Electrical enclosure

Abstract

An electrical enclosure (10) includes a base flange (36) and a front flange (38) partially defining a channel extending along a length of an upper collar portion (20A). An inner, upper surface of the base flange (36) is sloped downward along the length of the upper collar (20A) portion at a sloped angle relative to a horizontal plane. An upper free end of the front flange (38) extends lengthwise of the upper collar portion (20A) at an angle relative to the horizontal plane that is less than the sloped angle. A hinge mechanism (16) hingedly couples the door (14) to an enclosure body (12). The hinge mechanism (16) defines a rotational axis that is configured to shift from a forward rotational position to a rearward rotational position as the door (14) is moved from its open position to its closed position.

Description

P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301ELECTRICAL ENCLOSURECROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of IN Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 202411073688, filed on September 30, 2024, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to an electrical enclosure for housing electrical equipment.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] An electrical enclosure houses electrical components (i.e., electrical devices, controls, electronic devices, etc.), such as in industrial facilities. For example, electrical enclosures may be designed and constructed to be rated for industrial environments in which the enclosure is in a wet environment or frequent washing of the enclosure is required. In such situations, the electrical enclosure inhibits ingress of liquid (e.g., water), dirt, and debris into the enclosure to protect the housed electrical components. These enclosures are suitable for washdowns, and are also known as washdown enclosures. In one example of such hygienic or sanitary enclosure is used in the food and beverage processing industries. Industry standards include UL 508A; NEMA 4, 4X, 12; cUL us Type 4, 4X, 12; and NSF 169.

[0004] Conventional washdown enclosures include a sloped upper wall or panel that provide protection from dust, debris, oil, and high pressure water. A door includes an inner gasket that seals against a flange trough collar surrounding an opening in a front of the enclosure. An upper portion of the flange trough collar, including a front flange, slopes downward to inhibit pooling of liquid and debris along the upper portion of the flange trough collar. An upper portion of the inner gasket also slopes downward at an angle corresponding to the sloped angle of the upper portion of the flange trough collar to form a suitable seal against the front flange. Conventional washdown enclosures may also include a simple hinge coupling the door to the enclosure body, and a silicone inner gasket to withstand shear forces imparted to the gasket when closing the hinged door.1CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] In one aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an electrical enclosure. An enclosure body defines an interior space configured to receive electrical equipment therein. The enclosure body has a front side defining an opening therein leading to the interior space. A door is hingedly coupled to the enclosure body. The door is selectively rotatable relative to the enclosure body between an open position, in which the door is positioned away from the opening to enable access to the interior, and a closed position in which the door is positioned over and closes the opening. A gasket is secured to an inner side of the door. A flange trough collar projects forward from the front side of the enclosure body and surrounds the opening. The flange trough collar includes an upper collar portion having a length extending across the front side. The upper collar portion includes a base flange extending forward from the front side of the enclosure body, and a front flange extending upward from a free end of the base flange to an upper free end of the front flange. The base flange and the front flange partially define a channel extending along the length of the upper collar portion. A front face of the front flange defines a gasket seat on which the gasket is seated when the door is in the closed position to create a seal between the gasket and the front face of the front flange. An inner, upper surface of the base flange is sloped downward along the length of the upper collar portion at a sloped angle relative to a horizontal plane. The upper free end of the front flange extends lengthwise of the upper collar portion at an angle relative to the horizontal plane that is less than the sloped angle.

[0006] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to an electrical enclosure. An enclosure body defines an interior space configured to receive electrical equipment therein. The enclosure body has a front side defining an opening therein leading to the interior space. A door is hingedly coupled to the enclosure body. The door is selectively rotatable relative to the enclosure body between an open position, in which the door is positioned away from the opening to enable access to the interior, and a closed position in which the door is positioned over and closes the opening. A gasket is secured to an inner side of the door. A collar projects forward from the front side of the enclosure body and surrounds the opening. The flange collar has a front face defining a gasket seat on which the gasket is seated when the door is in the closed position to create a seal between the gasket and the front face of collar. A hinge mechanism hingedly2CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301 couples the door to the enclosure body. The hinge mechanism defines a rotational axis that is configured to shift from a forward rotational position to a rearward rotational position that is rearward of the forward rotational position as the door is moved from its open position to its closed position.

