Patent Publication Number: US-RE48578-E

Title: Enclosure for submersible network protectors

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation reissue of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/626,682, which is an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,379,526, now U.S. Pat. No. Re 47,096, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/972,635, filed Mar. 31, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention generally relates to electrical distribution systems. In particular, the present invention relates to an enclosure for a network protector in an electrical distribution system. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a network protector  14  is a heavy duty switch designed to open and close under specific conditions within an electrical distribution system. These conditions are defined by industry standards. The operating voltage for a network protector is generally up to 600 Volts and is connected to the secondary (low voltage) side of a distribution transformer. The overwhelming majority of network protectors are installed in underground (sub-surface) structures  10 .  FIG. 1  illustrates dimensions (in feet and inches) of a typical underground structure  10 . In most cases, the network protectors  14  are installed in sealed metal enclosures  12  designed to be submerged. As such, these enclosures  12  are referred to as “submersible network protector housings.” 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in certain cases, there are underground structures  10  that are too small or confined to allow for safe installation and operation of submersible network protector housings  12 , which are normally larger than non-submersible enclosures. In these cases, non-submersible enclosures have been used. Typically, the underground structures  10  that house the non-submersible network protector enclosures are equipped with sump pumps to prevent flooding. 
     However, the sump pumps are subject to malfunction due to a number of reasons. During extreme flooding conditions, particularly tidal flooding conditions, much equipment is subject to destruction. This occurred during Hurricane Sandy in New York City, for example. 
     A need for improved submersible network protector enclosures thus exists. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Preferred embodiments are directed to an enclosure for use within an electrical distribution system. The enclosure is designed to contain a component of the electrical distribution system, preferably a network protector, and to withstand ingress of water into the enclosure, preferably up to depths of 25 feet. 
     The enclosure includes a cabinet body that defines an interior region that accepts the component (e.g., network protector). The cabinet body has one or more electrodes sealed with and electrically isolated from the cabinet body, which extend through the cabinet body to establish electrical connection between a corresponding terminal of the component and an electrical distribution network. A first door is pivotably connected to a side of the cabinet body, and the first door includes a contact surface configured to sealingly contact a corresponding surface on the cabinet body. A second door is pivotably connected to an opposing side of the cabinet body, and the second door also includes a contact surface configured to sealingly contact a corresponding surface on the cabinet body. A first gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the first door, and a second gasket is disposed along a distal edge surface of the second door. At least a portion of the first gasket and the second gasket have conformal shapes that sealingly mate with each other when the first and second doors are in a closed position. 
     In certain embodiments, the first gasket includes a recess that extends along the longitudinal length of the first gasket and the second gasket includes a corresponding protrusion that extends along the longitudinal length of the second gasket. The protrusion is shaped to correspondingly engage with the recess when the first and second doors are in the closed position. 
     In preferred embodiments, the first gasket and the second gasket are disposed within respective recesses that extend along the respective distal edge surfaces of the first door and the second door. Also, preferably, at least a third gasket is disposed between the contact surfaces of the first and second doors and the corresponding contact surfaces of the cabinet body. 
     Various embodiments include a locking mechanism to lock the first and second doors in the closed position. In some embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of quick-release latching mechanisms disposed between the first door and the cabinet body and disposed between the second door and the cabinet body. One or more quick-release latching mechanisms can also be disposed between the first door and the second door. 
     In other embodiments, the locking mechanism comprises a handle disposed on the second door that is mechanically coupled to one or more clamps configured to engage corresponding surfaces fixed within the cabinet body when the handle is turned. The handle may also be coupled to a cam that is configured to engage a corresponding surface fixed to the first door when the handle is turned. In such embodiments, it is preferred that the first door includes a lip that is overlapped by the distal edge surface of the second door when in the closed position, and that the second door includes a gasket to sealingly engage with this lip when in the closed position. In certain variations, the contact surface of the first door can includes a recess that extends along the contact surface of the first door and that terminates at the lip, and a gasket is disposed within this recess and protrudes above the recess. This gasket includes an extension extending from the recess to seal a contact surface of the lip with respect to a corresponding surface on the cabinet body when in the closed position, and a top surface of the extension is concave so as to be conformal to a corresponding surface on the gasket of the second door. Furthermore, in such embodiments, it is preferred that the gasket of the second door extends around an entire perimeter of the second door. Such embodiments may also include quick-release latching mechanisms. 
     For various embodiments, an external surface of the cabinet body comprises a plurality of radiating fins. The internal surface of the cabinet body may also include a plurality of fins thermally coupled to the radiating fins. 
     In preferred embodiments, the cabinet body includes at least three electrodes sealed with and electrically isolated from both the cabinet body and each other and which extend through the cabinet body to establish electrical connections between corresponding terminals of a network protector set within the enclosure and the electrical distribution network. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating aspects of the present application, there are shown in the drawings certain preferred embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement, structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown may be used singularly or in combination with other arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to limit the scope of this invention, but are merely presented to clarify illustrated embodiments of the invention. In these drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is top view of a prior art enclosure within an underground structure. 
         FIG. 2  is perspective view of a first embodiment enclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the enclosure shown in FIG.  1  2. 
         FIG. 4  is right-side view of the enclosure shown in FIG.  1  2. 
         FIG. 5  is top view of the enclosure shown in FIG.  1  2. 
         FIG. 6  is top view of the enclosure shown in FIG.  1  2 with the access doors open. 
         FIGS. 7 to 11  are detailed cross-sectional views illustrating closing of the split-access doors for the enclosure shown in FIG.  1  2. 
         FIG. 12  is top view of the enclosure shown in FIG.  1  2 within an underground enclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is perspective view of a second embodiment enclosure. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13  with the access doors open. 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13  with the access doors open. 
         FIG. 16  is a right-side view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  is a detailed perspective view of a left door and gasket for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 18  is a detailed perspective view of a right door and gasket for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view illustrating closing the doors for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 20  is a cross-sectional view illustrating closing the doors for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the doors in a closed state for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 22  is a detailed perspective view of a right door hinge for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 23  is a right side X-ray view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 24  is a detailed right side X-ray view illustrating a locking mechanism for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 25  is a detailed top X-ray view illustrating a locking cam for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 26  is a top view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13  within an underground enclosure. 
         FIG. 27  is top view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 13  within another underground enclosure. 
         FIG. 28  is perspective view of a third embodiment enclosure. 
         FIG. 29  is a perspective view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 28  with the access doors open. 
         FIG. 30  is a right-side view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 31  is a right side X-ray view of the enclosure shown in  FIG. 28 . 
         FIG. 32  is a detailed perspective view of a locking mechanism for the enclosure shown in  FIG. 28 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various embodiments of the invention are intended to allow for the network protector to be submerged without damage yet still fit in an underground structure that normally only allows for a non-submersible enclosure. 
     A first embodiment submersible enclosure  100  is depicted in FIGS.  1 - 12  2-12. The enclosure  100  is made of metal, preferably steel, and is configured to withstand submersion in water to a depth of 25 feet (as measured from the bottom of enclosure  100 ) without water entering into the interior region  101  of enclosure  100 . By way of example, enclosure  100  can be made from ¼ inch thick steel, and include a valve  104  used to pressurize the interior region  101 , preferably with an inert gas, such as nitrogen, so as to further prevent the ingress of water. Interior  101  of enclosure  100  is sized to accept a network protector  199 . Enclosure  100  includes a first door  110  and a second door  120 , which are coupled by way of respective hinges  131 ,  132  on opposing sides of cabinet body  140 . Cabinet body  140 , with doors  110 ,  120 , defines internal region  101  within which is disposed network protector  199 . Cabinet body  140  is preferably grounded, and includes three electrode openings  141  on a top surface, which are used to respectively electrically connect to corresponding electrodes on network protector  199 . Each electrode opening  141  accepts a terminal or bushing that is electrically isolated from cabinet body  140  and extends through cabinet body  140  to connect to the low voltage side of the electrical distribution network. Each terminal or bushing forms a seal within its respective opening  141  that prevents the ingress of water into interior  101 . By way of example, the electrode or terminal may be electrically isolated from the cabinet body  140  by an insulating material, such as polyester, fiberglass, porcelain, epoxy, etc. The insulating material can be sealed against the cabinet body  140  using a flat or O-ring type gasket to prevent water ingress. Other example includes examples include an electrode or terminal that is partially encapsulated in a polymeric (e.g., rubber) material that electrically isolates the electrode and forms a seal against the cabinet body  140  to prevent water entry. 
