INTERCHANGEABLE COVER SYSTEM

• US 20140326726A1
• Filed: 04/25/2014
• Published: 11/06/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Daniel P. Byrne, Norman R. Byrne, Randell E. Pate
• Original Assignee: Norman R. Byrne
• Inventors: Byrne, Norman R., Byrne, Daniel P., Pate, Randell E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,000,298 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/241
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

An interchangeable cover system is provided for use with an electrical power or data unit, such as at or near a work surface. The cover system includes an aesthetic cover and a clip member. The aesthetic cover has an aesthetic surface and an attachment surface, which is opposite the aesthetic surface. The clip member is positioned at the attachment surface of the aesthetic cover, and is used to releasably secure the aesthetic cover to a housing of the electrical power unit. In one embodiment, the clip member includes a pair of resilient projections with hook-like portions for releasably engaging an opening formed in the housing of the power unit.

Claims

1. An interchangeable cover system for use on an electrical power unit, said cover system comprising:

an aesthetic cover having an aesthetic surface and an attachment surface opposite said aesthetic surface;

a clip member disposed at said attachment surface of said aesthetic cover and configured to releasably secure said aesthetic cover to a housing of the electrical power unit, said clip member comprising a pair of spaced-apart projections extending outwardly away from said attachment surface of said aesthetic cover and configured to be received in an opening formed in a surface of the housing of the electrical power unit; and

wherein said projections are compressible toward one another during insertion of said resilient projections into the opening formed in the surface of the housing, and wherein said resilient projections are configured to engage the housing at respective opposite ends of the opening formed in the surface thereof.

2. The cover system of claim 1, wherein said clip member comprises an outer surface that is coupled to said attachment surface of said aesthetic cover.

3. The cover system of claim 2, wherein said outer surface of said clip member is configured to be coupled to said attachment surface of said aesthetic cover via at least one chosen from (i) an adhesive, (ii) an ultrasonic weld, (iii) a heat weld, (iv) a mechanical fastener, (v) a hook-and-loop fastener, and (vi) a magnetic fastener.

4. The cover system of claim 2, further comprising a double-sided adhesive configured to secure said outer surface of said aesthetic cover to said attachment surface of said aesthetic cover.

5. The cover system of claim 1, wherein said projections comprise a resilient material.

6. The cover system of claim 5, wherein said projections cooperate to define a generally V-shaped space therebetween, and wherein each of said projections comprises a hook-like portion extending laterally outwardly for releasable engagement with respective portions of the housing forming the opposite ends of the opening.

7. The cover system of claim 1, further in combination with the electrical power unit, wherein said electrical power unit comprises at least one electrical outlet.

8. The cover system of claim 7, wherein said surface of said housing of said electrical power unit comprises a recessed region defined around said opening, said recessed region configured to receive a portion of said clip member upon engagement of said projections in said opening.

9. The cover system of claim 1, wherein said aesthetic surface of said aesthetic cover comprises at least one chosen from (i) a patterned or textured surface, (ii) a felt, cork, rubber, or rubber-like material, and (iii) indicia.

10. An interchangeable cover system for use on an electrical power unit, said cover system comprising:

an aesthetic cover having an outer aesthetic surface and an inner attachment surface;

a plurality of clip members each having (i) an outer surface that is securable to said inner attachment surface of said aesthetic cover, (ii) an inner surface opposite said outer surface, and (iii) a pair of resilient projections extending from said inner surface, each of said resilient projections configured to releasably engage the housing of the electrical power unit at respective opposite ends of an opening formed therein; and

a coupling element disposed between said inner attachment surface of said aesthetic cover and said outer surface of said clip member, wherein said coupling element is configured to secure said clip member to said aesthetic cover.

11. The interchangeable cover system of claim 10, wherein said coupling element comprises at least one chosen from (i) an adhesive, (ii) an ultrasonic weld, (iii) a heat weld, (iv) magnets, and (v) a mechanical fastener.

12. The interchangeable cover system of claim 10, wherein said resilient projections define a generally V-shaped space therebetween, and wherein each of said resilient projections comprises a hook-like portion extending laterally outwardly for engagement with a respective portion of the housing at one of the openings, and wherein said corresponding pairs of said resilient projections are compressible toward one another during insertion of said resilient projections into the opening formed in the surface of the housing.

13. The interchangeable cover system of claim 10, further in combination with the electrical power unit, wherein said electrical power unit comprises at least one electrical outlet.

14. The interchangeable cover system of claim 13, wherein said electrical power unit comprises a clamp member configured to secure said electrical power unit to a work surface.

15. The interchangeable cover system of claim 10, wherein said aesthetic surface of said aesthetic cover comprises at least one chosen from (i) a patterned or textured surface, (ii) a felt, cork, rubber, or rubber-like material, and (iii) indicia.

16. An electrical power unit with replaceable aesthetic cover, comprising:

an electrical power unit housing having an outer surface defining a plurality of openings;

at least one electrical outlet disposed at said electrical power unit housing;

at least one aesthetic cover having an outer aesthetic surface and an inner attachment surface, said aesthetic cover configured to be received and supported at said housing of said electrical power unit;

a plurality of clip members each comprising;

an outer surface that is securable to said inner attachment surface of said aesthetic cover;

an inner surface opposite said outer surface; and

a pair of resilient projections extending from said inner surface and defining a generally V-shaped space therebetween, each of said resilient projections having a hook-like portion extending laterally outwardly to releasably engage said housing at respective opposite ends of one of said openings formed therein;

a coupling element disposed between said inner attachment surface of said aesthetic cover and said outer surface of said clip member, and configured to secure said clip member to said aesthetic cover; and

wherein corresponding ones of said resilient projections are compressible toward one another during insertion of said resilient projections into the opening formed in the surface of the housing.

17. The electrical power unit of claim 16, wherein said housing comprises a pair of ramped surfaces adjacent said opposite ends of said openings, and wherein said ramped surfaces are engaged by said hook-like portions of said resilient projections upon full engagement of said clip members in said openings.

18. The electrical power unit of claim 17, wherein said outer surface of said electrical power unit housing comprises a recessed region defined around each of said openings, said recessed regions configured to receive a generally planar portion of said clip member upon engagement of said projections in said opening.

19. The electrical power unit of claim 18, wherein said outer surface of said electrical power unit housing comprises a cover-receiving surface surrounded by a raised perimeter lip, said cover-receiving surface configured to receive said aesthetic cover whereby said outer aesthetic surface of said aesthetic cover is substantially flush with said raised perimeter lip.

20. The electrical power unit of claim 19, wherein said cover-receiving surface is spaced a first distance below said raised perimeter lip and said recessed regions defined around said openings are recessed a second distance below said raised perimeter lip that is greater than said first distance.