AU2014210658A1 - Housing Assembly for Awning or Blind - Google Patents

Abstract

A housing assembly for awning or blind including a body portion for mounting relative to a surface, a hood cover engageable with the body portion to close the housing and a pair of hood ends, one at either end of the housing, wherein the hood cover is engaged with the body portion and each of the hood ends in a snapfit configuration. Figure 1

Description

I HOUSING ASSEMBLY FOR AWNING OR BLIND TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention relates to a housing assembly for awning or blind and particularly to a housing with an alternate attachment for the cover of the housing. BACKGROUND ART [0002] A prior art housing assembly is illustrated in Figure 2. This particular prior art housing is particularly well adapted for face fit situations. The provision of the hinge 16 at the forward end allows the hood cover 12 to be opened or rotated upwardly and also allows removal of the hood cover 12 from the body if required. [0003] Where this prior art housing is mounted in a recess fit or ceiling fit application, it can in some circumstances be difficult to properly mount the hood cover and to disengage the hood cover for removal from the body 11 whilst the housing remains in position, due to the fact that the hood cover 12 must be rotated upwardly which can sometimes mean that the hood cover 12 is obstructed by the ceiling or another member located above it. [0004] It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention is directed to a housing assembly for awning or blind, which may at least partially overcome at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice. [0006] With the foregoing in view, the present invention in one form, resides broadly in a housing assembly for awning or blind, the assembly including a body portion for mounting relative to a surface, a hood cover engageable with the body portion to close the housing and a pair of hood ends, one at either end of the housing, wherein the hood cover is engaged with the body portion and each of the hood ends in a snapfit configuration. [0007] The awning or blind housing of the present invention can, because of its configuration, be mounted in a ceiling configuration, a face fit configuration or a recess fit. Where mounted in a ceiling configuration, the housing will normally be mounted to a ceiling bracket but may be directly mounted. [0008] The housing can be used for a powered or non-powered awning or blind. The awning or blind can be manually movable or not. Typically, the housing will be provided for a roller blind or awning. This type of blind or awning normally includes a roll located inside the housing with a rectangular blind or awning member attached thereto and deployable relative thereto as required. [0009] The blind or awning member can be manufactured from any material, but typically will be a fabric or similar. Similarly, the housing can be manufactured from any material. Normally however, the housing components can be metal, plastic, composite and any one or more of these materials could be used for different components of the housing. [0010] The housing of the present invention is particularly adapted for a ceiling mount or recess fit with the housing mounted to, or immediately adjacent to, a substantially horizontal surface such as the ceiling of a room or an upper reveal of a window for example. [0011] The housing of the present invention includes a pair of hood ends, one at either end of the housing. Normally, the hood ends are shaped to correspond with the shape of the assembled housing but the hood ends normally have a unitary configuration rather than being formed with a body portion and a hood cover portion. [0012] The hood ends normally attach directly to the body of the housing. The hood ends are also preferably provided portions to which the hood cover can latch or lock when closed. [0013] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the portions to which the hood cover can latch or lock when closed include one or more fingers or protrusions extending from each hood end. Preferably, the fingers or protrusions will extend from one hood end toward the other of the hood ends in a housing. [0014] The hood ends also normally mount the drive or gearbox in order to open and close the blind or awning. This can be of any type, and can be mounted outside but preferably inside the housing when assembled. [0015] Each hood end will normally have a substantially planar rear wall or rear wall portion in order to allow the housing to be face fit. There will normally be a shaped upper and lower wall and/or forward wall. Preferably, a portion of the upper wall of each hood end is planar in order to allow for a ceiling or recess fit. Therefore, according to the most preferred embodiment, a planar rear wall, lower wall and upper wall are provided with a curved front wall. [0016] The end walls of each hood end will typically be planar as well. The end wall will normally have a number of openings therein and preferably through, in order to allow the mounting of the drive or gearbox relative to the end wall. [0017] One or more attachment or mounting pegs, pins or protrusions may extend from each hood end, generally toward the other hood end. The attachment or mounting pegs, pins or protrusions will preferably sandwich the body portion of the housing therebetween in