Quick Roll Mounting Bracket for Modular Panels

• US 20100212233A1
• Filed: 02/23/2010
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Industry Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Hudgins, Jeffrey K. JR., Robinson, Kristopher Scott, Zhang, Fan
• Granted Patent: US 8,665,582 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/29
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 15/063 on wheels with fixed axis

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a mounting bracket for a modular panel. More particularly, the invention encompasses a quick roll mounting bracket for modular panels. The quick roll mounting bracket for a modular panel provides an easier/improved means for an installer to install a modular panel and to electrically and mechanically couple the modular panels together. The inventive roller bracket helps guide the modular panel during the coupling process by providing at least one wheel or a rolling interface to an otherwise metallic or metal-to-metal interface. The wheel or a rolling interface could be secured to the modular panel via at least one mounting bracket or via at least one spacer or at least one emboss.

Claims

1. A quick roll bracket assembly, comprising:

(a) a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a wheel support portion having a lower edge and a mounting portion;

(b) at least one wheel secured to said wheel support portion via at least one securing means, and wherein said at least one wheel has a first side edge, a second side edge, and a radial edge; and

(c) at least a portion of said radial edge of said wheel extends past said lower edge of said wheel support portion.

2. The quick roll bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein material for said mounting bracket is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, and plastic.

3. The quick roll bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

4. The quick roll bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

5. The quick roll bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said wheel support portion has a side edge and wherein a portion of said radial edge extends out of said side edge.

6. The quick roll bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein said wheel support portion has a side edge and wherein said radial edge does not extend outside of said side edge.

7. A combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly, comprising:

(a) a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a wheel support portion having a lower edge and a mounting portion;

(b) at least one wheel secured to said wheel support portion via at least one first securing means, and wherein said at least one wheel has a first side edge, a second side edge, and a radial edge;

(c) at least a portion of said radial edge of said wheel extends past said lower edge of said wheel support portion; and

(d) a modular panel having a back face, and wherein said mounting portion of said mounting bracket is secured to said back face via at least one second securing means, such that said first side edge of said wheel faces said back face.

8. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein material for said mounting bracket is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, and plastic.

9. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

10. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one first securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

11. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein said wheel support bracket has a side edge and wherein a portion of said radial edge extends out of said side edge.

12. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein said wheel support bracket has a side edge and wherein said radial edge does not extend outside of said side edge.

13. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 7, wherein said at least one second securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

14. A combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall, comprising:

(a) a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a wheel support portion having a lower edge and a mounting portion;

(b) at least one wheel secured to said wheel support portion via at least one first securing means, and wherein said at least one wheel has a first side edge, a second side edge, and a radial edge;

(c) at least a portion of said radial edge of said wheel extends past said lower edge of said wheel support portion;

(d) a modular panel having a back face, and wherein said mounting portion of said mounting bracket is secured to said back face via at least one second securing means, such that said first side edge of said wheel faces said back face;

(e) a mounting wall having a mounting face; and

(f) at least one alignment rail, wherein said alignment rail has a first mounting portion, an intermediate portion, and a second mounting portion, and wherein said first mounting portion is secured to a mounting surface via at least one third securing means, and wherein a portion of said radial edge of said wheel is in contact with said intermediate portion.

15. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein material for said mounting bracket is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, and plastic.

16. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

17. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein said at least one first securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

18. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein said first wheel support bracket has a side edge and wherein a portion of said radial edge extends out of said side edge.

19. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein said first wheel support bracket has a side edge and wherein said radial edge does not extend outside of said side edge.

20. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein said at least one second securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

21. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein material for said second mounting bracket is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, and plastic.

22. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

23. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 14, wherein said at least one third securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

24. A combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly, comprising:

(a) a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising at least one spacer and at least one wheel, and wherein said spacer and said wheel are secured to a back surface of said modular panel via at least one securing means, such that said spacer is between said wheel and said back surface of said modular panel.

25. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 24, wherein material for said spacer is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, rubber, and plastic.

26. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 24, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

27. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 24, wherein said at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

28. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel and a quick roll bracket assembly of claim 24, wherein said spacer has an outer surface which forms a slope along said back face.

29. A combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall, comprising:

(a) a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising at least one spacer and at least one wheel, and wherein said spacer and said wheel are secured to a back surface of said modular panel via at least one first securing means, such that said spacer is between said wheel and said back surface of said modular panel, and wherein said at least one wheel has a first side edge, a second side edge, and a radial edge;

(b) a mounting wall having a mounting face; and

(c) at least one alignment rail, wherein said alignment rail has a first mounting portion, an intermediate portion, and a second mounting portion, and wherein said first mounting portion is secured to a mounting surface via at least one second securing means, and wherein a portion of said radial edge of said wheel is in contact with said intermediate portion.

30. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 29, wherein material for said spacer is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, rubber, and plastic.

31. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 29, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

32. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 29, wherein said at least one first securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

33. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 29, wherein said at least one second securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

34. The combination apparatus comprising a modular panel, a quick roll bracket assembly, and a mounting wall of claim 29, wherein material for said alignment rail is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, and plastic.

35. A quick roll modular panel, comprising:

(a) a modular panel having a back surface, said back surface having a first plane and at least one emboss forming a second plane, and wherein said emboss is between said first plane and said second plane of said back surface; and

(b) a wheel, said wheel having a radial edge and a side edge, and wherein said wheel is secured to said emboss via at least one securing means such that said side edge of said wheel is substantially parallel to the said first plane of said back surface.

36. The quick roll modular panel of claim 35, wherein material for said emboss is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, rubber, and plastic.

37. The quick roll modular panel of claim 35, wherein material for said wheel is selected from a group consisting of steel, aluminum, metallic material, composite material, plastic, and rubber material.

38. The quick roll modular panel of claim 35, wherein said at least one securing means is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a bolt, a rivet, a nail, and a weld.

39. A quick roll bracket assembly, comprising:

(a) a mounting bracket, said mounting bracket comprising a wheel support portion having a lower edge and a mounting portion, and said mounting portion has at least one emboss; and

(b) at least one wheel secured to said wheel support portion via at least one securing means, and wherein said at least one wheel has a first side edge, a second side edge, and a radial edge.