Grade level enclosures for underground utility connections

1. A grade level box for underground utilities connections comprising:

a substantially vertical wall structure extending continuously around an open interior region within the wall structure, the wall structure made of a molded polymeric material,

a vertically and horizontally extending supporting grid structure made of a molded polymeric material and integrally molded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure, the grid structure comprising horizontally spaced apart vertical ribs extending continuously from a lower to an upper portion of the vertical wall structure, and vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extending continuously around the vertical wall structure, including a concrete-containing ring adapted to be supported on an upper edge of the vertical wall structure of the grade level box, the ring having an interior opening adapted for alignment with the open interior region within the grade level box,

in which an inside section of the ring is profiled to support a cover which optionally can be made from a concrete-containing material.

2. An underground utilities enclosure and distribution assembly comprising:

a grade level box adapted for installation below ground and having an upper opening facing an interior region for containing a below-ground electrical utility cable,

a removable cover plate adapted for mounting to the opening in the grade level box to close off at least a portion of the interior region thereof from the environment, the cover plate comprising a pedestal mounting section; and

a pedestal housing adapted for attachment to the pedestal mounting section and providing above-ground access to the interior region of the grade level box,

the grade level box comprising a substantially vertical wall structure extending continuously around the interior region within the wall structure, the wall structure made of a molded polymeric material, and a vertically and horizontally extending supporting grid structure made of a molded polymeric material and integrally molded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure, the grid structure comprising horizontally spaced apart vertical ribs extending continuously from a lower to an upper portion of the vertical wall structure, and vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extending continuously around the vertical wall structure.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 including a recessed rim projecting into and around the interior region of the box and formed above an inside portion of the vertical wall structure, so that the cover plate resting on the rim is supported by the vertical wall structure.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2 , in which the wall structure is split into at least two parts to form a seam, and including upright abutting flanges integrally molded to the wall structure along the seam, and fastening means extending through the abutting flanges for securing opposite sides of the wall structure together as a rigid unit.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 , in which the wall structure is split longitudinally into two parts to form vertical seams along each end of the wall structure, and in which said abutting flanges are formed along each vertical seam.

6. An underground utilities enclosure and distribution assembly comprising:

a grade level box adapted for installation below ground and having an upper opening facing an interior region for containing a below-ground electrical utility cable,

a removable cover plate adapted for mounting to the opening in the grade level box to close off at least a portion of the interior region thereof from the environment, the cover plate comprising a pedestal mounting section; and

a pedestal housing adapted for attachment to the pedestal mounting section and providing above-ground access to the interior region of the grade level box,

the grade level box comprising a substantially vertical wall structure extending continuously around the interior region within the wall structure, the wall structure made of a molded polymeric material, and a vertically and horizontally extending supporting grid structure made of a molded polymeric material and integrally molded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure, the grid structure comprising horizontally spaced apart vertical ribs extending continuously from a lower to an upper portion of the vertical wall structure, and vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extending continuously around the vertical wall structure, and a recessed rim projecting into and around the interior region of the box and formed above an inside portion of the vertical wall structure, so that the cover plate resting on the rim is supported by the vertical wall structure,

in which the upper opening of the box faces the interior region, and in which the removable cover plate for said upper opening rests on the rim and is supported by the vertical wall structure.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 , in which the box has a bottom opening for receiving a below-ground electrical utility cable within the interior region of the box.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 , in which the box is positioned in an opening in the ground, in which a below-ground electrical utility cable is contained within the interior region of the grade level box, and in which the cover plate is positioned in substantial alignment with ground level.

9. An underground utility enclosure assembly comprising:

a grade level box for installation below ground with an opening facing an interior region for containing a below-ground electrical utility cable,

a removable cover plate for mounting over the opening in the grade level box to close off at least a portion of the interior region thereof from the environment,

the grade level box comprising a substantially vertical wall structure extending continuously around an open region within the wall structure, the wall structure made of a molded polymeric material, and a vertically and horizontally extending supporting grid structure made of a molded polymeric material and integrally molded to an outer face of the vertical wall structure, the grid structure comprising horizontally spaced apart vertical ribs extending continuously from a lower to an upper portion of the vertical wall structure, the vertically spaced apart horizontal ribs extending continuously around the vertical wall structure,

the grade level box having an upper edge extending generally horizontally around an upper portion of the box, the upper edge integrally molded to and supported by the vertical wall structure, and a bottom opening in the grade level box for receiving a below-ground electrical utility cable within the interior region of the box,

the cover plate having an outer portion adapted for contacting the upper edge of the grade level box so that the cover plate outer portion resting on said upper edge is supported substantially continuously around the grade level box by the vertical wall structure.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 including a concrete-containing ring adapted to be supported on the upper edge of the grade level box, the ring having an interior opening adapted for alignment with the open interior region within the grade level box.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 , in which an inside section of the ring is profiled to support a cover which optionally can be made from a concrete-containing material.

12. Apparatus according to claim 9 , in which the wall structure is split into at least two parts to form a seam, and including upright abutting flanges integrally molded to the wall structure along the seam, and fastening means extending through the abutting flanges for securing opposite sides of the wall structure together as a rigid unit.

13. Apparatus according to claim 12 , in which the wall structure is split longitudinally into two parts to form vertical seams along each end of the wall structure, and in which said abutting flanges are formed along each vertical seam.

14. Apparatus according to claim 9 , in which the box is positioned in an opening in the ground, in which a below-ground electrical utility cable is contained within the interior region of the grade level box, and in which the cover plate is positioned in substantial alignment with ground level.