Abstract:
A system and method are provided for the shielding of outdoor electrical equipment from inclement weather, the system comprising: a plurality of support brackets affixed to the outdoor electrical equipment; a support frame disposed in the support brackets; a waterproof cover disposed over the frame; an apron depending from the cover, configured to cover electrical connections on a side of the outdoor electrical equipment.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/593,881 filed on Aug. 24, 2012 which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/528,168 filed on Aug. 27, 2011. Each of these applications is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is in the technical field of canopies. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of enclosures or covers for portable electrical devices which can be used while the portable electrical device is operating. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Portable electrical generators are specifically to be used outdoor, with warning labels and instructions that warn against use too close to a dwelling, in garages, or other protected areas where poisonous gasses can accumulate and enter an occupied dwelling. Further, portable electrical generator manufacturers warn against operating a portable electrical generator in an enclosed shed or other small enclosure because these kinds of environments restrict air flow around and through the unit and pose an overheating hazard. Finally, portable electrical generators cannot be exposed to rain, sleet, snow or ice, since wet conditions pose a risk of shock and electrocution. Many times it is during times of precipitation that a portable electrical generator is needed, and regardless of manufacturer warnings, portable electrical generator users take the risk to operate them in garages, on or under porches and in other covered or enclosed areas that can allow deadly gasses to infiltrate a dwelling or cause overheating. Portable electrical generator accidents often occur during times of bad weather, when the generator is most needed. 
     Some manufacturers, in addition to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, suggest that a generator can be safely used outdoors in inclement weather when under a portable pop-up canopy. In practice, this is a fundamentally unsound approach. Portable pop-up canopies are difficult to anchor, especially in frozen conditions or on driveways, they provide no protection to precipitation that is blown in from an angular direction, they cannot withstand moderate winds without collapsing or being blown away, and they are susceptible to collapse under the weight of moderate snow and ice. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for the shielding of outdoor electrical equipment from inclement weather, the system comprising: a plurality of support brackets affixed to the outdoor electrical equipment; a support frame disposed in the support brackets; a waterproof cover disposed over the frame; an apron depending from the cover, configured to cover electrical connections on a side of the outdoor electrical equipment. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system further comprising a covered vent disposed at an apex of the waterproof cover. 
     A further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the apron depends from hook and loop fasteners disposed beneath an edge of the waterproof cover. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the apron exposes cooling surfaces of the outdoor electrical equipment. 
     A yet further embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the waterproof cover further comprises a closable aperture through which a user may supply liquid fuel to the outdoor electrical equipment. 
     Even another embodiment of the present invention provides such a system wherein the waterproof cover further comprises at least one aperture. 
     One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for the deflection of water from portable electrical equipment, the method comprising: affixing a plurality of mounting brackets to a frame of the portable electrical equipment; inserting support rods into the brackets so as to create a support frame; extending a waterproof cover over the support frame while allowing ventilation of the portable electrical equipment. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention provides such a method wherein the portable electrical equipment comprises a portable electrical generator. 
     The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy supporting frame of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy frame adjusting clamp of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy frame adjusting clamp bottom section of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternate portable electrical generator safety canopy frame adjusting clamp of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternate portable electrical generator safety canopy frame adjusting clamp bottom section of one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a portable electrical generator safety canopy frame adapter of one embodiment of the present invention; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to one embodiment of the invention in more detail, in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3  there is shown a portable electrical generator safety canopy consisting of a main cover  1  which allows attachment of the electrical cover  2  and comprises an access door  4  and a vapor release cover  5 . The main cover  1  is shown secured to a frame rod  8  by a strap  3 . The frame rod  8  is secured to the portable electrical generator frame  16  by a tube connecting telescoping clamp  9 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that other outdoor portable electrical or internal combustion engine equipment may employ a canopy or cover configured in accord with the various embodiments of the present invention. Such outdoor equipment may include but is not limited to pumps, spotlights, air compressor, power washers, and heat pumps. 