     The exterior surfaces of cabinet body  140  and doors  110 ,  120  include radiating fins  102  to radiate heat that network protector  199  generates within internal region  101 , which heat is radiated into an underground structure  198 . The interior surface of cabinet body  140  may also include fins, which collect heat generated within interior  101  and conduct this heat to the radiating fins  102  on the exterior surface. Interior surface of doors  110 ,  120  may also include fins. The radiating fins  102  can be, for example, welded to, riveted to or integrally formed with cabinet body  140  and doors  110 ,  120 . 
     Hinges  131 ,  132  respectively pivotably and electrically connect first door  110  and second door  120  to opposite sides of cabinet body  140 . The front of cabinet body  140  has a jamb surface  142 , and each door  110 ,  120  has a corresponding contact surface  112 ,  122  configured to sealingly engage jamb surface  142  when swung shut on hinge  131 ,  132  to provide a water-tight seal between the doors  110 ,  120  and the cabinet body  140 . To facilitate such sealing engagement, one or more of the jamb surface  142  and contact surfaces  112 ,  122  include jamb gaskets  152 . In the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1  2- 12 , for example, a single gasket  152  is disposed along each of the respective contact surfaces  112 ,  122  of the doors  110 ,  120 . Jamb gaskets  152  overlay the entirety of contact surfaces  112 ,  122  of the doors  110 ,  120  to ensure a proper, water-tight seal between the doors  110 ,  120  and the cabinet body  140 . It will be appreciated that although jamb gaskets  152  in  FIGS. 7-11  appear to be discontinuous, this appearance is simply a result of the cross-section taken for  FIGS. 7-11 . In fact, for the embodiment shown in FIGS.  1  2- 11 , jamb gaskets  152  overlay the entirety of their respective contact surfaces  112 ,  122 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7-11 , the interior of doors  110 ,  120  can include steel stiffeners  113 ,  123  to ensure that doors  110 ,  120  do not bow when interior  101  of submersible enclosure  100  is pressurized, and in the cross-sections depicted in  FIGS. 7-11 , these stiffeners  113 ,  123  only appear to interrupt jamb gaskets  152 . 
     To facilitate a water-tight seal between the doors  110 ,  120  themselves, each door  110 ,  120  includes a respective door gasket  154 ,  156 . The door gaskets  154 ,  156  run along the entirety of the distal edge surface of each door  110 ,  120 —i.e., the surface of door  110 ,  120  that is most distal from hinge  131 ,  132  and that swings towards its corresponding surface on the other door  120 ,  110 . The door gaskets  154 ,  156  are configured to matingly engage with each other and are set within, and extend from, corresponding recesses  111 ,  121  that extends down the distal edge surface of each door  110 ,  120 . For example, door gasket  154  may include a depression  155  that runs the length of door gasket  154  and is conformal with a corresponding protrusion  157  running the length of door gasket  156  when doors  110 ,  120  swing shut, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11 . As also illustrated in  FIGS. 7-11 , door gaskets  154 , 156  154, 156 may be compressible against each other to ensure a tight seal between the two. Flat contact surfaces  158 ,  159  on each door gasket  154 ,  156 , which are respectively adjacent to depression  155  and protrusion  157 , may contact and sealingly engage their counterpart contact surfaces  159 ,  158  on the other door gasket  156 ,  154 . Additionally, a protective strip  150 , preferably made of steel, may be disposed on the external surface of one of the doors  154 ,  156  110, 120 along and extending over the distal edge surface of the door  154 ,  156  110, 120 to overlay, and thus protect, the door gaskets  154 ,  156  when doors  110 ,  120  are shut. 
