Underground enclosure assembly and method

Abstract

A subterranean enclosure assembly configured for use with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment. The subterranean shell assembly includes a shell assembly having at least two shell members rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap projection; and a cover removably coupled to the shell assembly by at least two bolt assemblies. The cover includes an underside having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downwardly from a rim portion of the cover.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing dates of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 485,696, filed on February 17, 2023, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 509,278, filed on June 20, 2023, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 542,691, filed on October 5, 2023, and each of the U.S. Provisional Patent Applications is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to underground enclosures, and more particularly, to underground enclosure assemblies for communication, power, and / or irrigation equipment and any related products. Background art

[0004] Underground enclosures are known for protecting various communication, power, and irrigation system equipment such as cables and telecom boxes, broadband equipment, and Wifi equipment. However, due to steel, polymer concrete, and / or reinforced concrete, as well as various other heavy materials used in their construction, conventional underground enclosures for such equipment are typically very heavy. Additionally, conventional enclosures typically include multiple fasteners and fixtures, as well as component parts of many housings, for example, which makes both manufacturing and then on - site assembly time - consuming. Additionally, conventional enclosures are also vulnerable to supply chain delays. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to a first exemplary aspect, an underground enclosure assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment includes: a housing assembly having at least two housing members rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion; and a cover removably coupled to the housing assembly by at least two bolt assemblies. The cover includes a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downward from an edge portion of the cover.

[0006] According to a second exemplary aspect, an underground enclosure assembly configured to be used with communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment includes a clamshell assembly having a first clamshell member and a second clamshell member rotatably coupled to the first clamshell member. Each of the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member has at least one side edge having a plurality of snap protrusions and a plurality of pores. Additionally, the plurality of snap protrusions of the first clamshell member snap into the plurality of pores of the second clamshell member to rotatably couple the first shell member and the second shell member to each other. A cover is removably coupled to the clamshell assembly by at least two bolt assemblies.

[0007] A method of assembling an enclosure assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, the method includes providing a first shell member having at least one side edge having at least one snap protrusion and a plurality of pores, and providing a second shell member having at least one side edge having at least one snap protrusion and a plurality of pores. The method further includes snapping the at least one snap protrusion of the first shell member into one of the plurality of pores of the second shell member to attach a first side edge of the first shell member to a second side edge of the second shell member. The method also includes rotating the second shell member such that another snap protrusion of the first shell member is seated in another of the plurality of pores of the second shell member to attach a second side edge of the first shell member to a first side edge of the second shell member, thereby coupling the first shell member and the second shell member together. The method also includes coupling a cover to the first shell member and the second shell member by two bolt assemblies, the cover including a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downwardly from an edge portion of the cover.

[0008] According to another exemplary aspect, an underground housing assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, the underground housing assembly comprising: a housing assembly having at least two housing members rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion; at least one housing member having an outer surface and a bracket assembly including a support channel disposed on the outer surface. Additionally, the underground housing assembly further comprises a cover removably coupled to the housing assembly by at least two bolt assemblies, the cover including a flange extending downward from an edge portion of the cover and a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a cover support. The cover support includes a frame having a pair of side bars, a pair of end bars, and an inner bar disposed between the pair of side bars.

[0009] Any one or more of these aspects can be considered individually and / or combined with each other in any functionally appropriate manner. Additionally, any one or more of these aspects can further include any one or more of the optional exemplary arrangements and / or features described below and / or be implemented therein. These and other aspects, arrangements, features, and / or technical effects will become apparent upon a detailed examination of the drawings and the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The features of the present disclosure that are considered novel are set forth specifically in the appended claims. The present disclosure is best understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical elements in several of the drawings, and in which:

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the underground housing assembly of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a front perspective view of the underground housing assembly of

[0013] Figure 3 is Figure 1 an exploded view of the underground housing assembly of

[0014] Figure 4 is Figure 1 a top view of the cover of the underground housing assembly of

[0015] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a bottom view of the cover of

[0016] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a plurality of snap protrusions disposed on a part of the underground housing assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0017] Figure 7 is Figure 1 A close-up view of the second side edge of the first shell member of the underground housing assembly;

[0018] Figure 8 is Figure 7 A close-up view of the second side edge of the first shell member of, having two snap protrusions;

[0019] Figure 9 is Figure 1 A close-up view of the first side edge of the first shell member of the underground housing assembly;

[0020] Figure 10 is Figure 1 A front view of the first shell member of the underground housing assembly, depicting the outer surface of the first shell member;

[0021] Figure 11 is Figure 1 A side perspective view of the housing assembly of the underground housing assembly;

[0022] Figure 12 Is a perspective view of the inner wall of the second shell member;

[0023] Figure 13 Is a perspective view of a part of the inner wall of the first shell member and a part of the inner wall of the second shell member;

[0024] Figure 14 Is an exploded view of the bolt assembly and the two shell members of the underground housing assembly of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 15 is Figure 14 A perspective view of the retaining nut of the bolt assembly;

[0026] Figure 16 is Figure 15 A rear view of the retaining nut;

[0027] Figure 17 is along Figure 16 A cross-sectional view of the retaining nut taken along line A-A of;

[0028] Figure 18 Is another bottom view of the cover of the underground housing assembly of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 19 is Figure 14 An exploded front view of the bolt assembly;

[0030] Figure 20 is Figure 19 An exploded rear view of the bolt assembly;

[0031] Figure 21 is Figure 19 exploded top view of a bolt assembly;

[0032] Figure 22 is a close-up view of a bolt assembly of a frame coupled to a housing member of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 23 is an exploded view of another underground housing assembly of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 24 is a perspective view of yet another underground housing assembly of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 25 is Figure 24 exploded view of an underground housing assembly;

[0036] Figure 26 is Figure 24 bottom view of the cover of an underground housing assembly;

[0037] Figure 27 is Figure 26 cross-sectional view of the cover;

[0038] Figure 28 is Figure 26 top view of a cover support;

[0039] Figure 29 is Figure 28 front view of the cover support;

[0040] Figure 30 is Figure 28 bottom view of the cover support;

[0041] Figure 31 is Figure 28 side view of the cover support;

[0042] Figure 32 is Figure 24 side view of a housing member of an underground housing assembly;

[0043] Figure 33 is Figure 32 cross-sectional view of the housing member;

[0044] Figure 34 is Figure 33 top view of a bracket of the housing member;

[0045] Figure 35 is Figure 34 bottom view of the bracket;

[0046] Figure 36 is Figure 34 side view of the bracket;

[0047] Figure 37 is Figure 32 a top view of the housing member of

[0048] Figure 38 is Figure 32 a side view of the housing member of

[0049] Figure 39 is a perspective view of the underground housing assembly of the present disclosure, with the skirt assembly coupled thereto;

[0050] Figure 40 is Figure 39 another perspective view of the underground housing assembly and the skirt assembly of , with the skirt assembly separated from the underground housing assembly; and

