Active cover plates
DCFirst Claim
1. A cover plate comprising:
- a face plate comprising at least one aperture;
an electrical load;
at least one prong extending rearward from the faceplate to a free end, the prong comprising;
a conductive portion configured to interface with an electrical connector, anda portion of the free end of the prong configured to contact a wall after the cover plate is installed; and
at least one conductor electrically connecting the conductive portion of the prong to the electrical load.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one example, a cover plate may include a face plate with at least one outlet aperture, a back plate abutting the back of the face plate, an electric load between the face plate and the back plate, and at least one prong that extends from the face plate to a free end. The prong may be configured to interface with a terminal on the side of an outlet receptacle body and may include any or all of the following: an insulated portion and/or an electrical contact. The prong may resiliently deflects outward when interfacing with the terminal and may deflect with a first resistance prior to contacting a wall and with a second resistance that is greater than the first resistance when the prong contacts the wall. The cover play may also include at least one conductor electrically connecting the prong to the electric load.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A cover plate comprising:
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a face plate comprising at least one aperture; an electrical load; at least one prong extending rearward from the faceplate to a free end, the prong comprising; a conductive portion configured to interface with an electrical connector, and a portion of the free end of the prong configured to contact a wall after the cover plate is installed; and at least one conductor electrically connecting the conductive portion of the prong to the electrical load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cover plate comprising:
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a face plate comprising at least one aperture; an electrical load; a first prong comprising a first conductive portion configured to interface with a first electrical connector; a second prong comprising a second conductive portion configured to interface with a second electrical connector; a first insulator positioned outward of the first conductive portion; a second insulator positioned outward of the second conductive portion; and two conductors, wherein a first conductor electrically connects the first prong to the electrical load and a second conductor electrically connects the second prong to the electrical load; wherein contact between the first prong and the first insulator is configured to increase contact pressure between the first prong and the first electrical connector, and wherein contact between the second prong and second insulator is configured to increase contact pressure between the second prong and the second electrical connector. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A cover plate for a switch or an electrical receptacle comprising:
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a face plate comprising at least one aperture; an electric load; at least one prong extending rearward from the faceplate, the prong comprising an electrical contact configured to interface with a screw terminal, wherein the prong is configured to deflect outward and contact a wall when the cover plate is installed; and at least one conductor electrically connecting the electrical contact to the electrical load; wherein contact between the prong and the wall is configured to increase contact pressure between the electrical contact and the screw terminal. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification