Abstract:
An enclosure ( 1 ) comprising a hollow profile ( 2 ) with an open side portion on which a covering plate ( 3 ) is watertightly attached, the profile ( 2 ) being provided with at least one end closure ( 4 ) comprising a watertight sealing ( 41 ) disposed at the end of the profile ( 2 ). 
     In order to improve the waterproof properties, in particular for an electronic enclosure, by keeping constructional modifications on the enclosure as low as possible, a jamming member ( 40 ) is provided inside the sealing ( 41 ), the jamming member ( 40 ) being adapted to exert a pressing force on at least two opposed side portions ( 71 - 76 ) of the sealing ( 41 ) acting in a transverse direction ( 92, 93 ) with respect to a plate-adjoining side ( 48 ) of the sealing ( 41 ) which is disposed adjacent to the covering plate ( 3 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to an enclosure comprising a hollow profile with an open side portion on which a covering plate is watertightly attached, the profile being provided with at least one end closure comprising a watertight sealing disposed at the end of the profile. In particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a device comprising such an enclosure as a housing for electronic and/or optical equipment such as a light barrier. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Common profiles of that type are typically formed by an extrusion process, in particular from aluminium or a similar material, and often exhibit an essentially U-shaped cross section. Before or after arranging electronic components or other material in the cavity of the profile, the open side portion of the profile is covered by a plexiglass-plate or the like. The covering plate can be attached to the profile by adhesive means generally known in the art in a highly waterproof manner. In this way, an ingress protection rating (IP) for electronic enclosures, as defined by the international standard IEC 60529, with a value of 65 or better can be achieved with respect to the lateral attachment of the covering plate to the profile. 
         [0003]    More critical is to ensure a desired value of water tightness of the enclosure at the end sections of the profile. For this purpose, a sealing loop of caoutchouc or similar unaccommodating and watertight material is usually disposed around the end section of the profile. The sealing loop is firmly pressed against the end section by a capping member tightly attached to the profile&#39;s end. In this way, a watertight end closure of the profile is provided by the capping member and the sealing loop embedded therein. This end closure, however, represents the highest potential danger of water intrusion problems and consequently, in the case of an electronic enclosure, reduces the desired level of watertightness dramatically. 
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide the initially mentioned enclosure with improved waterproof properties by keeping constructional modifications on the enclosure as low as possible and/or allowing an easy fabrication or assembly of such an enclosure by avoiding at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages. 
         [0005]    According to the invention, a jamming member is provided inside the sealing, the jamming member being adapted to exert a pressing force on at least two opposed side portions of the sealing acting in a transverse direction with respect to a side portion of the sealing which is disposed adjacent to the covering plate and subsequently referred to as plate-adjoining side of the sealing. 
         [0006]    The present invention originates from the observation that a weak point with respect to the watertightness of the enclosure are the portions of the sealing at which the attachment of the covering plate on the profile is adjoined. It has been found that an arrangement of a jamming member in the above described manner leads to an unexpected strong improvement of the watertightness and constitutes a surprisingly effective remedy with respect to the intrinsic deficiencies of this particular problematic region. In this way, the overall waterproof characteristics of the whole enclosure may be substantially improved. By way of example, an IP value of 65 or better may be obtainable for the profile used as an electronic enclosure. 
         [0007]    Preferred embodiments of the present invention comprise for instance the following aspects: 
         [0008]    Preferably, the transverse direction of the pressing force comprises a vector component directed towards the plate-adjoining side of the sealing and a vector component in an orthogonal direction. Advantageously, the jamming member may be provided with a tapering portion at each of the opposed side portions of the sealing. Each of these tapering portions may face the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. Hence, an inclined or curved surface on a force transmitting portion of the jamming member may be provided for directing the pressing force in the transverse direction with respect to the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. Preferably, this tapering portion has a substantially circular curved form. Alternatively or complementary, also other shapes for a transverse force transmission such as a substantially linear inclination or other curved shapes are conceivable. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the tapering portions are disposed in direct proximity to the attachment of the covering plate on the profile. In this way, the impact zone of the jamming member may be situated close to the weak point of the sealing. Preferably, the distance of at least two of the tapering portions to the attachment is less than one fifth, more preferred less than one tenth of the cross section dimension of the profile. Preferably, the distance of at least two of the tapering portions is smaller as compared to the respective wall thickness of the portion of the profile&#39;s end section which is located adjacent to the covering plate. 
