COVER ASSEMBLY FOR SWITCH

A cover for a control switch is disclosed. The cover includes a first member connected to a housing member of the control switch. The first member includes an inner peripheral portion. The cover also includes a second member having an outer peripheral portion attached to the first member for concealing the control switch. The cover includes at least one breakable tab extending between the inner peripheral portion of the first member and the outer peripheral portion of the second member for connecting the first member and the second member. The second member is adapted to be detached from the first member by breaking the at least one breakable tab to access the control switch.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to control switches, and more specifically to a cover assembly for a control switch.

BACKGROUND

Electrical devices, such as generators, usually include various switches, such as an emergency stop switch. The emergency stop switch is provided for switching-off a generator during emergency situations. Generally, the emergency stop switch is open and therefore, may be susceptible to an unauthorized access. The emergency switch may otherwise be provided with a break-glass type cover assembly to restrict any unauthorized access to the emergency stop switch. However, in order to get access to the emergency stop switch, the break-glass type cover assembly is to be broken. This can be cumbersome and time consuming activity. Further, it is difficult and expensive to retrofit such break-glass type cover assembly on the emergency stop switch.

U.S. Patent Publication Number 2004/0111195, hereinafter referred to as '195 publication, describes a marine telematics system. The invention includes a marine telematics system with a module mounted on a boat as a control panel. The operator module may be mounted on the boat, for example, in the cabin or at the helm, preferably in an easily accessible place. The operator module may include an emergency button which may be used by boaters in case of any sort of emergency that the boaters think they cannot handle alone. In order to avoid accidental depression of the emergency button, the operator module may include a break away cover, which a distressed boater must remove before the emergency button can be pressed. Preferably, the break away cover may be easily broken away by pulling on a pull-tab or any other suitable means.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In one aspect of the present disclosure, a cover for a control switch is disclosed. The cover includes a first member connected to a housing member of the control switch. The first member includes an inner peripheral portion. The cover also includes a second member having an outer peripheral portion attached to the first member for concealing the control switch. The cover includes at least one breakable tab extending between the inner peripheral portion of the first member and the outer peripheral portion of the second member for connecting the first member and the second member, The second member is adapted to be detached from the first member by breaking the at least one breakable tab to access the control switch.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, the cover assembly for a control switch is disclosed. The cover assembly includes a cover coupled to a housing member of the control switch. The cover includes a first member connected to a housing member of the control switch. The first member includes an inner peripheral portion. The cover also includes a second member having an outer peripheral portion attached to the first member for concealing the control switch. The cover includes at least one breakable tab extending between the inner peripheral portion of the first member and the outer peripheral portion of the second member for connecting the first member and the second member. The cover assembly also includes a mounting member coupled to the first member and the housing member, The cover assembly includes a tool removably supported on the mounting member. The tool includes at least one engagable portion adapted to selectively engage with the at least one breakable tab. The second member is adapted to detach from the first member by breaking the at least breakable tab using the tool to access the control switch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments or features, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, corresponding or similar reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1illustrates a perspective view of an exemplary power source10, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The power source10is embodied as a generator set. In an example, the power source10may include, but is not limited to, an electric motor and a hydraulic pump. The power source10will be referred hereinafter as “The generator set10”. The generator set10supplies electric power to locations where utility power is not available or when backup electric power is required. Specifically, in applications, such as telecommunications, hospitals, and data processing centers, the generator set10is permanently installed on a ground surface (not shown) near the respective locations for supplying electric power.

The generator set10includes an enclosure12supported on a base14. The enclosure12may accommodate an engine (not shown) and a generator (not shown) coupled to the engine for generating electric power. The engine may include a single cylinder or multiple cylinders. Further, the engine may run on fuels, such as diesel, gasoline, natural gas, propane, other known fuel sources, or a combination thereof The generator is coupled to the engine to receive rotary power therefrom. The generator further converts the rotary power into electric power. The generator may be an Alternating Current (AC) generator, a Direct Current (DC) generator, or any other type of generators known in the art.

The generator set10further includes a control panel18and a control switch20. The control panel18is in electric communication with the engine and the generator. The control panel18includes one or more display devices (not shown) for monitoring various inputs and outputs pertaining to operation of the generator set10. The control panel18may also include one or more control members, such as an ON-OFF switch, a voltage/current controller, an engine controller, or any other control member, used for controlling operation of the generator set10.