[0007] Other features and aspects of one or more embodiments of an electrical enclosure are described and shown herein.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. l is a perspective of an embodiment of an electrical enclosure.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a heightwise section of the electrical enclosure.

[0010] FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the electrical enclosure including a different hinge mechanism than the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective of an enclosure body and flange trough collar of the electrical enclosure.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the enclosure body.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure body taken through a horizontal plane.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective of an upper collar portion of the flange trough collar integrally formed with a front wall and an upper wall of the enclosure body.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side elevation of FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a front elevation of FIG. 7.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a perspective of the electrical enclosure of FIG. 1, with the door open and the upper collar portion, and the front and upper walls of the enclosure body removed.

[0018] FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 10, with the hinge mechanisms in an exploded state.

[0019] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective of one of the hinge mechanism.

[0020] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of FIG. 12.

[0021] FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partial cross-section of the enclosure showing the hinge mechanism with the door in the closed position.

[0022] FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 14, but with a cam plate of a door leaf of the hinge mechanism shown as transparent and the door in the fully open position.3CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301

[0023] FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 15, but with the door slightly opened and a gasket unseated from the flange collar.

[0024] FIG. 17 is similar to FIG. 15, but with the door slightly opened and the gasket contacting the flange collar.

[0025] FIG. 18 is similar to FIG. 14, but with the door closed and the gasket fully seated on and sealed against the flange collar.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0026] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an embodiment of an electrical enclosure of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference numeral 10. In general, the electrical enclosure 10 includes an enclosure body, generally indicated at 12, and a door 14 hingedly coupled to the enclosure body via a hinge mechanism, generally indicated at 16. As explained in more detail below, the electrical enclosure 10 further includes a collar, generally indicated at 20 (for example, a flange trough collar), projecting outward from a front of the enclosure body, and a gasket, generally indicated at 22, on an inner side of the door 14 configured to seal against a front face of the collar when the door is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment, the door 14 includes one or more latches 24 to enable the door to be locked in the closed position. The enclosure body 12, the door 14, and the collar 20 may be formed from suitable sheet metal, such as stainless steel, using suitable metal fabrication techniques as is generally known in the art. Figure 3 illustrates a similar electrical enclosure 10', with the only difference being a different type of hinge mechanism 16', for purposes of illustrating that in other embodiments the electrical enclosure may include a different type of hinge mechanism. The enclosure 10 may be rated by one or more of the following standards: UL 508A; NEMA 4, 4X, 12; cUL us Type 4, 4X, 12; and NSF 169.

[0027] As shown best in FIGS. 4-6, the enclosure body 12 includes a plurality of walls (e.g., panels) defining an interior space 26 of the enclosure 10 in which electrical equipment (e.g., electrical devices, controls, electronic devices, etc.) are contained and protected. In this embodiment, the enclosure body 12 includes at least an upper wall 12A (e.g., upper panel) and a front side. In this example, the front side is defined by a front wall 12B (e.g., front panel). In the illustrated example, the enclosure body 12 further includes right and left walls 12C, 12D (e.g., right and left panels), a rear wall 12E (e.g.,4CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301 rear panel), and a bottom wall 12F (e.g., bottom panel). The upper wall 12A is sloped (e.g., 20 degrees) downward from back to front to enable liquid on the upper walls to run down toward the front wall 12B. The front wall 12B defines a central opening 30 leading to the interior space 26. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment the central opening 30 is generally rectangular such that the front wall has an upper portion, left portion, right portion, and lower portion defining the opening 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the enclosure body 12 has a height H, a depth D, and a width W. The enclosure body 12 may be formed from suitable sheet metal, e.g., stainless steel sheet metal, using metal fabrication techniques, such as stamping, bending, pinching, welding, etc.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the collar is a flange trough collar 20 that projects forward from the front wall 12B of the enclosure body 12 and surrounds the central opening 30 adjacent the edge of the opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the flange trough collar 20 projects forward from the edges of the opening 30. The illustrated flange trough collar 20 includes an upper collar portion, generally indicated at 20A, extending along an upper edge of the rectangular opening 30, a lower collar portion 20B extending along a lower edge of the rectangular opening, a right collar portion 20C extending along a right edge of the rectangular opening, and a left collar portion 20D extending along a left edge of the rectangular opening. As explained in more detail below, at least the upper collar portion 20A at least partially defines a trough or channel for directing liquid away from the gasket. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the collar portions 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D at least partially defines a trough or channel to form a continuous trough or channel extending around the opening. It is understood that in other embodiments, one or more of the left, right, and lower collar portions 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D may not define a trough or channel, but in these embodiments the flange collar is still considered a flange trough collar because the upper collar portion at least partially defines a trough or channel.

