DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a fuse cover and more particularly, relates to the fuse cover with an integrated fuse holder.

BACKGROUND

A fuse is an electrical safety device that is configured to interrupt current flow in case of a power surge. The fuse is a single-use electrical component that uses a wire which melts during the power surge to inhibit current flow in the electrical circuit. Fuses are generally installed using a fuse cover which holds and facilitates the installation/ uninstallation of the fuse in the electrical circuit. The fuse cover is designed to protect the fuse from dust, water & other foreign particles basically IP protection, as well protect from any physical impact to avoid any breakage of glass fuse.

There are various limitations associated with the current type of fuse cover. For instance, the fuse cover may detach from the fuse during the removal thereof thereby exposing the fuse. One of the ways to mitigate this issue is to use a loop shape holder that holds the fuse around the periphery of the fuse. However, forming a loop shape holder results in a hole in the fuse cover that exposes the fuse to dust and water, which raise a serious safety concern as chances of short circuit due to water contact with current carrying parts.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts, in a simplified format, that are further described in the detailed description of the invention. This summary is neither intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the invention nor is it intended for determining the scope of the invention.

In an embodiment, a fuse cover is disclosed that includes a base portion comprising a front surface and a back surface. In addition, the fuse cover includes a holder portion integrated to the back surface and adapted to hold a fuse.

In another embodiment, an electrical appliance is disclosed that includes an electrical circuit comprising a fuse adapted to protect the electric circuit from a power surge. In addition, the electrical appliance includes a fuse cover adapted to hold the fuse. The fuse cover includes a base portion comprising a front surface and a back surface. In addition, the fuse cover includes a holder portion integrated to the back surface and adapted to hold a fuse.

According to the present disclosure, the holder portion has an encapsulating profile that secures the fuse to the base portion. Moreover, the holder portion is integrated in such a way that the base portion is free from through hole or irregular thickness.

To further clarify advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a light fuse, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of the light fuse, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the light fuse showing the top of the fuse cover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the light fuse showing the bottom of the fuse cover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 5 illustrates a front view and a side view of the fuse cover, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the fuse cover having a holder portion with equal thickness, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the fuse cover having the holder portion with variable thickness, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Figure 8 illustrates an exploded view of the fuse cover with the holder portion to be attached using adhesive or plastic welding, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figure 9 illustrates an exploded view of the fuse cover with the holder portion to be attached using pins and slots, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the drawings are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols, and the drawings may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the drawings with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skilled in the art to which invention belongs. The system and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

For example, the term “some” as used herein may be understood as “none” or “one” or “more than one” or “all.” Therefore, the terms “none,” “one,” “more than one,” “more than one, but not all” or “all” would fall under the definition of “some.” It should be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the terminology and structure employed herein is for describing, teaching, and illuminating some embodiments and their specific features and elements and therefore, should not be construed to limit, restrict, or reduce the spirit and scope of the present disclosure in any way.

For example, any terms used herein such as, “includes,” “comprises,” “has,” “consists,” and similar grammatical variants do not specify an exact limitation or restriction, and certainly do not exclude the possible addition of one or more features or elements, unless otherwise stated. Further, such terms must not be taken to exclude the possible removal of one or more of the listed features and elements, unless otherwise stated, for example, by using the limiting language including, but not limited to, “must comprise” or “needs to include.”

Whether or not a certain feature or element was limited to being used only once, it may still be referred to as “one or more features” or “one or more elements” or “at least one feature” or “at least one element.” Furthermore, the use of the terms “one or more” or “at least one” feature or element do not preclude there being none of that feature or element, unless otherwise specified by limiting language including, but not limited to, “there needs to be one or more...” or “one or more elements is required.”

Unless otherwise defined, all terms and especially any technical and/or scientific terms, used herein may be taken to have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person ordinarily skilled in the art.

Reference is made herein to some “embodiments.” It should be understood that an embodiment is an example of a possible implementation of any features and/or elements of the present disclosure. Some embodiments have been described for the purpose of explaining one or more of the potential ways in which the specific features and/or elements of the proposed disclosure fulfil the requirements of uniqueness, utility, and non-obviousness.

Use of the phrases and/or terms including, but not limited to, “a first embodiment,” “a further embodiment,” “an alternate embodiment,” “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “multiple embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “other embodiments,” “further embodiment”, “furthermore embodiment”, “additional embodiment” or other variants thereof do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, one or more particular features and/or elements described in connection with one or more embodiments may be found in one embodiment, or may be found in more than one embodiment, or may be found in all embodiments, or may be found in no embodiments. Although one or more features and/or elements may be described herein in the context of only a single embodiment, or in the context of more than one embodiment, or in the context of all embodiments, the features and/or elements may instead be provided separately or in any appropriate combination or not at all. Conversely, any features and/or elements described in the context of separate embodiments may alternatively be realized as existing together in the context of a single embodiment.

Any particular and all details set forth herein are used in the context of some embodiments and therefore should not necessarily be taken as limiting factors to the proposed disclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figures 1 to 5 illustrate different aspects of a fuse cover 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 1 illustrates a top view of a light fuse whereas Figure 2 illustrates a bottom view of the light fuse. Further, Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the light fuse showing the top of the fuse cover 100 whereas Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the light fuse showing the bottom of the fuse cover 100. Furthermore, Figure 5 illustrates a front view and a side view of the fuse cover 100. The fuse cover 100 may be a part of an electrical appliance that converts electrical power into mechanical/thermal power. Alternatively, the electrical appliance may be a power supply device, such as an extension board that supplies electric power to another electrical appliance. Generally, the electrical appliance may include an electrical circuit with a fuse, such that the fuse may inhibit the increased flow of electric current through the electric circuit during the power surge. The fuse, in one example, may be a fuse for a light source in the electrical circuit Further, the fuse may be held in place by the fuse cover 100.

The fuse cover 100 may include but is not limited to, a base portion 102 and a holder portion 104. The base portion 102 may form a major component of the fuse cover 100. The base portion 102 may be a cuboid-shaped component having a front surface 102A and a back surface 102B. Further, the front surface 102A may define an outer face of the base portion 102 whereas the back surface 102B may define an inner face of the base portion 102. The front surface 102A may include a text 106 ‘FUSE’ to provide a visual indication on the body of the electrical appliance about the position of the fuse. In addition, the front surface 102A may include a symbol 108 indicating the direction of installation of the fuse cover 100. In one example, the front surface 102A is a continuous surface without any openings or through holes that may cause entry of dust or water. As a result, front surface 102A ensures that the fuse is protected from dust or water.

The back surface 102B may be formed opposite to the front surface 102A. Further, the back surface 102B may include various structures that allow for the installation/uninstallation of the fuse cover 100. For instance, the back surface 102B may include a snap lock 110 formed on an incline edge 112 of the base portion 102. The snap lock 110 may latch to a mounting surface, such as a body of the electrical appliance. In addition, the back surface 102B may include a ramp 114 that allows for easy insertion and removal of the fuse in the holder portion 104.

In one example, the back surface 102B may include a stopper 116 that may allow one end of the fuse to abut to the stopper 116 when the fuse is installed in the holder portion 104. The stopper 116 along with the ramp 114 aligns the fuse longitudinally relative to a position where the fuse is electrically connected to ensure correct fitting. As shown in view (A) of Figure 5, the stopper 116 and the holder portion 104 are aligned to ensure that the fuse is aligned laterally by the holder portion 104. As may be understood, a distance between the ramp 114 and the stopper 116 may be based on a length of the fuse to the used. In one example, the snap lock 110, the ramp 114, and the stopper 116 are moulded as a single piece.

The holder portion 104 may be integrated into the base portion 102 and is adapted to hold the fuse. The holder portion 104 may be integrated in such a way that there is no hole in the base portion 102 that generally tends to form when loop-shaped structures are manufactured by the moulding process. Since the base portion 102 does not have an opening, the fuse is protected from dust and water. Moreover, unlike conventional holders that use clip mechanisms, the holder portion 104 secures the complete periphery of the fuse. As a result, the fuse is not prone to inadvertent dislodgement unlike in conventional holders.

In one example, the holder portion 104 may be formed of different regions that allow for the loop shape. The holder portion 104 may include a pair of legs 118 that extends orthogonally from the back surface 102B. In addition, the holder portion 104 may include a connecting portion 120 that defines the top of the holder portion. The connecting portion 120 may be adapted to connect to the distal ends of each of the pair of legs 118 to form an enclosure to hold the fuse. In one example, the pair of legs 118 and the connecting portion 120 may form a U-shape profile, such that the connecting portion 120 may have a curved/hemispherical shape. In another example, the pair of legs 118 and the connecting portion 120 may form a ? shape in which the connecting portion 120 is orthogonal to the pair of legs 118. In either design, the holder portion 104 secures the fuse to the base portion 104.

