet having at least one joint comprising a first element with an engagement portion co-operating with an engagement portion of a second element, the engagement portion of the first element overlying that of the second element in such a way as to prevent disengagement if the second element were to be urged in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which it lies, the first element engagement portion comprising a wedge-shaped groove which extends adjacent and parallel one end face of the first element, that face of the groove between the groove apex and the adjacent end face of the element being transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of that element.

The present invention also provides an electrical appliance cabinet having a front plate, a back plate and four side walls, at least one of the plates being connected to a wall or walls by a glued joint in which a side wall has an engagement portion co-operating with an engagement portion of the plate, the engagement portion of the wall overlying that of the plate in such a way as would prevent disengagement (in an unglued joint) if the plate were to be urged in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which it lies, the wall engagement portion comprising a wedge-shaped groove which extends adjacent and parallel one end face of the wall, that face of the groove between the groove apex and the adjacent end face of the wall being transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of the wall.

Thus the joint of the present invention has additional material in that region in which splitting and breakage occurs in conventional joints during assembly. A consequence of this advantageous feature is that less care need be taken to align the components of the joint before assembly occurs.

Furthermore, even if there is some misalignment as the engagement portions contact, the slope of the contacting surface may ensure that they are guided into alignment for correct engagement.

Preferably the other face of the groove is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first element or wall; alternatively it is also transverse to the plane of the first element or wall. The other face may have one or more depressions to accommodate adhesive.

Preferably the free edge of the transverse face of the groove forms an edge of the end face.

The present invention also provides a method of assembling a cabinet as described above, the method comprising supporting the front and back plates such that their relative spacing and orientation are as required in the completed cabinet and then glueing each of the side walls between the plates in the respective positions.

Preferably, prior to assembly with the plates, the walls are formed into an elongate strip in which they are connected to each other along the edges which form the corners of the assembled cabinet; then one wall is positioned and glued between the plates and the remaining walls are moved between, and glued to, the plates.

The present invention also provides a kit of parts for assembly of an electrical appliance cabinet as described above.

In order that the invention may more readily be understood a description is now given by way of example only, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-section of part of a cabinet embodying the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevation of the side walls of Figure 1 at one stage of the assembling process; Figure 3 is a cross-section of the walls of Figure 2, and; Figure 4 is a schematic view of another stage of the assembly process.

A loudspeaker cabinet 1, part of which is shown in Figure 1, has a front panel 2 on which is mounted the loudspeaker (not shown), a back panel 3 and four side walls 4 (only part of one is shown). The dimensions of the front panel 2 are such that it overlies, and thereby hides from view, the end faces of the side walls 4. However back panel 3 is dimensioned so as not to overlie these end faces. Each wall 4 has, as its engagement portions, two grooved side edges, each groove 5 having one face 6 transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of wall 4 and another face 7 which is perpendicular to that plane. Face 7 has an elongate depression or recess 8 to receive excess adhesive when the panels and wails mate.

The corresponding engagement portions of the panels 2 and 3 are complementary grooves 9 (except for omission of any depressions 8) in the side edges.

In the manufacture of a cabinet, the four walls 4 are formed as an elongate strip connected together by a covering foil 10 of plastics material simulating wood grain which is glued thereon.

This is shown in Figures 2 and 3 (not to scale) which also shows the apex 11 of groove 5 and the top edge 12 of groove 5 which also forms an end edge of walls 4.

Next, the loudspeaker is mounted on front panel 2, the terminals for cable are mounted on back panel 3 and the panels are arranged on a support frame at the correct relative spacing and orientation as in the completed cabinet. Once the electrical connections between the loudspeaker and the terminals have been made, and any other appropriate operations done, the frame and panels are moved to the elongate strip of walls 3, and the panels are then glued to one of the long-sided walls 4'. Once these are rigidly fixed, the remaining walls are rotated until they are wrapped round the panels and glued. Ends 13 of the elongate strip are glued together. The loudspeaker is then taken off the support frame.

The foil 10 need not simulate wood, but can be a plain colour or a pattern of two or more colours.

The walls, panels and foil can be of any suitable material.

