Apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet

Abstract

An apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital service access equipment allows digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet to be accessible for coupling to other equipment disposed in the enclosure. The apparatus comprises a bracket, a wireway, and a fastener. The bracket is configured to attach to a substantially vertical surface of the enclosure. The attachment of the bracket to the enclosure provides a support for the cabinet. The wireway enables an interior of the enclosure to be coupled to an interior of the cabinet if the cabinet is attached to the bracket. The fastener attaches the cabinet to the bracket.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital service access equipment, comprising: 
 a bracket that is configured to attach to a substantially vertical surface of the enclosure, wherein the attachment of the bracket to the enclosure provides a support for the cabinet;    a wireway, wherein the wireway enables an interior of the enclosure to be coupled to an interior of the cabinet if the cabinet is attached to the bracket; and    a fastener for attaching the cabinet to the bracket;    wherein digital service access equipment that is disposed in the cabinet is accessible for coupling to other equipment disposed in the enclosure.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wireway is formed by a port that extends from a substantially vertical surface of the cabinet disposed against a substantially vertical surface of the bracket through the substantially vertical surface of the enclosure that is attached to the bracket.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the wireway further comprises an orifice formed in the bracket.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cabinet further includes at least one of an input cable and an output cable extending through the wireway to enable coupling of digital access equipment disposed in the cabinet to other equipment disposed in the enclosure.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bracket further comprises a U-shaped base and a plate extending substantially perpendicular from the base.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the base further comprises a main body and a pair of arms extending substantially perpendicular from opposite ends of the main body, the plate extending substantially perpendicular from the main body and the arms.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the plate is attached to the base by a fastening mechanism.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket is an integral member.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the fastener further comprises a slot formed in an edge of a free end of the plate and an L-shaped tab extending from the cabinet to selectively engage with the slot.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cabinet provides a weather proof roof environment for digital access equipment disposed within the cabinet.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is a distribution area cross-connect enclosure.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is mounted on a concrete pad.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the cabinet is mounted on the bracket such that the cabinet is supported by the concrete pad.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a modified housing that is arranged to facilitate attachment of the cabinet.  
     
     
         15 . An apparatus for retrofitting an enclosure with a cabinet for digital service access equipment, comprising: 
 a bracket that is configured to attach to a substantially vertical surface located proximate to the enclosure, wherein the attachment of the bracket to the substantially vertical surface provides a support for the cabinet;    a wireway, wherein at least one of an input cable and an output cable extending through the wireway enables coupling of digital service access equipment disposed in the cabinet to other equipment disposed in the enclosure; and    a fastener for attaching the cabinet to the bracket.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially vertical surface is a wall.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the substantially vertical surface is a pole.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the cabinet is mounted on the bracket such that the cabinet is supported by the substantially vertical surface.