US 12,348,023 B2
Flared hinged-folding utility vault device
Andru Bramblett, Montrose, AL (US); Erick Crosby, Magnolia Springs, AL (US); Dustin Nolen, Mount Olive, AL (US); and Raymond G. Thompson, Hoover, AL (US)
Assigned to AFL Telecommunications LLC, Duncan, SC (US)
Filed by AFL Telecommunications LLC, Duncan, SC (US)
Filed on Nov. 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/517,816.
Application 18/517,816 is a continuation of application No. 17/792,634, granted, now 11,862,957, previously published as PCT/US2021/013500, filed on Jan. 14, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/960,779, filed on Jan. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0097422 A1, Mar. 21, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H02G 9/10 (2006.01); H02G 3/08 (2006.01)
CPC H02G 9/10 (2013.01) [H02G 3/086 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A utility vault, the utility vault comprising:
a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels comprising an exterior wall and an interior wall extending between a top end and a bottom end, wherein the exterior wall of each of the plurality of panels flares outwardly at the bottom end, and wherein the interior wall of at least one of the plurality of panels flares outwardly at the bottom end;
a plurality of hinges, each of the plurality of hinges rotatably connecting one of the plurality of panels to another of the plurality of panels; and
a lid removably attached at the top end of the plurality of panels.