CLIAMS:We Claim:

1. A distribution board structure (100) comprising:
a housing having,
a chamber (60) having a plurality of frame brackets (50) mounted thereon; the chamber (60) adapted to receive a switching device (150) therein,
a frame assembly fastened onto the plurality of brackets (50), the frame assembly formed by welding vertical frames (10A) and horizontal frames (10B);
a top gland plate (20),
a bottom gland plate, and
an inner door (30);
a chassis;
a door (70); and
a plurality of connectors (90),
characterized in that, each connector of the plurality of connectors (90) is a right angle structure fixed to corners of the frames (10A, 10B) by sliding and click fitting, each connector of the plurality of connectors (90) is a single component consisting of two perpendicular plates sections forming a curvilinear profile (72) on an outer contour thereof and a cutout profile (74) on an inner contour thereof for sliding and click fitting onto the corners of the frames (10A, 10B), wherein a first section (80) of the component having a first groove (78) configured on a free end (80A) thereof and a second section (84) of the component having a second groove (82) configured on a free end (84A) thereof.

2. The distribution board structure (100) as claimed in claim 1 characterized in that the first groove (78) includes a bent portion (76) configured on an end thereof and the second groove (82) includes a bent portion configured on an end thereof.
,TagSPECI:Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to structures for electrical distribution boards and more particularly, to corner connectors for the distribution board.

Background of the invention

A distribution board is designed to house switching and protection devices such as a miniature circuit breaker and ground leakage protection units to distribute electrical power to numerous individual circuits or consumer points.

The distribution boards are used in most industrial, commercial or residential installations. Generally, the distribution board comprises a panel/ an enclosure that is supplied with a single incoming electrical feed cable. The power is then split among several small circuit breakers which in turn feed power to different loads and circuits. The distribution board offers protection to users as well as to equipments from electrical shock, fire resulting from ground faults, short circuit, over load and the like.

The existing distribution board includes plastic corners that are fixed to a frame using two rivets. However, riveting operations utilizes higher electrical energy thereby increasing assembly time and cost of labor involved. Also, the corners of the prior art has lower tensile strength and poor heat moisture and chemical resistance.

Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a distribution board structure that overcomes the above mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.

Objects of the invention
An object of the present invention is to eliminate rivet usage to reduce an overall assembly cost.

Another object of the present invention is to provide corner connectors having higher tensile strength that ensures better performance in a long run.

Summary of the invention

Accordingly, the present invention provides a distribution board structure. The distribution board structure comprises a housing, a chassis, a door and a plurality of connectors. The housing comprises a frame assembly, a top gland plate, a bottom gland plate, an inner door and a chamber. The chamber includes a plurality of frame brackets mounted thereon. The chamber is adapted to receive a switching device therein. The frame assembly is fastened onto the plurality of brackets. The door is pivotally mounted on the housing.

Each connector of the plurality of connectors is a right angle structure fixed to corners of the frames by sliding and click fitting. Each connector of the plurality of connectors is a single component consisting of two perpendicular sections forming a curvilinear profile on an outer contour thereof and a cutout profile on an inner contour thereof for sliding and click fitting onto the frames. A first section of the component includes a first groove configured on a free end thereof and a second section of the component includes a second groove configured on a free end thereof. The first groove includes a bent portion configured on an end thereof and the second groove includes a bent portion configured on an end thereof.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a distribution board structure, in accordance with the present invention;
Figure 2 shows an isometric view of a connector of the distribution board structure of figure 1; and

Figures 3a-3b show different views of the connector of figure 2.

Detailed description of the invention

The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a distribution board structure. The distribution board structure includes a plurality of connectors having higher tensile strength that ensures better performance in a long run. The plurality of connectors is fixed to corners of a frame. The distribution board structure eliminates rivet usage thereby reducing an overall assembly cost.

The present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. These reference numbers are shown in bracket in the following description.

Referring to figures 1-3b, a distribution board structure (100) in accordance with the present invention is shown. The distribution board structure (100) comprises a housing (not numbered), a chassis (not numbered), a door (70) and a plurality of connectors (90). The chassis is formed by a plurality of din rails (40). The chassis facilitates mounting of a switching device such as a circuit breaker (150).

The housing comprises a frame assembly (not numbered), a top gland plate (20), a bottom gland plate (not shown), an inner door/shield plate (30) (hereinafter “the inner door (30)”) and a chamber/device compartment (60) (hereinafter “the chamber (60)”). The frame assembly is formed by welding vertical frames (10A) and horizontal frames (10B). The chamber (60) includes a plurality of frame brackets (50) mounted thereon. The entire frame assembly is fastened onto the plurality of brackets (50). The chamber (60) is adapted to receive the switching device (150) therein. The door (70) is pivotally mounted on the housing.

Now referring to figures 2-3b, the plurality of connectors (90) in accordance with the present invention is shown. Each connector (not numbered) of the plurality of connectors (90) is a right angle structure. Each connector of the plurality of connectors (90) is a single component (not numbered) that consists of two perpendicular sections (not numbered). The two perpendicular sections of the component forms a curvilinear profile (72) on an outer contour (not numbered) thereof and a cutout profile (74) on an inner contour (not numbered) thereof. The curvilinear profile (72) and the cutout profile (74) facilitate sliding and click fitting of each connector of the plurality of connectors (90) on corners (not numbered) of the frames (10A, 10B). In an embodiment, the sliding and click fitting of the plurality of connectors (90) onto the frames (10A, 10B) eliminates a need of riveting the corner to the frames (10A, 10B) thereby increasing the flexibility. The curvilinear profile (72) ensures integrity of each component of the distribution board structure (100) to the frames (10A, 10B).

A first section (80) of the component includes a first groove (78) configured on a free end (80A) thereof and a second section (84) of the component includes a second groove (82) configured on a free end (84A) thereof. The grooves (78, 82) are adapted to provide an accurate fitment to the corners of the frames (10A, 10B). The first groove (78) includes a bent portion (76) configured on an end (not numbered) thereof and the second groove (82) includes a bent portion (not numbered) configured on an end (not numbered) thereof. The cutout profile (74) and the grooves (78, 82) facilitate ease of an assembly of the distribution board structure (100).
Advantages of the invention

1. The plurality of connectors (90) has higher compression and tensile strength that ensures better performance in a long run.
2. As riveting operation is eliminated, the distribution board structure (100) saves assembly time, electrical energy required to perform riveting operations and reduces cost of labor involved.
3. The plurality of connectors (90) gives better performance to weather conditions as compared to existing model.
4. The plurality of connectors (90) has higher wear resistance that permits rough usage even in outdoor conditions.
5. The plurality of connectors (90) has higher resistance to alkalis, inorganic compounds and solvents.
6. The curvilinear profile (72) ensures suitable material saving when compared with the existing perpendicular profiles.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient, but such omissions and substitutions are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.