Wall outlet cover

• US 7,284,995 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2006
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian Vail
• Original Assignee: Brian Vail
• Inventors: Vail, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel; Tulsidas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imas; Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US11/522,897
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• Field of Search: 439/133, 439/147, 439/144, 174/67, 220/242
• US Class Current: 439/133
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6397 with means for preventing unauthorised use

Abstract

The present invention is an improved cover for covering over an electric fixture on the wall. The cover includes a housing dimensioned to completely contain the electric fixture, the housing having a top portion, two parallel side portions and a flat back portion. The top portion and side portions of the housing define a front opening dimensioned to be larger than the electrical fixture. The flat back portion has at least one aperture which is dimensioned and configured to permit a mounting bolt to pass there trough to bolt the flat back portion directly to the electric fixture so that the flat back portion contacts the wall. The flat back portion also has at least one opening for accessing the electric fixture. The cover further includes a removable front panel mounted to the housing, the front panel being slidingly attached to the side portions and movable between a first position wherein the front panel completely closes off the front opening and a second position wherein the front panel is detached from the housing. The cover also includes a lock mechanism which is mounted to the front panel, the lock mechanism operating between a locked state wherein the lock mechanism locks the front panel in its first position and an unlocked state wherein the front panel is free to slide free from the side portions. Finally, the front panel has a lower transverse lip extending perpendicularly towards the back wall.

Claims

1. A cover for covering over an electric fixture on the wall, the cover comprising:

a housing dimensioned and configured to completely contain the electric fixture, the housing having a top portion, two parallel side portions and a flat back portion, the top portion and side portions defining a front opening dimensioned to be larger than the electrical fixture, the flat back portion having at least one aperture dimensioned and configured to permit a mounting bolt to pass there trough to bolt the flat back portion directly to the electric fixture so that the flat back portion contacts the wall, the flat back portion having at least one opening for accessing the electric fixture;

a removable front panel mounted to the housing, the front panel being slidingly attached to the side portions and movable between a first position wherein the front panel completely closes off the front opening and a second position wherein the front panel is detached from the housing;

a lock mechanism being mounted to the front panel, the lock mechanism operating between a locked state wherein the lock mechanism locks the front panel in its first position and an unlocked state wherein the front panel is free to slide free from the side portions,

the front panel having a lower transverse lip extending perpendicularly towards the back wall, and wherein the back portion is slidingly attached to the side portions.

2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the side portions each have a second elongated groove parallel to the first elongated groove, the second elongated groove being dimensioned and configure to receive the flat back portion.

3. A cover for covering over an electric fixture on the wall, the electrical fixture having a first and second electrical outlet, the cover comprising:

a housing dimensioned and configured to completely contain the electric fixture, the housing having a top portion, two parallel side portions and a flat back portion, the top portion and side portions defining a front opening dimensioned to be larger than the electrical fixture, the flat back portion having two adjacent openings, the openings being dimensioned and configured to permit access to the electrical outlets, the flat back portion having a bolt aperture between the two adjacent openings, the bolt aperture being dimensioned to permit a mounting bolt to pass there through to bolt the flat back portion directly to the electrical fixture such that the flat back portion contacts the wall;

a removable front panel mounted to the housing, the front panel being slidingly attached to the side portions and movable between a first position wherein the front panel completely closes off the front opening and a second position wherein the front panel is detached from the housing;

a lock mechanism being mounted to the front panel, the lock mechanism operating between a locked state wherein the lock mechanism locks the front panel in its first position and an unlocked state wherein the front panel is free to slide free from the side portions,

the front panel having a lower transverse lip extending perpendicularly towards the back wall and wherein the back portion is slidingly attached to the side portions.

4. The cover of claim 3 wherein the side portions each have a second elongated groove parallel to the first elongated groove, the second elongated groove being dimensioned and configure to receive the flat back portion.