IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE UNITS

Abstract: A modular construction for a multiple service unit comprising a main generally rectangular upright tubular body portion to which can be optionally added further extensions of matching generally rectangular tubular body portions. Each body portion comprises two axially divided halves (1, 2, 1a, 2a), each half having respective key formations along its axial edges. The halves are joined along their axial edges by respective intermediate joining strips (3). The joining strips have slots along their opposite longitudinal edges which slidably engage with said key formations to effect joining of the halves. Two intermediate joining strips are common to the main body portion and the extension body portion(s). The structure includes a head portion (11), a cap portion (18) and a base portion (6), the head portion also including at least one lockable cover (16). The entire structure is adapted by modular assembly to permit construction of a wide variety of service units incorporating a wide variety of services.

Description: "IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO CONSTRUCTION OF SERVICE UNITS The present invention relates to improvements in * the construction of service -units particularly for commercial ζg- and semi -conιmercial applications such as caravan parks, marinas and the like and its unique construction now permits 5 convenient adaptation to domestic use. Service units for caravan parks, marinas and the like have hitherto comprised bulky, unsightly structures, expensive to construct and maintain and generally constructed to suit a single end purpose. With the changing requirements 10 of service consumers over a period of time, these service units rapidly become redundant as they no longer fulfil the requirements of consumers or caravan park and marina operator Generally speaking, it is not possible to modify prior art service units (which have been constructed for a specific 15 purposel to incorporate additional services or facilities, but even if certain units could be modified, the cost of modification would almost certainly exceed its replacement cost. As previously indicated, service units have 20 hitherto been tailored to suit a specific application in say a caravan park or a marina due to different regulations governing construction and installation as well as differing consumer requirements. Thus a service unit constructed for a marina is suited only to a marina and generally would not 25 be applicable in a caravan park or other situation. In our co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/AU81/00019, (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference) there is provided a "Multiple Service Unit" which provides a structure which is 30 inexpensive to manufacture and maintain, adaptable to a wide range of end uses and generally speaking overcomes or alleviates many of the problems associated with prior art service units. It is an aim of the present invention to provide an ■ 35 improved method of construction of service units which enables significantly reduced manufacturing and assembly costs but simultaneously permits construction of service units capable of being constructed or easily modified to suit a very wide variety of applications. It is a further aim of the invention to provide a service unit which in a single structure provides a junction and metering enclosure for essential services such as electrical power, water and telephone. It is yet a further aim of the invention to provide a domestic service unit adaptable to provide a wide variety of facilities. At present, essential services for domestic dwellings, shops, offices, factories etc. enter a site via separate conduits from underground or overhead service mains and are connected, within the site boundary to separate junction and/or metering facilities. For example on a new domestic dwelling site, electrical power, water and telephone services are usually all provided via underground conduits to separate positions on the site. A water meter is generall provided just inside the fence boundary, an electrical junction/meter box is usually provided on the wall of the dwelling adjacent the front door and the telephone conduit is connected to a junction box on the outside or inside of the dwelling. On a new building site, location of the undergroun facilities for connection is time consuming and costly. Further, for power and water, meter reading is carried out by separate meter readers which is inefficient in terms of manpower utilization. A further disadvantage of such systems is that in order to provide ease of access for meter readers, the meters, which are downstream from a main isolating valve or switch, are exposed and easily tampered with. One particular embodiment of the present invention provides a means of overcoming the above problems. According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a hollow body structure for a service unit comprising at least two body members adapted for substantially longitudinal sliding engagement. Preferably the structure includes a base portion adapted for connection to one end of said hollow body structure. Suitably the structure may include a cap portion adapted to be attached to the other end of said hollow body structure. Preferably said cap portion incorporates a lighting means. Preferably said body members are adapted for substantially longitudinal sliding engagement by a key and slot jointing means. Preferably said key and slot jointing means comprises a protrusion extending along the longitudinal edges of said body members, said protrusion adapted for sliding engagement with complementary slots extending along the longitudinal edges of an intermediate member. Preferably the body portions comprise moulded plastics material and said intermediate member comprises an extruded aluminium section. Preferably, the body portions comprise integrally moulded apertures. Suitably, the body portions are adapted for modular interconnection. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a service unit comprising a hollow body structure as hereinbefore described, said service unit including at least one aperture with a releasably securable cover; and, a power distribution outlet, said -service unit being adpated for connection to a source of electrical power. Preferably the service unit includes power metering ^ means. Suitably the service unit may include means for connection to a water supply conduit and may further include a water supply meter and a water outlet connection. Preferably the service unit includes a junction for communications cables connected to a service connection. Preferably the service unit is adapted for modular construction to selectively provide a plurality of services and facilities. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred method of construction of a service unit body. FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a service unit according to the invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a service unit according to the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a power head module. FIG. 5 illustrates an enlarged partial cross section of the portion V-V. FIG. 6 illustrates various embodiments of the invention as landscape or security light. In FIG. 1, the main body portion comprises two substantially identical injection moulded body portions 1 and 2 which are adapted for sliding engagement with an intermediate portion 3 via a sliding key and slot joint extending along the longitudinal edges of the portions. The body portions 1 and 2 are preferably formed from polycarbonat plastics material and the intermediate portion 3 from extruded aluminium. One or both of body portions 1 and 2 may include integrally moulded apertures 4 and 5 formed by removable inserts in the injection moulding die. The main part of the body portions is preferably formed from opaque- pigmεnted material but clear windows may be formed in apertures 5 for example by the use of clear polycarbonate inserts which become integral with the wall of the body portion during the moulding process. Alternatively the clea window may be adapted to snap securely into cavity 5. A frangible base portion 6 preferably of aluminium or plastics material is attached at the base of the service uni body by screws, bolts or the like after assembly. Removable access covers 7 are provided for attachment to apertures 4 by screws, rivets etc. Various electrical components such as watt-hour meters 8, mains power terminals 9, and any other connections such as telephone connections etc. may be mounted on a board 10 of electrically insulating medium. The board, with attached components, is slidably mountable within the assembled body and on its rearwardly extending face is formed as a channel with longitudinally extending flanges 10a which, in assembled juxtaposition with the adjacent inner wall of the unit, form a substantially closed conduit for isolation of electrical power cables from other items such as telephone wires, television or other communications antennae wires, water conduits and the like. A head portion 11, adapted for electrical connection to the various components on board 10 is adapted for attachment to the assembled body by a stepped shoulder 12. The head portion includes recesses 13 with power distribution sockets 14 and isolator/circuit breaker switches 15. Key operated lockable doors 16 are provided for tamper-proof access to the interior of the recesses. The doors are suitably attached for hinged connection to the body by transverse tabs 17 which locate in slotted recesses (not shown) in the upper part of head portion 11 and are retained in the slotted recesses when cap 18 is affixed to the body. The doors include a nose portion 19 which is adapted to retain a plug in socket 14 against removal when the door is locked. The lower part of nose 19 includes an aperture for a power cord attached to the plug. A key operated lock cylinder 20 is OMPI suitably provided at one side of door 16. A cover plate 21 of transparent or translucent plastics material is provided on the upper part of head 11 to permit light from light source 22 to illuminate both the interior of the body and an area surrounding the service unit. Plate 21 and cap 18 extend beyond head portion 11 to define a projecting rim. A power lead support pole 23 is provided in a socket 24 on cap 18. The service unit may be readily converted from say a two power meter unit to a four power meter unit by removing cap and head portions 18 and 11 respectively. Board 10 may then be removed and replaced by a new board with four power meters. To accommodate the additional meters, a modular body section comprising body sections la and 2a is added by sliding intermediate portions 3 upwardly and replacing them with intermediate portions of the required length and then sliding new body sections la and 2a into place. Modular sections la and 2a may include a lip on their lower edges for weatherproof connection or a suitable gasket may be formed between abutting upper and lower edges. Modular body sections la and 2a are suitably formed from the same injection moulding die as the main body portions 1 and 2 by insertion of appropriate die inserts. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 is suitable for application in caravan parks and marinas and although not illustrated, suitably comprises the various alternative features of the multiple service units described in our co-pending International Patent Application No.PCT/AU81/00019 e.g. water, communications etc. it will be readily apparent that service units constructed " as described above permit construction and modification to suit many different applications depending on the particular user and owner requirements. In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention. The service unit illustrated is intended for situation adjacent the front property line of a domestic dwelling, office or factory or a multiplicity of these units would be arranged side by side at a block of flats or home units. The unit illustrated comprises a body portion 41 mounted on a frangible base 42. A water tap 43 is attached on one side and a lockable door 44 is provided on another side for access to a power distribution socket. As only one lockable access door would be required for most domestic applications, fixed blanks are provided for the remaining three recesses. One of the blanks 45 is adapted to bear certain indicia such as name of occupant, street or flat number etc. The cap 46 may conceal a light (not shown) to illuminate the indicia and/or the ground area around the unit The light may be suitably operated by a time switch or a photoelectric device. A letter box 47, milk container receptacle etc. may be mounted atop the unit. In the front of the unit are windows 48 and 49 for reading power and water meters respectively within the unit. A securable access cover 50 is provided to permit connection to incoming power, water, telephone service supplies etc. and isolating switches, valves etc. may also be included within the body. The access cover may be secured by screws or it may comprise a lockable door permitting access only to householders, service persons etc. Such" a unit would permit, in development of a building site, connection of all service facilities to a dwelling and provide a single location for meter reading which would permit readings for all services to be made simultaneously. In other variations of this embodiment, visual and audible alarm systems could be incorporated for aged and infirm persons, and a deterrent against intruders etc. In place of or in addition to " the letterbox, a flexible gooseneck could be positioned atop the unit with a retractable power cord to permit safe and easy use of such electric appliances as electric lawn mowers, hedge clippers etc. FIG. 3 illustrates yet a further embodiment of the invention which may have particular application to patios, barbecue areas, swimming pool surrounds etc. In a typical domestic situation electrical power at a poolside location, backyard barbecue area, patio etc. is provided by an extension cord running from a house or nearby shed. The extension cord often with a plurality of two-way adapters attached usually lies on the ground and can give ris to a most unsafe situation. The embodiment illustated permits a most convenient and very safe means of providing various services at sites such as those mentioned above and importantly, does so by way of an aesthetically acceptable structure. In the service unit illustrated, theremay be provided a water tap 51, one or more speakers 52 for radio, stereo and the like or an intercom, a lockable cabinet 53 for a telephone, a power distribution outlet 54 and a light (not shown) under cap 55. As an alternative to a downwardly directed light, the configuration of cap 55 may be suitably modified to allow light distribution over a wider area. An access cover 56 is provided for connection of the service inlets to the unit. The unit illustrated comprises base portion 56, body portions 57, 58, 59, head portion 60 and cap 55. FIG. 4 illustrates the power head of FIGS. 1-3 in some detail. The head 70 is provided with cavities 71 on each of its four faces. At the rear face 72 of each cavity, provision is made to provide one or two power sockets 73 which are retained in position by screws or by a wedging action when the cap and head are assembled. An aperture 74 is provided in lip 75 to receive a single or double isolation switch or circuit breaker (not shown) . A further aperture 75A is suitably provided to permit illumination of the cavity 71 from the light source in the cap when the unit is assembled. Where not all cavities are provided with power sockets, switches, etc., a blanking plate 76 is employed. The plate is provided with a similar hinge configuration to the lockable door and is retained in a closed position by engagement between integrally formed clip 77 and the aperture 74. Accordingly the blanking plate 76 may only be removed by disengaging clip 77 from aperture 74 from inside the head 70. Suitable sockets 78 and 79 may also be provided within cavity 71 for telephone and television antennae connections or the like. As shown in FIG. 5 the sockets are provided in the side walls of the cavity such that the cable connecting position is situated within corner channels 80 integrally formed within the head portion. In this manner power and other wiring systems may be physically isolated from each other to satisfy various authorities. The central aperture 81 which connects with the channel-like power board 10 as shown in FIG. 1 serves to isolate the power leads connected to the sockets 73 and the light in the cap or any other electrically powered devices attached to the power head. Mounting sockets 82 and 83 are provided in the lower and upper parts of the power head for assembly purposes. The components comprising the various embodiments of the invention are suitably bolted together by for example a bolt extending through one modular part and engaging in a captive nut integrally moulded in the adjacent portion of an adjoining module. FIG. 6 illustrates various embodiments of security or landscape lights which may be constructed from the modular components of the invention. In FIG.6a the light unit comprises a lower body portion 90 with an integrally formed mounting flange 91, an upper body portion 92, a light diffuser 93 and a cap 94. Each of the body portions comprises a pair of longitudinally slidably engagable sections secured by a suitably shaped strip 95. FIG. 6b is of a similar construction but comprises a body formed only from a lower module. FIG. 6c comprises a body formed from upper body modules. If required the security and landscape lights described above may incorporate timer switches or photosensitive devices to switch the lights on at predetermined times. It will be readily appreciated that the modular body construction of the service units according to the present invention permit an almost unlimited variation in the construction and modification of the service units to provide a very wide range of services and facilities to satisfy individual requirements and whims. Such services and facilities, apart from those previously mentioned may include:- insect repellant lights, time switches for automatic garden sprinklers, pool filters etc., cassette recorder, radio, stereo etc., retractable power cord, gooseneck for power cor , visual indicator for mail deliveries, pool light control, transformers switches, core balance, intercom, battery charger, communications antennae, retractable garden hose reel, compaxtments for tools, suncream etc., fire extinguisher, drink dispenser, shower nozzle, mounting for sun umbrella, table top fitting, insulated drink container or milk container receptacle, refrigerated compartment. The applications of the service units as outlined above appear to be limited only by imagination and practicality. For a service unit incorporating a larger number of services and facilities, tee and elbow body adaptors may be incorporated in the construction to form a branched structure thus avoiding an excessively tall service unit. It will be readily apparent to a skilled addressee that many variations and modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims: CLAIMS : 1. A hollow body structure for a service unit comprising at least two body members adapted 'for substantially longitudinal sliding engagement. 2. A structure according to claim 1 wherein said body members are adapted for substantially longitudinal sliding engagement by a key and slot jointing means. 3. A structure according to claim 2 wherein said key and slot jointing means comprises a protrusion extending along the longitudinal edges of said body members, said protrusion adapted for sliding engagement with complementary slots extending along the longitudinal edges of an intermediate member. 4. A structure according to any one of claims 1-3 including a base portion adapted for connection to one end of said hollow body structure. 5. A structure according to any one of claims 1-4 including a cap portion adapted to be attached to the other end of said hollow body structure. 6. A structure according to any one of claims 1-5 wherein the body portions are adapted for modular inter¬ connection. 7. A structure according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein said cap portion incorporates a lighting means. 8. A service unit comprising a hollow body structure according to any preceding claim, said service unit including at least one aperture with a releasably securable cover; and, a power distribution outlet, said service unit being adapted for connection to a source of electrical power. 9. A service unit according to claim 8 including power metering means. 10. A service unit according to claim 8 or claim 9 including means for connection to a water supply conduit and a water outlet connection. ^ϋRE 11. A service unit according to any one of claims 8-10 including a junction for communications cables connected to a service connection. 12. A service unit according to any one of claims 8-11 wherein said unit is adapted for modular construction to selectively provide a plurality of services and facilities. .

Inventors: JENSEN HENNING
Applicants: COMMON SENSE PRODUCTS PTY LTD, HENNING JENSEN, COMMONSENSE PROD PTY, JENSEN HENNING
Application year: 1982
Main classification: H02G3
IPC codes: E03B9, E04H12, G01D11, G08C19, H02B5, H02G3