In one modified form, both the front and the back panels are dimensioned to overlie the end free of the side walls 4; in another, both are dimensioned not to so overlie; in a further one, the back panel is dimensioned to so overlie and the front one is not.

The resultant loudspeaker has a very sturdy cabinet whose front and back panels cannot be readily taken off. Also this cabinet can be more easily manufactured.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An electrical appliance cabinet having at least one joint comprising a first element with an engagement portion co-operating with an engagement portion of a second element, the engagement portion of the first element overlying that of the second element in such a way as to prevent disengagement if the second element were to be urged in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which it lies, the first element engagement portion comprising a wedge-shaped groove which extends adjacent and parallel one end face of the first element, that face of the groove between the groove apex and the adjacent end face of the element being transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of that element. 2. An electrical appliance cabinet having a front plate, a back plate and four side walls, at least one of the plates being connected to a wall or walls by a glued joint in which a side wall has an engagement portion co-operating with an engagement portion of the plate, the engagement portion of the wall overlying that of the plate in such a way as would prevent disengagement (in an unglued joint) if the plate were to be urged in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which it lies, the wall engagement portion comprising a wedge-shaped groove which extends adjacent and parallel one end face of the wall, that face of the groove between the groove apex and the adjacent end face of the wall being transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of the wall. 3. A cabinet according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the other face of the groove is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first element or wall. 4. A cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the other face of the goove has one or more depressions to accommodate adhesive. 5. A cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the free edge of the transverse face of the groove forms an edge of the end face. 6. An electrical appliance cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing. 7. A kit of parts for an electrical appliance cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 8. A method of assembling a cabinet according to any one of claims 2 to 7, said method comprising supporting the front and back plates such that their relative spacing and orientation are as required in the completed cabinet and then glueing each of the side walls between the plates in the respective positions. 9. A method according to Claim 8, wherein, prior to assembly with the plates, the walls are formed into an elongate strip in which they are connected to each other along the edges which form the corners of the assembled cabinet; then one wall is positioned and glued between the plates and the remaining walls are moved between, and glued to, the plates. 10. A method of assembling a cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. New claims or amendments to claims filed on 6 December 1 983. Superseded claims-All. New or amended claims 1 to 11.

1. An electrical appliance cabinet having a front plate, a back plate and four side walls, at least one of the plates being connected to a side wall or walls by a glued joint in which a side wall has an integral engagement portion extending continuously substantially the length of an edge of the side wall, the engagement portion co-operating with an integral engagement portion of the plate extending continuously substantially the length of an edge of the plate, the engagement portion of the wall overlying that of the plate in such a way as would prevent disengagement (in an unglued joint) if the plate were to be urged in a direction perpendicular to the plane in which it lies, the wall engagement portion comprising a wedge-shaped groove which extends adjacent and parallel one end face of the wall, that face of the groove between the groove apex and the adjacent end face of the wall being transverse, but not perpendicular, to the plane of the wall.

2. A cabinet according to Claim 1, wherein the other face of the groove is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first element or wall.

3. A cabinet according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the other face of the groove has one or more depressions to accommodate adhesive.

4. A cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the free edge of the transverse face of the groove forms an edge of the end face.

5. A cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagement portions are shaped such that they can be brought into co-operation (in a joint before glueing) by urging the side wall towards the plate in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the side wall would lie once in co-operation with the plate.

6. A cabinet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate connected to the side walls(s) is a load-bearing plate, whereby the co-operation of the engagement portions contribute to counteracting forces tending to urge the load-bearing plate outwardly thereby to provide a rigid construction of cabinet.

7. An electrical appliance cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

8. A kit of parts for an electrical appliance cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method of assembling a cabinet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, said method comprising supporting the front and back plates such that their relative spacing and orientation are as required in the completed cabinet and then glueing each of the side walls between the plates in the respective positions.

10. A method according to Claim 9, wherein, prior to assembly with the plates, the walls are formed into an elongate strip in which they are connected to each other along the edges which form the corners of the assembled cabinet; then one wall is positioned and glued between the plates and the remaining walls are moved between, and glued to, the plates.

11. A method of assembling a cabinet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.