US20020063498A1 - Seamless slide plate for outdoor enclosure - Google Patents

Abstract

An outdoor enclosure defines an internal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protecting wiring connections from adverse environmental conditions, such as water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice. The enclosure includes a housing having a back wall, a pair of side walls, a floor, and a top wall that together define an opening for providing access to the internal cavity. A slide plate is removably attached to the housing and extends continuously at least the entire width of the opening. The enclosure further includes a door attached to the housing that is movable between a closed position covering the opening and an opened position to expose the internal cavity. The slide plate is positioned between the top wall of the housing and the door and defines at least one passageway with the top wall for permitting passage of the electrical cable from an initial enclosure to a subsequent enclosure vertically stacked on the initial enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the slide plate comprises a first flange depending downwardly from the top wall and a second flange extending outwardly from the first flange that directs the water away from the opening of the housing.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS (none)FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to outdoor enclosures for electrical distribution network cables and wiring connections. More particularly, the invention is a seamless slide plate that extends across the entire width of the opening of an outdoor enclosure to provide for vertical expansion and for improved weatherability and access to the electrical cables and wiring connections in the event that the enclosure must be replaced.[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• Outdoor enclosures for electrical distribution networks are exposed to various environmental conditions, and in particular, to water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice. Due to the need to expand subscriber service over time, service providers prefer to use outdoor enclosures that provide for future expansion. As a result of wiring density concerns, vertical expansion, or “stackability,” is the most desirable feature for providing future expansion. Stackability, as used herein, refers to the capability to position a subsequent enclosure on top of a previously installed enclosure and to route the existing service cable and wiring between the initial and subsequent enclosures. For example, a service provider may desire to route a 100 pair telephone cable into the initial enclosure and to drop-off only 50 pair for connection to existing subscriber drop lines. Later, the service provider may desire to route the remaining 50 pair of the 100 pair telephone cable into a subsequent enclosure for connection to additional subscriber drop lines.[0002]
• Satisfying the stackability requirement, however, requires that at least one, and preferably two, holes are formed in the top of the enclosure to route the service cable and any additional wiring from the initial enclosure into the subsequent enclosure. Obviously, the presence of a hole in the top of the enclosure creates the possibility that water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice may enter the enclosure and cause a short of the wiring or electrical components housed inside the enclosure. Consequently, the majority of outdoor enclosures do not provide for vertical expansion. In instances where stackability is required, the top of the enclosure is typically provided with one or more conduit knockouts. Once removed, the knockouts permit the service cable and wiring to be routed between the two enclosures. Knockouts, however, present at least two problems. First, it is difficult to permit easy removal of the knockout while at the same time properly sealing the knockout against environmental conditions. Second, once the service cable is passed through the knockout and the wiring is connected, the housing of the initial enclosure cannot be replaced without cutting the service cable or without first disconnecting and then reconnecting the wiring adjacent the knockout. In either case, service to the additional subscribers must be disrupted temporarily.[0003]
