# US 8,772,633 B2 · Method and system for a cutout cover > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,772,633 B2 - Document ID: US8772633B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/649,209 - Filed: 2012-10-11 - Published: 2013-04-11 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2011-10-11 - Assignees: Custom Coatings Innovations, Inc. - Applicants: Custom Coating Innovations, Inc. - Inventors: Joe Ralph Behnken - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772633B2 ## CPC - H01B 19/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing insulators or insulating bodies {(manufacture of porcelain for electric insulation C04B33/26)} - Y10T 29/49227: Insulator making - H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K}) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A method and system for a cutout cover are provided. The cutout cover system includes a hollow head portion including a throat portion including an opening oriented toward a cutout when installed on the cutout and a tab portion extending from the hollow head portion in a first direction, the tab portion including a slit extending through the tab portion to the hollow head portion and dividing the tab portion into two joinable halves. The cutout cover also includes a nose portion extending from the hollow head portion in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, the nose portion including a diverging cross-section along the nose portion from a distal end of the nose portion towards the head portion, the nose portion including a substantially smooth linear surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cover system for a cutout device comprising a cutout cover comprising: a head portion enclosing a hollow interior space, the head portion including a throat portion that is open from a bottom of the cutout cover; a tab portion extending from said head portion in a first direction, said tab portion including a slit extending through said tab portion to said head portion and dividing said tab portion into two joinable halves; and a nose portion extending from said head portion in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, said nose portion including a smooth linear surface extending along said nose portion from a distal end of said nose portion to said head portion, said smooth linear surface increasing in distance from a bottom end of said cutout cover from said distal end to said head portion, said smooth linear surface configured to be aerodynamically tapered to reduce wind forces impinging on cutout cover. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said head portion, said tab portion, and said nose portion are unitarily-formed of a dielectric material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cutout cover is configured to isolate exposed electrical portions of a drop fuse cutout from at least one of wildlife and humans. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cutout cover is formed of a flexible and resilient material configured to fit snugly around a drop fuse cutout. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cutout cover includes a substantially open bottom end configured to receive a first line connector and a first fuse contact of a drop fuse cutout. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said nose portion includes a smooth protuberance-free surface extending from the distal end of said nose portion to said head portion, the smooth protuberance-free surface configured to shed ice and reduce a possibility of buildup of ice along the smooth protuberance-free surface. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cutout cover comprises at least one of an eyelet and a grip feature extending from the cutout cover, each configured to receive a tool that facilitates installation of the cutout cover on an energized cutout. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said slit is configured to permit said cutout cover to be spread apart using a live hinge portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said cutout cover comprises a fastener configured to join said two joinable halves of said head portion across said slit such that when fastened said head portion is configured to engage a fuse cutout in an interference fit to secure said cutout cover to a drop fuse cutout. ### Claim 10 A method of forming a cover for a fuse cutout device, the method comprising: forming a head portion that encloses a hollow interior space, the head portion including a throat portion that is open from a bottom of the cutout cover; forming a tab portion extending from said head portion in a first direction, said tab portion including a slit extending through said tab portion to said head portion and dividing said tab portion into two joinable halves; and forming a nose portion extending from said head portion in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, said nose portion including a smooth linear surface extending along said nose portion from a distal end of said nose portion to said head portion, said smooth linear surface increasing in distance from a bottom end of said cutout cover from said distal end to said head portion, said smooth linear surface configured to be aerodynamically tapered to reduce wind forces impinging on cutout cover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising forming the head portion, the tab portion, and the nose portion unitarily. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising forming the head portion, the tab portion, and the nose portion of a dielectric material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising forming the head portion, the tab portion, and the nose portion from a flexible and resilient material configured to fit snugly around a fuse cutout device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising forming the nose portion that includes a smooth protuberance-free surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising: spreading opposing portions of the cover along the slit; positioning the cover proximate an upper end of the fuse cutout device; and drawing the cutout cover down onto the upper end of the the fuse cutout device. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising securing the cover to the fuse cutout device using a fastener inserted through an eyelet of the tab portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising installing the cover to the fuse cutout device such that exposed electrical portions of the fuse cutout device are at least partially isolated from at least one of wildlife and humans. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising drawing a substantially open bottom end of the cutout cover over a first line connector of the fuse cutout device and a first fuse contact of a fuse of the fuse cutout device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising drawing the cover down such that the nose portion is positioned over the upper end of a fuse of the fuse cutout device.