Enclosure and face plate support member for use with the enclosure

1. A support member ( 200 ) for use in an associated enclosure ( 100 ) in the form of a box ( 110 ) having a base ( 112 ), four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) extending from the base ( 112 ), and an open end ( 140 ) which may be closed by a lid ( 142 ) for covering items located in the enclosure, the support member ( 200 ) comprising:

an elongate body member ( 900 ) having opposite first ( 902 ) and second ( 904 )

ends and defining a longitudinal axis L between the opposite first and second ends;

a component interface portion ( 950 ) formed on the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ), the component interface portion defining a first connection region ( 952 ) for selective connection of the first end of the elongate body member with an associated component to be located in the associated enclosure ( 100 ); and

an enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) formed on the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ), the enclosure interface portion defining a non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) on the second end of the elongate body member for selective engagement of the second end of the elongate body member with a corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ),

wherein the selective engagement between the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) of the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) and the oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) prevents rotational movement of the elongate body member ( 900 ) about the longitudinal axis L relative to the associated enclosure ( 100 ).

2. The support member according to claim 1 , wherein:

the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) comprises an annular wall ( 970 ) on the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ); and

the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) on the second end of the elongate body member is defined by plural inwardly directed surfaces ( 972 ) of the annular wall ( 970 ) adapted for selective engagement with a corresponding plurality of oppositely formed outwardly directed surfaces ( 133 ) defined by a boss ( 132 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ).

3. The support member according to claim 2 , wherein:

the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) has a hexagonal shape in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body member ( 900 ).

4. The support member according to claim 2 , wherein:

the plural inwardly directed surfaces ( 972 ) of the annular wall ( 970 ) extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body member ( 900 ).

5. The support member according to claim 2 , wherein:

the plural inwardly directed surfaces ( 972 ) of the annular wall ( 970 ) define a truncated cone having a hexagonal shape in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body member ( 900 ), the truncated cone reducing in size in a direction along the longitudinal axis L from the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member towards the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member.

6. The support member according to claim 2 , wherein:

the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) defines an aperture ( 980 ) configured to selectively receive an associated fastener therethrough for selectively fastening the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) with the locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ), the aperture ( 980 ) defined by the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) permitting the associated fastener to extend through the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) and within the annular wall ( 970 ).

7. The support member according to claim 1 , wherein:

the enclosure interface portion comprises a boss on the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ); and

the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) on the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) is defined on plural outwardly directed surfaces of the boss for selective engagement with a corresponding plurality of oppositely formed inwardly directed surfaces defined by a recess in the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ).

8. The support member according to claim 7 , wherein:

the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) has a hexagonal shape in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body member ( 900 ).

9. The support member according to claim 7 , wherein:

the plural outwardly directed surfaces of the boss extend in parallel with the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body member ( 900 ).

10. The support member according to claim 7 , wherein:

the plural outwardly directed surfaces of the boss define a truncated cone having a hexagonal shape in a direction transverse the longitudinal axis L of the elongate body member ( 900 ), the truncated cone reducing in size in a direction along the longitudinal axis L from the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) towards the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ).

11. The support member according to claim 7 , wherein:

the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) defines an aperture ( 980 ) configured to selectively receive an associated fastener therethrough for selectively fastening the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) with the locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ), the aperture ( 980 ) defined by the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) permitting the associated fastener to extend through the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) and within the boss.

12. The support member according to claim 1 , wherein:

the elongate body member ( 900 ) defines a first wall ( 930 ) extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis L, the first wall ( 930 ) defining a first alignment surface ( 934 ) being configured for abutting contact with a first sidewall ( 120 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure when the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) is selectively engaged with the corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ); and

the elongate body member ( 900 ) defines a second wall ( 932 ) extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis L, the second wall ( 932 ) defining a second alignment surface ( 936 ) being configured for abutting contact with a second sidewall ( 122 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure when the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) is selectively engaged with the corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ),

wherein the selective engagement between the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) of the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) and the oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) together with the selective abutting contact between first and second alignment surfaces ( 934 , 936 ) with the first and second sidewalls ( 120 , 122 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) when the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) is selectively engaged with the corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) prevents the rotational movement of the elongate body member ( 900 ) about the longitudinal axis L relative to the associated enclosure ( 100 ).

