Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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
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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.
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[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
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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
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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
12
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
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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
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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.
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