Secure enclosure for access to cabled systems
View Patent ↗An enclosure is disclosed which is highly secure, permits access to a cabled network system only by one user at a time, permits visual and unequivocal observation of the security status of the enclosure, and prevents access to the interior thereof only by authorized persons. The enclosure has back, front and side walls and an interior, with all connections being internal. Limited interior access is provided only through a door and a service opening. Within the enclosure is a system connection device to the system, which is configured for access thereto by only a single user at a time. A lock secures door closure. Thus access to the cabled system through the enclosure is available only to one user at a time and must be obtained through the open door, with usage thereby being visually identifiable, and the door prevents unauthorized access.
1. An enclosure for secure interconnection access to a cabled system by a user thereof, which comprises:
a housing having a back wall and a front wall connected by a peripheral wall, said walls defining an interior space in said housing, all joints therein being within said interior or on an interior side of said walls, said housing being constructed of a material which strongly resists penetration and is not readily degraded by the elements if placed in an exposed environment;
said walls limiting user access to said interior space only through said front wall comprising an openable door, said door being hinged with a hinge whose working mechanism is disposed within said enclosure, such that no portion of said hinge is assessable from outside said housing when said door is closed;
a system connection member disposed in said interior and including interconnect means for connection to said system only through a service access opening in said back wall or said peripheral wall, said system connection member being configured for access thereto by only a single user at a time; and
locking means for secure closure of said door;
whereby access to said cabled system through said enclosure is available only to one user at a time and is visually identifiable and closure of said door securely prevents unauthorized access to said connection means and said system.
2. An enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said service access opening is in said back wall and said enclosure further comprises means for securely affixing said enclosure to a structure wall containing a portion of said cabled system accessible through an opening in said structure wall, such that when said enclosure is affixed to said structure wall with said service access opening aligned with said opening in said structure wall, said interconnect means can be connected to said portion of said system through the aligned openings.
3. An enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said service access opening is in said peripheral wall and said enclosure further comprises means for securely affixing an end of a conduit containing a portion of said cabled system therein to said enclosure and extending through said service access opening into said interior, said portion of said cabled system being accessible at said end of said conduit, such that said interconnect means can thereby be connected to said portion of said system.
4. An enclosure as in claim 3 wherein said service access opening is in a top portion of said peripheral wall and said conduit extending therethrough is disposed above said enclosure.
5. An enclosure as in claim 3 wherein said service access opening is in a bottom portion of said peripheral wall and said conduit extending therethrough is disposed below said enclosure.
6. An enclosure as in claim 3 wherein said service access opening is in a side portion of said peripheral wall and said conduit extending therethrough is disposed laterally of said enclosure.
7. An enclosure as in claim 3 wherein said conduit comprises a vertical wire management conduit or a wire pole.
8. An enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said door is removable.
9. An enclosure as in claim 8 wherein said door is attached by hinges which permit said door to be removed from attachment to said front wall and subsequently be reattached thereto.
10. An enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said locking means comprises a hasp attached to said front wall and extending through a first aperture in said door when said door is closed, said hasp having a second aperture in the extended portion thereof to receive a lock.
11. An enclosure as in claim 1 wherein said material comprises a high-strength metal, metal alloy, ceramic or polymeric material.
12. An enclosure as in claim 1 further comprising said enclosure being disposed in a workplace facility and said cabled system being disposed internally of said facility.
13. An enclosure as in claim 12 wherein said cabled system comprises fiber optic cable, co-axial cable or conductive metal wire cable.
14. An enclosure as in claim 1 further comprising said enclosure being disposed in a workplace facility and said cabled system being disposed externally of said facility.
15. An enclosure as in claim 14 said cabled system comprises fiber optic cable, co-axial cable or conductive metal wire cable.
16. An enclosure as in claim 1 wherein each authorized user is identified upon accessing said cabled system.