Equipment cabinet

Abstract

A cabinet comprising an access panel having a first end and a first tongue formed proximate the first access panel end, and a top panel having a first end with a first slot formed therein; wherein the first tongue is configured to cooperate with the first slot to fasten the top panel to the access panel. In one embodiment, the cabinet may be a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system cabinet. A method of manufacturing the cabinet is also provided.

1 . An equipment cabinet, comprising:
 an access panel having an access opening therethrough and a first end;   a first tongue formed proximate said first access panel end and substantially normal a face of said access panel;   a first locking nib formed in said first tongue;   a top panel having a first end with a first slot formed therein; and   a first locking aperture formed in said first top panel end, said first tongue configured to cooperate with said first slot, and said first locking aperture configured to cooperate with said first locking nib to fasten said top panel to said access panel.   
   
   
       2 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising:
 a female fastener coupled to said access panel; and   a cover panel having a male fastener configured to couple to said female fastener, said cover panel configured to cover said access panel and said access opening.   
   
   
       3 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said access panel comprises a first outer flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel, said first outer flange configured as said tongue. 
   
   
       4 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said access panel comprises a first inner flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel, said first inner flange configured as said tongue. 
   
   
       5 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said access panel has a second end and a second tongue formed proximate said second access panel end; and
 a bottom panel having a first end with a first bottom panel slot formed therein, wherein said second tongue is configured to cooperate with said first bottom panel slot to fasten said bottom panel to said access panel.   
   
   
       6 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 5  wherein said access panel comprises a second outer flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel, said second outer flange configured as said tongue. 
   
   
       7 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 5  wherein said access panel comprises a second inner flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel, said second inner flange configured as said tongue. 
   
   
       8 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said top panel has a second end and further comprising a top panel tongue proximate said second top panel end, said cabinet further comprising a back panel having a first back panel end, said first back panel end having a back panel slot formed therein; said top panel tongue and said back panel slot configured to cooperate to fasten said back panel to said top panel. 
   
   
       9 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said top panel has a second end and further comprising a second top panel slot proximate said second top panel end, said cabinet further comprising a back panel having a first back panel end, said first back panel end having a back panel tongue formed therein; said back panel tongue and said second top panel slot configured to cooperate to fasten said back panel to said top panel. 
   
   
       10 . The cabinet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a seal positioned between said cover panel and said access panel. 
   
   
       11 . A method of manufacturing a cabinet, comprising:
 providing an access panel having an access opening therethrough and a first end;   forming a first tongue proximate said first access panel end and substantially normal a face of said access panel;   forming a first locking nib in said first tongue;   providing a top panel having a first end;   forming a first slot in said first top panel end;   forming a first locking aperture in said first top panel end; and   configuring said first tongue to cooperate with said first slot and further configuring said first locking aperture to cooperate with said first locking nib to fasten said top panel to said access panel.   
   
   
       12 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising:
 coupling a female fastener to said access panel; and   coupling a male fastener to said cover panel, said male fastener configured to couple to said female fastener, and said cover panel configured to cover said access panel and said access opening.   
   
   
       13 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising:
 forming a first outer flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel; and   configuring said first outer flange as said tongue.   
   
   
       14 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising:
 forming a first inner flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel; and   configuring said first inner flange as said tongue.   
   
   
       15 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said access panel has a second end and further comprising:
 forming a second tongue proximate said second access panel end;   providing a bottom panel having a first end;   forming a first bottom panel slot in said first bottom panel end; and   configuring said second tongue to cooperate with said first bottom panel slot to fasten said bottom panel to said access panel.   
   
   
       16 . The method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising:
 forming a second outer flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel; and   configuring said second outer flange as said tongue.   
   
   
       17 . The method as recited in  claim 15  further comprising:
 forming a second inner flange projecting from and substantially normal a face of said access panel; and   configuring said second inner flange as said tongue.   
   
   
       18 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said top panel has a second end and further comprising:
 forming a top panel tongue proximate said second top panel end;   providing a back panel having a first back panel end;   forming a back panel slot in said first back panel end; and   configuring said top panel tongue and said back panel slot to cooperate to fasten said back panel to said top panel.   
   
   
       19 . The method as recited in  claim 11  wherein said top panel has a second end and further comprising:
 forming a second top panel slot proximate said second top panel end;   providing a back panel having a first back panel end;   forming a back panel tongue in said first back panel end; and   configuring said back panel tongue and said second top panel slot configured to cooperate to fasten said back panel to said top panel.   
   
   
       20 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising positioning a seal between said cover panel and said access panel.