[0029] As shown best in FIGS. 5, and 7-9, the upper collar portion 20A includes a base flange 36 extending forward from the front wall 12B of the enclosure body 12, and a front flange 38 extending upward from a free end of the base flange. Together, the front wall 12B, the base flange 36, and the front flange 38 define the trough of the upper collar portion 20 A. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion of the front wall 12B and the upper collar portion 20A are integrally formed from sheet metal, e.g., stainless5CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301 steel, by bending or other fabrication techniques. The upper wall 12A of the enclosure body 12 may also be integrally formed with the front wall 12B and the upper collar portion 20A.

[0030] The base flange 36 has an inner surface (i.e., upper surface) that is planar and slopes downward from adjacent one side of the enclosure body 12 toward the other side of the enclosure body, more specifically, from adjacent or at the right collar portion 20C toward or to the left collar portion 20D. In other words, the inner surface of the base flange 36 slopes downward along its length that runs along the width W of or across the enclosure body to thereby direct liquid in the upper collar portion downward toward a lower longitudinal end of the inner surface of the base flange 36. As shown in FIG. 9, the inner surface of the base flange 36 may slope at a constant angle a from about 1 degree to about 3 degrees, and in one embodiment, about 1.5 degrees or about 2 degrees, relative to a horizontal plane HP. The inner surface may intersect the planar front face of the front wall 12B at generally an orthogonal angle. The illustrated base flange 36 also has an outer surface (i.e., lower surface) that is planar and slopes downward with the inner surface such that the base flange is generally planar.

