Patent US4097683A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4097683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Terminal housing for buried electrical cables and method of expanding same
Assignee: COIL SALES AND Manufacturing Co
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Filing: 1976-09-15
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Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1996-09-15
Abstract
Abstract A housing for surface connections in buried electrical cables which protects the electrical components thereof from flooding and other environmental conditions and which is adapted for easy expansion in both width and/or height and modification as demand requires. The electrical components coupled to the cable are insulated from flood water by air contained within an inverted cover positioned over the components and a portion of the base upon which they are supported. The amount of space available for the electrical components can be readily expanded without alteration to the existing base and components through the use of an adapter capable of supporting additional components and accommodating a larger cover.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank C. Summers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 19:17
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/46; G02B6/50; G02B6/501; H; H02; H02G; H02G15/00; H02G15/02; H02G15/06; H02G15/076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for housing surface electrical connections of buried electrical cables and components coupled thereto comprising a base, a first bracket means mounted in upstanding relation on said base for supporting an electrical component vertically above said base, an adapter mounted on said base, said adapter having a component supporting area greater than said base, second bracket means mounted in upstanding relation on said adapter for supporting an additional electrical component above said adapter and base, said second bracket means being positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to said first bracket means to insure proper positioning of an additional electrical component, a cover having an internal chamber, an open lower end and a closed upper end, said cover being mounted on said adapter with said first and second bracket means being received within said chamber to thereby protect them from flooding by air contained within said cover, means for preventing axial movement of said adapter relative to said base, and means for preventing axial movement of said cover relative to said adapter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for housing surface electrical connections of buried electrical cables and components coupled thereto comprising a base, a first bracket means mounted in upstanding relation on said base for supporting an electrical component vertically above said base, an adapter mounted on said base, said adapter having a component supporting area greater than said base, second bracket means mounted in upstanding relation on said adapter for supporting an additional electrical component above said adapter and base, said second bracket means being positioned at a predetermined angle with respect to said first bracket means to insure proper positioning of an additional electrical component, a cover having an internal chamber, an open lower end and a closed upper end, said cover being mounted on said adapter with said first and second bracket means being received within said chamber to thereby protect them from flooding by air contained within said cover, means for preventing axial movement of said adapter relative to said base, and means for preventing axial movement of said cover relative to said adapter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said adapter is formed of two concentric tubular sections of different transverse dimensions and having an interconnecting web extending therebetween, the smaller of said concentric tubular sections being axially positioned over the end of said base and the larger of said concentric tubular sections mating with the open end of said cover.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 1 including locking members extending outwardly from said base, said adapter being formed with a plurality of downwardly opening L-slots receiving said locking members, at least one of said locking members being threadably engageable with said base to permit selective engagement thereof with said adapter, and said threadably engageable locking member engaging said mounted adapter. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 including means on said adapter for positively locking said
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
cover on said adapter. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said cover locking means includes a plurality of members extending outwardly from said adapter, said cover being formed with a plurality of downwardly opening L-slots receiving said adapter members, and at least one of said adapter members being threadably engageable with said adapter to permit
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
selective engagement thereof with said cover. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for removably mounting said first bracket means in upstanding relation on said base, and means for removably mounting said
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
84 words
second bracket means in upstanding relation on said adapter. 7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which each of said bracket means is formed of a resilient material and has a U-shaped configuration with legs extending away from each other at a slight angle, and said means for mounting said first bracket means includes pins extending inwardly from the inside of said base, and said first bracket means legs are formed with pin receiving apertures and are selectively movable toward each other for positioning
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
over said base pins and into mounted position. 8. The apparatus of claim 7 in which said second bracket mounting means includes pins extending inwardly from the inside of said adapter, and said second bracket legs are formed with pin-receiving apertures and are selectively movable toward each other for positioning over said adapter pins and into mounted
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
168 words
position. 9. A method for expanding a surface housing for buried electrical cables and components coupled thereto which housing includes a base, a first bracket means mounted on the base in upstanding relation for supporting an electrical component and a removable cover mounted on the base and enclosing the first bracket means comprising the steps of: removing the cover, installing an adapter on the base, said adapter having a component supporting area greater than the base, mounting a second bracket means in upstanding relation on the adapter for supporting an additional electrical component above the adapter and base, installing an enlarged cover having an internal chamber, an open lower end and a closed upper end on the adapter with the first and second bracket means being received within the chamber to protect them from flooding, and locking the adapter on the base and the enlarged cover on the adapter to prevent axial movement of the adapter relative to the base and the enlarged cover relative to the adapter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
168 words
position. 9. A method for expanding a surface housing for buried electrical cables and components coupled thereto which housing includes a base, a first bracket means mounted on the base in upstanding relation for supporting an electrical component and a removable cover mounted on the base and enclosing the first bracket means comprising the steps of: removing the cover, installing an adapter on the base, said adapter having a component supporting area greater than the base, mounting a second bracket means in upstanding relation on the adapter for supporting an additional electrical component above the adapter and base, installing an enlarged cover having an internal chamber, an open lower end and a closed upper end on the adapter with the first and second bracket means being received within the chamber to protect them from flooding, and locking the adapter on the base and the enlarged cover on the adapter to prevent axial movement of the adapter relative to the base and the enlarged cover relative to the adapter.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |