Decorative frame for switch plates and the like

• US 6,281,440 B1
• Filed: 03/18/1999
• Issued: 08/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jackson Deerfield Manufacturing Corp.
• Original Assignee: Jackson Deerfield Manufacturing Corp.
• Inventors: Baldwin, Reginald A., Ruecker, Gregg A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Reichard, Dean A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, DHIRUBHAI R
• Application Number:
  US09/271,739
• Time in Patent Office: 894 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 439/135, D13/177
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A decorative article for mounting about a wall mounted electrical cover plate of a switch or receptacle includes a frame having an inner periphery smaller than the cover plate and an outer periphery larger than the cover plate. The inner periphery defines a central opening. The frame includes a channel extending outwardly of the inner periphery. The channel has a depth substantially equal to the thickness of the cover plate and the channel has an outer periphery substantially the same size as the cover plate. The frame is thus capable of surrounding the cover plate with the switch or receptacle being accessible through the central opening. An adhesive strip is affixed to the frame so that the frame may be adhered directly to the wall around the cover plate or to a back plate positioned between the cover plate and the wall. The back plate has an inner periphery smaller than the cover plate and an outer periphery larger than the cover plate. The cover plate is trapped in the channel between the frame and the back plate.

Claims

1. A decorative article for mounting about a wall-mounted electrical component that is on a wall, comprising:

a cover plate for said wall-mounted electrical component;

a back plate having an outer periphery larger than an outer periphery of said cover plate and having an inner periphery smaller than said outer periphery of said cover plate;

a first attachment means for affixing said cover plate and said back plate to said wall-mounted electrical component such that when said cover plate is operably installed on said wall-mounted electrical component, said first attachment means projects through said cover plate and sandwiches said back plate between said cover plate and said wall;

a decorative frame adapted to border said cover plate such that said frame substantially follows a contour of said outer periphery of said cover plate and such that a majority of a front surface of said cover plate is not covered by said frame when said frame is operably installed; and

a second attachment means for affixing said frame directly to said back plate when said frame is operably installed such that said frame does not directly attach to said wall nor said cover plate, wherein said second attachment means is different than said first attachment means.

2. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said contour of said outer periphery of said cover plate, said frame, and said outer periphery of said back plate are generally rectangular shaped.

3. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said first attachment means is a pair of screws adapted to thread into said wall-mounted electrical component, and said second attachment means is an adhesive element.

4. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame has a front surface comprising a decorative feature.

5. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame and said back plate are generally rectangular shaped.

6. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second attachment means comprises a two-sided adhesive foam strip.

7. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said second attachment means comprises a tape strip having adhesive on both sides.

8. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said outer periphery of said back plate is substantially the same size and shape as said outer periphery of said frame.

9. A decorative article in accordance with claim 1, wherein said frame has a channel region extending outwardly from said inner periphery of said frame, and said channel region having an outer periphery greater than said outer periphery of said cover plate, such that said cover plate can fit within said frame.

10. A decorative article for mounting about a wall-mounted electrical cover plate, comprising:

a decorative frame having an inner periphery smaller than an outer periphery of said cover plate, and having an outer periphery larger than said outer periphery of said cover plate, said inner periphery of said frame defining a central opening such that a majority of a front surface of said cover plate is not covered by said frame when said frame is mounted about said cover plate;

a back plate having an inner periphery smaller than said outer periphery of said cover plate and having an outer periphery larger than said outer periphery of said cover plate, such that said back plate is adapted to mount between said cover plate and a wall when said cover plate is operably installed; and

an adhesive element adapted to affix said frame directly to said back plate such that said frame is not directly affixed to said cover plate nor said wall.

11. A decorative article in accordance with claim 10, wherein said back plate is sandwiched between and held between said cover plate and said wall by screws that hold said cover plate in place when said back plate and said cover plate are operably installed.

12. A decorative article in accordance with claim 10, wherein said frame and said back plate are generally rectangular shaped.

13. A kit providing a decorative article adapted to mount about a wall-mounted electrical cover plate, comprising:

a decorative frame having an inner periphery smaller than an outer periphery of said cover plate and having an outer periphery larger than said outer periphery of said cover plate, said inner periphery of said frame defining a central opening adapted to allow a majority of a front surface of said cover plate to be exposed;

a back plate provided with said frame, said back plate having an inner periphery smaller than said outer periphery of said cover plate and having an outer periphery larger than said outer periphery of said cover plate; and

an adhesive strip affixed to one of said frame and said back plate, and adapted to be affixed to the other of said frame and said back plate such that said frame is directly affixed to said back plate, but not directly affixed to said cover plate nor a wall.

14. A kit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said frame comprises:

a front surface extending from said inner periphery of said frame to said outer periphery of said frame; and

a back surface.

15. A kit in accordance with claim 14, wherein said adhesive strip comprises a two-sided adhesive foam strip affixed to said back surface of said frame.

16. A kit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said outer periphery of said back plate is substantially the same size and shape as said outer periphery of said frame.

17. A kit in accordance with claim 13, wherein said frame and said back plate are generally rectangular shaped.