Abstract:
A protective device is applicable to a casing provided with a first coupling portion and configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus. The protective device includes a body and a shielding portion. The body is configured to shield the front of the casing and provided with a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion. The shielding portion is laterally provided to the side of the body for shielding the casing sideways. Hence, the shielding portion of the protective device shields the casing from direct irradiation of sunlight, prevents the outdoor communication apparatus from being overheated, and protects the outdoor communication apparatus against rainwater and dirt. A casing configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus and equipped with the protective device is further provided.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 098143431 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on 17 Dec. 2009, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to casings and protective devices for the same, and more particularly, to casings for an outdoor communication apparatus and protective devices for use with the casings in which environmental influence on the operation of the communication apparatus can be minimized. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of a conventional casing  10  for a communication apparatus. The casing  10  is provided therein with a high-speed communication apparatus. Because the casing  10  is installed outdoors and exposed to direct sunshine and rain, dust and rainwater readily invade into the casing  10  to affect the normal operation of the communication apparatus in the casing  10 . 
         [0004]    In general, operation of communication apparatuses can involve high-speed transmission and exchange of signals, during which the communication apparatuses are vulnerable to high temperature, because high temperature deteriorates signal reception and retrieval to the detriment of the performance of the communication apparatuses. In this regard, a conventional casing is usually installed outdoors and thereby directly exposed to sunshine and eventually overheated, thus resulting in deteriorated efficiency of signal transmission. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a casing for an outdoor communication apparatus and a protective device for use with the casing, so as to overcome a drawback of the prior art, that is, a conventional communication apparatus is readily overheated under sunshine. 
         [0006]    Another objective of the present invention is to provide a casing for an outdoor communication apparatus and a protective device for use with the casing for advertising purposes. 
         [0007]    To achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a protective device applicable to a casing provided thereon with a first coupling portion and configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus, the protective device comprising: a body configured to shield a front of the casing and provided with a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion; and a shielding portion laterally provided to a side of the body and configured to shield the casing sideways. 
         [0008]    To achieve the above and other objective, the present invention provides a casing for an outdoor communication apparatus. The casing comprises: a case; a cover hingedly coupled to the case and provided thereon with a first coupling portion; and a protective device comprising a body for shielding a front of the cover and a shielding portion laterally provided to a side of the body and configured to shield the cover and the case sideways, the body comprising a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment, the shielding portion comprises: a first shielding plate extending from top of the body and bending and extending toward an inside of the body; and a second shielding plate extending from a side of the body and bending and extending toward the inside of the body. The shielding portion further comprises a third shielding plate extending from a side of the body opposite to the second shielding plate and bending and extending toward the inside of the body. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment, in the protective device of the present invention, a portion of the second shielding plate and a portion of the third shielding plate extend to two sides of the first shielding plate, respectively. The body and the shielding portion of the protective device are integrally formed as a unitary structure and made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment, the body is provide thereon with a mark structure. The mark structure is one of a sticker, a laser-engraved pattern, and a print. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment, the protective device further comprises a solar panel coupled to an outer surface of the body. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment, the first coupling portion of the present invention comprises a plurality of posts provided on the surface of the casing and provided with screw holes, and the second coupling portion comprises apertures corresponding in quantity and position to the posts and penetratable by screws for engagement. Alternatively, the second coupling portion comprises a plurality of posts provided on the inner surface of the body and provided with screw holes, and the first coupling portion comprises apertures corresponding in quantity and position to the posts and penetratable by screws for engagement. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment, the first coupling portion of the present invention comprises a plurality of posts provided on the surface of the casing and provided with tenons, and the second coupling portion comprises mortises corresponding in quantity and position to the posts and insertable by the tenons for engagement. Alternatively, the second coupling portion comprises a plurality of posts provided on the inner surface of the body and provided with tenons, and the first coupling portion comprises mortises corresponding in quantity and position to the tenons and insertable by the tenons for engagement. 
