CN113612056A

CN113612056A - Weather-proof socket

Info

Publication number: CN113612056A
Application number: CN202110479122.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·J·古宾斯
Original assignee: Luceco PLC
Current assignee: Luceco PLC
Priority date: 2020-05-04
Filing date: 2021-04-30
Publication date: 2021-11-05
Also published as: GB202006555D0; GB2594716A; GB2594716B

Abstract

A weatherable housing for an electrical socket is described. It comprises a base and a cover defining respective first and second portions of a cable guide and portions of an internal chamber for receiving an electrical socket and a plug when inserted into the electrical socket. The base and lid are joined by a hinge to allow the base and lid to move between an open position and a closed position. The latch assembly is configured to lock the base and the lid in a closed position. The first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the latch assembly. A seal assembly within the cable guide defines a substantially cylindrical bore for the electrical cable when the cover is in the closed position.

Description

Weather-proof socket

Technical Field

The invention relates to a socket, in particular to a weather-proof socket.

Background

Electrical outlets (sockets) for providing electricity are ubiquitous. Electrical outlets are common both inside and outside buildings and structures. While the internal outlets generally do not require additional protection, the outdoor electrical outlets may be exposed to water, which is dangerous. In order to minimize the risk of electrical outlet exposure, weather resistant sockets are often used to protect the components. Conventional weather resistant sockets typically include a housing for an electrical outlet, wherein the housing may be opened by operation of a latch. A sealed compartment in the housing allows cables to extend from the plug of the input electrical outlet to the exterior of the weather resistant housing, enabling a user to operate the power plant.

The weather-proof socket is intended to protect the electrical outlet from exposure to precipitation and to minimise other forms of potential damage caused by weather (e.g. wind). In order to provide a high degree of protection for the elements, latches provided on the outside of the weather-proof housing are often very difficult for the user to operate. While this maintains protection from the weather, it presents a challenge to the user in order to access the electrical outlet itself. These latches are typically small and bulky. The user may choose to use pliers or other tools, for example, to access the electrical outlet, which makes accessing such a receptacle time consuming, inconvenient, and frustrating. For users with low dexterity, operating such latches may even be completely unmanageable. This makes it difficult for the user to utilize the electrical outlet at all. This also presents challenges to the user in order to access the outlet for use with different devices, or to simply pull the plug from the device after the user has completed operating the device.

While the socket is intended to provide protection for the components, typically, a sealed compartment in the housing that allows the cables to protrude needs to accommodate a variety of varying cable sizes. While this provides flexibility for the user when operating different devices, it makes it difficult to completely seal the electrical outlet from water ingress, thereby increasing the risk of potentially dangerous exposure to precipitation.

It would be desirable to provide a weather resistant receptacle that improves user accessibility to electrical outlets while maintaining the protection afforded by conventional weather resistant receptacles.

The embodiments described below are provided as examples only and are not limiting implementations that address any or all of the disadvantages of known weather resistant receptacles.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

A weatherable housing for an electrical socket is described. It comprises a base and a cover defining respective first and second portions of a cable guide and a portion of an internal chamber for receiving an electrical socket and a plug when inserted into the electrical socket. The base and lid are connected by a hinge to allow the base and lid to move between an open position and a closed position. The latch assembly is configured to lock the base and the lid in a closed position. The first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the latch assembly. A seal assembly within the cable guide defines a substantially cylindrical bore for the electrical cable when the cover is in the closed position.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a weatherable housing for an electrical socket, the housing comprising: a base and a cover defining respective first and second portions of a cable guide and respective first and second portions of an internal chamber for receiving an electrical outlet and a plug when inserted into the electrical outlet; a hinge configured to allow relative movement of the base and the lid between an open position and a closed position; a latch assembly configured to lock the base and the lid in a closed position; and a seal assembly, wherein: first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the latch assembly; the seal assembly includes a first component in the base and a second component in the cover, and each of the first and second components extends from an interface between the interior chamber and the cable guide and along substantially an entire length of the cable guide; and, when the cover is in the closed position, the second member is in contact with the first member and the sealing assembly defines a substantially cylindrical bore for the electrical cable.

The first component of the seal assembly may further comprise: a first portion located at an interface between the first portion of the interior chamber and the first portion of the cable guide; and a second portion within the first portion of the cable guide; the second component of the seal assembly further comprises: a first portion located at an interface between the second portion of the interior chamber and the second portion of the cable guide; a second portion within the second portion of the cable guide.

The distal end of the first portion of each component of the seal assembly may be in contact with the proximal end of the second portion of the same component of the seal assembly.

The first and second portions of the first component of the seal assembly may be integrally formed and the first and second portions of the second component of the seal assembly may be integrally formed.

The inner surface of the second portion of the first and/or second parts of the seal assembly may comprise a pattern of embossments.

The first and/or second parts of the sealing assembly may be deformable.

The latch assembly may be pivotally attached to one of the base and the cover and configured to move between a first position in which the latch assembly is configured to engage a profile element on the other of the base and the cover and a second position in which the latch assembly is configured to disengage from the profile element.

The latch assembly may be attached to the cover and the profile element is provided on the base.

The latch assembly may include a tab and a hook, and wherein the first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the tab.

The tab may be an elongated tab, and wherein the hook extends from a bottom side of the tab and includes at least two legs, and wherein in the closed position the legs are on either side of the cable guide.

The elongate tab may be at least 40mm in length.

The tab and the hook may be integrally formed.

The proximal end of the tab may be located within a recess in the cap.

The tab may be embossed with a pattern.

The first portion of the cable guide may define a first channel in which a second portion of the first component of the seal assembly is located, and the second portion of the cable guide may define a second channel in which a second portion of the second component of the seal assembly is located.

The first and second channels may each have a length of about 21.5 mm.

The first and second portions of the cable guide may extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and may extend at least as far as a distal end of the latch assembly such that the distal end of the cable guide is aligned with the distal end of the latch assembly.

The cable guide may be formed on an edge of the housing opposite the hinge.

The cable guide may have a substantially square or rectangular cross-section.

The cable guide may have an outer diameter of about 18 mm.

The cable guide may extend about 19mm beyond the remainder of the housing.

The first and second portions of the cable guide may have substantially the same dimensions.

The housing may further include at least one lug on each of the base and the cover, each lug including an aperture configured for use with a padlock.

The housing may be configured to house a plurality of electrical receptacles and may include a cable guide, a sealing assembly, and a latch assembly for each electrical receptacle.

A second aspect provides a weatherable receptacle comprising a weatherable housing according to the first aspect and one or more electrical receptacles within the weatherable housing.

As will be apparent to those of skill in the art, the above features may be combined as appropriate and with any aspect of the examples described herein.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an illustration of a weather resistant receptacle in a closed position.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a weather resistant receptacle in an open position.

Fig. 3A-3D are example diagrams of various perspective views of a cable guide.

Fig. 4 illustrates various examples of a segment of a seal assembly.

FIG. 5 is another example diagram of a weather resistant receptacle in a closed position.

Detailed Description

An improved weather resistant receptacle (weather-proof receptacle) and a novel technique for enhancing the accessibility (accessibility ) of the weather resistant receptacle while maintaining protection of the electrical outlet (electrical receptacle) from the elements are described herein.

There are weather resistant sockets, otherwise known as weather proof sockets or outdoor sockets, to protect the electrical outlets contained within the housing of the socket from potential hazards of weather exposure. To maintain a high level of protection for the electrical outlets, it may be difficult for a user to open such sockets; however, users often need to periodically open the receptacle, i.e., insert a plug into the device (e.g., lawn mower) prior to use, and then remove the plug from the device after use.

The housing for the receptacle may include one or more latches that may be operated by applying a pulling force on the underside of the latch. This may be done by hand or may require greater intervention in the form of a tool (e.g., pliers). Such interaction may cause discomfort or burden to the user, particularly for those users with limited hand/finger strength or dexterity. To facilitate accessibility of the electrical outlets, it may be advantageous to extend the length of the latches so that they are less cumbersome to operate. However, this results in the latch being more susceptible to accidental opening, particularly when a user is operating a device connected to the electrical outlet, as a strain on the cable may cause the cable to accidentally engage the latch, causing it to open. Accidental opening may inadvertently expose the electrical outlet to the weather and result in safety hazards and potential damage. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that a weatherproof receptacle having such an easy-open latch is not accidentally operated.

Described herein is a weatherable housing for a receptacle having an easy-open latch and a seal assembly at least partially within a cable guide. The seal assembly engages the cable extending from the electrical outlet over substantially the entire length of the cable guide, thereby reducing the strain imposed on the plug and receptacle during operation of the device and reducing the likelihood of any ingress of water. This increases the safety of the socket. In addition, the length of the cable guide is such that the cable cannot come into contact with the latch. This minimizes the risk of accidental opening of the latch, thereby maintaining protection of the electrical outlet by being contained in the housing.

FIG. 1 shows an example view of the weatherproof housing in a closed position, and FIG. 2 shows an example view of the weatherproof housing in an open position. Examples receptacle housings to which the examples apply may have different shapes, sizes and different numbers and/or locations than the features of the examples shown in fig. 1 and 2. In the example shown in fig. 1 and 2, the housing 100 includes a base 104 and a cover 106 connected by a hinge 200. For each electrical receptacle 206 housed within the housing 100 (or capable of being housed within the housing 100), the housing 100 further includes a latch assembly 116, a cable guide 124, and a sealing assembly (not visible in fig. 1), wherein the cable guide 124 is positioned such that it is aligned with the location of the electrical receptacle (i.e., such that a cable from a plug inserted into the receptacle can pass through the cable guide, preferably such that the cable is substantially straight). In the example shown in the figures, all of the housings are designed to accommodate two electrical receptacles 206 (which may also be referred to as "outlets"), and thus include two latch assemblies, two cable guides, and two seal assemblies, with each cable guide aligned with one of the electrical receptacles. It will be appreciated that in other examples, the housing may be designed to accommodate only one electrical receptacle (and thus include a single latch assembly, a single cable guide and a single sealing assembly) or more than two electrical receptacles.

The respective first and

second portions

108 and 112 of the base 104 and cover 106 define first and second portions, respectively, of an interior chamber 202 for receiving an electrical receptacle 206. It should be understood that the base 104 and cover 106 may define an interior chamber 202 for receiving a plurality of electrical receptacles and a plurality of plugs when inserted into the receptacles.

The housing 100 in the example shown in fig. 1 and 2 is substantially rectangular, but it will be appreciated that the housing 100 may be any suitable shape, so long as the base 104 and cover 106 may define an interior chamber 202 for receiving an electrical outlet 206 and a plug (not shown) inserted into the electrical outlet. The housing 100 may be made of any suitable material for protection against elements, including but not limited to plastic.

The base 104 of the housing 100 may be mounted to a wall or other structure to which one or more electrical outlets may be affixed.

The base 104 and the cover 106 may be hingedly attached to allow relative movement of the base 104 and the cover 106 between the open and closed positions. Fig. 1 shows the housing 100 in a locked, closed position, in which the base 104 and cover 106 of the housing 100 are locked together by a latch assembly. Fig. 2 shows the housing 100 in an open position, wherein the interlocking of the base 104 and cover 106 of the housing 100 by the latch assembly 116 is released, allowing the base 104 and cover 106 to be separated by operation of the hinge.

