Patent Abstract:
An electronic equipment apparatus is provided. The electronic equipment apparatus includes an enclosure for holding electronic equipment. The electronic equipment apparatus also includes a hinged pivot mount, wherein the enclosure is rotatably coupled to the hinged pivot mount.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is related to U.S. patent applications Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 100.840US01) having a title of “MODULARIZED RADIO FREQUENCY BAND COMPONENTS ON REMOVABLE DOORS” (also referred to here as the “&#39;840 Application”), Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 100.834US01) having a title of “CLAMSHELL CHASSIS ASSEMBLY” (also referred to here as the “&#39;834 Application”), and Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 100.-8315US01) having a title of “A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL HINGE” (also referred to here as the “831 Application”) which are each filed on even date herewith. The &#39;840, &#39;834, and &#39;831 Applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    For many years outdoor electronic enclosures have been mounted on utility poles high above the ground. To access the enclosure for repairs or maintenance a serviceperson is usually lifted in the boom of a boom truck to the height of the enclosure. From the elevated boom the serviceperson can generally only access what is within an arm&#39;s reach, because a boom, once elevated, has minimal if any capability for lateral movement. If, for example, the enclosure has an access door on each of its four sides, the boom may provide the operator with access to at most three sides of the enclosure. The fourth side has limited access, because it is mounted to the pole and is generally on the side of enclosure opposite of the boom. 
         [0003]    Typically the only means of access to components located on or near this fourth side of the enclosure is by completely removing the enclosure from the pole, or by opening one of the other access doors and reaching through the enclosure. Both of these options present problems. For example, the enclosures are often large, heavy, and securely mounted to the pole, all which make removing the enclosure no small task. The enclosure is typically connected to some type of power source, requiring trained technicians to disconnect. Also, if the enclosure provides some type of service, such as telecommunications coverage, power distribution, security or monitoring, removing the enclosure can have a negative impact on the system. Additionally, enclosures generally make efficient use of internal space, resulting in many cables running about. This makes it difficult or impossible to reach through the enclosure. 
         [0004]    For the reasons stated above, and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a mechanism that provides easy access to the pole side of a mounted enclosure. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The above-mentioned problems of current systems are addressed by embodiments of the present invention and will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the invention. In one embodiment, an electronic equipment apparatus is disclosed. The electronic equipment apparatus includes an enclosure for holding electronic equipment. The electronic equipment apparatus also includes a hinged pivot mount, wherein the enclosure is rotatably coupled to the hinged pivot mount. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention can be more easily understood, and further advantages and uses thereof are more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following figures in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pivoting enclosure system in an open position; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the pivoting enclosure system of  FIG. 1  in a closed position; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3A  is a front view of a pivoting bracket for use in a system similar to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3B  is a side view of a pivoting bracket for use in a system similar to  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3C  is a back view of a pivoting bracket for use in a system similar to  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3D  is a top view of a pivoting bracket for use in a system similar to Figure 
       
    
    
       [0013]    In accordance with common practice, the various described features are not drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific features relevant to the present invention. Like reference characters denote like elements throughout the Figures and text. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific illustrative embodiments in which the method and system may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
         [0015]    Embodiments of the present invention provide for a system for mounting a telecommunications enclosure, or similar enclosure containing electronic devices, to a mounting surface, and enabling the enclosure to pivot relative to the mounting surface. 
         [0016]    With reference now to the figures,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate perspective views, shown generally at  100  and  101  respectively, of a pivot mount  106  (pivot bracket) that improves the accessibility of an enclosure  102  and enables enclosure  102  to be mounted to a utility pole  104 . Pivot mount  106  provides secure attachment of enclosure  102  to pole  104 . Notably, pivot mount  106  allows enclosure  102  to partially rotate about an axis relative to pole  104  which exposes a back side  108  (pole side) of enclosure  102 . Access to pole side  108  of enclosure, enables easier upgrades and repairs for maintenance crews accessing components on or near pole side  108  of enclosure  102 . 
