Abstract: A grade level enclosure conversion assembly adapted for converting a pedestal housing between a flush-to-grade and an above-ground pedestal installation. The base of the pedestal housing carries a plug removably mounted to a swing-arm in the grade level enclosure. The swing-arm holds the pedestal assembly in a stored position in the flush-to-grade installation, containing wiring for service connections. To convert to the above-ground installation, a solid grade level cover plate lid is removed, and the pedestal assembly is rotated on the swing arm to a raised position from which it can be removed from the swing-arm (along with the wiring) and fed through an access opening in a separate cover plate lid. The plug on the pedestal housing is then positioned in the access opening to hold the pedestal assembly in the above-ground position.

Abstract: A grade level enclosure conversion assembly adapted for converting a pedestal housing between a flush-to-grade and an above-ground pedestal installation. The base of the pedestal housing carries a plug removably mounted to a swing-arm in the grade level enclosure. The swing-arm holds the pedestal assembly in a stored position in the flush-to-grade installation, containing wiring for service connections. To convert to the above-ground installation, a solid grade level cover plate lid is removed, and the pedestal assembly is rotated on the swing arm to a raised position from which it can be removed from the swing-arm (along with the wiring) and fed through an access opening in a separate cover plate lid. The plug on the pedestal housing is then positioned in the access opening to hold the pedestal assembly in the above-ground position.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable, which includes providing a housing having a front side and a back side and positioning multiple pairs of electrical connectors in the housing such that one end of each of the electrical connectors is exposed on the front side of the housing and one end of the connector is exposed on the back side of the housing. Each of electrical connectors having an insulation displacement contact terminal on the end exposed on the back side of the housing, and connecting multiple pairs of insulated electrical wires to the connectors on the back side of the housing. A dielectric material is pressure molded on the back side of the housing to encapsulate the connections of the wires and the connectors on the back side of the housing.

Abstract: An enhanced strength grade level utility enclosure comprises a vertical wall structure having an upright inner wall panel extending from an upper edge to a bottom edge of the structure. The inner wall panel has an inside face spanning the enclosure's interior. One or more narrow, vertically extending slotted regions are recessed in the inside face of the wall panel. Upright rigid support bars, optionally adapted for use as cable racks, are positioned in and rigidly affixed to separate slotted regions on the wall panel. The support bars provide a continuous means of rigid vertical support from the upper edge down to the bottom edge of the enclosure's wall structure. The recessed support bars, in combination with the vertical wall structure, provide enhanced wall strength in excess of industrial vertical side wall and center load test standards.

Abstract: A lid-lift hole assembly for an underground utility vault lid comprises a liner positioned in an open-ended lid-lift hole, and a receptacle positioned below the liner. Opposite side walls of the receptacle contain thru-holes aligned with fastener holes in opposite side walls of the liner, Fasteners extending through the thru-holes and into the fastener holes (from the underside of the lid) are tightened (to apply pressure to the juncture between the receptacle and the liner) to lock the liner in the lid-lift hole. The receptacle forms an enlarged-volume, box-like enclosure rigidly (but releasably) held beneath an open passage through the liner. The space inside the receptacle can contain debris kept from entering the working area of the vault. The space inside the receptacle is shaped to receive a tool for removing the lid.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a drop cable splice enclosure includes a base having an entry hole for receiving a drop cable inserted through a compression grommet assembly, from outside the enclosure. The cable can be prepared for splicing, outside the enclosure. The grommet assembly (and the optionally prepared cable) are inserted into the entry hole, from outside the enclosure. The assembly includes upper and lower pressure plates, a compressible grommet between them, and an adjustment mechanism to apply a compression force to the grommet. The grommet assembly is rotatable to lock it in a keyed section in the entry hole. The adjustment mechanism is then tightened, from outside the enclosure, to compress the grommet between the pressure plates, which seals the grommet in the enclosure base, at the same time sealing the cable in the passageway through the grommet.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable is disclosed, which includes: positioning at least one electrical connector in a mold, the at least one electrical connector comprising a first end adapted to receive a first electrical wire and a second end adapted to receive a second electrical wire; connecting at least one insulated electrical wire to the first end of each of the at least one electrical connectors; and injecting a dielectric material by a force of greater than 1 g into the mold containing the at least one electrical connector and the at least one electrical wire, wherein the dielectric material surrounds at least the first end of the electrical connector and the at least one electrical wire.

Abstract: A sealing mechanism for a drop cable splice enclosure includes a base having an entry hole for receiving a drop cable inserted through a compression grommet assembly, from outside the enclosure. The cable can be prepared for splicing, outside the enclosure. The grommet assembly (and the optionally prepared cable) are inserted into the entry hole, from outside the enclosure. The assembly includes upper and lower pressure plates, a compressible grommet between them, and an adjustment mechanism to apply a compression force to the grommet. The grommet assembly is rotatable to lock it in a keyed section in the entry hole. The adjustment mechanism is then tightened, from outside the enclosure, to compress the grommet between the pressure plates, which seals the grommet in the enclosure base, at the same time sealing the cable in the passageway through the grommet.

Abstract: A lid-lift hole assembly for an underground utility vault lid comprises a liner positioned in an open-ended lid-lift hole, and a receptacle positioned below the liner. Opposite side walls of the receptacle contain thru-holes aligned with fastener holes in opposite side walls of the liner, Fasteners extending through the thru-holes and into the fastener holes (from the underside of the lid) are tightened (to apply pressure to the juncture between the receptacle and the liner) to lock the liner in the lid-lift hole. The receptacle forms an enlarged-volume, box-like enclosure rigidly (but releasably) held beneath an open passage through the liner. The space inside the receptacle can contain debris kept from entering the working area of the vault. The space inside the receptacle is shaped to receive a tool for removing the lid.

Abstract: An underground utility enclosure assembly with a sealed fiber distribution enclosure includes a grade level box and a removable cover that mounts to the box. The cover includes a removable plug that provides access to the interior of the box. A removed plug area in the cover allows access to utility cables contained in the box and access to the interior of the sealed fiber distribution enclosure mounted to the open plug area. The bottom of the enclosure includes a rigid lower base frame assembly that removably attaches to the open plug area, and an above-ground fiber distribution base structure affixed to a cable opening passing through the base frame assembly. The sealed fiber distribution enclosure can be removed as a unit from the cover on the grade level box, with active cables undisturbed, and moved to a remote site for making above-ground fiber optic cable splices. The sealed fiber distribution enclosure then can be re-installed in the cover plate, with the active cables undisturbed.

Abstract: A locking system for securely closing the lid on an enclosure, such as a grade level box, includes an L-bolt connected to a spring-biased slide member positioned on the underside of the lid. The L-bolt rotates in a slotted housing that securely retains the L-bolt under the lid. The slide member engages an abutment on the inside of the enclosure, when the lid is forced down over an opening in the enclosure, e.g., by foot pressure. Downward force on the lid progressively causes the latch to retract against the spring-bias from contact with the abutment and then snaps the latch into a spring-biased locking position under the abutment. The L-bolt is accessed from outside the lid, rotated by a proprietary socket wrench or similar tool, to retract the latch from its locking position sufficiently for removing the lid from the enclosure.

Abstract: An underground utility enclosure assembly with a sealed fiber distribution enclosure includes a grade level box and a removable cover that mounts to the box. The cover includes a removable plug that provides access to the interior of the box. A removed plug area in the cover allows access to utility cables contained in the box and access to the interior of the sealed fiber distribution enclosure mounted to the open plug area. The bottom of the enclosure includes a rigid lower base frame assembly that removably attaches to the open plug area, and an above-ground fiber distribution base structure affixed to a cable opening passing through the base frame assembly. The sealed fiber distribution enclosure can be removed as a unit from the cover on the grade level box, with active cables undisturbed, and moved to a remote site for making above-ground fiber optic cable splices. The sealed fiber distribution enclosure then can be re-installed in the cover plate, with the active cables undisturbed.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable comprising the steps of providing a mold having a first half and a second half, each forming a respective body cavity configured to form a terminal block and configured to receive a substrate comprising a plurality of openings adapted to receive an insulated electrical contact. A plurality of projections extend from the first half into the cavity, wherein the plurality of projections are adapted to remove a portion of insulation from the electrical contact positioned within each of the openings. The substrate is positioned in the mold and the insulated electrical contact is inserted into each of the openings. The mold is closed such that the plurality of projections remove a portion of the insulation from the insulated electrical contact upon closing of the mold. A dielectric material is then injected into the mold containing the substrate and insulated electrical contact to form a terminal block.

Abstract: A locking system for securely closing the lid on an enclosure, such as a grade level box, includes an L-bolt connected to a spring-biased slide member positioned on the underside of the lid. The L-bolt rotates in a slotted housing that securely retains the L-bolt under the lid. The slide member engages an abutment on the inside of the enclosure, when the lid is forced down over an opening in the enclosure, e.g., by foot pressure. Downward force on the lid progressively causes the latch to retract against the spring-bias from contact with the abutment and then snaps the latch into a spring-biased locking position under the abutment. The L-bolt is accessed from outside the lid, rotated by a proprietary socket wrench or similar tool, to retract the latch from its locking position sufficiently for removing the lid from the enclosure.

Abstract: A terminal block for a telecommunication cable, which includes a substrate, an insulated electrical contact and a housing, which surrounds the substrate. The substrate has a front side and a back side, and includes a plurality of openings extending from the front side to the back side of the substrate and adapted to receive an insulated electrical contact. An insulated electrical contact is positioned within each of the plurality of openings. A housing surrounds the substrate and forms a plurality of sockets, and wherein each socket is adapted to receive an electrical connector.

Abstract: A locking system for closing and locking a lid on an enclosure such as a grade level enclosure. The locking system includes a latch formed on an edge of a lid of the enclosure. The latch includes a bolt recess on an upper face of the lid which opens into a slotted wall structure that forms a passage below the lid. The bolt recess has a slotted opening which receives an L-bolt that extends down into a hollow interior of the slotted wall structure. A right angle leg on the L-bolt protrudes below the slotted wall structure when a fastener head atop the L-bolt rests in the bolt recess. The fastener head of the bolt in its at-rest position in the bolt recess provides access for rotating the L-bolt (and its right angle leg) with a tool that fits into the bolt recess to engage the fastener head. The bottom leg of the L-bolt, when rotated to its locked position, protrudes under a locking surface inside the enclosure. This releasably locks the lid to the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable comprising the steps of providing a mold having a first half and a second half, each forming a respective body cavity configured to form a terminal block and configured to receive a substrate comprising a plurality of openings adapted to receive an insulated electrical contact. A plurality of projections extend from the first half into the cavity, wherein the plurality of projections are adapted to remove a portion of insulation from the electrical contact positioned within each of the openings. The substrate is positioned in the mold and the insulated electrical contact is inserted into each of the openings. The mold is closed such that the plurality of projections remove a portion of the insulation from the insulated electrical contact upon closing of the mold. A dielectric material is then injected into the mold containing the substrate and insulated electrical contact to form a terminal block.

Abstract: An underground electrical utilities vault and distribution enclosure system comprises a grade level box, for storing underground cables, and a two-part lid comprising a pair of side-by-side cover plates that close the top of the box. One of the split cover plates has an access opening that interlocks with an above-ground pedestal housing. Connections to underground cables contained in the grade level box are made on a frame structure disposed in the pedestal housing. The split cover may contain a removable plug that normally rests at ground level before service is provided to the premises. When connections are provided to the premises, the plug is removed and the pedestal housing, having a base of the same configuration as the access opening, is snap-locked in the opening left by removing the plug. The interior of the pedestal housing contains connecting brackets such as mounting bars and/or a universal mounting plate for making the above-ground connections.

Abstract: A grade level box for use with underground utilities connections having vertical walls reinforced with exterior vertical and horizontal ribs integrally molded with the wall structure.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a terminal block for a telecommunication cable comprising the steps of providing a mold having a first half and a second half, each forming a respective body cavity configured to form a terminal block and configured to receive a substrate comprising a plurality of openings adapted to receive an insulated electrical contact. A plurality of projections extend from the first half into the cavity, wherein the plurality of projections are adapted to remove a portion of insulation from the electrical contact positioned within each of the openings. The substrate is positioned in the mold and the insulated electrical contact is inserted into each of the openings. The mold is closed such that the plurality of projections remove a portion of the insulation from the insulated electrical contact upon closing of the mold. A dielectric material is then injected into the mold containing the substrate and insulated electrical contact to form a terminal block.