GB2173099A

GB2173099A - Covers

Info

Publication number: GB2173099A
Application number: GB08508948A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Ernest Neave
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-04-04
Filing date: 1985-04-04
Publication date: 1986-10-08
Also published as: GB8508948D0; GB2173099B

Abstract

A cover for a device, such as a fire extinguisher, comprising a generally channel-shaped member (1) for fitting over the device to be covered, and resilient means (2) disposed within the channel member, in use the cover being pushed on to the device which is gripped by the resilient means so as to retain the cover in position, the cover being readily removable to gain access to the device. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Covers This invention relates to covers and has particular, but not exclusive, reference to covers for domestic fire extinguishers.

There is an increasing awareness ofthe need for fire extinguishers in the home, especially in the kitchen, but many householders do not like to have fire extinguishers mounted in prominent positions, as these devices are relatively unattractive, with the resultthatfire extinguishers either are not purchased in the first instance orthey are mounted in an unobtrusive position which may be such as not to makethem readily accessible and hence probably defeat the purpose of having the appliance.

Accordingly, an objective ofthe present invention is to provide a coverfora device to improve the aesthetic appearance ofthe latter and yet permit ready removal.

According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a coverfora device comprising a generally channel-shaped memberforfitting overthe device to be covered, and resilient means disposed within the channel member, in use the cover being pushed on to the device which is gripped bythe resilient means so as to retain the cover in position, the cover being readily removable to gain access to the device.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fire extinguisher comprising a body containing a fire-fighting material, and a removable coverforthe body comprising a channel-shaped memberforfitting over the body, and resilient means disposed within the channel member, in use the cover being pushed on to the body ofthefire extinguisher which is gripped by the resilient means so as to retain the cover in position,thecoverbeing readily removable to gain access to the fire extinguisher.

In each aspect of the invention, the resilient means may be in the form of one or more pieces of foamed synthetic plastics materials which is a relatively inexpensive item but very effective in providing readilyreleasablegripping means. However, itwill be appreciated that otherforms of resilient material, such as foamed rubberfor example, could be employed.

The resilient means are required on the opposed sides ofthe channel member but may be provided across thewholewidth ofthechannel,butnotnecessarily along the entire length thereof.

The channel member may be arcuate or semicicular in cross-section, orformed with limbs extending mutually at right angles, according to the shape of the device to be covered and/or the required appearance ofthe cover. The cover may be formed from a sheet of synthetic plastics material and may be provided with some form of decoration orornamenta- tion on the exterior face. Alternatively, the cover may be of wood orwood-effect material to match the decor of a room in which the appliance is to be mounted.

A cover in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view from the front of the cover, and Figure 2 is a rear view.

Thecovercomprisesa moulded orotherwise formed channel 1 of a rigid orsemi-rigid synthetic plastics material,the limbs ofthechannel extending mutually at right angles. Within the channel 1 there is fixed by adhesive or otherwise an insert 2 of a foamed synthetic plastics material 2. The insert 2 extends fully aroundthechannel 1 but notoverthefull length ofthe latter.

The cover illustrated is designed for a fire extinguisher (not shown) ofthe type suitable for domestic dwellings and being of the wall-mountable type rather than the free-standing type. Once the extinguisher is mounted on a wall on a bracket from which it is removable, the cover is applied to it by pushing the channel 1 over the body ofthe appliance (usually cylindrical). The width ofthe channel 1 is made such that as the channel is pushed over the fire extinguisher body the insert 2 is compressed and thus grips the body, whereby the cover is retained in position without the need for any catches or other fastening device. This is an important feature because when the fire extinguisher is required for use, valuable time must not be spent in detaching the cover by releasing catches, etc.The cover in accordance with the invention is very readily removed either pulling off or by knocking off in an emergency.

However, whilst in use, the cover gives the extinguisher (or any otherdevice to which it is fitted) an aesthetic appearance which can be enhanced by incorporating some design or ornamentation on the exterior surface of the channel 1. Alternatively, the cover can be madefrom wood orwood-effectmaterial or indeed from any material demanded buy a particular decor scheme. It will be appreciated that the insert 2 may be in the form ofseparate pieces spaced along the channel 1 and furthermore, may only be provided on the opposed limbs ofthe channel as this is where the gripping action takes place.

1. A coverfor a device comprising a generally channel-shaped memberforfitting overthe device to be covered, and resilient means disposed within the channel member, in use the cover being pushed on to the device which is gripped by the resilient means so as to retain the cover in position, the cover being readily removableto gain access to the device.

2. A cover according to claim 1 ,wherein the resilient means is in the form of a plurality of pieces of resilient material disposed at least on the interior of opposed limbs ofthe channel-shaped member.

3. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is a single piece of resilient material disposed over substantiallythe full width of the

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Covers This invention relates to covers and has particular, but not exclusive, reference to covers for domestic fire extinguishers. There is an increasing awareness ofthe need for fire extinguishers in the home, especially in the kitchen, but many householders do not like to have fire extinguishers mounted in prominent positions, as these devices are relatively unattractive, with the resultthatfire extinguishers either are not purchased in the first instance orthey are mounted in an unobtrusive position which may be such as not to makethem readily accessible and hence probably defeat the purpose of having the appliance. Accordingly, an objective ofthe present invention is to provide a coverfora device to improve the aesthetic appearance ofthe latter and yet permit ready removal. According to one aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a coverfora device comprising a generally channel-shaped memberforfitting overthe device to be covered, and resilient means disposed within the channel member, in use the cover being pushed on to the device which is gripped bythe resilient means so as to retain the cover in position, the cover being readily removable to gain access to the device. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a fire extinguisher comprising a body containing a fire-fighting material, and a removable coverforthe body comprising a channel-shaped memberforfitting over the body, and resilient means disposed within the channel member, in use the cover being pushed on to the body ofthefire extinguisher which is gripped by the resilient means so as to retain the cover in position,thecoverbeing readily removable to gain access to the fire extinguisher. In each aspect of the invention, the resilient means may be in the form of one or more pieces of foamed synthetic plastics materials which is a relatively inexpensive item but very effective in providing readilyreleasablegripping means. However, itwill be appreciated that otherforms of resilient material, such as foamed rubberfor example, could be employed. The resilient means are required on the opposed sides ofthe channel member but may be provided across thewholewidth ofthechannel,butnotnecessarily along the entire length thereof. The channel member may be arcuate or semicicular in cross-section, orformed with limbs extending mutually at right angles, according to the shape of the device to be covered and/or the required appearance ofthe cover. The cover may be formed from a sheet of synthetic plastics material and may be provided with some form of decoration orornamenta- tion on the exterior face. Alternatively, the cover may be of wood orwood-effect material to match the decor of a room in which the appliance is to be mounted. A cover in accordance with the present invention will now be described in greater detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure lisa perspective view from the front of the cover, and Figure 2 is a rear view. Thecovercomprisesa moulded orotherwise formed channel 1 of a rigid orsemi-rigid synthetic plastics material,the limbs ofthechannel extending mutually at right angles. Within the channel 1 there is fixed by adhesive or otherwise an insert 2 of a foamed synthetic plastics material 2. The insert 2 extends fully aroundthechannel 1 but notoverthefull length ofthe latter. The cover illustrated is designed for a fire extinguisher (not shown) ofthe type suitable for domestic dwellings and being of the wall-mountable type rather than the free-standing type. Once the extinguisher is mounted on a wall on a bracket from which it is removable, the cover is applied to it by pushing the channel 1 over the body ofthe appliance (usually cylindrical). The width ofthe channel 1 is made such that as the channel is pushed over the fire extinguisher body the insert 2 is compressed and thus grips the body, whereby the cover is retained in position without the need for any catches or other fastening device. This is an important feature because when the fire extinguisher is required for use, valuable time must not be spent in detaching the cover by releasing catches, etc.The cover in accordance with the invention is very readily removed either pulling off or by knocking off in an emergency. However, whilst in use, the cover gives the extinguisher (or any otherdevice to which it is fitted) an aesthetic appearance which can be enhanced by incorporating some design or ornamentation on the exterior surface of the channel 1. Alternatively, the cover can be madefrom wood orwood-effectmaterial or indeed from any material demanded buy a particular decor scheme. It will be appreciated that the insert 2 may be in the form ofseparate pieces spaced along the channel 1 and furthermore, may only be provided on the opposed limbs ofthe channel as this is where the gripping action takes place. CLAIMS

3. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the resilient means is a single piece of resilient material disposed over substantiallythe full width of the interiorsurface ofthe channel-shaped member.

4. A cover according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the or each piece of resilient material terminates short ofthe ends ofthe channel-shaped member.

5. A cover acco rding to any of the preceding claims, wherein the channel-shaped member is of arcuate cross-section.

6. A cover according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the limbs ofthe channel-shaped member extend mutually at right angles.

7. A cover according to anyofthe preceding claims, wherein the resilient means is in the form of foamed synthetic plastics material.

8. Acover according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the channel-shaped member is formed from a sheet of synthetic plastics material.

9. Acoveraccording to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the exterior ofthe channel-shaped member is provided with someform of decoration or ornamentation.

10. A cover according to any ofthe preceding claims, wherein the exteriorsurface ofthechannel- shaped member is matched to the decor ofthe environment in which it into be used.

11. A cover substantially as herein particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A device fitted with a cover in accordance with any preceding claims.

13. Afire extinguisher comprising a body contain ing a fire-fighting material, and a removable coverfor the body comprising a channel-shaped memberfor fitting overthe body, and resilient means disposed withinthechannel member, in usethe cover being pushed on to the body ofthefire extinguisherwhich is gripped by the resilient means so asto retain the cover in position, the cover being readily removable to gain access to the fire extinguisher.