Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02818378 2013-06-11
COVER ASSEMBLY FOR OUTDOOR EQUIPMENT ENCLOSURE
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Disclosure
100011 The present disclosure relates to equipment enclosures. More
particularly, the
disclosure concerns enclosures that house temperature-sensitive equipment,
such as
telephone and data communications apparatus.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] By way of background, outdoor equipment enclosures are used to house
many
different types of devices and equipment. Examples include, but are not
limited to,
enclosures for telephone or data network communications apparatus. It is
occasionally
necessary to open such equipment enclosures in the field in order to install
or service the
components therein. This can expose the components to wind, rain, snow and
temperature
extremes. It is to improvements in outdoor equipment protection that the
present disclosure
is directed. In particular, the disclosure presents a novel cover assembly and
method for use
with an outdoor equipment enclosure that allows access to the enclosure
interior while
protecting the interior components from exposure to the environment.
SUMMARY
[0003] A cover assembly is disclosed for use with an outdoor equipment
enclosure when the
enclosure is opened up for access. The equipment enclosure is of a type that
includes an
equipment enclosure housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, plural
side portions, and
an interior equipment chamber accessible via an opening in at least one of the
housing side
portions. The equipment enclosure further includes a service entrance door
associated with
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the opening, the door being positionable between a closed position wherein the
opening is
covered and an open position wherein the opening is exposed. The cover
assembly includes
a frame that is positionable above the housing top portion. The frame is
configurable
between an open unfolded position and a closed folded position. A cover is
supportable on
the frame in the unfolded position. The cover has a top portion and plural
side portions that
enclose the enclosure housing side portions when the cover is deployed. This
provides an
area surrounding the enclosure housing top and side portions that is
sequestered from an
environment outside of the cover when it is necessary to access the interior
equipment
chamber via the service entrance door.
[0004] In an example embodiment, the service entrance door may be pivotally
attached to
one of the side portions of the enclosure housing, and the frame may be sized
so that the
service entrance door can be fully opened when the cover is deployed.
Additional service
entrance doors may also be pivotally attached to corresponding side portions
of the enclosure
housing, in which case the frame may be sized so that all of the service
entrance doors can be
fully opened at the same time when the cover is deployed.
[0005] In an example embodiment, the frame have a rectangular configuration in
the
unfolded position, and may have a linear configuration in the folded position.
The frame
may be provided by a set of rigid frame members that are pivotally
interconnected. These
rigid frame members may include (1) a pair of pivotally interconnected rear
frame members
that open to form a rear side of the frame, (2) a pair of pivotally
interconnected right side
frame members that open to form a right side of the frame, (3) a pair of
pivotally
interconnected left side frame members that open to form a left side of the
frame, (4) a pair
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of pivotally interconnected front frame members that open to form a front side
of the frame,
and (5) a pair of first and second diagonal frame members, the first diagonal
frame member
being pivotally connected to a first one of the rear frame members and to a
pivotal junction
of one of the right side frame members and a first one of the front frame
members, and the
second diagonal frame member being pivotally connected to a second one of the
rear frame
members and to a pivotal junction of one of the left side frame members and a
second one of
the front frame members.
100061 In an example embodiment, the frame members are channel shaped. The
channel-
shaped frame members may be arranged such that, when the frame is in the
folded position,
(1) the right side frame members, a right-hand one of the diagonal frame
members, and a
right-hand one of the front frame members will nest within a right-hand one of
the rear frame
members, and (2) the left side frame members, a left-hand one of the diagonal
frame
members, and a left-hand one of the front frame members will nest within a
left-hand one of
the rear frame members. The channel-shaped frame members may likewise be
arranged such
that, when the frame is in the folded position (1) the right side frame
members, the left side
frame members, the front frame members and the diagonal frame members are
disposed
between the rear frame members, (2) the front frame members are disposed
between the
diagonal frame members, (3) the right side frame members are disposed between
a right-hand
one of the diagonal frame members and a right-hand one of the rear frame
members, and (4)
the left side frame members are disposed between a left-hand one of the
diagonal frame
members and a left-hand one of the rear frame members.
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[0007] In an example embodiment, the frame may further include a wind latch to
maintain
the frame in the unfolded position. The wind latch may be situated at any
convenient
location. For example, it may extend between a right-hand one of the diagonal
frame
members and one of the right side frame members. Additional wind latches could
also be
used.
