Receptacle cover

• US 10,136,534 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2016
• Issued: 11/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lighting Defense Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: Cordell Eldred Ebeling
• Inventors: Ebeling, Cordell Eldred
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi, Ali
• Application Number:
  US15/275,641
• Publication Number:
  US 20170013736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 785 Days
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/00 Supporting, suspending, or attaching arrangements for lighting devices F21V17/00, F21V19/00 take precedence; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q, stands for supporting apparatus or articles in general F16M11/00; Hand grips
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6641 with diode with LED H01R13/7175
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/717 with built-in light source
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/10 Controlling the light source
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 47/17 Operational modes, e.g. switching from manual to automatic mode or prohibiting specific operations
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/03 Covers

Abstract

A cover for an electrical receptacle including a faceplate. The cover also includes a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle and a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle. Additionally, the cover includes a device (such as a light source, circuit, port, or sensor) in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab.

Claims

1. A cover for an electrical receptacle comprising:

a faceplate;

a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle;

a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle; and

a circuitry in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab;

wherein at least one of the first and the second transmission tabs is configured as an elongated, rigid or semi-flexible tab extending from a back side of the faceplate.

2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab extend from a same side of the back side of the faceplate.

3. The cover of claim 2, wherein the first transmission tab is positioned vertically above the second transmission tab.

4. The cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a third transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a third power line of the electrical receptacle;

a fourth transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a fourth power line of the electrical receptacle.

5. The cover of claim 1, further comprising one or more tabs configured to balance a connecting pressure and align the cover with the electrical receptacle.

6. The cover of claim 1, further comprising one or more tabs configured to connect the cover to a switch receptacle.

7. The cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of the transmission tabs is removable from the faceplate.

8. The cover of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a battery or alternative power source, such that the cover may remain in an operable state during a power loss.

9. The cover of claim 1, wherein the at least one transmission tab comprises one or more conductive surface structures configured to face a conductive portion of the electrical receptacle.

10. The cover of claim 1, wherein the electrical receptacle is a ground fault interrupter receptacle.

11. The cover of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a power amount to accommodate one or more different electrical receptacles.

12. The cover of claim 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to reduce a voltage from the at least one of the first and the second transmission tabs.

13. The cover of claim 1, wherein the circuitry or the at least one transmission tab is in communication with a device.

14. The cover of claim 13, wherein the device is a light source, a universal serial bus port, an air freshener, or other electrical appliance.

15. The cover of claim 14, wherein the cover defines an aperture or a slot configured to expose at least a portion of the light source.

16. The cover of claim 14, wherein the light source is configured to be exposed around one or more sides of the faceplate, such that the cover is backlit by the light source.

17. The cover of claim 14, wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a power amount to accommodate one or more different devices.

18. The cover of claim 14, wherein the device is in communication with a sensor.

19. The cover of claim 18, wherein the sensor comprises a motion detector configured to activate the device when there is movement near the cover.

20. The cover of claim 1, wherein the circuitry comprises a semiconductor active hybrid integrated circuit or one or more electrical components operably connected on a circuit board.