CA2052256A1 - Universal enclosure with cross-connect - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure An environmentally sealed, controlled access enclosure accepts central office communications transmission cables and processes and routes communications signals therefrom to subscriber distribution. The enclosure comprises a universal enclosure and a cross-connect cabinet. The cross-connect cabinet is mounted directly on the universal enclosure in such a fashion that the feeder cables which carry communications lines therebetween are capable of communication between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet by means either of the openings directly between the two or within the still open, or if necessary, a re-excavated portion of, the existing excavation for the universal enclosure, thereby reducing the need to dig additional trenches to accept feeder cables communicating between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet over some distance.

Description

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3 00~29868 UNIVERSA~ E:NCL~SURE WI~H CROSS-CONNECT

Bakqxound of the ~,nyention The present invention relates generally to a novel and improved univercal enclosure for use with housing 05 outside plant electrical, telephonic, or other types of ~:
telecommunications and related el~lctronic equipment~
More specifically, the invention c!oncerns a unique construction of a univarsal enclosure having means for ,:
mounting a cros~-connect cablnet or enclosure there~n, further including means for allowing cable transmission betwean the universal enclo~ure and the cross-connect cabinet.

With the construction of the present invention, the universal enclosuxe and the cross-connect cabinet are commonly located, thereby reducing the naed to dig more axtansive trench networks, reducing ~he space needed to accommodate the universal enclosure, the cross-connect cabinet, and the wires, reducing the inconvenience to -, 20 workmen and others, and improving e~uipment appearance ':
and neighborhood aestheticæ.

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~2-Universal enclosures and cross-connect cabinets are well known in the art, and are employed extensively. The universal anclosure encompasses "ou~side plant, ?I that is out~ide of a telephone company plant or central office 05 (I'C.o."), electronic and other telecommunications equipment necessary for the proper deliverance of the service provided by the telephone company to the subscriber. To do this, the universal enclosure accepts transmission cables, which allow for the transmission of signal6 from a C.O. to the universal enclosure. Once the s~gnals, such as telephonic communication, and the like, produced by the C.O. reach the universal enclosure, the e~uipment encompassed therein acts upon the signals, performing a variety of functions. Such e~uipment may comprise ~witching equipment, multiplexing eguipment, protection blocXs for up to 1800 or 2100 derived pair, and other outside plant electronics compatible with digital loop carrier system~, including copper, radlo, and fiber fed systems.
The universal enclos~res protect the cables and equipment from the e~ects of the outside environment.
To do this effectively, interior environment of the universal enalosures must be strictly monitored and controlled~ Typically, the universal enclosures have a saaled ventilation system including air conditioners therein, so as to seal off the internal environment of the universal enclosure ~rom its external environment to as6ure the effective ~nd proper operation of the cables and the equipment therein. Because the universal enclosure is mounted in the ground, a sump pump is usually included inside the universal enclosure. Also, smoke, as well as toxic and explosive gas alarms monitor the interior environment of the universal enclosures.

The universal enclosures are large enough to house all necessary equipment and cables, and to allow a workman entry or access to that equipment as well as adequate , :
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working space for per~orming maintenance, monitoring, and repair. Therefore, the universal enclosure is a sizable piece of eguipment. To prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the universal enclosure, an 05 intrusion alarm is included therein.

The univer~al enclosure also accepts feeder cables, which allow for transmission of th~ signals from the universal enclosure to an associated cross-connect cabinet. The cross-connect cabinet accepts an end of the feeder cables opposite to an end thereof connected to the universal enclosureO The cross-connect cabinet houses a plurality of terminals which are capable of joining an element of a feeder cable with an element of a distribution cable. The distribution cables allow for transmission of the signals from the cross-connect cabinet to a customer or subsariber of the C.O., such as a home or a businass. There i8 at least one line pair for each customer or subscriber. Therefore, the cro~s connect cabinet must be large enough to house and to protect all of the line pairs. Also, the line pairs must be accessihle to a workman for maintenance.

In the employment of the universal enclosures and the cros~-connect cabinets of the prior art, the two were independently mounted on prepared in-the-ground surfaces some distance apart. To mount the universal enclosures and the cross-connect cabinets properly in the ground, a pit is dug to accept the base o~ each. Additionally, trenches are dug to accept the cables. This emplo~ment required trenches for the ~ransmission cables, the feeder cables, and the distribution cables. This extensive trench network ~urther detracted from the neighborhood aesthetics, and the convenience o~ the population, especially when the cables had to be dug up for repair or replacement~ Also, because of the relatively large amount of direct-bury cables needed, tha CoBt of providing the ~ervices increased, due to the .. . . . ...

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need to use expensive, heavily-jacketed cables. Such increases in the cost of providing the services result in lost revenues to the telephone companies.

05 Accordingly, some alternative construction of universal enclosures and cross-connect cabinets is desired that will require less buried cable and take up less space than that taken up by the currently available independent location of the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet. Such alternative construction would present a better appearance, and would reduce the need for trenching. By reducing the need for trenching, the alternative construction would be less expensive because the labor costs of trenching would be limited, and the telephone companies could use an ordinary, less expensive cable ln certain portions of the construction.
Thus, the employment of the alternative construction could raduce the cost of providing service and result in greater revenues to the telephone companies. Also, if tha universal enclosure and the CroSS-ConnQct cabinet are commonly located, workmen may experience less inaonvenieno~ because of the re~uced travel time between those elements, both for initial installation and later service or modifications. However, craft separation could still be maintained in accordance with the present invention. That is, service personnel qualified only to work on the cross-connact equipment would not have acccs6 to the universal anclosure, for example.

Ob~ects and Summar~lQE_~___Invention A general object of the invention is to provide a univer~al enclosure having means for mounting a cross-connect cabinet thereon.

A mora ~p~cific object of the invention i~ to provide a univer~al en~losurQ having a cro~-connect cabinet . . .

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mounted thereon so that the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet can be commonly located, thereby reducing the naed for trenching.

Q5 Another object of the present invention is to provide a mean.s for rehabbing an existing universal enrlosure so that a cross-connect cabinet can be mounted thereon.

A further object of the invention is to provide a universal enclosure havlng a cross-connect cabinet mounted thereon, further having means for allowing cable transmission directly between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a univer~al enclosure having a cro~s-connect cabine~ mounted thereon which pre~ents a more attractive external appearance than that o~ independently located units, as currently available.

Another ob~ect of the invention i~ to provide a universal enclo~ure and a cro~-connect cabinet with which a smaller amount of expensiVe, heavily-jacketed, buried cable is needed than the amount currently needed.
A further ob;ect of the present invention i5 to provide a universal ancloæur~ having an attached cros6-connect cabinet wherein the ~eeder cables therebetween can be pre-wired before mounting thereo~ in the ground.
An additional ob~ect of the ~nvention is to provide a univer8al enclo8ure having a commonly located cross-connect cabinet which can reduce inconvenience to a workman, and yet maintain craft separation.

An environmen~ally sealed, controlled access enclosure comprises a controlled access, environmantally sealed .

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universal enclosure for housing outside plant communicati3ns equipment used for processing of communications siynals received from a central office and ~or protecting the outside plant communications 05 equipment from possibly harmful effects of a surrounding environment and a controlled access, environmentally sealed cross-connect cabinet for housing outside plant connection equipment used for connection between the universal Pnclosure and subscriber distribution cables and for protecting the outside plant connection equipment from possibly harmful effects of a surrounding environment. Cross-connect cabinet mounting means is mounted on at least one of the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet with that means being capable of supporting the cross-connect cabinet in a disposition in close proximity to the universal enclosure so as to e~fectively join the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet. The enclosure further includes cable feeding means for delivering feeder cables fox transmitting communiaatlons signal~3 from the universal enclosure to the cross-connect cabLnet, in such a manner 80 that no additional trenches need be dug to route the ~eeder cable~ therebetween.

Brief Vescription of the Drawings The features of the present invention which are balieved to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claimsO The organization and manner of oparation of the invention, together with further ob~ects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in the several figure~ of which like reference numerals identify like elaments, and in which:

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~ ig. 1 is a side elevational view of a universal enclosure, constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, having an attachad cross-connect cabinet, mounted on the ground;

Fig. 2 is a partial elevational view of a universal encloeure of the prior art, having a cross~connect cabinet disposed soma distan~e from the universal enclosure, with a feeder cable disposed in a trench therebetween;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view, similar to that of Fig. 1, of a universal enclosure, constructed according to ths p.rasent invention, with the cros~-connect cabinet mounting means removed in order to show more clearly the relative unclerground dispositions of transmission cables, a feeder cable, and a distribution cable in a "rehab" employment of the invention;

Fig. 4 i~ a front elevational view, similar to that of Fig. 3, with a portion broken away, having an attached cro6s-connQct cabinet with ~eeder cables communicating directly between the universal enc:Losure and the cross-connect cabinet:

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view, similar to that of Fig. 3, without any transmission cables or distribution cables being shown for clarity;

30 Fig. 6 is an enlarged partial side elevational view, .
taken along line 6-6 of Fig. 4, wlth portions of a universal enclosure broken away revealing the disposition of the feeder cables entering the cross-connect cablnet;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged partial side elevational view, taken along line 7-7 of Fig. 4, with portions of a ?

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universal enclosure broken away revealing thedisposition of the feeder cables entering the universal enclosure;

05 Fig. 8 is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the universal enclosure shown in Fig. 4 clearly showing the disposition of means for allowing cable transmission;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged partial sectional view, takPn along line 9-9 of Fig. 7, of the mean~ for allowing cable transmission between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet, showing a particular construction of one embodiment thereof;

Fig. lO is a further enlarged partially sectioned perspeftive ViQW, similar to that o~ Fig. 9, showing the particular construction of the means for allowing cable transmi sion between the universal enalosure and the cross-connect cabinet;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged elevational view of the universal enclosure showing the cro~-connect cabinet with its door being open showing the disposi~ion of telephone equipment therein, with portions thereof being Pxtended for servicin~; and Fig. 12 i5 an enlarged elevational view of one panel of terminals enclosed within the cross-connect cabinet of Fig. 11.

et~iled Descri~tion of the Xllustratad Embodiment While the invention may be susceptible to embodiment in different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, a specific embodiment with the understanding that the present :~ : . .

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disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the principles of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to that as illustrated and described herein.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, a universal enclosure 10 having an attached cross~connect cabinet 12, both oonstructed according to ~he teachings of the present invention, is shown. Both the universal enclosure 10 and the cross-connect cabinet 12 are situated on the ground 14. The universal enclosure 10 is constructed so as to acaepk transmission cables 11, which carxy signals, such as telephonic communications, and the like, from a telephon2 company central office ("C.O.") to the univer~al snclosure 10, as shown in Fig. 3.

Outside plant equipment, such as protection devices, monitoring devices, switches, multiplexing equ:Lpment and the like, necessary for the proper transmission of signals from the ~.O. to a final u~3er of the signals ~i.e. subscriber), is housed within the universal enclosure 10. Feeder cables 13 carry the signals from the universal enclosura 10, and the equipment housed therein, to the cross-connect cabinet 12. The cross-connect cabinet 12 houses a plurality of cross-connect terminals 15, shown more clearly in Fig.
11, which allow elements (line pairs) of the feeder cables 13 to be connected to elements (line pairs) of distribution cables 17, which communicate ~rom the cross-connect cabinet 12 to the subscriber. The particular construction of the terminals 15 is detailed more fully in Fig. 12.

In thi~ manner, the signals produced by the C.O. can travel from the C.O., through the transmission cables 11 to the universal enclosure 10, be acted upon and processed by the equipment housed therein, transmitted through the feeder cables 13 to the cross-connect ~9~22~

--~.o--cabinet 12, across the terminals 15 where line pairs of the feeder cables 13 is connectecl to subscriber line pairs distribution cables 17, through the distribution cables 17, and into the premises of the subscriber, such 05 as an office building, or a home.

Generally speaking, the universal enclosure 10 has a external wall surface 16 comprising a plurality of panel~ 18, a base 20, and a top 22. The wall surfac~ 16 and the top 22 are usually constructed of a very strong, weather-proof material, such as heavy gauge mill-galvanized steel and the like. The base 20 is also subject to similar design specifications, and can be constructed of a material such as hot dipped galvanized ~teel plate or concrete, for example. The panels 18 of the wall surface 16 are substantially smooth and planar, and extend from the base 20 to the top 22. The panels 18, and therefore the wall surface 16, are substantially perpendicular to both the base 20 ~nd the top 22. Thus, the wall surface 16, along with the base 20 and the top 22, def~ne an interior 24 of the universal enclosure lo.
This interior 24, and correspondins~ly khe wall surface 16, must be large enough so as to house terminations for at least one end of each of the transmission cables 11, and of the feeder cables 13, as well a~ all of the equipment necessary to the proper transmission of the signals therebe~ween. Also, the interior 24 must be of sufficient siæe so that a workman can enter and access the cables 11 and 13, and the equipment for maintenance and service thereof.
The top 22 of the univsrsal enclosure 10 is substantially planar, and, as already mentioned, substantially perpendicular to the panels 18 of the wall 3S surface 16. The top 22 and the panels 18 are joined in ~uch a fashion as to ensure a weather-proof, water-tight fit. For example, a~ shown clearly in Fig. 9, outer edge portions 28 of the top 22, which extend beyond th~

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interior 24 of the universal enclosure lo, are bent so as to project vertically downward, substantially parallel to and overlapping the panels 18, and ~ub~tanti~lly perpendicular to the remainder of the top 05 22. Likewise, edge portions 30 of the panels 18, which extend toward the top 22, ara bent so as to project horizontally inwardly into the interior 24 of tbe universal enclosure 10, and sub~tantially perpendicular to the r~mainder of the panels 18.
In khis way, the portions 30 of the panels 18 p~oject underneath and confront the top 22, while the portions 28 of the top 22 project along and confront a side of the panels 18 opposite to the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10, as shown in Fig. 9. The porkions ~8 and 30 are sealed to ~he panels 18 and the top 22, respectively, and, by their confrontation with the panels 18 and the top 22, insure that no water, or o~her possible contaminant ~rom thle surrounding environment, Will enter the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10, thereby e~fectlvely ~sealing the interior 24 of the universal enclosurQ 10. 'rhis is extremely important because the universal enclosure 10 is designed to be mounted on the ground 14 in the open, where the exterior o~ the universal enclosure 10 will be subject constantly to the ef~ects of the weather and tha ext~rnal environment.

As shown in Fig. 5 through Fig. 7, portions of at least one exterior panel 18 extend outwardly to form pro~ections 32. These projections 32 are dasiyned so as to function affectively as vent~ for haat exchangers of a climate control device, such a~ an air conditioner.
This i5 provided to completely isolate the environment of the interior 24 o~ the universal ~nclosure 10 from the external environment. Air conditioning is normally provided be~ause the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10 can reach temperatures, due to exposure of .
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2~522~6 the wall surface 16 and the top 22 to direct sunlight, that may be harmful to the equipment housed therewithin.

05 The cables and equipment embodied inside the universal enclosure 10 may need to be accessed for periodic preventative maintenance, replacement, or service changes. Also, cables may have to be replaced, due to wear or to out-dated technology, such as a copper telephone wire being replaced with an optical fiber cabla, or merely to modify sub~criber service. To perform these tasks~ a workman must be able to enter an~
to access the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10.
To allow the workman to enter the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10, a controlled access door 26 is diapo~ad throuyh at least one o~ the panels 18 of the wall surface 16. The acaess door 26 closes flush with the particular panel 18 through which the door 26 is disposed, and ~orms a weather-tight: seal therewith. A
handle 34 of a controlled access, locking latch arrangement, not shown, is disposecl about the exterior of the access door 26, and allows for easy manipulation of the door 26. In some constructions, portions of the top 22 may be removable, allowing the workman further access to the intarior 24 of the uni~ersal enclosure 10 .

The base 20 of the universal enclosure 10, when the unlver~al enclosure 10 is installed, i~ disposed entirely within a~d under the ground 14. The basa 20 ~upports both the wall surface 16 and the top 220 The base 20 extends downward ~rom the wall sur~ace 16 a ubstantial distance. The base 20 extension is necessary so that the interior 24 of the universal en~losure 10 can accapt the equipment~ the cables, and a standing workman.

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The base 20 has a plurality of nozzle-like cable guides or apertures 3~, which communicate from the exterior of the ba~e 20, through the base 20, and into the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10. The apertures 36 are 05 designed to provide sealed entry for the transmission cables 11 and the feeder cables 13, as shown in Fig. 3.
In this manner, the transmission cables 11 can carry signals from the C.O. to the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10, and the equipment enclosed therein, and the feeder cables 13 can carry signals from that equipment to a cross-connect cabinet 12. The sealed entry provided by the apertures 36 prevents contaminants ~rom the outside environment from entering ~.
the apertures 36, and the interior 24 of tha universal 2nclosure 10.

The cro6s-conneck cabinet 12 i5 similar in construction to the universal enclosure 10, but on a smaller scale.
Ba~ically, tha cross-connect cabinet 12 comprises a top panel 40, a wall 42, and a base panel 44. The wall 42 is compris~d of a plurality of sub~3tantially planar panels 46. The wall 42 is substantiLally perpendicular to the top p~nel 40 and the base pan~l 44. The top panel 40, the wall 42, and the base panel 44 are joined together to form a weather-proof seal, similar to that included in the univer al enclosura 10, as discussed above~ This iB necessary because th cross-connect cabinet as well must protect any equipment encompassed therein ~rom the ef~ects of the outside environment.
The base panel 44 is designed to lay firmly on the ground 14, when the cross-connect cabinet 12 is attached to the universal enclosure 10.

The panels 42, 44, and 4~ define an interior 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 120 In order to access the interior 48, access doors 49 are disposed through one of the panels 46. The access doox~ 49 have a handle 51, which is preferably provided with a controlled access 2~t~?5~

locking/latching arrangement. one such arrangement is shown, for example, in the co-pending U.S. Patent application, Serial No. 510, 941, filed ~pril 13, 1990, and commonly owned with this application. The interior 05 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12 is of sufficient size to accept a plurality of banks or blocks 50 9f terminals 15 u~;ed to connect feeder cables 13 with distribution cables 17. The terminals 15 are designed to allow for a simple push-type connection between the cables 13 and 17, and are shown in detail in Fig. 12. As shown clearly in Fig. 11, the banks 50 of terminals 15 are hingedly mountad at one end thereof to the cross-connect cabinet 12. One end of extendable supporting members 52, such as chains, are attached to an opposite end of the banks 50, with the other end of the extendable supporting members 52 being attached to the cross-connect cabinet 12. In this manner, when the access door 49 is open, the bank~ 50 are translatable so that a workman can easily access both sides of the banks 50 Eor servicing.
The base panel ~ of the cross-conllect cabinet ~2 has a plurality of nozzle-like cable guides or apertures 54 of the same type as apertures 36 oiC the universal enclosur~ 10, which communicate ~rom the exterior of the ba~e panel 44, through the base panel 44, and into the interi~r 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12, as shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 4. The apertures 54 have a diameter sufficient to accept and provide sealed entry for feeder sables 13 and distribution cables 17, so that the feeder cables 13 can carry signals from the universal enclosure 10 into the interior 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12, where the feeder cables 13 are connected to distribution cables 17 by means of the banks 50 of terminals 15, and the distribution cable 17 can transmit the signals to the sub~criber. The apertures 54 provide sealed cable entry in thQ ~ame manner a~ de~cribed abovs concerning th~ apertures 3~.

