Electricity: conductors and insulators – Boxes and housings
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-07-10
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Boxes and housings
C174S066000, C220S003800, C220S241000, C362S202000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259021
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to a housing, in particular for an electric appliance, having a housing part with a noncircular cross section closed by a detachable housing bottom.
Cylindrical housing parts closed by a circular housing bottom with a thread or the like are already known. To open the housing part the housing bottom is first transferred into an open state by the user turning it and is then removed from the housing part. In the case of an electric appliance, for example, the user can then replace empty batteries.
In the case of noncircular housing parts, other devices are known with which the likewise noncircular housing bottom is detachably fastened to the housing part. For example, the housing bottom can be inserted in the housing part and locked there. Inserting and locking the housing bottom in this way is often associated with difficulties for the user, particularly when compared to the simple operation of screwing the housing bottom in and out as described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Proceeding from this realization, it is an object of the present invention to provide a housing with a noncircular housing part, having a housing bottom which is easy to open and close by a user.
In a housing of the type initially referred to, this object is accomplished in accordance with the invention in that the housing bottom is comprised of an outer bottom and an inner bottom rotatably mounted in the outer bottom.
With the aid of the rotatable inner bottom the housing bottom can be opened and closed by the user in simple manner. The complicated insertion of the housing bottom in the housing part is unnecessary. Thanks to the invention the user is thus able to handle the noncircular housing bottom in the same way in which he is accustomed with a circular housing bottom. The opening and closing of the housing part to replace batteries, for example, is thus made far simpler and hence easier for the user.
In an advantageous further aspect of the invention, the outer contour of the outer bottom has roughly the inner contour of the housing part's noncircular cross section. The outer bottom forming an outer surface of the housing has the job of covering that opening in the housing part which needs to be closed. It is not the job of the outer bottom to lock with the housing part or to turn. Hence the outer bottom can be particularly well adapted to the housing part.
In a further advantageous configuration of the invention the outer bottom has a circular opening into which the inner bottom extends, and the outer contour of the inner bottom has roughly the inner contour of the circular opening in the outer bottom. Hence the opening in the outer bottom is filled by the inner bottom. On the whole, the outer surface in the area of the housing bottom is thus formed by the outer bottom and the emerging projection of the inner bottom. In this emerging projection the inner bottom is provided, for example, with a slot or the like. This slot enables the user to turn the inner bottom in simple manner, transferring the entire housing bottom from a closed state into an open state.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention in the closed state the inner bottom, the housing part and the outer bottom are joined together in particular by positive engagement. This represents a simple but secure way to fasten the housing bottom in the housing part. Said closed state can be effected by the user turning the inner bottom and thus establishing the positive engagement relationship. In the open state there is no positive engagement, making it possible for the housing bottom to be removed from the housing part.
Particularly conveniently, the inner bottom has at least one arm which cooperates with a cutout or the like in the interior of the housing part into which the arm engages in the closed state, and furthermore the inner bottom has at least one arm which cooperates with a frame or the like on the outer bottom into which the arm engages in the closed state. These arrangements can be implemented in the design in simple manner yet guarantee a secure positive engagement relationship and hence a durable fastening of the housing bottom in the housing part.
In an advantageous further aspect of the invention the inner bottom, in particular at least one of the arms of the inner bottom, and the housing part are equipped with locking means, particularly with a nose and a cooperating groove. Locking of the inner bottom in the closed state is thus achieved in simple manner. Consequently, the inner bottom is unable to turn by itself into the open state, and the housing bottom is hence unable to detach itself from the housing part without the user's intervention.
In yet another advantageous aspect of the invention a seal is positioned between the housing part and the outer bottom and/or a seal is placed between the outer bottom and the inner bottom. These seals, preferably made of an elastomer material, prevent the ingress of water and/or dirt into the interior of the housing. Suitably, the seals can either be inserted between the components identified or be fitted to at least one of said components in a two-component injection molding process.
In this arrangement it proves an advantage for at least one of the seals to be joined to the housing part and/or to the outer bottom and/or to the inner bottom in a two-component injection molding process.
Finally, there is the advantageous possibility of covering cutouts in the housing part from the outside by a layer of elastomer, the layer being joined to the housing part in a two-component injection molding process.
Further features, application possibilities and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description of embodiments of the present invention illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawing. It will be understood that any single feature and any combination of single features described or represented by illustration form the subject-matter of the present invention, irrespective of their summary in the patent claims or their back-reference, as well as irrespective of their wording and representation in the description and the drawing, respectively.
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PCT International Search Report, dated Nov. 23, 1998, in corresponding International Application PCT/EP98/03886.
Fritsch Thomas
Herzog Karl
Kressner Gerhard
Braun GmbH
Patel Dhiru
Podszus Edward S.
Reichard Dean A.
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