AU2009251100A1

AU2009251100A1 - Weatherproof Frame Sealing Arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2009251100A1
Application number: AU2009251100A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Tony Hamilton
Original assignee: B & R Enclosures Pty Ltd
Current assignee: B&R ENCLOSURES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-22
Publication date: 2010-07-08
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-22
Also published as: AU2009251100B2

Description

P/00/01 1 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Weatherproof Frame Sealing Arrangement Applicant: B&R Enclosures Pty Ltd The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 2 Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates generally to a weatherproof sealing arrangement for frames. In particular, the present invention relates to a weatherproof sealing arrangement for sealing a connection between two surfaces of a frame and a panel member or door of the frame. Although the present invention will hereafter generally be described with particular 10 reference to switching cabinets, it should be appreciated that the seal of the present invention is not necessarily limited to being used only with switching cabinets and that it may also be used with other types of frames. Background of the Invention 15 Electrical/electronic power meters, switches, circuit breakers and other electrical/electronic equipment for commercial and industrial installations, houses and other buildings are usually housed inside a switching cabinet located either inside or outside a building. A typical switching cabinet can 20 include side, rear, bottom and/or top walls, together with a door which covers an opening of the cabinet and which is hinged to the cabinet. Opening the door enables the equipment housed in the cabinet to be accessed. Such switching cabinets are available in many sizes ranging from relatively 25 small cabinets to large wardrobe-sized cabinets which are used in factories, shopping centres, office blocks and other buildings. The large wardrobe-sized cabinets usually include a metal frame (referred to in the art as a "rack"), which maintains the structural integrity of the cabinet. The frame typically includes a plurality of vertical frame members and a plurality of horizontal 30 frame members, which usually extend between those vertical frame members at the top and bottom of the cabinet. Collectively, these frame members form the basis for the cabinet's four sides.

3 The horizontal and vertical frame members are typically connected to each other by corner elements which will receive two horizontal members and a single vertical member in a tripod like manner. When connected in this way, the horizontal and vertical frame members form a continuous frame. 5 The top, the bottom and three of the sides of the cabinet are usually covered by metal panels (panel members) which sit against the frame to form walls, with the remaining side (normally the front) being covered by a door which is usually hinged to a vertical frame member to provide access to the interior of 10 the cabinet. However, it may also be possible to fix doors to any of the other sides of a cabinet in place of the metal panels. In some situations, multiple of these cabinets are secured together as modules (referred to in the art as "baying") to form a bayed enclosure. 15 Switching cabinets are typically assembled on-site and are often purpose-built for whatever situation is required. Ideally, the components of the cabinets are joined together without the need for sophisticated assembly equipment such as welding apparatus, glues, and the like. In this regard, the components can be assembled by non-skilled individuals with efficiency. Components of 20 cabinets of this type are commonly connected by snap- or slide-lock mechanisms, and/or through the use of screws or similar fastening devices. However, cabinets assembled in this manner are invariably not weatherproof. For example, the joint present between the respective surfaces of a corner 25 element and a vertical and/or horizontal frame member provides an access point between these two frame surfaces for entry of contaminants such as dust and rain water, thereby creating the potential for causing significant damage to the electrical components housed within the cabinet. Furthermore, when a panel member or door is attached to the assembled frame, the joint 30 between the panel member or door and the assembled frame provides a further access point for potentially harmful contaminants. It is at the junction of two frame surfaces and a panel member or door of the frame, namely the juxtaposition of the joints between a corner element, a vertical or horizontal frame member, and a panel member or door, where this is most prominent.