The control switch20is provided for switching-off the generator set10during emergency situations. The control switch20can be accessed by authorized personnel through a doorway22of the enclosure12. The control switch20is disposed in a housing member16(shown inFIG. 2) enclosed within the enclosure12of the generator set10. As shown inFIG. 1, the control switch20is covered by a cover assembly24, which will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the cover assembly24. The cover assembly24is coupled to the housing member16of the control switch20. More specifically, the cover assembly24is removably fastened to the housing member16of the control switch20. In an example, the cover assembly24may be directly coupled to the enclosure12of the generator set10. The cover assembly24conceals the control switch20of the generator set10.

FIG. 3illustrates an exploded view of the cover assembly24. Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the cover assembly24includes a cover26, a mounting member28, and a tool30. The cover26is coupled to the housing member16of the control switch20. In an example, the cover26may be directly coupled to the enclosure12of the generator set10. More specifically, the cover26is removably fastened to the housing member16of the control switch20, via fastening members32. The fastening members32may include, but are not limited to, an anchor bolt, a threaded fastener, a threaded rod, and a screw anchor.

FIG. 4illustrates a front view of the cover26of the cover assembly24. Referring toFIGS. 2 to 4, the cover26includes a first member34, a second member36, and a number of breakable tabs, such as a first breakable tab38and a second breakable tab40. The first member34of the cover26has a rectangular shape. In an example, the first member34of the cover26may have one of, but is not limited to, a square shape and a circular shape. The first member34is made of a transparent material, such as a plastic material or any other breakable transparent material known in the art. The first member34includes an inner peripheral portion42. The inner peripheral portion42defines an access opening44for the control switch20. More specifically, the inner peripheral portion42defines the access opening44for accessing the control switch20therethrough. The access opening44has a circular profile. In an example, the access opening44may have one of, but is not limited to, a rectangular profile and a square profile.

The first member34is coupled to the housing member16of the control switch20. More specifically, the first member34is fastened to the housing member16, via the fastening members32. The first member34includes a number of through holes46for receiving the fastening members32therethrough, and subsequently fastening the first member34with the housing member16of the control switch20, The first member34is fastened to the housing member16such that the access opening44of the first member34is coaxially positioned to the control switch20. The first member34is attached to the second member36of the cover26.

The second member36has a circular shape. In one example, the second member36may have a shape similar to that of the access opening44of the first member34. In another example, the second member36may have a different shape from the access opening44of the first member34. The second member36is made of a transparent material, such as plastic material or any other breakable transparent material know in the art. More specifically, the second member36is made of a material similar to that of the first member34of the cover26. The second member36includes an outer peripheral portion50. The outer peripheral portion50is provided with a first pair of protrusions54and a second pair of protrusions56. The first pair of protrusions54is formed diametrically opposite to the second pair of protrusions56on the outer peripheral portion50. Each of the first pair of protrusions54is formed on either side of the first breakable tab38. Similarly, each of the second pair of protrusions56is formed on either side of the second breakable tab40.

The second member36is removably attached to the first member34, via the first breakable tab38and the second breakable tab40. The second member36conceals the access opening44of the first member34, thereby covering the control switch20of the generator set10. More specifically, the second member36conceals the access opening44in a mariner that a gap “G” is formed between the inner peripheral portion42of the first member34and the outer peripheral portion50of the second member36.

The first and second breakable tabs38,40are provided between the first member34and the second member36, More specifically, the first and second breakable tabs38,40are provided between the inner peripheral portion42of the first member34and the outer peripheral portion50of the second member36. The first and second breakable tabs38,40extend between the inner peripheral portion42and the outer peripheral portion50, for connecting the first member34and the second member36.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the mounting member28has a rectangular shape. The mounting member28is coupled to the cover26and the housing member16. More specifically, the mounting member28is fastened to the cover26, and subsequently to the housing member16, via the fastening members32. The mounting member28is fastened to the cover26in a mariner that the second member36of the cover26is sandwiched between the housing member16and the mounting member28.

The mounting member28includes a first inner peripheral portion60defining an opening62. The mounting member28further includes a top end64and a bottom end66. The mounting member28also includes a pair of flange portions68,70. The flange portions68,70are disposed at the top end64and the bottom end66of the mounting member28. More specifically, the flange portion68is disposed at the top end64of the mounting member28, and similarly the flange portion70is disposed at the bottom end66of the mounting member28.

The flange portions68,70include a number of grooves, such as a first groove72and a second groove74, disposed offset from a horizontal axis X-X′ (shown inFIG. 2) of the mounting member28. More specifically, the flange portion68includes the first groove72, and similarly the flange portion70includes the second groove74. The first groove72and the second groove74are aligned with each other along a vertical axis Y-Y′. The tool30is removably supported on the mounting member28. Specifically, the first groove72and the second groove74are provided to removably support the tool30on the mounting member28of the cover assembly24. In an example, the tool30may be removably supported on any other location, such as the enclosure12of the generator set10.