     One or more locking mechanisms  160  are provided on doors  110 ,  120  and cabinet body  140  to lock and clamp doors  110 ,  120  into the closed position, thereby providing a watertight sealing of interior  101 . Locking mechanisms  160  may be provided to lock doors  110 ,  120  to each other, and to lock doors  110 ,  120  to cabinet body  140 . The locking mechanisms  160  pull doors  110 ,  120  towards jamb surface  142 , and also pull the distal edge surfaces of doors  110 ,  120  towards each other. Each locking mechanism is a quick-release latching mechanism including a hook  162  disposed on a first surface, such as the exterior surface of cabinet body  140 , and a handle  164  pivotably connected to a second surface, such as a door  110 ,  120 . A loop  166  is pivotably connected near pivot point  169  of handle  164  and engages with hook  162 . The mechanical advantage provided by handle  164  acting as a lever pulling on loop  166  draws the first surface towards the second surface, such as door  110 ,  120  to jamb surface  142 , or first door  110  to second door  120 . When in the locked position, the changed position of handle  164  causes pivot point  161  of loop  166  to correspondingly change to a position with respect to pivot point  169  and end of handle  164  that causes tension on loop  166  to generate a torque on handle  164  that urges handle  164  into the locked position, or which aligns the pivot points  169 ,  161  with loop  166  so that handle  164  is at least not urged out of the locked position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , in contrast to the single door enclosure  12  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the split-door arrangement of the embodiment enclosure  100  provides for significantly more space (over 19 inches versus three inches in the prior art) between doors  110 ,  120  and the wall of underground structure  198  when doors  110 ,  120  are opened. This additional space greatly facilitates access to interior region  101  of enclosure  100 , and thus to network protector  199 . 
     A second embodiment submersible enclosure  200  is depicted in  FIGS. 13-27 . Similar to enclosure  100 , enclosure  200  is made of metal, preferably steel, and is configured to withstand submersion in water to a depth of 25 feet (as measured from the bottom of enclosure  100  200) without water entering into the interior region  201  of enclosure  200 . Interior region  201  is sized to accept a network protector  299 , and cabinet body  240  can include a pressure valve  204  to pressurize interior region  201 . Enclosure  200  includes a first door  210  and a second door  220 , which are coupled by way of respective hinges  231 ,  232  to opposing sides of cabinet body  240 . Cabinet body  240 , with doors  210 ,  220 , defines internal region  201  within which network protector  299  is disposed. Cabinet body  240  is preferably electrically grounded, and includes three electrode sets  241  on a top surface. Each electrode set  241  electrically connects to a corresponding electrode or bushing on network protector  299 , and thus extends through cabinet body  240 . The electrodes/bushings in each electrode set  241  are electrically isolated from cabinet body  240  and are used to connect to the low voltage side of the electrical distribution network. Each electrode set  241  is sealed with cabinet body  240  to prevent the ingress of water into interior  101 , such as by way of a flat gasket. 
     The exterior surface of cabinet body  240 , and optionally doors  210 ,  220 , includes radiating fins  202  to radiate heat that network protector  299  generates within internal region  201 , which heat is radiated into an underground structure  298 . The interior surface of cabinet body  240  may also include fins  203 , and optionally doors  210 ,  220  as well, which collect heat generated within interior region  201  and conduct this heat to radiating fins  202  on the exterior surface of cabinet body  240 . The radiating fins  202 ,  203  can be, for example, welded to, riveted to or integrally formed with cabinet body  240  and doors  210 ,  220 . 
