Cover Assembly For Outdoor Equipment Enclosure
A cover assembly for use with an outdoor equipment enclosure when the enclosure is opened up for access. The equipment enclosure includes a housing having an interior equipment chamber accessible via an opening in a side portion of the housing. A service entrance door is 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 positionable above a top portion of the housing. The frame is configurable between an open unfolded position and closed folded position. A cover is supportable on the frame in the unfolded position. The cover has a top and plural side portions that enclose the enclosure housing when the cover is deployed. This provides an area surrounding the enclosure housing that is sequestered from an outside environment when it is necessary to access the equipment chamber via the service entrance door.
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1. Field of the Disclosure
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
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.
SUMMARYA 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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
In a further aspect, the cover assembly is mounted to the equipment enclosure to form a combination.
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.
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:
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.
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,
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.
Turning now to
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.
As additionally shown in
Turning now to
As additionally shown in
With additional reference now to
With particular reference now to
As can be seen in
Turning now to
As shown in both of
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
As shown in
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 substantially in its folded position. As shown in
Accordingly, a cover assembly has been disclosed 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.
Claims
1. A cover assembly for use with an outdoor equipment enclosure when the enclosure is opened up for access:
- said equipment enclosure comprising: 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 said housing side portions; and a service entrance door associated with said opening, said door being positionable between a closed position wherein said opening is covered and an open position wherein said opening is exposed;
- said cover assembly comprising: a frame positionable above said housing top portion, said frame being configurable between an open unfolded position and closed folded position; and a cover supportable on said frame in said unfolded position, said cover having a top portion and plural side portions that enclose said enclosure housing side portions when said cover is deployed to provide an area surrounding said enclosure housing top and side portions that is sequestered from an environment outside of said cover when it is necessary to access said interior equipment chamber via said service entrance door.
2. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said service entrance door is pivotally attached to one of said side portions of said enclosure housing, and said frame is sized so that said service entrance door can be fully opened when said cover is deployed.
3. The cover assembly of claim 2, wherein there are a plurality of said service entrance doors that are pivotally attached to corresponding side portions of said enclosure housing, and said frame is sized so that all of said service entrance doors can be fully opened at the same time when said cover is deployed.
4. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame has a rectangular configuration in said unfolded position.
5. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame has a linear configuration in said folded position.
6. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a set of rigid frame members that are pivotally interconnected.
7. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said frame comprises:
- a pair of pivotally interconnected rear frame members that open to form a rear side of said frame;
- a pair of pivotally interconnected right side frame members that open to form a right side of said frame;
- a pair of pivotally interconnected left side frame members that open to form a left side of said frame;
- a pair of pivotally interconnected front frame members that open to form a front side of said frame; and
- a pair of first and second diagonal frame members, said first diagonal frame member being pivotally connected to a first one of said rear frame members and to a pivotal junction of one of said right side frame members and a first one of said front frame members, said second diagonal frame member being pivotally connected to a second one of said rear frame members and to a pivotal junction of one of said left side frame members and a second one of said front frame members.
8. The cover assembly of claim 7, wherein said frame members are channel shaped.
9. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein when said frame is said folded position:
- said right side frame members, a right-hand one of said diagonal frame members, and a right-hand one of said front frame members nest within a right-hand one of said rear frame members; and
- said left side frame members, a left-hand one of said diagonal frame members, and a left-hand one of said front frame members nest within a left-hand one of said rear frame members.
10. The cover assembly of claim 8, wherein when said frame is in said folded position:
- said right side frame members, said left side frame members, said front frame members and said diagonal frame members are disposed between said rear frame members;
- said front frame members are disposed between said diagonal frame members;
- said right side frame members are disposed between a right-hand one of said diagonal frame members and a right-hand one of said rear frame members; and
- said left side frame members are disposed between a left-hand one of said diagonal frame members and a left-hand one of said rear frame members.
11. The cover assembly of claim 7, wherein said frame further includes a wind latch to maintain said frame in said open position.
12. The cover assembly of claim 11, wherein said wind latch extends between said right-hand one of said diagonal frame members and one of said right side frame members.
13. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover includes one or more view windows comprising light transmissive material.
14. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover comprises one or more seams that can be opened to allow access to a cover interior or to accommodate mounting structure for said equipment enclosure.
15. The cover assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover side portions are sized so that they extend from said frame to ground level when said cover assembly is deployed for use with said equipment enclosure.
16. The cover assembly of claim 1, further including a mounting bracket for removably mounting said assembly to said equipment enclosure.
17. The cover assembly of claim 16, wherein said mounting bracket comprises a channel member that is configured to receive a frame member of said frame.
18. The cover assembly of claim 17, wherein said mounting bracket includes a first clasp on said channel member that defines a first slot which slidably receives an end of said frame member, and wherein said frame member includes a second clasp that defines a second slot that opposes said first slot and slide ably receives an end of said channel member, said first and second clasps being operable to interconnect said frame member and said channel member and prevent said frame member from being pulled away from said channel member without sliding movement of said frame member relative to said channel member.
19. The cover assembly of claim 18, wherein said channel member mounts a retractable pin that is operable to engage a pin-receiving opening in said frame member when frame member and said channel member are operably interconnected by said first and second clasps, said retractable pin preventing said frame member and said channel member from being slidably removed from their respective engagement with said first and second clasps.
20. The cover assembly of claim 19, wherein said retractable pin is biased toward a position of engagement with said pin-receiving opening by a biasing member.
21. An outdoor equipment enclosure, comprising:
- an 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 said housing side portions;
- a service entrance door mounted on said housing and positionable between a closed position wherein said opening is covered and an open position wherein said opening is exposed;
- a frame positioned above said housing top portion, said frame being configurable between an open unfolded position and closed folded position; and
- a cover supported on said frame in said unfolded position, said cover having a top portion and plural side portions that enclose said enclosure housing side portions when said cover is deployed to provide an area surrounding said enclosure housing top and side portions that is sequestered from an environment outside of said cover when it is necessary to access said interior equipment chamber via said service entrance door.
22. A method for maintaining a sequestered environment around an outdoor equipment enclosure when the enclosure is opened up for access:
- said equipment enclosure comprising:
- 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 said housing side portions; and
- a service entrance door mounted on said housing and positionable between a closed position wherein said opening is covered and an open position wherein said opening is exposed;
- said method comprising:
- removably mounting a frame above said housing top portion, said frame being configurable between an open unfolded position and closed folded position, said removable mounting being performed while said frame is substantially in said folded position;
- opening said frame to said unfolded position; and
- mounting a cover to said frame, said cover having a top portion and plural side portions that enclose said enclosure housing side portions when said cover is deployed to provide an area surrounding said enclosure housing top and side portions that is sequestered from an environment outside of said cover when it is necessary to access said interior equipment chamber via said service entrance door.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 19, 2012
Publication Date: Jun 19, 2014
Applicant: DIVERSIFIED CONTROL, INC (Orchard Park, NY)
Inventors: Aron J. King (Alden, NY), Timothy J. Spencer (Lake View, NY)
Application Number: 13/720,476
International Classification: A47B 46/00 (20060101);