WO1992017026A1

WO1992017026A1 - Environmental enclosure

Info

Publication number: WO1992017026A1
Application number: PCT/US1992/002279
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert J. Liljenwall; Jerry N. Moscovitch
Original assignee: Private Broadcasting Networks, Inc.
Priority date: 1991-03-20
Filing date: 1992-03-20
Publication date: 1992-10-01

Abstract

An apparatus for protecting telecommunications equipment in an outdoors, alpine environment includes an enclosure (12) which defines a chamber (14) for receipt of the electronic equipment (16) therein. A hood (18) for shielding the interior (15) of the chamber (14) from direct sunlight extends before a viewing aperture (19) defined in the shell of the enclosure. A thermostatic system (76) for maintaining a constant temperature within the first chamber (14) is fluidly communicated therewith.

Description

ENVIRONMENTAL ENCLOSURE

Field Of Invention

The present invention relates generally to viewing objects under direct sunlight and, more' part¬ icularly, to a new and improved apparatus for adapting telecommunications equipment for alpine environmental use.

Description Of The Prior Art

Today video screens are used to provide a wide array of information to a viewer. Blooming consumer confidence and literacy in computers and the rapid evolution of video and telecommunications technology has resulted in an increase in the use of the television screen or cathode ray tube (CRT) . These screens are being used to convey a variety of information and programs to the consumer. Television monitors are widely used at airports to display arrival and departure information. Televisions are also provided at bars and concession stands at sporting events for the convenience of the patrons. Thus the use of the television screen as a source of information has multiplied rapidly.

However, there are limitations to the use of such screens. If the terminal is used in outside venues, direct sunlight may reflect off the screen creating a glare. In addition to obscuring the image on the screen, this glare may be harsh or annoying to the viewer. Responsive to these problems, viewers with small hand-held models may use their hands in an attempt to shade the video screen from sunlight. Others may change the relative position of the video screen to help reduce reflective glare. These solutions, while pos¬ sible for individually-sized television screens, are^" temporary and inconvenient.

Furthermore, merely shading the video screen still exposes the telecommunications equipment to adverse ambient environmental conditions. Dust, temper¬ ature fluctuations and moisture are but a few elements which detrimentally affect such telecommunications equipment. Outside operating conditions are even more severe in alpine venues. For example, at mountainous resorts, below freezing temperatures, snow and high winds have restricted the outdoor use of video monitors. These adverse operating conditions are compounded in alpine venues by the increased presence of reflected light, due in part to the high surface albedo of snow and ice. This may further exacerbate viewing television screens in outside alpine venues.

Hence those concerned with the development and use of video equipment have long recognized the need for an improved apparatus for adapting telecommunications equipment to outside environmental conditions, especially to alpine environments. The present inven- tion clearly fulfills all of these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a new and improved apparatus for adapting telecommunications equipment for outside use.

The present invention is directed to an environmental enclosure which serves to shield the telecommunications equipment from direct sunlight to facilitate the outdoor viewing of telecommunications equipment and, further, isolates this equipment from ambient environmental conditions.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a support member extends upward from a foundation, the support member having a first end^"and a second end, the first end mounted to the foundation. An environmental enclosure includes a housing or shell defining a chamber having an interior sized to contain and shelter a plurality of video monitors therein and an opening passing through the shell to visually communi¬ cate the interior chamber with an observer. A roof of the shell is formed to reduce the accumulation of snow thereon. A panel of transparent material is mounted across the shell opening to enclose and effectively isolate the chamber interior from the outside environ¬ ment. A thermostatic system is in fluid communication with the chamber interior to maintain a constant temper¬ ature and reduce the humidity therein. Extending outward and before the communicating aperture is a hood, defining a visually communicating passageway therein, to shield the video monitor from direc sunlight and to reduce the reflective glare off the video monitor screen.

The invention also provides for a system and apparatus that allows for the control and display of images upon the video monitors via either preprogrammed or remotely controlled logic from a variety of sources. More specifically, the invention includes means to feed and control video signals to a plurality of video monitors arranged so that complimentary or separate video images may be displayed upon the video monitors in the structure.

From the above description, it can be readily seen that the present invention presents a new and useful apparatus for protecting telecommunications equipment, e.σ..a video monitor, from severe climatic^" conditions and facilitating its viewing while placed out of doors in direct sunlight.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosure embodying the novel features of the present invention in combination with a plurality of video monitors;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the enclosure of Fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional side elevational view of the environmental enclosure of Fig. 1;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the video control system of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a rear fragmentary rear elevational view of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 8 is a bottom elevational view of the present invention taken substantially along the lines 8 - 8 Of FIG. 7.

DETAILED PESCRIPTIQE OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the exemplary drawings, an improved enclosure for telecommunications equipment constructed in accordance with the present invention is provided for adapting telecommunications equipment for use in outdoor venues.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a telecommunications system 9 includes an enclosure 10 having a housing or shell 12. The housing 12 defines therein a chamber 14 having an interior 15 for receipt and sheltering of telecommunications equipment from adverse environmental conditions, for example, a plurality of television monitors 16 therein. A hood 18 defining a visually communicating passageway 19, extends before or forward from the housing 12 to shield the interior 15 from direct sunlight while enabling viewing thereof. The housing 12 may be elevated above ground level by mount¬ ing upon a support 20.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the support 20 includes a foundation 22. Generally, because of the presence of high winds in some locations, especially in alpine locations, the foundation 22 should be sufficient to provide a stable platform for the enclosure 10 sufficient to withstand wind forces up to about ninety miles-per-hour with a housing weighing about 1000 pounds. For example, a reinforced concrete block of about 10 x 10 x 4 feet square, set below ground level is suitable for the purposes of this invention. Still referring to FIG. 2, the support 20 includes a support column 24 having a first support end^" 26, a second support end 28, and a support central longitudinal axis 30. The support first end 26 is mounted to the foundation 22 by conventional means. The support column 24 extends upward from the foundation 22 to elevate the housing 12 generally above the average height of the intended viewers. For example, a metal pole having a height of about fourteen feet and a diameter or cross-section of about ten inches is suffi¬ cient for the purposes of this invention. The second support end 28 may be canted or slanted off the generally horizontal plane generally orthogonal to the support central longitudinal axis 30 of the support column 24 a sufficient amount to contribute to the angled orientation of the housing 12 mounted thereon. In the preferred embodiment, a top surface 32 of the second support end 28 may be tilted at an angle of about fifteen degrees to about twenty-five degrees from the horizontal. A swivel 31 may also be incorporated within the support 20. For example, swivel 31 may be inter¬ posed between the foundation 22 and the support"first end 26 to permit selective rotation of the housing 12 or support column 24 about the support central longitudinal axis 30.

An electrical conduit 33 may be positioned adjacent to or within the interior of the support column 24 to protect power line 37 and signal feed line 36, to the television monitors 16 within housing 12. The power line 37 is electrically connected to a power source 34. The conduit 33, as it leads away from the support column 24, may be buried in a trench 35 to position the conduit 33, power line 37 and signal feed line 36 below ground level for safety and aesthetic considerations. The housing 12 includes a plurality of sloping exterior panels 38 which have a minimum of orthogonal^" surfaces, i.e., vertical or horizonta planes, to minimize the accumulation of material thereon. The plurality of sloping panels 38, includes a base or floor member 40 which may be mounted on to the support second end 28. The base or floor member 40 includes an anchoring portion 44 which may be parallel to the general plane of the top surface 32 of the support second end 28. A bottom connecting panel 46 extends upward and outward from the anchoring portion 44 to join with substantially opposite angled side walls or panels 48. The side walls 48 are joined along a first or bottom edge 50 to the base 40 and extend upward and angled outward slightly from a generally vertical plane from about five to about fifteen degrees, preferably about five degrees, from the vertical, such that the second or top edges 51 of the side panels 48 are peripherally distal and upward of the bottom or first edge 50 approximately twenty-eight inches. In the preferred embodiment the side walls 48 may be in the form of irregular trapezoids or quadrilaterals joined along the shorter baseline to the base 40.

Still referring to FIG.2, the housing 12 includes a roof 53, joined to the side walls 48. Roof 53 includes a roof front panel 56, a roof back panel 58, and a pair of roof side panels 59. The roof front panel 56 is angled from about five to about ten degrees from the plane defined by the bottom edge 50 of the side walls 48. The roof back panel 58 is angled from about forty to about fifty degrees from the plane defined by the bottom edge 50 of the side walls 48. The roof side panels 59 extend inward and slope upward from the peripheral side walls 48 to join the roof front and back panels 56 and 58 along their respective edges and form a ridge 60 having an apex 61 extending laterally between the substantially opposite roof panels 59.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the roof 53 is joined along the top edges of the side walls 48 to define, together with the base 40 and side walls, the first chamber 14, having the interior 15. Portions of the roof 53, base 40 and side walls 48 together also define a housing 62 with a central opening axis 64 to visually communicate the interior 15 with an outside observer. The housing 12 is preferably built of a laminate com¬ posite material sold under the trademark "FIBERGLASS" by Owens Corning of Toronto, Canada. Incorporating this material into the construction of the enclosure 10 can be useful since it can withstand high winds, severe vibrations, as well as intense ultra-violet radiation. Stiffening material, e.g.. three-fourths inch thick balsa, is mounted to the inside surface of the chamber 14 and glassed over to create a core of stiffening material to increase the housing's strength to weight ratio. The use of balsa as stiffening material not only increases the stiffness of the housing 12 while concurrently reducing its overall weight but also provides additional insulative qualities.

As best shown in FIG. 3, an enclosing panel 66 of visually transparent material is mounted across housing opening 62 and between the roof 53 and the base 40 to environmentally isolate, while visually communi¬ cating, in combination with portions of the side walls 48, the interior 15 of the chamber 14. The enclosing panel 66 is mounted across housing opening 62 and includes an external surface 67 which is at an angle from the vertical generally slightly off the orthogonal to the opening central axis 64 to reduce the glare apparent to observers of the video monitors 16-. Angling the external surface 67 of the enclosing panel 66 off the orthogonal to the opening central axis 64 in this manner, either by tilting the entire enclosing panel 66 if the panel has generally parallel surfaces, or merely forming the surface 67 at an angle tilted greater than the central opening axis, reduces the glare that may be reflected up into the interior 15, for example from snow, ice, or other high albedo surfaces, and back at the observer. In the preferred embodiment, the enclosing panel 66 has parallel sides and may be angled between about eight degrees to about ten degrees relative the opening central axis 64. The enclosing panel 66 can be any visually transparent material, for example material of the type similar to laminated safety glass. The enclosing panel 66 may be hinged or pivotally mounted along a first or bottom edge panel 68 to the base 40 to allow access into the interior 15 of the chamber 14.

Still referring to FIG. 3, positioned within the interior 15 of chamber 14 is a platform 70. The platform 70 provides a generally horizontal platform top surface 72 upon which the television monitor 16 may be mounted. The platform 70 may be in the form of an extension of the support column 24 into the chamber 14 a sufficient distance to provide the required viewing angle as discussed more fully elsewhere in this applica¬ tion. In this embodiment, the second support end 28 may not be canted or tilted. Alternatively, the platform 70 may be in the form of a pedestal member extending upward from the base 40 of the chamber 14.

A heating or thermostatic system 76 is placed in fluid communication with the chamber 14 to provide or maintain a constant temperature therein. The thermo¬ static system 76 may include a heating element 78 connected to a thermostat or rheostat 80. Fans 82 in fluid communication with the interior 15 of the first chamber 14 circulate the air within the chamber 14. In^~ the preferred embodiment, the heating element 78 may be in the form of two conventional 1500 watt heaters. These heating elements 78 may be mounted to the front portion 84 of the platform 70. The fans 82 may circulate the heated air in a manner indicated by the arrows 83 to impinge upon the enclosing panel 66 to maintain the panel in a defrosted condition by reducing the condensation that may form on the inside surface of the enclosing member. In an alternative embodiment, either a second thermostat or a dual stage thermostat, electrically connected to the heating element 78 in the form of 2000 watt heaters, enables the thermostatic system 76 to maintain a constant temperature within the interior 15, even when environmental conditions are unusually extreme.

Still referring to FIG. 3, the hood 18 extends downward and outward from the housing 12 to minimize reflective glare off the screens of the video monitors, i.e., enable the observer to view the television monitor 16 positioned within the chamber 14 while concurrently preventing glare, direct sunlight, and other adverse weather conditions from entering the interior 15 of the chamber. While a separate hood 18 may be mounted before the enclosing panel 66, in the preferred embodiment, portions of the top front panel 56, side walls 48 and the base 40 are joined to form hood 18 and define the visually communicating passageway 19 and hood opening 96. The hood 18 has substantially parallel sides which extend from the housing opening 62 to terminate at the hood opening 96.

