Electricity: conductors and insulators – Overhead – Towers – poles or posts
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-30
2001-03-20
Riley, Shawn (Department: 2838)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Overhead
Towers, poles or posts
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204446
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to compartments with removable covers and, more particularly, to handhole compartments for utility poles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Traffic control devices, street lights and other equipment supported on utility poles are supplied by wiring contained inside the pole. An access opening or “handhole”is provided in the side of the pole, usually about knee height, for accessing the wiring. Electrical connections, such as terminals and fuse disconnects, may be supported inside the handhole. These handholes are enclosed by covered compartments.
While conventional handhole compartments offer some protection against the elements, there is a need for improvement in the covers for these compartments. More specifically, there is a need for a cover design that resists deformation so that a good seal can be maintained for the life of the cover. There is also a need for a cover that can be opened and closed easily without having to align inside, non-visible components. Finally, there is a need for cover that can be manufactured uniformly and inexpensively.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a handhole compartment for installation in the handhole of a utility pole. The compartment comprises a sidewall forming an enclosure sized to be received in the handhole. The sidewall has a front edge that defines a front access opening. At least one latch receiver is provided in the sidewall. A cover is included, the cover being sized to occlude the front access opening. The cover has a body portion circumscribed by an edge. A latch depends from the cover and comprises a foot movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the foot non-threadedly engages the latch receiver in the sidewall to secure the cover over the access opening. In the unlatched position, the foot is disengaged from the latch receiver.
In another aspect, the invention is directed to a cover assembly for a handhole compartment comprising a sidewall having a front edge defining a front access opening and a latch receiver in the sidewall. The cover assembly comprises a cover sized to occlude the front access opening of the compartment, the cover having a body portion circumscribed by an edge. The cover assembly further comprises a latch depending from the cover and comprising a foot movable between latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the foot non-threadedly engages the latch receiver in the sidewall to secure the cover over the access opening. In the unlatched position, the foot is disengaged from the latch receiver.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to utility pole assembly. The utility pole assembly comprises a hollow shaft with a handhole in the side. The handhole is fitted with a compartment comprising a sidewall forming an enclosure sized to be received in the handhole, the sidewall having a front edge that defines a front access opening. At least one latch receiver is provided in the sidewall. Also included is a cover sized to occlude the front access opening, the cover having a body portion circumscribed by an edge. A latch depends from the cover and comprises a foot movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. In the latched position, the foot non-threadedly engages the latch receiver in the sidewall to secure the cover over the access opening. In the unlatched position, the foot is disengaged from the latch receiver.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3624269 (1971-11-01), Latta
patent: 3808504 (1974-04-01), Rabie
patent: 4914258 (1990-04-01), Jackson
patent: 5524411 (1996-06-01), Crossman
Lee Mary M.
Riley Shawn
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