Abstract:
An enclosure installation assembly comprises a support base and a mounting pad adapted to be secured to the support base. The support base, having a lower portion slightly larger than its upper portion, is placed in a hole in the ground. Dirt is compacted around the support base to secure the support base in place. The mounting pad is then secured to the support base using support braces that internally engage the support base and fasteners that engage the mounting pad. Finally, an enclosure is installed on the mounting pad, with fasteners located inside the enclosure. The resulting enclosure is securely and easily installed, and is tamper resistant.

Description:
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. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a support base for an enclosure according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a mounting pad for an enclosure for use with the support base of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a partially cut-away view of a secure enclosure support system that includes the support base of FIG.  1  and the mounting pad of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an enclosure support system using the support base of FIG.  1  and the mounting pad of FIG.  2 . 
     FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of the enclosure support system of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure support system of FIG.  3 . 
     FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another embodiment of an enclosure support system according to the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference is now made to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout. 
     FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a support base  100  for use in a system for supporting and installing enclosures. A preferred support base of the type described below is commercially available from Associated Plastics, Riverside, Calif. As illustrated, the support base  100  is made of several tiers of rectangular-shaped frames  115 , stacked upon one another. The size of the frames  115  gradually decreases from bottom to top of the support base  100 . The support base  100  is preferably made of a heavy-duty plastic, but may also be formed of fiberglass, metal or any other suitable material. While the support base  100  as illustrated in the figures has several tiers, it is not essential that the support base  100  be so formed. Any support that is larger at its base than at its top and is capable of supporting the weight of the enclosure and mounting pad can be used. It is to be understood that the tiered support is for illustrative purposes only. 
     The support base  100  preferably has an open bottom (not shown in FIG. 1) and an open top  105  and is hollow throughout. The support base  100  has four side surfaces  190  forming the sides of a rectangular box, and a base  110 . The base  110  is the largest of the tiers and forms a relatively large rectangular shape that forms the bottom of the four side surfaces  190  of the rectangular box. The support base  100  is designed to support the mounting pad and the enclosure. Strengthening flanges  140  can be provided at the base  110  to provide additional strength, allowing the support base  100  to support the mounting pad and the enclosure. 
     As shown in the drawing, The first frame  115  is located above the base  110 . The first frame  115  has a rectangular footprint that is smaller than that of the base  110 . Thus, the footprint of the first frame  115  is a rectangle located inside another rectangle representing the footprint of the base layer  110 . Similarly, a second and a third frame  115  are provided above the first frame  115 , each having a successively smaller rectangular footprint. Each frame  115  has its rectangular footprint within the rectangular footprint of the preceding frame  115 . The height of each of the frames may be designed to provide a desired height for the support base  100 , the height being selected to provide sufficient stability when the support base  100  is installed. This configuration provides the support base  100  with a somewhat conical profile. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, each side surface  190  is provided with three vertical portions  115 . However, it is understood that any number of vertical portions  115  can be used to form the side surfaces  190 . Alternatively, the side surfaces  190  can be continuous smooth surfaces forming a truncated pyramidal shape. Additionally, it is understood that the support base  100  need not be of a rectangular shape; various shapes can be used, including but not limited to any polygonal cone or a purely circular cone. 
     Preferably, strengthening flanges  140  are provided on the inside and/or outside surface of the support base  100 . The flanges  140  run substantially vertically along the side surfaces  140  of the support base  100 . The flanges  140  provide support for the vertical portions  115  of the four side surfaces  190 . 
     A ledge  195  is located on the interior surface of the support base  100 , near the top edge  120 . The top edge  120  is preferably of a substantially rectangular shape. The top edge  120  of the uppermost vertical portion  115  serves as a resting surface for a mounting pad. One embodiment of a mounting pad  200  is illustrated in FIG.  2  and will be described here with reference to FIG.  2 . 
     The mounting pad  200  is a substantially rectangular plate with a flat top surface  210 . The mounting pad  200  is preferably made of a metallic material such as steel or aluminum or a UV-stabilized plastic. A preferred embodiment of the mounting pad  200  is made from {fraction (3/16)}-inch thick, marine-grade aluminum. Aluminum is preferred, as it provides several advantages over other materials. It has the ability to provide protection against lightening strikes, thereby preventing damage to the enclosure and its contents. Additionally, marine-grade aluminum provides increased resistance to corrosion. In areas where lightening strikes are not a concern, UV-stabilized plastic can be used, thereby reducing costs of manufacture. 
     The mounting pad  200  is provided with an edging  220  that is formed perpendicular to the plane of the top surface  210 . An opening  240  is provided near the center of the top surface  210  of the mounting pad  200 . The opening  240  is sized so as to fit within the base of the enclosure  300  (see FIG.  6 ). Multiple openings can be provided, if desired, to accommodate multiple enclosures (see FIG.  7 ). In addition, the size and shape of the opening  240  may be varied to meet specific needs. The opening  240  in the mounting pad  200  should be sized to allow passage of the pipes, cables  310 , and the like from the interior of the enclosure  300  into the ground below (see FIG.  3 ). 
     One or more holes  250  are provided on the top surface  210  of the mounting pad  200  around the opening  240 . These holes  250  are adapted to receive fasteners, such as bolts or screws, used to secure the enclosure to the mounting pad  200  and the support base  100 . Preferably, the through holes  250  are provided with rubber grommets (not shown) to keep the fasteners in place during the installation process. 
     FIGS. 3-6 illustrate the engagement of the support base  100 , the mounting pad  200  and an enclosure  300 . FIG. 3 illustrates the support system and the enclosure installed. Prior to installation, a hole roughly the shape of and slightly larger than the size of support base  100  is dug in the ground to accommodate the support base  100 . The location of the hole can be determined by the location of the pipes and cables  310  used, for example, to provide controls for a landscaping irrigation system. Once the hole is dug, the support base  100  is inserted into the hole. Preferably, approximately three inches of the support base  100  are left above ground to facilitate installation of the mounting pad  200 . The inside of the support base  100  is then preferably filled with pea gravel or other filler to minimize rodent and moisture problems. Alternatively, the pea gravel can be added after the installation of the enclosure. This allows for the movement of the pipes and cables  310  during installation. Once the support base  100  is in position, dirt is backfilled and compacted around the outside of the support base  100 . This secures the support base  100  in its location. 
     The mounting pad  200  is then placed on top of the support base  100 . Support braces or clamps  340  are used to secure the support base  100  to the mounting pad  200 . As more clearly shown in FIG. 4, the support braces  340  are elongated metal braces, having a U-shaped cross-section. The braces  340  are provided with at least one hole to accommodate fasteners, such as bolts  320 . Alternatively, the bolts  320  may be permanently affixed to the support braces  340 . All mounting hardware is preferably made of stainless steel to prevent corrosion and rust. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the length of the support braces  340  is sufficient to allow the support braces  340  to span the width of the support base  100  and engage an interior ledge  195  of the support base  100 . The interior ledge  195  preferably spans the length of two opposing sides of the support base  100  and is located near the top opening  105  of the support base  100 . Preferably, the support braces  340  are installed with the open side of the U-shape contacting the interior ledge  195 , as shown in FIG.  4 . 
     The mounting pad  200  is secured to the support base  100  by inserting the fasteners  320  through the holes  250  in the mounting pad  200  . Thus, the support braces  340  clamp the interior ledge  195  of the support base  100  between the support brace  340  and the mounting pad  200 . The fasteners  320  extend through the holes  250  in the mounting pad  200 . The fasteners  320  and, consequently, the support braces  340  are temporarily held in place by the rubber grommets provided around the holes  250  of the mounting pad  200 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 6, the enclosure  300  is then mounted on the mounting pad  200 . The enclosure  300  is preferably a metal cabinet with a locking door  330  (see FIG.  3 ). The enclosure  300  is secured to the mounting pad  200  with the fasteners  320 . The bolts  320 , already inserted through the holes  250  in the mounting pad  200 , are positioned in the corresponding holes provided in the base of  390  of the enclosure  300 , extending into the interior of the enclosure  300 . Nuts  350  are used to secure the bolts  320  in place. The support braces  340 , support base  100 , mounting pad  200  and the enclosure  300  are thereby secured together. The fasteners  320  are advantageously located inside the enclosure  300 , preventing vandals from removing them and accessing or removing the enclosure  300 . 
     As illustrated in FIG. 7, the support base  100  and the mounting pad  200  may be designed to support two or more enclosures. For example, the mounting pad  200  can be provided with two openings  240   a,    240   b  each with a set of through holes  250 . Each opening  240   a,    240   b  in the mounting pad  200  can be accompanied with a set of support braces  340  and interior ledges  195  in the support base  100 . Thus, each opening  240  can accommodate a separate enclosure. 
     Advantageously, the mounting pad  200  can be provided in a variety of colors adapted to satisfy the varying needs. For example, the mounting pad  200  may be provided in green to match the color of a grassy landscape. Other colors may be used, for example, with desert landscapes. 
     Thus, the invention provides a secure installation of an enclosure without the need for special preparation of the ground for pouring of concrete. Additionally, the mounting pad is easily manufactured to accommodate a wide variety of support bases and enclosures. Further, the use of the support braces to secure the components of the system eliminates the need for high-precision manufacturing. The installation is made secure by preventing unauthorized access to the mounting hardware. 
     While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.