ARTICULATED, WIDENED AND FOLDABLE UTILITY VAULT DEVICE
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- MX · MX
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AFL COMM LLC
- Filing Date
- 2022-07-08
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
Smart Images
Figure MX434415B0 
Figure MX434415B1
Abstract
Description
ARTICULATED, WIDENED AND FOLDING PUBLIC SERVICES VAULT DEVICE Field of Invention The subject matter of this description generally relates to a hinged, widened, and foldable utility enclosure or vault device that could be modular. Background of the Invention A utility vault or enclosure is frequently used to protect utility equipment, including, but not limited to, water or natural gas valves, or an electrical connection for electrical or telecommunications equipment. Over time, it is common for additional equipment to be added to utility enclosures, resulting in utility enclosures with limited space for future equipment. The most common form of utility vault is concrete utility vaults. These concrete vaults have several disadvantages. First, concrete utility vaults are heavy and take up a significant amount of space during transportation, which greatly increases the cost of the product. The weight and bulk of concrete utility vaults make them cumbersome and difficult to install. crconn / zznz / E / YiAi Ref. 335611 to be installed once the utilities have been placed in place. Second, concrete has a tendency to crack over time. This factor is especially relevant in environments prone to frequent freezing, which draws water into the concrete, causing it to expand and eventually crack the concrete vaults over time. Third, current concrete utility vault manufacturing processes generally use straight, rigid sidewalls. Rigid configurations make packaging multiple vaults difficult, and straight walls limit the amount of future equipment that could be enclosed within each vault. For these reasons, plastic or composite utility vaults have gained popularity in recent years. Compared to concrete, plastic enclosures are significantly lighter in weight and less expensive to ship. Additionally, plastic or composite utility vaults provide improved weather resistance compared to concrete vaults. However, current plastic utility vaults lack certain benefits compared to their concrete counterparts. For example, the weight of concrete utility vaults helps with the stability and stacking of utility vaults. Stacking is especially important for applications where larger utility vaults may be required or when additional equipment must be placed in the vault.Additionally, larger concrete utility vaults are accessible more quickly when compared to plastic or composite utility vaults. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a widened, collapsible utility vault that has optional extension sections that could be used for utility installation applications. Brief Description of the Figures These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present description will be better understood with respect to the following description, the appended claims and the appended figures, where: A perspective view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 1A. A perspective view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure IB. Figure 2 shows a front view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure. A rear view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 3. A first side view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 4. A second side view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 5. A top view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 6. A bottom view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 7. An environmental view of a device having features consistent with the invention of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 8. A flow diagram illustrating certain method steps of a method that includes features consistent with the principles of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 9. Detailed Description of the Invention In this detailed description and the following crconn / zznz / E / YiAi claims and the accompanying figures, reference is made to particular features, including process steps, of the invention. It will be understood that the description of the invention in this specification includes all possible combinations of these particular features. For example, where a particular feature is described in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim, this feature may also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with / or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments of the invention and in the general invention.Where reference is made herein to a process comprising two or more defined steps, the defined steps may be performed in any order or at the same time (except where the context excludes this possibility) and the process may include one or more other steps which are performed before any of the defined steps, between two of the defined steps, or after all of the defined steps (except where the context excludes this possibility). The term comprises and its grammatical equivalents are used herein to mean that other components, stages, etc., are optionally present. For example, a system comprising components A, B, and C may contain only components A, B, and C, or it may contain not only components A, B, and C. A, B, and C, although it may also contain more than one other component. The term "at least one of... and," and the grammatical equivalents thereof, are used herein to mean that at least one of a group of elements is present, although more components from this group may be present. For example, a system comprising at least one of components A, B, and C may contain only components A and B, or it may contain multiple components A and C, but only one component B. As used herein, the term "at least one" and the grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that one or more than one element is present. For example, "at least one magnet" means that there is a single-magnet embodiment, as well as multiple-magnet embodiments. Embodiments of a flared, collapsible utility enclosure or vault that may be used to protect utility valves, electrical wires, switches, fiber optic cables, or the like are illustrated in Figures 1A-9. It is understood that the various method steps associated with the methods of the present disclosure may be performed by a worker 805 using the device 100 shown in Figures 1A-8. Generally, the system 100 comprises a base box 105. Alternative embodiments further comprise an extension box 110. The base box 105 comprises a front panel. 106, the rear panel 107, and the side panels. The extension box 110 comprises the front extension panel 111, the rear extension panel 112, and the side extension panels. As illustrated in Figures 1A-8, the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109 of the base box 105 and the front extension panel 111, the rear extension panel 112, the first side extension panel 113 and the second side extension panel 114 of the extension box 110 could be coupled together by means of a hinge 115. In other embodiments, the base box 105 is used by itself without the extension box 110. As illustrated in Figures 1A-7, the device 100 is a fully functional enclosure system 100. A lid 135, as illustrated in Figure 6, could be directly coupled with the top of the base box 105.In another embodiment, the floor may contact the bottom of the base box 105 and / or the extension box 110 to compartmentalize areas within the utility vault. The extension box 110 may be coupled with the base box 105 before or after installation. In a preferred embodiment, the extension box 110 is added after the initial installation of the base box 105, which is a method of increasing the interior space of a vault. As illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the hinges 115 may allow the base case 105 and the extension case 110 to be folded together, making them easier to transport. Front and rear views of the device 100 are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, respectively. In particular, the features of the exterior surfaces of the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the front extension panel 111 and the rear extension panel 112 are illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. The side views of the base box 105 and the extension box 110 are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5. In particular, the features of the exterior surfaces of the first side panel 108, the second side panel 109, the first side extension panel 113 and the second side extension panel 114 are illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.A top view of one embodiment of the base box 105 and extension box 110 with and without a lid 135 is illustrated in Figure 6. A bottom view of the base box 105 and extension box 110 with and without a lid 135 is illustrated in Figure 7. A manner in which the device 100 could be used in an environment 800 is illustrated in Figure 8. A method that could be performed by a worker 805 using the widened and collapsible utility vault is illustrated in Figure 9. As illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B, the base box 105 and the extension box 110 may be connected and foldable by means of hinges 115 connecting their respective panels. In other embodiments, the base box 105 is not connected to the extension box 110, as illustrated in Figure 1B, but instead operates alone. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge 115 is formed by a plurality of side ball joints 116 engaged with the edges of the various panels of the base box 105 and the extension box 110. The side ball joints 116 have an opening 117 extending from the upper end 128 to the lower end 121 of the base box 105. The side ball joints further include an opening 117 extending from the upper end 128 to the lower end 121 of the base box 105 and / or the extension box 110.In a preferred embodiment, the edges of the panels could be angled so that the side hinges 116 could rotate freely without contacting another panel, as illustrated in Figures 1A and 1B. A hinge mechanism may be inserted into the openings 117 of the base housing 105 and / or the extension housing 110 to retain the swivel ball joints 116 in place. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge mechanism is a bolt. When the base housing 105 and extension housing 110 are connected together, they flex around the hinge mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the openings 117 of the ball joints 116 have a slightly smaller diameter than the hinge mechanism so that insertion of the hinge mechanism compacts the material of the ball joints 116 within the openings 117, thereby causing pressure to retain the hinge mechanism in place.In another preferred embodiment, the hinge mechanism could be threaded and the openings 117 of certain side hinges 116 could be larger than the hinge mechanism while the openings 117 of other hinges 116 could be threaded for interfacing with the threads of the hinge mechanism. This could allow a worker 805 to adjust the height of the panels relative to each other for applications where the floor is uneven. Other couplings and articulating mechanisms known in the art could also be used to create the hinges 115 without departing from the inventive subject matter herein. In a preferred embodiment, the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109 may comprise an inner wall and an outer wall. As illustrated in Figures 1A-5, the outer walls of the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109 may comprise a plurality of compartments 119, wherein the plurality of compartments 119 may retain dirt, concrete, asphalt, or some other material. This may prevent the base box 105 from being pulled or pulled out of the floor once installed in place by allowing the base box 105 to submerge the dirt, concrete, asphalt, etc.In a preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 1A-5, the exterior wall may further extend from the panels at the lower end 121 of the base box 105 than at the upper end 128, creating a base box 105 having a flared bottom 125. As illustrated, the base box 105 of the present invention comprises a flared bottom 125 having a flared interior space, thereby providing additional interior space as compared to straight wall designs. This reduces the floor mounting surface area at the upper end 128 while maximizing space toward the base end 121 of the base box 105.This is particularly important for loose cable storage because the flared design would force loose or slack electrical cables and / or fiber optic cables to remain at the base of the base box once relaxed, thereby reducing the possibility of the cables being damaged. For example, a coiled telecommunications cable and an electrical cable operatively connected to a switch could be coiled by means of a worker 805 and placed in the bottom of the base box 105. The worker 805 could then allow the cables to relax and expand, thereby preventing the cables from moving upward through the narrower top of the base box 105. This not only secures the cables inside, but also protects them from damage. Because the lower widened wall portions are connected with a generally straight hinge, a preferred embodiment of the present invention allows for a non-linear configuration for their hinge in a folding system 100. In another preferred embodiment, the hinges 115 could be secured in place by bolts, screws, or other removable fasteners which could allow a worker 805 to lock the base box 105 and / or the extension box 105 in an open position or to unlock the base box 105 and / or the extension box 105 so that it could be collapsed or folded.In a preferred embodiment, the plurality of compartments 119 in the exterior wall of the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109 may extend farther into the lower end 121 of the base box 105 than into the upper end 128, creating compartments that increase in volume as they move from the upper end 128 to the lower end 121. The flared bottom 125 of the base box 105 prevents the box from being removed after installation by increasing the amount of surface area. In addition, the flared bottom 125 allows dirt, concrete, asphalt, etc. to pass through., apply additional downward force to the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109, as illustrated in Figure 8, thereby preventing removal after installation and / or vertical uplift caused by environmental conditions. For example, the flared bottom 125 could prevent frost heave from lifting the base box 105 off the floor by increasing the amount of surface area of the base box 105 in contact with dirt, as well as by increasing the downward force exerted or applied on the base box by the dirt. In another preferred embodiment, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 5, the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109 of the base box 105 may comprise at least one opening 130 that allows pipes, wires, valves, etc., to extend into or out of the base box 105. For example, a base box 105 used to house telecommunications equipment may have a front panel 106 having an opening 130 such that fiber optic cable may enter the base box 105 for access to the electrical connection. This same base box 105 may further comprise a rear panel 107 having an opening 130 such that fiber optic cable may exit the base box 105 ceconn / zznz / E / YiAi to the telecommunications tower.For example, a base box 105 used to house water supply facility utilities could comprise a front panel 106 having an opening 130 so that a supply pipe could provide water to a building from a main line encapsulated within the base box 105, wherein the meter housed within the base box 105 could measure the amount of water transferred from the main line to the supply pipe. The openings 130 could be of any shape, so long as they allow pipes, wires, valves, etc., to extend into and out of the base box 105. For example, the opening 130 could comprise an arc so that the base box 105 could be positioned around a pipe after installation of the pipe.For example, the hole 130 could comprise a small threaded hole which could then be fitted with a threaded gasket so that electrical wiring could be threaded through the gasket, which could prevent water from entering the base box 105. Other connections and holes known in the art could also be used with the device and method. The top and bottom views of the device 100 are illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, respectively. In a preferred embodiment, a lid 135 may be removably coupled to the upper end 128 of the base box 105 crconn / zznz / E / YiAi via the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109 or the upper end 122 of the extension box 110 via the front extension panel 111, the rear extension panel 112, the first side extension panel 113, and the second side extension panel 114. An inner shoulder 126 at the upper end 128 of the base box 105 and the upper end 122 of the extension box 110 may provide a tabbed area 137 to the lid 135 such that the lid 135 may be securely positioned on top of the device 100.Alternatively, a hinge could pivotally couple the lid 135 to the upper end of the device 100. For example, a plurality of ball joints 116 at the upper end 128 of the front panel 106 could interconnect with a plurality of ball joints 116 in the lid 135, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted through an opening 117 of the plurality of ball joints 116 could pivotally couple the lid 135 to the front panel 106. In another preferred embodiment, the lid 135 could comprise a meter opening to allow a worker 805 to check or verify meter readings. The meter hole could be concealed by a meter tab, which could be rotatably secured to the lid 135. In yet another preferred embodiment, a vent hole 136 could allow air to escape from the utility vault / enclosure when it is closed.Preferably, the interior walls of the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108, and the second side panel 109 are smooth. However, in other preferred embodiments, the interior walls may not be smooth, as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. For example, the interior walls could comprise a plurality of hooks that could allow a worker 805 to thread electrical wire into the cavity of the device 100. For example, the interior walls could have slots such that if water condenses on the interior wall due to changes in temperature and / or humidity, the condensed water could be directed to an exit hole of the device 100 and away from any electronic equipment. In a preferred embodiment, the base box 105 is configured to receive an extension box 110 or lid 135 in a tabbed area 137 of the upper end 128 of the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109, as illustrated in Figure 6. The lower end of the extension box 110 is configured to securely mate with the upper end 128 of the base box 105. In a preferred embodiment, the front panel 106, the rear panel 107, the first side panel 108 and the second side panel 109 are configured such that an inner shoulder 126 of the upper end 128 is configured to accept the lower end of an extension box 110 for placement within the base box 105.A plurality of holes 123 in the upper end 128 of the base box 105 and the lower end of the extension box 110 may allow the worker 805 to secure the extension box 110 to the base box 105. In a preferred embodiment, the extension box 110 is secured to the base box 105 by means of bolts, screws, or other removable coupling elements. In another preferred embodiment, the upper end 128 of the extension box 110 is also configured to receive the next extension box 110, which may be secured by means of the coupling elements. The addition of additional extension boxes 110 will allow the worker 805 to create as large a utility vault as needed. In another preferred embodiment, the exterior surfaces of the front extension panel 111, the rear extension panel 112, the first side extension panel 113, and the second side extension panel 114 may comprise a plurality of compartments 119, wherein the plurality of compartments 119 may retain dirt, concrete, asphalt, or some other material. This may allow the extension box 110 to hold dirt, concrete, asphalt, etc., in the same manner as the base box 105 would. Additionally, the interior surfaces of the front extension panel 111, the rear extension panel 112, the first side extension panel 113, and the second side extension panel 114 may be smooth or otherwise, depending on the application. A flowchart 900 is provided in Figure 9 illustrating certain preferred method steps that may be used to perform the installation process of the expanded and collapsible utility vault. Step 905 indicates the beginning of the method. During step 910, a worker 805 may install a utility at a particular location. Once the worker 805 has installed the utility, the worker 805 must obtain a base box 105 for the purpose of wrapping the utility installation during step 915. In a preferred embodiment, the worker 805 may need to determine the specific base box 105 that should be used to wrap or enclose the utility installation. For example, a worker 805 may need to determine whether to use a base box 105 designed for water supply, telecommunications, or electrical installations before continuing to the next step.Once worker 805 has obtained the base box 105, worker 805 could enclose or wrap the utility with the base box. 105 during step 920. In some preferred embodiments, worker 805 may need to insert or remove wires, pipes, fiber optic cables, etc., through holes 130 of base box 105 before or after enclosing or wrapping the utility with base box 105. Once enclosed, worker 805 may determine if an extension box 110 should be added to base box 105 during step 925. Worker 805 may take an action based on this determination during step 930. If worker 805 determines that no extension boxes 110 need to be added to base box 105, worker 805 may continue to finished method step 975. If worker 805 determines that an extension box 110 needs to be added to base box 105, worker 805 may obtain an extension box 110 during step 935. Once the extension box 110 has been obtained, worker 805 may couple the extension box 110 with the base box 105 during step 940. Worker 805 may then continue to step 945, wherein worker 805 could determine if the next extension box 110 needs to be added to the previous extension box 110. Worker 805 might take action based on this determination during step 950. If worker crconn / zznz / E / YiAi 805 determines that no next extension boxes 110 need to be added to the previous extension box 110, the worker 805 may continue to the finished method step 975. If the worker 805 determines that the next extension box 110 needs to be added to the previous extension box 110, the worker 805 may obtain the next extension box 110 during step 955. Once the next extension box 110 has been obtained, the worker 805 may couple the next extension box 110 with the previous extension box 110 during step 960. The worker 805 may then continue to step 965, where the worker 805 may determine if the next extension box 110 needs to be added to the previously added extension box 110. The worker 805 may take an action based on this determination during step 970.If the worker 805 determines that an extension box 110 does not need to be added to the