Abstract:
An enclosure including a top surface, a bottom surface, a rear surface, sidewalls, and a door configured to open and close. The top surface, the bottom surface, the rear surface, the sidewalls and the door, when closed, define an interior area. The enclosure further includes at least one barrier assembly attached to at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface and the second side surface in the interior area. The at least one barrier assembly includes a barrier member including a substantially planar barrier portion disposed substantially parallel to one of the top surface, the bottom surface or the sidewalls and a spring assembly attached to the barrier member and configured to bias the barrier portion in a direction of the door.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The disclosed concept relates generally to enclosures, more particularly to enclosures including barrier assemblies. 
     Background Information 
     Electrical equipment such as, without limitation, a medium voltage control starter, is often housed in an enclosure. The enclosure includes a door which provides access to the equipment housed in the enclosure. 
     An arc fault in the electrical equipment can cause a tremendous amount of pressure on the interior of the enclosure. The pressure can cause the door to deform (e.g., without limitation, bulge out). The deformation often results in a gap between the door and the top, bottom or sidewalls of the enclosure. Arc gasses can escape the enclosure through this gap, thus creating an unsafe situation. It would be desirable to keep such gasses from escaping the enclosure. 
     There is room for improvement in enclosures. 
     SUMMARY 
     These needs and others are met by embodiments of the disclosed concept, which are directed to an enclosure including a door and at least one barrier assembly including a barrier portion and a spring assembly structured to bias the barrier portion in a direction of the door. 
     In accordance with aspects of the disclosed concept, an enclosure comprises: a top surface; a bottom surface; a rear surface; sidewalls; a door configured to open and close, wherein the top surface, the bottom surface, the rear surface, the sidewalls and the door, when closed, define an interior area; and at least one barrier assembly attached to at least one of the top surface, the bottom surface, the first side surface and the second side surface in the interior area, the at least one barrier assembly comprising: a barrier member including a substantially planar barrier portion disposed substantially parallel to one of the top surface, the bottom surface or the sidewalls; and a spring assembly attached to the barrier member and configured to bias the barrier portion in a direction of the door. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAW 
       A full understanding of the disclosed concept can be gained from the following description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an enclosure in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 2A  is a front view of a barrier assembly in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  is a rear view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2D  is an isometric view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of a barrier assembly in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 3B  is a top view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a rear view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 3D  is an isometric view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of a barrier assembly in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept; 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4C  is a rear view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4D  is an isometric view of the barrier assembly of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are isometric views of barrier assemblies in accordance with another example embodiment of the disclosed concept; and 
         FIG. 6  is a view of a latch mechanism in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Directional phrases used herein, such as, for example, left, right, front, back, top, bottom and derivatives thereof, relate to the orientation of the elements shown in the drawings and are not limiting upon the claims unless expressly recited therein. 
     As employed herein, the term “fastener” refers to any suitable connecting or tightening mechanism expressly including, but not limited to, screws, bolts and the combinations of bolts and nuts (e.g., without limitation, lock nuts) and bolts, washers and nuts. 
     As employed herein, the statement that two or more parts are “coupled” together shall mean that the parts are joined together either directly or joined through one or more intermediate parts. 
     As employed herein, the term “number” shall mean one or an integer greater than one (i.e., a plurality). 
     Some elements shown in the drawings are repeated numerous times. In order to improve the clarity of the drawings, some reference numbers refer to an exemplary element but are omitted for repeat instances of the element. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of an enclosure  1  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The enclosure  1  includes an interior area defined by a top  2 , a bottom  4 , sidewalls  6 , 8 , a rear wall  10  and a door  12  (when the door is closed). The interior area may be suitable fir housing electrical equipment such as, without limitation, a medium voltage control starter. 
       FIG. 2A  is a front view of a barrier assembly  20  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.  FIG. 2B  is a top view of the barrier assembly  20  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2C  is a rear view of the barrier assembly  20  of  FIG. 2A .  FIG. 2D  is an isometric view of the barrier assembly  20  of  FIG. 2A . 