         [0010]    The opposed side portions of the sealing within the scope of this application are defined as any two side portions of the sealing facing the jamming member in an opposed direction component. In general, they are not to be construed with respect to their relative distance to the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. For instance, also a side portion at the upper region that is opposed to a side portion at the lower region of the sealing is conceivable. According to a preferred embodiment, the relative distance of the opposed side portions to the plate-adjoining side of the sealing is essentially equivalent. 
         [0011]    Preferably, said jamming member is provided with at least two of said tapering portions at each of said opposed side portions of said sealing for further improving the watertightness at the critical region. More preferred, a step-like arrangement of the at least two tapering portions at each side of the sealing is provided. More preferred, three tapering portions are provided on each side portion of the sealing. Preferably, the jamming member is provided with at least one upper protrusion comprising at least one of said tapering portions. More preferred, the upper protrusion projects from an upper center portion of the jamming member. Moreover, said jamming member may provided with at least one lateral projection comprising at least one of said tapering portions. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the sealing is provided with corresponding recess structures fitted to the shape of the tapering portions on the jamming member for further improving the pressing force transmission. It is also conceivable, according to another embodiment, that the pressing force is transmitted by means of recess structures formed in the jamming member, in which in this case corresponding projections at the inner circumference of the sealing are engaged. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the tapering portions are interconnected via a bridging portion comprising an application surface for applying a force on the jamming member which may then be transferred to the sealing as the pressing force. Advantageously, the application surface may be facing away from the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. In this way, a linear force application on the jamming member directed towards the plate-adjoining side of the sealing can be exploited for exerting the pressing force on the at least two opposed side portions of the sealing and in the transverse direction with respect to the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. 
         [0014]    In order to achieve a further improvement of the watertightness along the plate-adjoining side of the sealing, said bridging portion may be adapted to exert a pressing force directly on the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. Accordingly, said bridging portion may comprise an impact surface on the opposed side with respect to said application surface for a transmission of this pressing force. Preferably, this impact surface may be adapted to transmit the force substantially over the total length of the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. Preferably, substantially the total force is transmitted in the direction of the plate-adjoining side of the sealing. 
         [0015]    For allowing an advantageous transmission of the pressing force to the sealing, in particular in the transverse direction with respect to the plate-adjoining side of the sealing, the jamming member is preferably disposed in such a way that it displaces at least slightly towards the plate-adjoining side of the sealing when the force is applied on the application surface. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the end closure further comprises a capping member. The capping member is preferably provided with an activation surface for transmitting the force to said application surface on said jamming member. More preferred, the activation surface is provided in such a way that it faces the plate-adjoining side of said sealing. Advantageously, the activation surface may be provided on a protrusion on said capping member. Said protrusion may be arranged inside an inner space of said capping member. 
         [0017]    Preferably, an inclination towards the cavity of the profile is provided in between said activation surface and said application surface. This inclination can be used to facilitate a force application on the application surface. Preferably, the inclination may be provided on the application surface and/or on the activation surface. For instance, the application surface of the capping member may be provided with an inclination towards the cavity of the profile. Correspondingly, the application surface of the jamming member may be e.g. substantially planar with respect to the length direction of the profile or may also comprise an inclination. Most preferred, the inclination is provided on both surfaces for allowing a smooth and continuous guiding of the surfaces on one another. In this way, an activation force may be advantageously applied on the jamming member by advancing the activation surface of the capping member with respect to the application surface of the jamming member along the inclination resulting in a force application towards the plate-adjoining side of the sealing-loop. Preferably, the inclination has a substantially constant slope. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the capping member is provided with exterior walls surrounding the sealing such that the pressing force exerted on the sealing is counteracted by the capping member. For this purpose, the sealing is preferably fitted inside the capping member according to the shape of its exterior circumference. More preferred, at least the portions of the sealing on which the pressing force is exerted are in close contact with the exterior walls of the capping member. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the watertight sealing is constituted by a sealing loop. More preferred, the sealing is disposed continuously around the end section of the profile for achieving homogenous sealing properties. 