[0051] Figure 41 is Figure 39 another perspective view of the underground housing assembly and the skirt assembly of , with the skirt assembly separated from the underground housing assembly and a pair of skirt portions of the skirt assembly separated from each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Typically, an underground enclosure assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, and all future derivatives of such equipment, includes a shell or clam shell design configuration forming the enclosure assembly. More specifically, and in one example, communication system equipment can include one or more of telecommunications, broadband, Wi-Fi, and / or fiber optic system equipment, and all future variations and / or updates thereof. In another example, power system equipment can include, for example, one or more of street and / or highway lighting, traffic control systems, and power and lighting systems for parking lots and / or shopping malls. In another example, irrigation system equipment can include one or more of lawn sprinkler system equipment, municipal water supply system equipment, etc. At least two shell members of the shell assembly are rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap member (e.g., snap protrusion), thereby significantly reducing the number of fasteners required to clamp or join the shell members together. One shell member can be rotated 180 degrees from another shell member (e.g., the other half of the outer shell), and then snapped together. The cover is removably coupled to the shell member by at least two bolt assemblies and / or a plurality of bolt assemblies, each of the bolt assemblies including a retaining nut coupled to a corner of each shell member and a bolt disposed through a pore in the cover and into the retaining nut. The cover also includes a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downward from an edge portion of the cover. Additionally, each shell member and the cover are made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), such as structural foam HDPE. Configured as such, the unique snap design with each other reduces the total number of fasteners required to assemble the enclosure assembly. Additionally, the new underground enclosure assembly has a larger radius at the corners, enabling faster installation on site, such that the corners of the excavated hole do not need to perfectly match the dimensions of the corners of the underground enclosure assembly.

[0053] Now refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , an underground enclosure assembly 10 configured to be used with one or more of telecommunications equipment (e.g., such as a telecommunications box), broadband equipment, and Wi-Fi equipment in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted. The underground enclosure assembly 10 includes an enclosure assembly 12 having at least two shell members 14, 16, the at least two shell members being rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion, as explained more below. The underground enclosure assembly 10 also includes a cover 18, the cover being removably coupled to the enclosure assembly 12 by at least two bolt assemblies 20. In one example, the two shell members 14, 16 include a first shell member 14 and a second shell member 16. Additionally, each shell member 14, 16 includes an outer wall 22, 24 having a grid pattern 26, 28 (see, for example, Figure 3) The grid pattern has a plurality of ribs to enhance the structural integrity of each shell member 14, 16, as, for example, and as more fully explained below. Additionally, each shell member 14, 16 is identical to the other shell member 14, 16; thus, all components that can be explained with respect to shell member 14, such as the first shell member 14, are also included on the other shell member 16, such as the second shell member 16. Although this example depicts at least two shell members 14, 16 as including two shell members 14, 16, it should be understood that more than two shell members can include at least two shell members and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure, as more fully explained below.

[0054] Now referring to Figure 3 , each shell member 14, 16 includes an inner wall 30 having a top portion 32, a bottom portion 34, a top shelf 36 disposed near the top portion 32 of the inner wall 30, and a bottom shelf 38 disposed near the bottom portion 34 of the inner wall 30. Each of the top shelf 36 and the bottom shelf 38 includes pores 40, as Figure 3 depicted. Although the components of the shell members 14, 16 are preferably depicted with respect to shell member 14 (e.g., Figure 3 the first shell member 14), it should be understood that the same components are also included on shell member 16 (e.g., the second shell member 16). Additionally, and as Figure 3 further depicted, the shell assembly 10 can include a clamshell assembly, such as taking the shape of a clamshell in this example. For example, each shell member 14, 16 can include a clamshell member 14, 16 such that the clamshell members 14, 16 are the first clamshell member 14 and the second clamshell member 16. Additionally, each shell member 14, 16 (such as each clamshell member 14, 16) can have a C shape. Although Figure 3 the C shape of each shell member 14, 16 is depicted, it should be understood that the shell members 14, 16 can alternatively take the form of various other shapes, e.g., capable of operating in the same manner as the shell members 14, 16 depicted in Figures 1-3 and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] Still referring to Figure 3 , and in another example, each shell member 14, 16 of the shell assembly 12 can include side edges. Specifically, for example, the first shell member 14 can include a first side edge 42 and a second side edge 44, the second side edge being disposed on the side of the first shell member 14 opposite the first side edge 42. Additionally, and in the same manner as the first shell member 14, the second shell member 16 can include a first side edge 46 and a second side edge 48. In this example, for instance, as Figure 1As depicted, when the first housing member 14 is coupled to the second housing member 16 and the underground housing assembly is in an assembled state, a first side edge 42 of the first housing member 14 is coupled to a second side edge 48 of the second housing member 16. Additionally, when the first housing member 14 is coupled to the second housing member 16, a second side edge 44 of the first housing member 14 is coupled to a first side edge 46 of the second housing member 16, thereby forming the housing assembly 12( Figure 1 ).

[0056] As Figure 3 depicted, the first side edge 42 and the second side edge 44 of the first housing member 14 include at least one snap member, such as snap protrusions 50 and at least one aperture 52. Although not depicted in Figure 3 , each of the first side edge 46 and the second side edge 48 of the second housing member 16 also includes at least one snap member, such as snap protrusions 50, as explained more below. Configured thusly, at least one snap protrusion 50 of the first side 42 and the second side 44 of the first housing member 14 snaps into at least one aperture 52 of the first side 46 and the second side 48 of the second housing member 16, as also explained more below. Additionally, each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 includes a top surface 54 on which an edge portion of the lid 18 is disposed, as also explained more below. Once snapped together, the top and bottom are designed to be the same so that it cannot be installed incorrectly.

[0057] Now referring to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the lid 18 of the underground housing assembly 10 of the present disclosure is depicted as being removed from the housing assembly 12( Figure 1 ). The lid 18 includes a top surface 57 and two apertures 58 that are disposed on the top surface 57 at equidistant distances from each other along a circumference C of the lid 18. The apertures 58 of the lid 18 may alternatively be disposed at non-equidistant distances from each other along the circumference C of the lid 18 and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Each aperture 58 is configured to receive or receives a bolt (not shown) of one of two bolt assemblies 20( Figure 1 ) to couple the lid 18 to the housing assembly 12 to form the underground housing assembly 10. Additionally, each of the two housing members 14, 16 includes a retaining nut, such as an anchor nut, and each retaining nut is configured to receive or receives a bolt of one of two bolt assemblies 20 to secure the lid 18 to the housing assembly 12, as explained more below.

[0058] As Figure 4Further depicted, the cover 18 includes an insert 59a disposed on the top surface 57 of the cover 18. In this example, the insert 59a is removable, such as a snap-in logo disc 59a. The logo disc 59a may include branding, such as a customer branding indicating the customer's identification information. The cover 18 includes a receiving portion 59b in a central position on the top surface 57 of the cover 18, and the receiving portion receives the insert 59a (in this case, the logo disc 59a) as depicted. Although the receiving portion 59b is disposed in the central position of the top surface 57 of the cover 18, the receiving portion 59b may alternatively be disposed in another position or area of the top surface 57 of the cover 18 and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Configured in this way, the insert (such as the logo disc 59a) is interchangeable to include various logo discs with different customer brandings. The insert 59a (e.g., the logo disc 59a) can be easily snapped into or bolted into the receiving portion 59b and easily removed from the receiving portion, thereby allowing different logo discs with specific customer brandings to be included on the cover 18. In another example, the insert 59a includes a replaceable insert in the tool, so different logos can be additionally and / or alternatively used. In yet another example, the insert 59a is made of an aluminum sandwich material having multiple layers, including a top layer of aluminum material, a bottom layer of aluminum material, and an intermediate layer of plastic disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer.

