Polymeric Utility Enclosure Vertical Support Bars
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underground utility enclosures, particularly grade level vaults, face challenges in meeting the structural load requirements of ANSI/SCTE 77-2010 standards, especially in terms of vertical side wall and center cover load capacities, often requiring heavier materials like reinforced concrete or fiberglass to achieve adequate strength.
Innovation Solution
The development of an enhanced strength grade level utility enclosure made from lighter weight polymeric materials, featuring a design with integrally molded grid structures and vertically extending rigid support bars, which provide enhanced compressive strength and load resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If reinforced concrete or fiberglass materials are used to increase load strength, then the enclosure can withstand higher compression forces, but the weight of the enclosure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure combining polymeric material with integrally molded grid structures and vertically extending rigid support bars. This composite design achieves enhanced load capacity (exceeding ANSI Tier 15 standards with 30,000 lbs capacity) while maintaining lighter weight construction compared to traditional reinforced concrete or fiberglass enclosures.
2Weight of stationary object
If traditional polymeric materials are used for enclosure construction, then the weight is reduced, but the vertical side wall and center cover load capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the enclosure structure into functional components: the base polymeric material provides overall form, while integrally molded grid structures provide lateral strength, and vertically extending rigid support bars provide vertical load resistance. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function while working together to achieve Tier 15 load capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enhances the basic polymeric structure by adding dimensional complexity through integrally molded grid structures and vertically extending support bars. These additional structural elements create a three-dimensional reinforcement system that dramatically increases load capacity without proportionally increasing weight.
3Ease of manufacture
If the enclosure design is simplified without additional structural elements, then manufacturing is easier, but the load capacity does not meet ANSI Tier 15 standards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple structural functions into a single integrally molded component. The grid structures and vertically extending rigid support bars are formed as integral parts of the polymeric enclosure body, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps while achieving enhanced load capacity. This merging maintains manufacturing efficiency while providing Tier 15 strength.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
An enhanced strength grade level utility enclosure comprises a vertical wall structure having an upright inner wall panel (46) extending from an upper edge to a bottom edge of the structure. The inner wall panel (46) has an inside face spanning the enclosure's interior. One or more narrow, vertically extending slotted regions (58) are recessed in the inside face of the wall panel. Upright rigid support bars (60), optionally adapted for use as cable racks, are positioned in and rigidly affixed to separate slotted regions on the wall panel. The support bars (60) provide a continuous means of rigid vertical support from the upper edge down to the bottom edge of the enclosure's wall structure. The recessed support bars, in combination with the vertical wall structure, provide enhanced wall strength in excess of industrial vertical side wall and center load test standards.