Electrical outlet safety cover

• US 5,813,873 A
• Filed: 09/06/1996
• Issued: 09/29/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Innerlock Electric Co.
• Original Assignee: Innerlock Electric Co.
• Inventors: McBain, Theodore, Osborn, Melvin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, TULSIDAS C
• Application Number:
  US08/708,344
• Time in Patent Office: 753 Days
• Field of Search: 439/145, 439/136, 439/346, 174/67
• US Class Current: 439/145
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/443 Dummy plugs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/453 Shutter or cover plate opened by engagement of counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A safety cap for an electrical outlet having an adhesive section can be attached to a standard outlet cover. Alternately an outlet cover including two slidable plates including a spring or spring groove can be used to prevent access to the outlet by a child. An elongated member on one plate is used to contact a spring on the other plate. Alternately, the elongated member can fit into a spring groove to bias the plates apart into the closed position. Locking pins can be used to lock the plates onto an aperture at the base of a plug'"'"'s power prong. Additionally, a recess around each electrical outlet can mate with a respective lip of a plug to provide an interlocking interface between the plug and outlet cover to prevent a child from being able to insert a metal object between the plug and the face-plate.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an outlet cover frame;

two plates operably connected to the cover frame, each plate having an aperture that allows a power prong of a plug to be placed into the outlet when the plates are aligned in an open position, each plate also having an elongated portion that is adapted to contact the other plate so that in a closed position the plates bias each other such that a portion of the plates blocks access to the outlet, wherein the plates can be pushed in toward one another to an open position to allow a plug to be placed in the outlet, wherein the plates have a locking pin which is adapted to fit into a hole at the base of a prong.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member fits into a spring groove.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongated member contacts a spring element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plates bias the locking pin into the hole at the base of the prong, once the prong is placed in the outlet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when a plug is pulled from the socket under pressure the locking pin will give way before socket is damaged.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the locking socket will disengage with under 15 pounds of pressure.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plates are made of plastic.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the plates are made of memory plastic.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover frame includes a groove adapted to receive a protective plastic shield on a plug.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a bump on the elongated member of one plate for contacting an indentation in the other plate to define the normal position.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a nightlight attached to the cover frame.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a lighted sign attached to the cover frame.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera attached to the cover frame.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the camera is controlled by a photodetector.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein plates have grips.

16. An apparatus comprising:

an outlet cover frame;

two single-piece plates made of a memory plastic material, the plates operably connected to the cover frame, each plate having an aperture that allows a power prong of a plug to be placed into the outlet when the plates are in an open position, each plate also having an elongated portion, and a spring that engages the elongated portion of the other plate;

wherein in a normal position the springs bias the elongated portion of the plates such that a portion of the plates block access to the outlet, wherein the plates can be pushed in toward one another to an open position to allow a plug to be placed in the outlet, wherein the plates have a locking pin which is adapted to fit into a hole at the base of a prong.