Side mounted component for configurable enclosure

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide enclosures for electronic components and methods for manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the enclosure includes first and second sidewalls formed from a single elongated piece of sheet metal. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, a third sidewall, and a fourth sidewall define an interior space of the enclosure. At least one of the first and second sidewalls includes an edge region folded inwardly relative to the interior space to form a mounting channel. The enclosure further includes a backwall coupled with first edges of the sidewalls and a door hingedly coupled with a second edge of at least one of the sidewalls.

1 . A panel for an enclosure comprising:
 a first side adapted to be coupled to a first mounting channel wherein the first mounting channel is attached proximate to an opening of the enclosure; and   a second side having one or more attachment mechanisms located proximate to the second side wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are adapted to be coupled to a second mounting channel attached to the enclosure.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the panel has one or more apertures located proximate to the first side and is each configured to attach to one or more apertures located on the first mounting channel. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 2 , wherein the first side of the panel is removably attached to the first mounting channel by fasteners. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the second mounting channel includes one or more apertures configured to interface with the one or more attachment mechanisms located proximate to the second side of the panel. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are coupled to the second mounting channel by applying an external force onto the panel until the one or more attachment mechanisms locks the second side of the panel into place in the second mounting channel. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment mechanisms of the second side of the panel are adapted to be coupled to the second mounting channel without additional hardware. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 1 , wherein the first side of the panel has a first set of hinges and the first mounting channel has a second set of hinges which are configured to interface with the first set of hinges to hingedly mount the first side of the panel to the first mounting channel. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms on the second side of the panel is a slit which is configured to receive a latching mechanism attached to the second mounting channel. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 8 , wherein the latching mechanism includes a rotatable latch having a notch wherein the notch is configured to interface with and extend through the slit when the rotatable latch is rotated towards the slit until it comes to rest. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 9 , wherein the latching mechanism includes a padlock ring which is configured to engage a padlock. 
     
     
         11 . A mounting bracket for an enclosure comprising:
 a side portion adapted to be coupled to a first mounting channel, wherein the first mounting channel is attached proximate to an opening of the enclosure;   a flange adapted to be coupled to first mounting channel; and   a body portion having one or more apertures.   
     
     
         12 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the side portion further comprises one or more notches, wherein each of the one or more notches includes one or more apertures located proximate to the side portion and is each configured to attach to one or more apertures located on the first mounting channel. 
     
     
         13 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11 , wherein the mounting bracket is removably attached to the first mounting channel by fasteners. 
     
     
         14 . The mounting bracket of  claim 11 , further comprising a vertical plane wherein the body portion lies in the vertical plane and the side portion is offset from the vertical plane in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         15 . The mounting bracket of  claim 14 , wherein the flange is offset from both the vertical plane and the side portion in a direction perpendicular to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         16 . An enclosure for electronic components comprising:
 a plurality of walls and a door;   at least one panel including
 a first side having one or more apertures, each adapted to be coupled to a first mounting channel having one or more apertures wherein the first mounting channel is attached proximate to an opening of the enclosure located proximate to the door; and 
 a second side located opposite from the first side, having one or more attachment mechanisms, each attachment mechanism adapted to be coupled to a second mounting channel having one or more apertures each configured to interface with the one or more attachment mechanisms of the second side. 
   
     
     
         17 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the first side of the panel is removably attached to the first mounting channel by fasteners. 
     
     
         18 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms on the second side of the panel are each hooks. 
     
     
         19 . The panel of  claim 16 , wherein the one or more attachment mechanisms are coupled to the second mounting channel by applying an external force onto the panel until the one or more attachment mechanisms locks the second side of the panel into place in the second mounting channel. 
     
     
         20 . The panel of  claim 19 , wherein the attachment mechanisms of the second side of the panel are adapted to be coupled to the second mounting channel without additional hardware.