AU2004100425A4 - Electric Power Board/Strip Cover Box - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT ELECTRIC POWER BOARD/STRIP COVER BOX The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: ELECTRIC POWERBOARD/STRIP COVER BOX This invention relates to the manufacture of a device to cover electric power boards/strips. To our knowledge and searches no such device exists to date.

For many people the safety of electric power boards/strips is a concern.

Our device is designed to cover electric power boards/strips of all shapes and sizes, to make it difficult for young children to access live electric power boards/strips and the plugs therein, to protect from dust and moisture/liquid. Screw holes and hook holes are incorporated to allow for choice of location/mounting, together with feet to raise above floor level. Access to reset button is not restricted but small hands are. Where reset button is located other than the end of the electric power board/strip, an access port will be utilized. For electric power boards/strips with separate plug on/off switches, access ports in side of box will be incorporated.

Device is made of plastic in either one of the following two ways:- In a flat format able to be folded and clipped together by user around electric power board/strip without the need to unplug items in electric power board/strip.

In a box format. A slot at either end allows electric power board/strip to be placed inside box without the need to unplug items in electric power board/strip. Lid is then closed and locked. End slot runs from top to bottom of box allowing cords of items plugged in to be suitably arranged at bottom of box at either end. End slot is also used to change plugs/items attached to electric power board/strip. End opening at bottom of slot is smaller than electric power board/strip end to keep electric power board/strip within cover box.

Height would normally be in the order of 120MM to allow for double up plugs.

Length and width is governed by size/style of electric power board/strip.

Plastic is clear for vision of plugs and reset warning light. Although clear plastic is envisioned plastic may be colour tinted but still see-through.

For aesthetic purposes non see-through colours could be produced.

The sides, ends and top/lid of device could be used for advertising purposes.

Cover box can be made separately or as part of the electric power board/strip by electric power board/strip manufacturers.

To assist with understanding the invention reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which show the two examples of the invention.

Fig 1 shows the electric power board/strip cover box in a flat form.

Fig 1A shows the locking devices.

Fig 2 shows the flat form folded and clipped into a box in a three dimensional view.

Figs 3 and 4 show the end and side views of the electric power board/strip cover box when made in a box format.

Fig 5 shows a three dimensional view of the electric power board/strip cover box when made in a box format.

With regard to Fig 1 usage of the device is achieved by placing electric power board/strip on the bottom 1 of the cover box and arrange cords accordingly in opening 2. Fold sides 3 into an upright position and fold ends 4 inward and press into locking devices 5 on side. Top/lid 6 with lip and locking catch 7 is then folded into place with lips on the outside and locked onto side 3 with locking device 8. Holes 9 and 10 can be used for mounting/hanging purposes. Access ports 11 are optional.

Electric power board/strip is kept in cover box by flanges 12 on bottom of sides 4.

Fig 1A explains the locking devices which are as follows: A. End/Sides By pushing the end, the edge of which is slightly raised for its length into a slot that has a restricter, for the length of the slot.

B. Top/Lid By pushing the lip which has a raised inward edge at end of lip over a raised edge at top of the side/front.

Fig 2 shows a three dimensional view of an assembled cover box as per above instructions.

Fig 3 shows the end view of a cover box made in a box form. Box form is used by placing electric power board/strip in bottom of box by sliding plug cords down cord access slot I and arranging cord at opening 2 at bottom of end. Opening is smaller than end of electric power board/strip. Feet 3 raise cover box off floor while hang/hook hole 4 can be used for mounting. Raised edge 5 is used as a locking device for lid 6 with lip 7. Lip is grooved to fit over top, inside and outside of ends 8.

Fig 4 shows near side (front) and far side (back) of cover box. Access ports 1 are shown but are optional subject to electric power board/strip and design and number of switches. Feet 2 and raised edge 3 for locking is shown. Holes 4 for mounting purposes are shown on far side/back side view.

3 Fig 5 is a three dimensional view of a cover box produced in a box form as described in Fig 3 and 4 with locking device as described in Fig 1A/B. This view is without access ports which can be included if necessary. Access ports are subject to electric power board/strip design, location of switches (if any) and reset button. All access ports are single finger size only.

Claims (4)

1. An electric power board/strip cover box made in a flat format able to be folded and clipped together by user around the electric power board/strip into a box type cover with locking lid, without the need to unplug items in an existing electric power board/strip.

2. An electric power board/strip cover box made in a box form with locking lid and end access slot to enable user to place an electric power board/strip into box without the need to unplug items in an existing electric power board/strip.

3. An electric power board/strip cover box according to claims 1 and 2 wherein the cover box is made from plastic, either clear, tinted or non see-through for aesthetic purposes with access ports for switches where necessary.

4. An electric power board/strip cover box according to any one of the claims 1 3 to be of sufficient height for double up plugs but can be any width or length to accommodate differing styles of electric power boards/strips, either made separately for existing electric power boards/strips or as part of future electric power board/strips. An electric power board/strip cover box substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 5 of the accompanying drawings.