WO2001057980A1

WO2001057980A1 - Waterproof enclosures

Info

Publication number: WO2001057980A1
Application number: PCT/GB2001/000181
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alan John Dennis
Original assignee: Pressac Communications Limited
Priority date: 2000-02-01
Filing date: 2001-01-19
Publication date: 2001-08-09
Also published as: GB2375442A; GB0220043D0; AU2001226915A1; GB0002161D0

Abstract

A waterproof enclosure for an electrical cable/lead comprises first and second seals, each seal including a semi-conical shaped tunnel having a membrane closure means at the narrow conical end to effect waterproof closure when no cable or lead is present.

Description

WATERPROOF ENCLOSURES

The present invention relates to waterproof enclosures and more particularly to waterproof enclosures for connection of electrical or electronic equipment.

The design of such waterproof enclosures requires a number of different criteria to be met. Firstly, the enclosure should be waterproof when the enclosure is closed without any electrical equipment being connected.

Secondly, the enclosure should be waterproof when the enclosure is closed with a piece of electrical equipment connected.

Thirdly, the sealing means for the electrical enclosure should be resilient so that the seal is not damaged by undue movement of any leads from electrical appliances.

The enclosure should also be waterproof when closed, with no electrical equipment connected even after use. Thus the seal should be sufficiently durable to withstand wear and still seal.

The present invention provides a waterproof enclosure which fulfils the above objects.

According to the present invention there is provided a waterproof electrical enclosure, said electrical enclosure including electrical socket means and comprising first and second seal means, said first and second seal means cooperating to provide a waterproof seal for said enclosure, at least one of said seals comprising a semi-conical entrance tunnel for gripping a cable when an electrical appliance is connected to said socket means and in which said semi conical entrance tunnel is provided with a flexible membrane to effect sealing of said enclosure when no electrical appliance is connected thereto.

The term electrical equipment and electrical connector, when used in this specification, is defined to include electronic equipment and electronic connectors. Such may include telecommunications equipment.

Preferably, the seal means comprises two substantially identical seal structures, each including a semi-conical entrance tunnel including a flexible membrane.

Preferably, said seal structure comprises siliconised rubber to provide a flexible but durable seal means.

Preferably, said flexible membrane provides a waterproof seal for said enclosure when no electrical appliance is connected.

Said waterproof enclosure includes further seal means integrally formed, with one of said seal means to provide further sealing for the enclosure.

In a further embodiment said semi-conical entrance tunnel is provided with a ribbed structure comprising a rib formed by two semi- circular troughs in said semi-conical entrance tunnel.

Embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 shows a waterproof enclosure, according to the present invention, in a closed condition, Figure 2 shows the waterproof enclosure of Figure 1 in an open exploded view,

Figure 3 shows in plain view a lower seal used in the enclosure of the present invention, Figure 4 shows the seal of Figure 3 in side elevation,

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the seal of Figure 3,

Figure 6 shows in plain view an upper seal for use in the present invention, illustrating in detail the membrane structure,

Figure 7 shows the seal of Figure 6 in side elevation, and Figure 8 shows a perspective view of the seal of Figure 6.

Figure 9 shows an alternative design of the seal of Figure 3, and

Figure 10 shows an alternative design of the seal of Figure 6.

With reference now to Figure 1 , a waterproof enclosure 10 comprises a lid 12 and a base section 14. An electric cable or electronic lead 16 is diagrammatically shown connected to a known waterproof connector 18.

The lid 12 and base section 14 are connected together by a hinge section (Figure 2) and a front latch 20.

The design of the front latch 20 includes a lever section 22 which by side depression unlocks the lid 12.

With reference to Figure 2, the enclosure is shown in an open exploded view.

The lower base section 14 houses an electrical or electronic socket (not shown). An electrical cable or electronic lead 24 (Figure 1), with a suitable connector 26, shown dotted, provides the outlet for the enclosure through a suitable seal means in accordance with the present invention.

The seal 30 comprises upper 32 and lower 34 seals. The lower seal

34 preferably comprises two integrally moulded portions. A first portion 340 provides a waterproof passageway for the cable 24 and the second portion 342 provides the seal for the waterproof base enclosure 140.

The lower seal is retained within recesses 142 and 144 in the base section 14.

The upper seal 32 comprises only a first portion which is shown in greater detail in figures 6 to 8.

With reference to figures 3 to 5, the lower seal 34 is shown in greater detail.

The second portion 342 comprises an elongate annulus of rubber, preferably siliconised rubber, which is sufficiently pliable to form a seal for the majority of the enclosure 142.

The second portion 344 which is formed integrally with the front portion 342 comprises an entry section 346 for the cable or lead 24.

This second portion 344 is similar to the upper seal 32 which will now be described in detail with reference to figures 6 to 8. The seal 32 comprises a complex shape. The general shape is rectangular. Each shape 32, and the second portion 340 of seal 34 is made to mate with the corresponding upper/lower seal.

Each seal 340, 32 comprises a generally conical shaped enclosure tunnel 322 which has at its pointed end a relatively thin membrane 324.

The membrane 324 when in contact with its opposing membrane 324 on the opposite seal, provides a seal when there is no electrical cable or electronic lead is connected to the enclosure.

The conical shaped apertures 322 provide a waterproof connection for cables of various sizes. For very small cables the narrow conical end, in combination with the membrane 324, provides a waterproof seal.

Because the seal comprises siliconised rubber the seal is relatively strong and therefore can withstand movement of cable 24 which in previous seal designs has resulted in damage to the seal.

The conical shaped aperture provides a means for securing larger cables without damage to the seal because of the way in which the seal grips cables of various diameters. When a very thin cable is used the membrane provides the seal.

In an alternative design of the lower seal 34' as shown in figures 9 and 10 the conical aperture 346 (Figure 5) is provided with a rib section 347 formed by providing the aperture 346 with two semi-circular troughs 345,349. Similarly, in the embodiment shown in Figure 10 the upper seal member 32 is modified as shown at 32' and is provided with a rib section 327 formed by providing aperture 322 with two semi-circular troughs 325,329.

This addition of the ribs 327,347, which cooperate together when the enclosure is closed, provide an additional gripping surface providing both better sealing and better cable gripping for cable 16.

In the embodiments of figures 9 and 10 examples 351,353 and

355,357 are preferred to the open troughs 321 ,323,325,327 of figures 2 to 8.

These may provide a more resilient outer edge for the seal structure and may be advantageous in certain usages of the sealed enclosure.

Claims

1. A waterproof electrical enclosure, said electrical enclosure including electrical socket means and comprising first and second seal means, said first and second seal means cooperating to provide a waterproof seal for said enclosure, at least one of said seals comprising a semi-conical entrance tunnel for gripping a cable when an electrical appliance is connected to said socket means and in which said semi conical entrance tunnel is provided with a flexible membrane to effect sealing of said enclosure when no electrical appliance is connected thereto.

2. A waterproof electrical enclosure as claimed in claim 1 in which the seal means comprises two substantially identical seal structures, each including a semi-conical entrance tunnel including a flexible membrane.

3 A waterproof electrical enclosure as claimed in claim 2 in which said seal structure comprises siliconised rubber to provide a flexible but durable seal means.

4. A waterproof electrical enclosure as claimed in claim 1 in which said flexible membrane provides a waterproof seal for said enclosure when no electrical appliance is connected.

5. A waterproof electrical enclosure as claimed in claim 1 in which said waterproof enclosure includes further seal means integrally formed, with one of said seal means to provide further sealing for the enclosure.

6. A waterproof electrical enclosure as claimed in claim 1 which said semi-conical entrance tunnel is provided with a ribbed structure comprising a rib formed by two semi-circular troughs in said semi-conical entrance tunnel.