[0059] As Figure 5 Further depicted, the cover 18 also includes a lower side 60 having a plurality of ribs 62 and a flange 64 extending downward from an edge portion 66 of the cover 18. The entire cover 18 including the plurality of ribs 62 and the flange 64 comprises an HDPE material. In one example, the flange 64 is a 1 / 4"×1 / 8" protrusion. Configured in this way, when the cover 18 is coupled to the housing assembly 12 of the underground housing assembly 10, the edge portion 66 of the cover 18 surrounds the circumference C of the cover 18 and is disposed on the top surface 54 of each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 ( Figure 3 ). For example, in this way, the cover 18 and the flange 64 together prevent unwanted materials (such as water and ice) from entering the housing assembly 12. The cover 18 is designed to cover the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16, as will be explained more below. Although the underground housing assembly 10 is not watertight, the new configuration of the present disclosure reduces the likelihood of the cover 18 freezing to one or both of, for example, the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16.

[0060] Now refer to Figure 6, three exemplary snap members 50 (such as snap protrusions 50) are disposed on the top portion of the first housing member 14 for illustrative purposes only. Although three exemplary snap members 50 are depicted for illustrative purposes only, it should be understood that multiple snap members 50 may be used, and the multiple snap members 50 may include, for example, two, three, four, five, or more snap members 50, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. As depicted, each of the snap members 50 includes a first portion 50a and a second portion 50b. The second portion 50b is adapted to be disposed in at least one aperture 52 of the first side 42, 46 and the second side 44, 48 of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16. When the second portion 50b of the snap protrusion 50 is disposed in at least one aperture 52, the first portion 50a extends to the outside of the first side 42, 46 and the second side 44, 48 of the first member 14 and the second member 16. In this way, when the snap protrusion 50 is disposed in at least one aperture 52, the first portion 50a forms the protrusion of the snap protrusion 50 (see, for example, Figure 3 ).

[0061] Now referring to Figure 7 , the second side 44 of the first housing member 14 is depicted. In this example, at least one aperture 52 of the second side 44 of the first housing member 14 includes a plurality of apertures 70. In this example, the plurality of apertures 70 includes seven apertures 72 arranged in two rows, one row having four apertures 72 (having a rectangular shape), and the other row having three apertures 72 (having an oval shape). In other examples, there may be fewer than four apertures 72, such as three apertures or two apertures, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In this example, some of the apertures 72 of the plurality of apertures 70 having a rectangular shape are adapted to receive the second portion 50b of the snap protrusion 50, as explained more below. It should be understood that the apertures may have shapes different from rectangular and / or oval, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the second side 44 of the first housing member 14 further includes a longitudinally protruding rib 73 configured to be inserted into a longitudinal groove of another housing member when the first housing member 14 is coupled to another housing member, also as explained more below.

[0062] Now referring to Figure 8 , Figure 7 the same second side 44 of the first housing member 14 of Figure 3) also includes this same configuration. Additionally, although the plurality of snap protrusions 74 includes two snap protrusions 50, more snap protrusions 50, such as three, four, five, six, seven, or more snap protrusions 50, may alternatively be used and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The first portion 50a of each snap protrusion 50 extends outwardly from the aperture 72, and a second portion 50b (not shown) is disposed within the aperture. Although not depicted, the second side 48 of the second housing member 16 ( Figure 1 ) includes exactly the same features as the second side 44 of the first housing member 14 described above.

[0063] Now referring to Figure 9 , the first side 42 of the first housing member 14 is depicted. Similar to Figure 8 the second side 44 of the first housing member 14, the first side 42 of the first housing member 14 also includes at least one aperture 52 of the second side 44 of the first housing member 14, and the first housing member has a plurality of apertures 70. In this example, the plurality of apertures 70 again includes four apertures 72 arranged in a row. Each aperture 72 in the plurality of apertures 70 is adapted to receive the second portion 50b of the snap protrusion 50.

[0064] As Figure 9 further depicted, two snap protrusions 50 are disposed in two of the apertures 72 of the plurality of apertures 70. More specifically, in this example, at least one snap protrusion 50 further includes a plurality of snap protrusions 74 having two snap protrusions 50. Although this is depicted with respect to the first side edge 42 of the first housing member 14, the first side edge 46 of the second housing member 16 ( Figure 3 ) also includes this same configuration. Additionally, although the plurality of snap protrusions 74 includes two snap protrusions 50, more snap protrusions 50, such as three or four snap protrusions 50, may alternatively be used and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. The first portion 50a of each snap protrusion 50 extends outwardly from the aperture 72, and a second portion 50b (not shown) is disposed within the aperture.

[0065] Additionally, Figure 9 the depicted first side 42 of the first housing member 14 further includes a plurality of protruding ribs 72a. In this example, the plurality of protruding ribs includes three protruding ribs 72a, and the three protruding ribs are generally disposed adjacent to the groove 72 in a row separate from the groove 72. When the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 are coupled together, the protruding ribs 72a are configured to be disposed in, for example, an elliptical-shaped aperture 72 of the second housing member 16. Although three protruding ribs 72a are depicted, it should be understood that two protruding ribs 72a or more than three protruding ribs 72a may alternatively be used and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also as Figure 9As depicted, the first side 42 of the housing member 42 further includes a longitudinal groove 75 that receives the longitudinal protruding rib 73 of the second housing member 16 when the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 are coupled together.

[0066] Multiple snap protrusions 74 on each of the first sides 42, 46 and the second sides 44, 48 of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 snap into corresponding multiple pores 70 on the other side edge of one of the first housing member 14 or the second housing member 16 to rotatably couple the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 together.

[0067] Now referring to Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the outer wall 22 having a grid pattern 26 (see, for example, Figure 3 ) is depicted in Figure 10 . The grid pattern 26 includes multiple ribs 80, and the multiple ribs include multiple vertical ribs 82 and multiple horizontal ribs 84. In this example, the multiple vertical ribs 82 include at least eleven ribs 86, and the multiple horizontal ribs 84 include at least seven ribs 88. At least one vertical rib 86 among the multiple vertical ribs 82 intersects at least one horizontal rib 88 among the multiple horizontal ribs 84, for example, as depicted in Figure 10 . The grid pattern 26 enhances the structural integrity of the first housing member 14. Additionally, and as depicted in Figure 11 , although some of the vertical ribs 86 are depicted as being equidistant from each other, for example, the vertical rib 86 closest to the side edge 42 of the first housing member 14 is depicted as being positioned farther from the side edge 42 than from another vertical rib 86 disposed on the outer wall 22 of the first housing member 12. Configured in this way, some of the vertical ribs 86 are depicted as being the same distance apart from each other, while other vertical ribs 86 are positioned farther from each other.

