Snap-on wall plate assembly
First Claim
1. A wall cover plate assembly for covering an electrical device mounted to an electrical box, said assembly comprising:
- a base plate having a substantially planar configuration with at least one opening for receiving a top face of the electrical device, said base plate having a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a third end extending between said first and second ends and a fourth end extending between said first and second ends, said base having a plurality of screw holes for receiving a screw adapted for coupling said base plate to the electrical device and electrical box, and a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the base plate, each of said openings having a surface extending substantially perpendicular to a plane of said base plate and having a latch member extending from said surface; and
a cover plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with an opening to access the electrical device, said cover plate having a plurality of connectors extending from said bottom surface of said cover plate aligned with one of said openings in said base plate, each said connector having a longitudinal dimension with an engagement surface, said engagement surface oriented at an incline with respect to a plane of said surface of a respective opening in said base plate and extending toward said surface of said respective opening, said engagement surface having a plurality of teeth for coupling with said latch member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The wall cover plate assembly includes a base and a cover for connecting to an electrical box and an electrical wiring device. The base is connected to the electrical box and/or the electrical wiring device by suitable fasteners. The base includes a first coupling member positioned along opposite side edges and second coupling members positioned at each corner of the base plate. A cover includes a first coupling member for engaging the first coupling member on the base plate and connectors for engaging the second coupling members on the base plate. The connectors of the cover are angled with respect to a plane of the cover to engage a connecting member of the second coupling members. The connectors provide a biasing force to engage the second coupling members of the base which increase when the cover plate is pulled outwardly from the base.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A wall cover plate assembly for covering an electrical device mounted to an electrical box, said assembly comprising:
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a base plate having a substantially planar configuration with at least one opening for receiving a top face of the electrical device, said base plate having a first end, a second end opposite said first end, a third end extending between said first and second ends and a fourth end extending between said first and second ends, said base having a plurality of screw holes for receiving a screw adapted for coupling said base plate to the electrical device and electrical box, and a plurality of openings extending between a top surface and a bottom surface of the base plate, each of said openings having a surface extending substantially perpendicular to a plane of said base plate and having a latch member extending from said surface; and a cover plate having a top surface and a bottom surface with an opening to access the electrical device, said cover plate having a plurality of connectors extending from said bottom surface of said cover plate aligned with one of said openings in said base plate, each said connector having a longitudinal dimension with an engagement surface, said engagement surface oriented at an incline with respect to a plane of said surface of a respective opening in said base plate and extending toward said surface of said respective opening, said engagement surface having a plurality of teeth for coupling with said latch member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A cover plate assembly for connecting to a wall mounted electrical device mounted in an electrical box, the assembly comprising:
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a base having a substantially planar configuration with a dimension to overlie said electrical device and having a first and an opposite second end, and a third and an opposite fourth end, said third and fourth ends extending substantially perpendicular to said first and second ends, said base having a plurality of openings spaced inwardly from said ends, each of said openings having coupling surface extending substantially perpendicular to a plane of said base, and having a latch member on said coupling surface; and a cover having a planar configuration with an outer dimension to cover said base, said cover having a top wall with a peripheral edge, and a lip extending substantially perpendicular from said peripheral edge of said top wall, said top wall having a plurality of connectors corresponding to each of said openings in said base, each of said connectors having a longitudinal dimension with an inwardly facing surface oriented at an incline with respect to a plane of said top wall and at an incline with respect to an outwardly facing surface of each of said openings in said base, each of said connectors having a plurality of recesses on said inwardly facing surface for mating with a respective latch member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A cover plate assembly for a multi gang wall mounted electrical box having a plurality of electrical devices, the assembly comprising:
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a base having a plurality of access openings aligned with a respective electrical device, said base having a plurality of screw holes for receiving a screw for coupling said base to said electrical box and said electrical devices, said base having an outer peripheral edge with a first end and an opposite second end, and a plurality of openings extending through said base, each of said openings having coupling surface with a latch member on said coupling surface and extending into said respective opening; a coupling tab extending outward from said first end and second end; a cover coupled to said base, said cover having a top wall and a plurality of access openings for said electrical devices, said cover having a lip extending from a peripheral edge of said top wall and having a dimension to surround said base, said lip having an inwardly facing coupling member for coupling with said coupling tab on said first side end and second side end of said base; and a plurality of connectors extending from a bottom surface of said top wall of said cover plate for coupling with a respective latch member, each of said connectors having a longitudinal dimension with an inclined inner surface extending toward a bottom end of said outwardly facing surface of a respective opening in said base, said inclined inner surface having a plurality of teeth for engaging said latch member. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification