Abstract:
An apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital service access equipment allows digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet to be accessible for coupling to other equipment disposed in the enclosure. The apparatus comprises a bracket, a wireway, and a fastener. The bracket is configured to attach to a substantially vertical surface of the enclosure. The attachment of the bracket to the enclosure provides a support for the cabinet. The wireway enables an interior of the enclosure to be coupled to an interior of the cabinet if the cabinet is attached to the bracket. The fastener attaches the cabinet to the bracket.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet such that digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet may be coupled to other equipment disposed in the enclosure.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Incumbent and competitive local exchange carriers that provide digital subscriber line (DSL) service have been fairly successful reaching their customer base that live within close proximity of a central office with high-speed data services. However, in many areas, the majority of the customers may not live near the central office. Typically, these customers receive their voice services via a digital loop carrier (DLC).  
           [0003]    Most of the large regional bell operating companies (RBOCs) have begun providing DSL service to customers that do not live within close proximity to the central office. Remote digital services access multiplexer (DSLAM) cabinets are deployed near existing DLC cabinets or distribution area cross-connect enclosures. Deployment of DSLAM cabinets can be quite expensive due to permit and right-of-way issues, and construction costs associated with concrete pad placement and trenching. For most installations, the cost to the service provider can be $50,000 to $100,000 per site. This relatively high initial cost creates a lengthy period before a return on the investment can be realized.  
           [0004]    The incumbent local exchange carrier&#39;s (ILEC) and RBOC&#39;s primary competitor is the cable television industry. In many regions, ILECs and RBOCs have started losing not only their data service customers but also their telephone service customers to this new competition. To compete with this well-positioned competitor, the ILECs and RBOCs compete on other levels such as video services. However, the ILEC and RBOC networks were not originally designed to provide video services easily. Thus, an economical method of providing video service access platforms closer to the customers/subscribers is desired.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    This summary of the invention section is intended to introduce the reader to aspects of the invention. Particular aspects of the invention are pointed out in other sections herein below, and the invention is set forth in the appended claims, which alone demarcate its scope.  
           [0006]    The present invention is directed to an apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital service access equipment allows digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet to be accessible for coupling to other equipment disposed in the enclosure. The apparatus comprises a bracket, a wireway, and a fastener. The bracket is configured to attach to a substantially vertical surface of the enclosure. The attachment of the bracket to the enclosure provides a support for the cabinet. The wireway enables an interior of the enclosure to be coupled to an interior of the cabinet if the cabinet is attached to the bracket. The fastener attaches the cabinet to the bracket.  
           [0007]    Another aspect of the present invention is directed to an apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital service access equipment. The apparatus comprises a bracket, a wireway, and a fastener. The bracket is configured to attach to a substantially vertical surface located proximate to the enclosure. The attachment of the bracket to the substantially vertical surface provides a support for the cabinet. At least one of an input cable and an output cable extend through the wireway to enable coupling of the digital service access equipment disposed in the cabinet to other equipment disposed in the enclosure. The fastener attaches the cabinet to the bracket.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified.  
         [0009]    For a better understanding of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description of the Invention, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 is a three dimensional perspective view of a cabinet attached to an enclosure;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 2 is a three dimensional perspective view of the cabinet;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 3 is a three dimensional perspective view of a bracket;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 4 is a side view illustrating the cabinet, the enclosure, and the bracket before assembly is completed;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 5 is a partial three dimensional perspective view of the cabinet, the enclosure, and the bracket illustrating a fastener that is arranged to attach the cabinet to the bracket; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 6 is a three dimensional perspective view of the cabinet attached to a modified housing of the enclosure, in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0016]    In the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanied drawings, which form a part hereof, and which is shown by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments of which the invention may be practiced. Each embodiment is described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.  
         [0017]    Briefly stated, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet such that digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet is accessible for coupling to other equipment disposed in the enclosure. The present invention enables a service provider to bring digital subscriber line (DSL) service to their subscribers that cannot be reached by central office based access equipment at a fraction of the cost and time normally associated with DSL deployment.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 1 illustrates a three dimensional perspective view of a cabinet ( 100 )attached to an enclosure ( 20 ) by a bracket( 130 ). Enclosure  20  is mounted on a concrete pad ( 30 ). Enclosure  20  has an attachment surface ( 22 ). Bracket  130  is attached to attachment surface  22  of enclosure  20 . Also, cabinet  100  is mounted on bracket  130  such that the cabinet is supported by concrete pad  30 . Although not shown, the interior of cabinet  100  is typically arranged to accommodate the operation of equipment for digital access such as digital service line (DSL) equipment.  
         [0019]    In another embodiment of the invention (not shown), bracket  130  can be attached to a substantially vertical surface such as a wall or pole located near enclosure  20 . In this embodiment, cabinet  100  may be mounted on bracket  130  such that cabinet  100  is supported by the substantially vertical surface. For some installations, this arrangement of cabinet  100  and bracket  130  can reduce and in some cases eliminate the need for right-of-way and construction permits, require no additional concrete pad and reduce construction costs when compared to other methods of digital services equipment deployment.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 illustrates a three-dimensional perspective view of cabinet  100 . Digital access equipment ca be disposed in cabinet  100  and can include a remote access module ( 114 ), a telephone service splitter ( 116 ), and a service protection center ( 118 ). Input and output cables ( 120 ) extend from cabinet  100  and these cables enable the digital access equipment to couple to other equipment disposed within enclosure  20 . Cabinet  100  includes a mounting surface ( 122 ) (shown in FIG. 4) and a roof ( 124 ) that can provide protection from the weather in outdoor locations.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 illustrates a three-dimensional perspective view of bracket  130 , which includes a base ( 140 ), a plate ( 150 ), and a fastening mechanism ( 160 ) for attaching the plate to the base. As shown, the base is a U-shaped member having a main body ( 142 ), and a pair of parallel arms ( 144 ) extending perpendicularly and unidirectionally from opposite ends of the main body. Fastening mechanism  160  may be any means for attaching the plate to the base such as screws, bolts, welded joints, and the like.  
         [0022]    In FIG. 3, exemplary fastening mechanism  160  is represented by four bolts ( 162 ) and four nuts (not shown). Bolts  162  are inserted into corresponding holes formed in base  140  and plate  150  to engage-with the threads of corresponding nuts. The plate is an elongate member having one end attached to the main body of base  140  by fastening mechanism  160  and an opposite free end such that the plate extends perpendicularly from the main body of base  140 . In another embodiment of the invention, the base and the plate can be integrally formed such that the bracket does not require a fastening mechanism. Also, a slot ( 152 ) can be formed along an edge of the free end of plate  150 . As shown, orifices ( 154 ) and slots ( 156 ) can be formed in a middle portion of plate  150 .  
         [0023]    Also referring to FIG. 4, orifices  154  and slots  156  of plate  150  can be used as a template to mark hole and slot locations on attachment surface  22  of enclosure  20 . Holes and slots (not shown) corresponding to orifices  154  and slots  156  of plate  150  can be formed in attachment surface  22  by means of a drill, hole saw, tool punch, and the like. The lining up of the holes formed in attachment surface  22  and orifices  154  create a port. The port can be used as a wireway that enables an interior of enclosure  20  to be coupled to an interior of cabinet  100  when the cabinet is attached to the bracket and disposed adjacent to enclosure  20 .  
         [0024]    Bracket  130  can be affixed to attachment surface  22  of enclosure  20  by a mounting mechanism. The mounting mechanism can be any means for affixing the bracket to the attachment surface such as screws, bolts, welded joints and the like. For example, the mounting mechanism can be represented by a bolt extending through each slot  156  of plate  150  and the corresponding slot in the attachment surface  22  to engage with the threads of a corresponding nut positioned within the enclosure.  
         [0025]    Input and output cables  120  of cabinet  100  are passed through the wireway. Input and output cables  120  can be connected to equipment disposed in enclosure  20  such that digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet is coupled to equipment disposed in the enclosure. Cabinet  100  is typically positioned on the base of the bracket such that the mounting surface abuts plate  150 .  
         [0026]    As shown in FIG. 5, an L-shaped tab ( 126 ) extends vertically and downwardly from the roof of cabinet  100  proximate to mounting surface  122 . Tab  126  enables the selective engagement of slot  152  so that cabinet  100  can be coupled to bracket  130 . Cabinet  100  is secured to bracket  130  by a securing mechanism (not shown). The securing mechanism can be any means for securing the cabinet to the bracket, such as screws, bolts, welded joints, and the like. For example, the securing mechanism can be represented by nuts engaging the threads of corresponding bolts to secure cabinet  100  to base  140 . Further, bracket  130  enables the cabinet to be supported by the concrete pad.  
         [0027]    In another embodiment, cabinet  100  is not attached to enclosure  20 . For example, cabinet  100  could be attached to any substantially vertical surface such as a wall or pole located near the enclosure.  
         [0028]    Referring to FIG. 6, an enclosure may have a shape that prevents cabinet  100  from being easily attached thereto. However, this type of enclosure ca be replaced with a modified housing ( 200 ). Modified housing  200  is shaped such that cabinet  100  can be attached to modified housing  200  as described above.  
         [0029]    The apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital access equipment simplifies and reduces the size and cost related to remote DSL deployment. Construction costs are avoided because the retrofitted cabinet does not require a new concrete pad for support. Installation time and cost are decreased because trenches between the cabinet and enclosure for burying the input and output cables are not required. Complications created by right-of-way issues do not arise when the cabinet is directly attached to the enclosure or to a modified enclosure that facilitates attachment of the cabinet.  
         [0030]    The above specification, examples, and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.