Abstract:
Telecommunications enclosures ( 10, 110 ) and related methods are disclosed. In one aspect, the enclosure ( 10 ) includes a base ( 20 ), a cover ( 40 ), a lock assembly ( 70 ) for securing the base ( 20 ) to the cover ( 40 ), and a key ( 60 ) for operating the lock assembly ( 70 ). In one aspect, a lock clip ( 80 ) of the lock assembly ( 70 ) enables operation of the lock assembly ( 70 ) when the cover ( 40 ) is in the closed position. In another aspect, the lock clip ( 80 ) disables operation of the lock assembly ( 70 ) when the cover ( 40 ) is in the open position such that the lock assembly ( 70 ) is prevented from being operated out of the open position. In yet another aspect, the key ( 60 ) is prevented from being removed from the cover ( 40 ) when the key ( 60 ) operates the lock assembly ( 70 ) out of the locked position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/073,631, filed on Oct. 31, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to systems and methods for locking telecommunications enclosures. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Enclosures are known for managing telecommunications cables and connectivity equipment, including splices, splitters, wave division multiplexers and termination. The enclosures may be mounted outside and include movable covers for accessing an interior of the enclosures. There is a need for maintaining the covers in the closed position. There is also a need for providing limited access to the interiors, such as with a security feature. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    A telecommunications enclosure is disclosed having a cover, a base, a lock assembly, and a key for operating the lock assembly. The disclosed combination of features results in an enclosure in which the key can only rotate the lock assembly to a locked position when the cover is fully closed and in which the key can only be axially removed from the cover when the lock assembly is in the locked position. In one example, a portion of the base axially engages with the lock assembly only when the cover is fully closed relative to the base. This engagement enables the lock assembly to be moved out of the unlocked position and towards the locked position by operation of the key. This configuration prevents an operator from axially removing the key when the cover may not be fully closed and/or unlocked and ensures that the cover is fully closed and locked to the base before removal of the key is allowed. 
         [0005]    In one aspect of the disclosure, a method for servicing a telecommunications enclosure is provided. The method can include the steps of: providing a telecommunications enclosure having a base and a cover that can be secured together with a lock assembly operable by a key; axially inserting the key into the lock assembly; rotating the key to axially engage the key to the cover and to rotate a lock member to an unlocked position such that the cover can be opened with respect to the base; and disabling the operation of the lock assembly such that the lock assembly cannot be moved out of the unlocked position by opening the cover to axially disengage the lock assembly from a portion of the base. The method can also include the steps of: enabling the operation of the lock assembly such that the lock assembly can be moved out of the unlocked position by closing the cover such that the lock assembly axially engages with the portion of the base; rotating the key to axially disengage the key from the cover and to rotate the lock member to a locked position such that the cover cannot be opened with respect to the base; and axially removing the key from the lock assembly. 
         [0006]    In one example, the cover can be movable between open and closed positions relative to the base. In one aspect, the base includes a lock engagement feature and a lock activation feature. In another aspect, the cover includes a key engagement feature. The telecommunications enclosure can also include a lock assembly including a lock member for locking the cover to the base via engagement with the lock engagement feature. The lock assembly can also include a lock clip for enabling and disabling operation of the lock assembly. A key may also be provided to operate the lock assembly. In one example, the key includes a cover engagement structure. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, the lock clip enables operation of the lock assembly when the cover is in the closed position, wherein the lock clip is engaged with the lock activation feature when the cover is in the closed position. In another aspect, the lock clip disables operation of the lock assembly when the cover is in the open position such that the lock assembly is prevented from being operated out of the open position. In yet another aspect, the key engagement feature engages with the cover engagement structure to secure the key to the cover when the key operates the lock assembly out of the locked position. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an example telecommunications enclosure having a lock assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a key usable for locking and unlocking a lock assembly associated with the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 , with the key removed; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a lock core associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lock core of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cap associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a retainer associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the lock core of  FIG. 6  aligned with a lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the lock core of  FIG. 6  inserted into the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 8  aligned with the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 8  inserted onto the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of the inserted cap and lock core onto the lock shaft feature of  FIG. 1  with a retainer aligned with a groove in the lock core; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 15  with the retainer installed onto the lock core; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional side view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in an open position with the key partially inserted; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a partially open position with the key fully inserted with the lock assembly in an unlocked position; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position with the key fully inserted with the lock assembly in an unlocked position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional side view of the telecommunications enclosure shown in  FIG. 19 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position with the key fully inserted with the lock assembly being turned towards the locked position; 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position with the key fully inserted with the lock assembly being in the locked position; 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional side view of the telecommunications enclosure shown in  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position with the partially removed with the lock assembly being in the locked position; 
           [0033]      FIG. 25  is a perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  is an enlarged portion of the perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure shown in  FIG. 25 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a second example of a telecommunications enclosure having a lock assembly in accordance with principles of the present disclosure; 
           [0036]      FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 29  is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 30  is a perspective view of a portion of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 31  is a perspective view of a lock core associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0040]      FIG. 32  is a perspective view of the lock core of  FIG. 31 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 33  is a perspective view of a rotation disk associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 34  is a perspective view of a retainer associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0043]      FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a cap associated with the lock assembly of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 36  is a cross-sectional view of the lock core of  FIG. 31  aligned with a lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0045]      FIG. 37  is a cross-sectional view of the lock core of  FIG. 31  inserted into the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 38  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 35  aligned with the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0047]      FIG. 39  is a perspective view of the cap of  FIG. 35  inserted onto the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 40  is a cross-sectional view of the cap of  FIG. 35  inserted onto the lock shaft feature of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27 ; 
           [0049]      FIG. 41  is a cross-sectional view of the inserted cap and lock core onto the lock shaft feature of  FIG. 27  with a rotation disk aligned with a groove in the lock core; 
           [0050]      FIG. 42  is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 41  with the rotation disk installed onto the lock core; 
           [0051]      FIG. 43  is a cross-sectional view of the inserted cap, lock core, and rotation disk onto the lock shaft feature of  FIG. 27  with a retainer aligned with a groove in the lock core; 
           [0052]      FIG. 44  is a cross-sectional view of the lock assembly of  FIG. 43  with the retainer installed onto the lock core; 
           [0053]      FIG. 45  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27  in an open position with the key partially inserted; 
           [0054]      FIG. 46  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27  in a partially open position with the key fully inserted with the lock assembly in an unlocked position; 
           [0055]      FIG. 47  is a cross-sectional view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position with the key fully inserted with the lock assembly in an unlocked position; 
           [0056]      FIG. 48  is an enlarged portion of the cross-sectional side view of the telecommunications enclosure shown in  FIG. 47 ; 
           [0057]      FIG. 49  is a cross-sectional side view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 1  in a fully closed position with the lock assembly in the locked position and the key partially removed; 
           [0058]      FIG. 50  is a perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27  in a partially open position with the key fully inserted; 
           [0059]      FIG. 51  is a perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27  in a fully closed position; and 
           [0060]      FIG. 52  is a perspective view of the telecommunications enclosure of  FIG. 27  in a fully closed position with the key fully inserted. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0061]    Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Whenever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a telecommunications enclosure  10  is shown. Telecommunications enclosure  10  is for housing telecommunications components in an enclosed, secure environment within an interior volume  12 . 
         [0063]    As shown, telecommunications enclosure  10  includes a base  20  and a cover  40  that cooperatively define the interior volume  12 . The base  20  can be configured with a mounting surface  22  to provide a support surface for mounting telecommunications components, such as telecommunications cables, connectivity equipment, splices, splitters, wave division multiplexers, and terminations. The base  20  can also be configured to include a lock engagement feature  24  for engaging with a lock assembly  70 , discussed later. In the embodiment shown, the lock engagement feature  24  is configured as a latching surface  24  that is integrally molded into the base  20 . 
         [0064]    The cover  40  can be configured with a cover surface  42  and one or more sidewalls  44  to cover and protect the telecommunications components. However, the base  20  could be provided with sidewalls in addition to or instead of the cover  40  being provided with sidewalls. In one example, the cover  40  is rotatably attached to the base  20 . In one example, the cover  40  is removable from the base  20 . 
         [0065]    In one aspect, the cover  40  is provided with a lock shaft feature  46  configured for receiving and engaging with a key  60  that operates the lock assembly  70 , and acts as a handle for opening or removing the cover  40 . The lock shaft feature  46  is also shown as being configured to support the lock assembly  70 . In the embodiment shown, the lock shaft feature  46  is configured with a generally cylindrical sidewall  48 , having an interior side  48   a , an exterior side  48   b , and an open end  48   c . The open end  48   c  is shown as being provided with stop grooves  50  to prevent the lock assembly  70  from rotating beyond the locked position and beyond the unlocked position. The sidewall  48  may also be provided with a notch or other similar feature for engaging with a cap  84  of the lock assembly  70  to prevent rotation of the cap  84 . Along the interior side  48   a  of the sidewall  48 , an engagement structure  52  configured as a ramped protrusion is provided. The engagement structure  52  interacts with a corresponding cover engagement structure  68  of the key  60 . 
         [0066]    As most easily seen at  FIG. 3 , the key  60  is provided with a post  62  with a first end  62   a  and a second end  62   b , and with a handle  64  having a first handle portion  64   a  and a second handle portion  64   b . The handle portion  64  provides an operator with the means to both manually rotate the key  60  to unlock the lock assembly  70  and to pull the cover  40  open with the key  60  once the lock assembly  70  is unlocked. The key is also provided with a lock engagement structure  66 , discussed later, for operating the lock assembly  70 . The cover engagement feature  68  of the key  60  is shown as being provided on the post portion  62  and is configured as an L-shaped groove structure having a first portion  68   a  and a second portion  68   b . As shown, the first portion  68   a  extends along the length of the post  62  from the first end  62   a  and towards the second end  62   b  of the post  62 . The second portion  68   b  is shown as adjoining the first portion  68   a  and being disposed circumferentially about a portion of the post  62 . As such, the first portion  68   a  is generally orthogonal to the second portion  68   b  of the cover engagement feature  68 . 
         [0067]    In use, the post  62  of the key  60  is initially inserted into the lock shaft feature  46  and is oriented such that the first portion  68   a  of the cover engagement structure  68  is aligned with the key engagement feature  52  of the lock shaft feature  46 . When the key  60  is aligned in such a manner, the lock assembly  70  is in a locked position such that the cover  40  cannot be removed from the base  20 . Once aligned, the key post  62  can be more fully inserted into the lock shaft feature  46  until the key engagement feature  52  bottoms out against the second portion  68   b  of the cover engagement feature  68 . The location of the second portion  68   b , as defined by the length of the first portion  68   a , is such that the lock engagement structure  66  of the key  60  can only engage the lock assembly  70  when the key  60  has been fully inserted such that the key engagement feature  52  and the second portion  68   b  are aligned. Before this point, the key engagement feature  52  and the cover engagement structure  68  prevent rotation of the key  60 . 
         [0068]    Once the key post  62  has been inserted sufficiently to cause alignment between the second portion  68   b  and the key engagement feature  52 , and when the cover  40  is fully closed, the key  60  can be rotated to operate the lock assembly  70 . However, this rotation then causes the second portion  68   b  of the cover engagement structure  68  to engage with the key engagement feature  52  such that the key  60  is prevented from being pulled axially out of the lock shaft feature  46 . In this orientation, the key  60  can act as a handle for pulling the cover  40  away from the base  20 , or vice versa. It is noted that the key engagement feature  52  could be constructed as a groove or recess and the cover engagement structure  68  could be constructed as a protrusion without departing from the above described concepts. 
         [0069]    As presented the lock assembly  70  includes a number of components, including a lock core  82 , a cap  84  mounted to the lock shaft feature  46  on the cover  40 , and a retainer  86 , such as a circlip, that secures the lock core  82  onto the cap  84 . As shown, the lock core  82  can be provided with a key engagement feature  90  and a lock member  92 . The lock member  92  is configured to engage with a corresponding lock engagement feature  24  on the base  20  such that the cover  40  can be locked to the base  20  through rotation of the lock core  82 . The lock engagement structure  66  of the key  60  is configured to engage with the key engagement feature  90  of the lock core  82  such that the key  60  can rotate the lock core  82 . This configuration allows the key  60  to rotate the lock assembly  70  between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the lock member  92  is selectively engaged and disengaged with the lock engagement feature  24  on the base  20 . 
         [0070]    As most easily seen at  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the lock core  82  can be formed as an integral component having a main body  88  including the key engagement feature  90  and the lock member  92 . These features can also be separable components assembled together. As shown, the key engagement feature  90  is configured as a protrusion  90   a  having a generally triangular prism shape with a further indexing protrusion  90   b  extending from one of the sides of protrusion  90   a . As can be seen at  FIG. 3 , the key lock engagement structure  66  has a corresponding recessed shape. Many other complementary shapes are possible without departing from the concepts herein. The protrusion  90   b  and corresponding recessed feature on the key  60  provide an indexing feature such that the key  60  can only engage with the lock assembly in a single orientation. It is noted that the key  60  could be provided with a lock engagement structure  66  that is formed as a protrusion and the core  82  could be provided with a key engagement feature  90  that is formed as a recess without departing from the concepts presented herein. Additionally, the key engagement feature  90  could be provided with a non-symmetrical shape to provide for proper indexing for the key  60 . 
         [0071]    The main body  88  of the lock core  82  can also be provided with additional features. One such feature is a groove  94  for receiving retainer  86 . Another feature is a pair of stand-offs  98  which engage with the stop grooves  50  to provide rotational stop positions for the lock core  82  at the fully locked position and the fully unlocked position. Another feature is a generally disk-shaped base structure  96  formed at the base of the key engagement feature  90 . The base structure  96  can be configured to perform at least two functions. First, the base structure  96  can act as an axial stop for the key  60  during insertion. Second, the base structure  96  can interact with the cap  84  to prevent the core  82  from rotating unless a corresponding feature  80  on the cap  84  is moved to a disengaged position, as discussed in more detail later. To facilitate this latter function, the base structure  96  can be provided with a notch  96   a , which can alternatively be provided as a protrusion. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 8-9 , the cap  84  is shown in greater detail. In one aspect, the cap  84  is integrally formed with a generally cylindrical sidewall  72  adjoining an end wall  74  having a central aperture  74   a  and having an opposite open end  76 . In one aspect, the cap  84  is inserted over the exterior side  48   b  of the sidewall  48  of the lock shaft feature  46 . To ensure that the cap  84  is properly oriented and installed onto the lock shaft feature  46 , and thus ensuring that the lock assembly  70  is properly oriented with respect to the base  20 , the cap sidewall  72  may be provided with a recessed indexing feature  78  that cooperatively engages with a corresponding protruding feature  47  on the lock shaft feature  46 . 
         [0073]    The cap  84  may also be provided with a lock clip  80  configured to engage with the notch  96   a  of the base structure  96 . As shown, the lock clip  80  is an integrally formed component of the cap  84 . In one aspect, the lock clip  80  has a first end  80   a  connected to the cap sidewall  72  and a second, free end  80   b . The sidewall  48  of the lock shaft feature  46  can include a notch  48   d  for allowing the ramped engagement surface  80   c  to extend into the interior side  48   a  of the lock shaft feature  46 . 
         [0074]    In one aspect, the second end  80   b  of the lock clip  80  is configured with a ramped engagement surface  80   c . The ramped engagement surface  80   c  is for engaging with a lock activation feature  26  on the base  20  when the cover  40  is closed relative to the base  20 . In the embodiment shown, the lock activation feature  26  is formed as a post structure  26  integrally molded into the base  20 . In a relaxed state, when the cover  40  is sufficiently open with respect to the base  20 , the second end  80   b  of the lock clip  80  is engaged with the notch  96   a  of the base structure  96  to prevent rotation of the core  82 . When the cover  40  is moved to the closed position with respect to the base  20 , the lock activation feature  26  engages with the ramped engagement surface  80   c  to deflect the second end  80   b  such that the second end  80   b  becomes disengaged from the notch  96   a  of the base structure  96 . Thus, the lock core  82  is free to rotate from the unlocked position to the locked position when the cover  40  is in the closed position. As configured, the notch  96   a  and lock clip  80  are configured such that the lock assembly  70  is in the unlocked position when the lock clip  80  is engaged with the notch  96   a . Accordingly, the lock assembly  70  cannot be moved into the locked position unless the lock clip  80  is disengaged from the notch  96   a  by fully closing the cover ( 40 ). 
         [0075]    Referring to  FIGS. 11-16 , the assembly of the lock assembly  70  onto the cover  40  is illustrated.  FIG. 11  shows the lock core  82  aligned with the open end  48   c  of the lock shaft feature  46 .  FIG. 12  shows the lock core  82  fully inserted into the lock shaft feature  46  such that the stand-offs  98  are received within the stop grooves  50  and such that the base structure  96  rests against the end  48   c  of the lock shaft feature  46 .  FIG. 13  shows the cap  84  aligned with the lock shaft feature  46  while  FIG. 14  shows the cap  84  fully inserted over the lock shaft feature  46  such that the cap end wall  74  is adjacent to and abutting the open end  48   c  of the lock shaft feature  46 .  FIG. 15  shows the retainer  86  aligned with the groove  94  on the lock core  82  while  FIG. 16  shows the completed assembly with the retainer  86  inserted into the groove  94 . The retainer  86  and the base structure  96  cooperate to retain the lock core  82  and the cap  84  onto the lock shaft feature  46 . 
         [0076]      FIGS. 17-28  further illustrate the operation of the lock assembly  70  with respect to the base  20  and cover  40 .  FIG. 17  shows the key  60  being inserted into the lock shaft feature  46 , after initial assembly of the lock assembly  70 , with the cover  40  in an open position such that the lock clip  80  is engaged with the base structure notch  96   a .  FIG. 18  shows the key  60  further inserted such that the cover engagement structure second portion  68   b  is engaged with the key engagement feature  52 . In the embodiment shown, the key engagement feature  52  is deflectable such that the cover engagement structure first portion  68   a  need not be initially aligned with the key engagement feature  52  when inserting the key  60  into the lock shaft feature  46 . Thus, the key  60  can be inserted into the lock shaft feature  56  in any rotational position. When the first portion  68   a  is not aligned with feature  52 , an audible click will be produced once the key  60  once the key  60  is rotated such that the engagement feature  52  snaps into the cover engagement structure second portion  68   b . Once in the key  60  is in this position, and as long as the cover  40  is not fully closed, the key  60  cannot be removed or turned due to the lock clip  80  being engaged with the notch  96   a .  FIGS. 25 and 26  further illustrate the interaction between the lock activation feature  26  and the lock clip  80  in this state. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 19 and 20  show the cover  40  in a fully closed position relative to the base  20  such that the lock activation feature  26  has engaged the ramped surface  80   c  to disengage the lock clip  80  from the base structure  96 . At this point, the key  60  can now be turned to operate the lock core  82 , as shown in  FIG. 21 .  FIG. 22  shows the key  60  having been turned such that the lock assembly  70  is in the locked position such that the cover  40  is now secured to the base  20 . At this point, the cover engagement structure first portion  68   a  is aligned with key engagement feature  52  to allow the key  60  to be removed from the lock shaft feature  46 , as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 . 
         [0078]    The above described combination of features results in a telecommunications enclosure  10  in which the key  60  can only operate the lock assembly  70  to a locked position when the cover  40  is fully closed and in which the key  60  can only be removed from the cover  40  when the lock assembly  70  is in the locked position. This operation prevents an operator from removing the key  60  when the cover  40  may not be fully closed and/or is unlocked and ensures that the cover  40  is fully closed and locked to the base  20  before removal of the key  60  is allowed. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIGS. 27-52 , a second embodiment of a telecommunications enclosure  110  is shown. Where like or similar features or elements are shown, corresponding or like reference numbers will be used where possible (e.g.  110  instead of  10 ). Many of the concepts and features of the second embodiment are similar to the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-26 . As such, the description for the first embodiment is applicable for the second embodiment. The description for the second embodiment will be limited to the differences between the first and second embodiments. The primary difference between the embodiments is the configuration of the lock assembly. 
         [0080]    As with the first embodiment, the telecommunications enclosure  110  includes a cover  140 , a base  120 , and a lock assembly  170  mounted to the cover  140 . The key  60  of the first embodiment  10  is usable with the second embodiment  110  and therefore does not require any additional discussion here. Also, the base  120  is of substantially similar construction as the base  20 . 
         [0081]    However, the lock shaft feature  146  of the cover  140  is slightly modified to accommodate the differently configured lock assembly  170 . For example, the lock shaft feature  146  is notched to accommodate a lock clip  232  and also includes a pair of channels  147  that engage with the sides  234  of the cap  220  of the lock assembly  170  secure the cap  220  to retain the lock shaft feature  146 . The cap  220  is further aligned and secured to the lock shaft feature  146  via a protrusion  228  on the cap which inserts into correspondingly shaped aperture  149  in the lock shaft feature  146 . The lock core  182  is also slightly modified in relation to the first embodiment. For example, the stand-offs  98  and notch  96   a  are not provided. Instead, the core  182  is additionally provided with a projection arrangement  206  disposed about an aperture  208  that interlocks with a corresponding projection arrangement  204  on a rotation disk  200  of the lock assembly  170 . The projection arrangements  204 ,  206  operate to rotationally fix the rotation disk  200  to the lock core  182 . 
         [0082]    As most easily seen at  FIGS. 31-35 , the lock assembly  170  has several additional features. Most notably, the lock assembly  170  relies upon a different structure to enable and disable the operation of the lock assembly  170  when the cover  140  is in the open position. Specifically, the lock assembly  170  includes the previously mentioned rotation disk  200  and cap  220  which interact to perform this function. The cap  220  includes a sidewall portion  222  connected to an end portion  224  having an aperture  226  and a projection  230 . The rotation disk  200  is provided with a notch  210  into which the projection  230  can be selectively engaged and disengaged by operation of a clip  232  connected to the end portion  224 . Similar to the clip  80  of the first embodiment, the clip  232  engages with the lock activation feature  126  provided on the base  120 . Accordingly, the lock assembly  170  is prevented from moving out of the unlocked position when the projection  230  is engaged with the notch  210 , which is the case when the cover  140  is not in the closed position (i.e. the cover  140  is in an at a least partially open position). Likewise, the operation of the lock assembly  170  is enabled when the cover  140  is closed and the lock activation feature  126  deflects the clip  232  upwards such that the projection  230  becomes disengaged from the notch  210 . 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 36-44 , the assembly of the lock assembly  170  onto the cover  140  is illustrated.  FIG. 36  shows the lock core  182  aligned with the opening  148   c  of the lock shaft feature  146 .  FIG. 37  shows the lock core  182  fully inserted into the lock shaft feature  146  such that the base structure  196  rests against the end  148   c  of the lock shaft feature  46 .  FIG. 38  shows the cap  220  aligned with the lock shaft feature  146  while  FIGS. 39-40  shows the cap  220  fully inserted over the lock shaft feature  146  such that the projection  228  extends into the aperture  149  and such that the sides  234  are inserted into channels  147 .  FIGS. 41 and 42  respectively show alignment and insertion of the rotation disk  200  onto the lock core  182 .  FIG. 43  shows the retainer  186  aligned with the groove  194  on the lock core  182  while  FIG. 44  shows the completed assembly with the retainer  186  inserted into the groove  194 . The retainer  186  and the base structure  196  cooperate to retain the lock core  182 , the rotation disk  200  and the cap  220  onto the lock shaft feature  146 . 