[0068] Now referring to Figure 12 , the inner wall 30 of the housing member 16 is depicted. Similar to the inner wall 30 of the housing member 14, the inner wall 30 of the second housing member 16 also includes a top portion 32, a bottom portion 34, an upper shelf 36 disposed near the top portion 32 of the inner wall 30, and a lower shelf 38 disposed near the bottom portion 34 of the inner wall 30. Each of the upper shelf 36 and the lower shelf 38 includes a pore 40.

[0069] Figure 13 A portion of each of the first housing member and the second housing member is depicted, in which a portion of the inner wall 30 of each housing member 14, 16 is depicted. Although the components of the housing members 14, 16 are preferably depicted with respect to the first housing member 14 (e.g., the first housing member 14 of Figure 3 ), it should be understood that the same components are also included on the housing member 16 (e.g., the second housing member 16).

[0070] Now referring to Figures 14-17 , which depicts the above-described bolt assembly 20. As explained above, a portion of the two bolt assemblies 20 is configured to be disposed through the aperture 58 of the cover 18 ( Figure 4 ), and then through the apertures 40 of the upper shelves 36 of each of the housing members 14, 16 to secure the cover 18 to the housing assembly 12. More specifically, each bolt assembly 20 includes a bolt 90, a retaining nut 92 (such as an anchor nut) that receives the bolt 90, and a clip 94 (such as a spring clip). The bolt 90 may include a square head bolt or any other similar type of bolt. In one example, the bolt 90 is two 3 / 8" diameter square head bolts made of stainless steel. The clip 94 secures the retaining nut 92 to the upper shelf 36 of each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16. In one example, each bolt assembly 20 further includes a washer 95, which is disposed between the bolt 90 and the retaining nut 92 and is made of stainless steel. Additionally, the retaining nut 92 includes a base 96, a groove portion 97 coupled to the underside of the base 96, and a cylindrical projection 98 having a hole 99 for receiving the bolt 90, as Figures 15-17 depicted.

[0071] So configured, the cylindrical projection 98 of the retaining nut 92 is first disposed into the aperture 40 of the upper shelf 36 of one of the first housing member 14 or the second housing member 16. Then a portion of the clip 94 is inserted into the groove portion 97 of the retaining nut to secure (e.g., clamp) the retaining nut 92 to the first housing member 14 or the second housing member 16. Then the washer 95 is disposed on the top surface of the base 96 such that it surrounds the hole 99. Then the bolt 90 is inserted into the aperture 58 of the cover, and then into the hole 99 of the retaining nut 92 disposed within the aperture 40, and the washer 95 helps to secure the bolt 90 to the retaining nut 92.

[0072] Also as Figure 14 depicted, each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 further includes a mating lip 55 disposed on the top surface 54 of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 (see also Figure 3 ). The mating lip 55 is configured to be inserted into a groove in the underside of the cover 18, as explained more below. So configured, when the cover 18 is coupled to the housing assembly 12, the cover 18 covers each of the first housing 14 and the second housing 16, such as the top surface 54 of each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16. This prevents water from accumulating and freezing between the cover 18 and the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16, which makes it extremely difficult to remove the cover, for example, under winter conditions. While Figure 14Not depicted in the figure, each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 also includes a bottom surface having a mating lip 55, and the mating lip is also configured to be inserted into a groove on the lower side of the cover 18. The bottom surface of the cover 18 is the same as the top surface 54 of the cover 18 and thus includes the same mating lip. As a result, the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 are reversible, and the top surface 54 or the bottom surface of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 can face upward, such that the cover 18 can be coupled to the top surface or the bottom surface of the housing members 14, 16 according to its orientation. Configured in this way, the underground housing assembly 10 is easier and more efficient in both on-site fabrication and installation than, for example, traditional conventionals.

[0073] Now referring to Figure 18 , another bottom view of the cover 18 of the underground housing assembly 10 is depicted. The cover 18 includes a lower side 60 having a plurality of ribs 62 and a flange 64 extending downward from the edge portion 6, for example, as previously described with respect to Figure 5 . Additionally, the lower side 60 further includes a groove 67 extending around the circumference C of the cover and the edge portion 66. When the cover is coupled to the housing assembly 12, the groove 67 helps to align the cover 18 with the housing assembly 12. Additionally, depending on the orientation of the housing members 14, 16 (e.g., whether the bottom surface or the top surface faces upward), the groove 67 receives the mating lip 55 of the top surface 54 of each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 or the bottom surface of each of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16. In this way, the cover 18 covers the top surface 54 of the housing members 14, 16 and thus covers the housing assembly 12, preventing water from accumulating between the cover 18 and the housing members 14, 16 and freezing during harsh winter conditions. In another example, and as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the lower side 60 of the cover 18 may alternatively include a raised portion, such as a mating lip, and one or more of the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 may include a recessed portion (such as a groove) for receiving the raised portion (e.g., mating lip) of the lower side 60 of the cover 18. This configuration also helps to align the cover 18 with the housing assembly 12 and / or prevent water from accumulating between the cover 18 and the housing members 14, 16.

[0074] Additionally, each of the first shell member 14 and the second shell member 16, as well as the cover 18, comprises an HDPE material, which in one instance is molded by a process known as structural foam, and the HDPE material is lighter than known composite materials and polymer concrete structures. In some instances, these articles will comply with ANSI SCTE 77 2017 and all other requirements, such as HDPE coupled with known structural tools for tier 22 rating. In one instance, the housing assembly 12 of the underground housing assembly 10 includes a 24"×36"×24" opening. In another instance, the housing assembly 12 of the underground housing assembly 10 has a 17"×30"×24" opening, which is also for industrial use. Other sizes with the same overall design can be produced and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0075] Now referring Figures 19-22 , additional views of the bolt assembly 20 of the present disclosure are depicted. Specifically, Figures 19-21 various exploded views of the components of the bolt assembly 20 are depicted. In Figure 19 , a front exploded view of the bolt assembly 20 is depicted, showing a front view of the bolt 90, a retaining nut 92 (such as an anchor nut) that houses the bolt 90, and a clip 94 (such as a spring clip). A washer 95 is further depicted, and the washer 95 is configured to be disposed between the bolt 90 and the retaining nut 92.

[0076] As Figure 20 and Figure 21 depicted, in this instance, the clip 94 includes a base 110 having a first end 112 and a second end 114 disposed opposite the first end 112. A first pair of arms 116 extends from the first end 112, and a second pair of arms 118 extends from the second end 114. A void 120 is disposed between the first pair of arms 116, and when the bolt assembly 20 is in an assembled configuration, the void 120 houses a portion of the base 96 of the retaining nut 92. Additionally, a gap 122 is formed between the first pair of arms 116 and the second pair of arms 118, and in the assembled configuration, the gap 122 houses the cylindrical portion 98 of the retaining nut 92.

[0077] Still additionally, the clip 94 includes a first securing member 124 extending from an arm of the first pair of arms 116 and a second securing member 126 extending from an arm of the second pair of arms 118, as Figure 20 depicted. For example, when assembling the bolt assembly 20, the first securing member 124 and the second securing member 126 are disposed on either side of the slot portion 97 of the retaining nut 92, as Figure 22Depicted to further secure the clip 94 to the retaining nut 92. In one example, each of the first securing member 124 and the second securing member 126 extends outwardly from an arm of the first pair of arms 116 and the second pair of arms 118 and is at an angle of approximately 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the arms of the first pair of arms 116 and the second pair of arms 118. However, in another example, the first securing member 124 and the second securing member 126 extend outwardly at another angle and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the first securing member 124 and the second securing member 126 are spring-biased such that when coupled to the clip 94, they further secure the retaining nut 92 to the clip.

