Abstract:
An enclosure in the form of a box having a base, four sidewalls, and an open top face which may be closed by a cover plate or lid over its open top for covering components stored in the enclosure. The enclosure may be stiffened by providing a removable or permanent stiffening ring around the inside surface of the open top. This stiffening ring may also provide locations for attachment of components or mounting tracks. The enclosure may also include vertical mounting stiffeners that act to further increase the stiffness of the enclosure while also acting as mounting tracks for direct or indirect (through separate mounting brackets) attachment of components. The vertical mounting stiffeners may include a plurality of holes for said attachment.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention concerns an enclosure for securing components such as electronic and/or electric components and, more particularly, an enclosure including one or more tracks to which respective mounting brackets may be mounted for mounting such components within the enclosure. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Enclosures are commonly used to provide a degree of protection to personnel against incidental contact with enclosed equipment and to provide a degree of protection against the surrounding environment for enclosed equipment. Typical enclosures include a box and a door sealed thereto. Frequent access to the components within such enclosures is common for adjustments, maintenance, and inspection of the components. Components within the enclosure may also be changed or replaced as the demand therefor changes. Typically, the components are fastened to a panel inside the enclosure. Panels and components must typically be dismounted from the interior of the enclosure and replaced by other components. Further, enclosures are often used to house many different electronic and/or electric components and their associated wiring and control circuitry. These components, their associated wiring, and the panels all come in varying shapes and sizes. Still further, the components must be fastened in place and often several different components must be mounted rigidly in the same housing and/or in a fixed spatial relationship. Therefore flexibility in component placement is important. 
         [0003]    Oftentimes, the total production run of any one particular combination of components is somewhat limited and the cost of producing a custom enclosure is not economically justified. In such instances, enclosures having an ability to be adapted to different component mounting arrangements are used. Similarly, when performing field installation of various electrical wiring and control systems, it is often necessary to install many different combinations of components. In order to maintain the number of different enclosures required to a reasonable level, it is desirable to have enclosures which are extremely flexible in that they are able to accommodate a wide variety of components and mounting arrangements. 
         [0004]    Some prior art enclosures include means to accommodate multiple components and mounting arrangements yet suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, an enclosure in the shape of a box may include one or more tracks which extend from the bottom to the top of the enclosure. Mounting brackets which hold electrical components or the like may be slid to and fro along the track until a desired position is attained. A tool may then be inserted through a front face of the enclosure to access one or more fasteners positioned at right angles to the side walls of the enclosure and which, when tightened, engage the side wall to secure the bracket to the track. 
         [0005]    Another undesirable aspect of such mounting structure is that the fastener engages the side wall behind the track. The side wall usually consists of a relatively flat panel structure and the force exerted thereon by the fastener is a point or concentrated source at right angles. Consequently, the fastener, when engaging the respective side wall, affects, at least partially, the structural integrity of the side wall, especially over time whereby components may be repeatedly repositioned, requiring the fasteners to be repeatedly repositioned and retightened into the side wall. In addition, the structure may be relatively flimsy, even without this added problem, when exposed to forces in certain directions. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the strength or rigidity of the enclosures. Of course, the thickness of the side walls may be increased to better withstand the effects of the engaging fasteners, but this increased thickness results in higher material and manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Broadly, the present application provides an enclosure in the form of a box. The box has a base, four sidewalls, and an open top face which may be closed by a cover plate or lid over its open top. 
         [0007]    The enclosure may be stiffened by providing a removable or permanent stiffening ring around the inside surface of the open top. This stiffening ring may also provide locations for attachment of components or mounting tracks. 
         [0008]    The enclosure may also include vertical mounting stiffeners that act to further increase the stiffness of the enclosure while also acting as mounting tracks for direct or indirect (through separate mounting brackets) attachment of components. The vertical mounting stiffeners may include a plurality of holes for said attachment thus allowing a plurality of components to be attached at various locations along each vertical mounting stiffener. Further, a plurality of vertical mounting stiffeners may be disposed around the perimeter of the enclosure at a variety of locations, thus allowing substantial flexibility in component placement. 
         [0009]    Finally, the enclosure may include mounting brackets with a series of closely spaced holes for attachment to mounting tracks. The closely space holes allow for very fine adjustments in the location of the bracket on a track. Further, the mounting brackets may include a channel for slidably engaging a mounting track, thus preventing or minimizing twisting motion of the mounting bracket. 
         [0010]    One aspect of the invention relates to a vertical mounting stiffener for use in a component enclosure box, the vertical mounting stiffener including: a main shaft including a plurality of generally parallel spaced horizontal apertures configured to receive fasteners for mounting components thereon; a platform extending laterally outward from the main shaft and including one or more vertical platform apertures configured to receive a fastener; and a head including a vertical head aperture configured to receive a fastener; wherein the vertical mounting stiffener is rigid, thereby providing structural support when coupled to a structure by the head and platform. 
         [0011]    Another aspect of the invention relates to a stiffening ring for placement at a component enclosure box for stiffening the component enclosure box including: a generally annular top portion having an upper side and a lower side and including a plurality of spaced vertical holes through the top portion configured to accept mechanical fasteners; and a generally annular side portion connected to the top portion and having an external side and an internal side, wherein the lower side includes a plurality of spaced depressions for accepting vertical stiffening members, the plurality of spaced depressions centered around the vertical holes. 
         [0012]    Another aspect of the invention relates to an enclosure assembly for enclosing electrical components, including: a body including a base and a plurality of sidewalls; a cover; and one or more vertical mounting stiffeners coupled directly or indirectly to the body and comprising a main shaft including a plurality of generally parallel spaced horizontal apertures configured to receive fasteners for mounting components thereon, a platform extending laterally outward from the main shaft and including one or more vertical platform apertures configured to receive a fastener, and a head including a vertical head aperture configured to receive a fastener, wherein the vertical mounting stiffener is rigid, thereby providing structural support when coupled to the body. 
         [0013]    Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments and/or in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments. 
         [0014]    It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly with the door removed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly with the door closed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is an orthographic side view illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is an orthographic top view illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an orthographic side view illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is an orthographic bottom view illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary enclosure body in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is an orthographic top-view illustrating an exemplary enclosure assembly with the door removed in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary stiffening ring in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary stiffening ring in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is an orthographic top view illustrating an exemplary stiffening ring in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an orthographic side view illustrating an exemplary stiffening ring in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is an orthographic bottom view illustrating an exemplary stiffening ring in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is an orthographic front view illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is an orthographic back view illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is an orthographic side view illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 18  is an orthographic top view illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 19  is an orthographic bottom view illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an exemplary vertical mounting stiffener in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIG. 21  is an isometric diagram illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 22  is an orthographic bottom view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 23  is an orthographic front view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 24  is an orthographic top view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 25  is an orthographic back view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 26  is an orthographic side view illustrating an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 27  is an orthographic view of an exemplary mounting bracket in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
           [0042]      FIG. 28  is an illustration of the interior of an exemplary enclosure in accordance with aspects of the present invention and depicts an enclosure with components attached directly and indirectly to various locations along vertical mounting stiffeners which are, in turn, attached to various locations of the stiffening ring around the periphery of the enclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0043]    The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. The terms “vertical” and “horizontal” along with any other directional terminology are used herein in reference to an enclosure having sidewalls disposed on the “sides” and having a door facing “up” and a base facing “down.” The installed orientation of the box may be different from this illustrative description without departing from the concepts taught herein. 
         [0044]    The present invention may be utilized in a variety of contexts including, for example, junction boxes and cut-out boxes designed for use in electrical construction, water treatment, car wash, telecommunication, instrumentation, utilities, machine buildings, HVAC applications, and the like. 
         [0045]      FIG. 1  shows an exemplary electrical enclosure  10  assembly in accordance with the present invention. The enclosure  10  may include a body  11  defined by a plurality of sidewalls  12  (preferably four sidewalls  12 ), and a base  14 . The sidewalls  12  define an opening  15 . Around this opening  15 , a generally annular stiffening ring  100  may be used to support the sidewalls  14  and/or to locate, attach, and support vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . Further, mounting brackets  300 ,  300 ′ may be used to secure electrical and/or other components to the vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . 
         [0046]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2-6 , the enclosure  10  may include a top cover or door  16  attached to the body  11  by one or more latches  18  and/or by one or more hinges  20 , which may cover the opening  15  when the door  16  is in a closed position. 
         [0047]    The door  16  may be attached using any fastening system known to one skilled in the art. The door may include, for example, one or more grooves or steps  22  which provide an attachment surface for the latches  18 . The latches may, for example, be unitarily molded and utilize elastic deformation of the fastener to allow movement for engaging and disengaging with the attachment surfaces, as is known in the art. Alternatively, for example, the latches  18  may include separate hinge and latching mechanisms known by one skilled in the art. 
         [0048]    Additionally, the door  16  may be attached to one of the sidewalls  12  by one or more hinges  20  allowing the door  16  to pivot between an open position and a closed position. When in an open position, the hinge  20  allows the door  16  to move out of the way of the opening  15 , while remaining fixed to the body  11  to, for example, prevent loss of the door  16  or present, to a user, information affixed to the inside of the door, for example, a schematic (not shown) illustrating the contents of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0049]    Further, the door  16  may include a door lock aperture  24  for securing the door  16  to the body  11  in a closed position with a lock (not pictured) which may pass through the door lock aperture  24  and a complimentary, juxtaposed body lock aperture  25 . 
         [0050]    Still further, the door  16  and/or the mating surfaces of the body  11  may include a groove (not shown) for receiving a sealing member (not shown) for sealing the door  16  against the body  11  in order to further protect the enclosed components from the outside environment. 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the enclosure  10  may include one or more mounting plates  26  either formed integral with the body  11  or formed separately and attached to the body  11 , for example, by mechanically fastening (with, e.g., bolts or integrally formed protrusions (not shown) extending from the base  14  of the body  11 ) the mounting plates  26  to channels  27  formed in the base  14 . The mounting plates  26  may include one or more mounting holes  28  sized to accept mounting bolts, screws, or other fasteners for securing the enclosure  10  to a surface (not shown), for example, a wall. Alternatively, for example, the mounting plates  26  may be configured for attachment to an intermediate or specialized holder (not shown) to allow quick removal of the enclosure from the mounting surface. Additionally or alternatively, the enclosure  10  may be fixed to a mounting surface by, for example, an adhesive. 
         [0052]    Finally, the body  11  may include one or more orifices (not shown) for various purposes. For example, one or more orifices may be provided for drainage purposes. Further, one or more orifices may be provided for allowing wires or conduit to pass into or out of the enclosure  10 . 
         [0053]    It is preferred but not necessary that the enclosure  10  be made by an injection molding technique from, for example, a thermoplastic. As is often the case in such manufacturing, the various sidewalls  12  of the enclosure  10  may be created with a slight draft angle to permit the enclosure  10  to be easily ejected from the mold. Alternatively, for example, the enclosure may be made from a folded sheet-metal. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7-13 , shown are various views of a generally annular stiffening ring  100 . The stiffening ring  100  may be removable, or it may be integrally formed with the body  11 . The stiffening ring  100  may be located at or near the opening  15  of the enclosure  10 , as is shown in  FIG. 7 , depicting an exemplary enclosure with its door  16  removed. As shown, the stiffening ring may surround the opening  15  and be attached directly or indirectly to the body  11 . For example, the stiffening ring may rest on a ledge  29  formed in the sidewalls  12  of the body  11 . The outer perimeter  102  of the stiffening ring  100  is preferably the same shape as the interior surface  30  of the sidewalls  12 . The stiffening ring  100  may provide extra support to the enclosure body  11  by acting as a stiffening member to the sidewalls  12 . Further, the stiffening ring  100  may provide a means of locating and attaching electrical or other components or vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . 
         [0055]    The stiffening ring  100  may include a series of regularly spaced vertical holes  104  configured to accept screws or other fasteners for securing the top of a vertical mounting stiffener  200  to the stiffening ring  100 . The vertical holes  104  may be countersunk or counterbored in order to accept a mechanical fastener such that the head of the mechanical fastener is flush with an upper side  109  of a top portion  114  of the stiffening ring  100 . 
         [0056]    The stiffening ring  100  may include corner ribs  108  disposed on the upper side  109  of the top portion  114  of the stiffening ring  100  which may increase the stiffness of the stiffening ring  100  at its corners, and may engage with the door  16 , when in a closed position, to provide further stiffness to the enclosure  10  assembly. 
         [0057]    As shown best in  FIG. 10 , the lower side  113  of the top portion  114  of the stiffening ring  100  may include a series of regularly space depressions  110  which may be centered around the vertical holes  104 . The depressions  110  may be shaped to accept the top of the vertical mounting stiffeners  200 , thereby providing a mechanism to align and provide torsional stability to the vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . Further, the bottom of the stiffening ring  100  may include internal ribs  112  regularly disposed between the lower side  113  of the top portion  114  and an interior side  115  of a side portion  116  of the stiffening ring  100 . These internal ribs  112  may add structural stability and may also be configured to provide additional torsional support to any adjacent vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . 
         [0058]    Finally, the stiffening ring  100  may include one or more tenons  118  disposed along an exterior side  119  of the side portion  116  of the stiffening ring  100  and configured to fit into mating mortises  32  (shown best in  FIG. 7 ) formed in the sidewalls  12  of the enclosure body  11 . The mortises  32  and tenons  118  are preferably dovetail shaped, but may take other forms as well. The mating of the mortise  32  and tenon  118  may provide a strong joint to link the stiffening ring  100  with the enclosure body  11 , and provide a support to the stiffening ring  100 , holding the stiffening ring  100  at the opening  15  of the enclosure  10 . Alternatively or additionally, the stiffening ring  100  may be adhesively bonded or welded to the body  11 . 
         [0059]    Referring now to  FIGS. 14-20 , shown are views of a vertical mounting stiffener  200  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. The vertical mounting stiffener  200  may have a platform  202  located at a bottom end  204 , a head  206  located at a top end  208 , and a main shaft  210  extending therebetween. The vertical mounting stiffener may have a length L extending in a direction between the bottom end  204  and the top end  206 , a width W perpendicular to the length L and extending in a direction between sidewalls  201 , and a depth D perpendicular to the length L and width W and extending in a direction between a front  205  and a back  207 . The vertical mounting stiffener  200  may be configured to provide further structural support to the enclosure  10  and to provide various locations along its length for direct or indirect attachment of electrical or other components. The vertical mounting stiffener  200  is preferably an integral, extruded plastic component (e.g., polycarbonate or the like), but may be constructed or formed from other materials and/or from several subcomponents. 
         [0060]    The head  206  of the vertical mounting stiffener  200  may be shaped to fit in a depression  110  on the lower side  113  of the top portion  114  of the stiffener ring  100 . The head may include a vertical aperture  212 , configured to be aligned with a vertical hole  104  when fitted in a depression  110  of the stiffening ring  100 , for receiving a mechanical fastener (not shown). The vertical aperture  212  may be threaded for engagement with the fastener, for example. Alternatively, for example, the fastener may be a self-tapping fastener, or may threadably engage with a nut on an interior side of the vertical mounting stiffener  200 . As an alternative to a vertical aperture  212 , for example, the head  206  may instead be provided with a mechanical fastening member (not shown) that links or mates with a complimentary feature (not shown) on the stiffening ring  100 , or the vertical mounting stiffener  200  may be attached via an adhesive or by welding. 
         [0061]    The platform  202  of the vertical mounting stiffener  200  may extend laterally outward from the main shaft  210  and may have one or more (preferably two) vertical apertures  214 . The vertical apertures  214  may be sized and located to accept a mechanical fastener (not shown) that passes through the vertical aperture  214  into juxtaposed vertical apertures  34  located in the base  14  of the enclosure body  11  (shown best in  FIG. 1 ). Further, the vertical apertures  34  in the base  14  of the enclosure body  11  may be formed in protrusions  36  therefrom which help to locate the vertical mounting stiffener  200  by engaging in complimentary recesses  216  formed in the bottom of the platform  202 . The complimentary recesses  216  may be shaped, for example, like a hole: extending from the bottom end  204  into the platform. Alternatively, as shown in the figures, the complimentary recesses  216  may extend through the bottom end  204  and through the back  207 . This second configuration makes insertion of the vertical mounting stiffener  200  into the enclosure easier, especially if the stiffening ring  100  is already installed, or is permanently attached. The vertical apertures  214  may be threaded for engagement with the fastener, for example. Alternatively, for example, the fastener may be a self-tapping fastener, or may threadably engage with a nut. As an alternative to the vertical apertures  214 , for example, the platform  202  may instead be provided with a mechanical fastening member (not shown) that links or mates with a complimentary feature (not shown) on the base  14 , or the vertical mounting stiffener  200  may be attached via an adhesive or by welding. 
