Watertight battery compartment cover with latch actuated o-ring seal
First Claim
1. A battery compartment cover for sealing an opening into a battery compartment that is disposed within a housing of a portable battery powered device, comprising:
- (a) a supporting member having;
(i) an inner portion shaped and sized to fit within the opening into the battery compartment;
(ii) an outer portion shaped and sized to overlie the opening into the battery compartment; and
(iii) an aperture disposed within the outer portion and extending through the inner portion of the supporting member;
(b) an elastomeric seal disposed around the inner portion of the supporting member;
(c) a plunger shaped and sized to fit within the opening into the battery compartment and having;
(i) a shoulder disposed at one end, said shoulder being sized to abut against one side of the elastomeric seal; and
(ii) a tab disposed at said one end of the plunger, surrounded by said shoulder, said tab extending through the aperture of the supporting member, through the inner portion to the outer portion of the supporting member; and
(d) a lever pivotally coupled to the tab and rotatable between a first position and a second position, rotation of said lever from the second position to the first position drawing said tab and said plunger toward the outer portion of the supporting member so that when said battery compartment cover is disposed within the opening of the battery compartment and said lever has been rotated to the first position, the elastomeric seal is compressed between the shoulder and the outer portion of the supporting member, causing the elastomeric seal to expand radially within the opening, forming a substantially watertight seal between the inner portion of the supporting member and the opening into the battery compartment, and thereafter, when said lever is rotated from the first position to the second position, a force applied by the shoulder against the elastomeric seal is substantially reduced, enabling the battery compartment cover to be readily removed from the opening into the battery compartment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cover for a battery compartment in a medical device such as an ambulatory pump that is used for infusing a medicinal fluid. The battery compartment cover includes a lever that is pivotal between an open and a closed position. The lever is connected to a plunger that applies a compressive force against an O-ring, which is trapped between a shoulder on a washer through which the plunger extends and an end of the plunger. When the lever is pivoted to its open position, the compressive force on the O-ring is released, enabling the battery compartment cover to be removed from the opening into the battery compartment. However, when the lever is pivoted to its closed position, it draws the plunger outwardly, applying a compressive force to the O-ring that causes the O-ring to expand radially outward, sealing the opening into the battery compartment against the intrusion of water or other liquids and securing the battery compartment cover in engagement with the opening.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A battery compartment cover for sealing an opening into a battery compartment that is disposed within a housing of a portable battery powered device, comprising:
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(a) a supporting member having; (i) an inner portion shaped and sized to fit within the opening into the battery compartment; (ii) an outer portion shaped and sized to overlie the opening into the battery compartment; and (iii) an aperture disposed within the outer portion and extending through the inner portion of the supporting member; (b) an elastomeric seal disposed around the inner portion of the supporting member; (c) a plunger shaped and sized to fit within the opening into the battery compartment and having; (i) a shoulder disposed at one end, said shoulder being sized to abut against one side of the elastomeric seal; and (ii) a tab disposed at said one end of the plunger, surrounded by said shoulder, said tab extending through the aperture of the supporting member, through the inner portion to the outer portion of the supporting member; and (d) a lever pivotally coupled to the tab and rotatable between a first position and a second position, rotation of said lever from the second position to the first position drawing said tab and said plunger toward the outer portion of the supporting member so that when said battery compartment cover is disposed within the opening of the battery compartment and said lever has been rotated to the first position, the elastomeric seal is compressed between the shoulder and the outer portion of the supporting member, causing the elastomeric seal to expand radially within the opening, forming a substantially watertight seal between the inner portion of the supporting member and the opening into the battery compartment, and thereafter, when said lever is rotated from the first position to the second position, a force applied by the shoulder against the elastomeric seal is substantially reduced, enabling the battery compartment cover to be readily removed from the opening into the battery compartment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A battery compartment cover for sealing an opening into a battery compartment of a battery powered medical device that may be exposed to a liquid, comprising:
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(a) a plug having a cross-sectional size and shape to enable the plug to fit within the opening of the battery compartment and a supporting surface that is larger than the opening and overlies the opening when the plug is inserted therein; (b) an elastomeric ring fitted around the plug and disposed against a shoulder that extends around a periphery of the plug; (c) said plug also including a movable plunger that moves generally along a longitudinal axis of the plug, one end of said movable plunger having a sleeve that abuts against the elastomeric ring; and (d) a lever that is disposed adjacent the supporting surface of the plug and coupled to the plunger, rotation of the lever about a pivot point drawing the movable plunger against the elastomeric ring, compressing the elastomeric ring so that it expands radially outward into sealing contact with a surface defined by the opening, thereby sealing the opening so as to prevent a liquid from entering the battery compartment. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. Apparatus for sealingly enclosing a battery within a portable device, comprising:
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(a) a housing that defines a battery compartment having an opening for insertion and removal of the battery; and (b) a cover for sealing closing the opening, said cover comprising; (i) a plug sized to fit within the opening; (ii) an elastomeric seal fitted around the plug; (iii) a lever that is pivotally mounted adjacent to an external surface of the plug; and (iv) a plunger that is moved by pivoting the lever into compressive contact with the elastomeric seal, causing the seal to expand radially outward within the opening, sealing the opening. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification