Active Cover Plates

• US 20160248202A1
• Filed: 05/03/2016
• Published: 08/25/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snaprays, LLC
• Original Assignee: Snaprays, LLC
• Inventors: Robinson, Richard Camden, Knight, Darren, Smith, Jeremy Cornell, Watkins, Sean Daniel, Dietz, Phil
• Granted Patent: US 9,787,025 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/701 the switch being actuated by an accessory, e.g. cover, locking member
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/081 Bases, casings or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

In one embodiment, a system includes a face plate, an electrical contact, and a support structure interfacing to the face plate and supporting the electrical contact, wherein the electrical contact is repositionable with respect to the face plate along two distinct axes.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a face plate;

an electrical contact; and

a support structure interfacing to the face plate and supporting the electrical contact;

wherein the electrical contact is repositionable with respect to the face plate along two distinct axes.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the support structure flexes to reposition the electrical contact along a first axis.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a releasable locking interface between the face plate and the support structure, wherein the first releasable locking interface releasably locks the support structure in different positions along a second axis with respect to the face plate.

4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a contact positioning mechanism between the electrical contact and the support structure, wherein the contact positioning mechanism releasably locks the electrical contact in different positions along a second axis with respect to the support structure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the two distinct axes are substantially orthogonal.

6. An active cover plate comprising:

a face plate;

a spring clip; and

a shiftably adjustable mechanism securing the spring clip to the face plate in at least two different fixed positions, wherein the spring clip is movable between the at least two different fixed positions.

7. The active cover plate of claim 6, wherein the spring clip is movable between the at least two different fixed positions through application of force which disengages the shiftably adjustable mechanism to move the spring clip from a first fixed position and reengages the shiftably adjustable mechanism to secure the spring clip in a second fixed position.

8. The active cover plate of claim 6, wherein the at least two different fixed positions are both in a plane parallel to a rear surface of the face plate.

9. The active cover plate of claim 6, wherein the shiftably adjustable mechanism comprises a first engaging element and a second engaging element.

10. The active cover plate of claim 9, wherein the first engaging element is flexible such that flexure of the first engaging element disengages the first engaging element from the second engaging element to allow the spring clip to be moved from a first fixed position to a second fixed position.

11. The active cover plate of claim 9, wherein the shiftably adjustable mechanism further comprises a mechanical interface between the first engaging element and the second engaging element that secure the spring clip position with respect to the face plate.

12. The active cover plate of claim 9, wherein the spring clip comprises the first engaging element and the face plate comprises the second engaging element.

13. A cover plate for an electrical receptacle comprising:

a face plate;

an engaging feature disposed on the face plate; and

a spring clip, wherein the engaging feature disposed on the face plate engages with the spring clip and secures the spring clip in at least two different positions with respect to the face plate.

14. The cover plate of claim 13, wherein the spring clip comprises a base and wherein the engaging feature engages with the base to secure the spring clip in the at least two different vertical positions with respect to the face plate.

15. The cover plate of claim 13, wherein the engaging feature is disposed on a rear surface of the face plate and wherein the at least two different positions are different locations of the spring clip on the rear surface of the face plate.

16. The cover plate of claim 13, wherein:

the face plate comprises a rear surface;

the engaging feature comprises at least two engaging elements with fixed positions with respect to the rear surface of the face plate;

wherein the at least two different positions comprise a first position and a second position; and

wherein the spring clip comprises a selectively positionable spring clip positionable in the first position and the second position on the rear surface of the face plate, wherein at least one of the engaging elements engages with the spring clip to secure the spring clip in the first position with respect to the rear surface of the face plate and at least one of the engaging elements engages with the spring clip to secure the spring clip in the second position on the rear face of the face plate.

17. The cover plate of claim 13, wherein the engaging feature comprises a first locking feature and a second locking feature, wherein the first locking feature mechanically engages with the spring clip and repositionably secures the spring clip in a first position with respect to the face plate and the second locking feature mechanically engages with the spring clip to repositionably secure the spring clip in a second position with respect to the face plate.

18. The cover plate of claim 13, wherein the at least two different positions comprise at least two different vertical positions with respect to the face plate.