4 Therefore effective sealing at the junction of these three members in order to prevent the entry of harmful contaminants is highly desirable. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a weatherproof sealing 5 arrangement for frame joints, including in switching cabinets of the type referred to above, so that such frames may be installed outdoors, whereby the risk of the entry of harmful contaminants such as rain and dust is significantly reduced or eliminated. 10 Before turning to a description of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the above discussion of the background to the present invention is included to explain the context of the present invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in Australia (or elsewhere) 15 as at the priority date of any of the claims in this application. Also before turning to a description of the present invention, it is useful to provide an explanation of some of the terms that will be used to define the spatial relationship of various parts thereof. In this respect, spatial references 20 throughout this specification will generally be based upon an assembled switching cabinet standing generally upright on a surface. With this environment as the basis, some parts may then be defined with reference to the surface, and also to the "horizontal" and the "vertical" (or "up" and "down"), allowing further references to "upper" or "upwardly" and "lower" or 25 "downwardly". Further, it will be understood that a switching cabinet always has an interior, and thus some parts may be defined with directional reference to "inner" or "inwardly" and "outer" or "outwardly" with respect to the interior of the switching cabinet. 30 Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a weatherproof sealing arrangement for sealing a connection between two surfaces of a frame and a panel member or door of the frame, the sealing arrangement including: 5 (i) a first gasket in a joint between the two surfaces of the frame; and (ii) a second gasket in a joint between the panel member or door and the two surfaces of the frame, 5 wherein the first and second gasket lie generally transverse to each other. A "joint" is created when two or more separate components of the frame are brought together during assembly. The components may include vertical and 10 horizontal frame members, corner elements, panel members (i.e. side panels, a back panel, and top and bottom panels), and/or one or more doors. The components which are brought together may be in direct physical contact with each other, or there may be an indirect connection such that the components do not physically touch. In either situation, the "joint" represents an inherent 15 space or gap which exists between the components. In one embodiment of the invention, the two surfaces of the frame may be represented by a corner element and a vertical frame member, or may equally be represented by a corner element and a horizontal frame member. In this 20 regard, when the frame is being assembled, a vertical frame member and two horizontal frame members will be joined to each corner element of the frame such that the assembled frame typically consists of eight corner elements, and at least four vertical frame members and four horizontal frame members. Components of frames of this type are commonly connected by snap- or slide 25 lock mechanisms, and/or through the use of screws or similar fastening devices. Accordingly, the two surfaces of the frame are part of two components of the frame that are adjacent to each other so as to form a continuous surface. In a 30 preferred form, the two surfaces are planar, and by being adjacent present a continuous flat surface within the frame. The weatherproof sealing arrangement of the present invention includes a first gasket in a joint between two surfaces of the frame. In effect, the role of the 6 first gasket is to fill the space or gap between the two surfaces which is created when two components of the frame are assembled together. The first gasket is ideally compressible or yielding in nature such that it moulds or deforms so as to tightly fill the space between the two surfaces thereby 5 creating an impenetrable barrier at the joint. In this regard, the first gasket may be made from materials such as rubber, silicone, neoprene, nitrile rubber, or plastic polymers. The first gasket may be installed on-site as the frame is assembled, or it may 10 be pre-installed on either or both of the components which are to be assembled together, for example the vertical or horizontal frame members and the corner element. Preferably, the first gasket is fitted as the frame is being assembled enabling maximum flexibility. 15 The weatherproof sealing arrangement of the present invention also includes a second gasket in a joint between a panel member or door of the frame and the two surfaces of the frame. It is at this point that three surfaces are connected together, and without effective sealing, harmful contaminants may enter. Therefore, the role of the second gasket is to co-operate with the first 20 gasket to prevent the entry of contaminants at this connection point. The second gasket may be made from any one of the materials described above for the first gasket. However, the second gasket need not be as compressible or yielding as the first gasket. In one embodiment, the second 25 gasket is made of neoprene. The second gasket may also be installed on-site during assembly of the frame, or alternatively may be preformed in the panel member or door. Preferably, the second gasket is preformed in the panel member or door. 30 In one embodiment, the first gasket in-itself creates a seal surface to the second gasket. For example, as the two components of the frame are joined together, the first gasket may be compressed to such an extent that it bulges or protrudes from the joint between the two surfaces thereby providing an 7 additional surface for the second gasket to contact and seal with. In this manner, where the two surfaces and the panel member or door connect, a seal is created in all three dimensions preventing the entry of contaminants. 