Self sealing sheath for electrical wall outlets

• US 5,080,598 A
• Filed: 03/01/1991
• Issued: 01/14/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Shotey
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Shotey
• Inventors: Shotey, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bradley, Paula A.
• Application Number:
  US07/662,751
• Time in Patent Office: 319 Days
• Field of Search: 439/140, 439/147, 439/367, 439/371-373, 439/366, 439/577, 439/750, 439/892, 439/893, 174/67
• US Class Current: 439/147
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5213 Covers

Abstract

A sheath, detachably attachable to a faceplate surrounding an electrical outlet, receives and shields an electrical plug plugged into the electrical outlet. One end of the sheath is constrictable to secure the sheath to the faceplate and the other end is constrictable about the cord extending from the electrical plug.

Claims

1. A shroud for protecting an electrical socket and for protecting an electrical plug plugged into the electrical socket against incursion of foreign matter, said shroud comprising in combination:

a) a sheath of flexible water resistant material for discouraging incursion of water within said sheath, said sheath being of sufficient cross sectional size to accommodate insertion of the electrical plug thereinto for engagement with the electrical socket;

b) a face plate surrounding the electrical socket;

c) means for securing one end of said sheath to said face plate in encircling relationship with the electrical socket; and

d) means for closing the other end of said sheath to form a barrier against incursion of foreign matter into the electrical socket, said closing means including hook and loop fastening means.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hook and loop fastening means extends across each half of the other end of said sheath.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including a wall extending from said face plate in encircling relationship with the electrical socket and wherein said securing means attaches the one end of said sheath about said wall.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said wall includes an outwardly facing channel for receiving the one end of said sheath.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said receiving means comprises drawstring means for fastening the one end of said sheath with said channel.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said hook and loop fastening means comprises loop means disposed along one surface of the other end of said sheath and hook means disposed along another surface of the other end of said sheath.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said loop means is disposed on a first interior surface of said sheath and said hook means is disposed on a second interior surface of said sheath, which second interior surface is opposed to the first interior surface.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein the said loop means extends across on half of the other end of said sheath and said hook means extends across the other half of the other end of said sheath.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including wall means extending from said face plate in encircling relationship with the electrical socket and wherein said securing means engages said wall means.

10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said securing means comprises a draw string for securing the one end of said sheath about said wall means.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said securing means comprises hook and loop fastening means for securing the one end of said sheath about said wall means.

12. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11 wherein said hook and loop fastening means comprises loop means extending across one half of the one end of said sheath and hook means extending across the other half of the one end of said sheath.

13. A method for protecting a electrical socket and for protecting an electrical plug plugged into the electrical socket against incursion of foreign matter, said method comprising the steps of:

a) securing one end of a sheath of flexible water resistant material to a face plate surrounding the electrical outlet; and

b) closing the other end of the sheath to form a barrier against incursion of foreign matter into the electrical outlet, said step of closing including the step of securing the hooks with the loops of hook and loop fastening means; and

c) inserting the electrical plug into the sheath to engage the electrical socket prior to exercise of said step of closing.