     The barrier assembly  20  includes two barrier members  22 , four latch catch members  24 , seven spring assemblies  26  and a bracket  28 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the number of barrier members  22 , latch catch members  24  and spring assemblies  26  included in the barrier assembly  20  may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     The barrier members  22  each include a barrier portion  30  and a lip  32 . The barrier portion  30  and the lip  32  are substantially planar members arranged perpendicular with each other so as to form an “L-shape”. The barrier portion  30  is significantly larger than the lip  32 . When the barrier member  22  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the barrier portion  30  is substantially parallel to the surface it is installed on (i.e, the top  2 , bottom  4  or one of the sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1 ). 
     The bracket  28  includes rear portion  48  and a lip  46 . The rear portion  48  and the lip  46  are substantially planar members arranged perpendicular with each other so as to form an “L-shape”. 
     A number of apertures  34  are formed in the barrier portion  30 . Corresponding apertures  36 , 38  are also formed in the latch catch members  36  and rear portion  48  of the bracket  28 , respectively. The barrier members  22 , latch catch members  24  and bracket  28  are coupled to each other via fasteners  40  that extend through the apertures  34 , 36 , 38 . The apertures  34 , 38  formed in the barrier portion  30  and the rear portion  48  of the bracket  28  are elongated so as to allow the barrier members  22  and the bracket  28  to move a limited distance with respect to each other. 
     A second number of apertures  50  are formed in the lip  32  of the barrier members  22 . A second corresponding number of apertures  52  are formed in the lip  46  of the bracket  28 . The spring assemblies  26  include fasteners  42  that extend through the apertures  50 , 52  and couple the bracket  28  to the barrier members  22 . The spring assemblies  26  further include springs  44 . The springs  44  are disposed between the lip  46  bracket  28  and the lips  32  of the barrier members  22  and the fasteners  42  pass through the inside of the springs  44 . The springs  44  are operable to bias the barrier members  22  in a direction away from the bracket  28 . In more detail, the springs  44  bias the lips  32  of the barrier members  22  in a direction away from the lip  46  of the bracket  28 . When the barrier assembly  20  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the springs  44  bias the barrier members  22  in a direction towards the door  12  of the enclosure  1 . 
     The latch catch members  24  each include a barrier coupling portion  54  and a latch coupling portion  56 . The barrier coupling portion  54  includes the apertures  36  used to couple the latch catch member  24  to the barrier member  22  and the bracket  28 . The latch coupling portion  56  extends in a direction perpendicular to the barrier coupling portion  54 . A latch coupling aperture  58  is formed in the latch coupling portion  56 . The latch coupling aperture  56  is structured to interact with a latch mechanism of the door  12  of the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of a barrier assembly  60  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.  FIG. 3B  is a top view of the barrier assembly  60  of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3C  is a rear view of the barrier assembly  60  of  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3D  is an isometric view of the barrier assembly  60  of  FIG. 3A . 
     The barrier assembly  60  includes two barrier members  62 , two latch catch members  64 , four spring assemblies  66  and a bracket  68 . The barrier assembly  60  also includes two filler members  70 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the number of barrier members  62 , latch catch members  64 , spring assemblies  66  and filler members  70  included in the barrier assembly  60  may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     The barrier members  62  each include a barrier portion  72  and a lip  74 . The barrier portion  72  and the lip  74  are substantially planar members arranged perpendicular with each other so as to form an “L-shape”. The barrier portion  72  is significantly larger than the lip  74 . When the barrier member  62  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the barrier portion  72  is substantially parallel to the surface it is installed on (i.e, the top  2 , bottom  4  or one of the sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1 ). 
     The bracket  68  includes rear portion  76  and a lip  78 . The rear portion  76  and the lip  78  are substantially planar members arranged perpendicular with each other so as to form an “L-shape”. 
     A number of apertures  80  are formed in the barrier portion  72 . Corresponding apertures  82 , 84  are also formed in the latch catch members  64  and finer members  70 , respectively. The barrier members  62  are coupled to the latch catch members  64  and the filler members  70  via fasteners  86  that extend through the apertures  80 , 82 , 84 . 
     A second number of apertures  88  are formed in the lip  74  of the barrier members  62 . A second corresponding number of apertures  90  are formed in the lip  78  of the bracket  68 . The spring assemblies  66  include fasteners  92  that extend through the apertures  88 , 90  and couple the bracket  68  to the barrier members  62 . The spring assemblies  66  further include springs  94 . The springs  94  are disposed between the tip  74  of the bracket  68  and the lips  74  of the barrier members  62  and the fasteners  92  pass through the inside of the springs  94 . The springs  94  are operable to bias the barrier members  62  in a direction away from the bracket  68 . In more detail, the springs  94  bias the lips  742  of the barrier members  62  in a direction away from the lip  78  of the bracket  68 . When the barrier assembly  60  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the springs  94  bias the barrier members  62  in a direction towards the door  12  of the enclosure  1 . 
