Chassis coupling and fixing structure and method of assembling the chassis

• US 5,666,713 A
• Filed: 05/22/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Kubota, Yasuhiro
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Peter
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khan
• Application Number:
  US08/447,029
• Time in Patent Office: 848 Days
• Field of Search: 29/525.01, 29/525.03, 29/243.5, 312/111, 312/265.6, 312/264, 403/331, 403/381, 403/401, 403/402
• US Class Current: 29/525.01
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/02 stackable ; stackable and linkable by means of separate corner elements being in common with both the vertical and horizontal parts, e.g. corner bars for panels, nodes for rods A47B47/0016, A47B47/0025
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 87/0276 Stackable modular units, each consisting of a closed periphery A47B87/0292 takes precedence; stackable containers B65D21/00
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/50 Flanged connections
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53709 Overedge assembling means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/553 Laterally inserted section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/61 Side slide: elongated co-linear members
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7117 Flanged or grooved rod

Abstract

In order to couple and fix a first chassis and a second chassis, the first chassis is positioned relative to the second chassis. Then, coupling members are inserted into pairs of first and second coupling grooves, respectively. The first chassis has the first coupling grooves provided in upper portions of the first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively, and the second chassis having second coupling grooves provided in lower portions of the second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively. Finally, the coupling members are fixed to both of the first chassis and the second chassis.

Claims

1. A coupling and fixing structure incorporated in chassis, for assembling together a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising:

a positioning structure integral to said first chassis and complementing a positioning structure integral to said second chassis;

said first chassis having first elongated coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section;

said second chassis having second elongated coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section; and

elongated coupling members inserted into pairs of said first coupling groove and said second coupling groove and coupled and fixed to both of said first chassis and said second chassis said coupling members having extended portions which complement said L-shaped cross-sections of said coupling grooves, wherein each of said coupling members includes;

a plate portion extending in a longitudinal direction;

a fixing flange extending perpendicular to said plate portion from one of ends of longitudinal directions of the plate portion;

an upper coupling flange portion extending from a top edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said second chassis and having a first nail portion extending downward; and

a lower coupling flange portion extending from a bottom edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said first chassis and having a second nail portion extending upward, and

wherein said first and second coupling grooves having shapes corresponding to said lower and upper coupling flanges.

4. The coupling and fixing structure according to claims 1 or 2, wherein said positioning structure comprises:

at least one concave section provided on one of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said one chassis; and

at least one convex section provided on the other of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said other chassis in correspondence with said concave sections.

2. A coupling and fixing structure incorporated in chassis, for assembling together a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising:

a positioning structure integral to said first chassis and complementing a positioning structure integral to said second chassis;

said first chassis having first elongated coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section;

said second chassis having second elongated coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section; and

elongated coupling members inserted into pairs of said first coupling groove and said second coupling groove and coupled and fixed to both of said first chassis and said second chassis said coupling members having extended portions which complement said L-shaped cross-sections of said coupling grooves, wherein each of said coupling members includes;

a plate portion extending in a longitudinal direction;

a fixing flange extending perpendicular to said plate portion from one of ends of longitudinal directions of the plate portion;

an upper coupling flange portion extending from a top edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said second chassis and having a first nail portion which extends downward and has a length shorter in a direction opposite to the fixing flange; and

a lower coupling flange portion extending from a bottom edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said first chassis and having a second nail portion which extends upward and has a length shorter in a direction opposite to the fixing flange, and

wherein said first and second coupling grooves having shapes corresponding to said lower and upper coupling flanges.

3. The coupling and fixing structure according to claim 2, wherein said positioning structure comprises:

pole-shaped convex sections provided on one of said first and second chassis; and

pole-shaped concave sections provided on the other of said first and second chassis in correspondence with said convex sections.

5. A coupling and fixing structure incorporated in chassis, for assembling together a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising:

a positioning structure integral to said first chassis and complementing a positioning structure integral to said second chassis;

said first chassis having first elongated coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section;

said second chassis having second elongated coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section; and

elongated coupling members inserted into pairs of said first coupling groove and said second coupling groove and coupled and fixed to both of said first chassis and said second chassis said coupling members having extended portions which complement said L-shaped cross-sections of said coupling grooves,

wherein said positioning structure comprises;

at least one concave sections provided on one of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said one chassis; and

at least one convex sections provided on the other of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said other chassis in correspondence with said concave sections,

wherein each of said coupling members includes;

a plate portion extending in a longitudinal direction;

a fixing flange extending perpendicular to said plate portion from one of ends of longitudinal directions of the plate portion;

an upper coupling flange portion extending from a top edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said second chassis and having a first nail portion extending downward; and

a lower coupling flange portion extending from a bottom edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said first chassis and having a second nail portion extending upward, and

wherein said first and second coupling grooves having shapes corresponding to said lower and upper coupling flanges.

