1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a tamper protector enclosure assembly and is more particularly concerned with providing a tamper protector enclosure for an interface device within a distribution box and the associated telephone wiring or power line wiring feeding into and out of such interface device in order to discourage tampering and/or interruption of telephone service or electrical service through the interface device.
2. Background Information
Telephone network interface devices are well known to those skilled in the art, and typically comprise distribution box in which the telephone company's network wiring and the subscriber's wiring are joined at an interface device within the distribution box, as well as providing a demarcation point with regard to the ownership and maintenance responsibility for those telephone lines. Telephone network interface devices typically are provided with some means of sheltering the telephone line terminals joining the telephone company's and subscribers telephone lines. This shelter is usually a distribution box mounted externally on a house or building. The interface device within the box is usually easily accessible for determining whether problems in telephone service are the result of the telephone company's network, or the subscriber's wiring and equipment within the premises being served by the telephone company. The typical telephone network interface device, through which telephone service is provided to the subscriber's building is attached to the exterior of a structure, more typically on a residential rather than a commercial structure, but such devices are also used on commercial structures.
In the prior art, a number of telephone network interface devices exist which pertain and are primarily concerned with the manner and method in which the telephone company's lines are connected Co the subscriber's telephone service lines. The prior art boxes for the network interface devices generally make provision for enclosing the network interface device within a weather-resistant closure, capable of being locked. In a typical residential application, however, the distribution box and the network interface device are mounted upon the exterior of the residence, the cover for the box being only a plastic housing which fastens to the base which carries the network interface device, which, in turn, fastened to the structure.
Typical of the prior art telephone network interface device and distribution box discussed, is an apparatus similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,853,960 issued to Thomas J. Smith on Aug. 1, 1989 which provides an apparatus for connecting the telephone company's lines to the subscribers' service lines on a network interface baseplate, the baseplate having a covered housing which may be locked into a closed position. The device of Smith may be used for one pair of lines, or multiple pairs in a multi-unit residential or commercial setting.
Another type of network interface device and box disclosed in the prior art is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,466, issued to Dowler et al. on Apr. 25, 1989 which provides a means for interfacing and enclosing a multiple number of telephone lines pairs, typically in a commercial or multi-unit residential facility. Another type of enclosure for a telephone network interface device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,823,381 issued to Robert D. Olson on Apr. 15, 1989, which device comprises a locking security cover with an open frame for multiple telephone line pairs installed and connected to outside telephone line service upon a backboard. As with the Dowler patent, the Olson patent is intended primarily for use in either commercial or multi-unit residential facilities, and, as is the case with all the prior art, designed to protect the network interface only, and to limit access to the wired connections within the box of the interface structure.
None of these devices, however, relate to an apparatus which will completely enclose the interface device itself, as well as the associated telephone line wire from the telephone company, and to the subscriber, which feed into and exit the interface device. This is particularly important in those situations where the telephone company subscriber has installed in their residence, or in their business, a centrally wired burglar alarm system which is, itself, able to communicate with a central monitoring or control station through automatic dialing means over the subscribers' telephone lines and the telephone company's network lines.
Where a burglar is intent upon unlawfully entering a person's residence, or business, and is aware of the fact that the premises are guarded by a centrally wired burglar alarm system, it is the typical practice for the burglar to disable the central monitoring feature of the burglar alarm by cutting either or both of the telephone lines feeding into an interface device. Once this has been accomplished, the burglar knows that he will be able to gain ready access to the structure without fear of actuating the alarm system for contacting the central monitoring or control station, which would then notify the local law enforcement authorities to investigate the alarm signaled into the monitoring station.
None of the prior art recited above has taken into account or provided a means for enclosing the network interface device, the telephone company's service line, and the subscribers telephone line, feeding into and out of the interface device. Accordingly, even if a residential or commercial telephone subscriber has an interface device which has a locking cover, telephone service through said interface can be readily interrupted by severing the telephone lines leading into the interface. Also, none of the prior art has provided a means for signaling an alarm within the structure (distribution box) which contains the interface, nor to a central monitoring or control station. The preferred embodiment described, and as claimed, below, makes provision for fully enclosing the telephone network interface device, the subscriber's telephone lines and telephone company's telephone lines to thereby discourage the deliberate interruption of service, yet provide a means for ready access to the enclosed interface device and telephone line pairs to authorized telephone company and burglar alarm system repairmen.
Electrical power lines are also mounted externally on a structure and provided with distribution boxes similar to those of the telephone service, the function being to house the interface network for the incoming power line and the outgoing power lines. The terminals and exposed wires at the interface are not, however, well protected by the distribution box from weather and these terminals and wires become corroded. This is particularly severe when the structure is close to salt water. The invention disclosed herein contemplates providing additional weather proofing protection for electrical power line distribution or junction boxes and the interfaces therein.