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Departing from the prior art arrangement shown in Fig.
2, the present invention mounts the cross-connect cabinet 12 directly on the exterior of the universal enclosure 10. This can be done in at least two ways.
05 The first, shown in Fig. 3, is what is commonly referred to in the art as a "rehab" of an existing universal enclosure 10. Cross-connect cabinet mounting means, or brackets, 56 are attached to the base 20 of the universal end osure lo. The brackets 56 are constructed BO as to support the weight of the cross-connect cabinet 12. The brackets 56 are disposed relative to the base 20 of the universal enclosure 10 so that the ground level of the cross-connect cabinet 12 is level with to that of the universal anclosure 10.
In preparation for mounting the cross-connect cabinet 12 to the universal enclosure 10, a gasket 58 is attached to an outer perimeter o~ a panel ~6 of the wal:L 42 of the cross-connect cabinet 12 which will butt up against a corresponding panel 18 o~ the universal enclosure 10.
Tha gasket 58 i8 preferably tubular in form, and composed of a resiliQnt, rubberize~1 gasketing material.
The tubular nature o~ the gasket 5l3 allows the seal to be compxessed between ~he universa:L enclosure 10 and the cross-connect cabinet 12 so as to :insure a weather-proof, water-tight interface therebetween. The tubular construction of the gasket 58 also allow~ for expansion of the gasket 58 to compensate for differences in the ambient temperature of the environment. A
cross-section of the gasket 58 is shown in Fig. 9.
To complete the "rehab," the base panel 44 of the cross-connect cabinet 12 is attached to the brackets 56, thereby aompressing the gasket 5~ between the universal enclosure 10 and the cross-connect cabinet 12. The ~eeder cables 13 are drawn from the apertures 36 in the base 20 of the universal enclosure 10 to the apertures 54 in the base panel 44 of the cross-connect cabinet 12.

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20~22~6 ~16-Most importantly, thls construction allows the feeder cables 13 to occupy only the same trench which accommodates the base 20 of the universal enclosure lo.
This reduces the amount of trenching that must be done 05 because a separate trench need not be dug to accept the feeder cables 13. Also, the universal enclosure 10 and the cross-connect cabinet 12 are commonly located, which can improve the aesthetics of the surrounding neighborhood, and increase convenience to workmen.
Another method of employment of the present invention allow~ for the mounting of the cross-connect cabinet 12 onto the un:Lversal enclosure lo as described above.
However, in this employment, the invention contemplates a unique way of connecting the equipment of the universal enclosure lO with that of the cross-connect cabinet 12 with feèder cables 13. This employment is most often used in new installations of universal enclosures lO and cross-connect cabinets 12, wherein the same ~re pre-assembled as a unit p:rior to ins~tallation.

Specifically, in this employment o~E the invention, an opening 60 is disposed through one of the panels 18 of :
the universal enclosure 10, while a correspondingly aligned opening 62 is disposed through one o~ khe panels 46 o~ the cross-connect cabinet 12. The openings 60 and 62 are similar in dimension, and have diameters su~ficient to accept feeder cables 13. The opening 62 in the cross-connect cabinet 12 iæ disposed through a panel 3~ 46 thereo~ which opposes a panel 18 of the universal enclosure lO. The openings 60 and 62 are disposed within a perimeter defined by the gasket 58 attached to the panel 46. In this manner, the openings 60 and 62 are protected fro~ the outside environment when the cross-connect cabinet 12 is mounted to the universal enclosure 10. The openings 60 and 62 line up coaxially when the cross-connect cabinet 12 is mounted on the universal enclosure 10.

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With the cross-connect cabinet 12 mounted on the universal enclosure 10, as disclosed above, and with the openings 60 and 62 being lined up, a nippl~ 64, having projections or threads 66 thereon, is disposed within 05 and through both of the openings 60 and 62, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, and communicating from the interior 24 of the universal enclosure lo to the interior 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12. Preferably, th nipple 64 comprises a nylon insulated CHASE~ nipple, as available, for example, as catalog no. 1951 from Thomas & Betts, or other electrical supply vendors. The interior of the nipple 64 bears a layer of electrical insulation 65, preferably of nylon. One end 68 of the nipple 64 extends into the interior 24 oP the universal enclosure 10, while ths opposite end 70 has an enlarged flange which extends into the interior 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12.