     Hinges  231 ,  232  respectively pivotably and electrically connect first door  210  and second door  220  to opposite side of cabinet body  240 . The front of cabinet body  240  has a jamb surface  242 , and each door  210 ,  220  has a corresponding contact surface  212 ,  222  configured to sealingly engage jamb surface  242  when swung shut on hinge  231 ,  232  to provide a water-tight seal between doors  210 ,  220  and cabinet body  240 . To facilitate such sealing engagement, one or more of the jamb surface  242  and contact surfaces  212 ,  222  are provided with jamb gaskets. For example, such jamb gaskets can include a first jamb gasket  252  and a second jamb gasket  254  respectively disposed on the first door  210  and second door  220 . Jamb gaskets  252 ,  254  overlay the entirety of respective contact surfaces  212 ,  222  of doors  210 ,  220 , and partially overlap with each other, to ensure a proper, water-tight seal between doors  210 ,  220  and cabinet body  240 . 
     To provide contact surfaces  212 ,  222 , the distal edge surface of each door includes a recess  211 ,  221  that extends around the rim of door  210 ,  220  that forms contact surface  212 ,  222 , and each jamb gasket  252 ,  254  is disposed within its respective recess  211 ,  221 . Each jamb gasket  252 ,  254  extends partially from recess  211 ,  221  so as to make contact with jamb surface  242 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 17 , distal edge surface of first door  210  is recessed with respect to the main outer surface of door  210 , thereby providing a lip  213  that forms an L-shaped cross section and which, when in the closed position, is overlapped by a corresponding portion of the distal edge surface of second door  220 . Recess  211  terminates at this lip  213 , but first jamb gasket  252  continues, jogging downward with lip  213  to provide an extension  253  extending from recess  211 , thus ensuring that contact surface  212  of lip  211  213 is properly sealed. Lip  213  may include a notch to accommodate and provide backing for extension  253  of first jamb gasket  252 . Extension  253  may co-terminate with contact surface  212  of lip  213  or may extend slightly beyond lip  213 . Additionally, top surface of first jamb gasket extension  253  is concave so as to be conformal to the outer surface of the corresponding portion of second jamb gasket  254  on second door  220 . 
     As best illustrated in  FIG. 18 , second jamb gasket  254  of second door  220  extends in a continuous manner around the entire perimeter of second door  220 , including a vertical section  256  that runs from the top of second door  220  to the bottom of second door  220 . As further illustrated in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , first door  210  is first closed against cabinet body  240 , so that first jamb gasket  252  and extension  253  seal against contact surface  242 , thereby sealing both the main portion of first door  210  and lip  213 . Then, as further illustrated in  FIGS. 21 and 24 , second door  220  is closed against both cabinet body  240  and lip  213  of first door  210 . Second jamb gasket  254  seals against contact surface  242 , ensuring a seal between second door  220  and cabinet body  240 . Vertical portion  256  of second jamb gasket  254  seals along lip  213  of first door  210 , thus ensuring a seal between doors  210 ,  220 . Terminal ends of vertical portion  256  contact and seal against the conformal, concave surface of extension  253  of first jamb gasket  252 , thus ensuring that lip  213  is properly sealed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 22 , each hinge  231 ,  232  may be adjustable so as to ensure that the respective door  210 ,  220  properly seals against both cabinet body  240  and the other door  220 ,  210 . By way of example, hinges  231 ,  232  may include a first bolt  233  to adjust the longitudinal spacing between door  210 ,  220  and cabinet body  240 —e.g., move door  210 ,  220  forward or backward with respect to cabinet body  240 . Each hinge  231 ,  232  may further include a second bolt  234 , perpendicular to first bolt  233 , to adjust the lateral positioning of door  210 ,  220 —e.g., move door  210 ,  220  left or right with respect to cabinet body  240 . 
     First bolt  233  connects to a pivoting mechanism fixed to door  210 ,  220 , and to an adjusting block  236  movably mounted within a frame  238  fixed to cabinet body  240 . Rotation of first bolt  233  adjusts the distance between pivoting mechanism  235  and adjusting block  236 , and thus adjusts the longitudinal spacing of door  210 ,  220 . 
