Stackable enclosure for electronic devices

• US 5,251,106 A
• Filed: 03/06/1992
• Issued: 10/05/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Everex Systems Incorporated (MidgardXXI, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Everex Systems Incorporated (MidgardXXI, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hui, John T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WHANG, YOUNG
• Application Number:
  US07/848,420
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 361/380, 361/392-396, 361/399, 361/417, 361/419, 361/420, 361/415, 312/42, 312/107, 312/109, 257/678, 257/686, 257/723, 257/797, 220/4.26, 220/4.27, 220/23.4, 220/23.6, 206/503, 206/508, 206/509, 206/511, 439/292, 439/620, 439/717, 439/928
• US Class Current: 361/744
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0021 Side-by-side or stacked arrangements

Abstract

An electronic system having a plurality of electronic devices contained in a plurality of stackable enclosures is provided. Each of the plurality of stackable enclosures is stackable and interlockable together with another one of the plurality of stackable enclosures. Each of the plurality of stackable enclosures comprises a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface. A first plurality of projections are provided to extend upwardly from the top surface. The first plurality of projections are spaced to define a first group of grooves therebetween. A second plurality of projections are provided to extend downwardly from the bottom surface. The second plurality of projections are spaced to define a second group of grooves therebetween. Each of the second group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of the first plurality of projections. Each of the first group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of the second plurality of projections. When a first stackable enclosure of the plurality of stackable enclosures is stacked on top of a second stackable enclosure of the plurality of stackable enclosures, each of the second plurality of projections of the first stackable enclosure engages its respective one of the first group of grooves of the second stackable enclosure and each of the first plurality of projections of the second stackable enclosure engages its respective one of the second group of grooves of the first stackable enclosure such that the first stackable enclosure is interlocked with the second stackable enclosure. An interlocking device for stacking and interlocking a first enclosure onto a second enclosure of an electronic apparatus is also described.

Claims

1. A stackable electronic device enclosure, comprising:

(A) a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(B) a first plurality of projections extending upwardly from said top surface, wherein said first plurality of projections are spaced to define a first group of grooves therebetween;

(C) a second plurality of projections extending downwardly from said bottom surface, wherein said second plurality of projections are spaced to define a second group of grooves therebetween, wherein each of said second group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first plurality of projections, wherein each of said first group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second plurality of projections, wherein said first and second plurality of projections comprise spaced parallel ridges running from the back of said stackable electronic device enclosure toward its front.

2. The stackable device enclosure of claim 1, wherein said ridges are inverted V-shaped ridges and said first and second groups of grooves are V-shaped grooves.

3. The electronic system of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of projections comprise

(1) a first set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of said stackable electronic device enclosure toward its front, wherein said first set of ridges define a first set of grooves of said first group of grooves therebetween;

and

(2) a second set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said first set of ridges, wherein said second set of ridges define a second set of grooves of said first group of grooves therebetween, wherein said first set of ridges do not intersect said second set of ridges;

wherein said second plurality of projections comprise

(3) a third set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of said stackable electronic device enclosure toward its front, wherein said third set of ridges define a third set of grooves of said second group of grooves therebetween; and

(4) a fourth set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said third set of ridges, wherein said fourth set of ridges define a fourth set of grooves of said second group of grooves therebetween, wherein said third set of ridges do not intersect said fourth set of ridges, wherein each of said first set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said third set of ridges, wherein each of said second set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said fourth set of ridges, wherein each of said third set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first set of ridges, wherein each of said fourth set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second set of ridges.

4. An electronic system having a plurality of electronic devices contained in a plurality of stackable enclosures, wherein each of the plurality of stackable enclosures is stackable and interlockable together with another one of the plurality of stackable enclosures, wherein each of the plurality of stackable enclosures comprises:

(A) a housing having a top surface and a bottom surface;

(B) a first plurality of projections extending upwardly from said top surface, wherein said first plurality of projections are spaced to define a first group of grooves therebetween;

(C) a second plurality of projections extending downwardly from said bottom surface, wherein said second plurality of projections are spaced to define a second group of grooves therebetween, wherein each of said second group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first plurality of projections, wherein each of said first group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second plurality of projections, wherein when a first stackable enclosure of said plurality of stackable enclosures is stacked on top of a second stackable enclosure of said plurality of stackable enclosures, each of said second plurality of projections of said first stackable enclosure engages its respective one of said first group of grooves of said second stackable enclosure and each of said first plurality of projections of said second stackable enclosure engages its respective one of said second group of grooves of said first stackable enclosure such that said first stackable enclosure is interlocked with said second stackable enclosure, wherein said first and second plurality of projections comprise spaced parallel ridges running from the back of each of said plurality of stackable enclosures toward its front.

5. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein said ridges are inverted V-shaped ridges and said first and second groups of grooves are V-shaped grooves.

6. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein said first plurality of projections comprise

(1) a first set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of each of said plurality of stackable enclosures toward its front, wherein said first set of ridges define a first set of grooves of said first group of grooves therebetween;

and

(2) a second set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said first set of ridges, wherein said second set of ridges define a second set of grooves of said first group of grooves therebetween, wherein said first set of ridges do not intersect said second set of ridges;

wherein said second plurality of projections comprise

(3) a third set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of each of said plurality of stackable enclosures toward its front, wherein said third set of ridges define a third set of grooves of said second group of grooves therebetween; and

(4) a fourth set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said third set of ridges, wherein said fourth set of ridges define a fourth set of grooves of said second group of grooves therebetween, wherein said third set of ridges do not intersect said fourth set of ridges, wherein each of said first set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said third set of ridges, wherein each of said second set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said fourth set of ridges, wherein each of said third set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first set of ridges, wherein each of said fourth set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second set of ridges.

7. The electronic system of claim 6, wherein when said first stackable enclosure is stacked on top of said second stackable enclosure,

(1) each of said first set of grooves of said second stackable enclosure engages its respective one of said third set of ridges of said first stackable enclosure and each of said third set of grooves of said first stackable enclosure engages its respective one of said first set of ridges of said second stackable enclosure to prevent any lateral movement of said first stackable enclosure with respect to said stackable enclosure, and

(2) each of said second set of grooves of said second stackable enclosure engages its respective one of said fourth set of ridges of said first stackable enclosure and each of said fourth set of grooves of said first stackable enclosure engages its respective one of said second set of ridges of said second stackable enclosure to prevent any vertical movement of said first stackable enclosure with respect to said second stackable enclosure.

8. The electronic system of claim 4, wherein said spaced parallel ridges are running obliquely from the back of each of said plurality of stackable enclosures toward its front such that any vertical and lateral movement of said first stackable enclosure with respect to said second stackable enclosure is prevented, wherein said ridges are inverted V-shaped ridges and said first and second groups of grooves are V-shaped grooves.

9. An apparatus for stacking a first enclosure onto a second enclosure, wherein the first enclosure includes a bottom surface and the second enclosure includes a top surface, wherein the apparatus comprises:

(A) a first plurality of projections extending upwardly from said top surface of said second enclosure, wherein said first plurality of projections are spaced to define a first group of grooves therebetween;

(B) a second plurality of projections extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said first enclosure, wherein said second plurality of projections are spaced to define a second group of grooves therebetween, wherein each of said second group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first plurality of projections, wherein each of said first group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second plurality of projections, wherein when said first enclosure is stacked on top of said second enclosure, each of said second plurality of projections of said first enclosure engages its respective one of said first group of grooves of said second enclosure and each of said first plurality of projections of said second enclosure engages its respective one of said second group of grooves of said first enclosure such that said first enclosure is interlocked with said second enclosure, wherein said first and second plurality of projections comprise spaced parallel ridges running from the back of each of said first and second enclosures toward its front.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said ridges are inverted V-shaped ridges and said first and second groups of grooves are V-shaped grooves.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first plurality of projections comprise

(1) a first set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of said second enclosure toward its front, wherein said first set of ridges define a set of grooves of said first group of grooves therebetween;

and

(2) a second set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said first set of ridges, wherein said second set of ridges define a second set of grooves of said first group of grooves therebetween, wherein said first set of ridges do not intersect said second set of ridges;

wherein said second plurality of projections comprise

(3) a third set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of said first enclosure toward its front, wherein said third set of ridges define a third set of grooves of said second group of grooves therebetween; and

(4) a fourth set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said third set of ridges, wherein said third set of ridges do not intersect said fourth set of ridges, wherein said fourth set of ridges define a fourth set of grooves of said second group of grooves therebetween, wherein each of said first set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said third set of ridges, wherein each of said second set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said fourth set of ridges, wherein each of said third set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first set of ridges, wherein each of said fourth set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second set of ridges.

12. The electronic system of claim 11, wherein when said first enclosure is stacked on top of said second enclosure, (1) each of said first set of grooves of said second enclosure engages its respective one of said third set of ridges of said first enclosure and each of said third set of grooves of said first enclosure engages its respective one of said first set of ridges of said second enclosure to prevent any lateral movement of said first enclosure with respect to said second enclosure and (2) each of said second set of grooves of said second enclosure engages its respective one of said fourth set of ridges of said first enclosure and each of said fourth set of grooves of said first enclosure engages its respective one of said second set of ridges of said second enclosure to prevent any vertical movement of said first enclosure with respect to said second enclosure.

