Modular cage for equipment and method of assembling the same

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a modular security cage system configured to be disposed over a base surface to secure and maintain equipment within the security cage. The modular security cage includes multiple frame panels with multiple coupling tabs extending within the cage and from each of the multiple frame panels. Each of the frame panels are operable to be modularly coupled to each other to form at least a four-sided cubic shaped cage. Each of the coupling tabs are configured to extend internally within the cubic shaped cage and are operable to be secured to another tab extending from an adjacent one of the frame panels to removably couple each frame panel together to form the cubic shaped cage. In another embodiment, the cage can include at least one pivot shoe configured to suspend the cage above the base surface to allow the cage to pivot upward to provide accessibility therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a security cage formed modularly and configured to provide security from theft of outdoor utility equipment disposed in the security cage.

2. State of the Art

Security cages are well known in the art. Many security cages are configured to house and secure expensive outside utility equipment, such as air-conditioner condensers. Such condensers are heavy and bulky and are relatively costly. Usually, the condenser is positioned outdoors adjacent a building structure, such as a home or office, to provide cool air inside of the building structure. Security cages have been provided to house some condensers due to the condensers being a ready target of theft from the yards of housing developments. This has especially been a problem in areas of low income housing.

Currently, such security cages are formed as a one-piece structure and are relatively heavy, requiring several installers to lift the security cage over the condenser for proper positioning. Furthermore, transport of such cages is expensive and cumbersome. As a consequence of these limitations, current use of security cages has generally been limited to local suppliers that fabricate the cage as a one-piece unit and install it at the site of use. Mass production of these cages has therefore been considered unpractical. A versatile modular design has not been developed that provides the security features needed and the modular assembly that allows ease of transport and assembly. Accordingly, the benefits of cost reduction and convenient installation have not be available to allow use of such security cages for consumers generally, nor as a standard line item included in large construction projects.

As a further obstacle to modular implementation, the conventional security cage is typically coupled to a cement platform or base with a locking mechanism to thereby secure the cage from being removed and substantially deter theft of the condenser. Therefore, installation is further complicated by needing special preparation of the location site with a cement pad, as well as modifications to the pad and cage for installation of a locking mechanism.

In Summary, current security cages for such condensers provide a variety of problems. First, due to the heavy nature of the one-piece security cage, several installers are required to lift the security cage over the condenser without damaging components of the condenser. Second, readily accessing the security cage is made difficult due to the heavy nature of the security cage, requiring several service men/women to lift the cage from the cement base and condenser to obtain access to the condenser for servicing. Third, from a shipping stand-point, the one-piece security cage is bulky, which minimizes the total number of cages that can be stored on a shipping truck for transporting to one or more destinations. Fourth, the one-piece security cage is disposed directly on the cement base often sitting in pools of water from sprinklers and the like. Such direct contact on the cement base often results in accelerated corrosion and water damage to the security cage. Further, with the security cage disposed directly on the concrete base, often debris, such as garbage and grass, will become trapped within the security cage, resulting in an unbecoming sight for ones yard and home. Removing such garbage and debris is made all the more difficult with the heavy security cage not readily accessible for the home owner.

It therefore would be advantageous to develop a security cage that substantially avoids the above-noted problems while maintaining security to equipment, such as air-conditioner condensers, within the security cage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a modular security cage system configured to be disposed over a concrete base surface to secure and maintain equipment within the cage. The modular cage system includes multiple unconnected frame panels, each panel having a periphery and being operable to be modularly coupled to other panels of the system to form at least a four-sided cubic shaped cage. Multiple coupling tabs are attached to the frame panels at one end and have terminal openings disposed at an opposing end. These tabs are configured to (i) extend within the cubic shaped cage from corresponding positions along the periphery of each of said multiple frame panels and (2) to intercept an inward projecting, parallel portion of a corresponding adjacent tab such that the terminal openings in the intercepting tabs are in alignment for receiving a locking pin to secure the tabs together. The multiple frame panels are thereby removably coupled together to form the cubic shaped cage and are also operable to provide accessibility within the cubic shaped cage to alternatively break-down or form the cubic shaped cage structure.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a modular security cage system configured to be secured to a cement base, depicting the modular security cage having front, first-side, second-side and top frame panels configured to be modularly coupled together, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified side view of the modular security cage adjacent a building structure, depicting the modular security cage suspended above the cement base with the base shoes and the pivot shoes and the modular security cage pivotable about the pivot shoes to allow access to equipment disposed within the modular security cage;

