Receptacles – In ground – nontank container
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-27
2001-11-27
Castellano, Stephen (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
In ground, nontank container
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321928
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to enclosures for securely housing a variety of instruments including electrical systems and electronic controls. In particular, the invention relates to an enclosure mounting pad with a support base for simple and secure installation of enclosures.
2. Description of Related Technology
Enclosures are used by irrigation, plumbing and electrical industry professionals to mount and protect electronic controls as well as backflow prevention devices. These enclosures are often located in an easily accessible, outdoor location. Typically, such electronic controls are located inside a metal box-like structure that securely encloses the controls along with a locking door for access. The enclosures are sometimes large enough to house not only the controls, but also other items such as tools.
The enclosures are located above ground, usually placed on either a grassy or a dirt surface. Thus, vandals and thieves are able to easily uproot the enclosure from the ground and damage, steal or abuse the contents of the enclosure. To solve this problem, a concrete slab is formed on the ground, attached to a support base, and the enclosure is then installed on the concrete slab. However, this solution requires that the ground first be prepared and equipment be obtained for the pouring of concrete at the site. Alternatively, the concrete slab is preformed for installation at the site, requiring highly precise preforming to fit the particular site and the particular enclosure, and heavy equipment to transfer and install the slab at the site.
In come cases, fiberglass mounts are also used. These fiberglass mounts, while lighter and easier to install, also deteriorate upon exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation and are easily tampered with.
The concrete slab or fiberglass mount are typically secured to a support base using bolts or similar attachment means. The bolts securing the mount are located above ground and outside the enclosure, where they are exposed to the elements and easily accessed by vandals.
Thus, there is a need for an enclosure support that provides for a simple, yet secure, installation of the enclosure that is vandal-resistant.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed herein is an enclosure mounting assembly, and a method of installing the assembly. The invention provides for a secure installation of the enclosure, which is weather-proof, prevents corrosion, and is resistant to vandals and thieves.
In one embodiment, the enclosure mounting assembly comprises a support base having a bottom, a top and a substantially hollow interior, and a mounting pad resting on top of the support base. The mounting pad has an opening in its substantially flat top surface. At least one support brace is used to clamp an upper portion of the support base between the support brace and said mounting pad, thus securing the parts together.
Preferably, the support base has a rectangular footprint, and is made of plastic. The mounting pad is preferably made of metal, and more preferably, marine-grade aluminum. It is preferred that the mounting pad is a rectangular plate.
The assembly can further comprise a fastener for securing the support brace, support base and mounting pad together. The fastener is preferably a nut and bolt assembly. The mounting pad can include a hole in its top surface for receiving the fastener.
In a preferred embodiment, strengthening flanges are located on the support base to provide extra support. The support base bears the weight of the mounting pad, which rests on a top edge of the support base. The support base preferably includes a ledge located on an upper interior surface; the support brace is secured beneath the ledge. The support brace preferably has a U-shaped cross-section.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method of securely installing an enclosure mounting pad on an area of ground. The method comprises digging a hole in the ground to accommodate the support base; inserting the support base in the hole, the support base having a top, a bottom and an interior; placing a mounting pad on top of the support base, the mounting pad having an opening in a top surface; and clamping an upper portion of the support base between a support brace and the mounting pad.
In a preferred embodiment, the method also includes mounting an enclosure on top of the mounting pad, and securing it in place using a fastener. Advantageously, the fastener is located in the interior of the enclosure. The fastener is inserted through a hole provided in the support brace and a hole provided in the mounting pad to secure the support brace, support base and mounting pad together.
To provide for additional security and to minimize rodent and moisture problems, the interior of the support base can be filled with a filler, and the hole can be backfilled after inserting the support base.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, there is provided an enclosure assembly. The assembly comprises a support base having a bottom, a top and a hollow interior; a mounting pad resting on top of the support base, the mounting pad having an opening in a top surface; at least one support brace clamping an upper portion of the support base between the support brace and the mounting pad; and an enclosure having a base mounted on the top surface of the mounting pad, the enclosure having an opening in the base sized so as to surround the opening in the top surface of the mounting pad.
Preferably, at least one fastener is used to secure the support brace, the support base, the mounting pad and the enclosure together. The fastener is advantageously located in an interior of the enclosure, which is preferably a metal cabinet. The mounting pad and the enclosure each have at least one hole therein for receiving the fastener. The fastener is preferably a nut and bolt assembly.
If desired, the mounting pad can include a plurality of openings in its top surface, to accommodate more than one enclosure. The support base is preferably made of plastic, while the mounting pad is preferably made of metal, and more preferably, marine-grade aluminum.
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Associated Plastics, Inc., Product Catalog, 16 pgs., date unknown.
Newbasis, Plastic Products Catalog, 74 pgs., 2000.
Goldenstein Kim M.
Lowe George T.
Moore Douglas R.
Pagano Donald J.
Castellano Stephen
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
V.I.T. Products, Inc.
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