Patent ID: 7964812
Filing Date: 2011-06-21
Classification: H01H

Abstract:
1. A sealing device for use in connection with a switch mounted upon a panel and having a threaded bushing projecting in an axial direction away from a face of the panel and secured to the panel with a panel nut engaged with the threaded bushing and placed against the face of the panel such that a terminal end of the threaded bushing is spaced an axial distance from the face of the panel, and an actuator extending in the axial direction from the terminal end of the threaded bushing, the sealing device comprising: a boot member having a wall constructed of a resiliently flexible elastomeric material, the boot member including a lower basal section, an upper apical section and an intermediate section between the basal section and the apical section; a mounting nut captured within the basal section for being engaged with and advanced along the threaded bushing of the switch to mount the boot member over the switch, the mounting nut including a bore complementary to the threaded bushing; a chamber in the apical section, the chamber being dimensioned and configured for receiving the actuator of the switch upon mounting the boot member over the switch; a sealing surface on the basal section for engaging the face of the panel in sealing engagement upon advancing the mounting nut onto the threaded bushing to secure the sealing device over the switch; and a bearing member placed within the intermediate section of the boot member, axially between the mounting nut and the apical section, in position to be interposed between the terminal end of the threaded bushing and a juxtaposed portion of the wall of the boot member along the intermediate section upon mounting the boot member upon the switch, the bearing member being constructed of a material less resiliently flexible than the elastomeric material of the wall, such that direct engagement of the terminal end of the threaded bushing with the elastomeric material of the juxtaposed portion of the wall of the intermediate section is precluded while displacement of the apical section relative to the basal section is enabled in the axial direction in response to engagement of the bearing member with the terminal end of the threaded bushing upon advancement of the sealing surface toward sealing engagement with the face of the panel so as to accommodate variations in the axial distance between the terminal end of the threaded bushing and the face of the panel while assuring sealing engagement of the sealing surface with the face of the panel.