To secure the nipple 64 within the openings 60 and 62, a sealing lcck-nut 72 is disposed on the nipple 64 between the end ~8 and the panel 18 of the universal enclosure 10. ~he sealing lock-nut 72 engages the thraads 66, and pulls the opposite end 70 of the nipple 64 toward the opening 62.

Additionally, a pair of sealing ring~ 74A and 74B are di~po~ed on the nipple 64. The sealin~ rings 74A and 74B
engage the threads 66 on the nipple 64 in order to provide a snug ~it and seal at respective panels 18 and 46. Preferably, one sealing ring 74A is disposed on the nipple 64 between the panel 18 of the universal enclosure 10, and the panel 46 of the cross-connect cabinet 12. When tightened, the sealing lock-nut 72 compresse~ the panel 18 of the universal enclosure lo between the sealing ring 74A and the sealing lock-nut 72. The sealing ring 74B is disposed on the end 70 of the nipple 64 in the interior 4B of the cross-connect , , ~ ' ., 20~22~

cabinet 12. When the assembly is tightened, the panel 46 o~ the cross-connect cabinet 12 is compressed between the sealing rings 74A and 74Bo When the construction of the nipple 64, the sealing lock-nut 72, and the sealing 05 rings 74A and 74B is completed, these elements form a means or allowing cable transmission 76 between the interior 24 of the universal enclosure 10, and the interior 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12, as shown in Fig. 8.
Preferably, the sealing ring 72 comprises a sealing ring, catalog no. 5311, available from Thomas and Betts, or from other electrical supply vendors. Preferably, the ~ealing loc~-nut is available under catalog no. SL-lO
from Mldwest Electric, or from other electrical supply vendors.

With the means for allowing sealsd cable transmission 76 ~;
completed, the feeder cables 13 are ready for insertion therethrough. Referring to Fig. 7, the ~eeder cables 13, in the interior 24 of the universa;L enclosure 10, are drawn upward, and guided through the interior o~ the nipple 64, engaging the layer o~ insulation 65. The insulation 65 assures that there wiLll be no chance of damaging the ~eeder cables 13 by means of contact with the nipple 64 or other rough surfaces. The feeder cables 13 are drawn through tha nipple 64, and into the interior 48 of the cross-connect cabinet 12, as shown in Fig. 6, I~ the feeder cables 13 do not occupy the entirety of the interior of the nipple 64, a fire resistant sealing materlal fi7 is pressed into ~he llnused space in the lnterior of the nipple 64 after the feeder cables 13 have been routed therethrough, as shown in Fig. ~ and 7.
This sealing material is removable for routing more feeder cables 13 in thQ ~uture, or ~or maintenance thereon. The feeder cables 13, or elements thereof, may .. , .: ........... : . ~
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now be connected to the distribution cables 17 by means of the banks 50 of terminals 15. With the feeder cables 13 thus connected, the construction and wiring of the universal enclosure lO and the cross-connect cabinet 12 05 is substantially completer as shown in Fig. 4 and Fig.
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This employment o~ the invention allows the cross-connect cabinet 12 to be mounted to the universal enclosure 10 while still in the factory. Also, the wiring of the feeder cables 13 can take place in the fa¢tory, resulting in lower labor costs in the ~ield.
Addition~lly, the present invention eliminates totally the need to dig ~urther trenches in order to accept the feeder cables 13. This allows the use of less expensive, lighter-~acketed feeder aables in the second embodiment described above. By mounting the cross-connect cabinet 12 to the universal enclosure lO, the space needed for mounting thes~ devices in the ground can be greatly reduced, resulting in more land area for an~oyment by the population. Also, the convenience to workmen can be greatly increased by reducin~ or eliminating the need to dig up the feeder cables 13 for servicing, and ~he nleed to travel to two separat~ locations to ~ervice the universal enclosure lO
and the cross-connect cabinet 12. The universal enclosure lO and the cross-connect cabinet 12 of the present invention present a signi~icant step forward in telecommunications signal distribution.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described in detail, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications of the present inv~ntion, in its various a~pects, may be mad2 without departing from the invention in its broader aspects, some o which changes and modifications being matters of routine engineering or design, and others being apparent only after study. As such, the scope of :