         [0062]    The main shaft  210  may include a plurality of spaced, generally horizontal apertures  218 . Although the horizontal apertures  218  may be aligned in any orientation in a generally horizontal plane, they are preferably parallel to each other, and are preferably oriented with their main opening  220  directed towards the interior of the enclosure  10  when the vertical mounting stiffener is attached to the stiffener ring  100  and the base  14 . Each horizontal aperture  218  may be sized to accept a mechanical fastener (for example, a screw, bolt, deformable plastic pin, or the like) and may be threaded for engagement with a threaded fastener, for example. Alternatively, for example, the fastener may be a self-tapping fastener, or may threadably engage with a nut on an opposite side of the vertical mounting stiffener  200 . The horizontal apertures  218  may be regularly or irregularly spaced. Further, any number of horizontal apertures  218  may be provided and may have any spacing, but are preferably spaced by about 0.5-1.0 inches, and are more preferably spaced about 0.75 inches apart. Further, the horizontal apertures  218  may be aligned along the center of the main shaft  210 , as shown, or may be staggered along its length. 
         [0063]    The main shaft  210  may also include a plurality of markings  222  associated (for example, by being adjacent to) with corresponding horizontal apertures  218 . These markings  222  may be any type that will function to identify an aperture  218  as corresponding to one or more other apertures  218  on one or more other vertical mounting stiffeners  200 , but are preferably alphanumeric characters. The correspondence between a horizontal aperture  218  and one or more other horizontal apertures  218  may be, for example, their equal heights above the base  14 , and may be important, for example, to align components mounted (directly or indirectly) on the vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . 
         [0064]    The main shaft  210  may taper from a relatively narrow depth D 1  near the platform  202  to a relatively deep depth D 2  near the head  206 , causing the sidewalls  201  to be greater in extent near the head  206  than near the platform  202 . The taper may increase the stiffness near the stiffening ring  100 . The main shaft  210  (except for the apertures  218 ) may be solid, or may be hollowed out as depicted in the figures in order to reduce material use, weight, and curing time. Further, a hollowed out main shaft  210  may decrease the possibility of hidden internal voids during production, therefore increasing the possibility for quality control. 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIGS. 21-26 , shown is an exemplary mounting bracket  300 . The mounting bracket  300 , as shown best in  FIG. 26  may have a generally “L-shaped” cross-section, although other shapes are also possible (e.g., a T-shape or the like). The mounting bracket  300  may have a stiffener portion  302  and a component portion  304 . The stiffener portion  302  may be configured for attachment to a vertical mounting stiffener  200 , while the component portion  304  may be configured for attachment to a component to be enclosed by the enclosure  10 . 
         [0066]    The stiffener portion  302  may be generally rectangular and configured to engage with and preferably fit over and at least partially around the vertical mounting stiffener  200 , preferably by means of a stiffener groove  306 . The stiffener groove  306  can thus slidably engage with the vertical mounting stiffener  200 , and prevent twisting of the mounting bracket  300  on the vertical mounting stiffener  200 , thus keeping the component portion  304  in the correct orientation (preferably in a generally horizontal plane). 