The tool30, also refereed to as a “Pry tool”, includes an elongated handle portion76, a first end78, and a second end80. The first end78includes a shoulder portion82and a pair of engagable portions, such as a first engagable portion84and a second engagable portion86. In the illustrated example, the shoulder portion82abuts the flange portion68, when the tool30is supported on the mounting member28through the first and second grooves72,74, thereby restricting a movement of the tool30in a downward direction along the vertical axis Y-Y′. The first engagable portion84and the second engagable portion86are selectively engagable with the first and second breakable tabs38,40. Each of the first and second engagable portions84,86includes a pair of legs88. Further, each of the first and second engagable portions84,86includes a notch portion89disposed between the legs88. The notch portion89is engagable with the first and second breakable tabs38,40.

The tool30is provided for breaking the first and second breakable tabs38,40, and subsequently detaching the first member34from the second member36. The tool30is connected to the mounting member28by a cable assembly75, also refereed to as a “lanyard”, fastened to the flange portion70of the mounting member28and the second end80of the tool30. The cable assembly75ensures that the tool30remains connected to the mounting member28, even when the tool30is removed from the first and second grooves72,74of the mounting member28.

FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of the tool30engaged with the first breakable tab38of the cover26. During emergency situations, the tool30is removed from the mounting member28by authorized personnel to selectively engage the first and second engagable portions84,86with the first and second breakable tabs38,40. For the sake of brevity, the present disclosure will be described with regard to the first engagable portion84of the tool30, although it will be understood that the present disclosure is also applicable to the second engagable portion86of the tool30.

The first engagable portion84of the tool30is received within the gap “G” between the first member34and the second member36in a manner that the pair of legs88abuts the first pair of protrusions54and subsequently, the first breakable tab38is received within the notch portion89. Afterwards, the tool30is moved to and fro in a predefined direction to break the first breakable tab38and subsequently, the first member34is removed from the cover26to access the control switch20, The predefined direction herein refers to a direction of a movement of the tool30about a first axis Z-Z′. In one example, the predefined direction may be a direction of the movement of the tool30about a second axis A-A′ perpendicular to the first axis Z-Z′.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure relates to the cover assembly24for the control switch20of the generator set10.FIG. 6is a flowchart depicting a method90of accessing the control switch20covered with the cover assembly24, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the sake of brevity, the aspects of the present disclosure which are already explained in detail in the description ofFIG. 1,FIG. 2,FIG. 3,FIG. 4, andFIG. 5are not explained in detail with regard to the description of the method90.

At block92, the method90includes engaging the tool30with the at least one breakable tab, such as the first breakable tab38and the second breakable tab40, of the cover26. The first engagable portion84is engaged with the first breakable tab38in a manner that the notch portion89of the first engagable portion84receives the first breakable tab38. Similarly, the first engagable portion84is engaged with the second breakable tab40in a manner that the notch portion89of the first engagable portion84receives the second breakable tab40.

At block94, the method90includes moving the tool30in the predefined direction to break the at least one breakable tab, such as the first breakable tab38and the second breakable tab40. More specifically, the tool30is moved in the predefined direction about the first axis Z-Z′, to break the first breakable tab38and the second breakable tab40.

At block96, the method90includes removing the second member36from the first member34of the cover26to access the control switch20. When the second member36is removed from the first member34, the authorized personnel access the control switch20through the access opening44of the cover26.

The cover assembly24may be employed in any type of generator set, such as a diesel generator set, an electric generator set, and any other generator set known in the art. In an example, the cover assembly24can be employed in a building installation for covering emergency switches provided for switching-off various equipment installed in the building during emergency situations. Therefore, the cover assembly24has a wide range of application across industries.

The cover assembly24includes the cover26and the tool30. The cover26is provided to cover the control switch20for protecting the control switch20from unauthorized access. The cover26includes the first member34and the second member36. The first member34of the cover26is connected to the housing member16of the control switch20by fastening the fastening members32. Owing to such connection of the cover26to the housing member16, removal of the cover26for retrofitting becomes easy and simple. The second member36is connected to the first member34, via the first and second breakable tabs38,40. When the first member34is connected to the housing member16, the second member36covers the control switch20. In order to obtain access to the control switch20, the second member36is detached from the first member34. Accordingly, the cover assembly24of the present disclosure provides a secure cover for the control switch20. The second member36is detached from the first member34by breaking the first and second breakable tabs38,40. Since the first and second breakable tabs38,40are broken to remove the second member36; the cover assembly24also provides tampering evidence to the authorized personnel. The cover assembly24further provides the tool30to break the first and second breakable tabs38,40.