Cover plate assembly

• US 5,456,373 A
• Filed: 08/23/1993
• Issued: 10/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: DS Inc.
• Original Assignee: DS Inc.
• Inventors: Ford, Douglas K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NEWHOUSE, NATHAN JEFFREY
• Application Number:
  US08/110,813
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8, 220/3.2, 220/230, 174/66, 174/67, 439/535, 439/536, 439/38, 439/40, 439/538
• US Class Current: 220/242
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provided with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box. The assembly includes a frame situated to overlie the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having an inside perimeter dimensioned to surround the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings to overlie the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws. The assembly also includes a safety plate overlying and fixed to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically to overlie the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally to cover the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which each safety place is fixed. A decorative cover plate has an outer edge dimensioned to be received immediately inside the frame and has at least one opening accommodating any outwardly projecting portion of each electrical circuit device mounted within the wall box, and composite magnetic strips hold the decorative cover plate to the frame so the assembly appears to be free from any attachment means.

Claims

1. A cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provided with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box, the assembly comprising:

a frame for overlying the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having an inside perimeter dimensioned for surrounding the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings for overlying the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws,

a safety plate for overlying and fixing to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically to overlie the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally for covering the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which each safety plate is fixed, and horizontal projections on two diagonally opposite corners adapted to engage a corner of the inside perimeter of the frame,

a decorative cover plate having an outer edge dimensioned to be received immediately inside the frame and having at least one opening for accommodating any outwardly projecting portion of each electrical circuit device mounted within the wall box, and

magnetic means for magnetically holding the decorative cover plate to the frame so the assembly appears to be free from any attachment means.

2. The cover plate assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame inside perimeter includes corners adapted to be covered by and engage said safety plate horizontal projections.

3. The cover plate assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the safety plate horizontal projections includes a diagonal edge connecting a distal end of the projection to a vertical edge of the safety plate.

4. The cover plate assembly of claim 3 wherein each safety plate also includes two truncated diagonal corners, the horizontal projection of any adjacent safety plate occupying the space vacated by one of the truncated diagonal corners.

5. A cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provided with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box, the assembly comprising:

a frame for overlying the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having an inside perimeter dimensioned for surrounding the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings for overlying the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws,

a safety plate for overlying and fixing to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically to overlie the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally for covering the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which each safety plate is fixed,

a decorative cover plate having an outer edge dimensioned to be received immediately inside the frame and having at least one opening for accommodating any outwardly projecting portion of each electrical circuit device mounted within the wall box, and

magnetic means for magnetically holding the decorative cover plate to the frame so the assembly appears to be free from any attachment means, the frame inside perimeter including horizontally inwardly projecting tabs for engaging said magnetic means.

6. The cover plate assembly of claim 5 wherein said horizontally inwardly projecting tabs are integral with said inwardly projecting flanges thereby defining a single inwardly projecting flange around the entire inside perimeter of the frame.

7. A cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provided with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box, each electrical circuit device having at least one portion projecting outwardly from the wall box, the assembly comprising:

a frame for overlying the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having a decorative outer portion, an inside perimeter dimensioned for surrounding the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings for overlying the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws,

a safety plate for overlying and fixing to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically to overlie the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally for covering the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which the safety plate is fixed, each safety plate including horizontal projections on two diagonally opposite corners, at least one of the projections engaging a corner of the inside perimeter of the frame,

a decorative cover plate having an outer edge dimensioned to be received immediately inside the decorative outer portion of the frame and having at least one opening for accommodating the outwardly projecting portion of each electrical circuit device mounted within the wall box, and

magnetic means situated between the frame and decorative cover plate for magnetically holding the decorative cover plate to the frame so the assembly appears to be free from any attachment means.

8. The cover plate assembly of claim 7 wherein each of the safety plate horizontal projections includes a diagonal edge connecting a distal end of the projection to a vertical edge of the safety plate, and wherein each safety plate also includes two truncated diagonal corners, the horizontal projection of any adjacent safety plate occupying the space vacated by one of the truncated diagonal corners.

9. The cover plate assembly of claim 8 wherein the frame inside perimeter includes corners adapted to engage said safety plate horizontal projections.

10. The cover plate assembly of claim 8 wherein the frame outer portion includes horizontally inwardly projecting tabs for engaging said magnetic means and an inwardly directed ledge dimensioned to made with the decorative cover plate outer edge so a front surface of the frame is flush with a front surface of the decorative cover plate.

11. A cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provide with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box, each electrical circuit device having at least one portion projecting outwardly from the wall box, the assembly comprising:

a frame for overlying the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having a decorative outer portion, an inside perimeter dimensioned for surrounding the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings for overlying the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws,

a safety plate for overlying and fixing to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically to overlie the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally for covering the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which the safety plate is fixed, each safety plate including horizontal projections on two diagonally opposite corners, at least one of the projections engaging a corner of the inside perimeter of the frame, each of the safety plate horizontal projections including a diagonal edge connecting a distal end of the projection to a vertical edge of the safety plate, each safety plate also including two truncated diagonal corners, the horizontal projection of any adjacent safety plate occupying the space vacated by one of the truncated diagonal corners,

a decorative cover plate having an outer edge dimensioned to be received immediately inside the decorative outer portion of the frame and having at least one opening for accommodating the outwardly projecting portion of each electrical circuit device mounted within the wall box, and

magnetic means situated between the frame and decorative cover plate for magnetically holding the decorative cover plate to the frame so the assembly appears to be free from any attachment means.

12. The cover plate assembly of claim 11 wherein the frame outer portion includes horizontally inwardly projecting tabs for engaging said magnetic means and an inwardly directed ledge dimensioned to made with the decorative cover plate outer edge so a front surface of the frame is flush with a front surface of the decorative cover plate, and wherein the frame inside perimeter includes corners adapted to engage said safety plate horizontal projections.

13. A safety plate for use in a cover plate assembly for a wall box mounted in an opening in a wall, the wall box having at least one pair of tabs provide with threaded holes on standard centers adapted to receive screws mounting at least one electrical circuit device within the wall box, each electrical circuit device having at least one portion projecting outwardly from the wall box, the assembly including a frame situated to overlie the wall surrounding the opening in which the wall box is mounted, the frame having an inside perimeter dimensioned to surround the wall box, and inwardly projecting flanges having openings to overlie the threaded electrical device mounting holes for engagement by the electrical circuit device mounting screws, the safety plate comprising:

a generally rectangular metallic plate for overlying and fixing to each electrical circuit device, each safety plate having an outer edge dimensioned vertically for overlying the frame inwardly projecting flanges and dimensioned horizontally for covering the space occupied by the electrical circuit device to which the safety plate is fixable, each safety plate including horizontal projections on two diagonally opposite corners, at least one of the projections capable of engaging a corner of the inside perimeter of the frame, each of the safety plate horizontal projections including a diagonal edge connecting a distal end of the projection to a vertical edge of the safety plate, each safety plate also including two truncated diagonal corners, the horizontal projection of any adjacent safety plate occupying the space vacated by one of the truncated diagonal corners.

14. The safety plate of claim 13 further comprising at least one opening for accommodating any outwardly projecting portion of the electrical circuit device to which the safety plate is fixed.

15. The safety plate of claim 14 wherein at least one of said horizontal projection distal ends is capable of engaging corners integral with the frame inside perimeter.