base box 105, the worker 805 may continue to step 955. If the worker 805 determines that no extension boxes 110 need to be added to the base box 105, the worker 805 may continue to the finished method step 975. Although the systems and processes of the present disclosure have been discussed for use within the field of utility vaulting / enclosures, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the inventive subject matter described herein could be used in other fields or for other applications in which valves, pipes, wires, electrical connections, etc., need to be enclosed. The implementations pointed out in the foregoing description do not represent all implementations consistent with the subject matter described herein. Of course, these are only a few examples consistent with aspects related to the disclosed subject matter. Although a few variations have been described in detail above, other modifications or additions are possible. In particular, additional features and / or variations may be provided beyond those pointed out herein.For example, the implementations described above may be directed to various combinations and subcombinations of the features described and / or combinations and subcombinations of various additional features described above. Furthermore, the logical flow depicted in the accompanying Figures and / or described herein does not necessarily require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results unless otherwise indicated. It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes may be made in the details, materials, and arrangements of parts and process steps that have been described and illustrated for the purpose of explaining the nature of this inventive subject matter without departing from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter. What is being claimed is A base box, comprising a front panel having side hinges, a rear panel having the side hinges, a pair of side panels having the side hinges, wherein the side hinges of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels interconnect, wherein an outer surface and an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels widens outwardly at a lower end of the base box, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted in an opening of the side hinges rotatably couples the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels, wherein the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels create an interior space when the side hinges are rotatably coupled, wherein a flanged area at an upper end of the front panel,The back panel and the pair of side panels allow the attachment of an extension box. The system of claim 1, wherein the ceconn / zznz / E / YiAi outer surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels comprise a plurality of compartments, The system of claim 1, further comprising a hole in at least one of the rear panel, the front panel, and the pair of side panels, wherein the hole provides additional access and exit points of utility lines to and from the interior space of the base box. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the rear panel, the front panel, and the pair of side panels further comprises a plurality of hooks. The system of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the rear panel, the front panel and the pair of side panels further comprises a plurality of grooves designed to direct liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet hole. The system of claim 1, further comprising a lid configured to be secured within the tabbed area at the upper end of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels. The system of claim 1, wherein the extension box comprises, ceconn / zznz / E / YiAi a front extension panel having the side hinges, a rear extension panel having the side hinges, a pair of side extension panels having the side hinges, wherein the side hinges of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels interconnect, wherein the hinge mechanism inserted in the opening of the side hinges rotatably couples the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels create the interior space when the side hinges are rotatably coupled, wherein the front extension panel,The rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels create the tabbed area at the top end and allow for the attachment of an additional extension box, wherein the bottom end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels is configured to securely engage the tabbed area created by the rear crconn / zznz / E / YiAi panel, the front panel and the pair of side panels. The system of claim 7, wherein the outer surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels comprise a plurality of compartments. The system of claim 7, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the side extension panels flare outwardly at the lower end. The system of claim 9, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the side extension panels further comprises a plurality of hooks. The system of claim 9, wherein the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the side extension panels further comprises a plurality of grooves designed to direct liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet opening. The system of claim 7, further comprising a hole in at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the hole provides additional access and exit points of utility lines to and from the interior space of the extension box. The system of claim 7, further comprising a lid configured to be secured within the tabbed area at the upper end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels. An extension box comprising, a front extension panel having the side hinges, a rear extension panel having the side hinges, a pair of side extension panels having the side hinges, wherein the side hinges