FIG. 3 illustrates a partial top view of a lower portion of the frame panels, depicting coupling tabs configured to couple the frame panels together to form the modular security cage;

FIG. 3(a) illustrates an enlarged perspective side view of a coupling tab;

FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded view of various components of a single frame panel of the modular security cage;

FIG. 5 illustrates a partial cross-sectional view of a frame panel taken along line 5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a base shoe taken from the encircled section 6 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of a pivot shoe configured to be coupled to a portion of the frame panel (shown in outline) of the modular security cage;

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of the pivot shoe, depicting the pivot shoe operable to be anchored to the cement base;

FIG. 9 illustrates a simplified perspective view of another embodiment of a modular security cage, depicting the modular security cage having five frame panels including a rear frame panel with elongated first-side and second-side frame panels; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of another embodiment of a modular security cage, depicting the modular security cage including one of the frame panels having an access opening configured to removably coupled with respect to the modular security cage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, and additional applications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a modular security cage system 100 configured to be disposed over a cement base, asphalt pavement or other hard surface 102 to secure and maintain equipment 106, such as an air-conditioner condenser, within the cage 100. Such a modular security cage 100 is designed modularly with four or five separate frame panels 110 to maximize shipping and facilitate ready assembly by one or more installers at the site of use. Further, the security cage 100 is configured to secure equipment 106 disposed outside and adjacent a building structure 108 from theft and vandalism by providing the means for fastening the separate frame panels 110 on the inside of the modular security cage 100. As such, the modular security cage 100 cannot be disassembled from outside of the security cage since the means for fastening the cage is not exposed external of the cage.

In one embodiment, the modular security cage 100 can include four frame panels 110 each defining a square shaped periphery and sized and configured to be modularly coupled to each other to form a four-sided cubic shaped cage. Namely, the four frame panels 110 can include a front frame panel 112, a first-side frame panel 114, a second-side frame panel 116 and a top frame panel 118 each configured to be assembled together to form the four-sided cubic shaped cage. Such a four-sided cubic shaped cage can be utilized to secure equipment that is disposed in close relationship or adjacent the building structure 108 so that the security cage can be disposed approximately 1 to 6 inches from the building structure 108 with the cage oriented so that an open-side (rear-side) of the cage is directly adjacent the building structure 108. In this manner, the building structure 108 serves as a constructive wall for the modular security cage 100.

The assembled modular security cage 100 is configured to sit suspended above the concrete base 102 with the cage 100 disposed on two base shoes 150 and two pivot shoes 160. Each of the base shoes 150 and the pivot shoes 160 are anchored to the concrete base 102. The two base shoes 150 are configured to receive the respective two bottom corners 122 of the cage 100 closest to the building structure 108 and the two pivot shoes 160 are configured to be pivotably mounted to a lower portion 120 adjacent the respective two bottom corners 122 of the cage furthest away from the building structure 108. A locking mechanism 170 can be operatively coupled to at least one of the base shoes 150 and to a portion of one of the frame panels 110 for maintaining the cage 100 in a locked position. With this arrangement, the modular security cage 100 can be suspended above the concrete base 102 to prevent debris and grass becoming entrapped in the security cage 100 while also limiting potential corrosion and water damage to the modular security cage often resulting when the cage is disposed directly on the concrete base.

With respect to FIGS. 1, 3 and 3(a), each of the frame panels 110 include coupling tabs 140 operable to extend internally within the cubic shaped cage. Each of the coupling tabs 140 is positioned on the frame panels 110 so that each tab 140 on one frame panel 110 corresponds and aligns in parallel with another tab 140 on an adjacently positioned frame panel 110. In particular, the adjacent frame panels 110 can be positioned orthogonally with respect to each other and each can include the coupling tabs 140 positioned on the frame panels 110 to extend within the orthogonal angle between the adjacent frame panels and align with each other. As such, the aligned tabs 140 can be coupled together to couple the adjacent frame panels 110 together. Likewise, the remaining frame panels 110, each including coupling tabs 140, can be properly positioned and aligned to couple the coupling tabs 140 together for assembling and forming the modular security cage 100.