[0078] Additionally, in view of the foregoing description of the underground housing assembly 10, a method of assembling the housing assembly 10 for telecommunications equipment according to the present disclosure will be understood. Specifically, the method of assembling the housing assembly 10 includes providing at least one snap protrusion 50 and a plurality of apertures 70 for a first housing member 14 having at least one side edge 42, 44. The method further includes providing at least one snap protrusion 50 and a plurality of apertures 70 for a second housing member 16 having at least one side edge 46, 48. The method further includes snapping the at least one snap protrusion 50 of the first housing member 14 into one of the plurality of apertures 72 of the second housing member 16 to attach the first side edge 42, 44 of the first housing member 14 to the second side edge 46, 48 of the second housing member 16.

[0079] The method further includes rotating the second housing member 16 such that at least one snap protrusion 50 of the first housing member 14 is seated in one of the plurality of apertures 72 of the second housing member 16 to couple the first housing member 14 and the second housing member 16 together and form the housing assembly 12. The method still further includes coupling the cover 18 to the housing assembly 12 by at least two bolt assemblies 20, wherein the cover 18 includes a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downwardly from an edge portion of the cover 18.

[0080] In some instances, coupling the cover 18 to the housing assembly 12 by at least two bolt assemblies 20 includes positioning an edge portion of the cover 18 on the top surfaces 54 of each of the housing members 14, 16. Additionally, coupling the cover 18 to the housing assembly 12 by at least two bolt assemblies 20 includes inserting mating lips on the top surface of each of the two housing members 14, 16 into grooves disposed on the underside of the cover 18 such that the cover 18 covers the top surfaces 54 of each of the housing members 14, 16. In another instance, the method may further include coupling a retaining nut 92 to each of the two housing members 14, 16 of the housing assembly 12 before snapping at least one snap protrusion 50 of the first housing member 14 into a void 72 among a plurality of voids 70 of the second housing member 16. Additionally, coupling the cover 18 to the housing assembly 12 by at least two bolt assemblies 20 may include positioning bolts 90 of each bolt assembly 20 through voids 58 disposed in the cover 18 and into the retaining nuts 92 of each of the housing members 14, 16 to secure the cover 18 to the housing assembly 12.

[0081] Now referring to Figure 23 , another underground housing assembly 100 for telecommunications equipment in accordance with the present disclosure is depicted. In this instance, the at least two housing members include four housing members, and the four housing members include a first housing member, a second housing member, a third housing member, and a fourth housing member. Unless otherwise specified herein, each of the first housing member, the second housing member, the third housing member, and the fourth housing member includes all of the same features and elements of the first housing member and the second housing member described throughout the detailed description and is described more hereinafter. Specifically, components of the underground assembly 100 that are the same as components of the underground assembly 10 include the same reference numerals and are not explained herein for the sake of brevity.

[0082] As Figure 23 depicted, the underground housing assembly 100 includes a housing assembly 112 having at least two housing members that are coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion as described above. The underground housing assembly 100 also includes a cover 118 that is removably coupled to the housing assembly 112 by at least two bolt assemblies 20. In some instances, and as Figure 23 depicted, the cover 118 is removably coupled to the housing assembly 112 by four bolt assemblies 20.

[0083] In this example, the at least two shell members include four shell members, and the four shell members include a first shell member 114, a second shell member 116, a third shell member 117, and a fourth shell member 119. Each shell member 114, 116, 117, 119 of the shell assembly 112 may include side edges. Specifically, for example, the first shell member 114 may include a first side edge 144 and a second side edge 145, and the second side edge is disposed on a side of the first shell member 114 opposite to the first side edge 141. Additionally, and in the same manner as the first shell member 114, the second shell member 116 may include a first side edge 146 and a second side edge 149. In this example, for instance, when the first shell member 114 is coupled to the second shell member 116 and the underground shell assembly is in an assembled state, the first side edge 144 of the first shell member 114 is coupled to the first side edge 146 of the second shell member 116. Additionally, the third shell member 117 of the shell assembly 112 includes a first side edge 142 and a second side edge 151, and the fourth shell member 119 includes a first side edge 148 and a second side edge 153. Configured in this way, when the underground shell assembly 100 is in an assembled state, the first side edge 142 of the third shell member 117 is coupled to the first side edge 148 of the fourth shell member 119. Additionally, when the shell assembly 112 is in an assembled state, the second side edge 145 of the first shell member 114 is coupled to the second side member 151 of the third shell member 117, and the second side edge 149 of the second shell member 116 is coupled to the second side edge 153 of the fourth shell member 119.

[0084] Similar to the first shell member 14 and the second shell member 16 of the underground shell assembly 10 described above, the respective first side edges 144, 146, 142, and 148 of the first shell member 114, the second shell member 116, the third shell member 117, and the fourth shell member 119 of the underground shell assembly 100 each include at least one snap member, such as a snap protrusion 50 and at least one aperture 52. Although Figure 23 the first side edges 144 and 142 of the first shell member 114 and the third shell member 117 are not depicted in, each of the first side edges 144, 142 of the first shell member and the third shell member also includes at least one snap member, such as a snap protrusion 50, as explained more below. Configured in this way, at least one snap protrusion 50 snaps into at least one aperture 52 of the corresponding first side edge of the shell member in the same manner as described above with respect to the underground shell assembly 10. Additionally, similar to the underground shell assembly 10 described above, each of the first shell member 114, the second shell member 116, the third shell member 117, and the fourth shell member 119 includes a top surface 54 on which an edge portion of the lid 118 is disposed.

[0085] Now refer toFigure 24 , depicts another underground housing assembly 200 in accordance with the present disclosure. Except for some additional features, the underground housing assembly 200 includes all of the same components and features as the underground housing assembly 10. That is, the underground housing assembly 200 includes a cover, and at least two bolt assemblies include four bolt assemblies that are configured to couple the cover to the housing assembly. Additionally, the housing assembly of the underground housing assembly 200 further includes a bracket assembly, and the cover further includes a cover support, all of which are explained in more detail below. Any components of the underground housing assembly 200 that are the same as those of the underground housing assembly 10 include the same reference numbers or reference numbers that are two hundred more than the same reference numbers of the underground housing assembly 200, and for the sake of brevity, are not explained here again.

[0086] As Figure 24 and Figure 25 depicted, the underground housing assembly 200 includes a housing assembly 212 having at least two housing members 214, 216 that are rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion; and a cover 218 that is removably coupled to the housing assembly 212 by at least two bolt assemblies 20, as described above. In this example, each of the first housing member 214 and the second housing member 216 includes a bracket assembly 225, which is explained in more detail below.

