Enclosure system for underground utility connections

US 7,385,137 B2
Filed: 03/09/2006
Issued: 06/10/2008
Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2005
Status: Active Grant

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1. An underground utilities enclosure and distribution assembly comprising:

a grade level box adapted for installation below ground and having an upper opening facing an interior region for containing a below-ground electrical utility cable,a removable split cover plate adapted for mounting to the opening in the grade level box to close off the interior region thereof from the environment, the split cover plate comprising a pedestal mounting section and a separate cover section; and

a pedestal housing,the pedestal mounting section comprising a base, a plug opening in the base for access to the interior region of the grade level box, and a plug that removably mounts in the plug opening for closing off the interior region of the grade level box from the environment, the plug removable from the plug opening to provide access between the inside of the grade level box and an interior region inside the pedestal housing,the plug having a configuration that matches the configuration of the plug opening, the plug opening configuration adapted to match a configuration at a base of the pedestal housing to facilitate mounting the pedestal housing above the plug opening to position the pedestal housing above-ground for use in receiving electrical connections to a utility cable contained in the grade level box and brought above-ground level inside the pedestal housing.

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Abstract

An underground electrical utilities vault and distribution enclosure system comprises a grade level box, for storing underground cables, and a two-part lid comprising a pair of side-by-side cover plates that close the top of the box. One of the split cover plates has an access opening that interlocks with an above-ground pedestal housing. Connections to underground cables contained in the grade level box are made on a frame structure disposed in the pedestal housing. The split cover may contain a removable plug that normally rests at ground level before service is provided to the premises. When connections are provided to the premises, the plug is removed and the pedestal housing, having a base of the same configuration as the access opening, is snap-locked in the opening left by removing the plug. The interior of the pedestal housing contains connecting brackets such as mounting bars and/or a universal mounting plate for making the above-ground connections.

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23 Claims

1. An underground utilities enclosure and distribution assembly comprising:
- a grade level box adapted for installation below ground and having an upper opening facing an interior region for containing a below-ground electrical utility cable,a removable split cover plate adapted for mounting to the opening in the grade level box to close off the interior region thereof from the environment, the split cover plate comprising a pedestal mounting section and a separate cover section; and
  
  a pedestal housing,the pedestal mounting section comprising a base, a plug opening in the base for access to the interior region of the grade level box, and a plug that removably mounts in the plug opening for closing off the interior region of the grade level box from the environment, the plug removable from the plug opening to provide access between the inside of the grade level box and an interior region inside the pedestal housing,the plug having a configuration that matches the configuration of the plug opening, the plug opening configuration adapted to match a configuration at a base of the pedestal housing to facilitate mounting the pedestal housing above the plug opening to position the pedestal housing above-ground for use in receiving electrical connections to a utility cable contained in the grade level box and brought above-ground level inside the pedestal housing.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
- - 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the pedestal housing has a configuration at its base that includes projecting regions to accommodate an electrical connection mounting frame disposed inside the pedestal housing,in which the interior of the pedestal housing contains said mounting frame to mount a connection to the cable contained in the grade level box, andin which a lock structure is carried on one side of the mounting frame, one of the projecting regions on the pedestal housing base having a unique configuration to accommodate the lock structure and in which a corresponding notched region of the plug opening has a matching unique configuration.
  - 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plug mounts in the plug opening in a snap fit with locking clips on the plug that frictionally engage corresponding sides of the plug opening.
  - 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which opposite sides of the plug opening have distinctive configurations to match separate different configurations at the base of the pedestal housing, and in which opposite sides of the plug have distinctive configurations to match the configurations on the plug opening.
  - 5. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the locking clips are bendable with detents that project outwardly to engage an underside of the base.
  - 6. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which the locking clips are bendable with detents that project outwardly to engage an underside of the plug opening.
  - 7. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the pedestal mounting section is secured to the grade level box by one or more one-piece rotating locking bars adapted to rotate into or out of engagement with a recessed area in the grade level box.
  - 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plug has an upper surface that is continuous with an upper surface of the base.
  - 9. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plug opening contains an inwardly projecting rim that removably supports the plug.
  - 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plug has an upper surface that is continuous with an upper surface of the base.
  - 11. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the plug opening contains an inwardly projecting rim that removably supports the plug.
  - 12. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the pedestal mounting section is secured to the grade level box by one or more one-piece rotating locking bars adapted to rotate into or out of engagement with a recessed area in the grade level box.
  - 13. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the pedestal housing has a configuration at its base that includes projecting regions to accommodate an electrical connection mounting frame disposed in the pedestal housing.
  - 14. Apparatus according to claim 13, in which the interior of the pedestal housing contains said mounting frame to mount a connection to the cable contained in the grade level box.

15. An underground utilities enclosure and distribution assembly comprising:
- a grade level box adapted for installation below ground and having an upper opening facing an interior region for containing a below-ground utility cable,a removable split cover plate adapted for mounting to the opening in the grade level box to close off the interior region from the environment, the split cover plate comprising a pedestal mounting section and a separate cover section;
  
  the pedestal mounting section comprising a base and an access opening in the base for access to the interior region of the grade level box, anda pedestal housing assembly comprising a lower support structure shaped as a collar adapted to rest on the pedestal mounting section and having an opening that matches the configuration of the access opening in the cover plate section, the lower support structure adapted for supporting a connection device to support above-ground connections to a utility cable contained in the grade level box, and a pedestal cover that releasably attaches to the lower support structure to enclose above-ground connections on the connection device.
- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
- - 16. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the pedestal mounting section is secured to the grade level box by one or more one-piece rotating locking bars that can be rotated into or out of engagement with a recessed area in the grade level box.
  - 17. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the lower support structure mounts in the access opening in a snap fit with locking clips on the lower support structure that engage corresponding sides of the access opening.
  - 18. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which a lock structure is carried on one side of the connection device, and in which a projecting region on the pedestal lower support structure has a unique configuration to accommodate the lock structure, and a corresponding notched region of the access opening has a matching unique configuration.
  - 19. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the lower support structure comprises a collar that snap locks into the access opening;
    - and in which the pedestal cover releasably attaches to an opening in the collar, and the base of the pedestal cover has a configuration that matches the configuration of the opening in the collar.
  - 20. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the opposite sides of the opening in the collar have distinctive configurations to match separate different configurations at the base of the pedestal housing.
  - 21. Apparatus according to claim 19, in which the collar has downwardly projecting locking clips that engage corresponding sides of the access opening.
  - 22. Apparatus according to claim 15, in which the lower support structure includes a flat profiled plate that matches the configuration of the access opening and snap locks into position in the access opening, and an above-ground collar integrally formed with the profiled plate to provide access to the interior of the grade level box.

23. An underground utilities enclosure and distribution assembly, comprising:
- a grade level box,a removable split cover plate mounted on the box, the split cover plate comprising a pedestal mounting section and a separate cover section,an access opening in the pedestal mounting section,a pedestal housing assembly having a lower support structure that interlocks with the access opening, the lower support structure having an opening aligned with the access opening,the pedestal housing assembly further including a mounting device affixed to the lower support structure for supporting electrical connections made above-ground, and a pedestal cover removably disposed over the mounting device,in which the lower support structure comprises a collar that rests atop the pedestal mounting section with an opening aligned with the access opening, the collar releasably snap locked in the access opening.

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Litigation Data

Current Assignee
Channell Commercial Corporation
Original Assignee
Channell Commercial Corporation
Inventors
Gwillim, Robert H., Carper, Paul, Burke, Edward J.
Primary Examiner(s)
Estrada; Angel R

Application Number

US11/373,619
Publication Number

US 20060254794A1
Time in Patent Office

824 Days
Field of Search

174/50, 174/17.R, 174/37, 174/481, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/54, 174/60, 174/38, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, 220/3.8, 220/4.02, 220/484, 248/906, 312/351.2, 312/351.1, 312/600, 312/601, 312/641, 312/659, 312/679, 312/724, 312/730, 312/796, 361/600, 361/601, 361/641, 361/659, 361/679, 361/724, 361/730, 361/796
US Class Current

174/50
CPC Class Codes

G02B 6/4442   Cap coupling boxes

G02B 6/501   underground installation of...

H02G 3/0493   Service poles

H02G 3/185   Floor outlets and access cups

H02G 9/10   in cable chambers, e.g. in ...

Y10S 292/11   Cover fasteners

Y10T 292/1075   Operating means

Y10T 292/1087   Screw catch

Y10T 292/1094   Screw

Y10T 292/376   Screw-holding member

Y10T 292/426   Screw catch

Y10T 70/5584   Dead bolt

Enclosure system for underground utility connections

First Claim

3 Assignments

Litigations

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

86 Citations

23 Claims

Specification

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Enclosure system for underground utility connections

First Claim

3 Assignments

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Subscription Required

Litigations

0 Petitions

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Accused Products

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Abstract

86 Citations

23 Claims

Specification

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Use Cases

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Others