[0031] The front flange 38 has an upper free end 38A extending lengthwise of the front flange that does not extend at the same angle as the inner surface of the base flange 36 relative to the horizontal plane HP (i.e., they are non-parallel) such that the upper free end and the sloped angle a of the inner surface of the base flange intersect one another at an included angle. The upper free end 38A of the front flange 38 may lie in the horizontal plane HP (such as shown in FIG. 9) where the included angle is the same as the slope angle a, or the upper free end may slope at an angle relative to the horizontal plane that is less than the angle of the inner surface of the base flange 36. As shown in the illustrated figures and can be understood through this disclosure, the height of the front flange 38 extending from the inner surface of the base flange 36 to the upper free 38A is non-uniform along a length L of the front flange.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lower, right, and left collar portions 20B, 20C, 20D includes a base flange extending from the front wall adjacent the edge of the opening (in particular from the corresponding portion of the front wall), and a front flange extending from a free end of the base flange in a direction corresponding to the location of the portion of the front wall (i.e., the front flange of the lower collar6CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301 portion extends downward, the front flange of the right collar portion extends to the right, and the front flange of the left collar portion extends to the left). Together, as can be seen from FIGS. 4-6, front faces (e.g., front planar faces) of the front flanges of the collar portions lie in the vertical plane and define a planar gasket seat on which the gasket 22 on the door 14 seats to form a liquid-tight seal around the collar 20 when the door is closed. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, a perimeter of the gasket 22 has a generally rectangular shape with upper, lower, right and left gasket portions, 22A, 22B, 22C, 22D.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the upper gasket portion 22 A lies generally within the horizontal plane HP and has a generally uniform height along its length. Accordingly, the present enclosure 10 is unlike a conventional enclosure that includes a sloped upper gasket portion corresponding to the slope of the front flange of the upper portion of the flange trough collar having a uniform height. Such a conventional enclosure is shown in U.S. Design Patent No. D517,507, filed November 24, 2003. In the present embodiment, because the upper end 38A of the front flange 38 of the upper flange portion 20 A lies in the horizontal plane HP, the upper gasket portion 22A does not need to be sloped, but instead, can also lie in the horizontal plane HP and have a uniform height while making a proper seal with the front face of the upper collar portion 20A. Thus, through this design, the manufacture and installment of the gasket 22 is simpler, the enclosure 10 is less expensive to manufacture, and the enclosure is less prone to manufacturing errors and tight tolerance requirements.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 10-14, the illustrated hinge mechanism 16 of the enclosure 10 includes at least one door leaf, generally indicated at 50, that is fixedly connected (e.g., fastened or otherwise secured) to the inner side of the door 14 adjacent one side of the door (e.g., left side), and at least one enclosure body leaf, generally indicated at 52, fixedly connected (e.g., fastened or otherwise secured) to an inner side of the front wall 12B and / or side wall (e.g., left wall 12D) of the enclosure body 12. The door leaf 50 and the enclosure body leaf 52 are rotatably coupled to one another via a first pin 56 (e.g., a guide pin) and a second pin 58 (e.g., rotational pin), although in other embodiments, the door leaf and the enclosure body leaf may be coupled to one another via only the second pin 58 (e.g., rotational pin). In the illustrated embodiment, the hinge mechanism 16 includes two hinge mechanisms, each with a pair of coupled door and7CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301 enclosure leafs 50, 52. It is understood that the hinge mechanism 16 may be part of an electrical enclosure that does not include the flange trough collar 20 of this embodiment. In other words, the hinge mechanism 16 may be part of an electrical enclosure that include a conventional flange trough collar or a collar that is not a flange trough collar.

[0035] As shown best in FIGS. 12-14, the door leaf 50 includes at least one cam plate 60 and a bracket arm 62 extending from the at least one cam plate and fastened to the inner side of the door 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the door leaf 50 includes identical upper and lower cam plates 60 opposing one another. Each cam plate 60 defines first and second openings 66, 68 extending through upper and lower faces of the cam plate. The first and second openings 66, 68 are sized and shaped to receive the respective first and second pins 56, 58 therein so that there is limited play or lateral movement of the pins in the openings. Each cam plate also includes a cam arm 70. A portion of the bracket arm 62 has generally L-shape to provide clearance for the front wall and the flange collar 20 when opening the door 14.

[0036] Referring still to FIGS. 12-14, the enclosure body leaf 52 includes at least one guide plate 74. In the illustrated embodiment, the enclosure body leaf 52 includes opposing upper and lower guide plates 74. Each guide plate 74 includes a first slot 76 (e.g., guide slot) and a second slot 78 (e.g., linear slot) extending through opposite upper and lower faces of the guide plate. The first slot 76 has an arcuate portion 80 defining an arcuate track extending in a left to right direction for receiving the first pin 56, and an offset or serif portion 82 in communication with the arcuate portion at a left end thereof for receiving the first pin. The second slot 78 is generally linear and defines a linear path extending generally radially relative to the arcuate portion 80 of the first slot 76 in a forward-rearward direction for receiving the second pin 58. As can be seen, the corresponding cam plates 60 and the guide plates 74 overlap one another to align the first openings 66 with the corresponding first slots 76, and align the second openings 68 with the corresponding second slots 78, for receiving the respective first and second pins 56, 58 therein. It is understood that the first and second openings 66, 68 may be part of the enclosure body leaf, and the first and second slots 76, 78 may be part of the door leaf.

