This invention relates in general to enclosures for electrical components. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus for pivotably mounting such an electrical enclosure on a wall or other support surface.
A variety of enclosures are known in the art for protectively enclosing one or more electrical components, such as switches, circuit breakers, and the like. Such electrical enclosures are designed to protect the enclosed electrical components from unauthorized access and from external environmental conditions. A variety of standards have been promulgated for such electrical enclosures that specify their design, construction, materials, and resulting level of protection that can be expected therefrom. Some of such standards prohibit the formation of any openings through the walls of such electrical enclosures because penetration through any of these walls could reduce the level of protection that is provided thereby. Examples of such electrical enclosure standards include NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) standard types 4, 4×, and 12.
Electrical enclosures may be used to contain main control components, operator interface controls, or other devices that may need to be located on or near machinery in an industrial facility. Such electrical enclosures are usually located in close proximity to the related machinery, but should not prevent access to the machinery.
There are various systems in use today that use a group of components to allow motion of the enclosure relative to a stationary support surface. However, these systems are usually intended for use with operator interface enclosures. Some machine tool manufacturers have devised their own means of pivoting an enclosure, but these means are usually designed for a specific application and require machining, welding, or a modified enclosure to facilitate the installation. Large hinges have been used to hang boxes where the wiring was installed in flexible conduits, but, over time, the conduits can become broken due to fatigue or abuse, thus compromising the integrity of the wiring, as well as posing a safety concern. Thus, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus for pivotably mounting such an electrical enclosure on or near machinery such that the electrical enclosure can be pivoted to access to the related machinery behind the enclosure without damage or disconnection of the components contained within the electrical enclosure.