     The latch catch members  64  each include a barrier coupling portion  96  and a latch coupling portion  98 . The barrier coupling portion  96  includes the apertures  82  used to couple the latch catch member  64  to the barrier member  62 . The latch coupling portion  98  extends in a direction perpendicular to the barrier coupling portion  96 . A latch coupling aperture  100  is formed in the latch coupling portion  98 . The latch coupling aperture  100  is structured to interact with a latch mechanism of the door  12  of the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The barrier assembly  60  of  FIGS. 3A-D  is similar to the barrier assembly  20  of  FIGS. 2A-D . However, the barrier assembly  60  of  FIGS. 3A-D  includes a bracket  68  whose rear portion  76  does not couple with the barrier members  62 . Rather, the rear portion  76  of the bracket  68  is suitable to couple to the enclosure  1 . 
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of a barrier assembly  110  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept.  FIG. 4B  is a top view of the barrier assembly  110  of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4C  is a rear view of the barrier assembly  110  of  FIG. 4A .  FIG. 4D  is an isometric view of the barrier assembly  110  of  FIG. 4A . 
     The barrier assembly  110  includes two barrier members  112 , three latch catch members  114 , six spring assemblies  116  and two brackets  118 . The barrier assembly  110  also includes a filler member  120 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the number of barrier members  112 , latch catch members  114 , spring assemblies  116 , brackets  118  and filler members  120  included in the barrier assembly  110  may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     The barrier members  112  each include a barrier portion  122  and a tip  124 . The barrier portion  122  and the lip  124  are substantially planar members arranged perpendicular with each other so as to form an “L-shape”. The barrier portion  122  is significantly larger than the tip  124 . When the barrier member  122  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the barrier portion  122  is substantially parallel to the surface it is installed on (i.e, the top  2 , bottom  4  or one of the sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1 ). 
     The bracket  128  includes rear portion  126  and a lip  128 . The rear portion  126  and the lip  128  are substantially planar members arranged perpendicular with each other so as to form an “L-shape”. 
     A number of apertures  130  are formed in the barrier portion  122 . Corresponding apertures  132 , 134  are also formed in the latch catch members  114  and filler members  120 , respectively. The barrier members  122  are coupled to the latch catch members  114  and the filler members  120  via fasteners  136  that extend through the apertures  130 , 132 , 134 . 
     A second number of apertures  138  are formed in the lip  124  of the barrier members  112 . A second corresponding number of apertures  140  are formed in the lip  128  of the brackets  118 . The spring assemblies  116  include fasteners  142  that extend. through the apertures  138 , 140  and couple the brackets  118  to the barrier members  112 . The spring assemblies  116  further include springs  144 . The springs  144  are disposed. between the lips  128  of the brackets  118  and the lips  124  of the barrier members  112  and the fasteners  142  pass through the inside of the springs  144 . The springs  144  are operable to bias the barrier members  112  in a direction away from the brackets  118 . In more detail, the springs  144  bias the tips  124  of the barrier members  112  in a direction away from the lips  128  of the brackets  118 . When the barrier assembly  110  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the springs  144  bias the barrier members  112  in a direction towards the door  12  of the enclosure  1 . 
     The latch catch members  114  each include a barrier coupling portion  146  and a latch coupling portion  148 . The barrier coupling portion  146  includes the apertures  132  used to couple the latch catch member  114  to the barrier member  112 . The latch coupling portion  148  extends in a direction perpendicular to the barrier coupling portion  146 . A latch coupling aperture  150  is formed in the latch coupling portion  148 . The latch coupling aperture  150  is structured to interact with a latch mechanism of the door  12  of the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The barrier assembly  110  of  FIGS. 4A-D  is similar to the barrier assembly  60  of  FIGS. 3A-D . However, the barrier assembly  110  of  FIGS. 4A-D  includes, among some other differences, two brackets  118  instead of a single bracket  68 . 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are an isometric views of a barrier assembly  160  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. The barrier assembly  160  includes two barrier members  162 , four latch catch members  164  and five spring assemblies  166 . It will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that the number of barrier members  162 , latch catch members  164  and spring assemblies  166  included in the barrier assembly  160  may be varied without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     The barrier members  162  each include a barrier portion  168 . When the barrier member  162  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 , the barrier portion  168  is substantially parallel to the surface it is installed on (i.e, the top  2 , bottom  4  or one of the sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1 ). 
