Enclosure for telecommunications equipment

Abstract

The invention provides an outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment. The enclosure includes a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The base section is open at an upper end and a lower end and is made of a non-metallic material. The enclosure also includes a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration. The dome has an open lower end of the dome that is engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space in the enclosure. The dome is made of a non-metallic material. A latching mechanism is arranged at the upper end of the base section and the lower end of the dome. The latching mechanism is operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation. A mounting frame is supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section. The mounting frame has two or more legs and each leg is secured to the base section by at least one fastener. Two or more mounting stakes are attachable to the base section using the fasteners connecting the mounting frame legs to the base section. A bonding/grounding strap is provided that has first and second ends each of which is attachable to a respective one of the legs of the mounting frame. Each of the first and second ends of the bonding/grounding strap has a keyhole slot for receiving a fastener. The keyhole slots having a first portion that is larger than a head of the fastener such that the head can pass through the first portion and a second portion that is smaller than the head of the fastener such that the head is prevented from passing through the slot.

1 . An outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment, the enclosure comprising: 
 a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the base section including a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the base section being open at an upper end and a lower end and being made of a non-metallic material;    a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the dome being open at a lower end, the lower end of the dome being engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space, the dome being made of a non-metallic material;    a latching mechanism operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation;    a mounting frame supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section, the mounting frame having two or more legs with each leg being secured to the base; and    a bracket having first and second ends each of which is attachable to a respective one of the legs of the mounting frame, the first and second ends of the bracket each having a keyhole slot for receiving a fastener, the keyhole slots having a first portion that is larger than a head of the fastener such that the head can pass through the first portion and a second portion that is smaller than the head of the fastener such that the head is prevented from passing through the slot.    
   
   
       2 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the mounting frame is made of metal.  
   
   
       3 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the top wall of the dome is pitched.  
   
   
       4 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the dome and base section are made of high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       5 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 4  wherein the dome and base section are rotationally molded.  
   
   
       6 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein a neck is provided at the upper end of the base section, the neck having a leading edge that tapers inwardly as it extends upward.  
   
   
       7 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 6  wherein the lower edge of the dome curls inwardly.  
   
   
       8 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the base has a single-piece construction.  
   
   
       9 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the latching mechanism comprises resiliently flexible flap latches arranged adjacent the lower end of the dome, each flap latch having an opening engageable with a post arranged adjacent the upper end of the base section.  
   
   
       10 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 9  wherein the latching mechanism further includes bolts engageable with the posts to lock the posts in engagement with the flap latches.  
   
   
       11 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 10  wherein each of the bolts is connected to the enclosure by a flexible link.  
   
   
       12 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the base section has a plurality of horizontally extending channels formed therein.  
   
   
       13 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 12  wherein the base section includes a flange extending outward from the lower end thereof.  
   
   
       14 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of claim ˜ 1  wherein each leg of the mounting frame is received in a slot in a respective channel formed in the base section.  
   
   
       15 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 14  further including two or more mounting stakes each mounting stake being receivable in a groove defined by a respective one of the channels.  
   
   
       16 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 15  wherein the mounting stakes are securable in the grooves in the channels using fasteners securing the mounting frame legs in the slots in the channels.  
   
   
       17 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 1  wherein the dome includes ridges extending vertically on each of the front wall, rear wall and sidewalls.  
   
   
       18 . An outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment, the enclosure comprising: 
 a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the base section including a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the base section being open at an upper end and a lower end and being made of a non-metallic material;    a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the dome being open at a lower end, the lower end of the dome being engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space, the dome being made of a non-metallic material;    a latching mechanism operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation;    a mounting frame supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section, the mounting frame having two or more legs with each leg being secured to the base section by at least one fastener; and    two or more mounting stakes each being attachable to the base section using the at least one fastener connecting a respective one of the mounting frame legs to the base section.    
   
   
       19 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the mounting frame is made of metal.  
   
   
       20 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the dome and base section are made of high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       21 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 20  wherein the dome and base section are rotationally molded.  
   
   
       22 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein a neck is provided at the upper end of the base section, the neck having a leading edge that tapers inwardly as it extends upward.  
   
   
       23 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 22  wherein the lower edge of the dome curls inwardly.  
   
   
       24 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the base has a single-piece construction.  
   
   
       25 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the latching mechanism comprises resiliently flexible flap latches arranged adjacent the lower end of the dome, each flap latch having an opening engageable with a post arranged adjacent the upper end of the base section.  
   
   
       26 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 25  wherein the latching mechanism further includes bolts engageable with the posts to lock the posts in engagement with the flap latches.  
   
   
       27 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 26  wherein each of the bolts is connected to the enclosure by a flexible link.  
   
   
       28 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the base section has a plurality of horizontally extending channels formed therein.  
   
   
       29 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 28  wherein the base section includes a flange extending outward from the lower end thereof.  
   
   
       30 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein each leg of the mounting frame is received in a slot in a respective channel formed in the base section.  
   
   
       31 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 30  wherein each mounting stake is receivable in a groove defined by a respective one of the channels.  
   
