U.S. patent application number 13/720476 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-19 for cover assembly for outdoor equipment enclosure.
This patent application is currently assigned to DIVERSIFIED CONTROL, INC. The applicant listed for this patent is DIVERSIFIED CONTROL, INC. Invention is credited to Aron J. King, Timothy J. Spencer.
Application Number | 20140167582 13/720476 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50930095 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140167582 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
King; Aron J. ; et
al. |
June 19, 2014 |
Cover Assembly For Outdoor Equipment Enclosure
Abstract
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.
Inventors: |
King; Aron J.; (Alden,
NY) ; Spencer; Timothy J.; (Lake View, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DIVERSIFIED CONTROL, INC |
Orchard Park |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
DIVERSIFIED CONTROL, INC
Orchard Park
NY
|
Family ID: |
50930095 |
Appl. No.: |
13/720476 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/283 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02B 1/306 20130101;
H02B 5/02 20130101; H05K 5/0239 20130101; H05K 7/186 20130101; H02B
1/28 20130101; H02B 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/283 |
International
Class: |
A47B 46/00 20060101
A47B046/00 |
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.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] 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.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] 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
[0005] 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
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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] In a further aspect, the cover assembly is mounted to the
equipment enclosure to form a combination.
[0013] 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
[0014] 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:
[0015] 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;
[0016] 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;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view showing the cover assembly
of FIG. 2;
[0018] 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;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view showing the frame of FIG.
2 in a folded configuration;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a right front perspective view showing the frame
of FIG. 2 in an unfolded configuration;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a left front perspective view showing the frame of
FIG. 2 in an unfolded configuration;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view showing the frame of FIG.
2 in a partially folded configuration;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view showing the frame of FIG.
2 in a fully folded configuration;
[0024] 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;
[0025] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view showing the equipment
enclosure and the cover assembly mounting bracket shown in FIG.
10;
[0026] FIG. 12 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the
cover assembly mounting bracket of FIG. 10;
[0027] FIG. 13 is an enlarged front perspective view showing the
cover assembly mounting bracket of FIG. 10;
[0028] 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;
[0029] FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear perspective view showing the
frame mounting portion of FIG. 14 in more detail;
[0030] 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;
[0031] 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;
[0032] 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
[0033] 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
[0034] 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 mounting
various types of equipment (not shown), such as telephone or data
network communications apparatus.
[0035] 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.
[0036] 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.
[0037] 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
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.
[0038] 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.
[0039] 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 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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 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.
[0042] 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.
[0043] 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.
[0044] As can be seen in FIGS. 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 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.
[0045] 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.
[0046] 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.
[0047] 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.
[0048] 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.
[0049] 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 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. 5 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.
[0050] 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.
* * * * *