US3604835A — Terminal enclosure for buried cable plant

Claim 1

Independent Claim 311 words

An enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flange portions, and front cover means detachably securable to the rear member and cooperating therewith to define a terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure into which upright portions of buried cable and service lines can extend from the ground and in which their connections can be accessibly housed, said enclosure being characterized by: A. a supporting member extending transversely across the rear member near the bottom of the terminal chamber, in forwardly spaced relation to the web portion of the rear member; B. means on the supporting member for securing upright cable stretches thereto and supporting the same in the space between the supporting member and the web portion of the rear member; C. means on the supporting member for securing upright stretches of service lines thereto and supporting the same in front of the supporting member; D. a partition member having a length to extend through a substantial portion of the height of the terminal chamber and a width to substantially bridge the flanges of the rear member; E. means for readily detachably securing the partition member to the flanges of the rear member, to hold the partition member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relationship to the web portion of the rear member, with the lower edge of the partition member spaced above the supporting member and with its upper edge spaced below the top of the rear member, so that the partition member defines a rear compartment in the terminal chamber that can house portions of cable conductors to which access is not normally required; and F. means on the partition member, at spaced-apart zones thereof, for supporting at the front of the partition member conductors to which access may be required.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 311 words

An enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flange portions, and front cover means detachably securable to the rear member and cooperating therewith to define a terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure into which upright portions of buried cable and service lines can extend from the ground and in which their connections can be accessibly housed, said enclosure being characterized by: A. a supporting member extending transversely across the rear member near the bottom of the terminal chamber, in forwardly spaced relation to the web portion of the rear member; B. means on the supporting member for securing upright cable stretches thereto and supporting the same in the space between the supporting member and the web portion of the rear member; C. means on the supporting member for securing upright stretches of service lines thereto and supporting the same in front of the supporting member; D. a partition member having a length to extend through a substantial portion of the height of the terminal chamber and a width to substantially bridge the flanges of the rear member; E. means for readily detachably securing the partition member to the flanges of the rear member, to hold the partition member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relationship to the web portion of the rear member, with the lower edge of the partition member spaced above the supporting member and with its upper edge spaced below the top of the rear member, so that the partition member defines a rear compartment in the terminal chamber that can house portions of cable conductors to which access is not normally required; and F. means on the partition member, at spaced-apart zones thereof, for supporting at the front of the partition member conductors to which access may be required.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 56 words

The terminal enclosure of claim 1, further characterized by: A. said means on the supporting member for securing upright cable stretches thereto comprising slots in the supporting member, near its bottom, in which a hose-type clamp can be engaged; and B. said means on the supporting member for securing upright stretches of service lines thereto comprising

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 11 words

means on each of said arms for securing a clamp thereto.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 11 words

means on each of said arms for securing a clamp thereto.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 52 words

slots in the flanges of the partition member, said pins and slots being arranged to permit the partition member to be partially disengaged and swung to an access position in which it is held on the rear member at a forward And upward inclination to the web portion of the rear member.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 52 words

slots in the flanges of the partition member, said pins and slots being arranged to permit the partition member to be partially disengaged and swung to an access position in which it is held on the rear member at a forward And upward inclination to the web portion of the rear member.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 12 words

lengthwise extending flanges projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of its web portion,

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 12 words

lengthwise extending flanges projecting rearwardly from opposite sides of its web portion,

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 10 words

means on said arms for fastening clamp connectors to them.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 10 words

means on said arms for fastening clamp connectors to them.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 124 words

each of said flanges having a pair of slots therein that open to its rear edge, one near each end of the flange; and B. means on the flanges of the rear member providing laterally inwardly extending pinlike projections, one for each of said slots and which are engageable with said slots to readily detachably mount the partition member on the rear member with the web portion of the partition member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to the web portion of the rear member and substantially spanning the flanges thereof so that the partition member defines a rear compartment in the terminal chamber for conductor portions to which access is not needed and a front compartment in which connections can be accessibly disposed.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 124 words

each of said flanges having a pair of slots therein that open to its rear edge, one near each end of the flange; and B. means on the flanges of the rear member providing laterally inwardly extending pinlike projections, one for each of said slots and which are engageable with said slots to readily detachably mount the partition member on the rear member with the web portion of the partition member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to the web portion of the rear member and substantially spanning the flanges thereof so that the partition member defines a rear compartment in the terminal chamber for conductor portions to which access is not needed and a front compartment in which connections can be accessibly disposed.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 49 words