[0037] Figures 15 to 18 illustrate the pivoting movement of the door 14 relative to the enclosure body 12 via the hinge mechanism 16 when opening and closing the door. This pivoting movement includes a shifting rotational axis of the hinge mechanism8CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.00830116, as defined by the second pin 58, from a forward rotational axis position, when the door 14 is at least slightly open and the gasket 22 is unseated from the flange collar 20, toward a rearward rotational axis position, as the door 14 is pivoted to the closed position and the gasket contacts the flange collar. This shifting position of the rotational axis enables the gasket 22 to contact and seal against the collar 20 more head-on or at a more orthogonal direction (i.e., forward to backward direction) rather than at a more acute angle direction if they rotational axis did not shift positions. This leads to reduced shear stress on the gasket 22 when opening and closing the door 14, thereby increasing the life of the gasket and enabling the gasket to be made with a less durable material. For example, rather than comprising or being made of silicone, the gasket may be made from a polyurethane, which may be formed in place.

[0038] Figure 15 shows the hinge mechanism 16 when the door 14 is fully opened. (The cam plate 60 in FIGS. 15-18 is transparent for illustrative purposes.) The second pin 58 is in the forward-most position in the second slot 78, and the first pin 56 is at a distal end of the arcuate portion 80 of the first slot 76. As the door is rotated toward a partially open position, such as shown in FIG. 16, the second pin 58 remains at the forward-most position, the cam plate 60 and the door 14 rotate about the second pin and the rotational axis, and the first pin 56 moves along the arcuate portion 80 of the first slot 76 toward the proximal end. As shown in FIG. 17, as the door 14 continues to close, the gasket 22 approaches and contacts the flange collar 20 (e.g., the left collar portion 20D), the cam arm 70 of the cam plate 60 contacts the inner surface of the front wall 12B of the enclosure body 12, thereby moving the door leaf 50 and the door in a rearward direction so that the gasket contacts the front flanges of the flange collar 20 more head-on or at a more orthogonal direction (i.e., forward to backward direction) than if the rotational axis of the second pin 58 did not shift toward a rear position. As the door 14 further closes, the door leaf 50, the door 14, and second pin 58 in the second slot 78 continue to move rearward due to the cam arm 70, the first pin 56 enters and moves within the serif portion 82 of the first slot so that the gasket 22 seals against the flange collar 20 more head-on or at a more orthogonal direction (i.e., forward to backward direction) than if the rotational axis of the second pin did not shift toward a rear position. Once the door 14 is in its closed position, as shown in FIG. 18, the second pin 58 is in the rearward-most position, and the first pin 56 is at the end of the serif portion 82.9CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301

[0039] It is understood that the pivoting movement of the hinge mechanism 16 when opening the door 14 from its closed position to its fully open position is in reverse order as described above with respect to closing the door.

[0040] Modifications and variations of the disclosed embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

[0041] When introducing elements of the present invention or the embodiment(s) thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the" and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including" and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

[0042] As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.10CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1

Claims

P23-1220W001; 3512816.008301WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electrical enclosure comprising: an enclosure body defining an interior space configured to receive electrical equipment therein, the enclosure body having a front side defining an opening therein leading to the interior space; a door hingedly coupled to the enclosure body, wherein the door is selectively rotatable relative to the enclosure body between an open position, in which the door is positioned away from the opening to enable access to the interior, and a closed position in which the door is positioned over and closes the opening; a gasket secured to an inner side of the door; and a flange trough collar projecting forward from the front side of the enclosure body and surrounding the opening, the flange trough collar including an upper collar portion having a length extending across the front side, the upper collar portion includes a base flange extending forward from the front side of the enclosure body, and a front flange extending upward from a free end of the base flange to an upper free end of the front flange, the base flange and the front flange partially defining a channel extending along the length of the upper collar portion, wherein a front face of the front flange defines a gasket seat on which the gasket is seated when the door is in the closed position to create a seal between the gasket and the front face of the front flange, wherein an inner, upper surface of the base flange is sloped downward along the length of the upper collar portion at a sloped angle relative to a horizontal plane, wherein the upper free end of the front flange extends lengthwise of the upper collar portion at an angle relative to the horizontal plane that is less than the sloped angle.

2. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim 1, wherein the upper free end of the front flange lies in the horizontal plane.

3. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein a height of the front flange is non-uniform along the length of the upper collar portion.11CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.0083014. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sloped angle measures from about 1 degree to about 3 degrees relative to the horizontal plane.

5. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an outer, lower surface of the base flange is sloped downward along the length of the upper collar portion at the sloped angle relative to a horizontal plane.

6. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claim 1 to 5, wherein the trough flange collar further includes a lower collar portion, a right collar portion, and a left collar portion, wherein the lower, right, and left collar portions at least partially define a lower channel, a right channel, and left channel, respectively.

7. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the lower, right, and left collar portions includes a front face, wherein the front faces of the upper, lower, right, and left collar portions lie generally in a same vertical plane and are configured to seat the gasket thereon when the door is closed.

8. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the front side of the enclosure body is defined by a front wall.

9. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claim 1 to 8, wherein the enclosure body includes an upper wall that is sloped downward from a back side to the front side of the enclosure body.

10. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim 9, wherein the upper wall and the upper collar portion are integrally formed from a single sheet of metal.

11. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the upper wall is sloped downward an angle measuring about 20 degrees.12CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.00830112. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 1-11, wherein the enclosure body is formed from sheet metal.

13. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claim 1-12, wherein the door is hingedly coupled to the enclosure body by a hinge mechanism, wherein the hinge mechanism defines a rotational axis that is configured to shift from a forward position to a rearward position that is rearward of the forward position as the door is moved from its open position to its closed position.

14. An electrical enclosure comprising: an enclosure body defining an interior space configured to receive electrical equipment therein, the enclosure body having a front side defining an opening therein leading to the interior space; a door hingedly coupled to the enclosure body, wherein the door is selectively rotatable relative to the enclosure body between an open position, in which the door is positioned away from the opening to enable access to the interior, and a closed position in which the door is positioned over and closes the opening; a gasket secured to an inner side of the door; a collar projecting forward from the front side of the enclosure body and surrounding the opening, the collar having a front face defining a gasket seat on which the gasket is seated when the door is in the closed position to create a seal between the gasket and the front face of collar; and a hinge mechanism hingedly coupling the door to the enclosure body, wherein the hinge mechanism defines a rotational axis that is configured to shift from a forward rotational position to a rearward rotational position that is rearward of the forward rotational position as the door is moved from its open position to its closed position.

15. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim 14, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a door leaf secured to the door, an enclosure body leaf, and a rotational pin coupling the door leaf to the enclosure body leaf, wherein the rotational pin defines the rotational axis.13CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1P23-1220W001; 3512816.00830116. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim 15, wherein the rotational pin is received in a linear slot defined by one of the door leaf and the enclosure body leaf to enable the rotational pin to move from a forward pin position to a rearward pin position within the linear slot, thereby shifting the rotational axis from the forward rotational position to the rearward rotational position.

17. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim 16, wherein the linear slot is defined by the enclosure body leaf.

18. The electrical enclosure set forth in any one of claims 15-17, wherein the door leaf includes a cam plate that is rotatable relative to the enclosure body leaf about the rotational axis, wherein the cam plate includes a cam arm that is configured to shift the rotational axis from the forward rotational position to the rearward rotational position as the door is moved from its open position to its closed position.

19. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim one of claims 15-18, wherein the hinge mechanism further includes a guide pin coupling the door leaf to the enclosure body leaf, wherein the guide pin is received in a guide slot defined by one of the door leaf and the enclosure body leaf to enable the guide pin to move along an arcuate path as the door is rotated in its open position.

20. The electrical enclosure set forth in claim 19, wherein the guide slot has an arcuate portion and an offset portion in communication with the arcuate portion at longitudinal end thereof, wherein the guide pin is received in the offset portion when the door is in its closed position.14CORE / 3512816.008301 / 231070714.1

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