Electrical device concealing system

• US 8,445,780 B1
• Filed: 03/04/2011
• Issued: 05/21/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Larry W. Robins
• Original Assignee: Larry W. Robins
• Inventors: Robins, Larry W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Estrada, Angel R
• Application Number:
  US13/040,443
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 174/480, 174/481, 174/50, 174/53, 174/57, 174/58, 174/66, 174/67, 174/482, 174/490, 174/491, 220 32- 39, 220/4.02, 220/241, 220/242, 439/535, 439/536
• US Class Current: 174/67
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

The apparatus includes a mount plate secured to a wall or ceiling panel and leading to an electrical device, a frame secured thereto, a plurality of magnetic or mechanical push-touch latches secured to the frame and adapted for inward/outward movement, and a cover magnetically or mechanically, such as a pin and socket attachment assembly, connected to the latches and movable with the latches, such as to be substantially flush with the frame in the inward position and extend outwardly from the frame in the outward position such as to permit removal for access to the electrical device. Various finishing materials may be applied over any exposed portions of the apparatus, such as the mount plate, portions of the frame, and cover to match the surrounding wall panel so that the invention is substantially unnoticeable along the wall panel. The cover may also include an opening for a daily use embodiment.

Claims

1. An electrical device concealing system, comprising:

an electrical device;

a wall or ceiling panel having a first opening, wherein said first opening leads to said electrical device;

a mount plate having a second opening, mount plate is secured to said wall or ceiling panel such that said second opening aligns with said first opening;

a frame having a face trim defining a third opening and a plurality of flanges, wherein said face trim is positioned flat against said mount plate such that said third opening aligns with said second opening and wherein said plurality of flanges extend inwardly from said face trim;

a plurality of operative-latches attached to one or more of said plurality of flanges, wherein said plurality of flanges are adapted for inward and outward movement relative said frame; and

a cover removably connected to said plurality of operative-latches, wherein said cover is adapted to conceal said first opening, said second opening, and said third opening such as for concealing said electrical device;

wherein said cover moves inwardly and outwardly with said plurality of operative-latches such that said cover is substantially flush with said face trim of said frame in a first position such as to conceal said electrical device and such that said cover is positioned outwardly from said face trim of said frame in a second position such as to permit removal of said cover from said plurality of latches to expose said electrical device.

2. The electrical device concealing system of claim 1, wherein said electrical device includes a mounting box, wherein said plurality of flanges are retained within said mounting box.

3. The electrical device concealing system of claim 1, wherein said electrical device is comprised of an electrical outlet.

4. The electrical device concealing system of claim 1, wherein said electrical device is comprised of a communications socket.

5. The electrical device concealing system of claim 1, wherein said electrical device is comprised of an electrical switch.

6. The electrical device concealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover is magnetically connected to said plurality of operative-latches.

7. The electrical device concealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cover is mechanically connected to said plurality of operative-latches.

8. The electrical device concealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of operative-latches each comprise:

a body mounted to one of said plurality of flanges, said body being recessed from said face trim;

a biased-plunger having an outer end and supported by said body, said biased-plunger adapted for inward and outward movement relative said body such that a first inward pushing-force applied to said biased-plunger causes said biased-plunger to be retained in a retracted position, wherein said outer end is recessed from said face trim in said retracted position and such that a second inward pushing-force applied to said biased-plunger causes said biased-plunger to be move to an extended position, wherein said outer end extends outwardly beyond said face trim in said extended position; and

a magnetic catch element attached to said outer end of said biased-plunger such that said magnetic catch element moves with said biased-plunger from said retracted position to said extended position;

wherein said cover is magnetically connected to said magnetic catch element.

9. The electrical device concealing apparatus of claim 1, including a finish material applied over an exposed portion of said mount plate, said face trim, and said cover, said finish means adapted to match a surrounding said wall or ceiling panel.

10. The electrical device concealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein said finish material is comprised of a textured material, a cork material, a wood material, a paint material, a wall paper material, or a stone material.

11. An electrical device concealing apparatus suitable for mounting to a wall panel, ceiling panel, or the like, comprising:

a mount plate having a first opening, wherein said mount plate is secured to the wall or ceiling panel such that said first opening aligns with an electrical device;

a frame having a face trim defining a second opening and a plurality of flanges, wherein said face trim is positioned flat against said mount plate such that said second opening aligns with said first opening and wherein said plurality of flanges extend inwardly from said face trim;

a plurality of operative-latches attached to one or more of said plurality of flanges, wherein said plurality of flanges are adapted for inward and outward movement relative said frame;

wherein said plurality of operative-latches each comprise a body mounted to one of said plurality of flanges, said body being recessed from said face trim, a biased-plunger having an outer end and supported by said body, said biased-plunger adapted for inward and outward movement relative said body such that a first inward pushing-force applied to said biased-plunger causes said biased-plunger to be retained in a retracted position, wherein said outer end is recessed from said face trim in said retracted position and such that a second inward pushing-force applied to said biased-plunger causes said biased-plunger to be move to an extended position, wherein said outer end extends outwardly beyond said face trim in said extended position, and a magnetic catch element attached to said outer end of said biased-plunger such that said magnetic catch element moves with said biased-plunger from said refracted position to said extended position;

a cover removably and magnetically connected to said plurality of operative-latches, wherein said cover is adapted to conceal said first opening and said second opening such as for concealing the electrical device;

wherein said cover moves inwardly and outwardly with said plurality of operative-latches such that said cover is substantially flush with said face trim of said frame in a first position such as to conceal the electrical device and such that said cover is positioned outwardly from said face trim of said frame in a second position such as to permit removal of said cover from said plurality of latches to expose the electrical device; and

a finish material applied over an exposed portion of said mount plate, said face trim, and said cover to match a surrounding wall or ceiling panel, wherein said finish material is comprised of a textured material, a cork material, a wood material, a paint material, a wall paper material, or a stone material.