Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a transfer switch having an easily removable weatherproof door and hood, allowing a user to optionally mount the switch on the interior or exterior of a structure. The weatherproof door and hood work together to protect the transfer switch from exposure to rain and other unwanted substances that would otherwise harm the components within the switch if mounted on the exterior of a structure. Removable fasteners corresponding to pre-drilled holes in the main compartment of the switch are used to secure the door and hood to the main compartment of the switch, permitting a user to easily remove them if the switch is to be mounted on the interior of a structure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates generally to enclosures for electrical hardware, and more specifically, to a transfer switch having an easily removable weatherproof door and hood so as to permit both indoor and outdoor mounting. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is well known that homes and other structures connected to public utility power sources sometimes lose power due to service disruptions. Such service disruptions are often the result of inclement weather or load shedding by the utility company (rolling blackouts). Service disruptions are usually inconvenient to residents and occasionally can have fatal consequences. As a result, many homeowners utilize fuel powered generators to supply their home&#39;s power needs during service interruptions. 
     A transfer switch connected to both a home&#39;s main load center and a generator is used to switch between utility based power and generator power. When service from utility based power is disrupted, a transfer switch acts to transfer the main load center from connectivity with utility based power to generator based power. Transfer switches may operate automatically or manually. 
     Local building codes in a minority of jurisdictions require that transfer switches be located outside of a home&#39;s interior. As transfer switches contain numerous components that must remain dry and free from contact with other unwanted substances, transfer switches installed on the outside of a home&#39;s interior must be housed in an enclosure that will protect the switch from exposure to the elements. As only a minority of homeowners are required to install transfer switches on the outside of the home&#39;s interior, most manufacturers of transfer switches do not offer for sale a weatherproof transfer switch. However, at an additional cost to the homeowner, prior art accessory kits containing additional enclosure structures for transfer switches are available for purchase. Once purchased, the homeowner may install the enclosure structures onto the transfer switch. 
     One disadvantage seen in the aforementioned accessory enclosure kits found in the prior art is that the user of such kits must separately purchase the kit on special order from the manufacturer, often at great expense. Another disadvantage of such kits is that the user must install the kits onto the transfer switch, often requiring the user to physically alter the switch housing to accommodate the enclosure structures of the kit. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, there is provided herein, a transfer switch having an easily removable door and hood that, in its preferred embodiments, is capable of protecting the switch from exposure to rain and other unwanted elements to which it would be susceptible when mounted outside a home&#39;s interior. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a hinged door is removably secured to the front side of a main compartment of a transfer switch. The door acts to prevent water and unwanted substances from contacting sensitive components of the switch. The door may be easily removed by the user if it is necessary to mount the transfer switch within the interior of a home or other structure. In particular, the door, which is secured to the main compartment via screws, may be quickly and easily removed by the user by simply using a screwdriver. 
     In another aspect of the invention, a hood is removably secured to the top side of the main compartment of the switch. The hood acts to prevent water and unwanted substances from contacting sensitive components of the switch. The hood may be easily removed by the user if it is necessary to mount the transfer switch within the interior of a home or other structure. In particular, the hood, which is secured to the main compartment via screws, may be quickly and easily removed by the user by simply using a screwdriver. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, the aforementioned transfer switch, door, and hood may be sold to consumers pre-installed. As such, it is not necessary for a homeowner to separately purchase an accessory enclosure kit and to install said kit. The foregoing advantage, not seen in prior art switches, will result in cost savings to homeowners. 
     Moreover, the costs involved in manufacturing and assembling the main compartment and enclosure structures (door and hood) together are less than if the main compartment and the enclosure structures are manufactured separately and the enclosure structures are sold as an aftermarket kit to be assembled by a homeowner. Further, costs associated with maintaining inventory of the main compartments and enclosure structures will be reduced if the main compartments and enclosure structures are assembled together and stored together. 
     Accordingly, the present invention overcomes the disadvantages found in the prior art mentioned above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the transfer switch with a easily removable door and hood of the present invention may be had by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch of the present invention having an easily removable door and hood; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch having an easily removable door and hood; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch having an easily removable door and hood; and 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch having an easily removable door and hood. 
     
    
    
     Where used in the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “first,” “second,” “upper,” “lower,” “height,” “outer,” “inner,” “width,” “length,” “end,” “side,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” and similar terms are used herein, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawing and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention in a typical installation. 
     All figures are drawn for ease of explanation of the basic teachings of the present invention only; the extensions of the figures with respect to number, position, relationship, and dimensions of the parts to form the preferred embodiment will be explained or will be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. Further, the exact dimensions and dimensional proportions to conform to specific width, length, and similar requirements will likewise be within the skill of the art after the following teachings of the present invention have been read and understood. 
     Preferred embodiments of the transfer switch according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Ordinarily, a home or other structure is connected to a utility based electric power source. However, it is well known that service disruptions of utility based power sometimes occur as a result of inclement weather or due to other factors beyond the control of the utility subscriber. Many homeowners have taken the proactive step of purchasing a fuel powered electrical generator so that they will have access to an alternative power source in the event of an interruption of service of the utility based power. 
