Protective cover

Abstract

The protective cover assembly comprises a mounting member ( 4 ) adapted for tight association with the actuation port and a protective cover unit ( 2 ). The protective cover unit is adapted for engagement with the mounting member in a manner such that protective cover unit covers the valve and blocks access thereto. Housed in the cover unit is locking mechanism that comprises a solenoid ( 62 ) for driving a locking unit ( 72 ) between a locking state in which the cover unit is locked to the mounting member and an unlocking state, in which the cover unit can disengage form the mounting member, and comprises an electronic controller linked thereto, the electronic controller being responsive to an external control signal to actuate the solenoid to drive said locking unit ( 64 ).

1 - 15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . A protective cover assembly for controlling access to a function port, comprising a mounting member adapted for tight association with the actuation port and a protective cover unit; the protective cover unit being adapted for engagement with the mounting member in a manner such that said cover unit covers the function port and blocks access thereto; the protective cover unit houses a locking mechanism that comprises a solenoid for driving a locking unit between a locking state, in which the protective cover unit is locked to the mounting member and an unlocking state, in which the protective cover unit can disengage form the mounting member, and comprises an electronic controller linked thereto, the electronic controller being responsive to an external control signal to actuate the solenoid to drive said locking unit; 
 said protective cover unit comprises two or more pins projecting towards said mounting member, each of which has a pin head; the mounting member has corresponding two or more openings, each with a pin head receiving portion and an angularly displaced pin head engaging portion;    whereby in a first relative angular position of the protective cover unit and the mounting member, the pin heads can be inserted into said pin head receiving portions and upon angular rotation of the protective cover unit with respect to the mounting member the pin heads are angularly moved into the pin head receiving portions; said locking mechanism being adapted for locking said pin heads in said pin head engaging portions.    
   
   
       17 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the mounting member is removably fitted onto the flow assembly.  
   
   
       18 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the mounting member has an opening that fits on a neck of filling port or valve.  
   
   
       19 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 18 , wherein said member is constructed out of two or more units at least one of which has a recesses defining said opening.  
   
   
       20 . A protective cover assembly according to any one of  claim 16 , wherein the protective cover unit has a skirt that extends over at least a portion of the mounting member.  
   
   
       21 . A protective cover assembly according to any one of  claim 16 , wherein said pins have a stem with a first diameter and a head with a second, broader diameter; said pin head receiving portion having an opening of size adapted to receive said pin head and said pin head engaging portion has an opening of a size permitting the stem to pass there through but not the pin head and has a recess for receiving and engaging said pin head; the pins being axially biased such that once in the pin engaging portions the pin heads retract into said recesses; the locking unit being adapted, in said locking state of the locking mechanism to block the axial movement of the pins.  
   
   
       22 . A protective cover assembly according to any one of  claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a latch assembly preventing the axial displacement of the protective cover unit in the locked position of the solenoid.  
   
   
       23 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 22 , wherein said protective cover unit has a sliding cover accommodated within the protective cover unit that can slide axially within said protective cover unit and is biased away from the protective cover unit's top towards the mounting member, the sliding cover having an external face facing the mounting member and having a skirt portion for bearing against the mounting member, with the pins heads protruding through said sliding cover towards said mounting member; whereby relative axial sliding of said sliding cover away from the protective cover unit's top causes said pin head to retract into said recess once in said engaging portion.  
   
   
       24 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 23 , wherein the protective cover unit comprises a clutch pin having an annular groove, said pin being biased against the sliding cover's inner face and displaceable by the axial sliding movement of the sliding cover between a retracted and an extended position; the locking unit comprises a latch for engaging the annular groove in said locking state to lock said clutch pin is said extended position.  
   
   
       25 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the controller is linked to a microphone for receiving an external coded vibration signal transmitted by an electronic key with impact impeller head.  
   
   
       26 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein electronic controller and the solenoid are accommodated in a sealed compartment of the protective cover unit.  
   
   
       27 . A protective cover assembly according to  claim 16 , wherein the solenoid drive is bi-stable.  
   
   
       28 . A protective cover unit for use in a protective cover assembly according to  claim 16 .  
   
   
       29 . A mounting member for use in a protective cover assembly according to  claim 16.