[0008] In an example embodiment, the cover may include one or more view
windows
comprising light transmissive material. The cover may also include one or more
seams that
can be opened to allow access to a cover interior, or to accommodate mounting
structure for
the equipment enclosure. The cover side portions may be sized so that they
extend from the
frame to ground level when the cover assembly is deployed for use with the
equipment
enclosure.
[0009] In an example embodiment, the cover assembly may further include a
mounting
bracket for removably mounting the assembly to the equipment enclosure. The
mounting
bracket may be constructed using a channel member that is configured to
receive a frame
member of the frame, such as one of the rear frame members. The mounting
bracket may be
provided with a first clasp on the channel member that defines a first slot.
The first slot
slidably receives an end of the frame member. The frame member itself may be
provided
with a second clasp that defines a second slot. The second slot opposes the
first slot and slide
ably receives an end of the channel member. The first and second clasps are
operable to
interconnect the frame member and the channel member, and to prevent the frame
member
from being pulled away from the channel member without sliding movement of the
frame
member relative to the channel member. The channel member may also mount a
retractable
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pin that is operable to engage a pin-receiving opening in the frame member
when frame
member and the channel member are operably interconnected by the first and
second clasps.
The retractable pin prevents the frame member and the channel member from
being slidably
removed from their respective engagement with the first and second clasps. The
retractable
pin may be biased toward a position of engagement with the pin-receiving
opening by a
biasing member, and a handle may be provided for retracting the pin when it is
time to
remove the frame.
[0010] In a further aspect, the cover assembly is mounted to the equipment
enclosure to form
a combination.
[0011] In a still further aspect, a method is provided for using the cover
assembly to maintain
a sequestered environment around the equipment enclosure. The method includes
removably
mounting the frame above the housing top portion while the frame is
substantially in its
folded position. The frame is then unfolded to its unfolded position, and the
cover is mounted
over the frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The foregoing and other features and advantages will be apparent from
the following
more particular description of an example embodiment, as illustrated in the
accompanying
Drawings, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 is a front perspective view showing an example equipment
enclosure that may
be used with a cover assembly according to the present disclosure;
[0014] Fig. 2 is a front perspective view showing an example cover assembly
that may be
used in combination with the equipment enclosure of Fig. 1;
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[0015] Fig. 3 is a rear perspective view showing the cover assembly of Fig. 2;
100161 Fig. 4 is a front perspective view showing a frame portion of the cover
assembly of
Fig. 2, with the frame being in an unfolded configuration;
[0017] Fig. 5 is a front perspective view showing the frame of Fig. 2 in a
folded
configuration;
[0018] Fig. 6 is a right front perspective view showing the frame of Fig. 2 in
an unfolded
configuration;
[0019] Fig. 7 is a left front perspective view showing the frame of Fig. 2 in
an unfolded
configuration;
[0020] Fig. 8 is a front perspective view showing the frame of Fig. 2 in a
partially folded
configuration;
[0021] Fig. 9 is a front perspective view showing the frame of Fig. 2 in a
fully folded
configuration;
[0022] Fig. 10 is a front perspective view showing the equipment enclosure of
Fig. 1
carrying a mounting bracket for removably mounting the cover assembly of Fig.
2;
[0023] Fig. 11 is a rear perspective view showing the equipment enclosure and
the cover
assembly mounting bracket shown in Fig. 10;
[0024] Fig. 12 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the cover assembly
mounting
bracket of Fig. 10;
[0025] Fig. 13 is an enlarged front perspective view showing the cover
assembly mounting
bracket of Fig. 10;
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[0026] Fig. 14 is a rear perspective view of the frame of Fig. 2 showing a
mounting portion
thereof that mounts to the cover assembly mounting bracket of Fig. 10;
[0027] Fig. 15 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the frame mounting
portion of
Fig. 14 in more detail;
[0028] Fig. 16 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Fig. 14, but
showing the frame
mounted to the cover assembly mounting bracket of Fig. 10;
[0029] Fig. 17 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the frame mounting
portion and
the cover assembly mounting bracket of Fig. 16 in more detail;
[0030] Fig. 18 is a rear perspective view corresponding to Fig. 14, but
showing a channel
portion of the cover assembly removed to illustrate a mounting clamp portion
thereof; and
[0031] Fig. 19 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the frame mounting
portion and
the cover assembly mounting clamp portion of Fig. 18 in more detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Turning now to the drawing figures, which are not necessarily to scale,
like reference
numerals are used to represent like elements in all of the several views. Fig.
