Electricity: conductors and insulators – Covers or face plates
Reexamination Certificate
1998-08-06
2001-04-10
An, Meng-Al T. (Department: 2154)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Covers or face plates
C439S373000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06215066
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of duplex cover plates for electrical outlets and the like and, more particularly, to a wall-mountable duplex outlet cover plate that fits over pre-existing electrical outlets to improve its appearance.
2. Prior Art
Conventional duplex outlet assemblies are well known and used throughout the United States. These conventional outlet assemblies usually comprise two partially rounded parallel and spaced apart electrical receptacles which are straight on the top and bottom and rounded on the sides, which are interconnected by a base plate. In the prior art, the face plate that covers such duplex outlet assemblies, usually has two corresponding straight top and bottom orifices through which the duplex outlet receptacles protrude. The portion of the face place proximate the two orifices covers the remaining, aesthetically undesirable elements of the electrical wiring and duplex outlet mechanism. The duplex outlet assembly has one standard screw hole, which aligns with a corresponding hole in the center of the face plate. By placing a screw through the face plate hole, the face plate is fixedly mounted onto the duplex outlet assembly.
As people update their homes, they also want to update their face plates and switches. One of the problems encountered by persons seeking to modernize or otherwise change the outward appearance of such standard duplex outlets and face plates is that the existing infrastructure of the electrical components is so established in the art that it impedes substantial design changes, without complete replacement of the duplex outlet assembly. Since the duplex outlet assembly is directly connected to live electrical wiring, complete replacement of the duplex outlet assembly cannot be easily completed by many homeowners and do-it-yourself-ers, because many of these persons do not feel comfortable handling electric wiring themselves. Thus, since many homes have a multitude of such duplex outlets, the cost of having an electrician replace all of them with more modem duplex outlets could be cost prohibitive.
Thus, in the prior art, the simplest and least costly prior art method used by homeowners and do-it-yourself-ers to update such electrical outlets merely was to replace or otherwise modify only the face plate so that it will coordinate with other design elements (wallpaper, wall color, carpeting and the like) in the room. However, using this method, the design, color or shape of the electrical receptacles in the old duplex outlet assembly did not change and remained visible after installation of the updated face plate. Since the color or shape of the visible electrical receptacles often conflicted with the style and/or color of the new updated face plate and/or did not fit over or lay properly atop the original duplex outlet assembly, in order to install a completely updated duplex outlet, the time-consuming and costly replacement of the entire duplex outlet mechanism and face plate was required.
Therefore, there has been a long felt need to find a means of updating old duplex outlets in such a way that the duplex outlet mechanism would not have to be replaced. Specifically, there is the need in the art for a face plate assembly that can cover the existing interior electrical components in such a way which makes use of the existing electrical infrastructure while hiding the duplex outlet, which would conflict aesthetically with a cover plate of a different color or design and which may be installed by homeowners and/or do-it-yourself-ers, without the need for an electrician.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an exterior face plate assembly for an electrical boxes containing a duplex outlet wherein the existing electrical infrastructure is retained and yet the normally visible duplex outlet receptacles are wholly obscured.
It is a further object to provide a face plate assembly for a duplex outlet to facilitate converting an existing duplex outlet into an outlet that has a different style, shape, and/or color.
Another object is to provide a face plate assembly for a duplex outlet where by the normally visible duplex outlet is obscured by an integrated duplex outlet assembly of homogeneous style, shape and/or color.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a face plate assembly and a method for easily updating or changing the outward appearance of at least one conventional duplex outlet assembly unit having two partially rounded parallel and spaced apart electrical receptacles which are straight on the top and bottom and rounded on the sides, and which are interconnected by a base plate having one centrally positioned standard screw hole.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the face plate assembly comprises a substantially rectangular substrate of a desired style, color and shape. The substrate has a plurality of holes which correspond in size, number and configuration to the holes in the conventional duplex outlet electrical receptacles so as to facilitate the inserting of a plug of standard design through the face plate assembly directly into the duplex outlet receptacles in order to create an electrical connection without the need for extenders either in the outlet or the plug. Further, the face plate assembly of the present invention has one standard screw hole that corresponds to the centrally located duplex outlet screw hole.
The face plate assembly of the present invention further comprises a plurality of ridges which are located on the underside thereof. The ridges are configured so that the duplex outlet receptacles will lie between them and so that the face plate will sit atop and lay substantially flush over the duplex outlet receptacles and lay flush to the wall.
In the preferred embodiment, the face plate of the present invention is made of one piece construction in which the front of the face plate is as thick as the back of the face plate and is shaped so that it rests on the already existing oval duplex outlet housing rather than extending above it. Further, the cover plate of the present invention has relatively large chamfers which extend around the perimeter of the substantially rectangular front face. The chamfers have a full radius bevel proximate the front face and is joined to the perimeter of the cover plate by a small radius. In this manner, the perimeter of the cover plate of the present invention is more gently sloped and extends closer to the central rectangle front face portion than prior art devices. In addition, in the preferred embodiment, the corners of the cover plate have a variable fillet which tapers from the front face to the smaller radius proximate the perimeter of the cover plate so that the cover plate has no sharp corners on it whatsoever.
Therefore, the present invention updates old duplex outlet covers plates without having to replace the duplex outlet. Further, unlike the cover plates in the prior art, due to its one piece construction, the cover plate of the present invention is easier to manufacture and install, since it requires no electrician to install it on the existing outlet.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4504698 (1985-03-01), Greenwood
patent: 4936789 (1990-06-01), Ugalde
patent: 5272281 (1993-12-01), Bouley
patent: 5763831 (1998-06-01), Shotey et al.
patent: 5837932 (1998-11-01), Carswell et al.
patent: 5965846 (1999-10-01), Shotey et al.
patent: 5981875 (1999-11-01), Kesler et al.
patent: 6005190 (1999-12-01), Stark et al.
Kelso Francis Frederick
Reilly James Patrick
An Meng-Al T.
Chang Jung-won
Kelso Francis F.
Kohlman Henry G.
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