FORM2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10; rule 13)
1. Title of the invention. A FLAT PACK FRAME ASSEMBLY FOR SWITCHBOARD
2. Applicant(s)

(a) NAME : LARSEN & TOUBRO LIMITED
(b) NATIONALITY : An Indian Company.
(c) ADDRESS : L & T House, Ballard Estate, P.O. .Box: 278
Mumbai 400 001, State of Maharashtra, India
3. PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The present subject matter described herein, in general, relates to frame
-..srse-sibly, and more particularly to a flat pack frame assembly for switchboard.
BACKGROUND
[002] There are two types of the switchboards used to distribute the generated
power: Power Control Centre (PCC) and Motor Control Centre (MCC). Power control center distributes the power to different motor control center (MCC) and motor control center (MCC) distributes that power intelligently to different motor loads, lamp loads using feeders/modules. For any type of panel, the skeleton of shell is essential part which carries the whole switchboard load for whole of its service.
[003] Despite providing strength to the structure, ease of assembly of
switchboard is another concern for fast manufacturing. This invention is related to the base assembly of the panel which joints two structure of pillar member.
[004] There are two frame assemblies: a bottom assembly and a top assembly,
which are used for mounting of vertical and horizontal pillars to obtain a complete shell assembly of the panel. These bottom and top frame assembly have number of channels connected, to each other by means of welding or otherwise. Presently all channels of bottom and top frame assembly are welded and hence there requires more space to store it.
[005] Due to being a single assembly after welding of all channels, it requires
more space to store and hence it limits the manufacturing of panels also. As it accommodates more space, it also affects transportation of complete assembly.

[006] Furthermore, the difficulty with existing flat pack frames is that they are
sometimes complex to assemble and, as it is generally the intention that a purchaser carry out the necessary assembly without any assistance, and simply according to instructions contained within the package, a simple assembly procedure is obviously preferred.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[007] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to
provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the present invention. It is not intended to identify the key/critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concept of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of the invention presented later.
[008] An object of the present invention is to overcome the above drawback by
providing ease of assembly to improve manufacturing of panels.
[009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a solution such that,
it enables to provide an ease of transport by providing flat pack assembly.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention to provide a solution that
enables to have more possibility of storage of frame assembly.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a solution that
helps for assembling frame structure of the panel.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to use a common link is
used in all channels and can be placed anywhere in channel.

[0013] Yet another object of the present invention provides joining of two
channels by a mechanism wherein welding is completely eliminated.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention to provide a mechanism in
which a bolted method of frame assembly is provided.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention to providea profiled common
link which is easily adoptable for any channel.
[0016] Accordingly, in one implementation^ flat pack frame assembly
comprising at least two frame members or channel is disclosed. The flat pack frame assembly includes at least one common link plate having at least four slots whereby the frame members or channels are coupled in accordance with the location of said slots to form a single piece and defining a corner so as to form said flat pack frame assembly.
[0017] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will
become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present, invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of present invention used in bottom
frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0019] Figure 2 illustrates a complete bottom frame assembly, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0020] Figure 3 illustrates a general arrangement of common links in the base
frame member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
[0021] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are
illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0022] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings
is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary.
[0023] Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various
changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0024] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not
limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0025] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include
plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] By the term "substantially" it is meant that the recited characteristic,
parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
[0027] Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one
embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.
[0028] It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when
used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
[0029] In one implementation, the present invention provides an improved
mechanism of frame assembly, wherein all frame members or channels are connected thorough a common link plate. This common link plate will be welded to each member and will be bolted later to other common link welded to another member. This common link is designed such that it can be placed anywhere in the channel/member. This common links are integrated part of individual channels. Complete frame assembly can be obtained by joining the respective channels with bolts.
[0030] In one implementation, to form a complete panel assembly, individual
channels will be joined first to form bottom structure and remaining shell component will be assembled on it. To accommodate vertical pillar, a separate piece is welded to one of the bottom channel and all pillar at all corners get bolted in it.

[0031] In one implementation, from this improved mechanism, joining of two
adjacent channels by welding is completely eliminated and hence individual channels can be stored instead of complete assembly.
[0032J Accordingly, in one implementation, a flat pack frame assembly
comprising at least two frame members or channel is disclosed. The flat pack frame assembly includes at least one common link plate having at least four slots whereby the frame members or channels are coupled in accordance with the location of said slots to form a single piece and defining a corner so as to form said flat pack frame assembly.
[0033] . Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of present invention used in bottom
frame assembly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, figure 1 shows the exploded view of present invention used in bottom frame assembly. It is base structure of panel wherein all frame members get mounted. As per the present invention, all members (1a-1b and 3a-3c) are fixed to each other using a common link (2). Each member has welded a common link which exactly mates with other common link of another member.
[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a complete bottom frame assembly, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, figure 2 shows the complete bottom frame assembly, connecting members form a complete bottom assembly which supports to vertical structure of panel. Vertical members (4) are used to fix the vertical pillars and these vertical pillars get connected to similar top frame assembly.
[0035] Figure 3 illustrates a general arrangement of common links in the base
frame member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, figure 3 shows the general arrangement of common links (2) in the base frame member (la, lb). Common link may have total four slots, two at the bottom 6a, and two at the top 6b, which is inserted in the four slots two at the bottom 5a, and