Each coupling tab 140 can include, for example, a securing portion 142 and a free end 144 with an opening defined in the coupling tab 140. The securing portion 142 can be welded to a portion of the frame panel 110 or by any other suitable means of securing the coupling tab 140 to the frame panel 110. The free end 144 is configured to extend internally into the cubic shaped cage and can extend orthogonal with respect to the frame panel 110 or in any other suitable orientation so that the coupling tab 140 corresponds and aligns with another tab 140 extending from the adjacent frame panel 110 to be coupled together. More specifically, the openings 146 in each of the aligned coupling tabs 140 are aligned so that the two aligned coupling tabs 140 can be fastened together via their respective openings 146. Such aligned coupling tabs 140 can be coupled together with fasteners, such as with a bolt and nut type fasteners, or any other suitable fastener (referred to herein as fastening pins). With this arrangement, each of the frame panels 110 are coupled together to form the cubic shaped cage with each of the coupling tabs 140 disposed inside the cage. As such, the modular security cage 100 cannot be disassembled from the outside since there are no exposed fasteners outside the cage 100, thereby, further deterring theft and vandalism of the cage 100 and equipment 108 therein.

With reference now to FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the frame panels 110 can be formed with similar components. Such frame panels 110 can each include a peripheral frame member 130, an L-shaped retainer 132 and a panel member 134. The peripheral frame member 130 can include a square-shaped periphery with four tubular members welded together at their respective ends to form the square shaped periphery. Such ends of the tubular members can be cut, for example, at 45 degree angles and joined together at their ends to form the peripheral frame member 130. The tubular members can include a square cross-section and be formed from tubular 1″×1″ sixteen-gauge galvanized steel or any other suitable tubular configuration and materials as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

Each frame panel 110 can include four L-shaped retainers 132 configured to be disposed and joined to an inner peripheral side 131 of the square shaped peripheral frame member 130. Each L-shaped retainer 132 can include a first portion 135 and a second portion 137. The first portion 135 can be secured to the inner peripheral side 131 by welding or any other suitable securing means, such as with fasteners. The second portion 137 can be positioned to be flush with a front side 133 of the peripheral frame member 130 and extends laterally from the inner peripheral side 131 of the peripheral frame member 130. Such L-shaped retainer 132 can be formed to be disposed on each inner peripheral side 131 of the peripheral frame member 130 with the second portion 137 cut inward at 45 degree angles at longitudinal ends of each L-shaped retainer 132. In this manner, each of the four L-shaped retainers 132 are secured to the inner peripheral side 131 of the square shaped peripheral frame member 130 so that the second portion 137 of each L-shaped retainer 132 sits adjacent and/or abuts with an adjacent second portion 137 of the L-shaped retainer 132. Such an L-shaped retainer 132 can be formed from, for example, sixteen-gauge galvanized steel or any other suitable steel or material as known in the art.