The terminal enclosure of claim 1, further characterized by: A. the partition member being substantially channel-shaped, with flanges projecting rearwardly from its web portion and received between the flanges of the rear member; and B. said means for readily detachably securing the partition member to the rear member comprising

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 79 words

The enclosure of claim 1, further characterized by: A. the partition member having a forwardly projecting rib extending lengthwise therealong and defining a narrow medial surface that is forwardly offset from a pair of coplanar surfaces, one at each side of the rib; and B. said conductor supporting means on the partition member being so disposed that certain of the conductors to which access may be required overlie each of said coplanar surfaces and others overlie said medial surface.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 223 words

In an enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses assigned conductors of a cable, to which access must be had for the making of connections, and unassigned conductors of the cable to which access need not normally be had: A. an upright partition member in the terminal chamber, extending through a substantial portion of its height in a forwardly spaced relation to the web portion of said rear member and transversely between the flanges of said rear member, to divide the terminal chamber into a rear compartment for unassigned conductors and a front compartment in which assigned conductors are readily accessible; B. means at spaced-apart zones on the partition member for securing assigned conductors to the front thereof; and C. means providing detachable connections between the partition member and said rear member, so arranged that the upper end of the partition member can be swung away from the rear member to dispose the partition member at a forward and upward inclination to the web portion of the rear member, and the partition member can be wholly detached from the rear member.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 223 words

In an enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses assigned conductors of a cable, to which access must be had for the making of connections, and unassigned conductors of the cable to which access need not normally be had: A. an upright partition member in the terminal chamber, extending through a substantial portion of its height in a forwardly spaced relation to the web portion of said rear member and transversely between the flanges of said rear member, to divide the terminal chamber into a rear compartment for unassigned conductors and a front compartment in which assigned conductors are readily accessible; B. means at spaced-apart zones on the partition member for securing assigned conductors to the front thereof; and C. means providing detachable connections between the partition member and said rear member, so arranged that the upper end of the partition member can be swung away from the rear member to dispose the partition member at a forward and upward inclination to the web portion of the rear member, and the partition member can be wholly detached from the rear member.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 148 words

In an enclosure for the above-ground terminals of an installation comprising a buried cable having numerous conductors, and service lines connected with certain of said conductors, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure: A. a platelike upright supporting member upwardly adjacent to the bottom of the terminal chamber, said supporting member being supported by the rear member in forwardly spaced relation to its web portion and extending transversely between its flanges; B. means on the supporting member for supporting the legs of a loop of cable in the space between the supporting member and the web portion of the rear member; and C. means on the supporting member for supporting service lines at the front thereof, comprising

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 148 words

In an enclosure for the above-ground terminals of an installation comprising a buried cable having numerous conductors, and service lines connected with certain of said conductors, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure: A. a platelike upright supporting member upwardly adjacent to the bottom of the terminal chamber, said supporting member being supported by the rear member in forwardly spaced relation to its web portion and extending transversely between its flanges; B. means on the supporting member for supporting the legs of a loop of cable in the space between the supporting member and the web portion of the rear member; and C. means on the supporting member for supporting service lines at the front thereof, comprising

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 88 words

In combination with an enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses the connected portions of conductors that extend into the terminal chamber from underground: A. a channel-shaped partition member having a length equal to a substantial portion of the height of the terminal chamber and having

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 88 words

In combination with an enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses the connected portions of conductors that extend into the terminal chamber from underground: A. a channel-shaped partition member having a length equal to a substantial portion of the height of the terminal chamber and having

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 52 words

The combination of claim 7, further characterized by: the web portion of the partition member being bent to provide a forwardly projecting rib that extends lengthwise along the partition member intermediate its flanges and provides a forwardly facing wall portion that is forwardly offset relative to the remainder of said web portion.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 275 words

In combination with a cable which is mainly buried and which comprises a multiplicity of conductors enclosed in a sheath, and a terminal enclosure that opens downwardly and into which the cable loops upwardly to have its conductors accessible above ground, said enclosure comprising a channel shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and a removable closure cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses unsheathed portions of the cable conductors, certain of which are assigned for connections to be housed in the terminal chamber and the remainder of which are unassigned: A. a partition member having a web portion of a length to extend through a substantial portion of the height of the terminal chamber and a width to span a substantial portion of the distance between the flanges of the rear member; B. means for supporting the partition member on the rear member with the web portion of the partition member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to the web portion of the rear member; C. means on the partition member web portion securing to its front surface the assigned unsheathed conductors of the cable so that said assigned conductors are readily accessible for making and servicing of connections to them; and D. means securing the loop of unassigned conductors of the cable to one of said web portions, in flatwise overlying relation thereto, so that said unassigned conductors are confined to the space between said web portions, out of the way of the assigned conductors and connections to them, and are protected by the partition member.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 275 words