The base 104 and cover 106 are locked in the closed position by operation of a latch assembly 116, which in the example shown, is attached to the cover 106 by a pivot 117. Latch assembly 116 includes an integrally formed tab 118 and hook 120. Latch assembly 116 is operated by applying pressure (i.e., a pushing force) to tab 118 on one side or the other of the pivot, thereby rocking the entire assembly between the first and second positions. The latch assembly 116 can be operated (i.e., lock and unlock the latch) by pressure (i.e., pushing force), which makes the latch easier to operate, particularly for those with less finger strength and/or dexterity.

In various examples in which the housing 100 is locked in the closed position (e.g., as shown in fig. 1), the latch assembly 116 occupies the first position, thereby enabling the hook 120 to align with (or engage) a contoured feature (which may be referred to as a hook alignable element 122) on the base 104. In the configuration of fig. 2, by way of comparison, the latch assembly 116 occupies the second position. Moving the latch assembly from the first position to the second position allows the hook 120 and the hook alignable element 122 to move out of the aligned position (e.g., such that the hook 120 no longer engages a contoured feature on the base, which may be a ridge or lip), thereby releasing the interlock of the base 104 and the cover 106. This, in turn, allows the housing 100 to be opened, thereby providing access to (accessing) the electrical receptacle 206 disposed within the interior chamber 202. Once in the open position, the user may insert the plug into the receptacle and/or unplug a previously inserted plug into the receptacle.

When pressure is applied to one or the other end of tab 118-particularly by applying pressure to the tab at a location toward the distal end of tab 118 (i.e., between the pivot and the distal end), latch assembly 116 moves about pivot 117 between a first position and a second position, moving the latch assembly to the first position (as shown in fig. 1), and by applying pressure to the tab at a location toward the proximal end of tab 118 (i.e., between the pivot and the proximal end), the latch assembly moves to the second position. In various examples, the length of tab 118 (measured perpendicular to pivot axis 117) may be 40mm or more, and in one example, the length of tab 118 may be about 56 mm. As described above, having such an elongated tab makes the latch easier to operate (e.g., to move the latch between the first and second positions to lock or unlock the housing). Any surface of tab 118 may be embossed with a pattern to make it easier for a user to manipulate, and in the example shown, the upper surface of tab 118 is embossed at least at its distal and proximal ends.

It will be appreciated that in other examples, the latch assembly 116 may instead be attached to the base 104 by way of a pivot, in which case the hook alignable elements 122 are located on the cover 106.

The cable guide 124 (also referred to as a cable compartment, cable channel or cable support), in combination with a seal assembly (not visible in fig. 1), defines a generally cylindrical bore 126 for the electrical cables when in the closed position. The cylindrical bore 126 provides an external opening to the housing, as shown in fig. 1. The base 104 and the cover 106 define respective first and

second portions

110, 114 of a cable guide 124. In the example shown in fig. 1, the first portion 110 and the second portion 114 have the same dimensions; however, in other examples, one of these portions may be larger (in size) than the other defining a substantially cylindrical bore. In various examples, the first and second portions may have a generally arcuate cross-section, and in various examples, the outer diameter of the cable guide may be about 18 mm.

A cable guide 124 extends outwardly from the interior chamber. The cable guide is configured to receive a cable 128. A cable 128 extends from an electrical receptacle disposed within the interior chamber through the cable guide to the exterior to allow operation of the power plant. In various examples, the cable guide 124 is formed on the edge of the housing 100 near the floor to avoid any additional exposure to weather and to promote venting, but it should be understood that the cable guide 124 may be formed anywhere on the housing 100 as long as the aperture of the cable guide 124 may be aligned with the electrical receptacle so that the cable 128 can extend from the electrical receptacle through the cable guide 124 with minimal deformation. In the example shown in fig. 1 and 2, the cable guide 124 is also formed on an edge of the housing 100 opposite the hinge 200 and near the latch assembly 116.

As described above, the housing 100 includes one cable guide 124 for each receptacle contained within the housing 100 (or may be housed within the housing 100), and the example shown in fig. 1 includes two cable guides.

In fig. 1, the two

portions

110, 114 of the cable guide are shown positioned proximate to each other (and in many examples, in contact with each other). In contrast, in fig. 2, the base 104 and cover 106 are separated when the housing is open. This results in a physical separation of the two portions of the cable guide 124.

As best shown in fig. 2, the first portion 110 of the cable guide 124 extends outwardly from the interior chamber portion 108 of the base 104. The second portion 114 of the cable guide 124 extends outwardly from the interior chamber portion 112 of the cover 106.

The housing 100 includes a seal assembly within each cable guide 124. The sealing assembly (visible in fig. 2, since the housing is open) comprises a first part 211 in the base and a second part 213 in the cover. Each of the first and second members extends from an interface between the interior chamber and the cable guide and extends along substantially an entire length of the cable guide.

The first and

second parts

211, 213 of the seal assembly may each be formed from two separate portions that are in physical contact, or the two separate portions that make up each of the first and second parts of the seal assembly may be integrally formed (i.e., each of the first and second parts comprises a single part). For purposes of the following description, the seal assembly is described as comprising four elements (two portions forming the first component and two portions forming the second component); however, the following description is equally applicable to the following two cases: the two parts are formed separately, but the two parts forming one component are positioned in contact with each other; and two portions constituting one member are integrally formed.

In various examples, and as seen in the open position shown in fig. 2, the first component 211 of the seal assembly includes a first portion 210 at the interface between the interior chamber portion 108 of the base 104 and the first portion 110 of the cable guide and a second portion 212 within the first portion 110 of the cable guide. The first portion 210 and the second portion 212 of the first component 211 of the seal assembly may be in physical contact with each other or may be integrally formed. The first part 211 of the seal assembly extends from the interface between the inner chamber portion 108 of the base 104 and the first portion 110 of the cable guide along substantially the entire length of the first portion 110 of the cable guide. The second part 213 of the seal assembly comprises a first portion at the interface between the inner chamber 112 portions of the cover 106 and a second portion 214 inside the second portion 114 of the cable guide. The first and second portions 214 of the second component 213 of the seal assembly may be in physical contact with each other or may be integrally formed. The second part 213 of the sealing assembly extends along substantially the entire length of the cable guide from the interface between the interior chamber portion 112 of the cover 106 and the second portion 114 of the cable guide. Although the first portion of the second component of the seal assembly is not visible in fig. 2, its structure is a mirror image of the first portion 210 of the first component 211 of the seal assembly.

Fig. 3A-3D illustrate various views of the cable guide and seal assembly in more detail. Fig. 3A and 3B show various perspective views of the cable guide 124 when the housing 100 is in the closed position. Fig. 3C and 3D show various perspective views of the cable guide 124 when the housing 200 is in the open position, and the seal assembly can also be seen with the housing in the open position.

In the closed position, the cable guide 124, in combination with the sealing assembly, defines a substantially cylindrical bore 126 for the electrical cable. The base 104 and the cover 106 define respective first and

second portions

110, 114 of a cable guide 124. In the orientation shown in fig. 3A and 3B, these first and second portions may also be referred to as the lower and upper portions of the cable guide. As shown in fig. 3A, the cable guide 124 may have a substantially square or rectangular cross-section with rounded corners, and in various examples, the rectangular cross-section of the cable guide may be approximately 18mm by 19 mm.

As described above, the cable guide 124 extends outwardly from the interior chamber 202, and in various examples, the cable guide 124 may extend about 19mm beyond the remainder of the housing (e.g., beyond the hook alignable elements). The cable guide is configured to receive a cable 128 (shown in fig. 1). In use, the cable 128 extends from an electrical receptacle 206 (shown in fig. 2) disposed within the interior chamber 202 to the exterior through the cable guide 124 to allow operation of the power plant.

The first (or lower) portion 110 of the cable guide 124 defines a first channel in which the second portion 212 of the first member 211 of the seal assembly is located. The second (or upper) portion 114 of the cable guide 124 defines a second channel within which is located a second portion 214 of the second component 213 of the seal assembly.

Second portions

212, 214 of the first and

second members

211, 213 of the seal assembly extend from the distal end of the cable guide 124 to the first portions of the first and second members of the seal assembly. When the housing 100 is closed, the first and

second portions

110, 114 of the cable guide 124 come together and the first and

second parts

211, 213 of the seal assembly come together to define the substantially cylindrical bore 126 for the cable wires. A substantially cylindrical bore is formed by the alignment of the first and second passages and the alignment of the

second portions

212, 214 of each of the first and second components of the seal assembly within those passages. In contrast (as shown in fig. 3C and 3D), when the housing 200 is opened, the base 104 and the cover 106 separate, thereby separating the

portions

110, 114 and the first and second channels of the cable guide 124.

A cable guide 124 extends from the interior chamber. In the closed position, a substantially cylindrical bore extends from the interior chamber. In the open position, the first and second channels extend from respective interior chamber portions of the base 104 and the cover 106.

Also shown in fig. 3C is a first portion 210 of a first component 211 of the seal assembly. As described above, it is located at the interface between the interior chamber portion 108 of the base 104 and the first portion 110 of the cable guide. As shown in fig. 3C, the first portion 210 includes an array of sealing elements 210A-210C, which may be arranged parallel to each other and/or at regular intervals and connected by a sheet of sealing material (not visible in fig. 3C) in contact with the base 104. In the example shown in the drawings, each array comprises three sealing elements. Each sealing element may be rectangular in shape (e.g., element 210C) or may be rectangular with a substantially semicircular cutout (e.g.,

elements

210A, 210B). Each sealing element has a thickness of about 1-2 mm. The first part of the second part 213 of the sealing assembly is identical to the first part 210 of the first part 211 of the sealing assembly, but is instead positioned in a corresponding location at the interface between the inner chamber portion 112 of the cover 106 and the second part 114 of the cable guide, and the sheet of sealing material connecting the array of sealing elements is in contact with the cover. When the user closes the housing 100, the first portion of the second part 213 of the seal assembly aligns with the first portion 210 of the first part 211 of the seal assembly, thereby enclosing the cables (i.e., each element of the array of seal elements in the first portion 210 of the first part 211 of the seal assembly aligns with an element of the array of seal elements in the first portion of the second part 213 of the seal assembly). As shown in fig. 3C, the outermost element 210C of the array of sealing elements 210 is in contact with the proximal end of the second portion 212 of the first component 211 of the sealing assembly, and in various examples, these two portions may be integrally formed.

Fig. 4 shows perspective views of three different examples of

second portions

212, 214 of the first part 211 or the second part 213 of the sealing assembly. As described above, the

second portions

212, 214 of the first and

second members

211, 213 of the seal assembly are located in the cable guide, and these portions may be the same (e.g., both as one of the

portions

402, 404, 406). Each section includes an embossing pattern on the inner curved surface, and any suitable embossing pattern may be used. In the first and

third example portions

402, 406, the embossing pattern includes an array of parallel circumferential ridges that may be arranged at regular intervals. In the second exemplary portion 404, the embossing pattern includes an array of arrowhead-shaped ridges arranged at regular intervals. In further variations, the embossing pattern may include other arrangements of ridges (e.g., a crisscross or lattice arrangement of ridges). In various examples, the portions of the second sealing device may be about 21.5mm in length, and the inner diameter of these portions may be about 4mm (e.g., 3.9mm), while the outer diameter may be about 7 mm. When these portions are located within the channel formed by the first and second portions of the cable guide, the outer dimensions of these portions (e.g., length of about 21.5mm and outer diameter of about 7mm) correspond to the dimensions of the channel formed by the first and second portions of the cable guide (i.e., correspond to the inner profile of the cable guide portions).

