Switch cover

• US 5,021,616 A
• Filed: 11/03/1989
• Issued: 06/04/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1989
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Hardt, Thomas T.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUSICK, ERNEST
• Application Number:
  US07/431,337
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 200/43.02, 200/43.11, 200/43.13, 200/43.15, 200/43.16, 200/43.17, 200/43.18, 200/43.19, 200/43.21, 200/43.22, 200/318.1, 200/321, 200/322 , 200/334, 200/333, 200/338, 439/133, 439/134, 439/135, 439/136-141, 439/149, 439/188, 174/66, 174/67
• US Class Current: 200/43.16
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/20 Interlocking, locking, or latching mechanisms

Abstract

A power switch cover having an elongate base member with a track formed therein and adapted to support a sliding member which includes an end portion to protect a recessed switch. The switch is accessible through the base member and once turned on is protected by the sliding member. The sliding member includes at least one spring for biasing the sliding member against the base member and provides for continuous contact of said sliding member with the track of said base member. A top member is inserted over the sliding member and the base member to provide the contact points for the spring thereby biasing the sliding member against the recessed track.

Claims

1. A switch cover comprising:

an elongate base member having an aperture adapted to circumscribe a switch, outer edges and a recessed track extending along a central portion of a longitudinal axis of said base member;

a slidable member adapted for movement along the longitudinal axis of said base member within said recessed track, said slidable member including;

an end portion adapted to slide over said aperture and thereby protect said switch, and

means for maintaining said slidable member in contact with said base member, said means comprising at least one elongate cantilever spring member further comprising an integrally formed part of said slidable member so that said slidable member has a resilient bias to project in a direction opposite from said base member; and

a top member having an aperture adapted to circumscribe said end portion of said slidable member, said top member adapted to contact said base member at the outer edges of said base member thereby permitting said slidable member to move between and relative to said top and base members within said recessed track.

2. A switch cover comprising:

an elongate base member having an aperture adapted to circumscribe a switch;

a top member; and

a slidable member adapted for movement along a longitudinal axis of said base member, said slidable member including;

an end portion adapted to slide over said aperture and thereby protect the switch, and

means for maintaining said slidable member in contact with said top member, said means comprising at least one elongate cantilever spring member further comprising an integrally formed part of said slidable member so that said slidable member has a resilient bias to project in a direction opposite from said top member,

said top member having an aperture adapted to circumscribe said end portion of said slidable member and having a recessed track extending along a central portion of the longitudinal axis of said top member, wherein said slidable member is adapted for relative movement within said recessed track.