     A number of apertures  170  are formed in the barrier portion  168 . The barrier members  162  are coupled to the latch catch members  164  via fasteners  172  that extend through the apertures  170 . 
     The spring assemblies  166  include springs  174 . The springs  174  are operable to bias the barrier members  162  in a direction towards the door  12  of the enclosure  1 , when the barrier assembly  160  is installed in the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The latch catch members  164  each include a barrier coupling portion  174  and a latch coupling portion  176 . The latch coupling portion  176  extends in a direction perpendicular to the barrier coupling portion  174 . Latch coupling apertures  178 , 180  are formed in the latch coupling portion  176 . The latch coupling apertures  178 , 180  are structured to interact with a latch mechanism of the door  12  of the enclosure  1  of  FIG. 1 . 
     While the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  shown and described with respect to  FIGS. 2A-5B  each have differences with one another, they each operate according to a similar principle. Namely, the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  each include barrier members  22 , 62 , 112 , 162  that are biased in a direction of the door  12  of the enclosure  1  by spring assemblies  26 , 66 , 116 , 166  when the barrier members  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  are installed on the enclosure  1 . In the case that there is an arc fault in the enclosure  1  that causes the door  12  to bulge outwards, the barrier members  22 , 62 , 112 , 162  of the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  are biased towards the door  12  and move outward with the bulge of the door  12 . This movement prevents causes the barrier members  22 , 62 , 112 , 162  to be disposed in the area of any gaps that form between the top  2 , bottom  4 , or sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1  and the door  12 , thus preventing arc gasses from escaping the interior area of the enclosure  1 . 
     The differences in the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  may make the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  more amenable to installation on a particular surface of the enclosure  1 . For example and without limitation, in one example embodiment of the disclosed concept, the barrier assembly of  FIGS. 2A-D  is installed on the top surface  2  of the enclosure  1 , the barrier assembly  60  of  FIGS. 3A-3D  is installed on one of the sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1 , the barrier assembly  110  of  FIGS. 4A-D  is installed on the other of the sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1 , and the barrier assembly  160  of  FIGS. 5A-B  is installed on the bottom surface  4  of the enclosure  1 . 
       FIG. 6  is a view of the inside of the door  12  in accordance with an example embodiment of the disclosed concept. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the door  12  includes a latch mechanism  190 . The latch mechanism  190  extends around the door  12  in an outer perimeter area of the door  12 . The latch mechanism interacts with the latch catch members  24 , 64 , 114 , 164  (only latch catch member  24  is shown in  FIG. 6 ) of the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160 . In more detail, the latch mechanism  190  includes latching members  192  that extend into the latch coupling apertures  58 , 100 , 150 , 178 , 180  of the latch catch members  24 , 64 , 114 , 164  to latch the door  12 . Removing the latch members  192  from the latch coupling apertures  58 , 100 , 150 , 178 , 180  releases the door  12  so it can be opened. The interaction of the latch mechanism  190  and the latch catch members  24 , 64 , 114 , 164  causes the barrier members  22 , 62 , 112 , 162  of the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  to be pulled toward to the door  12  when the door  12  bulges outward. This further ensures that the barrier members  22 , 62 , 112 , 162  will be disposed in the area of any gaps that form between the top  2 , bottom  4 , or sidewalls  6 , 8  of the enclosure  1  and the door  12 , thus preventing arc gasses from escaping the interior area of the enclosure  1 . 
     While a few example embodiments of barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosed concept have been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art that various features of the barrier assemblies  20 , 60 , 110 , 160  may be replaced, duplicated or modified without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. It will also be appreciated that various features of the enclosure  1  and door  12  may be modified without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. It will further be appreciated that the disclosed concept may be adapted for use with a variety of types of enclosures without departing from the scope of the disclosed concept. 
     While specific embodiments of the disclosed concept have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the disclosed concept which is to be given the full breadth of the claims appended and any and all equivalents thereof.