         [0015]    A protective device of the present invention is effective in shielding a casing for an outdoor communication apparatus from direct irradiation of sunlight. A shielding portion laterally provided to the side of a body of the protective device shields the casing sideways. Hence, the protective device is effective in protecting the casing against sideward irradiation of sunlight and invasion of dust, rainwater, and dirt. In addition, a solar panel installed on the protective device supplies electric power to the outdoor communication apparatus to thereby reduce the power costs of the outdoor communication apparatus. Hence, the casing configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus and equipped with the protective device according to the present invention ensures relatively stable operation and better performance than a conventional casing disclosed in the prior art. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a conventional casing for a communication apparatus; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view of a protective device and a casing for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in an embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3A  is aschematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a protective device and a casing combined therewith for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view of a turnup portion of a protective device in an embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an inner side view of a protective device in another embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the assembly of a protective device coupled to a solar panel in an embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus and provided with a different first coupling portion in another embodiment according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view of a protective device with a mark structure and a casing separated therefrom for an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is aschematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in yet another embodiment according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The objectives, features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail hereunder to enable persons skilled in the art to gain insight into the present invention with reference made to the embodiments described hereunder and the accompanying drawings. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of a protective device and a casing for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in an embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the protective device  30  comprises a body  300  and a shielding portion  301 . The shielding portion  301  is laterally provided to the side of the body  300  for shielding the casing sideways. The body  300  shields the front of the casing. The casing of the outdoor communication apparatus is covered by the protective device  30  and hence not shown in  FIG. 2 . The extension direction of the shielding portion  301  of the present invention is adjustable as needed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the position of the shielding portion  301  is subject to changes, depending on the angle of incidence of sunlight. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the shielding portion  301  is provided on two sides of the body  300 . However, persons skilled in the art understand that the position and quantity of the shielding portion  301  are subject to changes as needed and are not limited to what disclosed in  FIG. 2 . Also, the body  300  and the shielding portion  301  can be integrally formed as a unitary structure and made of aluminum or aluminum alloy. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a schematic view of a protective device and a casing combined therewith for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 4 , in this embodiment, the shielding portion  301  (see  FIG. 2 ) comprises a first shielding plate  302  and a second shielding plate  303 . Referring to  FIG. 3A , the protective device  30  comprises the body  300 , the first shielding plate  302 , and the second shielding plate  303 . The body  300  is provided with at least a second coupling portion  320  corresponding in position to and coupled to a first coupling portion  220  provided on the casing  20 . This embodiment is exemplified by four said second coupling portions  320  and four said first coupling portions  220  corresponding in position thereto, but the quantity of the second coupling portions  320  and the first coupling portions  220  is subject to changes as needed rather than being restrictive of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 3A , the casing  20  can comprise a case  20   a  and a cover  20   b . The cover  20   b  is hingedly coupled to the case  20   a . The cover  20   b  is provided thereon with the first coupling portions  220  coupled to the second coupling portions  320  provided on the body  300 . The body  300  shields the front of the cover  20   b , and the shielding portion (the first shielding plate  302  and the second shielding plate  303  in this embodiment) shields the case  20   a  and the cover  20   b  sideways. 
         [0030]    The second coupling portions  320  and the first coupling portions  220  are locked to or engaged with each other or are coupled to each other by any other means such that the protective device  30  is fixed to the casing  20 . For instance, the first coupling portions  220  are a plurality of posts provided on the surface of the casing  20  and provided with screw holes, and the second coupling portions  320  are apertures corresponding in quantity and position to the posts and penetratable by screws for engagement, as shown in  FIG. 3A . Alternatively, the second coupling portions  320  are a plurality of posts provided on the inner surface of the body  300  and provided with screw holes, and the first coupling portions  220  are apertures corresponding in quantity and position to the posts and penetratable by screws for engagement. In another embodiment, the first coupling portions  220  are a plurality of posts provided on the surface of the casing  20  and provided with tenons, and the second coupling portions  320  are mortises corresponding in quantity and position to the posts and insertable by the tenons for engagement, as shown in  FIG. 3B . Alternatively, the second coupling portions  320  are a plurality of posts provided on the inner surface of the body  300  and provided with tenons, and the first coupling portions  220  are mortises corresponding in quantity and position to the tenons and insertable by the tenons for engagement. 
         [0031]    In this embodiment, the second coupling portions  320  of the protective device  30  are fastened with the casing  20  by a plurality of fastening elements  322 . The fastening elements  322  are screws, bolts, or any other equivalent fastening elements. The protective device  30  is made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or any other equivalent material. The casing  20  is disposed inside the protective device  30  so as to provide good heat dissipation and to shield the casing  20  from sunlight efficiently. The protective device  30  is a thin board, a hollow-cored board, or any equivalent structure. Where the protective device  30  is a thin board, the thickness of the protective device  30  is subject to changes as needed. For example, the further the first shielding plate  302  and the second shielding plate  303  extend, the thicker should be the protective device  30  so as to maintain the rigidity of the thin board. For instance, a thin board of 0.8 mm in thickness is bent to form the protective device  30 . 
         [0032]    The first shielding plate  302  extends from top of the body  300  and bends and extends toward the inside of the body  300 . The bend thus made has a large curvature so as to be dustproof and prevent accumulation of water droplets. The length of extension depends on the dimensions of the casing  20 , so as not to expose the casing  20  to direct sunshine, rainwater, and dust. 
         [0033]    The second shielding plate  303  extends from one side of the body  300  and bends and extends toward the inside of the body  300 . As shown in  FIG. 3A , the bend thus made has a large curvature so as to be dustproof and prevent accumulation of water droplets. 
