Security enclosure

This invention concerns a security enclosure and in particular an outdoor, non-metallic security enclosure for electrical equipment. The enclosure has a body and a cover which is connected to the body using connecting means such that the cover is movable between a first, closed position wherein the security enclosure is closed and a second, open position wherein the security enclosure is open. The cover is lockable in its closed position. Complementary shaped engagement formations carried by the body and cover engage one another so as to create a mechanical seal between the body and cover when the cover is in its closed position. Retaining formations carried by the body and cover respectively are configured to prevent the cover from being removed from the body when the cover is in its closed position. The invention also concerns a security system including a number of security enclosures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a 371 U.S. National Stage of International Application No. PCT/IB2018/060403, filed on Dec. 20, 2018, which claims priority to South African Application No. 2017/08734, filed on Dec. 21, 2017. The entire disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a security enclosure. More particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to an outdoor, non-metallic security enclosure for electrical equipment.

Security enclosures for electrical equipment are well-known and many variations are available in the market. However, there are many challenges to designing a security enclosure, particularly an outdoor enclosure. Vandalism is a growing global concern and enclosures are typically vandalised due to the high value of enclosure content, to bypass a smart meter, to disable a surveillance system or simply to strip the contents for sale on the black market. Although some of the known enclosures provide security features, these features are often by-passed with relative ease. For example, known enclosures are often vandalised by compromising their hinges in order to by-pass high security locks.

Access control is often affected in that ease of access for authorised personnel is adversely affected when addressing the vandalism challenge. Monitoring and tracking of access by authorised personnel are important as it has been found that criminal elements sometimes gain ‘authorised’ access to the enclosures.

Addressing the vandalism challenge also often raises the risk associated with human contact and shock. The vandalism challenge is typically addressed by including metallic components for reinforcement. However, the inclusion of metallic components increases the risk of personnel and the general public coming into contact with live electrical circuits. Also, when such an enclosure is mounted on a pole, for example, the risk to the person working at height is exacerbated. However, the use of non-metallic enclosures brings new challenges in respect of UV resistance and weatherability. Accelerated UV testing is primarily a measure of colour degradation. However, real life exposure has to cope with temperature cycling, rain and particulate rich wind. International standards do not currently exist to test this, leaving real life long-term field trials to provide the only genuine test of an enclosure's ability to withstand the elements.

Another challenge when designing outdoor enclosures, in particular non-metallic enclosures for use in housing electrical equipment, is to get the desired IP Levels for water and dust. It is well-known that electrical systems fail because of three main factors, namely temperature, water and dust. The latter two are addressed by the international standard IEC60529 (SANS IEC 60529). One drawback of many enclosures is that they simply do not seal reliably in order to meet the SANS standards consistently. As a result, equipment failures are often encountered when using these known enclosures that do not provide adequate IP Levels.

Yet another challenge when designing non-metallic enclosures is that of flammability. Although some plastic materials provide good impact resistance, they often provide very little resistance to flammability. For obvious reasons, a flammable plastics material cannot be used in security enclosures that form part of an electrical network. Ideally all enclosures used for housing electrical equipment or forming part of an electrical network should be non-flammable or, at the very least, be self-extinguishing. Most utility companies require compliance to IEC 62208, which stipulates the parameters of glow wire testing and flammability, in order to address vandalism. These materials may provide good resistance to impact but do not address the flammability challenge. Accordingly, vandals can easily destroy the enclosure by setting it alight.

When using non-metallic materials in the manufacture of the enclosure another factor that has to be taken in to account in the design phase is the weight of the enclosure. Whilst modern composites constantly deliver greater strength to weight performance there is no way of getting around the fact that weight is added when increasing the strength of a mechanical part. Considering that enclosures are frequently installed on upright poles or wall structures, it is important to keep the weight of the enclosure down to a level that does not compromise the integrity of the pole or wall structure. Keeping the weight down also facilitates installation of the enclosure at these elevated positions.

It has also been found that some non-metallic materials cause signal interference. These materials create a Faraday cage effect and interfere with signals that form part of the function of the equipment installed in the enclosure. For example, an antenna that is mounted outside an enclosure is a vulnerable point and is often affected when interference takes place. This is obviously unwanted as the performance of the electrical installation is affected.

A person skilled in the art will know that designing for the above challenges is complicated and the resulting solutions are generally expensive. Known enclosures that aim to address these challenges are in many instances prohibitively expensive. As a result, inferior enclosures may be installed, which compromises the electrical system. Electrical systems that are bypassed or out of order represent enormous loss in revenue that can never be recovered.

It is an object of this invention to alleviate at least some of the problems experienced with existing security enclosures. It is a further object of the invention to provide a security enclosure, in particular but not exclusively an outdoor non-metallic enclosure, and/or a security system including a security enclosure which address(es) the abovementioned design challenges.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a security enclosure that will be a useful alternative to existing enclosures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a security enclosure including:a body;a cover which is connected to the body using connecting means such that the cover is movable between a first, closed position wherein the security enclosure is closed and a second, open position wherein the security enclosure is open;locking means for locking the cover in its closed position;complementary shaped engagement formations carried by the body and cover that engage one another so as to create a mechanical seal between the body and cover when the cover is in its closed position; and retaining formations carried by the body and cover respectively, the retaining formations being configured to prevent the cover from being removed from the body when the cover is in its closed position.

The cover may have an obstructing formation that extends beyond the interface between the body and cover when the cover is in its closed position, thereby obstructing access to the interface between the body and cover.

The obstructing formation may be in the form of an exaggerated lip which at least partially conceals the connecting means connecting the body and cover to one another.

The cover may be connected to the body by means of at least one hinge, and wherein the lip is carried by a rear edge of the cover such that it extends at least partially over the hinge so that access to the hinge is obstructed by the lip.

The engagement formations may run along at least a major portion of the periphery of the body and cover. In one embodiment the engagement formations run along three sides of the enclosure.

The engagement or contact surfaces of the engagement formations may create an interface between the body and cover when the cover is in its closed position, and wherein the interface between the body and cover is concealed so as to obstruct access thereto.

The engagement formations may be in the form of at least one ridge which is received in a complementary shaped groove when the body and cover engage each other, wherein the engagement formation defining the groove has an internal rim and an external rim between which the groove is located, and wherein the engagement formation defining the ridge has shoulders which are shaped complementary to the internal and external rims.

The profiles of the contact surfaces between the engagement formations are preferably curved so as to enhance the integrity of the mechanical seal created by them.

The mechanical seal created by the complementary shaped engaging formations is preferably free from a gasket.

The mechanical seal created by the complementary shaped engaging formations is preferably IP Level66compliant.

The locking means may be in the form a mechanical lock that includes a coded nut and a magnetic cap which, in use, fits over the coded nut such that access to the coded nut is only gained once the magnetic cap is removed.

The locking means may include a second lock, which is preferably key operated.

The locking means may provide for central access control and tracking.

The locking means may include a dock and trace key system that allows for tracking from a central location.

The locking means may form part of a live GPS based access control system.

The locking means may be in the form of a GridLock Access Management (GLAM) lock that is operable using a smart key that is tracked using GPS.

The smart key is preferably connectable to mobile communication devices for communication with a centralised management platform.

The security enclosure is preferably manufactured from a non-metallic material, such as fibreglass reinforced polyester, for example.

The security enclosure may include a stay for holding the cover in its open position, wherein the stay includes a pneumatic cylinder which is movable between a first, supporting position wherein the cover is supported in its open position and a second, contracted position wherein the cover is in its closed position, and wherein the stay is biased to its locking position such that it automatically holds the cover in its open position when opening the cover.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a security system including:a number of security enclosures, preferably according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the locking means of each enclosure is coded;a number of coded tools for operating the coded locking means, wherein the coded tools correspond to the number of coded locking means such that each uniquely coded locking means has a corresponding tool for operating the coded locking means between its locked and open states; anda database containing information for mapping the security enclosures and their coded locking means against the corresponding coded tool required to operate the locking means of each security enclosure.

The locking means may include a coded nut and the coded tool may be a complementary shaped mechanical tool for engaging the coded nut.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention there is provided a security system including a number of security enclosures, preferably according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the locking means is in the form of a GridLock Access Management (GLAM) lock that is operable using a smart key that is connectable to a mobile communication device for communication with a central access control system for controlling access to the security enclosures based on the geographic data of the smart key and/or mobile device.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of mounting a security enclosure, the method including:providing a security enclosure;providing attachment points;attaching hoisting equipment to the attachment points and hoisting the box to the desired position;fixing a bracket carried by the security enclosure to the structure against which the security enclosure is to be mounted

The method of mounting the security enclosure may further include the following steps:attaching a first bracket to the security enclosure,attaching a second bracket to the structure against which the security enclosure is to be mounted; andattaching the first bracket to the second bracket such that the security enclosure is suspended from the second bracket mounted on the structure, thereby allowing the installer to use both hands to secure the security enclosure in place.

It is envisaged that in one embodiment of the mounting method the security enclosure may be hoisted and mounted to the structure while still in the box.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words “lower”, “upper”, “upward”, “down” and “downward” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the,” and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a non-limiting example of a security enclosure in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral10.

It is envisaged that the security enclosure10would be particularly useful as an outdoor enclosure for housing equipment forming part of an electrical system. In order to address the risk associated with personnel coming into contact with live wires the enclosure10is preferably made from a non-metallic material. In the preferred embodiment the security enclosure10is substantially metal free so as to mitigate the shock hazard posed by live wires. More about this is said below.

Turning now to the accompanying drawings it can been seen that the security enclosure10includes a body12and a movable cover14. The cover14is connected to the body12using connecting means that allows the cover to be movable between a first, closed position, as shown inFIG. 1, wherein the security enclosure10is closed and a second, open position, as shown inFIG. 2, wherein the security enclosure is open. Probably best seen inFIGS. 5 and 11the connecting means is in the form of two hinges16that allow for pivotal movement of the cover14about a centre axis of the hinges.

Returning now toFIGS. 1 and 2it can be seen that the body12is substantially rectangular in shape and has two sets of opposed ends or sides. The first set of opposed ends are, in use, its front and rear ends18.1and18.2respectively. The second set of opposed ends are, in use, its longitudinal sides18.3and18.4respectively. All four ends or sides18.1to18.4protrude from a base20. In use, the contents of the security enclosure10, such as the electrical equipment, are mounted on the base20.

The cover14is shaped complementally to the body12and, similarly to the body12, has two sets of opposed ends or sides. The first set of opposed ends are, in use, its front and rear ends22.1and22.2respectively. The second set of opposed ends are, in use, its longitudinal sides22.3and22.4respectively. All four ends or sides22.1to22.4protrude from a substantially flat cover panel24.

The four respective ends or sides22.1to22.4of the cover14are shaped to engage the corresponding sides18.1to18.4of the body12in such a manner that a mechanical seal is created between the body12and cover14when the cover is in its closed position. In particular, the body12and cover14carry complementary shaped engagement formations26and28respectively that engage one another so as to create the mechanical seal between the body and cover when the cover is in its closed position. In the security enclosure10the engagement formations26and28run along at least a major portion of the periphery of the body12and cover14. In the illustrated embodiment the engagement formations26,28are in the form of at least one ridge which is received in a complementary shaped groove when the body and cover engage each other. The ridge26is located on the cover14and is carried by the front end22.1and two opposed sides22.3and22.4. The groove28is located on the body12and is carried by corresponding front end18.1and two opposed sides18.3and18.4. In use, when the cover14is in its closed position the ridge26extends into the groove28so that their contact surfaces engage one another to create the mechanical seal between the cover14and body12. The ridge26and groove28run continuously so as to create a continuous mechanical seal around the three sides of the body12and cover14.

Although the illustrated embodiment shows the ridge26on the cover14and the groove28on the body12, it should be understood that in an alternative embodiment not illustrated in the drawings the ridge could be located on the body and the groove on the cover.

Returning to the illustrated embodiment, the engagement or contact surfaces of the engagement formations26and28create an interface between the body12and cover14when the cover is in its closed position. In the preferred embodiment of the security enclosure10the interface between the body12and cover14is concealed so as to obstruct, preferably prevent, access thereto. The interface between the cover14and body12is concealed due to the shape and configuration of the engagement formations26and28. Referring toFIG. 10, the body12has an internal and external rim30.1and30.2between which the groove28is located. In use, when the cover14is in its closed position the rims30.1and30.2abut complementary shaped shoulders32.1and32.2located on either side of the ridge26carried by the cover14. The contact surfaces of the rims30.1,30.2and shoulders32.1,32.2are in such close proximity to one another that a tool cannot be inserted between them to pry them open. It is further believed that the rounded or curved contours or profiles of the contact surfaces between the body12and cover14, in particular between the rims30.1,30.2and shoulders32.2,32.2and ridge26and groove28respectively, enhance the integrity of the mechanical seal created by them. Not only does the enhanced mechanical seal improve security but it also improves the enclosure's ability to prevent dust and water from entering.

The rear end22.2of the cover14carries an exaggerated lip or obstructing formation34. The obstructing formation34is said to be exaggerated in that it extends beyond the lip of the cover14defined by the sides22.1,22.3and22.4. The obstructing formation34is exaggerated in order to conceal, at least partially, the hinges16carried on the body12. It should be understood that the obstructing formation34should conceal the hinges16while at the same time allow for movement of the cover14between its open and closed positions. Accordingly, the obstructing formation or lip34is shaped so as to conceal the hinges16without coming into contact with the body12when moving the cover14between its open and closed positions.

Turning now toFIG. 11, which shows a cross-sectional view taken along the longitudinal length of the security enclosure10, it can be seen that the hinges16are attached to the rear wall18.2of body12and the exaggerated lip of the rear wall22.2of the cover14. Both the body12and cover14are reinforced in the regions where the hinges16are located. In the illustrated embodiment the reinforcement is in the form of increased thickness of the body12and cover14, particularly the rear wall18.2and the exaggerated lip34.

Referring toFIGS. 11 and 12, the body12and cover14also carry retaining formations for retaining the cover14on the body12when the cover is in its closed position. The retaining formations are in the form of protrusions protruding substantially perpendicularly from the rear walls18.2and22.2of the body and cover respectively. The retaining formations on the body12and cover14are indicated by the numerals36and38respectively. FromFIG. 11it can be seen that the retaining formations36,38on the body12and cover14protrude in substantially opposite directions such that they obstruct free movement between the cover14and body12. The advantage of the retaining formations36,38is that they prevent the cover14from being moved relative to the body12in a direction that would otherwise have lifted the cover14off of the body12when the cover14is in the closed position. In other words, the retaining formations36,38secure the cover14to the body12so as to prevent the cover14from being lifted off of the body12. As shown inFIG. 11the formations36and38extend past each other so that the formation36on the body12prevents the formation38on the cover from being moved in an upwardly direction. In other words, the retaining formations36,38overlap in that their extremities extend past one another. This allows the cover14to be secured to the body12even in the event that the hinges16are compromised. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings the reinforced region of the exaggerated lip34defines the retaining formation38of the cover14. The retaining formations36,38are integrally formed with the sides18.2and22.2of the body12and cover14respectively. In particular, the retaining formations36,38are in the form of enlarged sections of the body12and cover14respectively.

From the above description of the body12and cover14it should be clear that they create an obstruction that substantially conceals the mechanical seal created between them when the cover is in its closed position, thereby obstructing access to the interface between the body and cover where the mechanical seal is located.

In one embodiment of the security enclosure10the mechanical seal is such that at least an IP Level65is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, an IP Levels66is achieved between the cover14and body12.

The security enclosure10further includes a stay40(FIG. 2) for holding the cover in its open position. The stay40is in the form of a pneumatic stay which is movable between a first, supporting position wherein the cover14is supported in its open position and a second, contracted position wherein the cover is in its closed position. The stay40is shown in its supporting position inFIGS. 2 and 12, in which the cover14is prevented from collapsing from its open position to its closed position. The stay40can be seen in its contracted position inFIGS. 10 and 11. An end42.1of the stay40is connected to the cover14by means of a support44. Similarly, an end42.2of the stay40is connected to the base20of body12by means of a support46. The stay40and supports44and46are designed such that the cover14remains in its open position under bias of the stay. In other words, the cover14is moved against the bias of the stay40when moving it from its open position to its closed position. It should be understood that the stay40is therefore self-locking and automatically deployed as the security enclosure10is opened. In order to move the cover14from its open position to its closed position a user has to overpower the bias of the stay40manually.

The security enclosure10further includes locking means for locking the cover14in its closed position. In the illustrated embodiment the locking means is in the form a mechanical lock48. The mechanical lock48has a coded nut50which is, in use, covered by a magnetic cap (not shown in the accompanying drawings). The magnetic cap fits onto the coded nut, and preferably over the coded nut, so that access to the nut is obstructed when the magnetic cap is located on the nut. In other words, the magnetic cap has to be removed before access can be gained to the nut50. In the preferred embodiment the coded nut forms part of a series of specialised nuts which can only be engaged using a complementally shaped tool (not shown in the drawings). It is envisaged that the series of specialised nuts could include a number of variants. For example, it is envisaged that around a thousand variations of the coded nut could be used, each requiring its unique, matching tool in order to be unlocked and locked. Authorised personnel would have a register of all enclosures10that provides detail on which variation of the coded nut is used on each of the enclosures, thereby allowing only authorised personnel to take the corresponding tool when having to gain access to a particular enclosure.

In the illustrated security enclosure10the mechanical lock48includes a second lock52which is operable between its locked and unlocked configurations using a key (not shown in the drawings). In use, the lock52is unlocked by inserting a key into a key slot54prior to operating a latch56. The latch56is in turn operable between a locked and unlocked positions by depressing it manually. When the latch56is in its released position the cover14may be opened. The procedure is followed in reverse when the locking the security enclosure10. For example, the cover14is moved into its closed position and the latch56is pressed in order to move it to its locked position. Thereafter, the key is used to lock the second lock52by inserting it into the keyhole54and subsequently rotating it. Next, the coded nut is inserted into its opening in the cover14and tightened using the coded tool. Finally, the magnetic cap is placed over the coded nut50.

In another embodiment of the security enclosure of the invention not illustrated in the drawings, the locking means provides for central access control and tracking. In this embodiment the locking means include a dock and trace key system that allows central tracking on a cyclical basis, such as a weekly basis, for example.

In yet another embodiment of the security enclosure of the invention not illustrated in the drawings, the locking means forms part of a live GPS based access control system. In this embodiment of the security enclosure the locking means is in the form of a GridLock Access Management (GLAM) lock that is operable using a smart key, which is tracked using GPS. The smart key is connectable to communication devices, such as GSM enabled devices, preferably smartphones and tablets, for communication with a centralised management platform. The GLAM lock may be an encapsulated electronic dead lock, which requires no power connection or communication infrastructure. The GLAM lock is energised by the smart key, which communicates with the lock by way of an encrypted proprietary inductive communication circuit.

In use, the security enclosure10may be either wall mounted or pole mounted. Probably best seen inFIGS. 3 and 9, the security enclosure10includes a sets of mounting arrangements, which includes a number of formations58, preferably four, for wall-mounting the security enclosure10. Each formation58may have an area of weakness through which a fastener extends, in use. The area of weakness is typically in the form of a thin layer of the composite material from which the security enclosure10is manufactured. At least a portion of the area of weakness is pierced or punched out to allow a fastener to pass through the mounting formation so as to secure the security enclosure to the wall, for example.

Although not illustrated in the accompanying drawings the security enclosure10is typically transported in a box, preferably made from a material such as cardboard. The advantage of using a box that provides sufficient rigidity is that it can be used to mount the security enclosure10against a wall or pole, for example. It is envisaged that the box could have attachment points, such as hoisting hooks, for attaching hoisting equipment, for example. In use, the hoisting equipment is attached to the box so that the box together with the security enclosure10carried therein are hoisted to the desired position. It is envisaged that the required bracket(s) and/or fastener(s) required to mount the security enclosure10could already be attached to the security enclosure. While still in the box, the security enclosure10could then be fixed in place at the desired position before the box is removed. This process has the advantage that the security enclosure10is protected by the box during the installation process, thereby providing protection against being damaged. Alternatively, the hoisting hooks could be added to a first part of the mounting bracket that is fixed to the box or directly to the security enclosure10prior to mounting a second part of the mounting bracket to the wall, for example. In use, the second part of the wall mounting bracket can be fixed to the wall whereafter the enclosure10, together with the first part of the wall mounting bracket, can be latched onto the second part of the bracket. The enclosure10will be suspended from the second part of the bracket without having to hold it in place, thereby making it possible for the installer to use both hands to secure the retaining fasteners on the inside of the enclosure10.

The pole mounting brackets are a further extension of the wall mounting bracket and are fixed to the wall mounting bracket before fixing the assembly to the pole whereafter the same mounting procedure described above is followed.

It is further envisaged that the security enclosure10will find particular application in securing electronic and/or electrical components. Accordingly, the illustrated security enclosure10carries multiple openings or passages60through which access can be gained into the interior of the enclosure. It is believed that electrical components such as wires (not shown) could, in use, pass through these access openings for connection to the components housed within the enclosure10. As shown in the accompanying drawings the access openings60may be located in both the body12and cover14. The number of access openings is also not limited and may vary according to the particular application of the security enclosure10in use. The openings60may be covered typically by a thin or weakened piece of material that is punched out to create the openings as required.

The security enclosure10is preferably manufactured from a non-metallic material, such a fibreglass reinforced polyester, for example. The fibreglass reinforced polyester is a non-flammable composite and provides excellent impact resistance. An advantage of the security enclosure10in accordance with the invention is that it is not susceptible to being vandalised by setting it alight. Another advantage of the security enclosure10is that, due to the design of the locking interface between the cover14and body12, the cover14cannot be removed from the body12unless the lock is either unlocked or compromised. As mentioned above, even when the hinges16are compromised the cover14remains locked to the body12as a result of the retaining formations, i.e. the overlocking design.

Yet another advantage of the security enclosure10is that, due to the mechanical seal created between the body12and cover14, no gasket is required in order to achieve the necessary IP Levels. The sealing abilities of the cover14on the body12is also improved by concealing the sealing interface between the body and cover. The concealed interface also assists in vandal proofing the security enclosure10.

From the above it should be clear that the security enclosure10aims to address the design challenges referred to above.

It will be appreciated that the above describes only some embodiments of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention. It is easily understood from the present application that the particular features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. In this way, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not provided to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments.

The skilled person will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment, unless otherwise expressed or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible. Also, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this embodiment unless otherwise expressed.