   
       32 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 18  wherein the dome includes ridges extending vertically on each of the front wall, rear wall and sidewalls.  
   
   
       33 . An outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment, the enclosure comprising: 
 a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the base section including a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the base section being open at an upper end and a lower end and being made of a non-metallic material, the base section having a plurality of horizontally extending grooves in the front wall, rear wall and lateral sidewalls and having a flange extending outward from the lower end of the base section;    a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the dome being open at a lower end, the lower end of the dome being engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space, the dome being made of a non-metallic material;    a latching mechanism arranged near the lower end of the dome, the latching mechanism being operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation; and    a mounting frame supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section, the mounting frame having two or more legs with each leg being secured to the base section;    wherein the dome includes ridges extending vertically on each of the front wall, rear wall and sidewalls that form corresponding channels on the inside surface of the dome, the vertically extending ridge on each of the sidewalls of the dome aligning a respective one of the legs of the mounting frame when the dome is arranged on the base section in the predetermined correct orientation.    
   
   
       34 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein the mounting frame is made of metal.  
   
   
       35 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein the top wall of the dome is pitched.  
   
   
       36 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein the dome and base section are made of high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       37 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 36  wherein the dome and base section are rotationally molded.  
   
   
       38 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein a neck is provided at the upper end of the base section, the neck having a leading edge that tapers inwardly as it extends upward.  
   
   
       39 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 38  wherein the lower edge of the dome curls inwardly.  
   
   
       40 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein the base has a single-piece construction.  
   
   
       41 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein the latching mechanism comprises resiliently flexible flap latches arranged adjacent the lower end of the dome, each flap latch having an opening engageable with a post arranged adjacent the upper end of the base section.  
   
   
       42 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 41  wherein the latching mechanism further includes bolts engageable with the posts to lock the posts in engagement with the flap latches.  
   
   
       43 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 42  wherein each of the bolts is connected to the enclosure by a flexible link.  
   
   
       44 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein the base section has a plurality of horizontally extending channels formed therein.  
   
   
       45 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 33  wherein each leg of the mounting frame is received in a slot in a respective channel formed in the base section.  
   
   
       46 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 45  further including two or more mounting stakes each mounting stake being receivable in a groove defined by a respective one of the channels.  
   
   
       47 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 46  wherein the mounting stakes are securable in the grooves in the channels using fasteners securing the mounting frame legs in the slots in the channels.  
   
   
       48 . An outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment, the enclosure comprising: 
 a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the base section including a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the base section being open at an upper end and a lower end and being made of a non-metallic material;    a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the dome being open at a lower end, the lower end of the dome being engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space, the dome being made of a non-metallic material;    a latching mechanism operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation;    a mounting frame supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section, the mounting frame having two or more legs with each leg being secured to the base; and    a bracket having first and second ends each of which is attachable to a respective one of the legs of the mounting frame.    
   
   
       49 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 48  wherein the mounting frame is made of metal.  
   
   
       50 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 48  wherein the dome and base section are made of high-density polyethylene.  
   
   
       51 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 50  wherein the dome and base section are rotationally molded.  
   
   
       52 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 48  wherein the base has a single-piece construction.  
   
   
       53 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 48  wherein the latching mechanism comprises resiliently flexible flap latches arranged adjacent the lower end of the dome, each flap latch having an opening engageable with a post arranged adjacent the upper end of the base section.  
   
   
       54 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 53  wherein the latching mechanism further includes bolts engageable with the posts to lock the posts in engagement with the flap latches.  
   
   
       55 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 48  wherein the base section has a plurality of horizontally extending channels formed therein.  
   
   
       56 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 48  wherein each leg of the mounting frame is received in a slot in a respective channel formed in the base section.  
   
   
       57 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 56  further including two or more mounting stakes each mounting stake being receivable in a groove defined by a respective one of the channels.  
   
   
       58 . An outdoor enclosure for housing telecommunications equipment, the enclosure comprising: 
 a base section having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration, the base section including a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the base section being open at an upper end and a lower end and being made of a non-metallic material;    a single-piece, solid dome having a generally rectangular cross-sectional configuration and including a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall and a pair of lateral sidewalls, the dome being open at a lower end, the lower end of the dome being engageable with the upper end of the base section so as to define an interior space, the dome being made of a non-metallic material;    a latching mechanism operable to automatically latch the dome and base section together when the dome is arranged on the base section in a predetermined correct orientation;    a mounting frame supported on the base section so as to be arranged in the interior space when the dome is engaged with the base section, the mounting frame having two or more legs with each leg being secured to the base section by at least one fastener; and    two or more mounting brackets having a first section attachable to the base section using the at least one fastener connecting the a respective one of the mounting frame legs to the base section and a second leg that is connectable to a mounting substrate.    
   
   
       59 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 58  wherein the base section includes a flange that extends outward from the lower end thereof.  
   
   
       60 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 59  wherein the second leg of the mounting bracket is connectable to the mounting substrate through the flange.  
   
   
       61 . The outdoor telecommunications enclosure of  claim 60  wherein the second leg of the mounting bracket extends into an interior space within the flange.