Electrical outlet cover plate

• US 7,902,458 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2008
• Issued: 03/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 360 Electrical LLC
• Original Assignee: 360 Electrical LLC
• Inventors: Eshelman, Brandon
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada; Angel R
• Application Number:
  US12/141,807
• Publication Number:
  US 20090314509A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 174/135, 174/53, 174/58, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8, 220/3.2, 220/3.3, D83/53, D13/177, D13/156, 439/535, 439/536
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a plate assembly for an electrical outlet. In some embodiments, the plate assembly includes a strapping plate that is attachable to the electrical outlet, and a cover plate sub-assembly that is selectively attachable to the strapping plate. In some embodiments, the cover plate sub-assembly includes a body portion that lies in a first plane, and a first retention member that is fixed to the body portion, and that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane. The first retention member selectively engages the strapping plate to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto. Embodiments of an electrical outlet assembly that implement the plate assembly are also described.

Claims

1. A plate assembly for an electrical outlet, comprising:

a strapping plate that is attachable to the electrical outlet; and

a cover plate sub-assembly that is selectively attachable to the strapping plate, the cover plate sub-assembly comprising;

a cover plate comprising outer edge portions circumscribing a generally planar body portion that lies between the outer edge portions in a first plane and that has a generally planar back surface disposed parallel to the first plane; and

a first retention member disposed adjacent to and fixed to the back surface, that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane,

wherein the first retention member selectively engages the strapping plate to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto.

2. The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the first retention member includes at least one spring arm that selectively engages a recess of the strapping plate.

3. The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the first retention member includes an end that at least partially extends into an opening defined in the body portion, the end selectively engaging the strapping plate.

4. The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the first retention member includes an engagement surface that interfaces with an engagement edge of the strapping plate.

5. The plate assembly of claim 4, wherein the engagement surface is at an angle relative to the engagement edge of the strapping plate.

6. The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the first retention member includes an arm portion having a first thickness, and an end portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

7. The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover plate sub-assembly further comprises a second retention member that is fixed to the body portion, and that lies in the second plane.

8. The plate assembly of claim 1, wherein the cover plate sub-assembly and the strapping plate include respective openings, through which an electrical receptacle of the electrical outlet is accessible.

9. An electrical outlet assembly, comprising:

an electrical outlet having at least one electrical receptacle; and

a plate assembly that is attached to the electrical outlet, the plate assembly comprising;

a strapping plate that is attachable to the electrical outlet; and

a cover plate sub-assembly that is selectively attachable to the strapping plate, the cover plate sub-assembly comprising;

a cover plate comprising outer edge portions circumscribing a generally planar body portion that lies between the outer edge portions in a first plane and that has a generally planar back surface disposed parallel to the first plane; and

a first retention member disposed adjacent to and fixed to the back surface, that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane,

wherein the first retention member selectively engages the strapping plate to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto.

10. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the first retention member includes at least one spring arm that selectively engages a recess of the strapping plate.

11. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the first retention member includes an end that at least partially extends into an opening defined in the body portion, the end selectively engaging the strapping plate.

12. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the first retention member includes an engagement surface that interfaces with an engagement edge of the strapping plate.

13. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 12, wherein the engagement surface is at an angle relative to the engagement edge of the strapping plate.

14. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the first retention member includes an arm portion having a first thickness, and an end portion having a second thickness greater than the first thickness.

15. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover plate sub-assembly further comprises a second retention member that is fixed to the body portion, and that lies in the second plane.

16. The electrical outlet assembly of claim 9, wherein the cover plate sub-assembly and the strapping plate include respective openings, through which the electrical receptacle is accessible.

17. A plate assembly for an electrical outlet, comprising:

a strapping plate that is attachable to the electrical outlet, and that includes a recess defined therein; and

a cover plate sub-assembly that is selectively attachable to the strapping plate, the cover plate sub-assembly comprising;

a cover plate comprising outer edge portions circumscribing a generally planar body portion that lies between the outer edge portions in a first plane and that has a generally planar back surface disposed parallel to the first plane, and that has an opening therethrough; and

a retention member disposed adjacent to and fixed to the back surface, that lies in a second plane parallel to the first plane, and that includes an edge that at least partially extends into the opening,

wherein the edge of the retention member selectively engages the recess of the strapping plate to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto.

18. The plate assembly of claim 17, wherein the retention member includes at least one spring arm that includes the edge.

19. The plate assembly of claim 17, wherein the retention member includes an engagement surface that interfaces with an engagement edge of the recess of the strapping plate, and wherein the engagement surface is at an angle relative to the engagement edge of the strapping plate.

20. The plate assembly of claim 17, wherein the strapping plate includes an opening that aligns with the opening of the cover plate sub-assembly such that the electrical receptacle is accessible through both openings.