Illumination – Light source and modifier – Condition responsive
Reexamination Certificate
2001-03-09
2002-10-01
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source and modifier
Condition responsive
C362S229000, C362S095000, C362S186000, C362S376000, C362S802000, C439S136000, C439S142000, C439S147000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06457843
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to outlet covers and more particularly pertains to a new outlet covering system for restricting access to an outlet mounted on a wall surface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of outlet covers is known in the prior art. More specifically, outlet covers heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,915,638; U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,402; U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,637; U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,226; U.S. Pat. No. Des. 314,831; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,491,327.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new outlet covering system. The inventive device includes an enclosure mountable to a wall surface for covering an outlet. The enclosure comprises a plate member that includes an opening for receiving the outlet and a cover member pivotally coupled to the plate member for selectively blocking access to the outlet. The cover member includes a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls. A securing member is provided for releasably securing the cover member to the plate member. A locking means is provided for selectively locking said cover member in a closed position.
In these respects, the outlet covering system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of restricting access to an outlet mounted on a wall surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of outlet covers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new outlet covering system construction wherein the same can be utilized for restricting access to an outlet mounted on a wall surface.
The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new outlet covering system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the outlet covers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new outlet covering system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art outlet covers, either alone or in any combination thereof.
To attain this, the present invention generally comprises an enclosure mountable to a wall surface for covering an outlet. The enclosure comprises a plate member that includes an opening for receiving the outlet and a cover member pivotally coupled to the plate member for selectively blocking access to the outlet. The cover member includes a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls. A securing member is provided for releasably securing the cover member to the plate member. A locking means is provided for selectively locking said cover member in a closed position.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new outlet covering system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the outlet covers mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new outlet covering system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art outlet covers, either alone or in any combination thereof.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new outlet covering system which may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new outlet covering system which is of a durable and reliable construction.
An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new outlet covering system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such outlet covering system economically available to the buying public.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new outlet covering system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new outlet covering system for restricting access to an outlet mounted on a wall surface.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new outlet covering system which includes an enclosure mountable to a wall surface for covering an outlet. The enclosure comprises a plate member that includes an opening for receiving the outlet and a cover member pivotally coupled to the plate member for selectively blocking access to the outlet. The cover member includes a front wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, and a pair of side walls. A securing member is provided for releasably securing the cover member to the plate member. A locking means is provided for selectively locking said cover member in a closed position.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new outlet covering system that restricts access to an outlet by a individual such as a child who may be injured by the outlet.
Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new outlet covering system that that can audibly alert an individual in a supervisory position that another individual is near the outlet. The present invention also provides light in an immediate vicinity in order to allow a user to find their way around in a dimly light or dark area.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2880264 (1959-03-01), Ruskin
patent: 2916733 (1959-12-01), Hirsch
patent: 3491327 (1970-01-01), Tait et al.
patent: 3739226 (1973-06-01), Seiter et al.
patent: 4343032 (1982-08-01), Schwartz
patent: 4714984 (1987-12-01), Spector
patent: 4915638 (1990-0
Kester Billie-Jo M.
Kester Ronald D.
Hobden David V.
Sember Thomas M.
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