US Patent 7414190 Environmental seal for network interface device

A NID includes a base defining an interior cavity and a protective outer cover attached to the base for movement between an opened position and a closed position. At least one of the base and the outer cover has one or more channels formed therein and the other of the base and the outer cover has one or more lips that depend outwardly therefrom. Each lip is received within a corresponding channel formed on the other of the base and the outer cover. The lip and the channel have side portions that engage at multiple contact points to form an environmental seal that prevents contaminants, such as wind-driven dust, sand and moisture, from entering the interior cavity when the outer cover is in the closed position, thereby protecting communications equipment within the NID without the use of an elastomeric gel, seal or gasket.