Electrical box cover

• US 4,343,411 A
• Filed: 03/02/1981
• Issued: 08/10/1982
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James M. Tepper, Ronald D. Chesnut
• Original Assignee: James M. Tepper, Ronald D. Chesnut
• Inventors: Tepper, James M., Chesnut, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hall, George T.
• Application Number:
  US06/239,369
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 220/3.8, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.7, 220/3.3, 174/48, 174/57, 174/67, 174/53, 174/66, 339/44 R, 339/44 A
• US Class Current: 220/242
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

An electrical box cover for an outside electrical receptacle and box includes a generally flat, circular cover plate having a beveled rim and a flat, circular gasket. The cover plate and gasket have five corresponding linearly-aligned holes, including a center hole and two pairs of diametrically-opposed holes. The circular shape of the cover plate and gasket and the spacing of the holes enables the box cover to be used with several different types of outside electrical boxes, including cylindrical, single gang and double gang type electrical boxes. The cover plate additionally has two access openings for receiving a standard duplex electrical receptacle and two spring-activated snap lid doors for covering the openings and protecting the receptacle from outside elements.

Claims

1. An electric box cover for covering an electrical receptacle and outlet box comprising:

a circular cover plate having one or more access openings to provide access to one or more corresponding electrical receptacles,

a circular gasket with a diameter at least slightly greater than that of said cover plate, said gasket having one or more openings which are in alignment with the openings of said cover plate when the two are fitted together in concentric relationship,

said cover plate including universal means for enabling said box cover to be used with several types of outlet boxes.

2. A box cover according to claim 1 wherein the universal means includes:

means defining five linearly-aligned plate holes spaced apart along a diameter of said cover plate, including a center hole for connecting the cover plate to an electrical receptacle, a first pair of diametrically-opposed outermost holes for connecting the cover plate to a wall structure in an overlying relationship to a rectangular outlet box, and a second pair of diametrically-opposed holes inwardly of said first pair for connecting the cover plate to a round outlet box, and

means defining five linearly aligned gasket holes spaced along a diameter of said gasket in positions corresponding to the positions of said plate holes in said plate such that the cover plate and gasket can be fitted together in a concentric relationship with said gasket holes aligned with said plate holes.

3. A box cover according to claim 2 wherein said cover plate includes front and back faces and has an annular rim which is angled backwardly and outwardly toward said gasket to provide an airspace between said cover plate and gasket when the two are fitted together in a concentric relationship.

4. A box cover according to claim 3 wherein the free edge of said rim engages said gasket to provide a sealed airspace.

5. A box cover according to claim 4 wherein said access openings include one or more snap lid doors for protecting said electrical receptacles from the elements when not in use.