5 The first and second gaskets of the weatherproof sealing arrangement of the present invention lie generally transverse to each other. Reference to generally transverse is not a reference which requires geometric precision, and therefore the term encompasses a first gasket which lies generally across the second gasket. Therefore although in most instance the first gasket will be 10 at an angle of 90* or perpendicular to the second gasket, other angles such as 100, 200, 300, 40*, 50*, 60*, 70* or 80* are also envisaged. In one embodiment, the first and second gaskets are integrally formed, i.e. exist as one element such that they could be considered a single gasket, 15 rather than being separate entities. Brief Description of the Drawings Having briefly described the general concepts involved with the present 20 invention, a preferred embodiment of a sealing arrangement that is in accordance with the present invention will now be described. However, it is to be understood that the following description is not to limit the generality of the above description. 25 In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembled frame to which the weatherproof sealing arrangement of the present invention is typically applied. The frame is shown without side, top and bottom panel members; however, a 30 door of the frame is presented in an open position. Figure 2 illustrates a cut-away of a corner of the frame shown in Figure 1. The front view of the corner is represented and shows where a vertical and horizontal frame member of the frame (each providing a first surface of the 8 frame) is joined to a corner element (providing a second surface of the frame). Although not shown, a first gasket is present in the joint between the two surfaces. 5 Figure 3 is the same representation as Figure 2 but shows how a second gasket engages with the first gasket to effect the weatherproof seal when a panel member or door is fitted to the frame. Description of the Embodiment Illustrated in the Drawings 10 The present invention provides a weatherproof sealing arrangement for sealing a connection between two surfaces of a frame and a panel member of door of the frame. A frame according to an embodiment of the invention is made from a number of components. As illustrated in Figure 1, the frame 10 15 typically includes a series of vertical frame members 11 and horizontal frame members 12 which are joined to a number of corner elements 13. During assembly, a vertical frame member 11 and two horizontal frame members 12 are joined to each corner element 13 of the frame 10 such that the assembled structure typically consists of eight corner elements 13, at least four vertical 20 frame members 11 and at least four horizontal frame members 12. The aforementioned components of the frame 10 depicted in Figure 1 are commonly connected by snap- or slide-lock mechanisms, and/or through the use of screws or similar fastening devices. The use of such connection and 25 fastening means enables assembly of the frame at the site of installation, rather than requiring pre-assembly. This allows maximum flexibility such that modifications to the frame can be easily made at the time of installation or at any time thereafter, for example for the removal of the frame and re-assembly at another site. Furthermore, the frame can be assembled on-site by a non 30 skilled individual given that sophisticated assembly equipment such as welding apparatus, glues, and the like are not required. When assembled in this manner, each side of the frame 10 is formed as a continuous surface. In a preferred form, the surface is planar so as to present 9 a continuous frame face to which a side, top, bottom or back panel, or one or more doors, can be fitted against so as to ultimately provide a weatherproof seal. 5 When the components of the frame 10 have been assembled together, the frame 10 has a series of openings. Each opening is defined by a continuous face 30. The series of openings include two side openings 14a, a top opening 14b, a bottom opening 14c and a back opening 14d to which the aforementioned panels or panel members are affixed in order to enclose the 10 frame 10 thus forming a cabinet-type structure. The frame 10 depicted in Figure 1 also includes a front opening 14e, which is enclosed by a door 15 when the door 15 is in a closed position. The door 15 is typically connected to the frame 10 by a series of hinges 16a -16d which 15 enable a simple opening and closing movement of the door 15. About the periphery of the door 15, on its inner side, is a door frame 17, and between the door frame 17 and the edge of the door 15 is located a door gasket 25 described further below and with reference to Figure 3. The door gasket 25 is typically continuous and extends around the entire inner side of the door 15. 20 Figure 2 illustrates a corner portion of the continuous frame face 30 of the front opening 14e. However, it will be appreciated that the same construction will be present at each corner of the frame defining the front opening 14e and that the opening 14e will be closed by the door 15. A similar corner portion will 25 also be formed at any of the other openings of the frame 10. The door 15 is sealed against the continuous frame face 30 of the front opening 14e by the door gasket 25 (second gasket) which extends adjacent to the periphery of the door 15. 