IP Library Granted Patent US 10,840,682
Granted Patent B2
US 10,840,682 · App. 15/566,943 · Granted Nov 17, 2020

Underground composite cable enclosure

Inventors: Wiley Richard Tipton (Friendsville, TN); Michael Edward Fisher (Knoxville, TN); John Unger (Rocky Mount, NC); Ryan Hudlow (Rocky Mount, NC)
Assignee: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
H02G3/0418H02G3/0468H02G9/06H02G9/065
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,840,682
App. No.
15/566,943
Granted
Nov 17, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides an underground cable enclosure having a body made of a composite material, and a cover assembly having at least one cover rail that is made of polymer cement and molded to at least a portion of the body, and at least one cover that is made of polymer cement and can rest on the at least one cover rail.

Claims (38)

1. An underground cable enclosure, comprising:

a body made of a composite material comprising fiberglass and polyester resin; and

a cover assembly having at least one cover rail attached to at least a portion of the body, at least one cover strut and at least one cover that can rest on the at least one cover rail and the at least one cover strut,

wherein the at least one cover rail and the at least one cover are made of polymer concrete and the at least a portion of the body is molded together with and embedded within the polymer concrete of the at least one cover rail.

2. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein the body comprises:

a base made of the composite material;

a first sidewall made of the composite material and extending from the base; and

a second sidewall made of the composite material and extending from the base.

3. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 2 , wherein the first sidewall has a least a portion with a corrugated structure to increase the strength of the first sidewall.

4. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 2 , wherein the second sidewall has a least a portion with a corrugated structure to increase the strength of the second sidewall.

5. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein the cover assembly further comprises a recessed well and a U-shaped bolt positioned in the recessed well.

6. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one cover rail includes a ledge to support the at least one cover strut and the at least one cover, and a fiberglass reinforcement element embedded within the polymer concrete of the at least one cover rail along the ledge.

7. An underground cable trough, comprising:

a base made of a composite material comprising fiberglass and polyester resin;

a first sidewall extending from the base and made of the composite material;

a first cover rail made of polymer cement and attached to a top portion of the first sidewall, wherein the top portion of the first sidewall is molded together with and embedded within the polymer cement of the first cover rail;

a second sidewall extending from the base and made of the composite material; and

a second cover rail made of polymer cement and attached to a top portion of the second sidewall, wherein the top portion of the second sidewall is embedded within the polymer cement of the second cover rail;

wherein proximal ends of said first and second sidewalls define a first open end and distal ends of said first and second sidewalls define a second open end.

8. The underground cable trough according to claim 7 , further comprising at least one cover strut configured to extend from the first cover rail to the second cover rail.

9. The underground cable trough according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one cover strut is made of steel.

10. The underground cable trough according to claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of cover struts, wherein each cover strut is configured to extend from the first cover rail to the second cover rail.

11. The underground cable trough according to claim 10 , wherein the plurality of cover struts are made of steel.

12. The underground cable trough according to claim 7 , wherein the first sidewall has a least a portion with a corrugated structure to increase the strength of the first sidewall.

13. The underground cable trough according to claim 7 , wherein the second sidewall has a least a portion with a corrugated structure to increase the strength of the second sidewall.

14. The underground cable trough according to claim 7 , wherein the first cover rail and the second cover rail are made of polymer concrete.

15. The underground cable trough according to claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second cover rails further include a fiberglass reinforcement element embedded within the polymer cement.

16. An underground cable enclosure, comprising:

a body made of a composite material comprising fiberglass and polyester resin; and

a cover assembly having at least one cover rail attached to at least a portion of the body and at least one cover that can rest on the at least one cover rail, wherein the at least one cover rail and the at least one cover are made of polymer concrete,

wherein the at least a portion of the body is molded together with and embedded within the polymer concrete of the at least one cover rail.

17. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 16 , wherein the cover assembly further comprises at least one cover strut that can be extended across the body such that the at least one cover can rest upon the at least one cover strut.

18. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 16 , wherein the body comprises:

a base made of the composite material;

a first sidewall made of the composite material and extending from the base; and

a second sidewall made of the composite material and extending from the base.

19. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 18 , wherein the first sidewall has a least a portion with a corrugated structure to increase the strength of the first sidewall.

20. The underground cable enclosure according to claim 18 , wherein the second sidewall has a least a portion with a corrugated structure to increase the strength of the second sidewall.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2018
From: TIPTON, WILEY RICHARD; FISHER, MICHAEL EDWARD; UNGER, JOHN; HUDLOW, RYAN
To: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 045363/0848 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 62147494 · Apr 14, 2015
Provisional Application 62147474 · Apr 14, 2015
Related Publication 20180138677A1 · May 17, 2018
Cited By (4)
US 1,121,180 US 1,131,833 US 12,388,241 US 12,448,742