         [0017]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , enclosure  102  is a telecommunications enclosure, or more specifically, a cabinet holding a plurality of telecommunication devices. In alternate embodiments, enclosure  102  could be any enclosure containing any type of devices, which is mounted to an upright structure and with which it is desirable to have access to the pole side of the enclosure. As it is used here, enclosure  102  includes devices mounted internally, externally, or both. Although  FIG. 1  shows enclosure  102  mounted to a utility pole  104 , other mounting surfaces are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. For example, alternate embodiments include, but are not limited to, a light pole, a tree, a side of a building, or any other upright structure. 
         [0018]    Pivot mount  106  includes a first hinge  112  and a second hinge  113  for coupling enclosure  102  to pole  104 . Hinges  112 ,  113  provide the ability to pivot enclosure  102  relative to pole  104 . First hinge  112  is located at the top of enclosure  102  and second hinge  113  is located at the bottom of enclosure  102 . In this embodiment, enclosure  102  has an aperture in both the top and bottom for connecting enclosure  102  to hinges  112 ,  113 . One pivot bolt  115  for each hinge  112 ,  113  is used to connect enclosure  102  to each hinge  112 ,  113 . Each pivot bolt  115  extends through an aperture (not shown) in each hinge  112 ,  113  and into the aperture in enclosure  102 . In this embodiment, the apertures in enclosure  102  are threaded and bolts  115  screw into the threaded apertures. Bolts  115  are solidly connected to enclosure  102 , and thus rotate with enclosure  102  as enclosure  102  is pivoted. As enclosure  102  is pivoted, bolts  115  rotationally slide within the apertures of hinges  112 ,  113 . 
         [0019]    As known to those skilled in the art, although in this embodiment, an aperture and a bolt  115  are used to connect enclosure  102  to hinges  112 ,  113 , other mechanisms for connecting enclosure  102  to hinges  112 ,  113  are contemplated as within the scope of this invention. For example, a screw or a pin could be used to connect hinges  112 ,  113  to enclosure  102 . Additionally, although for illustration purposes two hinges (e.g.  112 ,  113 ) are used to connect to enclosure  102 , the present invention is not intended to be so limited. Notably, a single hinge, or more than two hinges could be used. Also, in other embodiments, a different type of hinge is used. For example, in one embodiment, a single hinge of the type common in household door applications could be used. In this embodiment, one component of the hinge is connected to the side of enclosure  102 , and the other component of the hinge is connected to pivot mount  106 . In this embodiment, both components are aligned and a pin is placed through the components. Alternatively, any other type of hinge could be used as known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0020]    As shown, hinges  112 ,  113  define a vertical pivoting axis for enclosure  102  through each of the apertures within hinges  112 ,  113 . In this embodiment, enclosure  102  “opens” to the left by pivoting from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . The vertical axis provided by hinges  112 ,  113  is located off-centered in enclosure  102 . This positioning of hinges  112 ,  113  enables full exposure of pole side  108  when enclosure  102  is pivoted to the open position as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0021]    In another embodiment, hinges  112 ,  113  are disposed to provide a horizontal pivot axis. In this alternative embodiment, hinges  112 ,  113  are connected to opposite lateral sides of enclosure  102 , and enclosure  102  opens either upwards or downwards depending on the point(s) of connection between hinges  112 ,  113  and enclosure  102 . In still another alternative embodiment, hinges  112 ,  113  are disposed to form a vertical pivot axis as in  FIG. 1 ; however, hinges  112 ,  113  are connected to enclosure  102  near the center of the top and bottom of enclosure  102 . In this alternative embodiment, enclosure  102  can freely rotate 360 degrees to the degree restricted only by cables other obstacles hindering such rotation. 
         [0022]    In the illustrative embodiment of  FIG. 1 , enclosure  102  has a plurality of electrical connectors shown generally at  116 . Electrical connectors  116  are used to connect cables (e.g. fiber optic cables, coaxial cables, power cables, etc.) to enclosure  102 . In this embodiment, connectors  116  are positioned near the vertical pivot axis to minimize the translational distance of travel when enclosure  102  is pivoted. This minimizes the strain on the cables and reduces the amount of slack required when connecting the cables. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  3 C, and  3 D illustrate front, side, back, and top views respectively of one embodiment of a pivot mount  300  which is similar to pivot mount  106  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Pivot mount  300  has a base  302 , a first hinge  304 , and a second hinge  306 . Base  302  has an enclosure face  307  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) which is on the side of pivot mount  300  in which the enclosure is adjacent when the enclosure is in the closed position. Enclosure face  307  has a design and shape that fits the pole side  108  of enclosure  102 . In this embodiment, enclosure face  307  of base  302  is flat and planar. The present invention, however, is not intended to be limited to a flat and planar enclosure face  307 . For example, in other embodiment, an enclosure has a rounded side adjacent to enclosure face  307 , and enclosure face  307  of base  302  is similarly rounded to match with the side of the enclosure. 