1 illustrates an
example outdoor equipment enclosure 2 that may be used for installing any of
various
devices and apparatus in an outdoor environment. The equipment enclosure 2 is
configured
as a housing that includes a top panel 4, a bottom panel 6 and four side
panels 8, 10, 12 and
14 that define an interior equipment chamber 16. In the illustrated embodiment
of Fig. 1, the
side panel 8 is a front panel, the side panel 10 is a right side panel, the
side panel 12 is a left
side panel, and the side panel 14 is a rear panel. Other enclosure
configurations may also be
used. The interior equipment chamber 16 includes suitable mounting structure
17 for
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mounting various types of equipment (not shown), such as telephone or data
network
communications apparatus.
[0033] One or more of the side panels 8-14 may be formed with openings that
allow access
to the interior equipment chamber 16. For example, Fig. 1 illustrates a first
access opening
18 formed on the front panel 8, a second access opening 20 formed on the right
side panel 10,
and a third access opening 22 formed on left side panel 12. A first service
entrance door 24
covers the front access opening 18 to form part of the front panel 8, a second
service entrance
door 24 covers the right side access opening 20 to form part of the right side
panel 10, and a
third service entrance door 26 covers the left side access opening 22 to form
part of the left
side panel 12. The service entrance doors 24, 26 and 28 can be mounted to the
equipment
enclosure 2 using hinges (shown on doors 24 and 26) or other suitable
attachment
arrangements.
[0034] The equipment enclosure 2 can be mounted on an upright mounting pole 29
some
distance above ground level. Any suitable attachment arrangement (not shown)
may be used.
In a typical installation, the top portion 4 of the equipment enclosure 2
might be eight feet
above the ground. The mounting pole 29 itself may be twenty-thirty feet high.
For example,
it might be a telephone pole.
[0035] Turning now to Fig. 2, a cover assembly 30 is arranged to fully enclose
the
equipment enclosure 2. The cover assembly 30 includes a flexible cover 32 that
can be made
from any suitable sheet material, including but not limited to fabric
material, polymeric
material, etc. The cover 32 includes a top portion 34 and plural side portions
36-42 that
enclose the side panels 8-14 of the equipment enclosure 2 when the cover is
deployed. In the
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illustrated embodiment of Fig. 2, the cover top portion 34 is rectangular, and
there are four
side portions, namely, a front portion 36, a right side portion 38, a left
side portion 40, and a
rear portion 42. This provides an area surrounding the enclosure housing top 4
and side
panels 8-14 that is sequestered from the environment outside of the cover when
it is
necessary to access the interior equipment chamber 16 via any of the service
entrance doors
24-26.
[0036] The side portions 36-42 of the cover 32 preferably extend to ground
level in order to
fully protect the interior equipment chamber 16 (and the components therein)
from ambient
conditions outside the cover, such as wind, rain, snow, and temperature
extremes. To allow
entry into the cover interior, the cover 32 may be provided with an access
seam 44 that can
be opened and closed. An adjustable seam closure device, such as a zipper, tie
members,
hook-and-loop fasteners, etc., may be provided for opening and closing the
seam 44.
Although only one access seam 44 is shown, additional seams of like
construction could also
be added. If the cover 32 is made from a non-light transmissive material, one
or more view
windows 46 comprising light transmissive material may be provided in one or
more of the
cover side portions 36-42.
[0037] As additionally shown in Fig. 3, the cover 32 is designed to be
installed while
accommodating the mounting pole 29. In particular, an opening 48 may be formed
in the top
portion 34 of the cover 32 to allow the mounting pole 29 to pass therethrough.
In addition,
the cover 32 may be provided with installation seams 50, 52 and 54 that can be
opened and
closed to allow the rear portion 42 of the cover 32 to be separated and then
rejoined around
the mounting pole 29 during installation. The installation seams 50 and 52
extend between
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the top portion 34 and the rear portion 42 of the cover 32. The installation
seam 54 divides
the rear portion 42 of the cover into subportions 42A and 42B.
[0038] Turning now to Figs. 4 and 5, the cover assembly 30 further includes a
frame 60 that
supports the cover 32 in its installation position. The frame 60 is
positionable above the top
portion 4 of the equipment enclosure 2. In particular, as described in more
detail below, the
frame may be mounted to the equipment enclosure 2 by way of a specially
designed
mounting bracket (reference number 100) that allows the frame to be attached
and detached
when desired. The frame 60 can be made of any suitable rigid material,
including metals,
polymers, composites and the like. It is configurable between an open unfolded
position, as
shown in Fig. 4, and a closed folded position, as shown in Fig. 5. The
unfolded position of
Fig. 4 is used for supporting the cover 32. The folded position of Fig. 5 is
used when the
cover 32 is not installed. As can be seen in Fig. 4, the frame 60 may be sized
so that at least
one, and preferably all, of the service entrance doors 24, 26 and 28 can be
fully opened (at
the same time) when the frame is in the unfolded position for deployment of
the cover 32. In
the illustrated embodiment, the frame 60 has a rectangular configuration in
the unfolded
position (Fig. 4), and a linear configuration (Fig. 5) in the folded position.