30 As seen in Figure 2, the corner element 13 is connected to two horizontal frame members 12a, 12b and one vertical frame member 11. Joints are formed where two surfaces of the frame members 11, 12 and corner elements 13 meet. Two such joints 23a, 23b are visible in Figure 2. Joint 23a is 10 created where the horizontal frame member 12a (providing surface 1) is connected to the corner element 13 (providing surface 2), and the joint 23b is created where the vertical frame member 11 (providing surface 1) is connected to the corner element 13 (providing surface 2). 5 A space or gap is typically formed between the two surfaces or components that abut to form each joint. Such a space or gap provides an access point for the entry of contaminants such as dust and water into the cabinet. Therefore the weatherproof sealing arrangement of an embodiment of the present 10 invention includes a first gasket in the form of a spacer gasket 24a, 24b arranged for location within the joint 23a, 23b. The first gasket (spacer gasket 24a, 24b) is arranged to prevent the entry of such contaminants via the space or gap. Each spacer gasket 24a, 24b is ideally compressible or yielding in nature such that it moulds or deforms when the two abutting components are 15 brought together. In this way, each spacer gasket 24a, 24b tightly fills the space or gap between the two surfaces thereby creating an impenetrable barrier at each of the joints 23a, 23b. It will be appreciated that the actual shape of each spacer gasket 24a, 24b will 20 depend on the shape of the surfaces of the two abutting components that form the joint to be sealed by the spacer gasket. When a panel or panel member is connected to one of the openings 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d or a door 15 is closed against the front opening 14e of the frame 10, 25 the position where the panel or the door 15 contacts either of the joints 23a, 23b between two surfaces of the frame 10 provides a further access point or gap for the entry of contaminants. Therefore the weatherproof sealing arrangement of an embodiment of the present invention includes a second gasket in the form of the door gasket 25 for additionally sealing any gap 30 between the panel or the door 15 (surface 1) and the two surfaces which form the joint 23a, 23b (surface 2). The locations of the spacer gaskets 24a, 24b and the door gasket 25 are shown in Figure 3. The spacer gasket 24a is located in the joint 23a between 11 the corner element 13 and the horizontal frame member 12a, while the spacer gasket 24b is located in the joint 23b between the corner element 13 and the vertical frame member 11. When the panel or door 15 (not shown in Figure 3) is assembled to the frame 10, the door gasket 25 (or equivalent panel gasket 5 for openings other than one closed by a door 15) contacts the continuous frame face 30 and lies across, or is generally transverse to, each of the spacer gaskets 24a, 24b, thereby creating a seal between the panel or door 15 and the joints 23a, 23b of the frame 10. 10 In the embodiment described herein, the door gasket 25 (the second gasket) also provides a seal between the back surface of the door 15 and the continuous face 30 of the frame 10 to which the door 15 will abut when closed. Accordingly, the combination of the spacer gasket 24a, 24b and the door gasket 25 (i.e. the combination of the first and second gaskets) creates 15 an impenetrable barrier to the entry of contaminants into the cabinet, thereby providing a weatherproof seal. In the embodiment of the weatherproof sealing arrangement shown in Figure 3, the spacer gaskets 24a, 24b (first gaskets) are compressed in the joint 23a, 20 23b to such an extent that they bulge or protrude from the joint 23a, 23b. Accordingly, the spacer gasket 24a, 24b (first gasket) in-itself creates a seal surface to the door gasket 25 (second gasket). In this manner, where the two surfaces and the panel or door 15 connect, a seal is created in all three dimensions preventing the entry of contaminants. 25 Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, 30 compositions and compounds referred to, or indicated in this specification, individually or collectively, and any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.

Claims

1. A weatherproof sealing arrangement for sealing a connection between two surfaces of a frame and a panel member or door of the frame, the sealing 5 arrangement including: (i) a first gasket in a joint between the two surfaces of the frame; and (ii) a second gasket in a joint between the panel member or door and the two surfaces of the frame, 10 wherein the first and second gasket lie generally transverse to each other.

2. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the two surfaces of the frame are part of two components of the frame that are 15 adjacent to each other so as to form a continuous surface.

3. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the joint between the two surfaces is formed where a corner element of the frame meets a frame member of the frame. 20

4. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the joint between the panel member or door and the two surfaces is formed where the panel member or door meets the corner element and frame member of the frame. 25

5. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the frame member is a vertical or horizontal frame member.

6. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 30 to 5, wherein the first gasket moulds or deforms so as to tightly fill the joint between the two surfaces of the frame.

7. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first gasket creates a seal surface to the second gasket. 13

8. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second gasket is preformed in the panel member or door.

9. A weatherproof sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 5 to 7, wherein the first and second gaskets are integrally formed.

10. A weatherproof sealing arrangement, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 10

11. A switching cabinet assembled using a weatherproof sealing arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 10.