CLIAMS:1. A distribution board and/or an enclosure having a door comprising a latch, wherein said distribution board and/or said enclosure CHARACTERIZED BY COMPRISING:
a protection sleeve made of a specialized material mounted on top of said latch assembled on said door, wherein said protection sleeve comprises:
a top surface with one or more groove(s) configured to provide an entry space for enabling an effortless operation of said latch; and
a bottom surface with one or more profile(s)configured to restrict an entry of an unwanted material into said latch.
2. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said specialized material is selected from a flexible and a durable form of a special grades and forms of rubber including: steam resistant, metal detectable, high tear strength, extreme high temperature, extreme low temperature, electrically conductive, chemical/oil/acid/gas resistant, low smoke emitting, and flame-retardant.
3. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said groove is a shallow groove along its borders.
4. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said protection sleeve comprises of one or more directions of said operating said latch with said sleeve mounted on it.
5. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said entry space enables a comfortable finger entry space for operating said latch.
6. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said unwanted material is a foreign object selected for at least one of dust, water, solid, liquid foreign bodies, or any combination thereof.
7. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said a profile restricts the entry of unwanted material into said latch even if mounting / sealing of said protection sleeve is failed at any one of the edges.
8. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said latch is a slider latch.
9. The distribution board and/or the enclosure as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the profile is a embossing /groove that runs along a periphery of the protection sleeve.
10. A method for operating a latch assembled on a door of a distribution board and/or an enclosure CHARACTERIZED IN THAT COMPRISING a protection sleeve, said method comprising:
providing said protection sleeve made of a specialized material said specialized material is selected from a flexible and a durable form of a special grades and forms of silicon rubber and/or Poly-chloroprene Rubber (CR);
mounting said protection sleeve on top of said latch assembled on said door ;
providing one or more groove(s), on a top surface of said protection sleeve, for providing an entry space for enabling an effortless operation of said latch;
providing one or more profile(s), on bottom surface of said protection sleeve, for restricting restrict an entry of an unwanted material into said latch.
,TagSPECI:TECHNICAL FIELD

The present subject matter described herein, in general relates to a protection cover for the latch of distribution boards and enclosures, and more particularly, to a dust protection sleeve for slider latch on the door of distribution boards/enclosures.

BACKGROUND

Distribution boards (DB) / Electrical enclosures provide housing for electrical installations like, MCB, Energy meters, cables and wires. Since these installations ensure supply of electricity round the clock; it’s essential for them to be protected from dust and water.

It is also required that DB/ Electrical enclosures be protected from sunlight and rain if the enclosure is kept in an outdoor environment. Hence it’s required to have perfect sealing on the enclosures in order to provide safety and protection to the installations/devices and the users.

In existing prior-art, the slider latch in DB/Enclosures is used for closing the DB door with the box of the housing. The latch is free to slide and hence the door of the DB can be opened and closed whenever required.

In slider latches with two components, one the main housing with a slider inside is required to have an intentional assembly clearance for easy sliding operation.

The above gap in turn will act as a passage for dust and water entry whenever the enclosure/DB comes in contact with sunlight and rain. Allowing access of foreign particles such as dust and water inside the DB can be hazardous to the electrical devices inside it. All the enclosures which uses slider latch like the one stated above do not have a mechanism to stop the entry of dust particles and water through it.

Another drawback is that if the DB has to be protected from water and dust it is required to replace the slider latch with a different latch which is closed from entry of particles and hence required to be factory fitted and cannot be done on-site

Thus due to above mentioned drawbacks, there is a need to develop an protection sleeve for latch of Distribution Boards (DB), in order to ensure there is no seepage of water or dust through the latch assembly into the DB/Enclosure. Further, the protection sleeve must be of small size, flexible and durable which may easily accommodate with the existing latch assembly and may be easily replaceable on-site by any natural person even if he is not be technically sound.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a protection sleeve for slider latch used in distribution boards or enclosures. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the subject matter nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the subject matter.

In one implementation, the invention discloses a protection sleeve for latch of Distribution Boards (DB), is provided in order to ensure there is no seepage of water or dust through the latch assembly into the DB/Enclosure.

In one implementation, the present invention discloses a protection sleeve for an invention disclosing Slide latch arrangement used in DB doors, titled under “Improved sliding latch arrangement with pad locking and key locking provision”, with application number 0992/MUM/2013 filed on March 22, 2013 by the same applicant of the present invention.

In one implementation, in present invention sleeve is made of special rubber and is assembled on the Latch mounted on the door of DB.

In one implementation, in the present invention the latch is closed from all sides and hence protected from water and dust as the sleeve is mounted on the top of said latch.

In one implementation, in the present invention the latch the sleeve may be installed on-site and not necessarily be factory fitted. Hence, the latch need not be replaced on-site. The invention may be used in the existing latch assemblies/ systems.

In one implementation, due to the sleeve as per the present invention, the slider offers greater flexibility and operation of latch with easiness of operation.

In one implementation, the present invention provides a sleeve for the operation of which no technical expertise is required.

Accordingly, in one implementation, a distribution board and/or an enclosure having a door comprising a latch is disclosed. The distribution board and/or said enclosure comprises of a protection sleeve made of a specialized material mounted on top of said latch assembled on said door. The protection sleeve comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface with one or more groove(s) configured to provide an entry space for enabling an effortless operation of said latch; and the bottom surface with one or more profile(s) configured to restrict an entry of an unwanted material into said latch.

In one implementation, a method for operating a latch assembled on a door of a distribution board and/or an enclosure CHARACTERIZED IN THAT COMPRISING a protection sleeve is disclosed. The method comprises of:
· providing said protection sleeve made of a specialized material said specialized material is selected from a flexible and a durable form of a special grades and forms of silicon rubber;
· mounting said protection sleeve on top of said latch assembled on said door ;
· providing one or more groove(s), on a top surface of said protection sleeve, for providing an entry space for enabling an effortless operation of said latch;
· providing one or more profile(s), on bottom surface of said protection sleeve, for restricting restrict an entry of an unwanted material into said latch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer like features and components.

Figure 1 illustrates a protection sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 2 illustrates the areas on the latch that are prone to entry of foreign objects when the DB/Enclosure is kept in outdoor conditions and are subjected to dust and water as available in the prior-art.

Figure 3 illustrates different components of the protection sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 4 illustrates a door without IP protected Latch (Left) as available in the prior-art, and a door with the protection sleeve (Right), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 5 illustrates a complete assembly showing door, latch and the sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 6 illustrates a finger entry space (groove) on top surface of the protection sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

Figure 7 illustrates a bottom surface of the sleeve that shows a presence of grooves, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the present disclosure in unnecessary detail.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Accordingly, the present invention is a protection sleeve made of special rubber and it is flexible. It is place on top of the latch which is assembled on to the door of the Enclosure/DB.

The present invention may deal with three different assemblies namely the DB/Enclosure, Latch and the IP sleeve.

Referring now to figure 1 illustrates a protection sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, the figure 1 shows a specially designed sleeve taking into consideration the durability, elasticity and sealing required in order to ensure full proof sealing.

Referring now to figure 2 illustrates the areas on the latch that are prone to entry of foreign objects when the DB/Enclosure is kept in outdoor conditions and are subjected to dust and water as available in the prior-art.

Referring now to figure 3 illustrates different components of the protection sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, the figure 3 shows which shows two parts of the present invention.
1. Slider Latch
2. Protection sleeve (Invention)

Referring now to figure 4 illustrates a door without IP protected Latch (Left) as available in the prior-art, and a door with the protection sleeve (Right), in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, figure 4 shows the image of how the protection sleeves that restricts the entry of foreign particles such as dust dirt and water into the DB/Enclosure via. Latch.

In one implementation, the whole surface of the latch is covered by the invention and thereby not allowing any air gap for entry of foreign particles. The sleeve also provides a groove for easy operation of the latch slider even when the sleeve is put on top of it.

In one implementation, as the sleeve is made of special rubber it therefore ensured that it’s long lasting, resistant to water, dust and heat, elastic for easy operation of latch and provides fool-proof sealing.

Referring now to figure 5 illustrates a complete assembly showing door, latch and the sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementnantion, figure 5 shows, the following components
1. DB/Enclosure Door
2. Slider Latch
3. A Protection sleeve for latch (Invention)

Referring now to figure 6 illustrates a finger entry space (groove) on top surface of the protection sleeve, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, a specially designed taking into consideration the functionality and ease of operation by providing a ergonomically designed groove fixes inside the slider latch is shown.

Referring now to figure 7 illustrates a bottom surface of the sleeve that shows a presence of grooves, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter. In one implementation, the sleeve bottom surface has a profile around it, which will stop the entry of water into the latch even if the sealing is failed at any one of the edges; hence acts as a secondary function in order to stop the entry of water.

The novel features that may be achieved by the present invention may include but not limited to:
1. A protection sleeve for slider latch
2. Dust sleeve for Distribution board’s latch
3. Specially designed taking into consideration the functionality and ease of operation by providing an ergonomically designed groove fixes inside the slider latch. In one example, the special here refers to the structural profile of the sleeve which flexes and ensures that the push operation required to open the latch is comfortable.
4. The direction of operation of latch to open the door is mentioned on the sleeve so that the user is aware of the direction of operation of the slider with the sleeve on.

In one implementation, a distribution board and/or an enclosure having a door comprising a latch is disclosed. The distribution board and/or said enclosure comprises of a protection sleeve made of a specialized material mounted on top of said latch assembled on said door. The protection sleeve comprises a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface with one or more groove(s) configured to provide an entry space for enabling an effortless operation of said latch; and the bottom surface with one or more profile(s) configured to restrict an entry of an unwanted material into said latch.

In one implementation, a method for operating a latch assembled on a door of a distribution board and/or an enclosure CHARACTERIZED IN THAT COMPRISING a protection sleeve is disclosed. The method comprises of:
· providing said protection sleeve made of a specialized material said specialized material is selected from a flexible and a durable form of a special grades and forms of silicon rubber;
· mounting said protection sleeve on top of said latch assembled on said door ;
· providing one or more groove(s), on a top surface of said protection sleeve, for providing an entry space for enabling an effortless operation of said latch;
· providing one or more profile(s), on bottom surface of said protection sleeve, for restricting restrict an entry of an unwanted material into said latch.
In one implementation, said specialized material is selected from a flexible and a durable form of a special grades and forms of rubber including: steam resistant, metal detectable, high tear strength, extreme high temperature, extreme low temperature, electrically conductive, chemical/oil/acid/gas resistant, low smoke emitting, and flame-retardant.

In one implementation, said groove is preferably with depth of 1 mm along its borders. In one implementation, said protection sleeve comprises of one or more directions of said operating said latch with said sleeve mounted on it.

In one implementation, said entry space enables a comfortable finger entry space for operating said latch.

In one implementation, said unwanted material is a foreign object selected for at least one of dust, or water, or any combination thereof.

In one implementation, said a profile restricts the entry of unwanted material into said latch even if mounting / sealing of said protection sleeve is failed at any one of the edges. In one example, the embossing/ groove act as a barrier thereby stopping the solid or liquid foreign object from entering the Latch and thereby the distribution board. In one implementation, said latch is a slider latch.

Although implementations for a protection sleeve for slider latch used in distribution boards or enclosures have been described in language specific to structural features and/or the methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features are disclosed as examples of, a protection sleeve for slider latch used in distribution boards or enclosures.

It is intended that the disclosure and examples above be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosed embodiments being indicated by the following claims.