Active cover plates
First Claim
1. A cover plate comprising:
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
a back plate abutting a back of the face plate;
an electric load between the face plate and the back plate;
at least one prong that extends from the face plate to a free end, the prong configured to interface with a terminal on a side of an outlet receptacle body, the prong comprising;
an insulated portion; and
an electrical contact;
wherein the free end of the prong comprises the insulated portion and wherein the prong resiliently deflects outward when interfacing with the terminal, and wherein the prong deflects with a first resistance prior to the insulated portion contacting a wall, and a second resistance that is greater than the first resistance when the insulated portion contacts the wall, wherein the wall comprises an interior wall of an electrical receptacle box; and
at least one conductor electrically connecting the prong to the electric load.
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Litigations
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Accused Products
Abstract
In one example, a cover plate may include a face plate with at least one outlet aperture, a back plate abutting the back of the face plate, an electric load between the face plate and the back plate, and at least one prong that extends from the face plate to a free end. The prong may be configured to interface with a terminal on the side of an outlet receptacle body and may include any or all of the following: an insulated portion and/or an electrical contact. The prong may resiliently deflects outward when interfacing with the terminal and may deflect with a first resistance prior to contacting a wall and with a second resistance that is greater than the first resistance when the prong contacts the wall. The cover play may also include at least one conductor electrically connecting the prong to the electric load.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A cover plate comprising:
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
a back plate abutting a back of the face plate;
an electric load between the face plate and the back plate;
at least one prong that extends from the face plate to a free end, the prong configured to interface with a terminal on a side of an outlet receptacle body, the prong comprising;
an insulated portion; and
an electrical contact;
wherein the free end of the prong comprises the insulated portion and wherein the prong resiliently deflects outward when interfacing with the terminal, and wherein the prong deflects with a first resistance prior to the insulated portion contacting a wall, and a second resistance that is greater than the first resistance when the insulated portion contacts the wall, wherein the wall comprises an interior wall of an electrical receptacle box; and
at least one conductor electrically connecting the prong to the electric load. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
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8. A cover plate comprising:
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
electronic circuitry;
a pair of prongs coupled to the face plate, the pair of prongs comprising a first prong extending to a first free end and a second prong extending to a second free end, the prongs located on opposite sides of the at least one outlet aperture, each prong comprising;
a conductive portion, and a non-conductive portion comprising a ramp located at the free end of the prong, wherein the prong is configured to resilientlydeflect outward when interfacing with a terminal on the side of an outlet receptacle body and the ramp is configured to prevent the conductive portion from contacting a wall of an electrical box;
insulating tabs comprising a first insulating tab extending from the cover plate and positioned between the first prong and an edge of the face plate and a second insulating tab extending from the cover plate and positioned between the second prong and an edge of the face plate, wherein the insulating tabs comprise a hinged connection with the cover plate; and
at least one conductor electrically connecting the pair of prongs to electronic circuitry. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
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18. A cover plate comprising:
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
at least one prong coupled to the face plate and extending from the faceplate to a free end, the prong configured to electrically couple to a terminal on the side of an outlet receptacle body, the prong comprising a conductive portion and a non-conductive portion; and
a tab located between the prong and an exterior edge of the face plate, the tab shielding an exterior side of the conductive portion of the prong;
wherein the non-conductive portion of the prong comprises a ramp configured to extend over the tab. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- a face plate comprising at least one outlet aperture;
Specification