13. The support member according to claim 12 , wherein:

the first ( 930 ) and second ( 932 ) walls defined by the elongate body member ( 900 ) are mutually perpendicular.

14. The support member according to claim 13 , further comprising:

a channel region ( 910 ) defined on the elongate body member ( 900 ) along the longitudinal axis L between the first ( 930 ) and second ( 932 ) mutually perpendicular walls, the channel region ( 910 ) being configured to selectively receive an associated fastener at the first connection region ( 952 ) of the component interface portion ( 950 ) formed on the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) for the selective connection of the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) with the associated component to be located in the enclosure.

15. The support member according to claim 14 , wherein:

the channel region ( 910 ) comprises first ( 912 ) and second ( 914 ) spaced apart mutually facing inwardly curved walls defined on the elongate body member ( 900 ) along the longitudinal axis L between the first ( 930 ) and second ( 932 ) mutually perpendicular walls.

16. The support member according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a channel region ( 910 ) defined on the elongate body member ( 900 ) along the longitudinal axis L, the channel region ( 910 ) being configured to selectively receive an associated fastener at the first connection region ( 952 ) of the component interface portion ( 950 ) formed on the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) for the selective connection of the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) with the associated component to be located in the enclosure,

wherein the elongate body member defines a first wall ( 940 ) extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis L and on a side of the elongate body member opposite the channel region, the first wall ( 940 ) defining a first alignment ( 942 ) surface being configured for abutting contact with a first sidewall ( 120 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) when the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) is selectively engaged with the corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure.

17. The support member according to claim 16 , wherein:

the channel region ( 910 ) comprises first ( 912 ) and second ( 914 ) spaced apart mutually facing inwardly curved walls defined on the elongate body member ( 900 ) along the longitudinal axis L and on a side of the elongate body member opposite the first wall.

18. A support member ( 200 ) for use in an associated enclosure ( 100 ) in the form of a box ( 110 ) having a base ( 112 ), four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) extending from the base ( 112 ), and an open end ( 140 ) which may be closed by a lid ( 142 ) for covering items located in the enclosure, the support member ( 200 ) comprising:

an elongate body member ( 900 ) having opposite first ( 902 ) and second ( 904 ) ends and defining a longitudinal axis L between the opposite first and second ends, the elongate body member ( 900 ) defining first and second walls ( 930 , 932 ) extending substantially in parallel with the longitudinal axis L;

a component interface portion ( 950 ) formed on the first end ( 902 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ), the component interface portion defining a first connection region ( 952 ) for selective connection of the first end of the elongate body member with an associated component to be located in the associated enclosure ( 100 ); and

an enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) formed on the second end ( 904 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ), the enclosure interface portion defining a locating region ( 962 ) on the second end of the elongate body member for selective engagement of the second end of the elongate body member with a corresponding oppositely formed locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ),

wherein the first wall ( 930 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) defines a first alignment surface ( 934 ) being configured for abutting contact with a first sidewall ( 120 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure when the locating region ( 962 ) of the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) is selectively engaged with the corresponding oppositely formed locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ),

wherein the second wall ( 932 ) of the elongate body member ( 900 ) defines a second alignment surface ( 936 ) being configured for abutting contact with a second sidewall ( 122 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure when the locating region ( 962 ) of the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) is selectively engaged with the corresponding oppositely formed locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ),

wherein the selective abutting contact between first and second alignment

surfaces ( 934 , 936 ) with the first and second sidewalls ( 120 , 122 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) prevents rotational movement of the elongate body member ( 900 ) about the longitudinal axis L relative to the associated enclosure ( 100 ).

19. The support member according to claim 18 , wherein:

the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) formed on the second end ( 904 ) of the

elongate body member ( 900 ) defines a non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) on the second end of the elongate body member for selective engagement of the second end of the elongate body member with a corresponding oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ),

wherein the selective engagement between the non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 962 ) of the enclosure interface portion ( 960 ) and the oppositely formed non-circular cylindrical locating region ( 130 ) on the base ( 112 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) together with the selective abutting contact between first and second alignment surfaces ( 934 , 936 ) with the first and second sidewalls ( 120 , 122 ) of the four sidewalls ( 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 ) of the associated enclosure ( 100 ) prevents the rotational movement of the elongate body member ( 900 ) about the longitudinal axis L relative to the associated enclosure ( 100 ).