Locking system for an electronic enclosure

• US 6,916,985 B1
• Filed: 03/10/2004
• Issued: 07/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charles Industries Limited (Amphenol Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Charles Industries Limited (Amphenol Corporation)
• Inventors: Harwood, Walter
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US10/797,392
• Time in Patent Office: 489 Days
• Field of Search: 174/38, 174/39, 174/17.R, 174/17.CT, 174/58, 174/68.3, 174/101, 174/37, 220/4.02, 220/475, 220/3.8, 361/145, 52/23
• US Class Current: 174/38
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 9/10 in cable chambers, e.g. in manhole or in handhole

Abstract

A pedestal enclosure for electronic components is provided. The pedestal enclosure includes a base section and a cover engageable with the base section. A lock mechanism is arranged on the cover. The lock mechanism includes a latch supported in a lock housing for movement between locked and unlocked positions and a rotator rotatably supported by the lock housing such that rotation of the rotator moves the latch between the locked and unlocked positions. The rotator extends through the lock housing and has a head arranged outside a first side of the housing and a shaft end arranged outside a second side of the lock housing. A removable retaining device is arranged on the shaft end outside the second side of the lock housing. A lock receptacle is supported by the base section for receiving the lock mechanism when the cover is engaged with the base section. The lock receptacle includes a catch that engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position and prevents disengagement of the cover from the base section. The lock receptacle defines a pocket including surfaces for supporting the front, rear and opposing lateral sides and the lower edge of the lock housing.

Claims

1. A pedestal enclosure for electronic components, the enclosure comprising:

a base section;

a cover engageable with the base section;

a lock mechanism arranged on the cover, the lock mechanism including a latch supported in a lock housing for movement between locked and unlocked positions and a rotator rotatably supported by the lock housing such that rotation of the rotator moves the latch between the locked and unlocked positions, the rotator extending through the lock housing and having a head arranged outside a first side of the housing and a shaft end arranged outside a second side of the lock housing, a removable retaining device being arranged on the shaft end outside the second side of the lock housing; and

a lock receptacle supported by the base section for receiving the lock mechanism when the cover is engaged with the base section, the lock receptacle including a catch which engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position and prevents disengagement of the cover from the base section.

2. The pedestal enclosure of claim 1 wherein the lock receptacle defines a pocket including surfaces for supporting a front, rear and opposing lateral sides and a lower edge of the lock housing.

3. The pedestal enclosure of claim 2 wherein the lock receptacle includes a pair of side rails defining channels for receiving the lateral sides of the lock housing.

4. The pedestal enclosure of claim 1 wherein the lock mechanism is located near an upper end of the cover.

5. The pedestal enclosure of claim 4 wherein the lock receptacle is arranged on a bracket connected to the base section and arranged in an interior space defined by the base section and the cover.

6. The pedestal enclosure of claim 1 wherein the lock mechanism is located near a lower end of the cover.

7. The pedestal enclosure of claim 6 wherein the lock receptacle is arranged on the base section.

8. The pedestal enclosure of claim 1 wherein the rotator and latch are made of metal.

9. The pedestal enclosure of claim 1 wherein the retaining device is a snap ring.

10. A pedestal enclosure for electronic components, the enclosure comprising:

a base section;

a cover engageable with the base section;

a lock mechanism arranged on the cover, the lock mechanism including a latch supported in a lock housing for movement between locked and unlocked positions and a rotator rotatably supported by the lock housing such that rotation of the rotator moves the latch between the locked and unlocked positions, the lock housing having front, rear and opposing lateral sides and a lower edge; and

a lock receptacle supported by the base section for receiving the lock mechanism when the cover is engaged with the base section, the lock receptacle including a catch which engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position and prevents disengagement of the cover from the base section, the lock receptacle defining a pocket including surfaces for supporting the front, rear and opposing lateral sides and the lower edge of the lock housing.

11. The pedestal enclosure of claim 10 wherein the rotator is supported on the housing such that the rotator can be removed from the housing without opening the housing.

12. The pedestal enclosure of claim 10 wherein the lock receptacle includes a pair of side rails defining channels for receiving the lateral sides of the lock housing.

13. The pedestal enclosure of claim 10 wherein the lock mechanism is located near an upper end of the cover.

14. The pedestal enclosure of claim 13 wherein the lock receptacle is arranged on a bracket connected to the base section and arranged in an interior space defined by the base section and the cover.

15. The pedestal enclosure of claim 10 wherein the lock mechanism is located near a lower end of the cover.

16. The pedestal enclosure of claim 15 wherein the lock receptacle is arranged on the base section.

17. The pedestal enclosure of claim 10 wherein the rotator and latch are made of metal.

18. A locking system for securing a base section and a cover of a pedestal enclosure, the locking system comprising:

a lock mechanism arranged on the cover, the lock mechanism including a latch supported in a lock housing for movement between locked and unlocked positions and a rotator rotatably supported by the lock housing such that rotation of the rotator moves the latch between the locked and unlocked positions, the rotator extending through the lock housing and having a head arranged outside a first side of the housing and a shaft end arranged outside a second side of the lock housing, a removable retaining device being arranged on the shaft end outside the second side of the lock housing; and

a lock receptacle supported by the base section for receiving the lock mechanism when the cover is engaged with the base section, the lock receptacle including a catch which engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position and prevents disengagement of the cover from the base section.

19. The locking system of claim 18 wherein the lock receptacle defines a pocket including surfaces for supporting a front, rear and opposing lateral sides and a lower edge of the lock housing.

20. The locking system of claim 19 wherein the lock receptacle includes a pair of side rails defining channels for receiving the lateral sides of the lock housing.

21. The locking system of claim 18 wherein the rotator and latch are made of metal.

22. The locking system of claim 18 wherein the retaining device is a snap ring.

23. A locking system for securing a base section and a cover of a pedestal enclosure, the locking system comprising:

a lock mechanism arranged on the cover, the lock mechanism including a latch supported in a lock housing for movement between locked and unlocked positions and a rotator rotatably supported by the lock housing such that rotation of the rotator moves the latch between the locked and unlocked positions, the lock housing having front, rear and opposing lateral sides and a lower edge; and

a lock receptacle supported by the base section for receiving the lock mechanism when the cover is engaged with the base section, the lock receptacle including a catch which engages the latch when the latch is in the locked position and prevents disengagement of the cover from the base station, the lock receptacle defining a pocket including surfaces for supporting the front, rear and opposing lateral sides and the lower edge of the lock housing.

24. The locking system of claim 23 wherein the rotator is supported on the housing such that the rotator can be removed from the housing without opening the housing.

25. The locking system of claim 23 wherein the lock receptacle includes a pair of side rails defining channels for receiving the lateral sides of the lock housing.

26. The locking system of claim 23 wherein the rotator and latch are made of metal.