In combination with a cable which is mainly buried and which comprises a multiplicity of conductors enclosed in a sheath, and a terminal enclosure that opens downwardly and into which the cable loops upwardly to have its conductors accessible above ground, said enclosure comprising a channel shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and a removable closure cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses unsheathed portions of the cable conductors, certain of which are assigned for connections to be housed in the terminal chamber and the remainder of which are unassigned: A. a partition member having a web portion of a length to extend through a substantial portion of the height of the terminal chamber and a width to span a substantial portion of the distance between the flanges of the rear member; B. means for supporting the partition member on the rear member with the web portion of the partition member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to the web portion of the rear member; C. means on the partition member web portion securing to its front surface the assigned unsheathed conductors of the cable so that said assigned conductors are readily accessible for making and servicing of connections to them; and D. means securing the loop of unassigned conductors of the cable to one of said web portions, in flatwise overlying relation thereto, so that said unassigned conductors are confined to the space between said web portions, out of the way of the assigned conductors and connections to them, and are protected by the partition member.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 108 words

The combination of claim 9, further characterized by: E. a service line which extends into the terminal chamber to have its conductors connected with assigned conductors of the cable; F. A platelike supporting member carried by the rear member in forwardly spaced substantially parallel relation to its web portion and transversely to its flanges, said supporting member being in the lower portion of the terminal chamber and in downwardly spaced relation to the partition member; G. means on the supporting member for supporting sheathed portions of the cable at the rear thereof; and H. means on the supporting member for supporting the service line at the front thereof.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 272 words

In an enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses assigned conductors of a cable, to which access must be had for the making of connections, and unassigned conductors of the cable to which access need not normally be had: A. an upright partition member in the terminal chamber, extending through a substantial portion of its height, said partition member being substantially channel-shaped in cross section with its flanges projecting rearwardly from its web portion: B. means connecting the flanges of the partition member to the flanges of said rear member to support the partition member in forwardly spaced relation to the web portion of said rear member and transversely between the flanges of said rear member, to divide the terminal chamber into a rear compartment for unassigned conductors and a front compartment in which assigned conductors are readily accessible; C. means at spaced-apart zones on the partition member for securing assigned conductors to the front thereof; D. the web portion of the partition member having a forwardly projecting rib extending lengthwise therealong and defining a narrow medial surface that is forwardly offset from a pair of coplanar surfaces, one at each side of the rib; and E. said conductor-supporting means on the partition member being so disposed that certain of the conductors to which access may be required overlie each of said coplanar surfaces and others overlie said medial surface.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 272 words

In an enclosure for above-ground terminals of a buried cable installation, which enclosure comprises an upright channel-shaped rear member having a web portion and forwardly projecting flanges, and removable closure means cooperating with the rear member to define a vertically elongated terminal chamber at the top of the enclosure that houses assigned conductors of a cable, to which access must be had for the making of connections, and unassigned conductors of the cable to which access need not normally be had: A. an upright partition member in the terminal chamber, extending through a substantial portion of its height, said partition member being substantially channel-shaped in cross section with its flanges projecting rearwardly from its web portion: B. means connecting the flanges of the partition member to the flanges of said rear member to support the partition member in forwardly spaced relation to the web portion of said rear member and transversely between the flanges of said rear member, to divide the terminal chamber into a rear compartment for unassigned conductors and a front compartment in which assigned conductors are readily accessible; C. means at spaced-apart zones on the partition member for securing assigned conductors to the front thereof; D. the web portion of the partition member having a forwardly projecting rib extending lengthwise therealong and defining a narrow medial surface that is forwardly offset from a pair of coplanar surfaces, one at each side of the rib; and E. said conductor-supporting means on the partition member being so disposed that certain of the conductors to which access may be required overlie each of said coplanar surfaces and others overlie said medial surface.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1974-09-13	1975-03-15	1975-09-14	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1978-09-13	1979-03-15	1979-09-14	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1982-09-13	1983-03-15	1983-09-14	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Terminal enclosure for buried cable plant

Abstract

Inventors

Bibliographic Details

Claims Analysis

References Cited (Backward Citations)

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Assigned Categories & Tags

Assign Category Tag