two at the top 5b of members (1). This identical common links are configured to get fixed to all base members by mean of welding. To avoid wrong positioning of common link in the frame, the four slots are provided unsymmetrical which may fix in defined slots only.
[0036] The present invention is advanced as it eliminates the use of welding
because welding is normally used by many panel builders. Welding is adopted because it provides more strength and which can withstand weight more than 1000 Kg. Welding of channels will not facilitate flat pack assembly therefore we had to select other method to obtain same function. In present invention, bolting method and common plates are very usual but not used in panel with such type of "C- shape channel". If bolting of two channels is required then a person skilled in the art may have to change the channel shape which will have constraints as follows:
i. Vertical arrangement of panel will be changed ex: fixing of vertical
pillar.
ii. Other shape of channel should be economical and possible to
manufacture in the dimension of 30 x 50 mm.
[0037] As per the present invention bolting method provides advancement
because, bolted system was required without affecting the existing parts of panel especially "C-shape" channel in the prior-art. This is standard channel and has very less space for bolting nearly 44 x 24mm so bolting of two channels is considered as another challenge. Direct, bolting of C channel is not possible when a RIGHT ANGLED structure is required. If it is then we need to use more additional gusset for more strength. In the prior-art, GUSSET ms plate is welded vertically in the channel to increase channel strength. With increased numbers of gusset, space constraints will be another issue for bolting.
[0038] In order to avoid the issues with the prior-art, the present invention
provides a new method in which a common link is welded in each channel which allows

bolting. This common link is nothing but like gusset so strengthening of channel is also unchanged.
[0039] The present invention achieves advancement by bolting of C- Channel
without affecting the strength and other arrangements. Further use of. common link achieves bolting and gusset function. It provides ease of assembly which is better than method. Further, it offering flat pack assembly with less nos. of component.
[0040] Manufacturing details:The present invention uses MS plate. However,
the projection in the common links and slots in the channels may change.Slots made in the channels are not for welding but to maintain alignment of common links surface with channel surface. Common link has asymmetrical projection (2 top and 2 bottom) which is under the poke yoke to avoid welding of common link plate in wrong direction otherwise holes in common plates will not match with holes of other common links welded in other channels.Since common link has projection, slots are made in channel to accommodate it.
[0041] It may be understood by the person skilled in that art that, the coupling,
joining, fitting of the two components mentioned the present invention may be achieved by any of the existing coupling techniques that may include but not limited to nut and bolt arrangement, gluing, pasting,welding, and the like.
[0042] Although flat pack frame assemblies for switchboard havebeen described
in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the embodiments disclosed in the above section are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods or devices described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of implementations of the flat pack frame assembly for switchboard.

WE CLAIM:
1. A flat pack frame assembly comprising at least two frame member or channel CHARACTERIZED IN THAT it includes at least one common link plate having at least four slots whereby the frame members or channels are coupled in accordance with the location of said slots to form a single piece and defining a corner so as to form said flat pack frame assembly.
2. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame members or channels comprises at least four slots configured to receive in the four slots of said common link plate by means of a coupling mechanism.
3. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common link plate comprises at least two slots present at a top surface, and at least two slots are present at a bottom surface.
4. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common link plate present on said frame members or channels is configured to be bolted to at least one other common link plate present to at least one other frame members or channels.
5. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flat pack frame assembly is obtained by joining at least two common link plates present on said frame members or channels with bolts.
6. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said common link plate is included on the frame members or channels so as to mate with said other common link plate of said other members or channels.

7. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of member or channel is fixed to each other using a common link plate to form the flat pack frame assembly.
8. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame members or channels enables to support at least one vertical structure, wherein said vertical structure is used to fix at least one vertical pillar to couple with at least one other pillar, and to accommodate at least one vertical pillar, a separate piece is welded to at least one of the frame members or channels such that a plurality of pillars at all corners are configured to be bolted in it
9. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein to avoid wrong positioning of common link plate in said frame members or channels, the slots are provided unsymmetrical which enables fix in defined slots
10. The flat pack frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said channels are C- shape channels.