         [0034]    To augment protection, a portion of the second shielding plate  303  extends to one side of the first shielding plate  302 . At position x shown in  FIG. 4 , the second shielding plate  303  further extends to one side of the first shielding plate  302  such that the extended portion of the second shielding plate  303  shields the casing  20  from lateral irradiation of sunlight and invasion of dust and rainwater to a greater extent. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 3A , the casing  20  is provided thereon with a plurality of said first coupling portions  220 , and the casing  20  can be opened, shut, and locked by means of hinges  210  and a locking element  212 . Given coordinated engagement of the first coupling portions  220  and the second coupling portions  320 , a gap (at position x shown in  FIG. 4 ) is created between the protective device  30  and the casing  20  for maintaining ventilation of air and enhancing dissipation of heat. 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a schematic view of a turnup portion of a protective device in an embodiment according to the present invention. The first shielding plate  302  and the second shielding plate  303  of the protective device of the present invention have a turnup portion (position y) at the adjoining edges thereof, so as to ensure the work safety of workers assembling/disassembling the protective device. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , there is shown an inner side view of a protective device in another embodiment according to the present invention. As shown in the drawing, both the first shielding plate  302  and the second shielding plate  303  bend and extend toward the same surface of the body  300  such that an open receiving space for receiving the casing  20  is formed inside the body  300  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the assembly of a protective device coupled to a solar panel in an embodiment according to the present invention. To make good use of light energy, the present invention further provides a solar panel  40  externally on the outer surface of the body  300  of the protective device  30 . The solar panel  40  generates electric power after irradiated by an external light source and stores the electric power in a power storage unit  202  provided in the casing  20 . The power storage unit  202  supplies electric power to the outdoor communication apparatus. For instance, the power storage unit  202  operating in conjunction with a sufficiently strong external light source can supply all the electric power required for operation of the outdoor communication apparatus, and, in most situations, the power storage unit  202  at least reduces the power need of the outdoor communication apparatus in the presence of an external power source. 
         [0039]    The position of the solar panel  40  shown in  FIG. 7  serves an illustrative purpose. Persons skilled in the art understand that the solar panel  40  can also work in conjunction with the second coupling portions  320  of the protective device (see  FIG. 3A ) to allow the solar panel  40  and the protective device  30  to be directly fastened with the casing  20  by a fastening element  322 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  shows a schematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom configured for use with an outdoor communication apparatus and provided with different first coupling portions in another embodiment according to the present invention. To further widen the gap between the protective device  30  and the casing  20 , the first coupling portions  220  (see  FIG. 3A ) can be replaced by taper post-shaped tapered first coupling portions  230 . The height of the tapered first coupling portions  230  is subject to changes as needed. In another embodiment, the tapered first coupling portions  230  and the casing  20  are integrally formed as a unitary structure. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of a protective device with a mark structure coupled thereto and a casing separated therefrom for an outdoor communication apparatus in another embodiment according to the present invention. The outer surface of the body  300  is provided with a mark structure  50  for identification, alert, or advertising purposes. The mark structure  50  is a sticker affixed to the body  300  or a mark directly imprinted on the body  300  by printing or by any means of attachment. Alternatively, the mark structure  50  is a laser-engraved pattern, a print or the like and is fixed to the outer surface of the body  300 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of a protective device and a casing separated therefrom for use with an outdoor communication apparatus in yet another embodiment according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the shielding portion  301  (see  FIG. 2 ) comprises the first shielding plate  302 , the second shielding plate  303 , and a third shielding plate  305 . The protective device  30  in this embodiment has one more shielding plate than the protective device  30  in the preceding embodiments, so as to provide better protection to the casing  20  for an outdoor communication apparatus. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the third shielding plate  305  and the second shielding plate  303  are on opposite sides of the body  300  and bend and extend toward the inner side surface of the body  300 , that is, toward the casing  20  for an outdoor communication apparatus. This embodiment is the same as the preceding embodiments in terms of the remaining variations and additional elements, so the description thereof is omitted herein for brevity. 
         [0043]    In conclusion, the present invention provides a protective device effective in preventing the exposure of a casing to direct sunshine, and a shielding portion conducive to enhancement of protection, so as for a communication apparatus in the casing to operate with reliability and stability. The present invention further provides a solar panel externally provided on the protective device to reduce the dependency of an outdoor communication apparatus on an external power source; furthermore, the outdoor communication apparatus can even dispense with the external power source when the solar panel renders the outdoor communication apparatus electrically self-contained. 
         [0044]    The present invention is disclosed in the preferred embodiments described above. However, persons skilled in the art understand that the embodiments are provided to illustrate the present invention and should not be interpreted as being restrictive of the scope of the present invention. All equivalent modifications and variations can be made to the embodiments and still fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Hence, the scope of protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.