6. A coupling and fixing structure incorporated in chassis, for assembling together a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising:

a positioning structure integral to said first chassis and complementing a positioning structure integral to said second chassis;

said first chassis having first elongated coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section;

said second chassis having second elongated coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively said coupling grooves having an L-shaped cross-section; and

elongated coupling members inserted into pairs of said first coupling groove and said second coupling groove and coupled and fixed to both of said first chassis and said second chassis said coupling members having extended portions which complement said L-shaped cross-sections of said coupling grooves,

wherein said positioning structure comprises;

at least one concave sections provided on one of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said one chassis; and

at least one convex sections provided on the other of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said other chassis in correspondence with said concave sections,

wherein each of said coupling members includes;

a plate portion extending in a longitudinal direction;

a fixing flange extending perpendicular to said plate portion from one of ends of longitudinal directions of the plate portion;

an upper coupling flange portion extending from a top edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said second chassis and having a first nail portion which extends downward and has a length shorter in a direction opposite to the fixing flange; and

a lower coupling flange portion extending from a bottom edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said first chassis and having a second nail portion which extends upward and has a length shorter in a direction opposite to the fixing flange, and

wherein said first and second coupling grooves having shapes corresponding to said lower and upper coupling flanges.

7. A coupling and fixing structure incorporated in chassis, for assembling together a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising:

a positioning structure integral to said first chassis and complementing a positioning structure integral to said second chassis;

said first chassis having first elongated coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively;

said second chassis having second elongated coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively; and

elongated coupling members inserted into pairs of said first coupling groove and said second coupling groove and coupled and fixed to both of said first chassis and said second chassis;

wherein said positioning structure comprises;

a concave section provided on one of said first and second chassis, and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said one chassis, and said concave section having a cover plate extending from a middle portion of said concave section to an end on a rear wall side of said one chassis to form a surround space; and

a convex section provided on the other of said first and second chassis, extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said other chassis, and having a notched portion provided on the rear wall side of said convex section and corresponding to the cover plate, said notched portion of said convex section being inserted into the surrounded space of said concave section.

8. The coupling and fixing structure according to claim 7, wherein each of said coupling members includes:

a plate portion extending in a longitudinal direction;

a fixing flange extending perpendicular to said plate portion from one of ends of longitudinal directions of the plate portion;

an upper coupling flange portion extending from a top edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said second chassis and having a first nail portion extending downward; and

a lower coupling flange portion extending from a bottom edge of said plate portion along the longitudinal direction in an inner direction of said first chassis and having a second nail portion extending upward, and

wherein said first and second coupling grooves have shapes corresponding to said lower and upper coupling flanges.

9. A method of coupling and fixing a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising the steps of:

positioning said first chassis relative to said second chassis so that L-shaped cross-section first coupling grooves provided in said first chassis align with L-shaped cross-section second coupling grooves provided in said second chassis; and

inserting coupling members into pairs of said first and second coupling grooves, respectively, wherein said first chassis having said first coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively, and wherein said second chassis having second coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively; and

fixing said coupling members to both of said first chassis and said second chassis,

wherein said positioning step comprises positioning said first chassis on said second chassis such that pole-shaped convex sections provided on one of said first and second chassis mate to pole-shaped concave sections provided on the other of said first and second chassis.

10. A method of coupling and fixing a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising the steps of:

positioning said first chassis relative to said second chassis so that L-shaped cross-section first coupling grooves provided in said first chassis align with L-shaped cross-section second coupling grooves provided in said second chassis; and

inserting coupling members into pairs of said first and second coupling grooves, respectively, wherein said first chassis having said first coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively, and wherein said second chassis having second coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively; and

fixing said coupling members to both of said first chassis and said second chassis,

wherein said positioning step comprises positioning said first chassis on said second chassis such that a concave section provided on one of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said one chassis mate to a convex section provided on the other of said first and second chassis and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said other chassis in correspondence with said concave sections.

11. A method of coupling and fixing a first chassis and a second chassis, comprising the steps of:

positioning said first chassis relative to said second chassis; and

inserting coupling members into pairs of first and second coupling grooves, respectively, wherein said first chassis having said first coupling grooves provided in upper portions of said first chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively, and wherein said second chassis having second coupling grooves provided in lower portions of said second chassis and extending from a front wall along side walls, respectively; and

fixing said coupling members to both of said first chassis and said second chassis;

wherein said positioning step comprises;

placing said first chassis on said second chassis such that a concave section provided on one of said first and second chassis, and extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said one chassis, and said concave section having a cover plate extending from a middle portion of said concave section to an end on a rear wall side of said one chassis to form a surrounded space mates to a convex section provided on the other of said first and second chassis, extending in a direction from a front wall to a rear wall of said other chassis, and having a notched portion provided on the rear wall side of said convex section and corresponding to the cover plate; and

inserting said notched portion of said convex section being into the surrounded space of said concave section.