Equipment Enclosure With Retention Member

Abstract

An enclosure is described comprising a container for housing equipment, a cover for enclosing said container, and a retention member for retaining the cover in an open position to allow a user to access the interior of said container. The retention member provides a releasable means to secure the cover in the open position and to allow the cover to be closed when the user has completed accessing the interior thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The box or enclosure described herein relates to enclosures for containing equipment. More specifically, it relates to enclosures for containing electrical or telecommunications equipment with a rotating cover that opens in an upward direction.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Enclosures for containing equipment with a rotating cover that opens in an upward direction are known. Typical enclosures do not provide a means of securing the cover in the open position, and without such means gravity will close the cover unless it is held in the open position by the user of the enclosure.

[0005] Users of such enclosures must utilize one hand to hold the cover in the open position which severely limits their ability to work in the interior. Alternatively the user may utilize a screwdriver or some other tool to attempt to hold the cover open. This is not secure and the tool often slips, letting the cover fall shut. This unexpected closure interrupts the users access to the interior of the enclosure, and, since the enclosures are often formed from metal, may injure the user if her hands or head are in proximity to the cover when it drops closed.

[0006] The enclosure described in this application addresses these issues and provides an improved enclosure for use in such situations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] As more fully described below, an enclosure is disclosed comprising a container, a cover, and a retention member wherein the retention member is rotatably attached to the cover and slidably attached to the container, and wherein the retention member retains the cover in an open position allowing access to the interior of the container.

[0008] In some embodiments, the retention member is rotatably attached to the cover by a mounting pin. In some embodiments of the enclosure the retention member is slidably attached to the container by a guide pin, and the container is provided with a slot for slidably accepting the guide pin. The slot comprises an arcuate section and a retention section. The guide pin is disposed in the retention section of the slot when the cover is in the open position and retains the cover in the open position. The guide pin is disposed in the arcuate section of the slot when the cover is in the closed position.

[0009] Also described herein is a method of supporting a cover of an enclosure in an open position comprising the steps of: providing an enclosure comprising a container and a cover wherein the cover is rotatably attached to the container; providing a retention member rotatably attached to the cover and slidably engaged to the container; rotating the cover to an open position; and releasably securing the retention member to the container for supporting the cover in the open position. The step of providing a retention member further comprises the steps of: providing a retention member with a first end and a second end wherein a mounting hole is provided adjacent to the first end and a guide pin is fixedly attached adjacent to the second end thereof; providing a mounting pin fixedly attached to the cover; providing a slot in the container; disposing the mounting hole over the mounting pin and rotatably attaching it thereto; and disposing the guide pin in the slot and slidably attaching it thereto.

[0010] The step of rotating the cover to an open position further comprises the steps of: rotating the cover from the closed position to an open position; rotating the retention member around the mounting pin and sliding the guide pin through the arcuate section of the slot to the retention section of the slot. The step of releasably securing the retention member to the container for supporting the cover in the open position comprises retaining the guide pin in the retention section of the slot.

[0011] Further described herein is a container for enclosing electrical or telecommunications equipment comprising a container for mounting said equipment, a cover for enclosing said container, and a retention member for retaining said cover in a open position to allow access to the interior of the container. The retention member comprises a rigid bar with a first end and a second end, and wherein a mounting hole is provided adjacent to said first end, and a guide pin is provided adjacent to said second end. The cover is provided with a mounting pin for rotatably attaching to the mounting hole in the retention member. The container further comprises a slot for slidably receiving the guide pin, wherein said slot has an arcuate section and a retention section. The guide pin is releasably retained in the retention section of the slot to retain the cover in an open position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the telecommunications box with a retention member in an open configuration.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of an embodiment of the telecommunications box with a retention member in an open configuration.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the telecommunications box with a retention member in a closed configuration.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of the telecommunications box with a retention member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the telecommunications box 100 is depicted in a bottom perspective view. The box 100 comprises a container 102 with a back plate 104 and four walls extending perpendicular to the back plate 104, including a top wall 106, a bottom wall 108 and two side walls 110.

[0017] During use the back plate 104 is positioned vertically and mounted to a surface to support the box 100. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the back plate 104 is attached to the surface by a plurality of screws secured through mounting holes 112.