         [0084]      FIGS. 45-52  further illustrate the operation of the lock assembly  170  with respect to the base  120  and cover  140 .  FIG. 45  shows the key  60  being inserted into the lock shaft feature  146  with the cover  140  in an open position wherein the projection  230  is engaged within the notch  210 .  FIG. 46  shows the key  60  further inserted such that the cover engagement structure second portion  68   b  is engaged with the key engagement feature  152 . Once the key  60  is in this position, and as long as the cover  140  is not fully closed, the key  60  cannot be removed or turned due to the projection  230  being engaged with the notch  210 , as shown in  FIG. 50 . 
         [0085]      FIGS. 47-49  show the cover  140  in a fully closed position relative to the base  120  such that the lock activation feature  126  has engaged the projection  232  to lift and disengage the projection  232  from the notch  210 .  FIGS. 51-52  further illustrate this action. At this point, the key  60  can now be turned to operate the lock core  182 .  FIG. 49  shows the key  60  having been turned such that the lock assembly  170  is in the locked position such that the cover  140  is now secured to the base  120 . At this point, the cover engagement structure first portion  68   a  is aligned with key engagement feature  152  to allow the key  60  to be removed from the lock shaft feature  146 , as shown in  FIG. 49 . 
         [0086]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention and other modifications within the scope. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. It is understood that the description herein is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be limitative. 
       PARTS LIST 
       [0000]    
       
         
           
               10  telecommunications enclosure 
               12  interior volume 
               20  base 
               22  mounting surface 
               24  lock engagement feature 
               26  lock activation feature 
               40  cover 
               42  cover surface 
               44  sidewalls 
               46  lock shaft feature 
               47  indexing feature 
               48  sidewall 
               48   a  interior side 
               48   b  exterior side 
               48   c  open end 
               48   d  notch 
               50  stop grooves 
               52  key engagement structure 
               60  key 
               62  post 
               62   a  first end 
               62   b  second end 
               64  handle 
               64   a  first handle portion 
               64   b  second handle portion 
               66  lock engagement structure 
               68  cover engagement structure 
               68   a  first portion 
               68   b  second portion 
               70  lock assembly 
               72  cap sidewall 
               74  cap end wall 
               74  cap aperture 
               76  cap open end 
               78  indexing feature 
               80  lock clip 
               80   a  first end 
               80   b  second end 
               80   c  ramped engagement surface 
               82  core 
               84  cap 
               86  retainer 
               88  core main body 
               90  key engagement structure 
               90   a  triangular protrusion 
               90   b  protrusion 
               92  lock member 
               94  groove 
               96  base structure 
               96   a  notch 
               98  stand-offs 
               110  telecommunications enclosure 
               112  interior volume 
               120  base 
               122  mounting surface 
               124  lock engagement feature 
               126  lock activation feature 
               140  cover 
               142  cover surface 
               144  sidewalls 
               146  lock shaft feature 
               147  channels 
               148  sidewall 
               148   a  interior side 
               148   b  exterior side 
               148   c  opening 
               148   d  notch 
               149  aperture 
               150  stop grooves 
               152  key engagement structure 
               170  lock assembly 
               182  core 
               185  rotation disk 
               186  retainer 
               188  core main body 
               190  key engagement structure 
               190   a  triangular protrusion 
               190   b  protrusion 
               192  lock member 
               194  groove 
               196  base structure 
               200  cover disk 
               202  cover disk main body 
               204  cover disk projection arrangement 
               206  lock core projection arrangement 
               208  rotation disk aperture 
               210  rotation disk notch 
               220  cap 
               222  cap sidewall portion 
               224  cap end portion 
               226  cap end portion aperture 
               228  cap protrusion 
               230  lock protrusion 
               232  clip