FOLDABLE AND / OR COLLAPSIBLE SERVICE ENCLOSURE MADE OF PLASTIC / COMPOSITE MATERIAL

Abstract

A collapsible rectangular plastic / composite enclosure having first, second, third, and fourth sides connected by hinges. The enclosure folds by rotating the hinged sides but is designed to fold in only one direction. The hinges allow the enclosure to be folded for storage and transport. The hinges consist of a plurality of hinge members, each mounted in a housing. The housing has an open interior that helps anchor the enclosure to the ground. An insertable locking pin can be inserted through each hinge to prevent the enclosure from folding. The enclosure may be made of plastic / composite material embedded with fibers such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, or ceramic fibers, or embedded with particles such as glass particles. The use of plastic / composite material and various openings or cutouts makes the enclosure lightweight.

Description

FOLDABLE AND / OR COLLAPSIBLE SERVICE ENCLOSURE PLASTIC / COMPOSITE MATERIAL QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi Description of the Invention The invention relates to underground service enclosures for providing protection for underground devices such as water meters, valves, telecommunications hardware and the like, and more particularly to a foldable and / or collapsible plastic / composite utility enclosure. Service enclosures are used to protect buried meters, valves, and telecommunications hardware and must be able to withstand heavy loads that may be placed on the enclosure roof. Concrete service enclosures are commonly used on or near roads and driveways because they are heavy-duty and capable of supporting heavy loads placed on the roof. Concrete service enclosures consist of a concrete wall that extends around the service area. A lip extends around the top of the service enclosure on the inside. The service enclosure roof fits inside the service enclosure and rests on the lip. The concrete lip provides sufficient support to the roof to allow the service enclosure to withstand the force of the load. Ref. 333648 heavy loads. However, concrete service enclosures have some disadvantages. They are difficult to transport and install. They are bulky and take up space. During transport, concrete service enclosures are prone to chipping, and significant quantities become unusable due to shipping damage. Installing concrete service enclosures is difficult because of their weight. Installing a concrete service enclosure typically requires two people because they weigh over 200 pounds (90.7 kg) each. The weight of concrete service enclosures also presents a risk of physical injury to those installing them. Plastic service enclosures are known. U.S. Patent No. 5,333,750 describes a plastic service enclosure that is durable, lightweight, and capable of being placed on roads or highways and supporting heavy loads. However, plastic enclosures are also bulky and take up space during transport. What is needed is a collapsible enclosure that occupies minimal space when folded. This invention is a plastic / material enclosure QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi A foldable composite having a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side. Each side has a first end and a second opposite end. The first end of the first side connects to the first end of the third side by means of a first hinge. The second opposite end of the second side connects to the second opposite end of the third side by means of a second hinge. The second opposite end of the first side connects to the second opposite end of the fourth side by means of a third hinge. The first end of the second side connects to the first end of the fourth side by means of a fourth hinge. The third side is designed to pivot on the first and second hinges only away from the first side. The fourth side is designed to pivot on the third and fourth hinges only toward the first side. The third and fourth sides are designed to pivot until the first side engages with the second side, and the collapsible plastic / composite enclosure is in a folded configuration. The folded plastic / composite enclosure, when in a folded configuration, is only 15 to 20 percent thick compared to an unfolded configuration. The first end of the first side and the first end of the second side are curved. The first end of the third side slides onto the first end of the QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi The first side and the first end of the fourth side are slidably positioned over the first end of the second side. The second opposite end of the first side rests against the second opposite end of the fourth side, and the second opposite end of the third side rests against the second opposite end of the second side. The second opposite ends are inclined. Each hinge consists of hinge members, each of which is placed in a housing. The housing has an open interior to aid in anchoring it to the floor. Each edge on each side has a plurality of separate hinge members, where the hinge members on one side engage with the hinge members on the other side to form the hinge. One or more of the hinges may have a reversibly insertable locking pin that prevents the sides from rotating on the hinges and prevents the collapsible plastic / composite enclosure from folding. The foldable and / or collapsible plastic / composite enclosure of this invention can be made of any type of plastic or composite material, preferably plastic embedded with fibers such as carbon fibers, glass fibers, or ceramic fibers, or embedded with particles such as glass particles. The use of plastic / composite material and various openings or cutouts makes the enclosure QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi is lightweight. Hinges allow the enclosure to be folded for storage and transport. The pairs of sides are symmetrical, which simplifies manufacturing. The collapsible plastic / composite enclosure is ideal for housing underground utilities. However, it can be used to house or contain any desired equipment. Figure 1 is a top, front perspective view of the service enclosure 10 of the present invention. The enclosure 10 is rectangular and has a first side 11, a second side 12 opposite the first side 11, a third side 13, and a fourth side 14 opposite the third side 13. The first side 11 and the second side 12 form a first pair of sides, and the third side 13 and the second side 14 form a second pair of sides. The enclosure 10 has an upper end 15, a lower end 16, and an interior 17. A flange 18 is formed on the interior 17 near the upper end 15 to support a cover (see Figures 11 and 12). The edges of each side 11, 12, 13, and 14 are joined together by hinges 20, 21, 22, and 23 to form the rectangular service enclosure 10, with a hinge at each corner of the rectangle. Hinges 20, 21, 22 and 23 are composed of hinge members 24.Each hinge member 24 has a central hole 25 (see Figures 2A and 2B) for the insertion of a hinge pin 26 to form the hinge, as known in the art. The hinge members 24 are formed in open hollow housings 27, the housings 27 having. QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi interiors 28. The first side 11 has a first endpoint 30 and an opposite second endpoint 31. The second opposite side 12 has a first endpoint 32 and an opposite second endpoint 33. The third side 13 has a first endpoint 34 and an opposite second endpoint 35. The fourth side 14 has a first endpoint 36 and an opposite second endpoint 37. The first ends 30 and 32 of sides 11 and 12 (first pair of sides) form curved corners that terminate in curved extensions 38. The opposite second ends 31 