Patent Publication Number: US-6667437-B2

Title: Pedestal for outdoor circuits

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pedestal terminals have been used for the last several decades to provide terminals for public utility service such as electric power supply and telecommunication systems. These pedestals are generally rectangular in cross section, although some are circular, and are mounted partly below grade and partly above grade. As the public will appreciate from seeing these pedestal terminals at various angular orientations across the landscape, it comes at no surprise that there is a difficulty in securing these pedestal terminals in a proper upright or vertical position because of poor backfilling after installation and/or freezing and ground heeving conditions. One advantage in these earth mounted terminals is that in some cases, depending upon the pedestal design, movement of the entering or exiting cables, conduits, and wiring, etc. at the bottom of these pedestals is fairly unrestricted in some cases and in part ameliorates the problem of conductor shifting relative to the pedestal itself. 
     Insofar as I am aware, however, the pedestal design has not been significantly incorporated into the commercial and residential outdoor circuit requirements market. One such residential pedestal called a “Guard-End Post” manufactured by Arlington of Scranton, Pa., is a plastic injection molded hollow post designed to supply power to a light fixture and other devices requiring electrical wiring and attempts to provide grounding on a ½ inch threaded pipe. 
     However, this particular design is only 19½ inches in total height and projects beneath the soil only a few inches with an angular spike element. Thus, this Arlington design does not, in my opinion, provide the required stability, safety, and weatherproofness necessary for outdoor circuitry in the residential and commercial markets. 
     The following patents have been identified in a search of the present invention: 
     UNITED STATES PATENTS 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Inventor 
                 Patent No. 
                 Issue Date 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Sargent 
                 1,986,122 
                 Jan. 1, 1935 
               
               
                   
                 Skubal 
                 3,164,668 
                 Jan. 5, 1965 
               
               
                   
                 Simon 
                 3,188,379 
                 June 8, 1965 
               
               
                   
                 Phillips 
                 3,375,620 
                 Apr. 2, 1968 
               
               
                   
                 Mack, et al. 
                 3,404,212 
                 Oct. 1, 1968 
               
               
                   
                 Bunten 
                 3,740,452 
                 June 19, 1973 
               
               
                   
                 Volk, et al. 
                 5,384,427 
                 Jan. 24, 1995 
               
               
                   
                 Chandler 
                 5,611,616 
                 Mar. 18, 1997 
               
               
                   