of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels are interconnected, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted in an opening of the side hinges rotatably couples the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels create an interior space when the side hinges are rotatably coupled, crconn / zznz / E / YiAi wherein a tabbed area at an upper end of the front extension panel,The rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels allow for the attachment of an additional extension box, wherein a lower end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels is configured to securely engage the tabbed area. The system of claim 14, wherein an exterior surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels comprises a plurality of compartments. The system of claim 14, wherein an outer surface and an inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels flares outwardly at the lower end of the extension box. The system of claim 14, wherein an inner surface of at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of hooks. The system of claim 14, wherein an inner surface of at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of slots designed to direct liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet opening. The system of claim 14, further comprising an opening in at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the opening provides additional access and exit points of utility lines to and from the interior space of the extension box. The system of claim 14, further comprising a lid configured to be secured within the tabbed area at the upper end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels. A utility vault comprising: a base box having the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels, wherein an outer surface and an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels widens outwardly at a lower end, wherein the outer surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels comprises a plurality of compartments wherein side hinges of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels are configured in a manner such that the front panel and the rear panel interconnect with the pair of side panels, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted in an opening of the side hinges rotatably couples the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels and an extension box having a front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels,wherein the outer surface and the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels widens outwardly at the lower end, wherein the outer surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels comprises the plurality of compartments, wherein side hinges of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels are configured in a manner such that the front extension panel and the rear extension panel interconnect with the pair of side extension panels, wherein the hinge mechanism inserted in the opening of the side hinges rotatably couples the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels,wherein the lower end of the extension box is configured to securely engage the upper end of the base box. The system of claim 21, wherein an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the pair of side panels, the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of hooks. The system of claim 21, wherein an interior surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the pair of side panels, the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of slots designed to direct liquid that condenses on the interior surface to an outlet opening. The system of claim 21, further comprising an opening in at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the pair of side panels, the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the opening provides additional access and exit points of utility lines to and from the interior space of the extension box. The system of claim 21, further comprising a lid configured to be secured within a tabbed area at the upper end of the front extension panel 5, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels. It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to put the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.
Claims
Having described the invention as above, the following claims are claimed as property:
1. A utility vault comprising a base box configured to couple with an extension box, characterized in that the base box comprises a front panel having side joints, a rear panel having side joints, and a pair of side panels having side joints, wherein the side joints of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels are interconnected, wherein an outer surface and an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels widens outward at the lower end of the base box, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted in an opening of the side joints rotatably couples the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels, wherein the front panel,The rear panel and the pair of side panels create an interior space when the side joints are rotatably attached, where a tabbed area at one upper end of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels allows the extension box to be attached.
2. The utility vault according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels comprises a plurality of compartments.
3. The utility vault according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an opening in at least one of the rear panel, the front panel and the pair of side panels, wherein the opening provides additional access and exit points for utility lines to and from the interior space of the base box.
4. The utility vault according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of at least one of the back panel, the front panel and the pair of side panels further comprises a plurality of hooks.