and 33 of sides 11 and 12 are also curved and form acute angles 39. The first ends 34 and 36 of sides 13 and 14 (second pair of sides) and the opposite second ends 35 and 37 of sides 13 and 14 form obtuse angles 40. The first ends 34 and 36 of sides 13 and 14 fit over the curved extensions 38 of sides 11 and 12 and the first ends 34 and 36 can be slightly curved to match the curved extensions 38.The sloping edges of the second opposite ends 35 and 37 of sides 13 and 14 adjoin the sloping edges of ends 31 and 33 of sides 11 and 12. Sides 11, 12, 13 and 14 may have openings 19 to accommodate wires, tubes, pipes and the like. Figure 2A is a perspective view from an exterior surface 41 of the first side 11, separate from the service enclosure 10, and Figure 2B is a perspective view from an interior surface 42 of the first side 11. The hinge members 24, housings 27, and interiors 28 can be seen in more detail. Notches or spaces 43 between the hinge members 24 engage with the housings 27 of the hinge members 24 that engage with the first side 11 to complete the formation of the hinges 23. Figure 3A is a perspective view from an exterior surface 44 of the third side 13 separated from the service enclosure 10, and Figure 3B is a perspective view from an interior surface 45. The hinge members 24, housings 27, and interiors 28 can be seen in more detail. Figures 3A and 3B further show locks 46 that secure the third side 13 to the first side 11 to prevent the service enclosure 10 from folding. Notches 47 between the hinge members 24 engage with the housings 27 of the hinge members 24 that engage with the third side 13 to complete the formation of hinges 20, 21, 22, and 23. The housings 27 reinforce the hinges 20, 21, 22, and 23 and protect them from external forces. When the service enclosure 10 is placed in the ground to protect an underground device, soil, rocks, and cement can fill the interiors 28 of the housings 27, preventing the service enclosure 10 from moving or folding. The first side 11 and the second side 12 are identical to each other, and the third side 13 and the fourth side 14 are identical to each other with respect to hinge and folding characteristics. Figure 4 is a top inside surface view of the second side 12. Figure 5 is a top inside surface view of the third side 13. Figure 6 is a top and outside surface view of the first side 11. The service enclosure 10 is formed by inserting the housings 27 at end 35 of the third side 13 between the housings 27 at end 31 of the second side 12 and by inserting the housings 27 at end 34 of the third side 13 between the housings 27 at end 30 of the first side 11. The pins 26 are then inserted through the holes 25 to form the hinges 20, 21, 22, and 23. The fourth side 14 is added to sides 11 and 12 in the same manner to complete the assembly of the service enclosure 10. Figure 7A is a top perspective view of service enclosure 10, which is placed with its first side 11 in a horizontal plane, indicated by a double arrow 50. Service enclosure 10 is in an unfolded configuration. Figure 7B shows service enclosure 10 in a semi-folded configuration. Figure 7C shows service enclosure 10 in a fully folded configuration. As the second side 13 is rotated away from the first side 11, the fourth side 14 is rotated toward the first side 11. The second side 12 moves inward toward the first side 11. In the folded configuration, service enclosure 10 is approximately 15% to 25% thick. QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi comparison with the deployed configuration, preferably approximately 20%. Figure 8A shows an enlarged top view of end 33 of the second side 12 and end 35 of the third side 13 in an unfolded configuration. Figure 8B shows an enlarged top view of end 32 of the second side 12 and end 36 of the fourth side 14 in an unfolded position. The service enclosure 10 cannot be folded in a direction opposite to that shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B because end 35 of side 13 rests on end 33 of side 12, shown by arrow 51, at an angle to sides 12 and 13. End 35 of side 13 cannot move around end 33 of side 12. However, end 36 of side 14 can move around end 32 of side 12, as shown in Figures 9A, 9B, 10A, and 10B, because end 36 overlaps end 32, shown by arrow 52. Figures 9A and 9B show the same views as Figures 8A and 8B, but with the service enclosure 10 in a half-folded configuration. Arrow 53 in Figure 9A shows the extent to which end 35 of side 13 has moved away from end 33 of side 12. Arrow 54 in Figure 9B shows the extent to which end 36 of side 14 has moved over and around the curved extension 38 of end 32 of side 12. Figures 10A and 10B show the same views as the QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi Figures 8A and 8B, but with the service enclosure 10 in a fully folded configuration with the first side 11 attaching to the second side 12. The folding of the service enclosure 10 is reversible and the service enclosure 10 can be restored to its unfolded configuration by separating the first side 11 and the second side 12. Figure 11 shows a top perspective view of the service enclosure 10 with a top cover 60 inserted at the top end 15. The top cover 60 may have handles or openings for removing it. Figure 12 shows a top perspective view of a top cover 61 having an opening 62 with a door 63. The interior 17 of the service enclosure 10 can be viewed and accessed by lifting the door 63. Figure 13 shows a bottom perspective view of the service enclosure 10 with a bottom cover 64 reversibly attached to the bottom end 16 by methods known in the art. The use of a bottom cover 64 allows the service enclosure 10 to be used as any type of enclosure for any type of item. Figure 14 shows a perspective view of a hinged food container connecting two sides, with a locking pin 70 inserted through the hinge members 24 to prevent rotation of the sides on the hinge and to prevent folding of the collapsible plastic / composite enclosure. An insertion hole 71 is located at the top 15 for inserting the locking pin 70. Each hinge member 24 has an upper groove 72 and a lower groove 73 through which the locking pin 70 passes. The locking pin 70 can be retained in an opening 74 in the lower hinge member. The preceding description illustrates and describes the invention. Furthermore, the description shows and describes only the preferred embodiments, but it is understood that the preferred embodiments are capable of being formed in various other combinations, modifications, and settings, and are capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the invention's concepts as expressed herein, in accordance with prior learning and / or relevant skill or knowledge of the art. The embodiments described herein are intended to further explain the best modes known to the applicant and to enable others skilled in the art to use the description in these or other embodiments and with the various modifications required by particular applications or uses thereof. Accordingly, the description is not intended to limit the invention to the form described herein.Furthermore, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted to include alternative modalities. It is also understood that various changes may be made to the details, materials, and QCRfrnn / zznz / E / YiAi arrangements of the parts that have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of the present invention to those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as mentioned in the following claims. It is hereby stated that, as of this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the present invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims

1. A foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure, characterized in that it comprises: a) a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each of the sides having a first end and a second opposite end; b) the first end of the first side connected to the first end of the third side by means of a first hinge; the second opposite end of the second side connected to the second opposite end of the third side by means of a second hinge; the second opposite end of the first side connected to the second opposite end of the fourth side by means of a third hinge; and the first end of the second side connected to the first end of the fourth side by means of a fourth hinge, wherein each hinge has a single hinge pin extending from an upper portion of the enclosure to a lower portion of the enclosure;c) the third side is constructed to pivot on the first and second hinges only away from the first side and the fourth side is constructed to pivot on the third and fourth hinges only towards the first side when the enclosure is moved from an unfolded position to a folded position; and d) the third and fourth sides are constructed to pivot until the first side engages the second side and the foldable plastic enclosure is in a folded configuration.

2. The foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that in a folded configuration it is only 15 to 20 percent thick compared to the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure in an unfolded configuration.

3. The foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the first end of the third side at the top of the enclosure slidingly overlaps the first end of the first side at the top of the enclosure and the first end of the fourth side at the top of the enclosure overlaps the first end of the second side at the top of the enclosure.

4. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 3, characterized in that it further comprises the second opposite end of the first side that adjoins the second opposite end of the fourth side and the second opposite end of the third side that adjoins the second opposite end of the second side.

5. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 4, characterized in that the second opposite end of the third side forms an obtuse angle between an inner surface of the third side and an inner surface of the first side and the obtuse angle extends from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure and wherein the second opposite end of the fourth side forms an acute angle between an inner surface of the fourth side and an inner surface of the first side and the acute angle extends from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure.

6. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises each hinge formed from hinge members wherein each hinge member is placed in a housing.

7. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 6, characterized in that the housing has an open interior.

8. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 6, characterized in that each end of each side has a plurality of separate hinge members.

9. The foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge or fourth hinge having a reversibly insertable locking pin extending from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure that prevents the sides from rotating on the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge or fourth hinge and prevents the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure from folding.

10. A foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure, characterized in that it comprises: a) a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each side having a first end and a second opposite end; b) the first end of the first side connected to the first end of the third side by means of a first hinge; the second opposite end of the second side connected to the second opposite end of the third side by means of a second hinge; the second opposite end of the first side connected to the second opposite end of the fourth side by means of a third hinge; and the first end of the second side connected to the first end of the fourth side by means of a fourth hinge, wherein each hinge has a single hinge pin extending from an upper portion of the enclosure to a lower portion of the enclosure;c) the third side is constructed to pivot on the first and second hinges only away from the first side and the fourth side is constructed to pivot on the third and fourth hinges only towards the first side when the enclosure is moved from an unfolded position to a folded position; d) the third and fourth sides are constructed to pivot until the first side engages the second side and the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure is in a folded configuration; e) the first end of the third side at the top of the enclosure slides over the first end of the first side at the top of the enclosure and the first end of the fourth side at the top of the enclosure slides over the first end of the second side at the top of the enclosure;(f) the second opposite end of the first side adjoining the second opposite end of the fourth side and the second opposite end of the third side adjoining the second opposite end of the second side, wherein the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure in a folded configuration is only 15 to 20 percent thick compared to the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure in an unfolded configuration.

11. The foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure according to claim 10, characterized in that the second opposite end of the third side forms an obtuse angle between an inner surface of the third side and an inner surface of the first side and the obtuse angle extends from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure and wherein the second opposite end of the fourth side forms an acute angle between an inner surface of the fourth side and an inner surface of the first side and the acute angle extends from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure.

12. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises each hinge formed of hinge members wherein each hinge member is placed in a housing.

13. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 12, characterized in that the enclosure has an open interior.

14. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 12, characterized in that each end of each side has a plurality of separate hinge members.

15. The foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure according to claim 10, characterized in that it further comprises the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge or fourth hinge having a reversibly insertable locking pin extending from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure that prevents the sides from rotating on the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge or fourth hinge and prevents the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure from folding.

16. A foldable enclosure made of plastic and / or composite material, characterized in that it comprises: a) a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side, and a fourth side opposite the third side, each side having a first end and a second opposite end; b) the first end of the first side connected to the first end of the third side by means of a first hinge; the second opposite end of the second side connected to the second opposite end of the third side by means of a second hinge; the second opposite end of the first side connected to the second opposite end of the fourth side by means of a third hinge; and the first end of the second side connected to the first end of the fourth side by means of a fourth hinge, wherein each hinge has a single hinge pin extending from an upper portion of the enclosure to a lower portion of the enclosure, each hinge being formed of hinge members, wherein each member ofa hinge is placed in a housing, and the housing has an open interior; (o) the third side is constructed to pivot on the first and second hinges only away from the first side and the fourth side is constructed to pivot on the third and fourth hinges only towards the first side when the enclosure is moved from an unfolded position to a folded position; (d) the third and fourth sides are constructed to pivot until the first side engages the second side and the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure is in a folded configuration; (e) the first end of the third side at the top of the enclosure slides over the first end of the first side at the top of the enclosure and the first end of the fourth side at the top of the enclosure slides over the first end of the second side at the top of the enclosure; (f) the second opposite end of the adjoining first sidewith the second opposite end of the fourth side and the second opposite end of the third side adjoining the second opposite end of the second side, wherein the second opposite end of the third side forms an obtuse angle between an inner surface of the third side and an inner surface of the first side and the obtuse angle extends from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure and wherein the second opposite end of the fourth side forms an acute angle between an inner surface of the fourth side and an inner surface of the first side and the acute angle extends from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure, and wherein the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure in a folded configuration is only 15 to 20 percent thick compared to the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure in an unfolded configuration.

17. The foldable plastic and / or composite material enclosure according to claim 16, characterized in that each end of each side has a plurality of separate hinge members.

18. The foldable / plastic enclosure according to claim 17, characterized in that it further comprises the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge or fourth hinge having a reversibly insertable locking pin extending from the top of the enclosure to the bottom of the enclosure passing through the hinge members, preventing the sides from rotating about the first hinge, second hinge, third hinge or fourth hinge and preventing the foldable plastic and / or composite enclosure from folding.

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