                 Marusinec 
                 5,783,775 
                 Jul. 21, 1998 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     The Sargent, U.S. Pat. No. 1,986,122, shows a partition riser for interior use relating to underfloor wiring systems for establishing outlets in the partitions or walls of buildings. This riser includes a rectangular opening 27 for receptacles. 
     The Skubal, U.S. Pat. No. 3,164,668, shows a terminal pedestal for buried wiring systems in which a rectangular pedestal with a spike 7 extends a substantial distance below grade. This system is a terminal only system and thus merely connects incoming and outgoing wiring, ingressing and egressing at the base of the pedestal and is typical of the public utility type pedestals referred to above. 
     The Simon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,188,379, shows a weather-proof electrical installation pedestal for receptacles that utilize direct burial trench cable, which is buried at a depth at which the ground will freeze during the winter and occasionally result in a cable being pulled away from the devices which may be outlets such as lights and the like, as in the present invention. The Simon invention relates primarily to a pivoting hood and requires an elongated base 46 at the bottom of the pedestal that is difficult to install because of its large diameter. The side panel  23  also requires customization for the particular type of receptacle utilized. 
     The Phillips, U.S. Pat. No. 3,375,620, shows a terminal pedestal for underground wiring systems including an upwardly extending lamp 12 that has U-shaped clamps for holding the device on a buried tube 12. 
     The Mack, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,404,212, shows a terminal device for wire or cable facilities, particularly designed for public utilities, and it has a box-like structure mounted on a separate support post 28 with a pivoting axis panel as shown at 110. The Mack, et al. device is similar to the Skubal device above simply limited to a public utility terminal function, although Mack, et al. discuss the problem of ground heeving in the patent. 
     The Bunten, U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,452, assigned to Repco Products Corporation, shows a pedestal for electrical circuit components that are unshown in the drawings of the patent and includes a pivoting axis panel D that fits under a cap 51. 
     The Volk, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,427, shows a multiple sleeved flood protection pedestal for telecommunications equipment that appears conventional in configuration. 
     The Chandler, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,616, shows an electrical controls enclosure that is circular in configuration and has an exterior mounted above-ground base 42. 
     The Marusinec, U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,775, shows a transformer door with a corrosion resistant bottom strip that also is adapted to be mounted above grade. 
     It is a primary object of the present invention to ameliorate the problems described above in pedestals adapted for outdoor circuits. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a pedestal is provided for outdoor electrical circuits including a vertically elongated rectangular housing having a substantial lower portion thereof mounted below grade and an integral upper portion projecting above grade. The lower portion has a lower opening for receiving conduits, cables or conductors without restriction. The upper portion has a rectangular opening for receiving selectively single or double gauged NEMA devices such as receptacles, switches, lights, etc. The area around the opening is drilled and tapped to standard NEMA specifications to easily mount the NEMA devices as well as cover plates, bezels and pivot cap covers. A long removable access cover panel fits under a peripheral rain deflector rib. This cover provides access to the wiring and to fasteners that mount the housing to a fixed abutment. 
     Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the pedestal is provided with a vertical divider, generally centrally in the pedestal interior, that divides the interior into a telecommunications section and an electric supply section. One-half of the opening in the upper section then receives the telecommunication device while the other receives an electric supply device, such as a receptacle. 
     At new installations where the pedestal is fixedly mounted to the side of a building post or pillar, conductors can be extended from or brought to the pedestal utilizing direct burial type conductors, or raceways, metallic or non-metallic conduits which will enclose and protect the conductors. 
     The lower opening of the pedestal can receive multiple conduit raceways with provisions for installing additional conduits or conductors in the future and to readily service an existing installation. 
     The present pedestal can also be utilized to rebuild and repair deteriorating existing installations of raceway cables or boxes that do not have adequate protection from damages. The pedestal can be fitted over the top and properly secured and grounded in the conductors easily reconnected to their devices mounted in the upper pedestal opening. 
     According to the present invention, the pedestals provide protection of the installations from stresses because of the gradual soil erosion that always occurs around the adjoining foundation walls over time or other excavations when outdoor circuits are installed. Also in areas where freezing and thawing cycles are encountered, the open bottom portion of the pedestal allows cables or conduits to rise or fall without stress to the cables because they are not secured to the pedestal until and the conductors are trained with an “s” loop before terminating to the upper portion mounted device. 
     As noted above, the pedestals are provided with NEMA dimensions—(National Electrical Manufacturers Association) that will fit available power and communication devices, plus “wet location”, and “in use wet location” protective covers. Cover plates provided with gaskets and threaded integral hubs can also be utilized to mount fixtures or photo cell controls without having to drill an additional mounting hole or holes. 
     Pedestals can be provided with an offset, according to one embodiment of the present invention, as needed to facilitate installing them under pavement grading, brick paving, or walkways so as to avoid interfering with the root ball of a tree, or other landscape type bush roots or shrub roots, while providing for a placement of a receptacle or lighting unit at the base of the tree, shrub, or bush, and be out of the way of foot traffic and not be a trip hazard. 
     The pedestals have a cross sectional area of 2½ inches by 5 inches and a height from 30 to 56 inches. They are constructed of painted steel or stainless steel, and there are removable covers provided on the front side as noted above to give adequate room for anchoring, cables, installation, and raceway placement. The device opening; i.e., the rectangular opening in the upper portion, receives two gang or single gang devices with vertical or horizontal openings. When the devices are mounted, or raceways are extended from the top, Meyer&#39;s Hubs, sealing locknuts, or sealing washers, are used. The pedestals are installed so that they extend 24 inches below grade level, and the top portions of the pedestals extend a minimum of 6 inches above grade. The longer pedestals are used to extend higher above grade level. 
     These pedestals, as disclosed, have already been improved by Underwriters Laboratories(UL). 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the following detailed description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective of a pedestal according to the present invention with a receptacle mounted along with a bezel and pivotal cover, with the access cover exploded; 
     FIG. 2 is an exploded longitudinal side section of the pedestal illustrated in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front view of the upper portion of the pedestal illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the receptacle, bezel, and cover removed; 
     FIG. 4 is a partly enlarged exploded perspective of the top of the pedestal illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 with the receptacle exploded; 
     FIG. 5 is an inground installation of a shortened version of the pedestal illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 describing the mounting dimensions to grade; 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective of the pedestal illustrated in FIG. 5 with the access cover exploded and a conduit entering the lower opening;, 
     FIGS. 7,  8  and  9  are perspective views of various mounting alternative&#39;s; 
     FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the present invention particularly suitable for offsetting the raceways from the receptacle for light around bricked areas, and; 
     FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective of a pedestal similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 with the interior divided into power supply and telecommunications sections. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Viewing the drawings with particular reference to FIGS. 1 to  4 , a pedestal  10  for outdoor residential and commercial circuits is illustrated and is seen to include a housing  11  having a rectangular cross sectional dimension of about 2½ inches by 5 inches and a length of 30 to 56 inches. The pedestal  10  also includes an elongated access U-shaped cover  12  that fits over an elongated access opening  13 . 
     Housing  11  is seen to include side walls  14  and  15 , front wall  16 , and rear wall  17 . 
     As seen in FIG. 5, the pedestal  10  is divided into a below grade portion  20  and an above grade portion  22 . With dimension J being a minimum of 6 inches, K being 18 inches, L being 20 inches, and M being 30 inches, in the shortest 30 inch pedestal. 
     Lower portion  20  has an unrestricted opening  23  at its lower end which communicates with side slots  24  and both side walls  14  and  15  to prevent the unrestricted ingress and egress of conduit, raceways, cable, and other protected wiring. 
     As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front wall  16  of upper portion  22  has a rectangular opening  26 , a vertical height of 2{fraction (13/16)} th inches, and a horizontal width of 4¼ th inches. 
     As seen in FIG. 3, the area around the opening  26  has 14 NEMA dimensioned and sized untapped and tapped holes to provide mounting locations for single gang, double gang, and NEMA devices, as well as bezels, cover plates and covers therefor. 
     These include untapped {fraction (3/16)} th holes,  28 ,  29 ,  30 , and  31 , and {fraction (6/32)} nd tapped holes  32 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36 ,  37 ,  38 ,  39 ,  40 , and  41 . The holes  32  to  41  are spaced from one another and the periphery of the housing  11  by the following dimensions: 
     A-5 inches 
     B-2½ inches 
     C-1{fraction (3/16)} th inches 
     D-{fraction (29/32)} nd inches 
     E-¼ th inch 
     F-2{fraction (13/16)} th inches 
     G-2{fraction (13/16)} th inches 
     H-⅜ th inches 
     The mounting holes  32  to  41  provide very advanced and speedy mounting of a wide variety of single and double NEMA devices, as well as their covers without the installer utilizing drilling and tapping tools, particularly at the on site location, which is a difficult environment in which to provide accurate hole location. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the installation of a single gang NEMA receptacle  45 . 
     A 30 inch version of pedestal  10   a  is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, shorter than the 56 inch version illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, in both the embodiments in FIGS. 1 and 2 and in  5  and  6 , upper portion  22  includes a rain rib  46  welded to the outer periphery of the side walls  14  and  15 , as well as front wall  16 . The underside of rib  46  has a recess  49  that receives the upper portion  50  of the cover  12  preventing the entry of water and other foreign material into the interior of the housing  11 . The interior of the cover near its lower end has an “S” shaped bracket  51  welded thereto that defines a lip  52  that fits over lower edge  53  of opening  13  to locate the cover  12  vertically on the housing  11 . On the upper portion of the cover receives a fastener  54  for attachment to the housing upper portion. 
     FIGS. 7,  8  and  9  illustrate typical installations for the present pedestal. 
     It should be understood that the pedestal is adapted to be mounted to a foundation or support post to maintain its stability, and toward this end, the rear wall  17  of the housing is provided with a plurality of apertures  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63  therein, adapted to receive fasteners for fastening the pedestal  10  to a supporting surface. 
     The supporting surface in FIG. 7 is a building wall constructed of concrete or brick; the supporting surface in FIG. 8 is post  65  driven deep into the ground, and the supporting surface in FIG. 9 is a light post assembly  66  embedded in the ground including a lower concrete portion. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a “Z” shaped pedestal  70  having a vertical lower portion  71 , a horizontal portion  72 , and another above grade vertical portion  73  that has opening  26  therein as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Note that portion  72  extends under the grading  77  so that the vertical portion with the mounted devices, which could include a light, are near tree trunk  78 . 
     In FIG. 11, a pedestal lob is illustrated identical to pedestal  10  in FIGS. 1 and 2 except for a vertical central interior partition  80  that divides the interior of housing llb into two isolated sections  81  and  82 . The partition  80  extends to the top of the pedestal across opening  26   b  and divides the opening  26   b  and the interior into these sections  81  and  82  so that one section can be isolated from the other and thus permits the use of telecommunications wiring and devices in one section and electrical power supply wiring and devices in the other section.