13. The electronic system of claim 9, wherein said spaced parallel ridges are running obliquely from the back of each of said first and second enclosures toward its front such that any vertical and lateral movement of said first enclosure with respect to said second enclosure is prevented.

14. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

(A) a first enclosure for containing electronic circuitry of said electronic apparatus, wherein said first enclosure includes;

(i) a first surface;

(ii) a first plurality of projections extending outwardly from said first surface, wherein said first plurality of projections are parallel spaced;

(B) a second enclosure for containing electronic circuitry of said electronic apparatus, wherein said second enclosure includes;

(iii) a second surface;

(iv) a second plurality of projections extending outwardly from said second surface, wherein said second plurality of projections are parallel spaced, wherein each of said second plurality of projections corresponds to one of said first plurality of projections; and

(C) interlocking means detachably coupled to said first surface of said first enclosure for stacking and interlocking said first enclosure onto said second enclosure, wherein said interlocking means includes a first groove and a second groove, wherein when said interlocking means is attached to said first surface of said first enclosure, said first groove of said interlocking means embraces one of said first plurality of projections, wherein when said first enclosure is stacked on top of said second enclosure with said first surface facing said second surface, said second groove of said interlocking means embraces one of said second plurality of projections such that said first enclosure can be stacked on and interlocked with said second enclosure, wherein said first enclosure further comprises a third surface normal to said first surface, wherein said third surface is a substantially flat surface, wherein said interlocking means can also be attached to said third surface, wherein when said interlocking means is attached to said third surface, said first enclosure can be stacked on said second enclosure with said third surface facing said second surface and interlocked with said second enclosure by said interlocking means.

15. The electronic apparatus of claim 14, wherein said interlocking means further comprises a third groove, wherein when said interlocking means is attached to said third surface, each of said second and third grooves embraces one of said second plurality of projections such that said first enclosure can be stacked on said second enclosure with said third surface facing said second surface and interlocked with said second enclosure by said interlocking means.

16. The electronic apparatus of claim 14, wherein said first enclosure includes a plurality of slots on said first surface between some of said first plurality of projections, wherein said interlocking means includes a plurality of protrusion, wherein when said interlocking means is pressed toward said first surface, each of said protrusions fits into each of said slots such that said interlocking means is attached to said first enclosure.

17. A method for stacking and interlocking a first enclosure onto a second enclosure, wherein the first enclosure includes a bottom surface and the second enclosure includes a top surface, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(A) providing a first plurality of projections extending upwardly from said top surface of said second enclosure, wherein said first plurality of projections are spaced to define a first group of grooves therebetween;

(B) providing a second plurality of projections extending downwardly from said bottom surface of said first enclosure, wherein said second plurality of projections are spaced to define a second group of grooves therebetween, wherein each of said second group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first plurality of projections, wherein each of said first group of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second plurality of projections; and

(C) stacking said first enclosure on top of said second enclosure such that each of said second plurality of projections of said first enclosure engages its respective one of said first group of grooves of said second enclosure and each of said first plurality of projections of said second enclosure engages its respective one of said second group of grooves of said first enclosure to interlock said first enclosure with said second enclosure, wherein said step (A) for providing said first plurality of projections further comprises the steps of;

(1) providing a first set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of said second enclosure toward its front, wherein said first set of ridges define a first set of grooves therebetween; and

(2) providing a second set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said first set of ridges, wherein said first set of ridges do not intersect said second set of ridges, wherein said second set of ridges define a second set of grooves therebetween;

wherein said step (B) for providing said second plurality of projections further comprises the steps of;

(3) providing a third set of spaced parallel ridges running vertically from the back of said first enclosure toward its front, wherein said third set of ridges define a third set of grooves therebetween; and

(4) providing a fourth set of spaced parallel ridges running laterally with respect to said third set of ridges, wherein said third set of ridges do not intersect said fourth set of ridges, wherein said fourth set of ridges define a fourth set of grooves therebetween, wherein each of said first set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said third set of ridges, wherein each of said second set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said fourth set of ridges, wherein each of said third set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said first set of ridges, wherein each of said fourth set of grooves corresponds to a respective one of said second set of ridges.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said step (C) of stacking said first enclosure on top of said second enclosure further comprises the steps of:

(1) causing each of said first set of grooves of said second stackable enclosure to engage its respective one of said third set of ridges of said first enclosure, and each of said third set of grooves of said first enclosure to engage its respective one of said first set of ridges of said second enclosure to prevent any lateral movement of said first enclosure with respect to said second enclosure; and

(2) causing each of said second set of grooves of said second enclosure to engaged its respective one of said fourth set of ridges of said first enclosure, and each of said fourth set of grooves of said first enclosure to engage its respective one of said second set of ridges of said second enclosure to prevent any vertical movement of said first enclosure with respect to said second enclosure.