Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings – With grounding means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-11-20
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
With grounding means
C439S098000, C361S799000, C174S0400CC
Reexamination Certificate
active
06320125
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an enclosure for electronic devices, and in particular, to devices mountable within the enclosure which simplify access and operations of electronic devices contained therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Optical Network Units (ONU's) are commonly used in Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) communications systems. An ONU is typically located in a customer's neighborhood, and receives digital communication and data signals through optical fibers from a central office location. The ONU includes circuitry which converts the optical signals received on the fiber into electronic signals. These electronic signals are transmitted to customers on coaxial cables and/or single or multiple pair cooper conductors. The ONU also includes circuitry which allows electrical signals received from the customers to be converted to optical signals which are transmitted back to the central office on the optical fiber.
The positioning and installation of an ONU may be performed in a number of different ways. In neighborhoods or areas where overhead electrical and telephone lines are still used, the ONU can be mounted on a strand or on a supporting utility pole line. Connections may be then established from the source of the signals to the destination. In areas where lines are buried, it may be necessary to locate the ONU in an enclosure such that it is easily accessible for maintenance or repair purposes. Along with the ONU, other necessary elements of the FTTC system may be included within an enclosure, such as a splice case. The splice case contains and protects connections between cables entering and exiting the ONU. Also included in the enclosure are ends of necessary connecting electrical and fiberoptic cables. Some cables may be employed for the transmission or receipt of data signals, while others may be employed to receive power in order to operate the electronic components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The inventors have recognized that, within an electronic enclosure, it may be difficult to perform maintenance and repairs on particular components due to the sheer number of components, including electronic devices and cables within the enclosure. As such, the inventors have recognized that it may be advantageous to provide certain devices which simplify the movement of electronic devices without the necessity of disconnecting and reconnecting communication and power lines. The inventors have further recognized that certain devices may also be included in the enclosure which simplify the performance of particular procedures, such as grounding of the electronic devices and various communications and power lines.
The invention as described herein may include an enclosure for electronic devices, within which a frame for moving at least one electronic device may be installed. The frame may be mountable such that in a first position, the frame and electronic device to which it is connected are contained within the electronics device enclosure. The frame may be moved to other positions in which the portion of the frame to which the electronic device is connected extends outside the enclosure, such that other items within the enclosure, such as electronic devices, may be more easily accessible.
In one aspect of the invention, the frame includes at least one hinge device which is attachable to an interior surface of the enclosure. An electronic device may then be connected to the frame and, when access is gained to the enclosure, the hinge device may be employed to rotatively move the electronic device from inside the enclosure to outside the enclosure. Further, a locking device may be included to hold the electronic device outside the enclosure.
The frame may comprise a metallic bar of sufficient gauge, stiffness and strength, which is formed in a predetermined shape such that both ends of the bar may be rotatively attached to interior surfaces of the enclosure through use of hinge devices. An electronic device may then be connected to the bar, and when the bar and electronic device are in a first position, they are contained within the enclosure. When the frame is rotated to a second position, a portion of the frame and the electrical device are located outside the enclosure such that access is provided to other items within the enclosure.
In the scenario where the enclosure may be rectangular in shape, the frame may be U-shaped with hinge devices located at both ends. The hinged devices are attachable to interior surfaces of the enclosure which are opposite facing. Also included in at least one of the opposite facing surfaces is a stop pin which contacts and stops the rotation of the frame when it is in the second position. Also included on the same interior surface, may be a stop pin hole in which a stop pin may be inserted to hold the frame and the electronic device in the second position. When the frame and electronic device are to be moved back into the enclosure, the stop pin may be removed and the frame and electronic device rotatably moved back into the enclosure.
In another aspect of the invention, the frame may be attachable to only one interior surface of the enclosure. The frame is attached through use of a hinge device such that the frame and an electronic device connected to the frame, are rotatable from a first position within the enclosure to other positions outside the enclosure. The frame may further include a second hinge device which, when the frame is in alternative positions, provides for the rotation of a portion of the frame as well as the electronic device attached thereto, to a third position. This third position may be such that neither the frame nor the electronic device obstruct entry to the enclosure.
In another aspect of the invention, the rotatable frame is used in conjunction with an ONU typically used in a Fiber-to-the-Curb (FTTC) communications system. As part of the communications system, the ONU is contained within a specially constructed electronics enclosure which may be positioned proximate to subscribers who are to receive the signals. When access is desired to the ONU or any other electronics within the enclosure, such as a splice case, the ONU may be moved with the rotatable frame to a position such that it will not interfere with access to the enclosure.
In another aspect of the invention, an electrical device is included in the electronics enclosure which provides for the grounding of various electronics contained therein. Mountable within the enclosure is a conductive bar which may include a number of attachment points for connecting grounding wires for various electronic devices and other items contained within the enclosure. Also connected to an attachment point on the grounding bar is an electrical connection to an electrical ground located proximate to the enclosure. The bar may be mounted such that it is viewable upon access to the enclosure.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the grounding bar may include identification markings for each component within the enclosure which requires a ground. Through use of the identification, a check may be performed such that all the necessary components or other items within the enclosure are properly grounded. Attachments to the ground bar may be provided through a number of electrical connection devices which are well known in the art.
In an embodiment of the invention, and the enclosure which may be employed in a FTTC communications system, the specially identified grounding attachments are included. For example, grounding attach points may be provided for the ONU, the power source for the enclosure, the splice case, and any or all of the drop cables which run from the enclosure.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4595255 (1986-06-01), Bhatt et al.
patent: 5828807 (1998-10-01), Tucker et al.
patent: 5911019 (1999-06-01), Cohen
patent: 5920669 (1999-07-01), Knecht et al.
patent: 5942725 (1999-08-01), Daoud
patent: 6017228 (2000-01-01), Verbeek et al.
patent: 6118868 (2000-09-01), Daoud
McKay Michael C.
Thompson Tom T.
Marsh & Fischmann & Breyfogle LLP
Patel Dhiru R
Qwest Communications Int'l., Inc.
Reichard Dean A.
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