     In further detail, referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  there depicts an attachment of electrical cover  2  to the main cover  1  via a fastener section  7  that traverses the entire bottom edge of main cover  1  and employs a waterproofing cover flap  6 . The cover flap  6  is lifted up, which exposes the fastener section  7 , which secures the electrical cover  2 . The cover flap  6  is then dropped back over electrical cover  2  forming a waterproof covering. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown an open access door  4  which is secured into open position by securing door straps  17  to main cover  1 . Further, when returned to closed position, access door  4  is secured to main cover  1  by fastener  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a portable electrical generator safety canopy frame consisting of multiple frame rod sections  8  which are secured at the top central location by frame connector  11 . Further, each frame rod section  8  connects into a tube connecting telescoping clamp  9 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , there is shown a tube connecting telescoping clamp consisting of a main clamp section  14  that is secured to a tube with thumb screw  13  and telescoping section  12 . Now in more detail, main clamp section  14  employs a thumb latch  15  which sets stop points for telescoping section  12  at predetermined interval locations. Further, main clamp section  14  employs a bottom latch  18  that allows insertion of telescoping section  12  and, once inserted, restricts telescoping section  12  from being removed. Now in more detail, telescoping section  12  employs notches  19  at predetermined interval locations which are formed in such a way that pushing the telescoping section  12  into main clamp section  14  does not require engaging the thumb latch  15 . Further, the notches  19  are formed in such a way that the thumb latch  15  on main clamp section  14  must be engaged in order to allow outward adjustment of the telescoping section  12 . Further, the telescoping section  12  provides holes  20 , each of which holds one frame rod section  8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , there is shown an alternative telescoping clamp system consisting of a main clamp section  20  that is secured to a tube with thumb screw  21  and telescoping section  22 . Now in more detail, main clamp section  20  employs a ring detent pin hole  23  and telescoping section  22  employs several ring detent pin holes  24  at predetermined interval locations. Further, the clamp system is adjusted to length by aligning a predetermined interval location ring detent pin hole in the telescoping section  22  with the ring detent pin hole  23  in the main clamp section  20  and inserting a ring detent pin  28 . Further, main clamp section  20  employs a bottom stop  25 . Telescoping section  22  employs a bottom groove  26 , and once inserted over the clamp section bottom stop  25 , removal is restricted during any upward or parallel forces. Further, the telescoping section  22  provides holes  27 , each of which holds one frame rod section  8 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , there is shown a frame adapter consisting of a tubular section  29  combined with a corner section  30 . Further, the corner section  30  employs slotted holes  31  which accommodate attachment to a multitude of square tube frames and round tube frames. Now in more detail, the frame adapter provides a method to attach main clamp section  14  or main clamp section  20  in the event the portable electrical generator frame  16  cannot provide a mounting point for main clamp section  14  or main clamp section  20  because of square or rectangular frame shapes, or other portable electrical generator parts which may already be connected to frame  16 . Further, the frame adapter provides a method to increase, or extend, the effective length and width of the portable electrical generator frame  16 , as may be necessary for very small portable electrical generator frames. The frame adapter may be attached to the frame  16  through a multitude of methods including screws, bolts and nuts, welding and strapping. 
     In further detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1 , the main cover  1  is sufficiently wide at the bottom edges to cover portable electrical generator frames of the typical length up to 32 inches and typical width up to 22 inches. The tube connecting telescoping clamp allows sufficient adjustments to ensure a consistent portable electrical generator safety canopy frame size of approximately 24 inches wide and 35 inches in length. The portable electrical generator safety canopy frame is sufficiently sloped, from the center to each corner to assure water shedding action away from the underlying portable electrical generator. 
     In further detail, still referring to the invention of  FIG. 1 , the main cover  1  can be increased or decreased in size to cover an effectively unlimited range of portable electrical generator frame sizes. By simply changing the length of the frame rods  8  and increasing the width and length of the main cover  1  at the bottom edges while keeping a consistent relative size for all other dimensions of main cover  1 , different portable electrical generator frame sizes are accommodated. 
     The construction details of the invention as shown in  FIG. 1  through  FIG. 10  are that the portable electrical generator safety canopy main cover  1  can be made of any material sufficiently waterproof and strong such as various fabrics, high strength plastic, molded fiberglass, metal and the like. Further the various components  2 ,  4  and  5  can be made of similar materials, while the fastener sections  7  and  10  can be made using hook and loop, zipper or other methods that exhibit satisfactory waterproofing and secure closure characteristics. The portable electrical generator safety canopy frame, as depicted in  FIG. 5  can be made of materials sufficiently strong and tensile to form the appropriate frame arc in order to allow shedding of water while maintaining strength enough to hold water, snow, and ice without breaking. The materials can be aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, wood and fiberglass formed into rods and tubes of either round, square or rectangular cross section shapes. The frame connector  11  can also be made of similar materials. The tube connecting telescoping clamp  12 ,  14 ,  20  and  22  and the frame adapter ( FIG. 10 ) can be made of materials sufficiently rigid and strong enough to not crack or fatigue and to hold the portable electrical generator safety canopy frame securely. The materials include wood, aluminum, steel and high strength plastics and the like. 
     The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is sufficiently waterproof and sheds precipitation, in any form, away from electrical sockets on portable electrical generators that could cause an electrocution hazard or disruption of power if they were to get wet. Further, the invention maintains, without disruption, sufficient normal airflow around the portable electrical generator that it will not overheat. Further, the invention is sufficiently strong to withstand storm winds with gusts up to Beaufort scale  10  and accumulations of snow and ice. Further, the invention accommodates a wide range of portable electrical generators. Further, the invention allows convenient access to refueling, starting, stopping and connecting electrical wires to portable electrical generators. Further, this invention does not require modification of portable electrical generators. Further the invention is easily installed, removed and portable. 
     In broad embodiment, the present invention is a waterproof, water shedding enclosure that surrounds the top and electrical connection sockets of portable electrical generators. 
     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.