5. The utility vault according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner surface of at least one of the rear panel, the front panel and the pair of side panels further comprises a plurality of slots designed to direct the liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet hole.
6. The utility vault according to crconn / zznz / E / YiAi claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a lid configured to be secured within the area with tabs at the upper end of the front panel, the rear panel and the pair of side panels.
7. The utility vault according to claim 1, further comprising the extension box, characterized in that the extension box comprises a front extension panel having side joints, a rear extension panel having side joints, and a pair of side extension panels having side joints, wherein the side joints of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels are interconnected, wherein the articulation mechanism inserted in the opening of the side joints rotatably couples the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels create the interior space when the side joints are rotatably coupled, wherein the front extension panel,The rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels create a tabbed area at the top end and allow the docking of an additional extension box, wherein the lower end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels are configured to securely dock with the tabbed area created by the rear panel, the front panel, and the pair of side panels of the base box.
8. The utility vault according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels comprises a plurality of compartments.
9. The utility vault according to claim 7, characterized in that the outer surface and the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the side extension panels widen outwards at the lower end.
10. The utility vault according to claim 9, characterized in that the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the side extension panels further comprises a plurality of hooks.
11. The utility vault according to claim 9, characterized in that the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the side extension panels further comprises a plurality of slots configured to direct the liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet hole.
12. The utility vault according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises an opening in at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the opening is configured to provide additional access and exit points for utility lines to and from the interior space of the extension box.
13. The utility vault according to claim 7, characterized in that it further comprises a lid configured to be secured within the area with tabs at the upper end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels.
14. An extension box, characterized in that it comprises a front extension panel having side joints, a rear extension panel having side joints, and a pair of side extension panels having side joints, wherein the side joints of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels are interconnected, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted in an opening of the side joints rotatably couples the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels create an interior space when the side joints are rotatably coupled, and wherein a tabbed area at an upper end of the front extension panel,The rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels allow for the attachment of an additional extension box.
15. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that an outer surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels comprises a plurality of compartments.
16. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that an outer surface and an inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels widens outwards at the lower end of the extension box.
17. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of hooks.
18. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of grooves designed to direct the liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet hole.
19. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises an opening in at least one of the rear extension panel, the front extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the opening provides additional access and exit points for utility lines to and from the interior space of the extension box.
20. The system according to claim 14, characterized in that it further comprises a cover configured to be secured within the area with tabs at the upper end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels.
21. A utility vault, characterized in that it comprises: a base box having a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of side panels, wherein an outer surface and an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels widens outward at a lower end, wherein the outer surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels comprises a plurality of compartments, wherein the side joints of the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels are configured so that the front panel and the rear panel interconnect with the pair of side panels, wherein a hinge mechanism inserted in an opening of the side joints rotatably couples the front panel, the rear panel, and the pair of side panels and an extension box having a front extension panel,the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels widens outwards at the lower end, wherein the outer surface of at least one of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels comprises a plurality of compartments, wherein the side joints of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels are configured in such a way that the front extension panel and the rear extension panel interconnect with the pair of side extension panels, wherein the articulation mechanism inserted in the opening of the side joints rotatably couples the front extension panel,the rear extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the lower end of the extension box is configured to securely engage with the upper end of the base box.
22. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the pair of side panels, the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of hooks. crconn / zznz / E / YiAi 23. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that an inner surface of at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the pair of side panels, the rear extension panel, the front extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels further comprises a plurality of grooves designed to direct the liquid that condenses on the inner surface to an outlet hole.
24. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises an opening in at least one of the front panel, the rear panel, the pair of side panels, the rear extension panel, the front extension panel and the pair of side extension panels, wherein the opening provides additional access and exit points for utility lines to and from the interior space of the extension box.
25. The system according to claim 21, characterized in that it further comprises a cover configured to be secured within a tabbed area at the upper end of the front extension panel, the rear extension panel, and the pair of side extension panels.