The pair of legs 118 and the connecting portion 120 may have different configurations with respect to the dimensions thereof. Referring now to Figure 6 which illustrates a perspective view of the fuse cover 100 having the holder portion 104 with the pair of legs 118 and connecting portion 120 having equal thickness. Specifically, the thickness ‘T’ of the legs 118, and the connecting portion 120. In one example, the thickness ‘T’ is about 3 millimetres (mm). On the other hand, Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the fuse cover 100 having the holder portion 104 with the pair of legs 118 and connecting portion 120 having variable thickness. Specifically, the thickness ‘T1’ of the legs 118 is greater than the thickness ‘T2’ of the connecting portion 120. In one example, the thickness ‘T1’ is about 3 mm and the thickness ‘T2’ is about 1.7 mm. Such a configuration results in a tapered shape that extends from the base portion 102 to the connecting portion 120.

In one example, the holder portion 104 may be integrated into the base portion 102 in different ways. In one example, the holder portion 104 may be integrated into the base portion 102 by a moulding process that uses lifters. Usage of the lifters during the moulding process allows for a single-piece fuse cover without forming the base portion 102 without holes or openings that are generally formed during the moulding process. The holder portion 104 may also be integrated into the base portion 104 in other ways. For example, the pair of legs 118 of the holder portion 104 may be integrated into the base portion 102 using either adhesive, such as Loctite, or plastic welding as shown in Figure 8.

Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7 which illustrates an exploded view of the fuse cover 100 with the holder portion 104 to be attached to the base portion 102 using pins and slots, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the illustrated example, the ends of each leg 118 may include a pin 122 and the back surface 102B may include a pair of slots 124. During the assembly, the pins 122 are inserted into the slots 124 to integrate the holder portion 104 to the base portion 102. In one example, sizes of the pins 122 and the slots 124 are kept for achieving a press fit to snugly fit the holder portion 104 to the base portion 102 to prevent relative movement therebetween. Optionally, the pins 122 may be secured in the slots 124 either by fasteners or by an adhesive which acts as a fail-safe mechanism.

According to the present disclosure, the integrated holder portion 104 secures the fuse to the base portion 102 thereby ensuring that inadvertent human contact with the installed fuse is prevented. Moreover, the holder portion 104 is integrated into the base portion 102 in such a way that the base portion 102 is free from through hole or irregular thickness.

While specific language has been used to describe the present disclosure, any limitations arising on account thereto, are not intended. As would be apparent to a person in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein. The drawings and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.
,CLAIMS:1. A fuse cover (100) comprising:
a base portion (102) comprising a front surface (102A) and a back surface (102B); and
a holder portion (104) integrated to the back surface (102B) and adapted to hold a fuse.

2. The fuse cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder portion (104) comprises:
a pair of legs (118) extending orthogonal from the back surface (102B); and
a connecting portion (120) defining a top of the holder portion (104), the connecting portion (120) adapted to connect to distal ends of each of the pair of legs (118) to form an enclosure to hold the fuse.

3. The fuse cover (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the connecting portion (120) has a curved profile to form a U-shape profile.

4. The fuse cover (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a width of each leg (118) of the pair is equal to a width of the connecting portion (120).

5. The fuse cover (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein a width of each leg (118) of the pair is greater than a width of the connecting portion (120).

6. The fuse cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder portion (104) comprises a pair of locking pins adapted to secure a pair of slots on the back surface (102B).

7. The fuse cover (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the holder portion (104) is integrated into the back surface (102B) using one of adhesive and plastic welding.

8. An electrical appliance comprising:
an electric circuit comprising a fuse adapted to protect the electric circuit from a power surge; and
a fuse cover (100) adapted to hold the fuse, comprising:
a base portion (102) comprising a front surface (102A) and a back surface (102B); and
a holder portion (104) integrated to the back surface (102B) and adapted to hold a fuse.

9. The electrical appliance as claimed in claim 8, wherein the holder portion (104) comprises:
a pair of legs (118) extending orthogonal from the back surface (102B); and
a connecting portion (120) defining a top of the holder portion (104), the connecting portion (120) adapted to connect to distal ends of each of the pair of legs (118) to form an enclosure to hold the fuse.

10. The electrical appliance as claimed in claim 9, wherein a width of each leg (118) of the pair is greater than a width of the connecting portion (120).