Enclosure with integral wire reel support

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention include a welding wire feeder enclosure, the enclosure including a front, a rear, a top, and a bottom forming a perimeter of the enclosure. The enclosure further includes opposing side openings separated by a width of the enclosure, each of the side openings being adapted for receiving a side panel. Particular embodiments further include a divider panel extending substantially between the front, rear, top, and bottom, and positioned along an intermediate portion of the width of the enclosure to divide an internal volume of the enclosure into a service side and a user side, the divider panel being formed monolithically with the front, rear, top, and bottom of the enclosure, the divider panel further including an integral spindle shaft location.

1 . A divider panel for a welding wire enclosure, the enclosure having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and opposing sides separated by a width, the divider panel comprising:
 a panel sized to substantially extend between the top and bottom, and the front and rear of the enclosure for positioning between the opposing sides,   the panel having one or more strengthening members extending outwardly from, and at least partially vertically along, a side surface of the panel in proximity to a spindle shaft location,   the one or more strengthening members extending from a side of the panel opposite the spindle shaft location.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 the divider panel and the one or more strengthening members are monolithic.   
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 the spindle shaft location includes one or more apertures for attaching a spindle to the divider panel.   
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 a spindle shaft is monolithic with the panel, the spindle shaft extending from the spindle shaft location.   
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 the at least one of the one or more strengthening members comprise one or more lateral members extending from the panel.   
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein
 the one or more strengthening members include a recess.   
     
     
         7 . A divider panel for a welding wire enclosure, the enclosure having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and opposing sides separated by a width, the divider panel comprising:
 a panel sized to substantially extend between the top and bottom, and the front and rear of the enclosure for positioning between the opposing sides,   the panel having one or more strengthening members extending outwardly from, and at least partially along, a side surface of the panel in proximity to a spindle shaft location,   the one or more strengthening members extending from a same side of the panel as the spindle shaft location.   
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein
 the divider panel and the one or more strengthening members are monolithic.   
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein
 the spindle shaft location includes one or more apertures for attaching a spindle to the divider panel.   
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein
 a spindle shaft is monolithic with the panel, the spindle shaft extending from the spindle shaft location.   
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein
 at least one of the one or more strengthening members comprises one or more vertical members extending from the panel.   
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein
 at least one of the one or more strengthening members comprises one or more lateral members extending from the panel.   
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 11 , wherein
 the at least one or more strengthening members further comprise one or more non-lateral members.   
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 13 , wherein
 the at least one or more non-lateral strengthening members are selected from the group consisting of curvilinear and zig-zag.   
     
     
         15 . A divider panel for a welding wire enclosure, the enclosure having a front, a rear, a top, a bottom, and opposing sides separated by a width, the divider panel comprising:
 a panel sized to substantially extend between the top and bottom, and the front and rear of the enclosure for positioning between the opposing sides,   the panel having one or more strengthening members extending outwardly from, and at least partially along, at least one side surface of the panel in proximity to a spindle shaft location.   
     
     
         16 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein
 the divider panel and the one or more strengthening members are monolithic.   at least one of the one or more strengthening members comprises one or more vertical members extending from the panel.   
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein
 at least one of the one or more strengthening members comprises one or more lateral members extending from the panel.   
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 15 , wherein
 the at least one or more strengthening members further comprise one or more non-lateral members.   
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 18 , wherein
 the at least one or more non-lateral strengthening members are selected from the group consisting of curvilinear and zig-zag.   
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 15  wherein
 the spindle shaft location includes one or more apertures for attaching a spindle to the divider panel.