The hood 18 extends a sufficient distance before the chamber to prevent penetration of light rays from entering the first chamber 14. The equation L = H cotangent theta describes the general relationship between the length of the roof 18, the angle theta and" the height "H". The length of the hood is defined as the length "L". The angle theta is defined by the plane described generally by the front roof panel 56 and the plane generally parallel to the plane of the top surface 72 of the platform 70; or, alternatively, by the angle defined by a central screen axis 97 of the monitor 16 and the central opening axis 64. The height "H" is defined and the distance between the platform surface 72 and the top of the interior 15. "H" should be greater than the vertical dimensions of the television monitor 16 positioned within the interior 15. For example, the top front panel 56 may be constructed to extend forward from the ridge 60 or apex 61 a distance of about seventy-three inches and an angle of about fifteen to about thirty degrees, preferably about twenty-two and a half degrees, from the horizontal for an interior 15 sized to enclose a thirty or thirty-two inch television monitor 16. This configuration effectively positions a leading roof edge 90 of the hood 18 at approximately the same horizontal level or below the bottom of the televi¬ sion monitor 16.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the roof leading edge

90 extends outward further than the base leading edge 92, for example about thirty inches outward from a vertical axis drawn from the base leading edge 92. As a result, the hood opening 93 has a hood opening top portion 94 relatively distal a hood opening bottom portion 96 to shade the rear or first chamber and to maximize the effective viewing angle, indicated by boundary lines 100 and 102, of those viewing the video monitors 16 disposed therein. In a preferred embodiment the leading edge 90 of the roof may extend outward a distance of about thirty inches further than the leading edge 92 of the base 40 to angle a side wall leading edge 10 between about forty to about fifty degrees relative to the orthogonal to the central opening axis 64.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the top front panel 56 is configured to create a slight bow to the ridge 60, i.e. - the ridge 60 extending between substantially opposite first and second side walls 44a and 44b to crest at apex 61 in a generally lateral plane in cross- section. This sloping and slight bowing of the roof 53 contributes to the structural strength of the roof and helps it resist deformation under accumulated material, such as snow or sleet. The slight slope also helps minimize the accumulation of materials thereon and facilitates the run-off of precipitation from the roof panels 56 and 58. The slope may be included in a top surface 60a of the roof 53.

The width of the housing 12, the distance between generally opposite side walls 44a and 44b, allows the heaters 78a and 78b to be --.paced apart from one another and allow a ventilating aperture 104 to facilitate circulating of the air within the interior 15 by the fans 82. In addition, the width of housing 12 is sufficiently sized to enable the positioning of a plurality of television monitors, for example at least three monitors 16a, 16b and 16c, having respective screens 106a, 106b, 106c positioned laterally between opposite side walls 44a and 44b.

Conventional electronic circuitry may be connected to the inputs of these monitors 16 such that each screen 106 may show a program or image independent from one another or synchronized to utilize all or some of the monitors to construct a single composite image. Referring now to FIG. 5, the telecommunications system 9 includes a video control system 110 to enable the plurality of television monitors 16 to selectively display synchronized or independent images on their respective screens 106. A video control system of the type manufactured by Nexus Display Systems of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada is sufficient for the purposes of this invention. A signal source 112 is electrically connected with a first end 114 of a signal connector 116 to provide video or signal source material. Any conven¬ tional signal source is sufficient for the purposes of this invention. For example, the signal source 112 may be in the form of one or more computers, video cameras, video tape players/recorders, video disc players, cable or antennae feeds remotely located from the enclosure system 10. The video signal feed is communicated along the signal connector 116 to a processing center 118, which is electrically connected with a second end 120 of the signal connector 116. The signal feed from the various signal sources may be distributed by the proces¬ sing center 118 to the individual video monitors 16a, 16b, and 16c, along monitor feeds 122a, 122b, and 122c, respectively, according to the desires by the operator. The processing center 118, upon the commands of the operator, can provide an independent signal feed to one or various monitors 16, or the create, parcel and distribute a composite image amongst the individual monitors 16. The processing center may be controlled remotely through remote control 123 in electrical communication therewith. The processing center 118 may also include central processing unit 124 to automatically effectuate or control the selection and distribution of the signal feed amongst the monitors 16. For example, the central processing unit 124 may, after predetermined periods of time, switch the signal feed from amongst various signal sources, or switch between distributing the images independently or forming a composite image. Various permutations of the location of the mixing centers and the processing centers are possible.- For example, the video signal source and the processing center may both be located remote from the enclosure 10, with only the final signals conveyed individually to the television monitors 16 through electrical conduit 33. In an alternative embodiment,^'the processing center 122, electrically connected to the video source thorough signal feed line 36 housed within conduit 33, may be located within the environmental enclosure 10.