         [0067]    The stiffener portion  302  may include one or more stiffener apertures  308  sized for accepting a mechanical fastener for attaching the mounting bracket  300  to the vertical mounting stiffener  200 . The one or more stiffener apertures  308  may be regularly or irregularly spaced, and may be spaced at a distance different from the spacing of the horizontal apertures  218  of the vertical mounting stiffener  200 . For example, three stiffener apertures  308  may have a relatively narrow spacing and thus provide a greater number of possible positions and therefore a greater precision in positioning the mounting bracket  300  along the vertical mounting stiffener  200 . In other words, the possible positions for a mounting bracket  300  along a vertical range in the enclosure may be the number of horizontal apertures  218  on a vertical mounting stiffener  200  multiplied by the number of stiffener apertures  308  on a mounting bracket  300 . 
         [0068]    The component portion  304  may be any appropriate shape, but in one preferred embodiment is generally triangular with a base of the triangle connected to the stiffener portion  302  and a tip  309  (preferably rounded) of the triangle being at an extreme end away from the stiffener portion  302 . The component portion  304  may include a component aperture  310  preferably situated at or near the tip  309 . The component aperture  310  may be sized to accept a mechanical fastener (for example, a screw, bolt, deformable plastic pin, or the like) for securing a component to the component mount, and the component aperture  310  may be threaded for engagement with a threaded fastener, for example. Alternatively, for example, the fastener may be a self-tapping fastener, or may threadably engage with a nut on an opposite side of the component portion  304 . 
         [0069]    Turning now to  FIG. 27 , shown is an alternative preferred embodiment of a mounting bracket  300 ′ in orthographic projections. The mounting bracket  300 ′ shares many features with the mounting bracket  300  previously presented, and similar descriptions are omitted for brevity. Of note, for example, is the component portion  304 ′, which expands outward from the stiffener portion  302 ′, instead of forming a triangle shape as illustrated in the first exemplary embodiment. The component portion  304 ′ may include, for example, two component apertures  310 ′. These component apertures may have the same spacing as the vertical apertures  34  located in the base  14  of the enclosure body  11  (shown best in  FIG. 1 ). Therefore, any component made to be attached directly to the base  14  may instead be attached to elevated mounting brackets  300 ′, thus allowing components to be offset from the base. For example, a plurality of components may be mounted onto mounting brackets  300 ′ with the components being parallel to each other at successive heights along one or more vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . 
         [0070]    Turning now to  FIG. 28 , shown is an illustration depicting the interior of an exemplary enclosure viewed from the inside. As shown, a plurality of vertical mounting stiffeners  200  may be disposed about the perimeter of the enclosure and attached to the base  14  via vertical apertures  34  in the protrusions  36  and to the stiffening ring  100  via vertical holes  104 . Further, various types and shapes of components may be attached directly or indirectly (e.g., by mounting brackets  300 ,  300 ′) to these vertical mounting stiffeners  200 . Some components may be attached to more than one vertical mounting stiffener  200 . 
         [0071]    Components may be attached to the vertical mounting stiffeners  200  using various methods. For example, a component may first be attached directly to a vertical mounting stiffener  200 . The vertical mounting stiffener  200  may then be inserted into the enclosure  10 , for example, by pivoting the platform  202  onto the protrusions  36 , as is depicted with ghost lines in  FIG. 28 . The complimentary recesses  216  may be open on the back  207 , thus allowing easy insertion without removal of the stiffening ring  100 . Alternatively, a component may be attached to a vertical mounting stiffener  200  already installed in the enclosure. Further, a component may be attached to a mounting bracket  300 ,  300 ′ which is already attached to a vertical mounting stiffener  200  (either installed or not installed in the enclosure). Still further, a component may be attached directly to an already installed vertical mounting stiffener  200 . Finally, a stiffening ring  100  may be installed first, intermediately, or after all the components and vertical mounting stiffeners  200  are installed in at least the base  14  of the enclosure  10 . These mounting methods are given only as example illustrations, and other combinations may be possible and desirable and are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0072]    Any fastener used in an embodiment of the present invention may comprise a self-tapping set screw which engages the inside wall of the holes or apertures when inserted therein. Alternatively, the holes and apertures may be threaded to receive a particular type and/or size threaded fastener. Alternatively, the holes and apertures may be sized and shaped to accept a plastic or other deformable pin fastener. Any combination of the above types of fasteners and corresponding holes and apertures is also possible. 
         [0073]    Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, it is understood that equivalents and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of the specification. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications, and is limited only by the scope of the following claims.