Enclosure for telecommunications equipment

Abstract

The invention provides an outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment. The enclosure includes a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The base section is open at an upper end and a lower end and is made of a non-metallic material. The enclosure also includes a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The dome has an open lower end of the dome that is engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space in the enclosure. The dome is made of a non-metallic material. A latching mechanism is arranged at the upper end of the base section and the lower end of the dome. The latching mechanism is operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation. A mounting frame is supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section. The mounting frame has two or more legs and each leg is secured to the base section by at least one fastener. Two or more mounting stakes are attachable to the base section using the fasteners connecting the mounting frame legs to the base section. A bonding / grounding strap is provided that has first and second ends each of which is attachable to a respective one of the legs of the mounting frame. Each of the first and second ends of the bonding / grounding strap has a keyhole slot for receiving a fastener. The keyhole slots having a first portion that is larger than a head of the fastener such that the head can pass through the first portion and a second portion that is smaller than the head of the fastener such that the head is prevented from passing through the slot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention pertains to a housing for telecommunications equipment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] At particular points in telecommunications systems, there is a need to splice large pair count cables. One example of such a point would be branching location where one or more large copper cables are divided into a number of smaller cables. A single branching location could have thousands of copper wire splices. Typically, these splices are housed in large outdoor metal cabinets. Such cabinets can be up to five feet tall, three feet across and one foot deep. These metal cabinets are also used to house large fiber-optic and cable television equipment either separately or in the same enclosure with the copper splices. [0003] The metal cabinets used in these applications generally comprise several pieces of painted galvanized steel that are assembled together with metal hardware to form the cabinet. These cabinets have front doors, and sometimes rear ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention is a telecommunications equipment enclosure that can be used outdoors. It consists of a base section and a dome that are connected together to create a secure space for housing equipment. The base section is made of non-metallic material and has a latching mechanism to automatically lock the dome and base section together. The dome is supported on the base section by a mounting frame with legs that are secured to the base section using fasteners. The mounting frame also has mounting stakes that can be attached to the base section. The enclosure also includes a bonding / grounding strap that has two ends that can be attached to the mounting frame. The strap has keyhole slots that allow for easy attachment of the equipment. The technical effects of this invention are a secure and weather-proof enclosure for telecommunications equipment that can be easily attached to a mounting frame."

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, these metal cabinets have a number of drawbacks.

For example, they are not particularly resistant to dings, dents and scratches and can become quite beat-up over time or even during the installation process.

This adversely affects not only the appearance of the cabinet, but also makes it more susceptible to corrosion.

Moreover, because these cabinets are constructed of multiple pieces that are bolted together, they can be difficult to seal against the weather.

The doors to the cabinet also can easily be knocked or left open or ajar by careless technicians further compromising the security and integrity of the cabinet.

These issues are of particular concern in areas subject to flooding because floodwater can infiltrate the cabinet and the telecommunications equipment can become submerged.

Another significant issue with these metal cabinets is that access to the interior can be awkward and quite limited.

While this can be alleviated somewhat by providing an extra set of doors on the rear of the cabinet, access to the sides will still be limited and, as noted above, the extra doors increase the potential for ajar, misaligned or otherwise improperly sealed parts that compromise the integrity of the cabinet.

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