As best shown in FIG. 5, a rear door 130 pivotally mounted to the shell 12 may be formed in portions of the panels 34 substantially opposite from the enclosing panel 66 to allow an alternative avenue of access into the interior 15 of the chamber 14. Hydraulic door lifts 132 having a first end connected to the rear door 130 and a second end mounted to the shell 12 may be used to facilitate the movement of the rear door from a first of closed position to a second or open position. Care should be taken in the construction of the enclosing panel 66 and. the rear door 130 to insure that the chamber 14 is maintained insulated or isolated environmentally. A sliding member 138 may be mounted upon the top surface 72 of the platform 70 to facilitate access to the television monitor 16 mounted thereon.

An alternative embodiment of the housing 12 is shown in FIG. 7. A recess 144 and a plurality of base mounting apertures are defined in the anchoring portion 44 of base 40. The recess 144 is shaped or formed to conform to and snugly receive the second end 28 of the support column 24. The recess 144 may be defined in part by a rear retaining lip 145 and a front retaining wall 147. Rear retaining lip 145 and front retaining wall 147 may be integrally formed within the anchoring portion 44. A mounting plate 148 includes a generally planar portion 151 having a plurality of mounting bolts 152 extending generally outward therefrom and positioned^" to concurrently extend through corresponding base mounting apertures 146 formed or defined in the anchoring portion 44 of the base 40 and support mounting apertures 153 formed in the second support end 28. Conventional bolts 154 threadingly engage the mounting bolts 152 to mount the housing 12 to the second support end 28 of the support column 24. The structural integrity of the mounting is increased by forming the anchoring portion 44 about the planar mounting plate portion 151, for example by glassing over the mounting plate while forming the base.

As described elsewhere in this application, the base 40 includes the platform 70 for supporting the television monitor 16 and thereon. Referring now to FIG. 7, the platform 70 is spaced apart from the mounting plate 148 by a plurality of reinforcing base support ribs or walls 160. The base ribs 160, as more fully described elsewhere in this application, extend upward to space apart and provide support for the platform 70 and the television monitors 16 upon the mounting plate 148. Base conduit 161 extends from the support 20 to protect the power line and signal feed lines, not shown, connected with the televisions monitors 16. Portions of the platform 70, the mounting plate 148, the base 40 and the base reinforcing ribs 160 define a base cavity 162, therebetween. Retaining ledge 164 extends upward from a first or front portion 166 of the platform 70 to define, together with sloping interior base wall 170, heater aperture 172. In this embodiment, the heating element 78, received within the heater aperture 172, is directed to impel warmed air generally parallel to the plane of the enclosing panel 66. The air is circulated as indicated by arrows 83, by fan 82 mounted on the interior of the top back panel 58.

still referring to FIG. 7, the rigidity or integrity of the housing 12 is further increased by the incorporation of a plurality of reinforcing roof ribs 170 in the structure of the housing 12. For example, while one reinforcing roof rib 170a extending from the base 40 upwards towards the roof 53, additional reinforcing roof ribs 17Ob and 170c may also be present.

As best shown in FIG. 8, the reinforcing base ribs 160 include a plurality of longitudinal base ribs 178 and lateral base ribs 180 which criss-cross generally orthogonal to one another to form a support lattice 182. The lateral base ribs 180 and longitudinal base ribs 178 together define a plurality of individual cavities 184 therebetween. Heater apertures 172 and a base conduit aperture 186 are defined within the platform 70 as earlier described.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention represents a significant advance in the field of telecommunications. In particular, the present invention provides a means to adapt environ- mentally sensitive telecommunications equipment to the alpine environment. While television monitors 16 have been described, other environmentally sensitive equip¬ ment, for example, light emitting diodes, rear screen projection systems, computers, computer terminals or video cameras can also be protected by use in combina¬ tion with the structure embodying the novel concepts of the present invention. It will also be appreciated that, although the presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described by way of example, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. An enclosure for adapting telecommunica-^" tions equipment for use outdoors, . said enclosure comprising: housing means for sheltering telecommunica- tions equipment from environmental conditions,^' said enclosure defining a chamber and a visually communicating opening, said chamber having an interior for receipt of said telecommunications equipment therein and; hood means for shielding said interior of said chamber from direct sunlight, said hood means permitting the viewing of said telecommunications equipment in said chamber through said visually communicating opening.

2. An enclosure as set forth in claim 1 wherein said housing means has an interior sized to house a plurality of television monitors.

3. An enclosure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said housing means includes means to environ- mentally isolate said chamber.

4. An enclosure as set forth in claim 3, further including thermostatic means for maintaining a predetermined temperature within said chamber, said thermostatic means in fluid communication with said chamber.

5. An enclosure as set forth in Claim 2, wherein there are at least three television monitors.

6. An elevated enclosure for use in combina- tion with video monitors having screens to display images thereon, said enclosure comprising: support means, said support means having a first support means end and a second support means end; a housing, said housing mounted to said second support means end, said housing having a roof, a base, and side walls, said roof, base and side walls joined to define a chamber and a housing opening, said chamber having an interior sized for receipt of at least three video monitors therein, and said housing opening visually communicating said interior of said chamber; and a hood, said hood extending immediately before said housing and defining a communicating passageway having a central communicating passageway axis extending therethrough, said communicating passageway enabling an observer to view said video monitors within said chamber interior in an outside environment with a reduced glare.

7. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 6, further including visually transparent enclosure means for sealing said chamber, said visually transparent enclosure means positioned across said housing opening.

8. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 7, wherein said enclosure member includes an external surface, said external surface defining a plane which is generally tilted to an obtuse angle the central axis of the communicating passageway.

9. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 7, further including thermostatic means for maintaining a constant temperature within said chamber, said thermostatic means fluidly communicated with said chamber.

10. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 9, further including mounting means for securely mounting said housing to said support means.

11. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 6, wherein said video monitor includes a screen and a central screen axis extending orthogonally from said screen, said base formed to orient said video monitor such that said central screen axis is generally horizontal and said central communicating passageway axis extends downward to terminate in a hood opening below the plane of said axis.

12. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 6, wherein said communicating passageway has a length L defined by the relationship H cotangent theta, wherein theta is the angle defined by the screen axis and the central axis of the communicating passageway and H is the height within said interior chamber.

13. An elevated enclosure for video monitors as set forth in claim 6, further including means to selectively synchronize the images on each said video monitor, said means in communication with said video monitors.

14. A telecommunications system, said telecommunications system comprising: at least three video monitors; video control means, said video control system electrically connected with said television monitors; a foundation; a first support member extending upward from said foundation, said support member having a first end and a second end, said first end mounted to said foundation; an enclosure having a roof, a base, and a plurality of side walls, said roof, base and side walls^" joined to define a first interior chamber and an opening, said first interior chamber sized to contain at least three video monitors therein, said video monitors positioned adjacent to each other laterally across said interior chamber, and said opening to visually communi- cate said interior chamber with said exterior environment; a panel formed of generally transparent material to visually communicate said first interior chamber with said external environment, said panel extending across said opening to environmentally isolate said interior chamber from the external environment; thermostatic means for maintaining a constant temperature within said first interior chamber, said thermostatic means in fluid communication with said first interior chamber; and a hood, said hood extending outward from and sloping downward before said first enclosure a suffi- cient distance to minimize reflective glare off of said video monitor and facilitate viewing thereof.

15. A method for adapting telecommunications equipment from environmental elements, said method including the steps: elevating at least three television monitors above the average height of the intended viewers; enclosing said television monitors within an enclosure having an interior sized to receive said monitors; and shielding said television monitors from direct sunlight while allowing direct viewing of said monitors.

16. A method for adapting telecommunications equipment from environmental conditions as set forth in claim 15, further including the steps: isolating said interior from environmental conditions; and thermostatically controlling said interior.

17. A method for adapting telecommunications equipment for adverse environmental conditions as set forth in Claim 16, further including the step: selectively synchronizing the images on said television monitors.

18. A method of displaying video images to an observer in an outside environment which comprises: enclosing a plurality of video display monitors in a housing; choosing from a plurality of sources a video signal to be displayed on each of said video monitors; selecting a video monitor upon which a given video signal is to be displayed based upon a predetermined scheme; and directing a video source signal to the selected video monitor.

19. The method of Claim 18, further comprising the step of remotely altering the predetermined scheme of displaying the selected video source signal.

20. The method of Claim 18 wherein the predetermined scheme is a random display scheme.