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the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiment and specific construction described herein but should be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof. Accordingly, the aim in the S appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

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Claims (11)

1. An environmentally sealed, controlled access enclosure comprising: a controlled access, environmentally sealed universal enclosure for housing outside plant communications equipment used for processing of communications signals received from a central office and for protecting the outside plant communications equipment from possibly harmful effects of a surrounding environments a controlled access, environmentally sealed cross connect cabinet for housing outside plant connection equipment used for connection between the universal enclosure and subscriber distribution cables and for protecting the outside plant connection equipment from possibly harmful effects of a surrounding environment; cross-connect cabinet mounting means mounted on at least one of the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet; the cross-connect cabinet mounting means being capable of supporting the cross-connect cabinet in a disposition in close proximity to the universal enclosure so as to effectively join the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet; and cable feeding means for delivering feeder cables for transmitting communications signals from the universal enclosure to the cross-connect cabinet, in such a manner so that no additional trenches need be dug to route the feeder cables therebetween.

2. An enclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein a seal is disposed between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet, the seal confronting both the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet so as to form a weatherproof, water-tight joint between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet, so as to insure that both the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet can protect equipment contained therein from possibly harmful effects of the surrounding environment.

3. An enclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein the cross-connect cabinet mounting means comprises a bracket capable of joining the cross-connect cabinet to the universal enclosure.

4. An enclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein the cross-connect cabinet mounting means mounts the cross-connect cabinet on the universal enclosure so that the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet share a common ground level.

5. An enclosure as defined in claim 1 wherein the cable feeding means comprise aligned openings in the cross-connect cabinet and the universal enclosure, the openings being of sufficient diameter to route the feeder cables directly from the universal enclosure to the cross-connect cabinet; the cross-connect cabinet being mounted on the universal enclosure in such a fashion so that the opening in the universal enclosure is closely adjacent to and aligned with the opening in the cross-connect cabinet, the feeder cables being capable of routing directly from the universal enclosure into the cross-connect cabinet through the aligned openings.

6. An enclosure as defined in claim 5 wherein protective means are disposed within the aligned openings for maintaining the universal enclosure and cross-connect cabinet sealed while allowing the feeder cables to communicate between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet and to protect the cables as they so communicate.

7. An enclosure as defined in claim 5 wherein a fire resistant sealing material is disposed within the aligned openings for maintaining the universal enclosure and cross-connect cabinet sealed while allowing the feeder cables to communicate between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet and to protect the cables as they so communicate.

8. An enclosure as defined in claim 6 wherein the protective means comprise a nipple of sufficient diameter to accept cables disposed within the openings, and at least one lock-nut, the lock-nut being capable of firmly holding the nipple in a fixed disposition within the openings.

9. An enclosure as defined in claim 8 wherein the nipple has a layer of insulation on an interior surface thereof so as to prevent damage to and shorting of the cables.

10. An enclosure as defined in claim 9 wherein the protective means further includes at least one sealing ring engaged with the nipple and with surfaces of at least one of the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet about the aligned openings for maintaining an environmental seal about the aligned openings.

11. An environmentally sealed, controlled access enclosure comprising: an environmentally sealed, control access universal enclosure for housing outside plant equipment used for the transmission of signals and for protecting the equipment from possibly harmful effects of a surrounding environment, and having an opening therein; an environmentally sealed, controlled access cross-connect cabinet for housing connection equipment used for connection between the universal enclosure and subscriber distribution cables and for protecting the connection equipment from possibly harmful effects of a surrounding environment, and having an opening therein;
the openings being of sufficient diameter to accept feeder cables which carry signals to be transmitted from the universal enclosure to the cross-connect cabinet;
the cross-connect cabinet being mounted on the universal enclosure in such a fashion so that the opening in the universal enclosure is in alignment with the opening in the cross-connect cabinet; and cable feeding means for delivering feeder cables between the universal enclosure and the cross-connect cabinet through the aligned openings.