[0018] The back plate 104 and the top wall 106, bottom wall 108 and side walls 110 define a volume comprising the interior of the container 102. A mount plate 114 is attached to the back plate 104 in the interior of the container 102. Various telecommunications equipment may be mounted on the mount plate 114 and secured within the interior of the container 102 and the box 100.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment of the box 100, the back plate 104 and the walls 106, 108 and 110 are formed from sheet metal. They may be formed by stamping from a single sheet of metal. In a preferred embodiment, the back plate 104 and the walls 106, 108 and 110 are formed from a single sheet of metal, cut to shape with the walls extending to the sides of back plate 104. Once the sheet is cut to shape the walls are folded perpendicular to the back plate 104 and the walls are permanently attached to each other at corners 116, 118, 120 and 122.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the box 100, walls 110 are formed with tabs 124 at each corner which are folded to mate with top 106 and bottom 108. The tabs are then permanently attached to the top wall 106 and the bottom wall 108 by welding, riveting, screwing, or any other means of fixedly attaching two sheets of metal.

[0021] In an embodiment of the box 100, a slot 126 may be provided at the corner between back plate 104 and top wall 106. Further, bottom plate 108 may be provided with one or more knockout holes 128 for running cables into the interior of the box 100. The front edge 130 of bottom plate 108 may also be provided with a tab, or lip, 132 folded over at an angle to accept and retain a latch mechanism provided in cover 134.

[0022] Cover 134 is provided for shielding the contents of the interior of box 100. Cover 134 is rotatably attached to container 102 to allow cover 134 to be rotated from a closed position to an open position. In the closed position, cover 134 shields and protects the contents of the container 102. In the open position of cover 134, the interior of container 102 is accessible to a user thereof, allowing the installation, removal and reconfiguration of the equipment mounted in the container 102.

[0023] Cover 134 is comprised of a front plate 136, a top plate 138, bottom plate 140 and two side plates 142. In an embodiment of the box 100, cover 134 is formed from a single sheet of material with plates 138, 140 and 142 formed as extensions from the front plate 136, and then folded perpendicular to front plate 136 to form the cover 134 and defining the interior thereof. The plates 138, 140 and 142 are then joined at corners 144, 146, 148 and 150. In an embodiment the edges of side plates 142 are welded to the edges of top and bottom plates 138 and 140. In other embodiments of the box 100, tabs may be provided for attachment of the side plates 142 to top and bottom plates 136 and 138 by welding, screws or rivets.

[0024] A latch 152 may be provided for securing the cover in a closed position. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, latch 152 is mounted through a hole in front plate 136, is provided with a locking mechanism actuated by keys, and engages the lip 132 in bottom wall 108 to secure the cover 134 to the container 102.

[0025] In an embodiment of box 100, cover 134 is rotatably attached to the back plate 104 through the slot 126 by a hinge 154 attached to cover 134 at a first edge of top plate 140. Bottom plate 140 may be provided with a recess 156 to provide clearance to knockout holes 128 when cover 134 is in the closed position for cables of various types inserted through the holes 128.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, the box is shown with the cover in an open position. The box 100 is provided with means of retaining the cover 134 in the open position. At least one side wall 110 further comprises a slot 158, having an arcuate section 160 and a rentention section 162. A retention member 164 is also provided, and is rotatably attached to cover 134 and configured for engaging slot 158. In the embodiment shown, the retention member 164 is disposed outside the container 102 and inside the cover 134. The portion of retention member 164 located inside cover 134 is depicted with dotted lines. In an embodiment, the retention member 164 comprises a rigid sheet or bar of material, such as metal, plastic, wood or other rigid material, with a mounting hole 166 located in a first end of the retention member 164 and a guide pin 168 attached to a second end of the retention member 164 and extending perpendicularly to the surfaces thereof.

[0027] In an embodiment, retention member 164 is rotatably attached to cover 134 by providing a mounting pin 170 fixedly mounted to cover 134 along the adjacent side plate 142. In an embodiment, the mounting pin 170 is a threaded bolt welded to the inside surface of side plate 142. In an embodiment, mounting pin 170 is inserted into mounting hole 166 of retention member 164. Retention member 164 is secured on pin 170 between the side plate 142 and a retention device 172, which may be a threaded nut, cotter pin, or similar means of retention.

[0028] The guide pin 168 is inserted into slot 158 and slidably and rotatably secured therein by retention device 174. In an embodiment of the box 100, guide pin 168 comprises a threaded bolt welded or otherwise attached to retention member 164, and the pin 168 is secured in slot 158 by a threaded nut 174.

[0029] When cover 134 is in the open position shown in FIG. 2, the weight of cover 134 forces retention member 164 down and causes guide pin 168 to rest against side plate 142 in the retention section 162 of slot 158 thus supporting the weight of cover 134 and retaining it in the open position.

[0030] A user of the box 100 opens cover 134 by actuating latch 152 and raising cover 134 to the open position. As cover 134 is lifted guide pin 168 slides along arcuate section 160 of slot 158. As cover 134 reaches the maximum upward position guide pin 168 slides into retention section 164 of slot 158. As the user releases support for cover 134, guide pin 168 is held by retention section 164 and cover 134 is securely retained in an open position. The user may then access the interior of the container 102 with both hands as necessary without a need to hold the cover 134 in the open position.

[0031] Once the user has completed accessing the interior of the container 102, the user lifts the cover 134 slightly to remove its weight from the guide pin 168 with one hand, and simultaneously rotates the retention member 164 so that guide pin 168 is in the arcuate section 160 of slot 158. The user then lowers the cover 134 and guide pin 168 slides down arcuate section 160 of slot 158 allowing the cover 134 to close.

[0032] Referring now to FIG. 3, the box is shown from a side perspective view in the closed configuration. The retention member 164 and slot 158 are not visible from the exterior of the box 100 when it is in the closed configuration, and are depicted with dotted lines. As cover 134 is rotated to the closed position, mounting pin 170 rotates toward corner 118 of container 102, and guide pin 168 slides down the arcuate section 160 of slot 158. Arcuate section 160 of slot 158 extends a sufficient distance to allow retention member 164 to slide freely until cover 134 is completely closed.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 4, a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the box 100 is depicted. The cover 134 is shown in a partially open configuration. Retention member 164 is rotateably attached to cover 134 by disposing mounting hole 166 over mounting pin 170 and securing it loosely there with a retention device such as lock nut 172. The guide pin 168 is slidably engaged in slot 158 and retained there by retention device such as lock nut 174. The arcuate section 160 and retention section 162 of slot 158 can be clearly seen in the view of FIG. 4.

Claims

1. An enclosure comprising a container, a cover, and a retention member wherein the retention member is rotatably attached to the cover and slidably attached to the container, and wherein the retention member retains the cover in an open position allowing access to the interior of the container.

2. The enclosure of claim 1 wherein the retention member is rotatably attached to the cover by a mounting pin.

3. The enclosure of claim 2 wherein the retention member is slidably attached to the container by a guide pin.

4. The enclosure of claim 3 wherein the container is provided with a slot for slidably accepting the guide pin.

5. The enclosure of claim 4 wherein the slot comprises an arcuate section and a retention section.

6. The enclosure of claim 5 wherein the guide pin is disposed in the retention section of the slot when the cover is in the open position and retains the cover in the open position.

7. The enclosure of claim 6 wherein the guide pin is disposed in the arcuate section of the slot when the cover is in the closed position.

8. A method of supporting a cover of an enclosure in an open position comprising the steps of: providing an enclosure comprising a container and a cover wherein the cover is rotatably attached to the container; providing a retention member rotatably attached to the cover and slidably engaged to the container; rotating the cover to an open position; and releasably securing the retention member to the container for supporting the cover in the open position.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of providing a retention member further comprises the steps of: providing a retention member with a first end and a second end wherein a mounting hole is provided adjacent to the first end and a guide pin is fixedly attached adjacent to the second end thereof; providing a mounting pin fixedly attached to the cover; providing a slot in the container; disposing the mounting hole over the mounting pin and rotatably attaching it thereto; disposing the guide pin in the slot and slidably attaching it thereto.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the slot comprises an arcuate section and a retention section.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the guide pin slides when in the arcuate section of the slot and is releasably retained in the retention section of the slot.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the step of rotating the cover to an open position further comprises the steps of: rotating the cover from the closed position to an open position; rotating the retention member around the mounting pin and sliding the guide pin through the arcuate section of the slot to the retention section of the slot.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of releasably securing the retention member to the container for supporting the cover in the open position comprises retaining the guide pin in the retention section of the slot.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: releasing the guide pin from the retention section of the slot; rotating the cover to a closed position; and sliding the guide pin through the arcuate section of the slot.

15. A container for enclosing electrical or telecommunications equipment comprising a container for mounting said equipment, a cover for enclosing said container, and a retention member for retaining said cover in a open position to allow access to the interior of the container.

16. The container of claim 15 wherein the retention member comprises a rigid bar with a first end and a second end, and wherein a mounting hole is provided adjacent to said first end, and a guide pin is provided adjacent to said second end.

17. The container of claim 16 wherein the cover is provided with a mounting pin for rotatably attaching to the mounting hole in the retention member.

18. The container of claim 17 wherein the container further comprises a slot for slidably receiving the guide pin, wherein said slot has an arcuate section and a retention section.

19. The container of claim 18 wherein the guide pin is releasably retained in the retention section of the slot to retain the cover in an open position.

20. The container of claim 19 wherein the guide pin is slidably disposed in the arcuate section of the slot when the cover is in a closed position.