A shielding and guarding device

Abstract

A shielding device for shielding an electrical fitting from paint including a body having an internal space, a basal part and a displaceable part. The displaceable part is moveable from a first position and adapted to connect to the basal part so as to hold the body on the fitting to a second position and where the body is removable from the fitting.

Description

[0001] A SHIELDING AND GUARDING DEVICE

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a shielding device, in particular a device for shielding or guarding specific objects or their surroundings during painting or varnishing, or other application of coatings; more particularly but not exclusively for preventing paint splashing onto circular fittings, such as light fittings in situ, without displacing them.

[0004] Background

[0005] In many societies across the world it is increasingly common to decorate relatively frequently in efforts to update ageing properties. This includes painting or other coatings, and may include painting with a brush, roller or spraying. Often painters or decorators will use masking means, such as masking tape, or they may use learnt techniques such as 'cutting-in' to avoid over-painting objects or items that are in contact or share an edge with the area to be painted.

[0006] Many properties have fittings, for electrics and / or lights.

[0007] It can be problematic to paint around some objects, particularly those with a curved edge, such as smoke-detectors, sprinkler heads, carbon monoxide detectors

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, it can be difficult to prevent paint splatter on the objects, particularly for example when using a roller or spraying. In particular where the objects extend outwards from a surface it can be difficult to paint the surrounding area quickly without splattering the object, even where a painter may be intending to later paint around the object in a controlled manner, thereby slowly the general painting greatly.

[0009] Additionally or alternatively they may also remove downlights or similar fittings and let them hang by the cable. This can be dangerous, potentially leaving exposed electrical wires.

[0010] Prior Art

[0011] US 2017 0 066 007 (BROWN) discloses a protective collar for temporarily protecting an item on a surface from paint that is being applied, said protective collar including: a band having a convex surface and a concave surface that both extend along a first long edge and a second long edge between a first end to an opposite second end, wherein said band has a maximum thickness between said convex surface and said concave surface, wherein said band emb odies a spring bias that biases said band into a circular configuration where said first end and said second end of said band overlap in an overlap region; wherein said first end and said second end are tapered so that a combined thickness of said first end and said second end in said overlap region is no more than fifty percent thicker than said maximum thickness.

[0012] US 2005 0 078474 (WHITFIELD) discloses a light cover for protecting recessed lighting fixtures comprising: a shield sized to fit over the baffle and the outer trim of the recessed lighting fixture; a mounting flange located on a first side of the shield and sized to fit within the baffle and frictionally engage the light cover to the baffle; and a handle located on a second side of the shield, wherein the handle is gripped when engaging the mounting flange to the baffle to secure the light cover to the recessed lighting fixture and when disengaging the mounting flange from the baffle to remove the light cover from the recessed lighting fixture.

[0013] US 2003 0 186017 (STOCKTON) discloses an insert for masking a fixture having a defined opening, the insert comprising: a retention surface, wherein said retention surface includes a profile to frictionally engage said fixture; and a protective surface, wherein said protective surface is connected to said retention surface, wherein said protective surface substantially covers said defined opening when said retention.

[0014] Summary of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention there is provided a shielding device for shielding an electrical fitting from paint and the like, comprising: a body defining an internal space, a basal part and a displaceable part, wherein the displaceable partis moveable from a first position adapted to connect to the basal part so as to hold the body on the fitting to a second position where the body is removable from the fitting.

[0016] In this way the device of the present invention can be easily located over a light fitting, switch or other item on a surface such as a wall, providing a protected zone from paint splatters within the internal space, as well as a barrier to paint on the surface. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a hinge between body parts, so as to allow movement of the basal or displaceable part or both to enable movement between positions.

[0017] In some embodiments of the device the body is circular, so as to define an internal space that is circular and easier to locate over circular light fittings in particular. In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a bipartite body, which may be joined by a spring. In this way the movement of the parts between positions may be easily reversed and operated, and / or the spring may consolidate and maintain at least one of the positions, for example holding the device onto and around the light fitting.