[0087] Now referring to Figures 26-31, the cover 218 further includes a cover support member 227 disposed on the lower side 60 of the cover 218. Generally, for example, the cover support member 227 substantially includes an internal frame for the structural support of the layered 15 and 22 underground housing assembly units, and will be explained more hereinafter. Similar to the cover 18 of the underground housing assembly 10, the cover 218 also includes a lower side 60 having a plurality of ribs 62 and a flange 64 extending downward from the edge portion 66 of the cover 218. The cover support member 227 includes a frame 229 having a pair of side bars 231, a pair of end bars 233 coupled to the pair of side bars 231, and an internal support bar 235 disposed between the pair of side bars and coupled to each end of the pair of end bars 233. The pair of side bars 231 includes a first side bar 231a and a second side bar 231b disposed parallel to the first side bar 231a, and the pair of end bars 233 includes a first end bar 233a and a second end bar 233b disposed parallel to the first end bar 233a. Additionally, each side bar 231a, 231b of the pair of side bars 231 includes a pore 237 for receiving a fastening member configured to couple the side bars 231b, 231a of the frame 229 to the cover 218. In one example, the fastening member is a 3 / 8–13 UNC bolt that mates into a pore 237 (e.g., a threaded hole) in the frame 229. In one example, each side bar 231a, 231b is a 1×2×22 support bar, and each end bar 233a, 233b is a 1×2×16 support bar. Additionally, in this example, the internal bar support 235 is, for example, a 1×2×22 support bar. Other sizes may be alternatively used and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, each of the pair of side bars 231, the pair of end bars 233, and the internal support bar 235 may comprise aluminum or an aluminum-based material and is coupled to the cover 218, for example, by screws or bolts. In another example, each of the pair of side bars 231, the pair of end bars 233, and the internal support bar 235 may at least partially or entirely comprise one or more of the following and / or any combination thereof: aluminum, basalt, fiberglass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), or other plastic materials. Additionally, in another example, the entire underground housing assembly 10, 100, 200 at least partially or entirely comprises one or more of the following: aluminum, basalt, fiberglass, HDPE, or other plastic materials.

[0088] Now referring to Figures 32-38 , the bracket assembly 225 is depicted as disposed on the first housing member 214 of the housing assembly 212. The bracket assembly 225 includes a support channel 241 disposed on the outer surface 243 of the first housing member 214. In one example, the support channel 241 may include a 2×2×23 C-channel. The support channel 241 includes two pores 245 ( Figure 33 and Figure 35), each pore houses a screw 247, and a lock nut 249 is used to fix the screw 247 such that the support channel 214 is fixedly coupled to the first housing member 214. In one example, the screw 247 and the lock nut 249 are a 1 / 2-16 UNC bolt / nut - nylon design. Other examples may be used alternatively and / or additionally and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, as Figure 33 depicted, a washer 251 may also be used to assist in fixing the support channel 241 to the first housing member 214. For example, the support channel 241 may have a C-shape, as Figure 36 depicted. However, it should be understood that the support channel 241 may take the form of other shapes and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Generally, the bracket assembly 225 provides lateral support for the underground housing assembly 200 on its sides and under load. For example, in one instance, it serves as a horizontal bracket for the tier 15 and 22 housing assembly unit ratings.

[0089] Now referring to Figure 37 and Figure 38 , the bracket assembly 225 further includes a support rod 255 disposed on the inner surface 257 of at least one housing member (such as the first housing member 214 as depicted). The support rod 255 is aligned with the support channel 241 disposed on the outer surface 243 of the first housing member 214 of the housing assembly 212. The support rod 255 includes at least one pore 259, and in this example, two pores 259 are configured to house fasteners that are configured to couple the support rod 255 to the inner surface 257 of the first housing member 214. The fasteners may be, for example, screws 247 and lock nuts 249 and may take other forms and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the support channel 241 and the support rod 255 comprise an aluminum material such as 6061 aluminum. In another example, the support channel 241 and the support rod 255 at least partially comprise one of basalt or fiberglass. Additionally, any of the aluminum components of the assembly may be made of plastic (such as HDPE, fiberglass, or basalt).

[0090] Although the bracket assembly 225 is depicted as being disposed on the first housing member 214, it should be understood that the bracket assembly 225 may alternatively and / or additionally be disposed on the second housing member 216 and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, although Figure 23 is not depicted in the underground disclosure assembly 100 either, it should be further understood that the bracket assembly 225 may be disposed on one or more of the first housing member 114, the second housing member 116, the third housing member 117, and the fourth housing member 119 and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, when Figure 23When the underground housing assembly 100 is in an assembled state, the support channel 241 of the support assembly 225 can be positioned on the seam formed between the ends 145 and 151 of the first housing member 114 and the third housing member 117. In a similar manner, the support channel 241 can be positioned on other seams of the housing assembly 100, which are formed between the side edges of one or more other housing members of the housing assembly 100, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the cover 118 of the housing assembly 100 can further include the cover support 227 as described above with respect to the housing assembly 200, and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. More generally, each of the housing assemblies 100, 200 disclosed herein can include one or more of the cover support 227 and the support assembly 225 as described herein.

[0091] Now referring to Figures 39-41 , for example and as described above Figure 24 and Figure 25 the underground housing assembly 200 is depicted as having a skirt assembly 270. Portions of the underground housing assembly 200 were described in detail above and, for the sake of brevity, will not be described here. In this example, the overall height of the underground housing assembly 200 can be increased by coupling the underground housing assembly 200 to the skirt assembly 270 such that the underground housing assembly 200 can be positioned in a deeper pit on-site, e.g., still easily accessible at ground level. Figures 39-41 The skirt assembly 270 is depicted, and an exemplary height H1 of the skirt assembly is about half the height of the underground housing assembly 200. However, it should be understood that the skirt assembly 270 can alternatively include a variety of other heights, such as H2, H3, H4, and H5, which are greater than and / or less than the exemplary height H1, to accommodate pits of various sizes and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure. In one example, the height of the underground housing assembly 200 is 24 inches and the height H1 of the skirt assembly 270 is 12 inches and / or half the height of the underground housing assembly 200. More specifically, in one example, the underground housing assembly 200 includes the following dimensions 24"×36"×24", and can be attached to the bottom of a skirt assembly 270 including the following dimensions 24"×36"×12. Configured as such, in this example, the overall height of the underground housing assembly 200 and the skirt assembly 270 is 36 inches.

[0092] Now referring to Figure 40, the skirt assembly 270 is depicted as separated from the underground housing assembly 200 but still in the assembled position. The skirt assembly 270 includes a pair of skirt portions 272, the pair of skirt portions including a first skirt portion 273 and a second skirt portion 274, which are rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion (such as the at least one snap protrusion described above, not shown). In this example, each of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 is the same portion and includes a bracket assembly 275 (depicted relative to the second skirt member 274 in Figure 40 ), which functions in a manner similar to the bracket assembly 225 of the underground housing assembly 200 described above. Additionally, each of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 includes shoulders 276, 277, as disposed on the top portion of each of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274. Additionally, the first skirt portion 273 further includes a neck portion 278, and the second skirt portion 274 likewise includes a neck portion 279. Each of the neck portions 278, 279 is semi-elliptical in shape such that when the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 are coupled together to form the skirt assembly 270, the first neck portion 278 and the second neck portion 279 form an elliptical shape that receives a portion of the body of the underground housing assembly 200 when coupled to the skirt assembly 270.

[0093] Now referring to Figure 41 , the skirt assembly 270 is again depicted as separated from the underground housing assembly 200 but now in a position where the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 are not in the assembled position. Each of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 further includes a bracket 282 disposed in a corner region 283 of each of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274. Each bracket 282 includes a pore 284 for receiving a bolt (such as the bolt assembly 20 described above) to secure the skirt assembly 270 to the underground housing assembly 200. It should be understood that in addition to the brackets 282 and bolt combination, various other securing mechanisms may be additionally and / or alternatively used and still fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0094] As Figure 41Further depicted, in this instance, the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 are coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion. More specifically, each of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 includes at least one slot 286, 287 (not shown) disposed on the first ends 273a, 274a. In this instance, the first end 273a of the first skirt portion 273 includes four slots: two slots 286 are disposed adjacent to the inner region of the skirt assembly 270, and two other slots 287 are disposed adjacent to the first two slots 286. Additionally, the second ends 273b, 274b of the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 each include two snap protrusions 289 disposed adjacent to the inner region of the skirt assembly 270 and two other snap protrusions 288 disposed adjacent to the first snap protrusions 289. Although the snap protrusions 288, 289 are depicted on the second end 273b of the first skirt portion 273 in Figure 41 even if not shown in Figure 41 the same snap protrusions 288, 289 are depicted on the second end 274b of the second skirt portion 274. The snap protrusions 288, 289 of the second ends 273b, 274b snap into the slots 286, 287 of the first ends 273a, 274a to couple the first skirt portion 273 and the second skirt portion 274 together to form, for example, the skirt assembly 270 depicted in Figure 40 .

[0095] At least in view of the foregoing, it should be understood that the assemblies and methods of the present disclosure include several advantages. For example, the unique snap-together design and method of the underground housing assemblies 10, 100, 200 reduces the total number of fasteners required to assemble the underground housing assemblies 10, 100, 200. Additionally, when cutting is required, the underground housing assembly 10 is easier to install on-site without generating harmful dust. Additionally, since the first housing members 14, 114, 214 of the housing assemblies 12, 112, 212 are the same as the second housing members 16, 116, 216, the first housing members 14, 114, 214 and the second housing members 16, 116, 216 are reversible and interchangeable, again allowing for faster manufacturing and installation. Additionally, when it is desired to remove the covers 18, 118, 218 from the housing assemblies 12, 112, 212, the covers 18, 118, 218 do not require any tools to lift the covers 18, 118, 218 from the housing members 14, 114, 214, 16, 116, 216.

[0096] Additionally, the HDPE components and aluminum materials of the outer shell assemblies 10, 100, 200 (such as the shell assemblies and covers described above) allow the fully assembled underground shell assemblies 10, 100, 200 to be designed with a lightweight construction. For example, when fully assembled, a 24" x 36" x 24" shell weighs approximately 100 - 120 pounds. It should be understood that for shells of different sizes, such as 17" x 30" x 24", the weight will vary approximately due to the change in the plastics used and the smaller size of the structural components. Additionally, the reversible feature of the shell assembly prevents errors during the setup and assembly of the underground shell assemblies 10, 100, 200.

[0097] Still further, the underground shell assemblies 10, 100, 200 are a lightweight and durable option for telecommunications infrastructure projects. The covers 18, 118, 218 mount and secure themselves to either end of the shell assemblies 12, 112, 212. This versatile design is installer-friendly, enabling the safer and faster setup of larger underground shell assemblies. The HDPE-based underground shell assemblies 10, 100, 200 allow installers to more easily and safely add custom ports for cable entry / exit on-site without the dust and tool wear associated with the use of precast and concrete products. Additionally, the HDPE covers 18, 118, 218 are typically 45% lighter than other conventional covers while still meeting the load strength requirements.

[0098] The figures and descriptions provided herein are for illustrative purposes only, depicting and describing the preferred embodiments of the underground shell assemblies and methods of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize from the foregoing discussion that alternative embodiments of the components shown herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. Thus, after reading this disclosure, those skilled in the art will understand that there are still additional alternative structural and functional designs. Therefore, although specific embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes, and variations that are obvious to those skilled in the art can be made to the arrangement, operation, and details of the methods and components disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An underground housing assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, the underground housing assembly comprising: A housing assembly having at least two housing members rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion; and A cover removably coupled to the housing assembly by at least two bolt assemblies, the cover including a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downward from an edge portion of the cover.

2. The housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the following hold: (1) Each housing member includes an inner wall having a top portion, a bottom portion, an upper shelf disposed near the top portion of the inner wall, and a lower shelf disposed near the bottom portion of the inner wall, each of the upper shelf and the lower shelf including pores; (2) The at least two housing members include four housing members, each housing member rotatably coupled to another housing member by at least one snap protrusion; and (3) Each housing member includes an outer wall and an inner wall, and at least one housing member includes a bracket assembly including a support channel disposed on the outer wall of the housing member and a support rod disposed on the inner wall and aligned with the position of the bracket disposed on the outer wall.

3. The housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein one or more of the following hold: (1) The housing assembly is a clam shell assembly; (2) Each housing member is a clam shell member having a C-shape; and (2) The at least two housing members include four housing members including a first housing member, a second housing member, a third housing member, and a fourth housing member, each of the first housing member, the second housing member, the third housing member, and the fourth housing member having a first side edge and a second side edge and coupled to each other to form the housing assembly.

4. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the at least two housing members including a first housing member and a second housing member, each of the first housing member and the second housing member having a first side edge and a second side edge, and the first side edge of the first housing member coupled to the second side edge of the second housing member, and the first side end of the second housing member coupled to the second side end of the first housing member to form the housing assembly.

5. The housing assembly according to claim 4, wherein each of the first side edge and the second side edge of each of the first housing member and the second housing member includes at least one snap protrusion, the at least one snap protrusion including a plurality of snap protrusions and at least one pore, the at least one pore including a plurality of pores, and the plurality of snap protrusions of each side edge snap into the plurality of pores of the other side edge to rotatably couple the first housing member and the second housing member to each other.

6. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least two shell members include a first shell member and a second shell member, and each shell member includes an outer surface having a grid pattern, the grid pattern having a plurality of ribs.

7. The housing assembly according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of ribs includes a plurality of vertical ribs and a plurality of horizontal ribs, and at least one rib of the plurality of vertical ribs intersects at least one rib of the plurality of horizontal ribs.

8. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least two shell members include a first shell member and a second shell member, and the first shell member is the same as the second shell member.

9. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the at least two shell members includes a top surface and a bottom surface, the edge portion of the lid is disposed on the top surface, each top surface includes a mating lip configured to receive a groove of the lid, and each bottom surface includes a mating lip configured to receive the groove of the lid when the two shell members are flipped and the bottom surface receives the lid.

10. The housing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the cover includes one or more of the following: (1) at least two pores, the at least two pores being disposed at equidistant distances from each other along the circumference of the cover, each pore being adapted to receive a bolt of one of the at least two bolt assemblies for coupling the cover to the housing assembly, the cover further including a groove disposed on the lower side of the cover, the groove being configured to receive the mating lips of the two housing members; (2) An insert removably disposed on the top surface of the lid, the insert being interchangeable to include inserts of various designs; and (3) a lid support disposed on the underside of the lid, the lid support including a frame having a pair of side rods, a pair of end rods coupled to the pair of side rods, and an internal support rod disposed between the pair of side rods and coupled to each end of the pair of end rods.