     A transfer switch is an electrical hardware device that is connected to a home&#39;s main load center, the utility based power source, and a generator. When engaged, either manually or automatically, the transfer switch transfers the electrical connection to the home&#39;s main load center, from the utility based power source, to the generator. As mentioned previously, local building codes in a minority of jurisdictions require that transfer switches be mounted outside a home&#39;s interior. Most manufacturers do not sell transfer switches that have enclosures that would protect the sensitive electrical components within the switch from rain and contact with other potentially damaging substances. Instead, some manufacturers of transfer switches offer for sale accessory kits having enclosure structures that the homeowner must install on an existing transfer switch. Such accessory kits are often expensive as they must be specially ordered from the manufacturer, and can be difficult to install onto a transfer switch because the switch must be physically altered to mount the enclosure structures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exploded view of the presently preferred embodiment of the transfer switch having an easily removable weatherproof door and hood is shown. The transfer switch  100  has a main compartment having a front side  102  on which a plurality of actuators  104  such as knobs and buttons are located for easy access by homeowner or other operator. Further, gauges  106  such as watt meters are also located on the front side  102  of the transfer switch  100 . The aforementioned actuators, gauges, and the electrical components within the transfer switch are sensitive to exposure to rain and other elements that may be present outside of a home&#39;s interior. Flanges  108  having pre-drilled holes  110  for receiving fasteners such as screws or bolts (not shown), are formed on the rear side of the main compartment. A homeowner may use fasteners to mount the transfer switch to a wall or suitable structure. 
     The transfer switch  100  of a preferred embodiment of the invention also includes a weatherproof door  112  that is configured to be removably secured to a side of the main compartment. The door  112  is secured to a side of the main compartment by means of one or more hinges  114  held in place by fasteners  116 . The fasteners utilized in the preferred embodiment are screws  116 . However, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that any other fastening means for removably securing the door to the main compartment are contemplated. The hinges  114  of the presently preferred embodiment are configured such that when secured to the side of the main compartment, the door  112  may freely slide in an up and down direction  118  on the hinge  114 . As described further below, the foregoing feature permits the door  112  to be closed in a manner such that rain cannot easily contact the components found inside the main compartment. One or more latches  119  formed on the side of the main compartment opposite the hinges  114 , are configured to engage bent protrusions  121  formed on the door  112 . The latches  119  secure the door  112  in place when closed, preventing the door  112  from opening or sliding down the hinges  114 . The door of the presently preferred embodiment of the transfer switch is configured to naturally rest at the lowest position of the hinge when the door  112  is open. 
     The transfer switch  100  of a preferred embodiment of the invention also includes a weatherproof hood  118  that is configured to be removably secured to the top side  120  of the main compartment. Screws or other means for removably fastening the hood to the top side  120  of the main compartment allow the hood  118  to be easily removed by a homeowner or other user. Pre-drilled holes  122  for receiving the screws for securing the door  112  and the hood  118  are present on the side and top of the main compartment, respectively. The hood is positioned on the top side  120  of the main compartment such that a portion thereof extends beyond the front side  102  of said main compartment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch  100  of the present invention is shown. The door  112  has been rotated about the hinges  114  so as to be closed around the front side  102  of the main compartment. As mentioned previously, the door of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch is configured to rest at the lowest position of the hinge  114  when not closed. To secure the door  112  in the closed position, the homeowner must rotate the door  112  into the closed position, and then slide the door upwards along the hinges such that the top edge of the door slides under the portion of the hood  118  that extends beyond the front side of the main compartment. By sliding the top edge of the door  112  under the extended portion of the hood  118 , the door  112  is capable of being closed in a manner such that water falling from above the switch  100  will not easily penetrate into the main compartment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a side view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch  100  of the present invention is shown. The door  112  is in the closed position and the top edge of the door  112  is positioned under the hood  118  such that rain or other unwanted elements will not contact the components within the transfer switch  100 . One or more openings  300  may be formed on the sides of the main compartment to allow for placement of wiring connecting to the transfer switch. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the transfer switch  100  of the present invention is shown. The door  112  is in the closed position. One or more openings  402  may be formed on the bottom side  400  of the main compartment to allow for placement of additional wiring connected to the transfer switch. 
     It should be evident to those skilled in the art that the present invention possesses features that are beneficial to those in the business of manufacturing and distributing commercial embodiments of said invention. In particular, it is likely that manufacturers of commercial embodiments of the invention will realize a costs savings when manufacturing and assembling the main compartment, door, and hood of the switch at the same time, rather than separately manufacturing each of the foregoing components. Further, costs associated with packaging and storing the switch will be reduced as it will no longer be necessary to separately package and store the main compartment separately from the a kit containing the door, hood, or other enclosure structures. Consumers of such commercial embodiments will also likely benefit from the features of the present invention as the aforementioned costs savings may be passed along to them in the way of lower prices for the products. The foregoing advantages are not found in the prior art and represent a substantial improvement over it. 
     Although the invention hereof has been described by way of a preferred embodiment, it will be evident that other adaptations and modifications can be employed without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation; and thus, there is no intent of excluding equivalents, but on the contrary it is intended to cover any and all equivalents that may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.