order to locate the hood ends relative to the body portion. An opposite configuration may be provided with the hood ends provided with openings into which portions of the body portion are at least partially received. [0018] Each hood end will typically include at least one latch finger, preferably provided on or adjacent a lower wall of the hood end. Preferably, each latch finger is located within the boundary of the hood end, normally above the lower wall and normally toward the rear wall but spaced therefrom. [0019] The at least one latch finger may be used as a hinge point about which the hood cover can be rotated, forwardly and downwardly. Preferably however the latch finger functions to snapfit the hood cover relative thereto. [0020] Each latch finger may be of any shape, but preferably each is cylindrical. [0021] Preferably, portions of the rear and lower walls of each hood end are removed. This may allow easier access to the gearbox mounted within the hood end from the lower or rearward sides depending upon how the housing is mounted. Preferably, the portions are absent from the hood ends at manufacture but alternatively, portions may be removable during the fixing of the housing. [0022] The portions may have a predetermined shape, outlined by lines or portions of weakness in order to allow a part of a wall to be removed from the hood end. Preferably, two openings are provided, one in the rear wall and one in the lower wall, and generally, the openings are provided by removal of the shaped portion of the respective wall. [0023] The housing of the present invention includes a body portion for mounting relative to a surface. The body portion will normally have an upper wall, a lower wall and a rear wall linking the upper and lower wall. It is preferred that the lower wall extends only a part of the -r length of the upper wall, but the upper and lower wall will normally extend substantially parallel to one another. The remainder of the lower wall of the housing is normally closed by the hood cover. The lower wall may be absent altogether with a lower portion of the hood cover simply abutting a part of the rear wall of the body portion. [0024] The upper wall of the body portion may have any configuration appropriate to its mounting. Typically, the upper wall is provided with a mounting configuration to allow a ceiling or reveal fit. [0025] Preferably, an engagement configuration is provided at an outer end of the upper wall, opposite the rear wall. Any engagement configuration can be provided but two particular engagement configurations are preferred, namely a male engagement configuration and a female engagement configuration. Each configuration is preferably substantially planar in order to allow the hood cover to be engaged from a forward end of the body in a linear, rather than rotating manner. [0026] In the male engagement configuration, a single extension may be provided which is substantially parallel to the remainder of the upper wall. Normally, in the male configuration, the extension will be spaced from the plane of the upper wall such that a flange or similar can be received between the male extension and the ceiling or reveal. [0027] The male engagement configuration may have an enlarged outer end in order to be received in an enlarged portion of a corresponding female configuration provided on the hood cover. This will preferably allow, not only the snapfit mounting, but also tactile and/or audible engagement feedback. [0028] A secondary wall portion may be provided spaced from the extension but parallel to the extension in order to support a wall which defines the corresponding female configuration. [0029] In the more preferred, female engagement configuration, a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel flanges is provided. The upper flange is typically provided coplanar with the upper wall and may simply be a portion of the upper wall. The lower flange is spaced from the upper flange in order to define a receiving groove therebetween. The lower flange is typically spaced from the upper flange by a linking wall. [0030] The receiving groove may have an enlarged portion adjacent to the linking wall in order to receive an enlarged or bulbous portion if such is provided on the received male portion. This configuration will assist with providing the snapfit with tactile and/or audible engagement feedback. [0031] It is preferred that the lower flange is greater in length than the upper flange. Normally, the lower flange can be provided with a depending arm having a hook or shoulder member at a lower end thereof. The preferred hook or shoulder member will preferably engage a corresponding hook or shoulder on the hood cover. [0032] Preferably, the length of the depending arm is such that it will allow limited deformation of the arm during engagement even if the material from which the depending arm and/or hook or shoulder is rigid. [0033] The housing of the present invention also includes a hood cover engagable with the body portion to close the housing. The hood is preferably provided with corresponding portions to engage with the engagement portions provided on the body portion. [0034] Typically, there is an upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion provided on the hood cover. The upper engagement portion preferably extends over the full length of the hood cover and the lower engagement portion may be full-length as well, but typically only engages the hood ends at the ends of the hood cover. [0035] The upper engagement portion of the hood cover typically corresponds in configuration to the engagement portion provided on the body portion. Therefore, if the upper engagement on the body portion is the male form described above, then the upper engagement on the hood cover is preferably the female form described above. [0036] As the preferred embodiment of the body portion includes a female engagement portion, the preferred embodiment of the hood cover includes a single male extension, preferably with an enlarged end portion. The single male extension is normally below the plane of the upper wall of the body portion but substantially parallel thereto. [0037] The hood cover also typically includes a depending flange extending downwardly from an upper wall of the hood cover. The depending flange will normally be provided with a generally perpendicularly directed arm extending toward the rear of the housing. A hook or shoulder portion is normally provided on the generally perpendicularly directed arm in order to engage with the hook or shoulder member provided on the depending arm of the body portion of the housing. [0038] A forward or front wall of the hood cover is preferably arcuate in order to be aesthetically pleasing. The hood cover will also preferably include a lower wall extending rearwardly from the lower edge of the forward or front wall. The lower wall of the hood cover is generally substantially parallel to the upper wall of the hood cover. The lower wall of the hood cover is generally planar and extends rearwardly to close the lower portion of the housing. A free end of the lower wall may engage with a portion of the rear wall of the body portion or with a lower wall of the body portion. In its simplest form, the lower wall of the hood cover may simply abut the rear wall or a portion thereof [0039] The lower wall of the hood cover is provided with a lower engagement portion. Generally, the lower engagement portion will engage with the fingers on the respective hood ends and is therefore appropriately configured. According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the lower engagement portion may include an upstanding wall with a hook or abutment shoulder configuration. The hook or abutment shoulder configuration may be provided at the free end of a laterally extending arm which is generally parallel to the lower wall of the hood cover. In one form, the hook or abutment shoulder may take the form of a short depending portion at the free end of the laterally extending arm extending from an upstanding wall. [0040] Due to the preferred configuration, the lower engagement portion will typically snap over the finger on each of the hood ends in order to close the housing. Again, the provision of the upstanding wall and laterally extending arm being spaced from the lower wall, may allow or provide a slight resilience or ability to deform during engagement and disengagement even if the material used is substantially rigid. [0041] In use, the body portion will typically be mounted to the appropriate surface with the hood ends mounted thereto. The internal components of the housing will then be located correctly leaving the hood cover as the last component requiring assembly. The preferred male extension on the upper wall of the hood cover can be engaged with the corresponding engagement portion of the body portion prior to, at the same time, as or slightly after the engagement of the lower engagement portion with the fingers on the hood ends. Pressing the hood cover rearwardly will typically act to engage the snap fitting configurations at the upper and lower sides of the housing to close the housing. [0042] Whilst not generally required, it will also be possible, if necessary, to open the housing again by removal of the hood cover. This may be slightly more difficult than the assembly steps but generally speaking, this occurs less often once the housing is assembled. Importantly, the assembly of the hood cover onto the body portion can be achieved without requiring rotation of the hood cover about a hinge which means that the hood cover can be applied to a ceiling mounted body portion or in recess fit situations. [0043] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention. [0044] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0045] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows: [0046] Figure 1 is an isometric view of an awning assembly according to a broader aspect of the present invention. [0047] Figure 2 is an isometric end view of a prior art awning housing. [0048] Figure 3 is a detailed view of an upper portion of the body and hood cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0049] Figure 4 is a detailed view of an upper portion of the hood cover according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0050] Figure 5 is an isometric view of a hood end according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0051] Figure 6 is a detailed view of an alternative hood end according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0052] Figure 7 is an alternative view of the hood end illustrated in Figure 6. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0053] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a housing assembly for awning or blind is provided.

0 [0054] A housing assembly of the preferred embodiment is normally used as illustrated in Figure 1. In that Figure, a housing 10 is located at an upper end of an opening to be covered by the awning or blind. It is to be noted that the housing assembly 10 illustrated in Figure 1 is a roller housing for an external blind but this is but one embodiment. The housing 10 contains a roll about which is located a fabric panel 13 such that rotation of the roll in one direction deploys the fabric panel 13 and rotation of the roll in the opposite direction takes up the fabric panel 13. [0055] The side edges of the fabric panel 13 are located within guide channels 14 and normally have enlarged portions which are received in the guide channels 14 for guided deployment and retraction. The housing 10 of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 as illustrated in more detail in Figure 2 showing the body portion 11, mounting a hood cover which can be opened and closed relative to the body portion 11 about a hinge 16 with the hinge 16 also allowing detachment of the hood cover 12 from the body portion 11. [0056] The housing assembly illustrated in Figures 3 to 7 includes a body portion for mounting relative to a surface, a hood cover 21 engageable with the body portion 20 to close the housing and a pair of hood ends 22 (preferred forms of which are illustrated in Figures 5 to 7), one at either end of the housing, wherein the hood cover 21 is engaged with the body portion 20 and each of the hood ends 22 in a snapfit configuration. [0057] The housing of the present invention is particularly adapted for a ceiling mount or recess fit with the housing mounted to or immediately adjacent to a substantially horizontal surface such as the ceiling of a room or an upper reveal of a window, for example. [0058] The housing includes a pair of hood ends 22, one at either end of the housing. Preferred forms of hood ends are illustrated in Figures 5 to 7. As illustrated, the hood ends are shaped to correspond with the shape of the assembled housing, but the hood ends are unitary rather than being formed with a body portion and a hood cover portion. [0059] Regardless of their particular configuration, the hood ends normally attach directly to the body 20 of the housing. Each of the hood ends also preferably provide portions to which the hood cover2l can latch or lock when closed. [0060] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the portions to which the hood cover 21 can latch or lock when closed include a latch finger 23 extending from each hood end 21. Preferably, each latch finger extends from one hood end 21 toward the other of the hood ends 21 at the other end of the housing assembly.