     Second bolt  234  connects to adjusting block  236  and frame  238 . Rotation of second bolt  234  moves adjusting block in and out of frame  238 , and thus adjusts the lateral positioning of door  210 ,  220 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 18 and 23-25 , a locking mechanism  260  is provided to lock and clamp doors  210 ,  220  into the closed position, thereby providing water-tight sealing of interior  201 . Locking mechanism  260  includes a handle  261  on second door  220 , which connects to a cam  269  on the interior side of second door  220 . Rotation of handle  261  causes a corresponding rotation of cam  269 . Coupling between cam  269  and handle  261  is designed to be water-tight, including gaskets and other suitable sealing mechanisms as required and known in the art to prevent ingress of water through handle  261 . 
     Cam  269  is pivotably connected to linkages  268  extending to the top and bottom of second door  220 . Ends of linkages  268  are pivotably connected to a respective end of clamp hooks  264  positioned at the top and bottom of second door  220 . Rotation of cam  269  translates into a displacement of linkages  268  that pull up or push down on their respective ends of clamp hooks  264 . 
     Clamp hooks  264  are each pivotably connected to a respective support surface  263  mounted on the interior surface of door  220  at top and bottom locations. As linkages  268  move up and down, causing corresponding pivoting of clamp hooks  264 , clamp hooks  264  bear upon or move away from a respective bearing surface  266  fixed within cabinet body  240 . When clamp hooks  264  bear upon bearing surfaces  266 , second door  220  is pulled tightly against both jamb surface  242  and lip  213  of first door  210 , thus locking both first door and second door  220  into the closed position. 
     To further ensure tight coupling between vertical portion  256  of second jamb gasket  254  and lip  213  of first door  210 , cam  269  can be provided with a beveled surface  267  which, when rotated by handle  261 , comes into contact with, and then bears upon, a corresponding engaging surface  265  on first door  210 . As handle  261  rotates, increasing pressure is applied to engaging surface  265  via beveled surface  267 , thus firmly locking first door  210  to second door  220  and pressuring lip  213  upon vertical portion  256  of second jamb gasket  254 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 26 and 27 , in contrast to the single door enclosure  12  depicted in  FIG. 1 , the split-door arrangement of the embodiment enclosure  200  provides for significantly more space between doors  210 ,  220  and the wall of underground structures  298  when doors  210 ,  220  are opened. 
     A third embodiment submersible enclosure  300  is depicted in  FIGS. 28-32 . Doors  310 ,  320  (and related sealing gaskets  352 ,  354 ), hinges  331 ,  332  and cabinet body  340  are substantially similar to the corresponding doors  210 ,  220 , hinges  231 , 232  231, 232 and cabinet body  240  of the second embodiment enclosure  200  and thus are not discussed. Third embodiment enclosure preferably also includes a first locking mechanism  360  that is substantially identical to locking mechanism  260  of second embodiment enclosure  200 . 
     However, regardless of whether or not enclosure  300  includes this first locking mechanism  360 , enclosure  300  includes a second locking mechanism in the form of one or more a quick-release latching mechanisms  370  that are substantially identical to the a quick-release latching mechanisms  160  of the first embodiment enclosure  100 . As shown illustrated in  FIGS. 28-32 , the quick-release latching mechanisms  370  are preferably disposed on top and bottom sides of doors  310 ,  320 , to couple to cabinet body  340 , as well as along the hinge-side of each door  310 ,  320 . In particular, quick-release latching mechanisms  370  are preferably set immediately adjacent to each distal edge surface of each door  310 ,  320  at top and bottom sides of door doors  310 ,  320 . 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention has many applications, may be implemented in various manners and, as such is not to be limited by the foregoing embodiments and examples. Any number of the features of the different embodiments described herein may be combined into one single embodiment, the locations of particular elements can be altered and alternate embodiments having fewer than or more than all of the features herein described are possible. Functionality may also be, in whole or in part, distributed among multiple components, in manners now known or to become known. 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention. While there have been shown and described fundamental features of the invention as applied to being exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood that omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known, future developed variations and modifications to the components described herein as would be understood by those skilled in the art.