[0039] As additionally shown in Figs. 6-7, the frame 60 may be provided by a
set of rigid
frame members that are pivotally interconnected. These rigid frame members may
include
(1) a pair of pivotally interconnected rear frame members 62 and 64 that open
to form a rear
side 66 of the frame, (2) a pair of pivotally interconnected right side frame
members 68 and
70 that open to form a right side 72 of the frame, (3) a pair of pivotally
interconnected left
side frame members 74 and 76 that open to form a left side 78 of the frame,
(4) a pair of
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pivotally interconnected front frame members 80 and 82 that open to form a
front side 84 of
the frame, and (5) a pair of first and second diagonal frame members 86 and
88. The first
diagonal frame member 86 is pivotally connected to the left rear frame member
62 and to a
pivotal junction of the front left side frame member 76 and the left front
frame member 80.
The second diagonal frame member 88 is pivotally connected to the right rear
frame member
64 and to a pivotal junction of the front right side frame member 70 and the
right front frame
member 82. Each of the various frame members may be channel shaped to
facilitate
collapsing the frame 60 to the linear folded position.
[0040] With additional reference now to Figs. 8 and 9, the channel-shaped
frame members
are arranged such that, when the frame 60 is in the folded position, (1) the
right side frame
members 68/70, the right diagonal frame member 88, and the right front frame
member 82
will nest within the right rear frame member 64, and (2) the left side frame
members 74/76,
the left diagonal frame member 86, and the left front frame member 80 will
nest within the
left rear frame member 62. With continuing reference to Figs. 8 and 9, the
channel-shaped
frame members are likewise arranged such that, when the frame 60 is in the
folded position
(1) the right side frame members 68/70, the left side frame members 74/76, the
front frame
members 80/82, and the diagonal frame members 86/88 are disposed between the
rear frame
members 62/64, (2) the front frame members 82/84 are disposed between the
diagonal frame
members 86/88, (3) the right side frame members 68/70 are disposed between the
right
diagonal frame member 86 and the right rear frame member 64, and (4) the left
side frame
members 74/76 are disposed between the left diagonal frame member 88 and the
left rear
frame member 62.
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[0041] With particular reference now to Fig. 8, it may be seen that the right
side frame
members 68/70 and the left side frame members 74/76 are arranged with their
channel
sections back-to-back. These side frame member pairs 68/70 and 74/76 are sized
so that they
respectively nest within nominal channel portions 88A and 86A of the diagonal
frame
members 88 and 86. As can be seen, the remaining channel portions 86B and 88B
of the
diagonal frame members 86 and 88 that do not receive any side frame members
may be of
enlarged depth to provide increased strength and rigidity. As further shown in
Fig. 8, the
diagonal frame members 86 and 88 are sized so that they respectively nest
within the channel
sections of the front frame members 80 and 82. The front frame members 80 and
82 are
themselves sized to respectively nest within the channel sections of the rear
frame members
62 and 64. As shown in Fig. 9, the foregoing sizing of the various frame
member channel
sections allows the rear frame members 62 and 64 to be completely folded so
that their
channel sections are in contacting relationship. The front frame members 82
and 84 will
likewise be in contacting relationship in the folded position, with the side
frame members
68/70 and 74/76, as well as the diagonal frame members 86 and 88, being fully
nested within
the front frame member channel sections, thereby providing the aforementioned
folded linear
configuration.
100421 As can be seen in Fig. 4, 6 and 7, the frame 60 may further include a
wind latch 90 to
maintain the frame in the unfolded position. The wind latch 90 extends between
the right
diagonal frame member 88 (where it is pivotally connected) and the front right
side frame
member 70 (where it slidably mounted and lockable in an open frame position.
Although not
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shown, a second wind latch could be added to extend between the left diagonal
frame
member 88 and the front left side frame member 76.