[0061] The hood ends 21 also normally mount the drive or gearbox in order to open and close the blind or awning. This can be of any type, and can be mounted outside but preferably inside the housing when assembled. [0062] Each hood end 21 has a substantially planar rear wall 24 in order to allow the housing to be face fit, an upper wall 25, a lower wall 26 and a forward wall 27. A portion of the upper wall 25 of each hood end 21 is planar in order to allow for a ceiling or recess fit. Therefore, according to the most preferred embodiment, a planar rear wall 24, lower wall 26 and upper wall 25 are provided with a curved front wall 27. [0063] The end wall 28 of each hood end is planar as well. As illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 in particular, the end wall 28 can have a number of openings therein and preferably through in order to allow the mounting of the drive or gearbox relative to the end wall 28. [0064] Attachment or mounting pegs, pins or protrusions 29 extend from each hood end, generally toward the other hood end to sandwich the body portion 20 of the housing therebetween in order to locate the hood ends 22 relative to the body portion 20. [0065] Each hood end 22 includes at least one latch finger 23, preferably provided on or adjacent a lower wall 26 of the hood end 22. Each latch finger 23 is located within the boundary of the hood end 22, normally above the lower wall 26 and normally toward the rear wall 24 but spaced therefrom. [0066] Each latch finger 23 may be of any shape, but preferably is cylindrical as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. [0067] As illustrated in Figure 7 in particular, portions of the rear 24 and lower walls 26 of each hood end 22 are removed in this embodiment to allow easier access to a gearbox which would normally be mounted within the hood end (but which has been removed from the Figure for clarity purposes) from the lower or rearward sides depending upon how the housing is mounted. Preferably, the portions are absent from the hood ends at manufacture by alternatively, portions may be removable during the fixing of the housing. [0068] Preferably, two openings are provided, one in the rear wall and one in the lower wall, and generally, the openings are provided by removal of the shaped portion of the respective wall. [0069] The housing of the present invention includes a body portion for mounting relative to a surface which is of the same general configuration as the body portion illustrated in Figure 2 I "I albeit with a different attachment portion for mounting the hood cover thereto. The body portion 20 has an upper wall 29, and a rear wall 30. The lower wall of the housing is provided by the hood cover 21 with a lower portion of the hood cover 21 simply abutting a part of the rear wall 30 of the body portion 20. [0070] The upper wall 29 of the body portion of the preferred embodiment is provided with a mounting configuration to allow a ceiling or reveal fit. [0071] As illustrated in Figure 3, an engagement configuration is provided at an outer end of the upper wall 29, opposite the rear wall 30. Any engagement configuration can be provided but the preferred configuration is substantially planar with the upper wall 29 in order to allow the hood cover 21 to be engaged from a forward end of the body 20 in a linear rather than rotating manner. [0072] In the more preferred female engagement configuration illustrated in Figure 3, a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel flanges are provided. The upper flange 31 is provided coplanar with the upper wall 29. The lower flange 32 is spaced from the upper flange 31 by a linking wall 34 in order to define a receiving groove 33 therebetween. [0073] The receiving groove has an enlarged portion adjacent to the linking wall 34 in order to receive an enlarged or bulbous portion if such is provided on the received male portion. This configuration will assist with providing the snapfit with but tactile and/or audible engagement feedback. [0074] As illustrated in Figure 3, the lower flange 32 is greater in length than the upper flange 31 and is provided with a depending arm 35 having a hook or shoulder member 36 at a lower end thereof to engage a corresponding hook or shoulder on the hood cover 21. [0075] The length of the depending arm 35 is such that it will allow a small deformation of the arm 35 during engagement even if the material from which the depending arm 35 and/or hook or shoulder 36 is rigid. [0076] The hood cover 21 of the preferred embodiment is provided with corresponding portions to engage with the engagement portions provided on the body portion 20. [0077] An upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion provided on the hood cover. The upper engagement portion preferably extends over the full length of the hood cover and the lower engagement portion may be full-length as well, but typically only engages the hood ends at the ends of the hood cover. [0078] As the preferred embodiment of the body portion 20 includes a female engagement portion, the preferred embodiment of the hood cover 21 includes a single male extension 37 with an enlarged end portion. The single male extension 37 is normally below the plane of the upper wall 29 of the body portion 20 but substantially parallel thereto. [0079] The hood cover 21 also includes a depending flange 38 extending downwardly from an upper wall 29 of the hood cover 21. The depending flange 38 is provided with a generally perpendicularly directed arm 39 extending toward the rear of the housing. A hook or shoulder portion 40 is normally provided on the generally perpendicularly directed arm 39 in order to engage with the hook or shoulder member 36 provided on the depending arm 35 of the body portion 20 of the housing. [0080] As illustrated in Figure 3, the forward or front wall of the hood cover is arcuate in order to be aesthetically pleasing. As illustrated in Figure 4, the hood cover 21 also includes a lower wall 41 extending rearwardly from the lower edge of the forward or front wall. The lower wall 41 of the hood cover of the illustrated embodiment is substantially parallel to the upper wall 29 of the hood cover. The lower wall 41 of the hood cover is generally planar and extends rearwardly to close the lower portion of the housing. A free end 42 of the lower wall 41 abuts the rear wall 24 of the body portion 20. [0081] The lower wall 41 of the hood cover is provided with a lower engagement portion to engage with the fingers 23 on the respective hood ends 22 and is therefore appropriately configured. [0082] According to the illustrated embodiment, the lower engagement portion includes an upstanding wall 43 with a hook or abutment shoulder configuration 44. The hook or abutment shoulder configuration 44 is provided at the free end of a laterally extending arm 45 which is generally parallel to the lower wall 41 of the hood cover. In the illustrated form, the hook or abutment shoulder 44 takes the form of a short depending portion at the free end of the laterally extending arm 45. [0083] Due to the preferred configuration, the lower engagement portion will typically snap over the finger 23 on each of the hood ends 22 in order to close the housing. Again, the provision of the upstanding wall 43 and laterally extending arm 45 being spaced from the lower wall 41 may allow or provide a slight resilience or ability to deform during engagement and disengagement even if the material used is substantially rigid.

