Computer network equipment enclosure having exchangeable securing mechanisms

An enclosure suitable for housing a data storage network, a telecommunications network or a data communications network, the enclosure comprising:

• at least four sides including a front side, a rear side, a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• a frame including upright supports suitable for mounting network equipment;
• an interior space defined in part by the four sides;
• wherein at least one of the four sides includes a first door and a side opening through which the interior space is accessible when the first door is in an open first position, the first door having an interior side, an exterior side and a lock assembly opening which is defined by a plurality of edges;
• wherein the plurality of edges interconnect with each other to fully surround the lock assembly opening;
• a first lock assembly secured to the first door so that the first door can be secured in a second closed position when the first door is engaged to limit access to the interior via the side opening;
• the first lock assembly including:
• a mounting plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• a lock actuation mechanism;
• and
• a securing mechanism secured proximate the interior surface of the mounting plate;
• wherein the lock actuation mechanism can actuate the securing mechanism so that the securing mechanism can prevent the first door from being opened when the first door is in the second closed position;
• wherein the first lock assembly is secured at least partially within the lock assembly opening of the first door and the interior surface of the mounting plate is secured against the exterior side of the first door and at least one of the edges of the lock assembly opening so that the first lock assembly is effectively secured to the first door;
• wherein the mounting plate and the securing mechanism are on opposite sides of the first door.

An enclosure suitable for housing network equipment, the enclosure comprising:

• at least four sides including a front side, a rear side, a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• a frame including upright supports suitable for mounting network equipment;
• an interior space defined in part by the sides;
• the interior space being accessible through a first door and a second door, each of the doors including an interior side, an exterior side and an opening that is defined by a plurality of edges;
• wherein the plurality of edges interconnect with each other to fully surround the opening;
• a first lock assembly secured to the first door;
• the first lock assembly including:
• a first securing mechanism;
• a lock actuation mechanism;
• wherein the lock actuation mechanism can actuate the securing mechanism so that the securing mechanism can prevent the first door from being opened, so that the first door is in an open first position, when the first door is in a second closed position;
• and
• a first mounting plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• the first securing mechanism being secured to the first mounting plate wherein the first lock assembly is secured within the opening of the first door by at least one retaining member;
• wherein the mounting plate is attached to the exterior side of the first door and the retaining member is attached to the interior side of the first door such that the retaining member and the mounting plate are on opposite sides of the first door;
• a second lock assembly secured to the second door, the second lock assembly including:
• a second securing mechanism;
• a lock actuation mechanism;
• wherein the lock actuation mechanism can actuate the securing mechanism so that the securing mechanism can prevent the second door from being opened so that the second door is in an open first position, when the second door is in a second closed position;
• and
• a second mounting plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• the second securing mechanism being secured the mounting plate;
• wherein the second lock assembly is secured within the opening in the second door by at least one retaining member, wherein the first and second lock assemblies can be removed and interchanged with replacement lock assemblies having such a standard mounting plate and being secured in the opening in which the first or second securing assembly was previously secured.

An enclosure suitable for housing data storage, telecommunications, or data communications network equipment, the enclosure comprising:

• at least four sides including a front side, a rear side, a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• a frame including upright supports suitable for mounting network equipment;
• an interior space defined in part by the sides;
• wherein at least one of the sides includes a first door;
• the first door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an opening defined by a plurality of edges through which the interior space is accessible when the first door is in an open first position;
• wherein the plurality of edges interconnect with each other to fully surround the opening;
• a first lock assembly secured to the first door so that the door can be releasably secured in a second closed position when the first door is locked;
• the first lock assembly including:
• a securing mechanism;
• a lock actuation mechanism;
• wherein the lock actuation mechanism can actuate the securing mechanism so that the securing mechanism can prevent the first door from being opened when the first door is in the second closed position;
• and
• a mounting plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• the securing mechanism being secured to the interior surface of the mounting plate;
• wherein the first lock assembly is secured within the opening of the first door by at least one bracket fastened to the interior surface of the mounting plate and effectively gripping at least one of the opening edges so that the first securing assembly is operatively secured to the first door;
• wherein the mounting plate is attached to the exterior side of the door and the bracket is attached to the interior side of the first door such that the bracket and the mounting plate are on opposite sides of the first door.

An enclosure suitable for housing data storage, telecommunications, or data communications network equipment, the enclosure comprising:

• at least four sides including a front side, a rear side, a first side and a second side opposite the first side;
• a frame including upright supports suitable for mounting network equipment;
• an interior space defined in part by the sides;
• wherein at least one of the sides includes a door;
• the door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an opening defined by a plurality of edges through which the interior space is accessible when the door is in an open first position;
• wherein the plurality of edges interconnect with each other to fully surround the opening;
• a first lock assembly secured to the door so that the door can be releasably secured in a second closed position when the door is locked;
• the first lock assembly including:
• a securing mechanism;
• a lock actuation mechanism;
• wherein the lock actuation mechanism can actuate the securing mechanism so that the securing mechanism can prevent the first door from being opened when the door is in the second closed position;
• and
• a mounting plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• the securing mechanism being secured to the interior surface of the mounting plate;
• wherein the first lock assembly is secured within the opening of the first door by at least one bracket fastened to the interior surface of the mounting plate and effectively gripping at least one of the opening edges so that the first securing assembly is operatively secured to the first door;
• wherein the mounting plate and the bracket are on opposite sides of the door.

A method of securing a fully assembled lock assembly to an enclosure door;

• the method comprising the steps of:
• providing a first fully assembled lock assembly and a first enclosure door having an interior side, an exterior side, and an opening having a plurality of edges proximate the opening;
• wherein the plurality of edges interconnect with each other to fully surround the opening;
• the first fully assembled lock assembly including a securing mechanism, a lock actuation mechanism;
• and a mounting plate having an interior surface and an exterior surface;
• the securing mechanism and the lock actuation mechanism being secured to the mounting plate;
• and
• operatively securing the first fully assembled lock assembly within the opening;
• wherein the fully assembled lock assembly is secured within the opening of the door by at least one retaining member so that the first lock assembly is operatively secured to the first door;
• wherein the mounting plate and the retaining member are operatively secured on opposite sides of the first enclosure door and the lock actuation mechanism can actuate the securing mechanism so that the first enclosure door can be secured in a first closed position.