11. The housing assembly according to claim 10, wherein the at least two bolt assemblies include one of the following: (1) two bolt assemblies; or (2) four bolt assemblies, and each of the at least two shell members of the shell assembly includes a retaining nut, each of the retaining nuts being configured to receive a bolt of one of the at least two bolt assemblies to fix the lid to the shell assembly, and optionally, at least one of the at least two bolt assemblies further includes a clip configured to be coupled to the retaining nut, the clip including a pore and a gap, the pore being configured to receive a portion of the base of the retaining nut when the at least one bolt assembly is in an assembled configuration, and the gap being configured to receive a cylindrical portion of the retaining nut in the assembled configuration.

12. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each shell member of the housing assembly and the lid comprises high density polyethylene (HDPE).

13. An underground housing assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, the underground housing assembly comprising: Clamshell assembly, the clamshell assembly having a first clamshell member and a second clamshell member rotatably coupled to the first clamshell member, each of the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member having at least one side edge, the at least one side edge having a plurality of snap protrusions and a plurality of pores, the plurality of snap protrusions of the first clamshell member snapping into the plurality of pores of the second clamshell member to rotatably couple the first shell member and the second shell member to each other; and Cover, the cover being removably coupled to the clamshell assembly by at least two bolt assemblies.

14. The housing assembly according to claim 13, the cover including a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a cover support, a flange extending downwardly from an edge portion of the cover, and a groove configured to receive a mating lip of the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member, the cover support including a frame having a pair of side bars, a pair of end bars coupled to the pair of side bars, and an internal bar disposed between the pair of side bars and coupled to the pair of end bars.

15. The housing assembly according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein each of the first clamshell member and the second clamshell member includes an outer surface having a grid pattern and a bracket assembly, the grid pattern having a plurality of ribs, the bracket assembly including a channel support disposed on the outer surface and a support bar disposed on an inner surface of the clamshell member and aligned with the channel support, and the first clamshell member being the same as the second clamshell member.

16. The housing assembly according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the cover includes one of two pores or four pores disposed at equidistant distances from each other along a circumference of the cover, each pore being adapted to receive a bolt of one of the at least two bolt assemblies to couple the cover to the housing assembly, wherein the at least two bolt assemblies include one of two bolt assemblies or four bolt assemblies.

17. A method of assembling an underground housing assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, the method comprising: Providing a first shell member having at least one side edge, the at least one side edge having at least one snap protrusion and a plurality of pores; Providing a second shell member having at least one side edge, the at least one side edge having at least one snap protrusion and a plurality of pores; Snapping the at least one snap protrusion of the first shell member into one of the plurality of pores of the second shell member to attach a first side edge of the first shell member to a second side edge of the second shell member; Rotate the second housing member such that another snap protrusion of the first housing member is seated in another one of the plurality of apertures of the second housing member to attach a second side edge of the first housing member to a first side edge of the second housing member, thereby coupling the first housing member and the second housing member together; and couple a cover to the first housing member and the second housing member by at least two bolt assemblies, the cover including a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a flange extending downwardly from an edge portion of the cover.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein coupling the cover to the first housing member and the second housing member by at least two bolt assemblies comprises one or more of the following: (1) positioning the edge portion of the cover on a top surface of each of the first housing member and the second housing member; (2) inserting mating lips on the top surface of each of the first housing member and the second housing member into grooves disposed on the lower side of the cover such that the cover covers the top surface of each housing member; and (3) including a cover support on the lower side of the cover, the cover support including a frame having a pair of side bars, a pair of end bars, and an internal bar disposed between the pair of side bars.

19. The method of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the method further comprises coupling a retaining nut to each of the two housing members of the housing assembly before snapping the at least one snap protrusion of the first housing member into the aperture of the plurality of apertures of the second housing member.

20. The method of any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein coupling the cover to the first housing member and the second housing member by at least two bolt assemblies comprises positioning bolts of each bolt assembly through apertures disposed in the cover and into retaining nuts of each housing member to secure the cover to the first housing member and the second housing member.

21. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, further comprising: providing a third housing member having at least one side edge, the at least one side edge having at least one snap protrusion and a plurality of pores; Provide a fourth housing member having at least one side edge, the at least one side edge having at least one snap protrusion and a plurality of apertures; Snap the at least one snap protrusion of the third housing member into one of the plurality of apertures of the fourth housing member to attach the third housing member to the fourth housing member; and couple the third housing member and the fourth housing member to the first housing member and the second housing member to form a housing assembly.

22. An underground housing assembly configured to be used with one or more of communication, power, and / or irrigation system equipment, the underground housing assembly comprising: Housing assembly, said housing assembly having at least two housing members, said at least two housing members being rotatably coupled to each other by at least one snap protrusion; at least one housing member having an outer surface and a bracket assembly, the bracket assembly including support channels disposed on the outer surface; and A cover, the cover being removably coupled to the housing assembly by at least two bolt assemblies, the cover including a flange extending downwardly from an edge portion of the cover and a lower side having a plurality of ribs and a cover support, the cover support including a frame having a pair of side bars, a pair of end bars, and an internal bar disposed between the pair of side bars.

23. The underground housing assembly according to claim 22, the bracket assembly further including a support bar disposed on an inner surface of at least one housing member of the housing assembly, the support bar being aligned with a support channel disposed on an outer surface of the at least one housing member of the housing assembly.

24. The underground housing assembly according to claim 23, wherein the support channel includes a C-shape and at least one aperture for receiving a fastener, the fastener being configured to couple the support channel to the outer surface of the housing member, and the support bar includes at least one aperture for receiving a fastener, the fastener being configured to couple the support bar to the inner surface of the housing member.

25. The underground housing assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the internal bar is coupled to each end of a pair of ends, and each side bar of the pair of side bars includes an aperture for receiving a fastening member to couple the side bar to the cover.

26. The underground housing assembly according to claim 23, wherein one of the following holds: (1) the support channel and the support bar at least partially or entirely comprise one or more of the following: aluminum, basalt, fiberglass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), or other plastic materials; or (2) the entire underground housing assembly comprises one or more of the following: aluminum, basalt, fiberglass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), or other plastic materials.

27. The underground housing assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein one of the following holds: (1) each of the pair of side bars, the pair of end bars, and the internal bar disposed between the pair of side bars at least partially or entirely comprise one or more of the following: aluminum, basalt, fiberglass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), or other plastic materials; or (2) the entire underground assembly comprises one or more of the following: aluminum, basalt, fiberglass, high density polyethylene (HDPE), or other plastic materials.

28. The underground housing assembly according to any one of claims 22 to 28, further comprising a skirt assembly removably coupled to a bottom portion of the underground housing assembly, the skirt assembly including a first skirt portion and a second skirt portion removably coupled to the first skirt portion, each of the first skirt portion and the second skirt portion including at least one bracket disposed in a corner region of the first skirt portion and the second skirt portion, the at least one bracket being configured to couple the skirt assembly to the bottom portion of the underground assembly.

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