Enclosure having a lid pivotable to a selfsustaining open position

• US 5,489,039 A
• Filed: 12/06/1994
• Issued: 02/06/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Original Assignee: The Whitaker Corporation (Meggitt PLC)
• Inventors: Duesterhoeft, Scott S., Robertson, James W., Brownlie, Alan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US08/350,443
• Time in Patent Office: 427 Days
• Field of Search: 220/335-338
• US Class Current: 220/832
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/502 composed of different pieces H01R13/514 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5205 Sealing means between cable and housing, e.g. grommet H01R13/5221 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/16 structurally associated with support for line-connecting terminals within the box
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/021 using pivoting mechanisms for accessing the interior of the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/028 Subscriber network interface devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/116 lightning or EMI protection, e.g. shielding or grounding
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/142 Terminal blocks for distribution frames

Abstract

An enclosure (10) for terminal blocks for connection of telephone service cables to others thereof or to a distribution cable (16) providing for mounting therewithin of different types of terminal block. A lid (12) is pivotable from a closed position to a first fully open position where it retains itself open, and may be further pivotable beyond the first open position to a second fully open position where it similarly retains itself open. At least two tab sections (80) of the lid'"'"'s rear wall (40) have free ends (82) that abut the enclosure'"'"'s rear wall when the lid is pivoted open. Corners (84, 85) of the tab free ends (82) compressively bear against the enclosure'"'"'s rear wall and serve as detents to inhibit unintentional lid rotation out of either fully open position.

Claims

1. An enclosure, comprising:

a box section having a bottom wall, front wall, rear wall and opposing side walls and adapted to contain articles therewithin; and

a lid pivotally movable from an open position to a closed position spanning the top of said box section and engaging top edges of said front and rear and opposing side walls of said box section,

a rear edge surface of said lid in said closed position includes extending rearwardly therefrom at least one tab section having a substantially flat vertical free edge surface extending between first and second corners, said tab section having a length such that upon pivoting of said lid to a position intermediate said closed position and at least a first fully open position, said first corner of said free edge surface compressively engages an outer surface of said rear wall of said box section requiring increased force to be applied to further pivot said lid until said free edge surface abuts said rear wall defining said first fully open position, whereby when said enclosure is mounted to a vertical surface and said lid is pivoted upwardly to said first fully open position, said first corner will bear compressively against said outer surface of said rear wall of said box section to retain said lid in said first fully open position until sufficient force is applied to pivot said lid to its closed position.

2. An enclosure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lid is adapted to be pivotable beyond said first fully open position to a second fully open position by application of increased force to overcome resistance to further pivoting created by said second corner bearing compressively against said outer surface of said rear wall of said box section.