• To avoid the difficulties presented by conduit knockouts, it is known to provide one or more slide plates at the top of the enclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the top of the[0004]housing11 of a prior artoutdoor enclosure10 is typically provided with afirst slide plate12 for the cable from the service provider to pass through and asecond slide plate14 for the wiring connections to pass through. When not in use, theslide plates12,14 are typically covered by aconventional rain cap13 removably attached to the top of thehousing11 of theenclosure10. Theslide plates12,14, however, create discontinuities in thehorizontal rain channel16 adjacent theopening15 of thehousing11. The discontinuities, which are in the form of avertical seam17 on each side of theslide plates12,14, permit water to accumulate in therain channel16 and to seep through thevertical seam17 into theenclosure10. The discontinuities are typically sealed with a non-porous, non-conductive, sealant of the type commonly used in electrical applications, one example of which is sold under the trade name “B-Sealant” and is commercially available from Communications Technology Corporation. The sealant is initially placed along eachvertical seam17 between theslide plate12,14 and therain channel16. However, the sealant must be reapplied each time theslide plates12,14 are removed to access the service cable or wiring connections inside theenclosure10. For various reasons, the craftsperson working in the field oftentimes fails to reapply the sealant toseams17 before reinstalling theslide plates12,14. As a result, theenclosure10 is susceptible to damage from exposure to adverse environmental conditions, and in particular, to water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Accordingly, it is apparent that a need exists for an outdoor enclosure that provides for vertical expansion. A further need exists for an outdoor enclosure that provides improved weatherability and access to the electrical cables and wiring connections inside the enclosure in the event that the enclosure must be replaced. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the following description, and, in part, will become apparent from the description, or may be discerned by practice of the invention. These objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by an outdoor enclosure having the seamless slide plate particularly pointed out in the written description and accompanying drawings provided herein, along with the claims appended hereto.[0005]
• To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention is directed to an outdoor enclosure defining an internal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protecting wiring connections within the internal cavity from exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice. The enclosure includes a housing having an opening for providing sufficient access to the internal cavity. A seamless slide plate is removably attached to the housing. The slide plate extends at least the entire width of the opening of the housing and directs the water around the opening of the housing and away from the internal cavity defined by the enclosure.[0006]
• In a preferred embodiment, the housing has a back wall, a pair of side walls depending outwardly from the back wall, a floor depending outwardly from the back wall and extending between the side walls, and a top wall opposite the floor depending outwardly from the back wall and extending between the side walls. Together, the back wall, side walls, floor, and top wall define the opening of the housing. Preferably, the enclosure further includes a door attached to the housing. The door is movable between a closed position covering the opening of the housing and an opened position exposing and providing access to the internal cavity defined by the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the door is hingedly attached to the housing adjacent one of the side walls.[0007]
• In another aspect of the invention, the slide plate is positioned between the top wall of the housing and the door. The top wall of the housing depends outwardly from the back wall of the housing along a portion of the side walls and a top portion of the slide plate extends inwardly in the direction of the back wall of the housing along the remaining portion of the side walls. The slide plate defines at least one passageway with the top wall for permitting the electrical cable to pass therethrough. The slide plate includes channeling means extending continuously at least the entire width of the opening of the housing for preventing water from entering the internal cavity defined by the enclosure. In a preferred embodiment, the channeling means of the slide plate includes a first flange depending downwardly from the top wall, and a second flange extending outwardly from the first flange adjacent the opening of the housing.[0008]
• It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or several embodiments of the invention, and, together with the written description, serve to better explain the principles of the invention.[0009]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• One or more preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:[0010]
• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a prior art outdoor enclosure including a pair of removable slide plates for providing vertical expansion and limited weatherability and access to the electrical cable and wiring connections inside the enclosure;[0011]
• FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an outdoor enclosure including a seamless slide plate according to the present invention for providing vertical expansion and improved weatherability and access to the electrical cable and wiring connections inside the enclosure;[0012]
• FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the slide plate of FIG. 2;[0013]
• FIG. 4 is an end elevation view of the slide plate of FIG. 2; and[0014]
• FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view of a portion of the outdoor enclosure of FIG. 2 shown with the door of the housing in the closed position.[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• Referring now to the accompanying drawings, in which one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated, FIGS.[0016]2-5 show a preferred embodiment of an outdoor enclosure, indicated generally at20, according to the invention. Theoutdoor enclosure20 defines aninternal cavity22 that is suitable for receiving anelectrical distribution cable21 and for protectingwiring connections23 and any electrical components (not shown) within theinternal cavity22 from adverse environmental conditions, such as water from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice. As best shown in FIG. 2,outdoor enclosure20 comprises ahousing30 defining anopening40 and aslide plate50 that extends continuously at least the entire width of theopening40. As a result, theoutdoor enclosure20 provides for vertical expansion and improved weatherability and access to theelectrical cable21 and wiringconnections23 within theinternal cavity22, as will be described.
• As shown in FIG. 2, the[0017]housing30 is a generally rectangular box having height and width dimensions and a depth dimension that is typically less than the height and width dimensions. Thehousing30, however, may have any shape and may be any size suitable to accommodate theelectrical cable21 and wiringconnections23, as well as any additional electrical components required for a particular application, within theinternal cavity22 of theenclosure20. Thehousing30 may be made of any suitable structural material, but preferably is made of thin sheet metal or a strong, durable plastic. Thehousing30 comprises a generallyplanar back wall32 opposite theopening40. Theback wall32 is typically provided with a plurality of through holes31 (two shown) that receive conventional fasteners, such as nails or screws, to affix thehousing30 to a structural component of the distribution network, such as an exterior wall of a building. A pair of generallyplanar side walls34 depend outwardly from theback wall32. Theside walls34 are preferably parallel and extend perpendicular from theback wall32. Theside walls34 each comprise an inwardly extendingflange33 having at least onehole35 for receiving a conventional fastener, such as a sheet metal screw, to removably attach theslide plate50 to thehousing30. Theside walls34 may further comprise inwardly extendingflanges62 havingholes61 for receiving fasteners or drop posts therein to removably attach arain cap60 to thehousing30, as will be described.
• The[0018]housing30 further comprises a generallyplanar floor36 that depends outwardly from theback wall32 and extends laterally between theside walls34. Thefloor36 has at least one throughhole37 for routing the incomingdistribution service cable21 into theinternal cavity22 defined by theenclosure20. A seal (not shown) is typically provided between thehole37 andservice cable21 to prevent adverse elements, such as dust, dirt, and insect or rodent infestations, from entering theenclosure20, and thereby degrading the performance of the distribution network. Thefloor36 typically has a second through hole (not shown) for routing the outgoing distribution drop cable25 out of theenclosure20. The second through hole and the drop cable25 are sealed by a separate seal in the same or a different manner as thehole37 and theservice cable21. Thehousing30 further comprises a generally planartop wall38 that depends outwardly from theback wall32 and extends laterally between theside walls34 opposite thefloor36. Like theflanges62 ofside walls34, thetop wall38 may also have one ormore holes61 for receiving fasteners or drop posts therein to removably attach therain cap60 to thehousing30.
• As shown in FIG. 2, the[0019]top wall38 depends outwardly from theback wall32 along only a portion of theflanges62 of theside walls34. When theslide plate50 is attached to theflanges33 of theside walls34, atop portion52 of theslide plate50 extends inwardly along the remaining portion of theflanges62 of theside walls34. Thus, thetop wall38 and theinner edge53 of thetop portion52 of theslide plate50 adjoin one another in a tight butt-joint arrangement. Theinner edge53 of theslide plate50 and thetop wall38 of thehousing30 are contoured to define at least one, and preferably two, through holes39. Theholes39 are provided to permit thedistribution cable21 and thewiring connections23 to pass from theinterior cavity22 of theenclosure20 into the interior cavity of a subsequent enclosure vertically stacked on top of theenclosure20, as will be described. Theholes39 need not be identical in size or shape, and typically as shown herein, thehole39 that routes thedistribution cable21 into the subsequent enclosure is slightly larger in cross sectional area.Slide plate50 may also be provided with cutouts or throughholes51 ontop portion52 that align withholes61 provided onflanges62 ofside walls34.Holes51 are sized to permit fasteners or drop posts to pass therethrough to removably attachrain cap60 tohousing30.
• Together, the[0020]back wall32, theside walls34, thefloor36, and thetop wall38 define theopening40 of thehousing30. Theopening40 is typically covered by adoor42 that is attached to at least one of theside walls34 of thehousing30. Thedoor42 is movable between a closed position covering theopening40 defined by thehousing30 and an opened position exposing theopening40 and theinternal cavity22 defined by theenclosure20. In the opened position, thedoor42 provides access to thedistribution cable21, thewiring connections23, and any electrical components within theinternal cavity22 of theenclosure20. As shown in FIG. 2, thedoor42 preferably is hinged to aside wall34 of thehousing30 by aconventional pin hinge44 that has one half affixed to theflange33 of theside wall34 and the other half affixed to aninner edge41 of thedoor42.Housing30, however, need not comprisemovable door42 and instead may comprise a front wall (not shown) opposite theback wall32 covering a portion of opening40 with theremovable slide plate50 covering the remaining portion of theopening40. In such a configuration, theslide plate50 may extend downwardly in the direction of thefloor36 to, for example, about the middle of theside walls34 to provide sufficient access to thedistribution cable21, thewiring connections23 and any electrical components within theinterior cavity22 of theenclosure20. Thehousing30 may further comprise alatch46 and a lock (not shown) for securing thedoor42 to the housing, and thereby limiting access to theinternal cavity22 of theenclosure20 to authorized personnel.
• As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the[0021]slide plate50 further comprises channelingmeans54 for preventing water, such as from rain, sleet, melting snow, or melting ice, from entering theinternal cavity22 defined by theenclosure20, and thereby degrading the performance of the distribution network. In the preferred embodiment described and illustrated herein, the channelingmeans54 comprises a downwardly extendingfirst flange56 and an outwardly extendingsecond flange57. At least one, and preferably two, through holes55 (FIG. 2) are provided infirst flange56 for receiving the fasteners that removably attach theslide plate50 to thehousing30, as previously described.Second flange57 extends outwardly from the lower edge offlange56 in a direction away frominternal cavity22 andopening40. Preferably, channeling means54 ofslide plate50 further comprises alip58 extending upwardly a short distance from the outer edge ofsecond flange57.Lip58 prevents water collected onsecond flange57 from flowing downwardly behinddoor42 under the influence of gravity.
• As shown,[0022]second flange57 is generally perpendicular tofirst flange56.Second flange57, however, may extend outwardly fromfirst flange56 at any angle that is suitable to direct water away from theinternal cavity22 and theopening40. For example,second flange57 may be angled downwardly relative tofirst flange56 so that the water flows away fromfirst flange56 towardslip58 under the influence of gravity. Furthermore,second flange57 may be crowned at a medial location between the opposed ends of thefirst flange56 so that the water flows in the direction ofside walls34 under the influence of gravity. As best shown in FIG. 4, the cross sectional shape of channeling means54 (e.g.,first flange56,second flange57, and lip58) is generally U-shaped. The cross sectional shape of channelingmeans54, however, may have any other convenient shape, such as C-shaped. Furthermore, channelingmeans54 may comprise onlyfirst flange56 andsecond flange57 and may have any suitable cross sectional shape, such as L-shaped or V-shaped.
