Ground level transformer unit

Claim 2

A ground level transformer unit for connection to underground cables, including: a horizontal pad having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface being adapted to rest upon the earth, and the upper surface adapted to receive a transformer thereon, the pad having a vertical cable opening providing means to receive underground cables therethrough; and a transformer positioned on said pad having means for connection to underground cable extending through said cable opening, the improvement comprising: a cable vault of vertical, hollow, open-top and open-bottom construction, and of cross-sectional dimensions to receive underground cables therethrough while providing space to accept slack in the cables, the cable vault having an upper shoulder portion of dimensions less than the dimension of said pad cable opening and the shoulder portion being slidably received in said pad cable opening permitting relative vertical movement between said pad and the cable vault.

Claim 3

A transformer unit as in claim 1 including a plurality of integral horizontal ribs formed in the walls of said cable vault.

Claim 4

A transformer unit as in claim 1 including a plurality of reinforcing loops disposed within said cable vault.

Claim 5

A transformer unit according to claim 1 wherein said cable vault shoulder received within said pad opening is of sufficient vertical length so that the upper end thereof is above said pad top surface, the upper extending shoulder serving to resist tampering with cables extending through said cable vault and pad opening. .Iadd. 5. A ground level transformer unit for connecting to underground cables, comprising: a horizontal pad having an upper and a lower surface, the lower surface being adapted to rest upon the earth and the upper surface adapted to receive a transformer thereon, the pad having a vertical opening providing means to receive underground cables therethrough; a transformer positioned on said pad having means for connection to underground cable extending through said cable opening; and a cable vault of vertical, hollow, open-top and open-bottom construction, and of cross-sectional dimensions, in a plane parallel to said upper and lower surfaces, greater than said pad cable opening and less than said pad, the vault adapted for burial beneath the earth's surface and to receive underground cables therethrough while providing space to accept slack in the cables, the cable vault having an open top portion configured to communicate with said pad cable opening, the cable vault top portion being in contiguous relationship with said pad lower surface, providing a passageway for slacked underground cables to connect to said transformer. .Iaddend.