         [0020]    A further improvement with respect to the watertightness at the plate-adjoining side of the sealing may be achieved in that the sealing extends into the cavity of the profile, at least on a portion of its plate-adjoining side. Preferably, the jamming member may also extend into the cavity at this particular region for allowing an advantageous transmission of the pressing force also at the portion of the sealing that is extending into the cavity. Additionally or alternatively, a profile may be used with a watertightly attached covering plate extending beyond the end-section of the profile. In this case, a superior water-tightness may be achieved with the sealing and/or jamming member applied at the profile&#39;s end section without ranging into the cavity, in particular at the bordering zone with respect to the covering plate. 
         [0021]    According to another preferred embodiment, the sealing and the jamming member may be fully or at least partially disposed inside the cavity at the end portion of the profile. In this case, the inner side walls of the profile may be used to counteract the pressing force transmitted from the jamming member. 
         [0022]    Preferably, at least one plugging protrusion extending into the cavity of the profile is provided on the jamming member. This may allow a correct positioning of the jamming member with respect to the sealing during installation of the end closure. Preferably, lateral projections of the jamming member are provided with the plugging protrusion. The profile may comprise separate compartment spaces for insertion of the plugging protrusions. The size of the compartment spaces preferably exceeds the size of the plugging protrusions, such that a displacement of the jamming member towards the plate-adjoining side of the sealing is rendered possible during the installation of the end closure. Advantageously, also the bridging portion of the jamming member may extend into the cavity of the profile for further facilitating an inner fixation of the jamming member. 
         [0023]    Preferably, the jamming member has a substantially frame-shaped structure. The form of the inner circumference of the sealing is preferably fitted to the outer circumference of the jamming member. More preferred, the jamming member may extend around the total inner circumference of the sealing for allowing an optimal positioning of the jamming member. According to another embodiment, the jamming member may only extend over part of the inner circumference of the sealing for still ensuring a good transmission of the pressing force at the two opposed side portions of the sealing. 
         [0024]    According to a preferred utilization of the described profile, the profile contains electronic and/or optical equipment. In particular, the profile may be designed for the waterproof custody of a light barrier or a similar optoelectronic device. Preferably, an electronic enclosure constituted by the profile exhibits an IP value of at least 65. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0025]    The invention will be described in more detail in the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings: 
           [0026]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electronic enclosure according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the profile&#39;s end section of the electronic enclosure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the electronic enclosure shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is another exploded view of the end closure of the electronic enclosure shown in  FIG. 3  from a different viewpoint; 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is the front view of the profile&#39;s end section shown in  FIG. 2 , wherein parts of the end closure are mounted on the end section; 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a detail of a longitudinal sectional view according to VI-VI of the profile shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the profile&#39;s end section with the parts of the end closure as shown in  FIG. 5 , wherein a capping member has been mounted on the profile; and 
           [0033]      FIG. 8  is a detail of a longitudinal sectional view according to VIII-VIII of the profile shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows an electronic enclosure  1  comprising a hollow profile  2  with an open side portion on which a covering plate  3  is watertightly attached. The profile  2  is extruded from metallic material and the covering plate  3  consists of synthetic material. The watertight sealing mechanism described below is particularly suited for an enclosure  1  comprising these materials. It is understood, however, that also other materials are conceivable. At both ends of the profile  2  an end closure  4 ,  5  is mounted in a watertight manner. The end closure  4  comprises a central opening  6  that is designed for a protruding component or cable of an optoelectronic device that is to be protected inside the cavity of the profile. In this particular case, the central opening  6  is provided for housing of a light emitting end portion or a cable of a light barrier, wherein the more sensitive opto-electronic components of the device are arranged inside the cavity of the profile  2 . End closure  5  is similar to end closure  4  except that the central opening  6  is absent. 
         [0035]    As best seen in  FIG. 2 , depicting a front view of the end section  10  of the profile  2  without the end closure  4 , the profile  2  has a substantially U-shaped structure comprising a floor side  7  and two opposed lateral sides  8 ,  9 . The lateral sides  8 ,  9  are each provided with a substantially rectangular indentation  11 ,  12  at their center portion. The length of the indentations corresponds to approximately one third of the total length of the lateral sides  8 ,  9 . 
         [0036]    The mid portion of the upper third of each lateral side  8 ,  9  is provided with a carrier protrusion  13 ,  14 . The upper surface of the carrier protrusions  13 ,  14  is used as a support for the covering plate  3 . In this way, the covering plate  3  is arranged in between the upper inner edges of the lateral sides  8 ,  9  of profile  2 . The covering plate  3  along its two exterior longitudinal sides  15 ,  16  is attached to the carrier protrusions  13 ,  14  by a double-sided adhesive tape  17 ,  18 . Other kinds of attachments are also conceivable, e.g. silicone, glue, etc. 
         [0037]    Thus, on both sides of the cavity  20  of the profile  2 , more precisely in between each of the respective indentations  11 ,  12  and the carrier protrusions  13 ,  14 , an upper side compartment  21 ,  22  is formed in the cavity  20 . Moreover, two lower side compartments  23 ,  24  are formed in the cavity  20  below the respective indentations  11 ,  12 . 
         [0038]    Each of the lower portions of the indentations  11 ,  12  and of the carrier protrusions  13 ,  14  are provided with a circular shaped groove  25 - 28  each bordering into one of the side compartments  21 - 24  and extending in the longitudinal direction of the profile  2 . The end portions of these circular grooves are used as boreholes  25 - 28  for the fixation of the end closures  4 ,  5 . Furthermore, three longitudinally extending and rectangular shaped inner grooves  29 - 34  are provided on each of the lateral sides  8 ,  9 , which may serve e.g. as fixation rails for electronic equipment inside the cavity  20 . 
         [0039]    By means of the attachments  17 ,  18  generally known in the art, a high-grade waterproof protection is provided in the length direction of the profile  2 . On the profile&#39;s end section in common enclosures, however, the attachments  17 ,  18  may constitute a leak-prone region at least in the case the enclosure is exposed to splashing water, water jets or similar demands. In the electronic enclosure  1  these shortcomings have been remedied according to the subsequent description. 
         [0040]      FIG. 3  depicts the enclosure  1  in an exploded view. The end closure  4  of enclosure  1  is composed of three separate pieces, namely a jamming member  40 , a sealing loop  41  and a capping member  42 . A corresponding exploded view of the end closure  4  from a different angle is shown in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0041]    The sealing loop  41  consists of an elastic material which is substantially incompressible, e.g. a water-impermeable rubber material such as e.g. NBR 50 Share A, and has an outer circumference resembling the end section  10  of profile  2 . In particular, a sealing lip  43  projecting on the face side of sealing loop  41  is matched to the shape of end section  10  (see  FIG. 4 ). A corresponding sealing lip  44  projecting on the back side of sealing loop  41  substantially exhibits the same form. 
         [0042]    Accordingly, with respect to the arrangement of the sealing loop  41  at the end section  10 , the sealing loop  41  is composed of a bottom side  45  adjoining the floor side  7  of the end section  10 , two opposed lateral sides  46 ,  47  adjoining the lateral sides  8 ,  9  of the end section  10 , and an upper plate-adjoining side  48  that is adjacent to the covering plate  3 . 
         [0043]    The sealing loop  41  further comprises four circular openings  49 - 52  that are disposed at the corresponding positions with respect to the boreholes  25 - 28  at the end section  10  of profile  2 . On both sides of the sealing loop  41 , the circular openings  49 - 52  are surrounded by a circular projection which is seamlessly integrated into the course of the respective sealing lip  43 ,  44 . 
         [0044]    On the front of sealing loop  41 , the plate-adjoining side  48  is provided with a front protrusion  54  exceeding the height of the sealing lips  43 ,  44  (see  FIG. 4 ). The size of the front protrusion  48  matches the distance between the carrier protrusions  13 ,  14  of the end section  10  of profile  2  and thus is adapted to be inserted into the cavity  20  of profile  2  for adjoining the covering plate  3  from the bottom side. 
         [0045]    The inner circumference of sealing loop  41  is adapted to the shape of the outer circumference of jamming member  40 . The jamming member  40  is substantially rigid and is preferably composed of synthetic material. It has a frame-like structure roughly matching the shape of sealing loop  41 , wherein the upper side  55 , the two lateral sides  56 ,  57  and the bottom side  58  have a smaller length dimension, respectively. The thickness of the jamming member  40  essentially corresponds to the thickness of the sealing loop  41 . 
         [0046]    On the upper side  55  of the jamming member  40  an upper protrusion  60  is provided. On both sides of the upper protrusion  60 , upper tapering portions  61 ,  62  are formed. The upper tapering portions  61 ,  62  substantially have a circular shaped cross-section. On both lateral end portions of the upper side  55 , two additional lower tapering portions  63 ,  64  are formed exhibiting a curved shaped cross-section (see  FIG. 5 ). 
         [0047]    The upper side portions of the opposed lateral sides  56 ,  57  of the jamming member  40  are provided with outer lateral projections  65 ,  66 . The lower edge of the lateral projections  65 ,  66  protrudes orthogonally from the lateral sides  56 ,  57 . The upper edge exhibits a linear slope with respect to the plate-adjoining side  48  of the sealing ring  41 . Thus, each of the lateral projections constitutes a lateral tapering portion  65 ,  66 . 
         [0048]    Overall, the upper taperings  61 ,  62 , the lower taperings  63 ,  64  and the lateral taperings  65 ,  66  are configured in a step like arrangement on both sides of the jamming member  40 , wherein the lateral distance between respective tapering portions  61 - 66  decreases towards the top of the jamming member  40 . Thus, the upper side of jamming member  40  constitutes a bridging portion  55  in between the taperings  61 - 66  arranged on the opposed sides of the jamming member  40 . 
         [0049]    The sealing loop  41  is provided with corresponding recesses  71 - 76  adapted to the shapes of the tapering portions  61 - 66  on the jamming member  40 . Thus, the recesses  71 - 76  have a form, which substantially corresponds to the respective tapering portions  61 - 66  on jamming member  40 . Recess  71 ,  72  has a linear inclination corresponding to the respective tapering portion  61 ,  62 . 
         [0050]    The jamming member  40  further comprises a plugging protrusion  67 ,  68  on each front side of the lateral projections  65 ,  66 . The plugging protrusions  67 ,  68  are formed to be inserted into the upper side compartments  21 ,  22  of the cavity  20  of profile  2 . This allows a correct positioning of jamming member  40  at the end section  10  of profile  2  and a first loose fixation. The plugging protrusions  67 ,  68  are smaller as compared to the height of the side compartments  21 ,  22  for ensuring a certain mobility of the jamming member  40  in the vertical direction of end section  10  when it is inserted and the capping member  42  is fixed by the screws. 
         [0051]    The upper protrusion  60  of the jamming member  40  has a substantially flat upper surface  59  projecting in the front direction of jamming member  40 . The side length of the upper protrusion  55  corresponds to the distance between the carrier protrusions  13 ,  14  of profile  2 , allowing an insertion into the cavity  20 . In this way, a support for the front protrusion  54  on the sealing loop is formed. The front edge of the upper protrusion  55  is further provided with an elevation as compared to the height of the rest of upper surface  59 . The elevation serves as a frontal abuting structure for the sealing ring  41  when the jamming member  40  is positioned inside the sealing ring  41 . 
         [0052]    The lower surface  70  of the bridging portion  55  also protrudes and exhibits a substantially linear inclination with respect to the length axis of profile  2  (see  FIG. 6 ). The lower surface permits to apply a vertical force on jamming member  40  and therefore is subsequently referred to as application surface  70 . 
         [0053]    A corresponding linear inclination is formed on a protruding upper surface  80  inside the capping member  42  (see  FIG. 4 ). Also the length and with of the protruding surface  80  substantially corresponds to the application surface  70  of the bridging portion  55  of jamming member  40 . The protruding surface  80  serves to transfer a force on the application surface  70  for activating the sealing mechanism and therefore is subsequently referred to as activation surface  80 . 
         [0054]    The inner side walls of the capping member  42  on its bottom side  82 , lateral sides  83 ,  84  and top side  85  correspond to the shape of the lateral circumference of sealing loop  41 . In this way, the sealing loop  41  with the jamming member  40  disposed inside can be fitted into the capping member  42  and a pressing force acting on the inner circumference of the sealing loop  41  is counteracted by the inner side walls of capping member  42 . The mid portion of the top side  85  of capping member  42  is provided with an upper front protrusion  95  substantially corresponding to the width of covering plate  3 . The upper front protrusion  95  may allow a simplified manual positioning of the capping member  42  during its installation on the end section  10  of profile  2  and may also contribute to the sealing effect. Furthermore, four boreholes  86 - 89  are provided in the capping member  42  at the corresponding positions as the circular openings  49 - 52  in the sealing loop  41 . 
         [0055]    Subsequently the installation and start of operation of the end closure  4  on profile  2  is discussed. At first, the sealing loop  41  is preferably positioned around the end section  10  of profile  2  such that the attachments  15 ,  16  are fully covered by the plate-adjoining side  48  and the front protrusion  54  ranges into the cavity  20  abuting against the covering plate  3  from below. 
