Active cover plates
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A cover plate for an electrical receptacle, the cover plate comprising:
- a first conductive element, wherein the first conductive element;
protrudes rearward from a fixture of the cover plate; and
is configured to contact a first terminal of a receptacle, wherein the first terminal is configured to connect the receptacle via a conductor to a power source;
a first insulating cover comprising a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the first conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the first conductive element to inhibit the first conductive element from contacting conducting materials other than the first terminal of the receptacle;
a second conductive element, wherein the second conductive element;
protrudes rearward from a fixture of the cover plate; and
is configured to contact a second terminal of the receptacle, wherein the second terminal is configured to complete the connection of the receptacle via a conductor to the power source;
a second insulating cover comprising a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the second conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the second conductive element to inhibit the second conductive element from contacting conducting materials other than the second terminal of the receptacle; and
an electrical load in the cover plate, wherein the load is electrically connected to the first terminal through the first conductive element and is electrically connected to the second terminal through the second conductive element.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment includes a cover plate for an electrical receptacle. The cover plate includes first and second conductors that protrude rearward from the cover plate and are configured to contact terminals of a receptacle to supply power to a load associated with the cover plate. Insulators over at least a portion of the conductors inhibit the conductors from contacting other conductive materials.
127 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A cover plate for an electrical receptacle, the cover plate comprising:
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a first conductive element, wherein the first conductive element; protrudes rearward from a fixture of the cover plate; and is configured to contact a first terminal of a receptacle, wherein the first terminal is configured to connect the receptacle via a conductor to a power source; a first insulating cover comprising a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the first conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the first conductive element to inhibit the first conductive element from contacting conducting materials other than the first terminal of the receptacle; a second conductive element, wherein the second conductive element; protrudes rearward from a fixture of the cover plate; and is configured to contact a second terminal of the receptacle, wherein the second terminal is configured to complete the connection of the receptacle via a conductor to the power source; a second insulating cover comprising a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the second conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the second conductive element to inhibit the second conductive element from contacting conducting materials other than the second terminal of the receptacle; and an electrical load in the cover plate, wherein the load is electrically connected to the first terminal through the first conductive element and is electrically connected to the second terminal through the second conductive element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A cover plate for an electrical receptacle, the cover plate comprising:
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a first conductive element, wherein the first conductive element; protrudes rearward from a fixture of the cover plate; and is configured to contact a first terminal of a receptacle, wherein the first terminal connects the receptacle via a conductor to a power source, wherein the first conductive element bends outward as it contacts the first terminal; a first insulator, wherein the first insulator comprises a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the first conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the first conductive element to inhibit the first conductive element from making electrical contact with conducting materials other than the first terminal of the receptacle; a second conductive element, wherein the second conductive element; protrudes rearward from a fixture of the cover plate; and is configured to contact a second terminal of the receptacle, wherein the second conductive element bends outward as it contacts the second terminal, wherein the second terminal completes the connection of the receptacle to the power source; a second insulator, wherein the second insulator comprises a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the second conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the second conductive element to inhibit the second conductive element from making electrical contact with conducting materials other than the second terminal of the receptacle; an electrical load in the cover plate; and electrical components embedded within the cover plate, wherein the electrical components connect; the first conductive element to the load; and the second conductive element to the load. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A cover plate for an electrical receptacle, the cover plate comprising:
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a faceplate, wherein the faceplate is configured to cover an opening of an electrical box and comprises an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to provide access to the receptacle within the electrical box; a first conductive element, wherein the first conductive element; protrudes rearward from a fixture of the faceplate; and is configured to contact a first terminal of the receptacle, wherein the first terminal connects the receptacle via a wire to a power source, wherein the first conductive element bends outward as it contacts the first terminal; a first insulating cover comprising a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the first conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the first conductive element to inhibit the first conductive element from contacting conducting materials other than the first terminal of the receptacle; a second conductive element, wherein the second conductive element; protrudes rearward from a fixture of the faceplate; and is configured to contact a second terminal of the receptacle, wherein the second conductive element bends outward as it contacts the second terminal, wherein the second terminal completes the connection of the receptacle via a wire to the power source; a second insulating cover comprising a rear insulating portion covering a rear of the second conductive element and a front insulating portion over a front of the second conductive element to inhibit the second conductive element from contacting conducting materials other than the second terminal of the receptacle; a light source connected to the faceplate, wherein the light source is configured to; convert electrical power to light; and project the light from the faceplate; and wiring embedded within the faceplate, wherein the wiring connects; the first conductive element to the light source; and the second conductive element to the light source. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification