Hinged Utility Box Cover With Keeper Lock for Weather Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing utility boxes, particularly those mounted outdoors, lack effective weather-resistant covers that can securely protect electrical components while allowing easy access and locking mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A utility box cover design comprising a base and a hingedly attached lid with a keeper and tang mechanism, featuring a snap-fit hinge and locking capability, ensuring weather resistance and secure closure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a utility box is mounted outdoors without a proper cover, then electrical components are exposed to environmental elements, but the box lacks secure protection from weather and unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is divided into a base portion and a lid portion that can be separately installed and removed. The base attaches to the utility box while the lid provides removable coverage, allowing both protection and access. This segmentation enables the cover to provide weather protection when closed while allowing easy access when the lid is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The tang and keeper mechanism features nested components where the tang extends through the base and is retained by the keeper. This nested structure provides a secure locking mechanism that prevents unauthorized access while maintaining the ability to open when properly engaged.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is added to protect the utility box, then unauthorized access is prevented, but access complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit hinge mechanism automatically engages the lid with the base when the lid is placed over the base, providing secure attachment without requiring additional fasteners or complex assembly. The mechanism serves itself by using the natural movement of closing the lid to engage the locking features.
Solution Approach 2:
The removable lid portion can be completely detached from the base by releasing the tang from the keeper, providing easy access to the utility box contents. This extraction of the lid from the base allows quick access while maintaining security when the lid is reattached and locked.
3Reliability
If a hingedly attached lid with keeper and tang mechanism is used, then secure closure is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism combines the lid attachment, positioning, and locking functions into a single integrated structure. The snap-fit hinge simultaneously attaches the lid to the base, positions it correctly, and provides the locking mechanism through the tang and keeper, eliminating the need for separate hinges, screws, and locks.
Solution Approach 2:
The base and lid structure serves multiple functions: it provides weather protection, secure locking, easy removal for access, and automatic alignment. The snap-fit hinge mechanism simultaneously performs attachment, positioning, and locking functions, making the cover design highly versatile and multi-functional.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility box be provided. The utility box may comprise a base and a lid. The base may comprise a keeper that may comprise a keeper opening. The lid may be hingedly attached to the base. The lid may comprise a tang comprising a tang opening wherein the lid may be operative to hingedly close on the base. When the lid is closed on the base, the keeper may be operative to retain the tang and the keeper opening and the tang opening may align.