Face plate assembly for electrical receptacle

• US 5,457,286 A
• Filed: 12/13/1991
• Issued: 10/10/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Igor Flasz
• Original Assignee: Igor Flasz
• Inventors: Flasz, Igor
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tone, David
• Application Number:
  US07/808,173
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 174/53, 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 200/333, 200/339, 439/536, 439/538, D 8/350-353
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/04 Cases; Covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 23/143 having a generally flat elongated shape
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A face plate assembly, to be decoratively and functionally secured over an electrical switch or output source, the assembly including a frame structure having at least one opening in a flat central area thereof which is structured and disposed to surroundingly engage an electricity control casing protruding therethrough, and a plurality of decorative key plates, each having a pair of protruding pegs structured and disposed to be snugly, yet removably fitted into correspondingly positioned protruding apertures in the frame structure, and at least one utility key plate having a pair of protruding pegs positioned so as to correspondingly position the utility key plate over the electricity control casing and being structured to enable an electricity control within the electricity control casing to be functional.

Claims

1. An electrical wiring device and cover plate assembly adapted to be electrically connected within an electrical box in a wall, said assembly comprising:

a frame structured and configured for attachment with an open end of the electrical box in substantially covering relation to the electrical box and a surrounding wall surface, and including a substantially planar front and rear surface and at least one central opening having a surrounding peripheral border,

said frame structure further including a plurality of protruding apertures disposed about the periphery of said front surface thereof,

an electrical device casing including a front face having a protruding, operable portion including surrounding sides extending outwardly from said front face,

said front face including a substantially flat surface surrounding said operable portion and being structured and disposed for mating engagement with said rear surface of said frame for attachment of said electrical device thereto, such that said operable portion protrudes through said central opening with said peripheral border disposed in close, surrounding relation to said sides of said operable portion,

a plurality of substantially rectangular key plates structured and disposed for removable attachment in covering relation to said frame and operable portion so as to define a cover plate providing an aesthetically pleasing external appearance to the assembly,

attachment means for removable, individual attachment of each of said plurality of key plates in covering relation to the frame, including a pair of spaced apart pegs extending from a rear surface of each of said plurality of key plates and being structured and disposed for snug, yet removable receipt within corresponding ones of said protruding apertures,

at least one utility plate including a pair of attachment pegs protruding from a rear surface thereof being structured and disposed to facilitate removable attachment of said utility plate in substantially covering relation to said operable portion of said electrical device casing, and

said utility plate including means thereon to facilitate operation of said operable portion.

2. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrical device casing includes an electrical outlet casing.

3. An assembly as recited in claim 2 wherein said operable portion includes an electrical outlet having a plurality of outlet openings structured and disposed for receipt of a male end of an electrical plug therein.

4. An assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said utility plate includes an outlet plate structured for removable attachment over said electrical outlet.

5. An assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein said means to facilitate operation of said operable portion includes a plurality of cutout portions sized and disposed to receive said electrical outlet therethrough so as to expose said outlet openings.

6. An assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrical device casing includes an electrical switch casing.

7. An assembly as recited in claim 6 wherein said operable portion includes an electric light switch.

8. An assembly as recited in claim 7 wherein said utility plate includes a switch plate structured for removable attachment to said electric light switch and being movable therewith, such that forced movement of said switch plate causes said electric light switch to be moved between an on position and an off position.

9. An assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein said means to facilitate operation of said operable portion includes a recessed, circular dimple in an exposed front surface of said switch plate.

10. An electrical wiring device and cover plate assembly adapted to be electrically connected within an electrical box in a wall, said assembly comprising:

a frame structured and configured for attachment with an open end of the electrical box in substantially covering relation to the electrical box and a surrounding wall surface, and including a substantially planar front and rear surface and at least one central opening having a surrounding peripheral border,

an electrical outlet casing including a front face having a protruding, operable portion including surrounding sides extending outwardly from said front face,

said front face including a substantially flat surface surrounding said operable portion and being structured and disposed for mating engagement with said rear surface of said frame for attachment of said electrical outlet casing thereto, such that said operable portion protrudes through said central opening with said peripheral border disposed in close, surrounding relation to said sides of said operable portion,

said operable portion of said electrical outlet casing including an electrical outlet having a plurality of protruding outlet openings structured and disposed for receipt of a male end of an electrical plug therein,

a plurality of substantially rectangular key plates structured and disposed for attachment in covering relation to said frame and operable portion so as to define a cover plate providing an aesthetically pleasing external appearance to the assembly,

attachment means for removable, individual attachment of each of said plurality of key plates in covering relation to the frame,

said plurality of key plates including at least one outlet plate structured for removable attachment over said electrical outlet, and

said outlet plate including a plurality of cutout portions sized and disposed to receive said protruding outlet openings therethrough so as to expose said outlet openings.

11. An electrical wiring device and cover plate assembly adapted to be electrically connected within an electrical box in a wall, said assembly comprising:

a frame structured and configured for attachment with an open end of the electrical box in substantially covering relation to the electrical box and a surrounding wall surface, and including a substantially planar front and rear surface and at least one central opening having a surrounding peripheral border,

an electrical switch casing including a front face having a protruding, operable portion including surrounding sides extending outwardly from said front face,

said front face including a substantially flat surface surrounding said operable portion and being structured and disposed for mating engagement with said rear surface of said frame for attachment of said electrical switch casing thereto, such that said operable portion protrudes through said central opening with said peripheral border disposed in close, surrounding relation to said sides of said operable portion,

said operable portion of said electrical switch casing including an electric light switch,

a plurality of substantially rectangular key plates structured and disposed for attachment in covering relation to said frame and operable portion so as to define a cover plate providing an aesthetically pleasing external appearance to the assembly,

attachment means for removable, individual attachment of each of said plurality of key plates in covering relation to the frame,

said plurality of key plates including at least one switch plate structured for removable attachment to said electric light switch and being movable therewith, such that forced movement of said switch plate causes said electric light switch to be moved between an on position and an off position, and

said switch plate including means thereon to facilitate operation of said electric light switch including a recessed, circular dimple in an exposed front surface thereof.