The first and second components forming the sealing assembly operate to engage the cable in a fixed position, thereby reducing strain where the cable enters the plug and preventing moisture from entering along the cable. The first and second parts of the seal assembly may also accommodate cables of different thicknesses while still reducing strain on the cables and preventing moisture ingress. The embossing pattern as described above serves to increase the grip on the cable (and thus reduce the strain on the plug in use) and helps to prevent the ingress of moisture (particularly for different size cables).

It should be understood that the first and second components of the seal assembly may be deformable. The individual sealing members may all be constructed of any deformable material. Alternatively, the respective sealing member, and in particular the second portion of each sealing member, may be formed with a deformable layer. In further examples, the respective sealing member, in particular the second portion of each sealing member, may be formed from a substantially rigid material; however, they may be shaped such that the components are deformable. In various examples, the

second portions

212, 214 of the first and

second members

211, 213 of the seal assembly may have one or more cut-outs 408 (e.g., notches) in the outer surface (i.e., the face that rests in the channel of the cable guide portion) to increase the deformability of the seal portion. The deformability helps to increase the grip on the cable (and thus reduce strain on the plug in use) and helps to prevent the ingress of moisture (especially for different size cables).

The first and

second components

211, 213 of the seal assembly may be made entirely of any suitable material, including but not limited to: plastic polymers including polyvinyl chloride, rubber, gel, or any other combination thereof.

As shown in fig. 3A-3D, the hook 120 of the latch assembly 116 extends from the bottom side of the tab 118 and may include two

legs

120A, 120B configured to align with the hook alignable element 122. In alternative examples, it will be appreciated that the hook 120 may include any number of legs so long as alignment and disengagement with the hook alignable elements 122 is achieved. In the example shown, the latch assembly 116 is formed adjacent to the cable guide 124, such as one pin on each side of the cable guide. This means that a uniform force is applied around the cable guide to bring the parts of the sealing assembly into contact with each other and further reduce the possibility of moisture ingress.

As described above, the cable guide extends outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly 116 and at least as far as the distal end 512 of the latch assembly. This reduces the likelihood of accidental operation of the latch during use (i.e. due to cable contact with the latch assembly 116 and particularly the distal end of the tab). In various examples, as shown in fig. 5, the cable guide 124 extends from the housing substantially the same distance as the tab 118 of the latch assembly 116 (i.e., such that a distal end 510 of the cable guide is substantially aligned with a distal end 512 of the latch assembly). This ensures that the arc (bend) of cable 128 does not contact and inadvertently disengage tab 118. It will be appreciated that the cable guide 124 may have any length so long as the arc of the cable cannot contact the tab 118 of the latch assembly 116 as it exits the cable guide 124, for example, the length of the cable guide 124 may be longer than the tab (i.e., extend farther from the body of the housing), or in the example where the cable guide 124 is shorter than the tab (i.e., does not extend farther from the body of the housing), the maximum amount that it can be shortened depends on the minimum bend radius of the cable 128 so that the cable will not contact the distal end of the tab 118 even if bent along its minimum bend radius.

As also shown in fig. 5 (and also in fig. 1), the proximal ends of tabs 118 are located within notches in cover 106. This further reduces the likelihood of accidental opening of the latch assembly, which, as mentioned above, could expose the receptacle to the weather and reduce the overall safety of the housing.

In various examples, the housing 100 further includes a tab 502 (shown in fig. 1 and 2), the tab 502 being positioned on a distal corner of the housing 100 relative to the hinged edge, configured for use with a padlock, to increase the security of the housing 100.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with some examples, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the invention is limited only by the following claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular examples, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described examples may be combined in accordance with the invention. In the claims, the term "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps.

Furthermore, the order of features in the claims does not imply any specific order in which the features must be performed and in particular the order of individual steps in a method claim does not imply that the steps must be performed in this order. Rather, the steps may be performed in any suitable order. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. Thus, references to "a", "an", "first", "second", etc., do not preclude a plurality. In the claims, the terms "comprises" or "comprising" do not exclude the presence of other elements (elements).

Claims

1. A weatherable housing for an electrical socket, the housing comprising:

a base and a cover defining respective first and second portions of cable guides (110, 114) and respective first and second portions of an interior chamber for receiving the electrical outlet and a plug when inserted into the electrical outlet;

a hinge configured to allow relative movement of the base and lid between an open position and a closed position;

a latch assembly configured to lock the base and lid in a closed position; and

the sealing assembly is arranged on the base plate,

wherein:

the first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the latch assembly;

the seal assembly includes a first component in the base and a second component in the cover, and each of the first and second components extends from an interface between the interior chamber and the cable guide and along substantially an entire length of the cable guide; and is

When the cover is in the closed position, the second member is in contact with the first member and the seal assembly defines a substantially cylindrical bore for the electrical cable.

2. The housing of claim 1, wherein:

the first component of the seal assembly further comprises:

a first portion located at an interface between the first portion of the interior chamber and the first portion of the cable guide; and

a second portion within the first portion of the cable guide;

the second component of the seal assembly further comprises:

a first portion located at an interface between a second portion of the interior chamber and a second portion of the cable guide;

a second portion within the second portion of the cable guide.

3. The housing of claim 2, wherein a distal end of the first portion of each component of the seal assembly contacts a proximal end of the second portion of the same component of the seal assembly.

4. The housing of claim 2, wherein the first and second portions of the first component of the seal assembly are integrally formed and the first and second portions of the second component of the seal assembly are integrally formed.

5. The housing of claim 2, wherein an inner surface of the second portion of the first and/or second part of the seal assembly comprises an embossed pattern.

6. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first and/or second components of the seal assembly are deformable.

7. The housing of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly is attached to one of the base and the cover by a pivot and is configured to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position the latch assembly is configured to engage a profile element on the other of the base and the cover and in the second position the latch assembly is configured to disengage from the profile element.

8. The housing of claim 7, wherein the latch assembly is attached to the cover and the profile element is disposed on the base.

9. The case of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly includes a tab and a hook, and wherein the first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the tab.

10. The case of claim 9, wherein the tab is an elongated tab, and wherein the hook extends from a bottom side of the tab and includes at least two legs, and wherein in the closed position, there are legs on either side of the cable guide.

11. The case of claim 10, wherein the elongated tab has a length of at least 40 mm.

12. The case of claim 9, wherein the tab and the hook are integrally formed.

13. The case of claim 9, wherein the proximal end of the tab is located within the notch of the cover.

14. The case of claim 9, wherein the tab is embossed with a pattern.

15. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the cable guide defines a first channel in which a second portion of a first component of the seal assembly is located, and the second portion of the cable guide defines a second channel in which a second portion of a second component of the seal assembly is located.

16. The housing of claim 15, wherein the first and second channels each have a length of about 21.5 mm.

17. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the cable guide extend outwardly from the interior chamber adjacent the latch assembly and at least as far as a distal end of the latch assembly such that the distal end of the cable guide is aligned with the distal end of the latch assembly.

18. The housing of claim 1, wherein the cable guide is formed on an edge of the housing opposite the hinge.

19. The housing of claim 1, wherein the cable guide has a substantially square or rectangular cross-section.

20. The housing of claim 1, wherein the cable guide has an outer diameter of about 18 mm.

21. The housing of claim 1, wherein the cable guide extends about 19mm beyond the remainder of the housing.

22. The housing of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions of the cable guide are substantially the same size.

23. The housing of claim 1 further comprising at least one lug on each of the base and the cover, each lug including an aperture configured for use with a padlock.

24. The housing of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to house a plurality of electrical receptacles and includes a cable guide, a sealing assembly, and a latch assembly for each electrical receptacle.

25. A weatherable receptacle comprising the weatherable housing of any one of the preceding claims and one or more electrical receptacles within the weatherable housing.