Impact absorbing unitary cover assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9984835-B2
Application number	US-201615254564-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 1, 2016
Priority date	Sep 1, 2016
Publication date	May 29, 2018
Grant date	May 29, 2018

Abstract

Apparatus and associated methods relate to a cover assembly having a plurality of ribs integrally formed within an actuator body envelope to increase the resilience of the actuator body envelope against high-pressure water cleaning. In an illustrative example, the actuator body envelope defines an actuator body chamber while an actuator envelope integrally formed with the actuator body envelope defines an actuator chamber. The actuator chamber and the actuator body chamber may adapt to receive an actuator via an insertion aperture at a proximal end of the body envelope. In some implementations, the plurality of ribs may advantageously increase the service life of the cover assembly.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A cover assembly to provide hygienic protection for electrical actuators in applications exposed to high-pressure washing, the cover assembly comprising:
an actuator envelope formed from a transparent non-toxic material and defining an actuator chamber;
a transparent non-toxic actuator body envelope formed from a transparent non-toxic material and integrally extending proximally from the actuator envelope and defining an actuator body chamber in fluid communication with the actuator envelope and in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere through an insertion aperture; and,
a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs integrally formed within the actuator body envelope and extending radially inward from a substantially smooth interior surface of the actuator body envelope,
wherein the actuator envelope and the actuator body envelope align along a longitudinal axis and together provide a unitary substantially smooth exterior surface to facilitate the removal of foreign particles when cleaned by a pressure wash,
wherein when an electrical device, which comprises an actuator to receive a user input, and an actuator body to house an electrical circuitry responsive to the actuator, is removably inserted through the insertion aperture, the actuator is disposed in the body chamber, the actuator body envelope forms a seal against a proximal surface of the actuator; and,
wherein the seal provides protection against the ingress of water up to a pressure of 1450 pounds per square inch.

2. The cover assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a throat formed between an upper rim of the actuator envelope and the actuator body envelope, the throat having a minimum outside diameter that is less than an outside diameter of the upper rim taken at a proximal interface with the throat.

3. The cover assembly of claim 1 , further comprising pressure equalization channels that provide fluid communication between the actuator chamber and the ambient atmosphere external to the actuator envelope when installing the actuator into the actuator body chamber.

4. The cover assembly of claim 1 , further comprising pressure equalization channels that provide fluid communication between the actuator chamber and the ambient atmosphere external to the actuator envelope when removing the actuator from the actuator body chamber.

5. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator body envelope provides protection against water up to 80-degrees Celsius.

6. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator body envelope provides protection against fluid flow rate of up to 16 liters per minute.

7. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the substantially smooth unitary exterior surface is substantially free of crevices that can prevent removal of foreign particles when cleaned by a pressure wash.

8. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an emergency stop button.

9. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a toggle switch.

10. The cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a rocker switch.

11. A cover assembly to provide hygienic protection for electrical actuators in applications exposed to high-pressure washing, the cover assembly comprising:
an actuator envelope defining an actuator chamber;
an actuator body envelope integrally extending proximally from the actuator envelope and defining an actuator body chamber in fluid communication with the actuator envelope and in fluid communication with ambient atmosphere through an insertion aperture; and,
a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs integrally formed within the actuator body envelope and extending radially inward from a substantially smooth interior surface of the actuator body envelope,
wherein the actuator envelope and the actuator body envelope align along a longitudinal axis and together provide a unitary substantially smooth exterior surface,
wherein when an electrical device, which comprises an actuator to receive a user input, and an actuator body to house an electrical circuitry responsive to the actuator, is removably inserted through the insertion aperture, the actuator is disposed in the body chamber, the actuator body envelope forms a seal against a proximal surface of the actuator, and,
wherein the seal provides protection against the ingress of water up to a pressure of 1450 pounds per square inch.

12. The cover assembly of claim 11 , wherein the actuator body envelope provides protection against water up to 80-degrees Celsius.

13. The cover assembly of claim 11 , wherein the actuator body envelope provides protection against fluid flow rate of up to 16 liters per minute.

14. The cover assembly of claim 11 , wherein the substantially smooth unitary exterior surface is substantially free of crevices that can prevent removal of foreign particles when cleaned by a pressure wash.

15. The cover assembly of claim 11 , wherein a translucent material forms the actuator envelope.

Assignees

• Banner Eng

Inventors

• Dolezalek Charles
• Aponte Maximilian John

Classifications

• H01H13/14

  Operating parts, e.g. push-button · CPC title

• H01H13/06 Primary

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings · CPC title

• H01H23/06

  Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings · CPC title

• H01H13/46

  two separate blade springs forming a toggle · CPC title

• H01H3/022

  Emergency operating parts, e.g. for stop-switch in dangerous conditions · CPC title