Interlocking Structural Element for Cabinets and Enclosures

Abstract

An interlocking structural element is disclosed for the construction of cabinets and enclosures, including modular cabinets and enclosures. Four equal lengths of the interlocking structural element can be used in conjunction with simple flat rectangular panels to fabricate a single enclosure. Additional lengths may be used to fabricate an enclosure with multiple compartments. The interlocking structural element may be fabricated by extruding metal or other material such as plastic. The element incorporates slots for easy mounting of shelves, printed circuit boards or other objects within the enclosure.

1 . An elongated structural element for an enclosure comprising:
 a first surface,   a second surface intersecting said first surface at a substantially right angle,   a first interlocking means extending outward from said first surface, and   a second interlocking means extending outward from said second surface, wherein, when paired, said first and second interlocking means can interlock without intermediary components.   
     
     
         2 . An elongated structural element for an enclosure comprising:
 a first flange,   a second flange attached to said first flange at a substantially right angle,   a first interlocking means extending outward from said first surface, and   a second interlocking means extending outward from said second surface, wherein, when paired, said first and second interlocking means can interlock without intermediary components.   
     
     
         3 . The elongated structural element of  claim 2  further comprising
 a first slot extending inward from the outer edge of said first flange, substantially parallel to said first flange, and 
 a second slot extending inward from the outer edge of said second flange, substantially parallel to said second flange. 
 
     
     
         4 . The elongated structural element of  claim 3  further comprising
 a first slot extending inward from the bottom surface of said first flange, substantially perpendicular to said first flange, and 
 a second slot extending inward from the inner surface of said second flange, substantially perpendicular to said second flange. 
 
     
     
         5 . The elongated structural element of  claim 2  further comprising
 a first slot extending inward from the bottom surface of said first flange, substantially perpendicular to said first flange, and 
 a second slot extending inward from the inner surface of said second flange, substantially perpendicular to said second flange. 
 
     
     
         6 . The elongated structural element of  claim 4  further comprising
 at least one hole extending the length of the structural element. 
 
     
     
         7 . The elongated structural element of  claim 6  further comprising
 at least one v-groove extending the length of the structural element. 
 
     
     
         8 . The elongated structural element of  claim 5  further comprising
 at least one hole extending the length of the structural element. 
 
     
     
         9 . The elongated structural element of  claim 8  further comprising
 at least one v-groove extending the length of the structural element. 
 
     
     
         10 . An enclosure comprising:
 at least one elongated structural element, said structural element comprising a first flange, a second flange, first interlocking means located on the outer surface of said first flange, second interlocking means located on the outer surface of said second flange, and   at least one flat panel fixed to said at least one elongated structural element, wherein, when paired, said first and second interlocking means can interlock without intermediary components.