Welding Power Supply External Protective Support Structure

Abstract

An external support structure for a welding power supply includes a cage-like assembly that is configured to receive and at least partially surround the welding power supply. The cage-like assembly includes fastening points allowing for securement of the welding power supply within the assembly. The assembly further includes stacking members to permit stacking of the assembly with a self-similar structure.

1 . An external support structure for a welding power supply, comprising:
 a cage-like assembly defining an inner volume configured to receive a welding power supply, the assembly at least partially surrounding lateral sides, a top and a bottom of the welding power supply; and   a plurality of fastening points on the assembly, the fastening points allowing for securement of the welding power supply within the assembly.   
     
     
         2 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a plurality of tubular members permanently fixed to one another to at least partially surround the welding power supply. 
     
     
         3 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a top member forming a lifting eye for lifting the assembly and the welding power supply. 
     
     
         4 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive casters to facilitate displacement of the structure. 
     
     
         5 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the case-like assembly comprises end members forming handles for lifting the structure. 
     
     
         6 . The structure of  claim 5 , wherein the handles comprise first handles having a first configuration and second handles having a second configuration different from the first configuration, the first and second handles interlocking to permit interlocked stacking of the structure with a self-similar structure. 
     
     
         7 . The structure of  claim 1 , comprising an outer shell secured to the cage-like assembly. 
     
     
         8 . The structure of  claim 7 , wherein the outer shell extends over a top of the cage-like assembly. 
     
     
         9 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the outer shell extends over at least part of a lateral side of the cage-like assembly. 
     
     
         10 . The structure of  claim 8 , wherein the outer shell comprises a sheet-metal cover. 
     
     
         11 . The structure of  claim 1 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a permanently closed end and an open end, the open end being dimensioned to receive the welding power supply therethrough. 
     
     
         12 . An external support structure for a welding power supply, comprising:
 a cage-like assembly defining an inner volume configured to receive a welding power supply, the assembly at least partially surrounding lateral sides, a top and a bottom of the welding power supply; and   a plurality of fastening points on the assembly, the fastening points allowing for securement of the welding power supply within the assembly;   wherein the assembly has upper and lower members configured to permit stacking of the structure with a self-similar structure.   
     
     
         13 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises interlocking structures formed into the assembly and configured to permit interlocked stacking of the structure with a self-similar structure. 
     
     
         14 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises first handles having a first configuration and second handles having a second configuration different from the first configuration, the first and second handles interlocking to permit interlocked stacking of the structure with a self-similar structure. 
     
     
         15 . The structure of  claim 14 , wherein the first handles are provided on bottom members of the cage-like assembly and the second handles are provided on top members of the cage-like assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a plurality of tubular members permanently fixed to one another to at least partially surround the welding power supply. 
     
     
         17 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a top member forming a lifting eye for lifting the assembly and the welding power supply. 
     
     
         18 . The structure of  claim 12 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises a plurality of legs configured to receive casters to facilitate displacement of the structure. 
     
     
         19 . An external support structure for a welding power supply, comprising:
 a cage-like assembly defining an inner volume configured to receive a welding power supply, the assembly at least partially surrounding lateral sides, a top and a bottom of the welding power supply;   a plurality of fastening points on the assembly, the fastening points allowing for securement of the welding power supply within the assembly;   stacking members in the assembly to permit stacking of the structure with a self-similar structure; and   a sheet-like cover disposed over at least a part of the cage-like assembly to protect the welding power supply.   
     
     
         20 . The structure of  claim 19 , wherein the cage-like assembly comprises first handles having a first configuration and second handles having a second configuration different from the first configuration, the first and second handles interlocking to permit interlocked stacking of the structure with a self-similar structure