Electrical outlet safety cover

• US 4,424,407 A
• Filed: 11/30/1981
• Issued: 01/03/1984
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark J. Barbic
• Original Assignee: Mark J. Barbic
• Inventors: Barbic, Mark J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grimley, A. T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tone, D. A.
• Application Number:
  US06/325,736
• Time in Patent Office: 764 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 339/36, 339/75 P, 339/103 R
• US Class Current: 174/67
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/52 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof cases
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/639 Additional means for holding or locking coupling parts together, after engagement, e.g. separate keylock, retainer strap
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/088 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof casings or inlets
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/942 Comblike retainer for conductor

Abstract

An electrical outlet safety cover (10 or 50) comprises a top (20 or 52) dimensioned and configured to fit over an electrical outlet (16) and define a closed space (18 or 58) of sufficient size to include a plug (36) inserted in the outlet (16). The top (20 or 52) defines an opening (32 or 56) through which an electrical cord (34) attached to the plug (36) may pass. Means (24 or 60) removably fastens the top (20 or 52) to a faceplate (14) of the electrical outlet (16). The covers (10 or 50) are substantially fluid tight when installed on the electrical outlet (16).

Claims

1. An electrical outlet safety cover, which comprises an enclosure dimensioned and configured to fit over the electrical outlet and define a closed space of sufficient size to include a plug inserted in the outlet, said enclosure defining an opening through which an electrical cord attached to the plug may pass, a screw threaded to mate with screw threads for fastening the faceplate to the electrical outlet, for removably fastening said enclosure to a faceplate of the electrical outlet, said screw having a pivotally mounted head for releasably fastening the enclosure to the faceplate, said enclosure being formed from a deformable material, deformation of the enclosure toward the faceplate allowing the pivotal head of the screw to be pivoted for removal of said enclosure from the faceplate, and said enclosure when free of deformation preventing the head of said screw from being pivoted for removal of said enclosure from the faceplate.

2. The electrical outlet safety cover of claim 1 in which said enclosure has a resilient, seal-forming material around a periphery of said enclosure in contact with the faceplate when the cover is installed.

3. The electrical outlet safety cover of claim 2 in which the opening through which the electrical cord may pass extends through a wall of said enclosure and has a resilient material positioned to contact the electrical cord.

4. An electrical outlet safety cover, which comprises an enclosure dimensioned and configured to fit over the electrical outlet and define a closed space of sufficient size to include a plug inserted in the outlet, said enclosure defining an opening through which an electrical cord attached to the plug may pass, and means for removably fastening said enclosure to a faceplate of the electrical outlet, said cover having a base and a top, said base having a lip around a periphery thereof to receive a peripheral edge of said top, said base being mounted in facing relationship to the faceplate of the electrical outlet when said cover is in use.