Electricity: conductors and insulators – Covers or face plates – With closure for face plate opening
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-28
2001-03-06
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Covers or face plates
With closure for face plate opening
C220S242000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06198046
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a protective cover device for electric outlets and, more particularly, to a protective device attachable to an electric outlet and including means to cover the electric receptacles/sockets of the outlet when the outlet is not being used, as well as when one or more electric cords are plugged into the outlet receptacles.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electric outlets, generally comprising one or more receptacles or sockets, present a serious safety hazard to children. Often, children are tempted to poke objects such as paper clips, forks, or toys into the slotted socket openings, resulting in serious injury and possibly death.
In the past, others have proposed various devices to prevent and/or discourage children from tampering with electric outlets. For instance, the art is crowded with various cover devices which attach to an electric outlet and cover the receptacles when they are not being used. Of particular interest are cover devices which allow an electrical cord to be plugged into the receptacles with the device closed, so that the receptacles are/guarded even when in use. However, some of these devices are quite complex and cannot be manufactured and marketed to the consumer at a cost effective price. Other cover devices do not adequately protect against tampering. Another problem associated with many of the above-described outlet cover devices is the inability to quickly remove the plug from the receptacle in an emergency.
On the other hand, others have proposed rather simplistic devices, including covers which plug-in to the receptacles/sockets. While these devices are somewhat effective to protect young children from injury, they must be removed in order to permit use of the outlet. Once removed, they are no longer effective and a child may be injured when an electric cord is plugged into the outlet.
Accordingly, there still exists an urgent need for a protective cover for electric outlets which is specifically designed to prevent a child from accessing the outlet, at all times, with or without electric cords plugged into the outlet receptacles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device including a base plate attachable to an electric outlet and an insert fitted to the base plate and having one or more central openings for exposing the receptacles of the electric outlet. A pair of opposing door members hingedly attach to the base plate and are operable between an open position to allow insertion of a plug of an electrical cord into the receptacle, and a closed position to provide a protective shield surrounding an enclosed chamber and the one or more receptacles of the outlet. The opposing door members include flange portions extending partially along a peripheral edge for overlapping engagement with an inner surface adjacent the peripheral edge of the opposite door, preventing insertion of an object between the doors when the device is closed. Correspondingly positioned cutout portions along the peripheral edges of the opposing door members align to create an opening sized and configured to accommodate passage of the electrical cord therethrough, thereby permitting the cord to remain plugged into the receptacle with the doors in the closed position. Latches on the top and bottom of each door lock the doors in the closed position. The latches and flange portions cooperate with each other to require both doors to be simultaneously unlocked and opened in order to gain access to the receptacles.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which is structured to prevent a child from inserting objects into the receptacles of an electric outlet, while still permitting an electric cord to be plugged into the outlet.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which forms a protective shield surrounding an enclosed chamber and the receptacles of the electric outlet, and which is specifically designed to prevent insertion of an object, such as a knife, screwdriver, paper clip, etc., inside of the enclosed chamber, thereby preventing electric shock, injury and possible death.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which is resistant to tampering by children.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which includes a highly attractive appearance.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which prevents tampering with the electric receptacles/sockets of the outlets at all times, both when electric cords are plugged into the outlet and when the outlet is not in use.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which allows an electrical cord to be unplugged from the receptacle of the outlet while the device is closed and protectively shielding the outlet.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a protective cover for electric outlets which can be manufactured cost-effectively and marketed at a price which is affordable to most homeowners.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 283221 (1986-04-01), West
patent: 2761112 (1956-08-01), Torcivia
patent: 4070078 (1978-01-01), Chrones
patent: 4134516 (1979-01-01), Sullo
patent: 4159858 (1979-07-01), Toraya
patent: 4302624 (1981-11-01), Newman
patent: 4895999 (1990-01-01), Calderon
patent: 5264662 (1993-11-01), Kennedy
patent: 5556289 (1996-09-01), Holbrook, Jr.
Downey PA Robert M.
Reichard Dean A.
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