CA3143682A1 - Electrical and utility device protection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical and utility device protection apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical devices that are secured to walls of modular structures when the modular structures are in transport or being stored. The present invention includes a body having four walls and a top member being integrally formed to create an interior volume. An opening is present on the body opposite the top member and is configured to permit the body to be superposed an electrical device on a wall of a modular structure. The body includes a lip member wherein the lip member is perpendicular to the four walls being proximate the lower end of the body and extending perpendicularly outward therefrom. The lip member includes a gasket and a plurality of apertures. An access door is formed in one of the four walls being configured to provide access to the interior volume.

Description

ELECTRICAL AND UTILITY DEVICE PROTECTION APPARATUS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates generally to protective equipment, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a protective device that is configured to be superposed electrical and utility devices on relocatable building modules in order to provide protection of the electrical and utility devices on the building modules when in storage or transport from elements such as but not limited to rain or snow.
BACKGROUND

[002] Modular buildings are utilized for various applications such as but not limited to construction sites and oil field camps. These modular buildings provide an efficient method of being able to install a set up structures where needed temporarily. These structures are deployed in order to be utilized in various capacities such as but not limited to offices and residential applications. The modular structures are delivered and placed on location having already been completely outfitted with all necessary operational components such as but not limited to plumbing and electrical. Once placed in the destination location, the modular structure will be operably coupled to various inputs and outputs such as electrical and plumbing septic in order to commence utilization of the modular structure.

[003] One issue with the storage and transportation of the modular structure involves protecting of some of the more sensitive operational components coupled to the structure. By way of example but not limitation, protection of devices such as electrical panels, fire alarms and lights is currently poorly executed. It is common practice in the oil field industry to cover these devices with plastic sheeting and then utilize adhesive tape to attempt to maintain the position of the plastic sheeting. This common Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22 practice is very labor intensive and further has proven to be ineffective. One issue with the current technique is the inability for the adhesive tape to maintain position during cold weather. This results in the plastic sheeting becoming removed or partially removed from the electrical devices and as such the electrical devices can become damaged from exposure to rain or snow and further leads to decomposition of the walls leading to costly repairs.

[004] It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide an electrical device protection apparatus that is mounted to modular structures and superposed electrical devices mounted thereto in order to protect the electrical devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[005] It is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical and other sensitive equipment mounted to modular structures wherein the present invention is configured to superpose various electrical devices.

[006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical and utility device protection apparatus operable to inhibit exposure of elements to electrical and similar devices wherein the present invention is provided in various sizes so as to superpose alternate types of devices.

[007] A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical and other sensitive equipment mounted to modular structures wherein the present invention includes a body having a least one wall and a top integrally formed to create an interior volume.

[008] Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical and utility device protection apparatus operable to inhibit exposure of elements to electrical and similar devices wherein body has an opening opposite the top providing access to the interior volume.

Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22

[009] An additional object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical and other sensitive equipment mounted to modular structures wherein the body includes a lower perimeter edge configured to be placed adjacent a portion of the modular structure.

[0010] Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide an electrical and utility device protection apparatus operable to inhibit exposure of elements to electrical and similar devices wherein the body includes a lip member circumferentially disposed around the lower perimeter edge.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical and other sensitive equipment mounted to modular structures wherein the lip member includes a gasket secured thereto.

[0012] An alternate object of the present invention is to provide an electrical and utility device protection apparatus operable to inhibit exposure of elements to electrical and similar devices wherein the body further includes a moisture reduction member disposed within the interior volume of the body.

[0013] An alternative objective of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical and other sensitive equipment mounted to modular structures wherein the moisture reduction member can include an access hatch formed in the at least one wall of the body.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical and other sensitive equipment mounted to modular structures wherein in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a body manufactured from a high grade clear UV rated plastic.

[0015] To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22 only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0018] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention;
and

[0019] Figure 3 is a top view of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] References now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated an electrical and utility device protection apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.

[0021] An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22 described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

[0022] It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "an element" is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word "or" should be understood as having the definition of a logical "or" rather than that of a logical "exclusive or" unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0023] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "exemplary embodiments", and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.

[0024] Now referring to the Drawings submitted as a part hereof, the electrical and utility device protection apparatus 100 includes a body 10 wherein the body 10 includes a plurality of walls 12. The plurality of walls are integrally formed with the top member 14 wherein the plurality of walls 12 and top member 14 create an interior volume 16. An opening 33 proximate the lower end 13 of the body 10 provides access to the interior volume 16. The body 10 is manufactured from a durable rigid material such Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22 as but not limited to plastic. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the body is manufactured from a clear UV rated plastic so as to permit a user to identify what electrical device is being covered by the electrical and utility device protection apparatus 100. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that while the preferred use of the present invention is to cover electrical devices, fire alarms, lights and other functional components secured to a wall of a modular structure that the present invention could be superposed various different objects secured to a wall.

[0025] While the preferred embodiment of the body 10 illustrated herein is square in shape having four walls 12, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be provided in alternate shapes so as to more mateably superpose a desired object. By way of example but not limitation, the body 10 could have a single wall being annular in shape.
The body 10 includes an upper end 11 and lower end 13. The lower end 13 further includes a lower perimeter edge 17. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could be provided in alternate sizes so as to be superposed different objects wherein the objects can be accommodated within the interior volume 16. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the interior volume 16 can have moisture absorbing material disposed therein so as to assist in inhibiting damage to an object that is sensitive to moisture.

[0026] Contiguously formed with the lower perimeter edge 17 is lip member 25. Lip member 25 is circumferentially present around the body 10 extending outward from the lower perimeter edge 17 being perpendicular thereto. The lip member 25 is manufactured from the same material as the body 10. Lip member 25 functions to provide a surface that will be parallel and adjacent to a surface such as a wall on a modular structure on which an electrical device is mounted and is being covered by the electrical and utility device protection apparatus 100. In a preferred embodiment the lip member 25 is two inches in width but it is contemplated within the scope of the Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22 present invention that the lip member 25 could be provided in alternate widths. The lip member 25 has formed therein a plurality of apertures 30.
The apertures 30 are dispersed along the lip member 25 and are provided so as to permit a fastener to be journaled therethrough. The apertures 30 allow a fastener to be journaled therethrough and engage an adjacent wall so as to secure the body 10 to the wall of the modular structure. Secured to the bottom surface of the lip member 25 is gasket 35. Gasket 35 is disposed on the entire lip member 25 and is manufactured from a durable weatherproof material such as but not limited to foam rubber. The gasket 35 is present so as to inhibit water from egressing into the interior volume 16 subsequent the electrical and utility device protection apparatus 100 being mounted to a wall of a modular structure over an electrical device. While the electrical and utility device protection apparatus 100 is discussed herein as being utilized for protecting devices such as but not limited to electrical devices on modular structures, it should be understood that the present invention could protect devices on permanent structures as well.

[0027] In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22

Claims (10)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A device protection apparatus configured to be superposed a device that is secured to a wall of a structure wherein the device protection apparatus is comprised of:
a body, said body having at least one wall and a top member being integrally formed, said at least one wall and the top member creating an interior volume that is hollow, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said body having an opening at said lower end, said opening providing access to said interior volume, said interior volume being of suitable size to have a utility device of a structure disposed therein ensuing said body being superposed thereon, said body further having a lip member, said lip member being contiguously formed with said body, said lip member being proximate said lower end of said body, said lip member being perpendicular to said at least one wall of said body.

2. The device protection apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said lip member includes a plurality of apertures, said plurality of apertures configured to receive a fastener therethrough.

3. The device protection apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said lip member has a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said lip member having a gasket secured thereto, said gasket operable to seal against a wall to which the body is secured so as to inhibit water from entering said interior volume of said body.

4. The device protection apparatus as recited in claim 3, and further including an access door, said access door being formed in said at least one wall, said access door configured to provide access to the interior volume of said body ensuing said body being secured to the wall.

5. The device protection apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said body is manufactured from a transparent UV rated plastic.

Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22

6. An electrical and utility device protection apparatus configured to provide protection of electrical devices secured to a wall of a modular structure so as to provide protection thereof when the modular structure is not in use or in transport wherein the electrical and utility device protection apparatus comprises:
a body, said body having four walls and a top member being integrally formed, said four walls and said top member creating an interior volume that is hollow, said body having an upper end and a lower end, said body having an opening at said lower end, said opening providing access to said interior volume, said interior volume being of suitable size to have a utility device of a structure disposed therein ensuing said body being superposed thereon; and a lip member, said lip member being contiguously formed with said body proximate said lower end thereof, said lip member being perpendicular to said four walls of said body, said lip member extending outward from said four walls of said body.

7. The electrical device protection apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein said lip member has a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said lip member having a gasket secured thereto, said gasket operable to seal against a wall to which the body is secured so as to inhibit water from entering said interior volume of said body.

8. The electrical and utility device protection apparatus as recited in claim 7, and further including an access door, said access door being formed in one of said four walls of said body, said access door being hingedly secured to one of said four walls of said body, said access door configured to provide access to the interior volume of said body ensuing said body being secured to the wall.

9. The electrical and utility device protection apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said lip member includes a plurality of apertures, said plurality of apertures configured to receive a fastener therethrough.

Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22

10. The electrical and utility device protection apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said body is manufactured from a transparent UV rated plastic.
Date recue/ date received 2021-12-22