         [0056]    As a second step, the jamming member  40  is positioned along the inner circumference of sealing loop  41 , such that the plugging protrusions  67 ,  68  range inside the side compartments  21 ,  22  of the cavity  20  and the flat protruding upper surface  59  supports the front protrusion  54  of the sealing loop  41 . 
         [0057]    This configuration is depicted in  FIG. 5 . As can be seen in this figure, the tapering portions  61 - 66  of jamming member  40  face the plate-adjoining side  48  of the sealing loop  41  and border on the corresponding recesses  71 - 76  in the sealing loop  41 . The bridging portion  55  directly abuts against the plate-adjoining side  48  of the sealing loop  41 . The jamming member  40  is inserted into the cavity  20  in such a way, as best seen in  FIG. 6 , that its upper elevation on the frontal end of protruding upper surface  59  abuts against the frontal edge of the plate-adjoining side  48  of sealing loop  41 . 
         [0058]    As a next step, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the capping member  42  is plugged around the end section  10  with its inner side walls  82 - 85  bordering the outer circumference of the sealing loop  41 . Thus, the inclined activation surface  80  in the capping member  42  is positioned below the inclined application surface  70  of the bridging portion  55  of jamming member  40 . At the same time, the upper front protrusion  95  of capping member  42  is positioned on top of the covering plate  3  in between the upper inner edges of the lateral sides  8 ,  9  of profile  2 . In this way, a guiding passage for an advancement of the upper front protrusion  95  in the length direction of profile  2  is provided in between the upper inner edges of the lateral sides  8 ,  9 , facilitating a correct positioning of capping member  42  and the further installation procedure. 
         [0059]    Finally, the capping member  42  is tightly fixed on the profile  2  by establishing a screw connection within the boreholes  25 - 28  and  86 - 89 , respectively. The effect of this screwing operation is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0060]    As depicted in  FIG. 8 , the capping member  42  is further advanced towards the profile  2 , as indicated by arrow  90 . Thus, also the upper front protrusion  95  is further advanced in between the upper inner edges of the lateral sides  8 ,  9  of profile  2 . The advancement of capping member  42  has the effect, that the sealing lips  43  are tightly pressed against the end section  10  of profile  2  and the sealing lips  44  are tightly pressed against the inside of capping member  42 . 
         [0061]    Additionally, the activation surface  80  of capping member  42  is further progressed along the application surface  70  of the jamming member  40 . As a result, an activation force  90  is transmitted to the inclined application surface  70  and a vertical force component is executed on the bridging section  55  of jamming member  40 , as indicated by arrow  91 . This leads to a slight displacement of the jamming member  40  with respect to the position of sealing loop  41  in the vertical direction. Thus, a pressing force  91  is transmitted from the upper flat surface  59  of the bridging portion  55  to the plate-adjoining side  48  of the sealing loop  41  which in turn is now tightly pressed along its front protrusion  54  against the lower surface of covering plate  3 . Furthermore, the upper elevation on the frontal end of protruding upper surface  59  of jamming member  40  is now abuting against the covering plate  3  from below such that the frontal edge of the plate-adjoining side  48  of sealing ring  41  is entirely encompassed by jamming member  40  and covering plate  3 . 
         [0062]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the activation force in the vertical direction  91  and the corresponding displacement of the jamming member  40  has the further effect, that the tapering portions  61 - 66  of jamming member  40  are tightly pressed against the inclinations in the corresponding recesses  71 - 76  of the sealing loop  41 . In this way, the vertical force  91  acting on jamming member  40  is transmitted at the taperings  61 - 66  towards the sealing loop  41  as a force acting in a transverse direction with respect to the position of the plate-adjoining side  48  of the sealing loop  41 , as indicated by arrows  92 ,  93 . 
         [0063]    These transverse forces  92 ,  93  acting towards the two opposed sides  46 ,  47  of the sealing loop  41  lead to a substantial improvement with respect to the water-tightness of the electronic enclosure  1 . A particularly pronounced sealing improvement is achieved by the force application through the upper tapering portions  61 ,  62 , which are situated in close proximity to the attachments  15 ,  16  of the covering plate  3 . The additional taperings  63 - 66  with a larger distance from the attachments  15 ,  16  may also substantially contribute to the sealing effect. 
         [0064]    Numerous alterations of the enclosure described above will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to a preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and is not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.