[0043] Turning now to Figs. 10 and 11, a mounting bracket 100 may be used to
removably
mount the frame 60, and thus the cover assembly 30, to the equipment enclosure
2. As
additionally shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the mounting bracket 100 may include a
channel
member 102 and a pair of mounting plates 104 and 106 for attaching the channel
member to
the back portion 14 of the equipment enclosure 2, at its juncture with the top
portion 4. The
channel member 102 is configured to receive a frame member of the frame 60,
namely the
right rear frame member 64. As can be seen in Figs. 10 and 13, the front side
of the channel
member 102 mounts a first clasp 108. As can be seen in Fig. 13, the clasp 108
is spaced from
the surface of the channel member 94 so as to define a first slot 110. The
slot 110 is adapted
to slidably receive a mounting end 64A of the right rear frame member 64,
which is shown in
Fig. 14, and also in the enlarged view of Fig. 15. As best shown in Fig. 15,
the mounting end
64A may be formed with central cutout that provides room to receive the clasp
108. This
prevents the left rear frame member 62 from binding on the clasp 108 as the
frame 60 is
opened to the unfolded position.
[0044] As shown in both of Figs. 14 and 15, the frame member 64 itself
includes a second
clasp 112. The clasp 112 is spaced from the surface of the frame member 64 so
as to define a
second slot 114. As can be additionally seen in Fig. 16, and also in the
enlarged view of Fig.
17, the second slot 114 slide ably receives a mounting end 102A of the channel
member 102.
For clarity, Fig. 17 shows the mounting bracket 100 with the mounting plate
106 removed
from the channel member 102.
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100451 The first and second clasps 108 and 112 are operable to interconnect
the right rear
frame member 64 and the channel member 102 in order to prevent the frame
member from
being pulled away from the channel member without relative sliding movement
between
these components. This operational interconnection provided by clasps 108 and
112 is
illustrated in Fig. 18, and also the enlarged view of Fig. 19, which removes
the channel
member 102 so as not to obscure the first clasp 108. As is best shown in Fig.
19, the first and
second clasps 108 and 112 are arranged so that the second slot 114 opposes the
first slot 108,
thereby interlocking the right rear frame member 64 and the channel member
102.
100461 As shown in Figs. 12, 13, 17 and 19, the channel member 102 mounts a
retractable
pin mechanism 116 that includes a retractable pin 118. The retractable pin 118
is operable to
engage a pin-receiving opening 120 in the right rear frame member 64 when that
frame
member and the channel member 102 are operably interconnected by the first and
second
clasps 108 and 112. The retractable pin 118 prevents the right rear frame
member 64 and the
channel member 102 from being slidably removed from this interconnected
configuration. As
best shown in Figs. 12, 17 and 19, the retractable pin 118 is mounted on a
support fitting 122,
and is forwardly biased by a coil spring biasing member 124 toward a position
of
engagement with the pin-receiving opening 120. A rearward portion of the
retractable pin
118 is bent 90 degrees to provide a handle 126 for retracting the pin. The
handle 126 can
also be seen in Figs. 10, 11 and 13.
100471 A method may now be described for using the cover assembly 30 to
maintain a
sequestered environment around the equipment enclosure 2. The method may be
initiated by
removably mounting the frame 60 to the mounting bracket 100 while the frame is
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substantially in its folded position. As shown in Fig. 5, the frame 60 will
now be positioned
above the housing top panel 4. However, unlike the configuration of Fig. 5,
the service
entrance doors 24, 26 and 28 will normally be closed insofar as the cover 30
is not yet in
place to protect the interior equipment chamber 16 from outside environmental
conditions.
The frame 60 may now be unfolded by fanning it out from the folded position
shown in Fig.
to the unfolded position shown in Fig. 4. Once the frame 60 is fully unfolded,
and
assuming the wind latch 90 is locked, the cover 30 may be placed over the
frame and
arranged as shown in Fig. 2. For this operation, the cover seams 50, 52 and 54
shown in Fig.
3 will be initially open, allowing the cover 30 to be placed on the frame 60
without
interference from the pole 29. The cover seams 50, 52 and 54 may thereafter be
closed to
complete the installation. At this point, service personnel may enter the
interior area within
the cover 30 by opening the seam 44 (or by other means). One or more of the
service doors
24, 26 and 28 may then be opened to access the interior equipment chamber 16.
[0048] Accordingly, a cover assembly has been disclosed for for use with an
outdoor
equipment enclosure when the enclosure is opened up for access. Although
various
embodiments have been described, it should be apparent that many variations
and alternative
embodiments could be implemented in accordance with the inventive concepts
disclosed
herein. In should therefore be understood that the invention is not to be in
any way limited
except in accordance with the spirit of the appended claims and their
equivalents.
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