Switchgear enclosure with improved supporting frame and improved access door

A switchgear apparatus comprising

• a sealed fluid pressure vessel,
• a switch mechanism having relatively moveable contacts enclosed by said pressure vessel,
• a frame including a generally horizontal, elongated first member fixedly connected to said pressure vessel at a first point, and a generally horizontal, elongated second member fixedly connected to said pressure vessel at a second point spaced from said first point,
• an outer housing enclosing said pressure vessel and including an interior, a generally horizontal top portion supported by said frame, generally vertical, spaced apart side portions connected to said top portion, and a door which is movable between a lowered, closed position in which said door prevents access to said interior and a raised, open position in which said door affords access to said interior, said door including a first portion connected to said top portion for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, said first portion being angularly spaced from said top portion when said door is in said raised position,
• means for assisting manual movement of said door from said lowered position to said raised position, and
• means for releasably retaining said door in said raised position.

An outdoor switchgear apparatus comprising a sealed fluid pressure vessel,

• a switch mechanism having relatively movable contacts enclosed by said pressure vessel,
• an outer housing enclosing said switch mechanism and including an interior, a generally horizontal, stationary top Portion, generally vertical, spaced apart side portions connected to said top portion, and a door which is movable between a lowered, closed position in which said door prevents access to said interior of said housing, and a raised, open position in which said door affords access to a portion of said interior of said housing, said door including a generally planar first portion directly connected to said top portion for pivotal movement relative thereto about a generally horizontal axis, said first portion being angularly spaced from said top portion when said door is in said raised position, and said door extending above at least part of said interior portion when said door is in said raised position,
• means connected between said housing and said door for exerting a force on said door to assist manual movement of said door from said lowered position to said raised position, and
• means for releasably retaining said door in said raised position.