• Most importantly,[0023]slide plate50 is seamless. As used herein, “seamless” means that channeling means54 extends continuously at least the entire width of theopening40. Thus, there are no discontinuities, and in particular no vertical seams17 (FIG. 1), along channeling means54 to permit water that collects onsecond flange57 to seep into theinterior cavity22 of theenclosure20. As shown in FIG. 5,door42 ofhousing30 overlies the lower portion offirst flange56,second flange57, andlip58. Accordingly, oncerain cap60 is removed and a subsequent enclosure is vertically stacked on top ofenclosure20, any water that collects onsecond flange57 could seep into theinternal cavity22 of theenclosure20 if channeling means54 did not extend continuously at least the entire width of theopening40. Preferably,housing30 ofoutdoor enclosure20 further comprises vertical rain channels48 (FIG. 2) affixed to flanges33 ofside walls34 and extending outwardly therefromadjacent opening40.Rain channels48 are positioned inwardly ofdoor42 so that thedoor42 closes over therain channels48 along with the lower portion offirst flange56,second flange57, andlip58. Channeling means54, and in particularsecond flange57, extend at least to, and preferably slightly beyond thevertical rain channels48. As a result, water onsecond flange57 is directed laterally and then downwardly alongrain channels48 under the influence of gravitypast opening40.
• In operation, a craftsperson installs the[0024]enclosure20 in the distribution network by securinghousing30 to a structural element, such as the exterior wall of a building, using fasteners that pass through theholes31 provided onback wall32. The enclosure is installed with theside walls34 oriented vertically and thefloor36 andtop wall38 oriented horizontally. The distributionnetwork service cable21 is then routed through thehole37 into theinterior cavity22 defined by theenclosure20. Typically, the insulation of theservice cable21 is then partially removed to permit any requiredwiring connections23 to be made in theinterior cavity22. For example, the craftsperson may route a 100 pairtelephone service cable21 into theenclosure20 and drop-off only 50 pair for makingwiring connections23 to existing subscriber drop lines27 (FIG. 2) of subscriber drop line cable25 routed through thesecond hole37 provided infloor36. Once the desiredwiring connections23 are made, the unused, or “dark,” portion ofservice cable21 is coiled and stored within thehousing30. If not already assembled,slide plate50 is removably attached tohousing30 by fasteners that pass throughholes55 formed infirst flange56 ofslide plate50 and are received inholes35 provided inflanges33 ofside walls34.Rain cap60 is then removably attached tohousing30 by passing downwardly extending posts65 throughholes51 formed intop portion52 ofslide plate50 and are received inholes61 provided inflanges62 ofside walls34. Finally, door42 (if provided) is moved to the closedposition covering opening40 and secured to latch46 in a conventional manner, for example by a lock (not shown).
• Later, the service provider may desire to route the remaining 50 pair of the 100 pair[0025]telephone service cable21 into a subsequent enclosure (not shown) for connection to additional subscriber drop lines. If so, therain cap60 and theslide plate50 are removed fromhousing30 and the door42 (if provided) is moved to the openedposition exposing opening40 andinterior cavity22 ofenclosure20. The subsequent enclosure is then positioned on top ofenclosure20, vertically aligned and secured to the structural element in a conventional manner. The unused portion oftelephone service cable21 is next uncoiled and routed throughhole39 defined by theinner edge53 oftop portion52 ofslide plate50 andtop wall38. The additional subscriber drop lines of subscriber drop line cable25 are then routed into the subsequent enclosure through thesecond hole39 defined byinner edge53 ofslide plate50 andtop wall38. The desired additional wiring connections are made in the interior cavity of the subsequent enclosure and any still unused portion ofservice cable21 is coiled and stored within the housing of the subsequent enclosure for further future expansion in yet another subsequent enclosure that is stacked vertically on top the first subsequent enclosure.
• Obviously, those skilled in the art will immediately appreciate that many alternative embodiments of the invention described herein are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be construed broadly enough to encompass any and all alternative embodiments that are within the spirit and scope of the invention as illustrated and described by the written description, accompanying drawings and appended claims.[0026]

Claims (18)

That which is claimed is:

1. An enclosure comprising a housing defining an internal cavity and having an opening for providing access to the internal cavity; and

a slide plate removably attached to the housing, the slide plate extending at least the entire width of the opening of the housing.

2. The enclosure ofclaim 1 wherein the housing comprises a back wall, a pair of side walls affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, a floor affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, the floor affixed to and extending between the side walls, a top wall affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, the top wall affixed to and extending between the side walls opposite the floor.

3. The enclosure ofclaim 2 further comprising a door attached to the housing and movable between a closed position covering the internal cavity defined by the housing and an opened position exposing the internal cavity defined by the housing.

4. The enclosure ofclaim 3 wherein the door is hinged to the housing adjacent one of the side walls.

5. The enclosure ofclaim 1 further comprising a rain cap affixed to the housing and overlying the slide plate.

6. The enclosure ofclaim 3 wherein an inner edge of the slide plate is positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and the slide plate comprises channeling means for preventing water from entering the internal cavity defined by the housing, the channeling means extending continuously between the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening of the housing.

7. The enclosure ofclaim 3 wherein an inner edge of the slide plate is positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and the slide plate comprises a downwardly depending first flange and an outwardly depending second flange for preventing water from entering the internal cavity defined by the housing, the second flange extending continuously between the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening of the housing.

8. The enclosure ofclaim 2 wherein the slide plate defines at least one passageway with the top wall of the housing for permitting the passage of an electrical cable therethrough.

9. The enclosure ofclaim 2 wherein the top wall of the housing depends outwardly from the back wall of the housing along a portion of the side walls and the slide plate extends inwardly in the direction of the back wall of the housing along the remaining portion of the side walls and wherein the slide plate defines at least one passageway with the top wall of the housing for permitting the passage of an electrical cable therethrough.

10. The enclosure ofclaim 9 wherein the slide plate comprises a first horizontal flange adjacent the top wall of the housing, a second flange depending vertically downwardly from the first flange, and a third flange depending outwardly from the second flange, the second and third flanges extending continuously at least the entire width of the opening defined by the housing.

11. The enclosure ofclaim 10 further comprising a lip depending upwardly from the third flange and wherein the second flange, the third flange and the lip define a generally J-shaped cross section.

12. An outdoor enclosure defining an internal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protecting electrical wiring connections within the cavity from exposure to adverse environmental conditions, the enclosure comprising

a housing having a back wall, a pair of side walls affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, a floor affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, the floor affixed to and extending between the side walls, a top wall affixed to and depending outwardly from the back wall, the top wall affixed to and extending between the side walls opposite the floor, the top wall, the floor, and the side walls of the housing defining an opening; and

a slide plate removably attached to the housing, the slide plate extending continuously between the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening of the housing.

13. The outdoor enclosure ofclaim 12 further comprising a door attached to the housing adjacent a side wall of the housing, the door being movable between a closed position covering the opening of the housing and an opened position exposing the internal cavity defined by the enclosure.

14. The outdoor enclosure ofclaim 13 wherein an inner edge of the slide plate is positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and wherein the slide plate comprises channeling means for preventing the adverse environmental conditions from entering the internal cavity defined by the enclosure, the channeling means extending continuously between the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening of the housing.

15. The outdoor enclosure ofclaim 13 wherein an inner edge of the slide plate is positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and wherein the slide plate comprises a downwardly depending first flange and an outwardly depending second flange for preventing the adverse environmental conditions from entering the internal cavity defined by the enclosure, the second flange extending continuously between the side walls of the housing at least the entire width of the opening of the housing.

16. The outdoor enclosure ofclaim 12 wherein the slide plate defines at least one passageway with the top wall of the housing for permitting the passage of an electrical cable therethrough.

17. The outdoor enclosure ofclaim 12 wherein the top wall of the housing depends outwardly from the back wall of the housing along a portion of the side walls and the slide plate extends inwardly in the direction of the back wall of the housing along the remaining portion of the side walls and wherein the slide plate defines at least one passageway with the top wall of the housing for permitting the passage of an electrical cable therethrough.

18. An outdoor enclosure for use in a communications service network, the enclosure defining an internal cavity for receiving an electrical cable and for protecting wiring connections within the cavity from exposure to adverse environmental conditions, the enclosure comprising:

a housing having a rear wall, a pair of opposed side walls affixed to and depending outwardly from the rear wall, a floor affixed to and depending outwardly from the rear wall and affixed to and extending between the side walls, a top wall affixed to and depending outwardly from the rear wall and affixed to and extending between the side walls opposite the floor, and a door hingedly attached to the housing opposite the rear wall and extending between the side walls; and

a slide plate having an inner edge positioned adjacent the top wall of the housing and extending between the opposed side walls, the slide plate defining at least one opening with the top wall for permitting the passage of the electrical cable therethrough, the slide plate comprising a continuous channel extending at least the entire width of the door to prevent the entry of the adverse environmental conditions into the internal cavity defined by the enclosure.

Images