Abstract:
A water resistant enclosure providing protection to electrical or electronic equipment contained therein includes a three-sided removable cover pivotally coupled to a wall mounting bracket that includes a back panel-base plate combination. The three-sided removable cover further includes an enclosure door that covers the front opening. The three-sided removable cover also includes features to provide for water resistance. These features include an overhang extension from the top side wall of the three-sided removable cover extending to partially cover the front opening and in particular to cover the seam created between the enclosure door and the removable cover, and a gutter surrounding the front opening to divert water therefrom. In addition, the three-sided removable cover and the wall mounting bracket include elements to provide for the proper alignment and orientation thereof when being mated together. In addition, the pivot member and pivot member receiver are attached to the interior of the top side and wall mounting bracket respectively such that the water resistance of the respective surfaces is not compromised.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     N/A 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of wall mounted enclosures for electronic equipment and in particular to wall mounted water resistant enclosures for electronic equipment. 
     Enclosures for mounting electrical equipment such as computer network interfaces, telecommunications equipment, junction boxes, and connector panels are often mounted in racks or secured to a wall to provide the necessary physical stability and to maximize the use of the available space. Although these enclosures may be deployed indoors, the enclosures nonetheless must be water resistant to protect the electronic equipment from potential hazards, such as a leak in a water pipe, a leak in a roof or broken window allowing water to enter the building, or the activation of a fire suppression water sprinkler system. Equipment in wall mounted enclosures may be more susceptible to water damage than rack mounted equipment because one side of the enclosure is secured to the wall and may prevent water from flowing off the top of enclosure in a controlled manner. 
     Prior art wall mounted enclosures have used various methods to provide water resistance to the enclosures. In the past, clips have been used to secure the cover over and around the electronic equipment and to allow for easy removal of the cover for servicing of the equipment contained inside. Clips, however, have several difficulties. For example, in many instances, the clips may be secured when the cover is not properly aligned or oriented. This can lead to open seams occurring between the cover and mounting brackets that can allow water to enter the enclosure. It can be difficult to provide an alignment mechanism to ensure that the cover is secured properly when using a clip system. This lack of an alignment mechanism contributes to making the installation of the enclosure that much more difficult and less secure. 
     In addition, the enclosure may flex and bend during the cover installation and removal processes. This flexing and bending of the cover may increase the likelihood that the enclosure is not installed incorrectly. Thus, stiffening of the enclosure may be needed to provide the structural stability necessary to allow for the proper manual alignment of the cover during the cover installation and removal processes. This stiffening, however, adds to the physical dimensions of the enclosure increasing its weight and cost, and making it more difficult use. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide an enclosure that is water resistant and that can be installed and removed with proper alignment and orientation of the cover in a simple and reliable manner. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention an improved water resistant enclosure is provided that includes a three-sided removable cover that is pivotally attached to an L-shaped wall mounting bracket. The wall mounting bracket is rigidly attached to a wall surface. The water resistant enclosure further includes an enclosure door attached to a front opening of the water resistant enclosure to completely enclose any electronic equipment contained within the enclosure. A pivot member is rigidly attached to the interior side of a top side of the three-sided removable cover and a pivot member receiver is rigidly attached to the interior of the back panel. The pivot member and the pivot member receiver are configured and arranged such that the three-sided removable cover can be pivoted and removed without damaging the enclosure, the wall mounting bracket, or the wall. Moreover, there is no seam or other opening in the top cover through which water can intrude into the enclosure. 
     The three-sided removable cover and wall mounting bracket also include a self alignment mechanism that ensures that the three-sided removable cover is properly aligned and oriented in order to mate properly with the wall mounting bracket and thereby ensure that the enclosure is water resistant. In addition, an overhang extending from the top side wall covers the front opening and the seam created between the enclosure door and the cover, and a gutter surrounds the front opening, to divert water away from the front opening. In another aspect of the present invention, two pairs of complementary shaped hooks are rigidly attached to the interior of the two side walls and to the base plate of the wall mounting bracket. When properly aligned and oriented, the complementary shaped hooks are coupled together and prevent vertical motion of the enclosure with respect to the wall mounting bracket. 
