GB2356293A

GB2356293A - Waterproof safety cover for electrical connections

Info

Publication number: GB2356293A
Application number: GB9926682A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Curry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-11-12
Filing date: 1999-11-12
Publication date: 2001-05-16
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-12
Also published as: GB9926682D0; GB2356293B

Abstract

A safety cover for electrical connections comprising upper and lower housings 1 and 2 hinged together with inlet and outlet cable ports and internal shape to accept a standard plug and socket connection, together with specially designed cavities filled with a propriety sealant, such that when locked together by special catches 8 a total seal against the ingress of water and contaminants is obtained and the plug and socket connector is positively prevented from accidental disconnection. The safety cover can be released by operation of catches 8 and can then be reused without any further intervention or remedial action.

Description

2356293 SAFETY COVER FOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS This invention relates to

a safety cover for the protection of plug and socket connections in electrical cables.

It is common practice to connect electrical cables together by an in-line plug and socket when a temporary extension is required, for example when connecting a domestic appliance to a fixed length lead for extended range. Such applications might include domestic lawn mowers, power tools and the like. Similar situations occur in many industrial applications, such as building sites and construction areas. Connectors of this type are found in any electrical work of a transient nature and are used in large quantities throughout the world.

The difficulty with such connectors is to render them safe under all conditions, to prevent accidental disconnection and to prevent the ingress of water and contaminants that could cause electrical malfunction with potential hazard to the user.

The object of the present invention is to provide a reusable cover for an electrical plug and socket connection that will positively prevent accidental disconnection and totally prevent the ingress of water and other contaminants under all conditions. This is achieved by a wraparound cover that fits over a standard plug and socket, filled with a specialised sealant and having a double locking device that locks the cover in position. Once locked in position, the plug and socket are restrained from movement by the shape of the cover and cannot, therefore disconnect. Furthermore, the location of the sealant within the specially provided cavities within the cover is such that a total seal is achieved against the ingress of water and all contaminants. A particular feature of this invention is that the cover, although totally secure, may easily be unlocked and removed when required and is then available for re-use. The propriety sealant used is not the subject of this invention but is in the form of a gel and has the unique property of returning to it's original condition when released, so that the cover may be re-used without any further preparation. A ftirther feature is that locking is achieved by two catches, both of which have to be actuated to achieve unlocking of the cover, thus preventing accidental unlocking by dragging over the ground and the like.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. I depicts the safety cover before installation around the plug and socket connection to be protected. The cover consists of a lower housing 1 to which is attached an upper housing 2 by means of a single hinge or plurality of hinges 3. The lower housing I has a recess 4 around the periphery. The upper housing 2 has a corresponding rim 5 that engages with the recess 4 when the housings are closed together. Both upper housing 2 and lower housing I have cable entry and exit ports 6. The peripheral recess 4 in the lower casing I and the cable entry and exit ports 6 in both housings are filled with a propriety sealant 7. When closed the cover is locked in the closed position by two catches 8 located in a slot external to the sealed recess 4 when in the disengaged position. To lock the housings together the catches 8 are moved in opposite directions towards the cable entry and exit ports and engage over ledges 9 thus holding the housings securely in the closed position.

Fig 2 depicts the safety cover with the plug and socket connection to be connected in position.

In use the connected plug and socket assembly is placed in position in the lower housing 1. It will be appreciated that the safety cover is made to suit the individual type of plug and socket in use such that when closed the plug and socket assembly is locked in position by the abutment of the components against the cover housings I and 2. When the upper housing 2 is closed and locked in position by the catches 8 the sealant 7 in recess 4 and entry and exit ports 6 is caused to be compressed between the lower housing I and the rim 5 of the upper housing 2 and by the said housings closing over the entry and exit cables. The compression achieved is such that a total seal against the ingress of all water and contaminants is obtained around the periphery of the upper and lower housings and around the entry and exit cables.

To release the safety cover the catches 8 are moved inwards until clear of the ledges 9. The two halves of the cover can then be hinged open and the plug and socket assembly removed. The propriety sealant 7 used has no adhesive properties but has the property of restoration to it's original condition before compression. By this means the safety cover can be reused without any further intervention.

Claims

I A safety cover for electrical connections that will positively prevent accidental disconnection and totally prevent the ingress of water and other contaminants under all conditions.
2 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim I that is reusable.
3 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 2 consisting of opening and closing housings hinged together, 4 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claims 2 and 3 in which the hinged covers are locked together by two or more sliding thumb catches.

A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 4 in which the catches are disposed such that they have to be moved in opposite directions to achieve release.

6 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 5 in which movement or disconnection of the plug and socket contained therein is prevented by the cover when closed by the internal shape of the cover.

7 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 6 designed to use any one of a number of propriety sealants having the required properties of restoration after compression.

8 A safety cover for electrical connections substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings Figs I and 2.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows CLAIMS I A waterproof safety cover for electrical connections in which the ingress of water and other contaminants is prevented by means of a gel sealant having the properties of restoration after compression in use, said cover being in the form of two halves hinged along one side and locked together by two or more sliding catches on the opposite side.

2 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim I in which the catches are disposed such that they have to be moved in opposite directions to achieve release.

A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 2 in which movement or disconnection of the plug and socket contained therein is prevented by the cover when closed by the internal shape of the cover.
4 A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 3 accommodating plugs and sockets having dimensions when connected together in the range length 95.Omm - 118.Omm, width 28.0 - 30.Onim and height 35. 0 - 37.0min.

A safety cover for electrical connections according to Claim 4 having overall dimensions in the range internal length 90.0 - 125.Omm, external length 132.5 - 158.5min and internal diameter 20.0 - 41.5min 6 A safety cover for electrical connections substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings Figs I and 2.