After securing the L-shaped retainer 132 to the peripheral frame member 130, the panel member 134 can then be positioned and secured to the frame member 130. Such panel member 134 can be secured to a back-side 139 of the second portion 137 of each of the four L-shaped retainers 132. The panel member 134 can be formed of a heavy-duty expandable metal and/or perforated metal. Such panel member 134 can be secured to the second portion 137 by any known fastening means, such as welding, spot welding, or with screws, as known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, depending on the dimensions of the peripheral frame member 130, one or more mullions 136 can be positioned over the panel member 134 for added strength to the frame panel 110. Such mullions 136 can include, but is not limited to, a C-shaped cross-section and can be sized and configured to be positioned to over-lap the panel member 134 with ends secured to the back-side 139 of the second portion 137 of the L-shaped retainer 132. Once the frame panel 110 has been assembled with the respective peripheral frame member 130, the L-shaped retainer 132, the panel member 134 and, if needed, the one or more mullions 136, the frame panel 110 can receive a heat-hardened powder coat paint finish to ensure optimal durability from the corrosive elements of the environment.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, as previously set forth, the modular security cage 100 can be disposed in two base shoes 150 and coupled to two pivot shoes 160 to allow the cage 100 to be suspended above the cement base 102. The base shoes 150 can each include a shoe frame 152 with a securing portion 154 and a ledge portion 158. The securing portion 154 is configured to be anchored to a base surface 104 of the cement base 102 and defines an aperture 156 within the securing portion 154 to receive a fastener (not shown), such as a bolt, for anchoring the base shoe 150 to the cement base 102. The ledge portion 158 of the base shoe 150 can be a ledge extending laterally from the shoe frame 152. Such a ledge portion 158 is configured to receive a bottom portion, such as a bottom corner 122 (FIG. 1), of the security cage 100 to rest on the ledge portion 158. The ledge portion 158 can include an opening 159 defined therethrough which is axially aligned with the aperture 156 in the securing portion 158 of the base shoe 150 for facilitating access to the aperture 156 for securing the base shoe 150 to the cement base 102 with a fastener and power tool.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, in another embodiment of the invention, pivot shoes 160 can be provided to secure the cage 100 to the cement base 102 and allow the security cage 100 to pivot about such pivot shoes 160 to allow access to the equipment 108 therein. The pivot shoes 160 can be configured to be coupled to the security cage 100 at the lower portion 120 (shown in outline) of the respective two bottom corners 122 of the security cage 100 furthest away from the building structure 108. Each of the pivot shoes 160 can include an L-shaped cross-section with a securing portion 162 and an upstanding portion 164. The securing portion 162 can be configured to be anchored to the base surface 104 of the cement base 102 with one or more apertures 166 defined through the securing portion 162. As such, the apertures 166 are configured to receive a fastener, such as a bolt, therethrough to fasten and anchor the securing portion 162 to the cement base 102. The upstanding portion 164 can include a shaft 168 or pin extending laterally orthogonal therefrom. Such a shaft 168 is configured to be disposed in a shaft opening 124 (FIG. 1) in a lower portion 120 adjacent the bottom corner 122 of the security cage 100. In this manner, the pivot shoe 160 is rotatably coupled to the lower portion 120 of the security cage 100 adjacent a bottom corner 122 of the cage 100.

With the foregoing arrangement, the security cage 100 can be locked to the base shoe 150 with a locking mechanism 170, such as a pad-lock. Such a locking mechanism 170 can be configured to lock the security cage 100 to one or two of the base shoes 150. This can be accomplished by extending the locking mechanism 170 through locking tabs 172 extending respectively from a lower portion of the cage 100 and the base shoe 150. As such, the security cage 100 can be in a locked position via the locking mechanism 170. In this locked position, there are no readily accessible and/or exposed fasteners that would allow one to access the equipment in the cage, except by unlocking or removing the locking mechanism 170. Other wise said, each of the frame panels 110 are coupled together via the coupling tabs 140 each fastened inside of the modular security cage 100. In this manner, the modular security cage 100 provides a substantially secure structure, deterring theft and vandalism of the equipment 106 disposed in the cage 100.

Further, the locking mechanism 170 can be unlocked and removed, after which, the entire security cage 100 can pivot upward (as shown in outline) and about the shaft 168 of each pivot shoe 160 to allow ready access to the equipment 106 in the cage 100. The pivot shoes 160 can allow the cage 100 to pivot at any angle up to approximately 190 degrees. However, with the cement base 102 disposed on, for example, level ground, the cage 100 will likely only allow a pivot up to and between approximately 80 degrees and 120 degrees so that the cage 100 rests on the ground adjacent the cement base 102. In this manner, the equipment 106 in the security cage 100 is readily accessible for home owners as well as service men. As previously set forth, the modular security cage 100 of this embodiment does not include a frame panel 110 on a rear-end of the security cage 100. As such, when pivoting the modular security cage 100 upward to an open position, such cage 100 readily clears the equipment 106 therein.

With respect to FIG. 9, another embodiment of a modular security cage 200 is illustrated. The modular security cage 200 in this embodiment is substantially the same as the previous embodiment, except this embodiment includes a rear frame panel 219 with the first-side frame panel 214 and the second-side frame panels (not shown) being elongated. The modular security cage 200 of this embodiment is used in conditions where the equipment 106, such as an air-conditioner condenser, is positioned several feet away from the building structure 108. The additional rear frame panel 219 provides a secure enclosure about the equipment 106 without using the building structure 108 as a constructive wall of the modular security cage as employed in the previous embodiment. The first-side and second-side frame panels are elongated so that when pivoting the security cage 200 (as shown in outline), the rear frame panel 219 clears and does not contact the equipment 106 in the security cage 200. Further, in this embodiment, one or more mullions 236 can be joined to each of the first-side frame panel 214, second-side frame panel (not shown) and the top frame panel 218, as described previously, to provide added strength to such frame panels.

With respect to FIG. 10, in another embodiment of the invention, the modular security cage 300 can be disposed on four base shoes 350, one for each bottom corner of the security cage 300, with a locking mechanism 170 for securing the cage 300 to the base shoes 350 and, thus, the cement base 102. In this embodiment, ready access to the security cage 300 is employed with an access opening 380. Such an access opening 380 can be configured to couple and removably interconnect to the inner periphery 331 of one of the frame panels 310 of the modular security cage 300. Each of the frame panels in this embodiment can be formed as previously set forth, except for the frame panel 310 having the access opening 380. In particular, the frame panel 310 having the access opening 380 includes an additional inner peripheral frame 382 configured to be disposed within the inner periphery 331 of the peripheral frame member 330. Such an inner peripheral frame 382 includes the L-shaped retainer 332 and the panel member 334 attached thereto in the same manner as previously set forth and described in FIGS. 4 and 5. The inner peripheral frame 382 of the access opening 380 can include protrusions 384 extending from an upper portion 386 of the inner peripheral frame 382 configured to be disposed in slots 388 defined in the inner periphery 331 of the peripheral frame member 330. At a lower portion 390 of the inner peripheral frame 382 there is a flange 392 extending therefrom and an access lock 394. In this manner, the inner peripheral frame 382 can be manually inserted by positioning the protrusions 384 in the slots 388 defined in the peripheral frame member 330 so that the flange 392 abuts the lower portion 320 of the peripheral frame member 330. As such, the modular security cage 300 of this embodiment can be readily accessed by unlocking the access lock 394 and manually removing the access opening 380 from the frame panel 310.

It is to be understood that the above-referenced arrangements are only illustrative of the application for the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements can be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention while the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications can be made without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A modular security cage system configured to be disposed over a base surface to secure and maintain equipment within the cage, the modular cage system comprising: multiple unconnected frame panels, each panel having a periphery and being operable to be modularly coupled to other panels of the system to form at least a four-sided cubic shaped cage; and multiple coupling tabs attached to the frame panels at one end and having a terminal opening disposed at an opponing end, said tabs being configured to (i) extend within the cubic shaped cage from corresponding positions along the periphery of each of said multiple frame panels and (2) to intercept an inward projecting, parallel portion of a corresponding adjacent tab such that the terminal openings in the intercepting tabs are in alignment for receiving a fastening pin to secure the tabs together to thereby removably couple the multiple frame panels together to form the cubic shaped cage, said tabs being operable to provide accessibility within the cubic shaped cage to alternatively break-down or form the cubic shaped cage.

2. The security cage system of claim 1, wherein said multiple coupling tabs extending from one panel are operable to alignably position and couple with the tabs extending from an adjacent panel within a substantially orthogonal angle between the one frame panel and the adjacent frame panel.

3. The security cage system of claim 1, wherein said coupling tabs extend orthogonally from each of said frame panels and are positioned so that the coupling tabs extending from one frame panel are disposed at least partially over the coupling tabs extending from an adjacent frame panel.

4. The security cage system of claim 1, wherein said frame panels comprise two side frame panels, a front frame panel and a top frame panel to form the at least four-sided cubic shaped cage.

5. The security cage system of claim 1, wherein said frame panels comprise two side frame panels, a front and back frame panel and a top frame panel.

6. The security cage system of claim 5, wherein at least one of said frame panels comprises an access door that is externally lockable for facilitating access to the equipment in the cage.

7. The security cage system of claim 1, further comprising: at least one base shoe configured for attachment to the base surface and operable to receive a bottom portion of the cubic shaped cage; and at least one pivot shoe configured for attachment to the base surface and pivotably mounted to a lower portion of the cubic shaped cage, said at least one pivot shoe being operable to pivot one side of the cubic shaped cage upward to provide accessibility to the equipment within the cage.

8. The security cage system of claim 1, further comprising base members configured to be secured to the base surface and coupled to lower portions of the frame panels.

9. The security cage system of claim 8, wherein said base members comprise at least one pivot shoe pivotably mountable to the lower portion adjacent a lower corner of the cubic shaped cage and operable to pivot the cubic shaped cage upward to provide accessibility to the equipment within the cage.

10. The security cage system of claim 1, wherein said frame panels each comprise at least a peripheral frame member and a panel member, said panel member having an outer peripheral portion sized and configured to be operatively coupled to an inner periphery of the peripheral frame member.

11. The security cage system of claim 10, wherein said peripheral frame member is coupled to said panel member with an L-shaped member therebetween with one portion of the L-shaped member coupled to the inner periphery of the peripheral frame member and the other portion of the L-shaped member coupled to the outer peripheral portion of the panel member.

12. A security cage system configured to be disposed over a paved base surface to secure and maintain equipment within the cage, the security cage system comprising: multiple frame panels each defining a periphery for attachment to each other to form at least a four-sided cubic shaped cage; multiple coupling tabs attached to the periphery of the frame panels at one end and having a terminal opening disposed at an opponing end, said tabs being configured to (i) extend within the cubic shaped cage from corresponding positions along the periphery of each of said multiple frame panels and (2) to intercept an inward projecting, parallel portion of a corresponding adjacent tab such that the terminal openings in the intercepting tabs are in alignment for receiving a locking pin to secure the tabs together to thereby removably couple the multiple frame panels together to form the cubic shaped cage, said tabs being operable to provide accessibility within the cubic shaped cage to alternatively break-down or form the cubic shaped cage; at least one base shoe configured for being secured to the base surface and operable to receive a bottom portion of the cubic shaped cage with the cubic shaped cage lockable in the received position; and at least one pivot shoe pivotably mounted to a lower portion adjacent a lower corner of the cubic shaped cage, said at least one pivot shoe being operable to allow the cubic shaped cage to pivot upward to provide accessibility to the equipment within the cage.

13. The security cage system of claim 12, wherein said at least one pivot shoe is operable to allow the cubic shaped cage to pivot about the at least one pivot shoe with a range between approximately 0 degrees to 120 degrees.

14. The security cage system of claim 12, wherein said at least one base shoe and said at least one pivot shoe are operable to suspend the frame panels above the base surface.

15. A method of assembling a modular security cage system configured to store equipment therein, the method comprising: positioning multiple frame panels orthogonally with respect to each other; aligning coupling tabs extending from each of said multiple frame panels so that openings within the tabs extending from one frame panel are alignably positioned with openings of the tabs extending from an adjacent frame panel within a substantially orthogonal angle between the one frame panel and the adjacent frame panel; securing said tabs aligned with respect to each other between the one frame panel and the adjacent frame panel; and repeating the above steps to assemble the multiple frame panels into at least a four-sided cubic shaped cage with each of the multiple coupling tabs secured to another coupling tab inside the cubic shaped cage.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising securing at least one base shoe to a base surface to receive a bottom portion of the cubic shaped cage.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising securing at least one pivot shoe to a lower portion of the cubic shaped cage, said pivot shoe being configured to couple to the base shoe and enable rotation of the cage about a pivot axis at the lower portion of the cage.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising positioning the bottom portion of the cubic shaped cage on said at least one base shoe so that the cubic shaped cage is suspended above the base surface with said at least one base shoe and said at least one pivot shoe therebetween.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said positioning the bottom portion comprises securing the cubic shaped cage to the at least one base shoe in a lockable position so that when the cubic shaped cage is locked the equipment is inaccessible and when the cubic shaped cage is unlocked the cubic shaped cage is pivotable about the at least one pivot shoe to allow the cubic shaped cage to pivot upward to provide accessibility to the equipment within the cage.