I / [0084] In use, the body portion 20 will typically be mounted to the appropriate surface with the hood ends 22 attached. The internal components of the housing will then be located correctly, leaving the hood cover 21 as the last component requiring assembly. The preferred male extension 37 on the upper wall of the hood cover 21 is engaged with the corresponding engagement portion of the body portion 20 prior to, or at the same time or slightly after the engagement of the lower engagement portion with the fingers 23 on the hood ends 22. Pressing the hood cover2l rearwardly acts to engage the snap fitting configurations at the upper and lower sides of the housing to close the housing. [0085] Whilst not generally required, it will also be possible if necessary to open the housing again by removal of the hood cover. This may be slightly more difficult than the assembly steps but generally speaking, this occurs less often once the housing is assembled. Importantly, the assembly of the hood cover onto the body portion can be achieved without requiring rotation of the hood cover about a hinge which means that the hood cover can be applied to a ceiling mounted body portion or in recess fit situations. [0086] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers. [0087] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations. [0088] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. A housing assembly for awning or blind including a body portion for mounting relative to a surface, a hood cover engageable with the body portion to close the housing and a pair of hood ends, one at either end of the housing, wherein the hood cover is engaged with the body portion and each of the hood ends in a snapfit configuration.

2. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein attach directly to the body of the housing and provide portions to which the hood cover latches when closed.

3. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the hood ends each include one or more latch fingers extending from one hood end toward the other of the hood ends in a housing.

4. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each hood end has a substantially planar rear wall in order to allow the housing to be face fit, a shaped upper wall of which a portion is planar in order to allow for a ceiling or recess fit, a lower wall, a forward wall, and a substantially planar end wall.

5. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each hood end includes one or more attachment pins extending from each hood end to sandwich the body portion of the housing therebetween in order to locate the hood ends relative to the body portion.

6. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein each hood end includes at least one latch finger, provided on or adjacent a lower wall of the hood end.

7. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein each latch finger is located within an external boundary of the hood end, above a lower wall and toward a rear wall but spaced therefrom.

8. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the at least one latch finger acts as a hinge point about which the hood cover can be rotated, forwardly and downwardly, the hood cover snapfit relative thereto.

9. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body portion has a substantially planar rear wall in order to allow the housing to be face fit, a shaped upper wall of which a portion is planar in order to allow for a ceiling or recess fit, and a lower wall extending substantially parallel to the upper wall. 1 -r

10. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein an engagement configuration is provided at an outer end of the upper wall, opposite the rear wall of the body and a complementary engagement configuration is provided on the hood cover, one of the engagement configurations being a male engagement configuration and the complementary engagement configuration being a female engagement configuration.

11. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 10 wherein the engagement configurations are substantially planar in order to allow the hood cover to be engaged from a forward end of the body in a linear, rather than rotating manner.

12. A housing assembly as claimed in either claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the male engagement configuration has an extension substantially parallel to an upper plane of the housing assembly and spaced from that plane such that a flange can be received above the male extension.

13. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the extension has an enlarged outer end in order to be received in an enlarged portion of a corresponding female configuration to allow snapfit mounting and tactile and/or audible engagement feedback.

14. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the female engagement configuration has a pair of spaced apart substantially parallel flanges, an upper flange provided coplanar with to an upper plane of the housing assembly and a lower flange spaced from the upper flange in order to define a receiving groove therebetween.

15. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the lower flange is greater in length than the upper flange, the lower flange provided with a depending arm having a hook or shoulder member at a lower end thereof to engage a corresponding hook or shoulder on the male engagement configuration.

16. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 14 or claim l5wherein the receiving groove has an enlarged portion to receive an enlarged or bulbous portion if such is provided on the male engagement configuration.

17. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein there is an upper engagement portion and a lower engagement portion provided on the hood cover.

18. A housing assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the hood cover includes an arcuate forward wall and a lower wall extending rearwardly from a lower edge of the forward wall.

19. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the lower wall of the hood cover is provided with a lower engagement portion with a snapfit engagement with one or more latch fingers provided on the respective hood ends.

20. A housing assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the lower engagement portion includes an upstanding wall with a hook portion provided at a free end of a laterally extending arm which is substantially parallel to the lower wall of the hood cover.