Claims:We claim
1. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising
a. a first mounting plate (102),
b. a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102),
c. a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106),
d. a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101), said first mounting plate (102) further includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102).

2. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (105) is rotatable partially.

3. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the permissible angle of rotation of mounting means (105) is less than 360° with respect to the lateral axis.

4. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mounting means (105) is rotatable fully.

5. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1 and claim 4, wherein the permissible angle of rotation of mounting means (105) is 360° with respect to the lateral axis.

6. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, and claim 4, said mounting means (105) comprises four faces.

7. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, and claim 4, said mounting means (105) comprises six faces.

8. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1, claim 2, and claim 4, said mounting means (105) comprises eight faces.

9. A rotatable mounting device for a control panel as claimed in claim 1, said plurality of rails (104) is a DIN rail.
, Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mounting device, in particular the present invention is related to rotatable a mounting device for mounting Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or any similar control modules in a control panel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The important feature of the mounting device is to accommodate the control modules inside a control panel. Generally, control panels do not contain mounting devices. The PLC and other control modules are directly assembled inside the control panel. Wiring may be done after installing the control modules and other components inside the control panel. However, directly installing the control modules and other components inside the control panel consumes more time and space. Further, direct installation of modules and components increases the size of the control panel, which in turn increases the cost of manufacturing. Reinstalling the modules are difficult due to the rigid structure of control panel.

US Patent document 7758368 claims an electronic device adapted to be secured to a DIN rail, the DIN rail having a first flange and a second flange, the electronic device comprising: a housing having a rear surface and a mounting recess formed within the rear surface, the mounting recess configured to accommodate the DIN rail; a rigid latch disposed near the mounting recess such that the rigid latch is positioned to engage the first flange of the DIN rail when the DIN rail is disposed within the mounting recess; a flexible latch integrally moulded within the housing, the flexible latch disposed near the mounting recess such that the flexible latch is positioned to engage the second flange of the DIN rail when the DIN rail is disposed within the mounting recess; wherein the flexible latch is configured to be sufficiently deflectable by movement of the electronic device relative to the DIN rail to permit the electronic device to be moved sufficiently far relative to the DIN rail to disengage the rigid latch from the first flange of the DIN rail; and wherein the flexible latch comprises a U-shaped and/or a C-shaped cross-sectional profile, and further comprises, in cross-section, a first segment at least substantially perpendicular to the rear surface, an adjoining second segment that is at least substantially perpendicular to the first segment and parallel to the rear surface, and a third section that is at least substantially perpendicular to the second segment and at least substantially parallel to the first segment.

The above patent document facilitates assembling/disassembling of DIN rail mounted device easier to a DIN rail. However, it fails to address the compactness of the mounting device and also fails to address the ease of access of control modules inside the control panel. Further, the above patent document fails to disclose about the cost of manufacturing.

European Patent EP2091119 discloses a DIN rail wiring duct having a top, a bottom, and a side, the DIN rail wiring duct comprising: a base having a top wall, a bottom wall, a sidewall, and a divider wall, the top wall, the bottom wall, the sidewall, and the divider wall defining a channel and a channel opening for accessing the channel; and a cover for the channel opening, the cover having a top wall and a sidewall substantially perpendicular to the top wall,
wherein the top wall of the cover is removably connected to the top wall of the base and the sidewall of the cover is rotatably connected to the sidewall of the base such that the channels are accessible through the channel openings from the top and the side of the DIN rail wiring duct when the cover is rotated from a closed position to an open position. However, this European Patent document fails to address the compactness of the mounting device.

Generally, there is no method to reduce the space and accommodate many PLCs or control modules on a single mounting device, so that a single operator can operate plurality of PLCs and other control modules, therefore reduces the cost and time of operation. In the present invention, rotatable mounting device for a control panel, wherein the assembly / wiring of the rotatable mounting device can be done separately by one person and remaining assembly / wiring work in the control panel can be done separately in parallel. After completing the assembly / wiring on rotatable mounting device, it can be fixed in the control panel. Hence, the total assembly and wiring process time can be reduced by implementing the rotatable mounting device in control panel.

Therefore there is need in art for a mounting device for a control panel which can accommodate plurality of PLCs and other control modules in a single enclosure or mounting device, so that cost of maintenance and installation can be reduced and also due to the reduction in size, a single operator can operate plurality of PLCs and other control modules and reduces the cost and time of operation.

OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

A first objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable mounting device for a control panel, which reduces assembly space and time thus improves compactness of the control panel.

A second objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable mounting device for a control panel, which facilitates ease of wiring of PLC and other control modules. Therefore ease of maintenance of PLC and other control modules is achieved, which translates its economic feasibility also.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable mounting device for a control panel, wherein a single operator can operate plurality of PLCs and other control modules, so that cost and time of operation is reduced.

A fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable mounting device for a control panel, wherein plurality of PLCs and control modules can be mounted on the mounting plate. In the present invention, rotatable mounting device for a control panel, wherein the assembly / wiring of the rotatable mounting device can be done separately by one person and remaining assembly / wiring work in the control panel can be done separately in parallel. After completing the assembly / wiring on rotatable mounting device, it can be fixed in the control panel. Hence, the total assembly and wiring process time can be reduced by implementing the rotatable mounting device in control panel.
A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a rotatable mounting device for a control panel, which is more economical and affordable than the prior art.
BREIF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure 1. shows the exploded view of an embodiment of the present invention.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to rotatable a mounting device for mounting Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) or any similar control modules in a control panel. According to the present invention, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate, a plurality of clamps, including a first clamp and a second clamp both are secured to the first mounting plate, a mounting means, comprising a plurality of faces, a first end of the mounting means that is rotatably secured to the first clamp and a second end of the mounting means that is rotatably secured to the second clamp, a plurality of rails, wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means, said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure. The first mounting plate includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate, said second clamp is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate. The mounting means is rotatable partially or fully (i.e. for partial rotation, permissible angle of rotation is less than 360° and for full rotation, permissible angle of rotation is 360°) with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails. Preferably, control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention as embodied by a rotatable mounting device for a control panel, succinctly fulfils the above-mentioned need(s) in the art. The present invention has objective(s) arising as a result of the above-mentioned need(s), said objective(s) being enumerated below. In as much as the objective(s) of the present invention are enumerated, it will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, the enumerated objective(s) are not exhaustive of the present invention in its entirety, and are enclosed solely for the purpose of illustration. Further, the present invention encloses within its scope and purview, any structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) even though, such structural alternative(s) and/or any functional equivalent(s) are not mentioned explicitly herein or elsewhere, in the present disclosure. The present invention therefore encompasses also, any improvisation(s)/modification(s) applied to the structural alternative(s)/functional alternative(s) within its scope and purview. The present invention may be embodied in other specific form(s) without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof.

Throughout this specification, the use of the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising" may imply the inclusion of an element or elements not specifically recited.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102).

In the first embodiment, the mounting means (105) is rotatable partially i.e. for partial rotation, permissible angle of rotation is less than 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

In the second embodiment, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102).

In the second embodiment, the mounting means (105) is rotatable fully i.e. for full rotation, permissible angle of rotation is 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

According to a first example of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) comprises four faces and on each face of the mounting means (105) at least a DIN rail (104) is operatively assembled. A control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail (104).

In the first example, the mounting means (105) is rotatable partially i.e. for partial rotation, permissible angle of rotation is less than 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

According to a second example of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) comprises four faces and on each face of the mounting means (105) at least a DIN rail (104) is operatively assembled. A control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail (104).

In the second example, the mounting means (105) is rotatable fully i.e. for full rotation, permissible angle of rotation is 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

According to a third example of the present invention, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) comprises six faces and on each face of the mounting means (105) at least a DIN rail (104) is operatively assembled. A control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail (104).

In the third example, the mounting means (105) is rotatable partially i.e. for partial rotation, permissible angle of rotation is less than 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

According to a fourth example of the present invention, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) comprises six faces and on each face of the mounting means (105) at least a DIN rail (104) is operatively assembled. A control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail (104).
In the fourth example, the mounting means (105) is rotatable fully i.e. for full rotation, permissible angle of rotation is 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

According to a fifth example of the present invention, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) comprises eight faces and on each face of the mounting means (105) at least a DIN rail (104) is operatively assembled. A control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail (104).

In the fifth example, the mounting means (105) is rotatable partially i.e. for partial rotation, permissible angle of rotation is less than 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

According to a sixth example of the present invention, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101). The first mounting plate (102) includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) comprises eight faces and on each face of the mounting means (105) at least a DIN rail (104) is operatively assembled. A control module or PLC or combination of both is removably secured to the DIN rail (104).

In the sixth example, the mounting means (105) is rotatable fully i.e. for full rotation, permissible angle of rotation is 360° with respect to the lateral axis. A control module or PLC or combination of both is mounted on the plurality of rails (104).

In a preferred embodiment, a rotatable mounting device for a control panel comprising, a first mounting plate (102), a plurality of clamps (103, 106), including a first clamp (103) and a second clamp (106), said first clamp (103) and second clamp (106) are secured to the first mounting plate (102), a mounting means (105), comprising a plurality of faces, a first end and a second end, said first end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the first clamp (103) and the second end of the mounting means (105) is rotatably secured to the second clamp (106), a plurality of rails (104), wherein at least one rail is assembled at each face of the mounting means (105), said rotatable mounting device is installed inside an enclosure (101), said first mounting plate (102) further includes a first end, a second end, a top end and a bottom end, wherein, said first clamp (103) is removably secured to the first end of the first mounting plate (102), said second clamp (106) is removably secured to the second end of the first mounting plate (102), said mounting means (105) is rotatable partially, wherein the permissible angle of rotation of mounting means (105) is less than 360° with respect to the lateral axis, said mounting means (105) is rotatable fully, wherein the permissible angle of rotation of mounting means (105) is 360° with respect to the lateral axis, said mounting means (105) comprises four faces or six faces or eight faces. In the preferred embodiment, said plurality of rails (104) are DIN rails.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

101 – Enclosure
102 – First mounting plate
103 – First clamp
104 – Plurality of rails
105 – Mounting means
106 – Second clamp