Tattletale child safety outlet cover

• US 6,108,178 A
• Filed: 03/03/1999
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Keith Alan Beadles
• Original Assignee: Keith Alan Beadles
• Inventors: Beadles, Keith Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): SHERRY, MICHAEL JUDE
• Application Number:
  US09/261,377
• Time in Patent Office: 538 Days
• Field of Search: 361/1, 340/635, 340/653, 340/654, 340/656
• US Class Current: 361/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/00 Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/88

Abstract

A child safety outlet cover that plugs into and completely covers electrical wall outlets. The outlet cover has a door on the front of the cover which allows power cords to plug into a wall outlet and yet the plugs and outlet remain covered. The door is equipped with a childproof safety latch to keep children from opening the door. If the door is opened an alarm will sound and electricity to the outlet cover will shut off. Even with the door closed there is no power to the outlet cover unless a power cord is plugged into the outlet cover.

Claims

1. A child safety outlet cover for covering a household electrical outlet which has two three-prong receptacles, comprising:

a housing with two sets of three-prongs on the back side, wherein said prongs plug into the two three-prong receptacles on the household electrical outlet, connecting the housing to the household electrical outlet; and

two three-prong receptacles, on the opposite side of the housing from the two sets of three-prongs, for receiving power cord plugs;

a child proof door connected to the housing with two hinges;

wherein said door swings closed over the receptacle side of the housing to cover entire receptacle side of the housing;

said door has two slots positioned so that when the door is in the closed position one slot is over each of the two receptacles on the housing, wherein said slots allow power cord plugs to remain plugged into the housing receptacles while the power cords pass through the slots;

a child proof safety latch which holds the door in the closed position;

a latch release button for releasing and allowing the door to swing to an open position;

two receptacle switches on the housing, wherein a receptacle switch is actuated when the power cord plug is inserted into one of the receptacles on the opposite side of the housing allowing power to the power cord plug once the door is closed; and

a door switch which is actuated when the door is opened or closed, wherein the door switch allows power to the receptacle switches when the door is closed, and sounds an alarm and cuts off power to the outlet cover when the door is opened.

2. The child safety outlet cover of claim 1, further comprising a battery for powering the alarm.

3. The child safety outlet cover of claim 2, wherein the housing is secured with a screw.