    
    
     Other features, functions, and aspects of the backplane and shelf arrangement will be evident from the Detailed Description of the Invention that follows. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following Detailed Description of the Invention in conjunction with the drawings of which: 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a water resistant enclosure consistent with the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is perspective view of a door stiffener used in the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a pivot member used with the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 4 is a side cross sectional view of the inside of a cover used in the enclosure of FIG. 1 showing the attachment of the pivot member in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a pivot member receiver for the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of a back panel used with the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the exterior of the three-sided removable cover of FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 8 is a top view of a self-alignment receiver used with the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 9 is a side view of the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1 showing the gutter surrounding the door; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a first hook used with the water resistant enclosure of FIG. 1; and 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second hook used with the water resistant enclosure of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a wall mounted water resistant enclosure  100  that includes a wall mounting bracket  109 , a three-sided removable cover  102 , and an enclosure door  114 . The three-sided removable cover  102  comprises a top side wall  104  that is rigidly attached to a first side wall  106  and a second side wall  108 . The removable cover  102  defines an interior  126 , a front portion  129 , a rear portion  130 , a front opening  132 , and a rear opening  131 . The mounting bracket  109  includes a back panel  110  that has a plurality of bosses (not shown) thereon. As will be explained in more detail below, the bosses provide a space between the back panel  110  and the wall to provide a path for water. The wall mounting bracket  109  further includes a base  112  rigidly attached to the back panel  110 . The wall mounting bracket  109  is rigidly attached to a wall by any suitable method that will provide the necessary physical stability and security. The removable cover  102  is pivotally attached to the wall mounting bracket  109  via a pivot member (not shown) that is seated in a pivot member receiver  124  that is rigidly attached to the interior surface of the back panel  110 . When the removable cover  102  is properly aligned and oriented and is pivotally attached to the back panel  110  of the wall mounting bracket  109 , the combination of the removable cover  102  and the wall mounting bracket  109  form a water resistant five sided cover in which the L-shaped wall mounting bracket  109  covers the rear opening  131  and the bottom opening  135 . 
     Enclosure  100  further includes an enclosure door  114  attached to the removable cover  102  by a pair of hinges consisting of members  116  and  118  and members  120  and  122 . When closed, the enclosure door  114  covers the front opening  133  and creates a seam between the enclosure door  114  and the cover  102 . In addition, the enclosure door  114  provides water resistance and physical security for the electrical equipment contained within the enclosure  100 . Louvers  148  in the first and second side walls  106  and  108  as well as the enclosure door  114  provide for ventilation of equipment contained within the enclosure. 
     As used herein, a surface is considered to be water resistant if it is substantially flat, and also free of openings or seams through which water may enter the enclosure. In addition, a surface may be substantially water resistant if any openings or seams in the surface are protected such that water flowing in a preferred direction is directed around, or deflected from, any openings in that surface. 
     The removable cover  102  may be constructed from one or more formed pieces of sheet metal. In the event that two or more pieces of sheet metal are employed, the pieces are preferably connected in a manner that avoids open seams that could permit moisture to enter the enclosure  100 . In a preferred embodiment spot welding may be used to connect the sheet metal pieces together. 
     To prevent the door  114  from bending or twisting during opening and closing, a stiffener member is disposed across the interior of the door in an orientation selected to achieve the desired stiffness. In a preferred embodiment, the door stiffener may be placed horizontally across the interior of the door  114 . FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a suitable stiffener  200  that includes an attachment portion  206 , a horizontal portion  202  and a tab  204 . The stiffener member  200  is rigidly attached on the interior side of the enclosure door  114  preferably by spot welding the attachment portion  206  to the interior side. The tab  204  may be used to contact a safety switch within the enclosure (not shown) to ensure that electrical power is turned off when the door is opened. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a pivot member  302  used in the water resistant enclosure  100 . The pivot member  302  includes a first attachment portion  304 , a second attachment portion  306  and a U-shaped pivot portion  308 . It is important that the exterior surface of the top side wall  104  be smooth and unbroken to prevent water from entering the enclosure  100  via the top side wall  104 . As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pivot member  302  is rigidly attached to the interior side of the top side wall  104 , preferably by spot welding. The pivot member  302  is attached near to, but spaced apart from, the rear opening  131  of the removable cover  102 . This spaced apart configuration allows the removable cover  102  to be pivoted and removed from the wall mounting bracket  109  without any damage to the enclosure  102 , the wall mounting bracket  109  or the wall to which the back panel is attached. 
     FIG. 5 illustrates the pivot member receiver  124  attached to the back panel  110 . The pivot member receiver  124  includes a first attachment portion  502  that is used to rigidly attach the pivot member receiver  124  to the back panel  110 . The pivot member receiver  124  further includes a V-shaped pivot receiver portion having a rounded vertex  504  that receives the pivot member  302  (FIG.  3 ). The V-shaped receiver  504  may include an opening  508  that subtends an acute angle  510 . In a preferred embodiment, the acute angle  510  is between 30 and 50 degrees, and preferably is 40 degrees. The pivot member receiver  124  is configured and arranged such that the pivot member recover  124  and the pivot member  302  are able to mate together to form a pivotable hinge. A cable tray  506  may be provided to enable the routing of electrical conductors above the electrical equipment contained within the enclosure  100 . 
     FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the back panel  110  that contributes to the improved water resistance of water resistant enclosure  100 . The back panel  110  includes a plurality of bosses  602  formed on its exterior side. These bosses  602  separate the back panel  110  from the wall to which it is attached. These bosses  602  are configured and arranged to provide a path between the wall and the back panel  110  to permit water to run down the exterior of the back panel  100 . This would allow the water to flow between the back panel  110  and the wall, preventing water from pooling on the exterior surface of the top side of the cover. This pooling of water may allow water to cascade in an uncontrolled manner over unsealed seams between the cover  102  and wall mounting bracket  109 , or over the enclosure door  114 . These seams and surfaces may be less water resistant than the back panel  110  of the wall mounting bracket  109 . 
     FIGS. 1,  7  and  9  illustrate another aspect of the water resistant enclosure  100  that contributes to water resistance. Overhang  144  extends from the top side wall  104  of the cover  102  over the front opening  133  and in so  9  particular the seam created between the enclosure door  114  and the cover  102 . The overhang  144  diverts water away from the front opening  133  and the seam between the enclosure door  114  and the cover  102  so that water is prevented from entering the enclosure  100  via the unsealed seam. In addition, a channel  704  in the top side  104 , a channel  702  in the second side wall  108 , and a channel in the first side wall (not shown) are in fluid communication with one another to form a continuous gutter that surrounds the front opening  133  on three sides. This allows water that collects around the front opening and the enclosure door  114  to flow away from the front opening the enclosure door  114 , and off the water resistant enclosure without entering therein. 
     FIGS. 1 and 8 illustrate a self-alignment member  128  used to ensure the proper alignment and orientation of the removable cover  102  and the wall mounting bracket  109  when the two are pivotally attached to one another. The self alignment member  128  includes at least two self-alignment receivers  140  and  142 . The self-alignment receivers  140  and  142  include respectively a V-shaped capture area  802  and  804  and a seat area  808  and  806 . The self-alignment member  128  is a front rib rigidly attached via captive screws  812  and  814  to the base plate  112  via holes  150  and  146 . In one embodiment, another screw  816  may be used to provide a suitable secure ground contact and a more rigid attachment via hole  148 . The self-alignment member  128  is oriented such that the V-shaped capture areas  802  and  804  are facing the rear area  130  of the enclosure  100 . Self alignment posts  132  and  134  are rigidly attached to the base plate  112  and are configured and arranged such that as the removable cover  102  is pivoted from an open position to a mated position, the self-alignment posts are captured by capture areas  802  and  804 . The V-shaped capture areas  802  and  804  guide a vertical edge element of the front facing edge of the self-alignment posts  132  and  134  to the seat area  808  and  806 . When coupled together, the self alignment member  128  and self-alignment posts  123  and  134  provide for the correct alignment and orientation of the removable cover  102  with respect to the wall mounting bracket  109 . This ensures that the alignment and orientation of the removable cover  102  and the wall mounting bracket  109  is correct in order to provide desired water resistance. 
     In order to prevent movement of the removable cover  102  relative to the wall mounting bracket  109  two pair of complementary shaped hooks are provided as illustrated in FIGS. 1,  10  and  11 . A pair of U-shaped hooks  144  are rigidly attached to the interior surface of the side walls  106  and  108  of the cover  102  via attachment surface  1002 , preferably by spot welding. The U-shaped portion  1004  faces the interior of the enclosure  100 . 
     A pair of complementary shaped hooks  138  are rigidly attached to the base plate  112  by tab  1102 , preferably as a cut-out formed from the material of the base plate  112 . The U-shaped portion  1104  faces the interior of the enclosure  100 . The complementary pairs of hooks are configured and arranged to interlock the respective U-shaped portions  1004  and  1104  to couple the respective pairs of complementary U-shaped hooks together when the cover  102  has been pivoted to a closed position. This coupling prevents vertical movement of the three-sided removable cover  102  relative to the base plate  112 . In addition, the two pairs of complementary shaped hooks also contribute to the proper alignment and orientation of the removable cover  102  when mated to the wall mounting bracket  109 . The coupling of the pairs of complementary hooks can be accomplished only if the removable cover  102  is properly aligned and oriented with the wall mounting plate  109 . Thus, proper alignment of the removable cover  102  with the wall mounting plate  109  is indicated if the removable cover  102  cannot be moved in the vertical direction  146 . 
     Those skilled in the art should further appreciate that variations to and modification of the above-described water resistant enclosure may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should be viewed as limited solely by the scope spirit of the appended claims.