         [0024]    Base  302  also has a pole face  309  shown in  FIG. 3C . Pole face  309  of enclosure  3 C has a design and shape that fits onto pole  104 . In this embodiment, pole face  309  of base  302  has a stabilizer  308  (shown in  FIGS. 3B ,  3 C, and  3 D) made up of two rails. Each rail of stabilizer  308  extends vertically on base  302  of pivot mount  300  and is spaced apart from the other rail. This allows pivot mount  300  to mount evenly and securely upon pole  104 . When pivot mount  300  is mounted to pole  104 , the rails extend parallel with pole  104  and the curvature of pole  104  is straddled between the two rails. Each rail has a plurality of apertures  310  through which a band clamp  110  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) is inserted. When pivot mount  300  is mounted to pole  104 , each band clamp  120  extends around pole  104  and through one of the apertures  310  of pivot mount  300 . To secure pivot mount  300  to pole  104 , each band clamp  110  is tightened around pole  104 . This causes stabilizer  308  to place force against pole  104 , thus holding pivot mount  300  to pole  104 . Each band clamp  110  is of sufficient size and strength, such the weight of enclosure  102  and pivot mount  300  are supported. 
         [0025]      FIG. 3B  shows a side of pivot mount  300  opposite of hinges  304 ,  306  having a lip  312 . Lip  312  of base  302  is used to hold enclosure  102  in a closed position (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) when pole side  108  of enclosure  102  is not being accessed. Lip  312  has two apertures  314  which each accept a screw  114  (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). When enclosure is closed, screws  114  are screwed through apertures  310  and are tightened, applying pressure to enclosure  102  and preventing enclosure  102  from unintentionally pivoting out of the closed position. Although in this illustrative embodiment, lip  312  and screws  114  are used as a fastener to hold enclosure  102  in the closed position, the present invention is not intended to be so limited. In other embodiments, enclosure  102  is held in place with a different fastener. For example, enclosure  102  may have apertures into which screws  114  could be inserted to hold enclosure  102  in place, or a pin, strap, mechanical latch, or other mechanism that does or does not use apertures  314  could be used to hold enclosure  102  in place. 
         [0026]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , to easily access pole side  108  of enclosure  102 , enclosure  102  is pivoted (opened) to 90 degrees as shown in  FIG. 2 . To allow enclosure  102  to pivot from the closed position, screws  114  are removed from apertures  202  in pivot mount  106 . Alternatively, instead of screws  114 , a captive fastener could be used to hold the enclosure in the closed position. In this case the captive fastener would be loosed to disengage from pole side  108 , yet still be held captive within pivot mount  106 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , with screws  114  removed, enclosure  102  can pivot freely by manual rotation to an open position. As shown in  FIG. 2 , enclosure  102  is opened to approximately 90 degrees from the fully closed position. In other embodiments, however, hinges  112 ,  113  could be positioned in other locations to allow pivoting of enclosure  102  of differing degrees as desired for the particular application. 
         [0027]    To protect pole side  108  from the natural elements, and prevent access to pole side  108 , enclosure  102  is pivoted to the closed position. Screws  114  are then screwed through apertures  202  in pivot mount and tightened against enclosure. Although pole side  108  is difficult to access in the closed position, in this embodiment, the other three sides  118  of enclosure  102  are still accessible. For additional security, a mechanical cylinder having a proprietary heat fastener could replace one or both of screws  114 . In other embodiments, an external feature could be included to allow for an external padlock to be used. 
         [0028]    Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement, which is calculated to achieve the same purpose, may be substituted for the specific embodiment shown. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the present invention. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

Technology Classification (CPC): 7