[0018] In some embodiments of the device the body comprises a continuous sidewall, providing a surface against which a user may paint, masking the fitting or other relevant item during painting or varnishing. In some embodiments of the device the body comprises an inwardly extending lip from the sidewall. It may be envisaged that such a lip enables the device to be placed under the item being painted around, so as to create a better hold on the device, for example when on a ceiling, and / or advantageously so as to prevent passage of paint under the sidewall to damage the fitting.

[0019] In some embodiments of the device the body comprises a top face and such top face may comprise a hole. It may be envisaged that the hole provides a means of opening the body to displace it from a fitting.

[0020] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a displaceable bung for the hole, to ensure that no paint enters the internal space. Such bung may comprise resiliently deformable material, so as to deform and hold in place.

[0021] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a rotating plate for covering the hole, for example so as to pivot on the body to open and close the hole.

[0022] In some embodiments of the device the device comprises a displaceable cover for substantially covering the body, so as to allow the cover to be displaced to access the body. Such cover may be resiliently deformable and / or elastic so as to grip over the body in use.

[0023] Optionally, the device the may comprise one or more spring attachment mechanisms coupled to the basal part and / or displaceable part, and wherein the one or more spring attachment mechanisms comprises a hooked portion configured to secure a spring arranged to link the displaceable part to the basal part, thereby holding the body on the fitting in the second position. Advantageously, the hooked portion provides for a reliable way to prevent the spring from becoming unsecured when under tension when in use. Advantageously, the hook portion also provides a fastening method which is less cumbersome and provides easier tactile control for a user’s grip when attaching the spring to the hooked portion.

[0024] It may be envisaged in some further embodiments the cover may provide a means of holding the body onto the fitting, for example where the body comprises a lip, for insertion under the fitting, and the cover prevents the displaceable part from displacing.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus comprising a plurality of devices according to any of the preceding claims describing differing size internal spaces.

[0026] According to a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of protecting items on a surface from paint or coatings, using such apparatus.

[0027] A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

[0028] Brief Description of Figures

[0029] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in the second position;

[0030] Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1;

[0031] Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, with a wholly displaceable lid;

[0032] Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3;

[0033] Figures 5 show isometric exploded views of the first embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 3; Figures 6 show isometric views of a second embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

[0034] Figure 7 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 6;

[0035] Figure 8 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figures 6;

[0036] Figure 9 shows an isometric view of a third embodiment of the device according to the present invention, with a displaceable lid;

[0037] Figure 10 shows a second isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 9, with the lid displaced;

[0038] Figure 11 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 9; and

[0039] Figure 12a shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention; Figure 12b shows a plan view of the fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention and Figure 12c shows a magnified detailed view of the fourth embodiment of the device according to the present invention.

[0040] Detailed

[0041] With reference to the figures there are shown embodiments 99,199,299,399, 499 of shielding devices for shielding a fitting from paint and the like, generally comprising: a body 2 defining an internal space and having a basal part and a displaceable part, wherein the displaceable part is moveable from a first position adapted to connect to the basal part so as to hold the body on the fitting, to a second position where the body is removable from the fitting.

[0042] In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the embodiment comprises a bipartite construction comprising two arcuate parts joined at a hinge 10.

[0043] The two parts comprise a basal part and a displaceable part, or two parts that may be displaced in use.

[0044] The two parts are separated across a diameter of the top face. The parts in the pictured embodiments each comprise a semicircular side wall, in order to define and surround an internal circular space, within which an item such as a light fitting may be protected from paint or varnish, during application.

[0045] The sidewall is thin plastic and is provided at a first side edge with four inward facing tabs 5, providing a discontinuous lip to the sidewall. This lip may be envisaged to be placed under the fitting in use, so as to ensure painting is right up to the fitting.

[0046] At the second or top side edge of the sidewall there is provided a top face 1, which top face extends in a plane orthogonal to the sidewall.

[0047] The top face extends inwards to provide a wide lip continuous around a central circular hole.

[0048] The central circular hole is provided with two finger grip indents 7 on opposing circumferential locations, extending radially away from the central hole.

[0049] This grip indents may be envisaged to be used to displace the parts from the fitting they are shielding, and / or disengage the tabs from under the fitting, and / or pull the device away therefrom.

[0050] In the first pictured embodiment the central hole and grip indents are filled or closed with a resiliently deformable bung 100.

[0051] The bung is formed in nitrile, latex or silicone rubber or similar and is a flat part, with a central circular shape, and two grip indent semicircular tab covers.

[0052] With reference to the second embodiment 199, the embodiment further comprises a cover 200, which is placed over the entire embodiment, instead of the bung for the hole.

[0053] The cover comprises a flat circular top, and a continuous sidewall extending away from the top.

[0054] In this way the cover may be placed over the device after it has been opened and engaged around the fitting. The cover may be a resiliently deformable material such as a rubber, or may be arranged for tolerance fitting over the engaged device. Still further embodiments may include ferromagnetic fitting between the cover and device. With reference to the third pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a rotatable covering plate 300, which is shaped similar to the bung, and in line with the central hole and extending grip indents.

[0055] One of the grip indent semicircular tab covers includes a pivot 301 , which pivots on the edge of the top face of the device, so as to allow the covering plate to be rotated into a first position to provide shielding protect on from paint and the like, and into a second position to allow a user to grip the indents, and open the parts so as to release the device from the fitting.

[0056] In the embodiments of the shielding device 99,199,299,399 shown with reference to figure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 the two parts are joined by a hinge, into two equal sized parts, and proximate and to either side of the opposed circumferential location, there are two sockets 8.

[0057] These sockets receive screw pins 9, and hold the pins in place against force of a helical extension spring 4 which is secured to either pin.

[0058] This spring acts to hold the embodiments against and engage the device on the shielded fitting in use, and return the shape of the device to as before after disengagement or displacement.

[0059] In a fourth embodiment of the shielding device 499 shown with reference to figure 12a, 12b and 12c the two parts are joined by the hinge 10, into two equal sized parts, and proximate and to either side of the opposed circumferential location, there are two spring attachment mechanisms 15.

[0060] The spring attachment mechanisms 15 include a spring engagement portion 16 and a hooked portion 17. The hooked portion 17 may clasp the helical extension spring 4 thereby securing the spring 4 to either of the spring attachment mechanisms 15. When both spring attachment mechanisms 15 are engaged by the helical spring, the helical spring 4 acts to as a bias to engage the shield device 499 on the shielded fitting in use and when not in use, return the shield device 499 an original closed position after displacement from the shielded fitting. The hooked portion 17 provides for a reliable way to prevent the helical spring 4 from becoming unsecured when under tension when in use. The hook portion 17 also provides a less extracting fastening method for a users grip when attaching the helical spring 4 due to offering improved tactile engagement. The invention has been described byway of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of protection as defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims1. A shielding device for shielding an electrical fitting from paint and the like, comprising: a body defining an internal space, a basal part and a displaceable part, wherein the displaceable part is moveable from a first position adapted to connect to the basal part so as to hold the body on the fitting to a second position where the body is removable from the fitting.

2. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 1 comprising a hinge between body parts.

3. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the body is circular.

4. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a bipartite body.

5. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to any preceding claim comprising a spring.

6. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to any preceding claim wherein the body comprises a continuous sidewall.

7. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 6 wherein the body comprises an inwardly extending lip from the sidewall.

8. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 6 or 7 wherein the body comprises a top face.

9. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 8 wherein the top face comprises a hole.

10. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 9 comprising a displaceable bung for the hole.

11. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 9 comprising a rotating plate for covering the hole.

12. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to claim 9 comprising a displaceable cover for substantially covering the body.

13. A shielding device for shielding a fitting from paint according to any preceding claim comprising one or more spring attachment mechanisms coupled to the basal part and / or displaceable part, and wherein the one or more spring attachment mechanisms comprises a hooked portion configured to secure a spring arranged to link the displaceable part to the basal part, thereby holding the body on the fitting in the second position.

14. Apparatus comprising a plurality of devices according to any of the preceding claims describing differing size internal spaces.

15. A method of protecting items on a surface from paint or coatings, using apparatus according to claim 14.

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