Electricity: conductors and insulators – Covers or face plates
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2001-01-09
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Covers or face plates
C174S067000, C220S241000, C220S242000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06172301
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an electrical faceplate cover assembly. More particularly, the invention is directed to a faceplate cover having a transparent window incorporated into the faceplate such that indicia marked on the device being covered by the faceplate is visible. Such indicia may include circuit information.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional faceplate covers are generally placed over wall apertures to protect a user from accidentally contacting an electrical circuit, as well as to beautify the wall aperture. Faceplates typically have apertures formed therein to allow switches, receptacles, phone jacks, data ports, video connectors and the like to pass through. With so many kinds of receptacle, switches and ports routed through wall apertures, it has become increasingly difficult to determine the routing, or type of circuit, that is being covered by a faceplate.
One such solution has been to attach removable labels to the outside of the faceplate cover at the time it is installed. The drawback to this exterior labeling schema is, for example, that the labels can fall off, the labels are not attractive, or the labels do not accurately reflect the nature of the wiring.
Another labeling solution is to use faceplates having permanently marked indicia. For example, if the receptacle is a ground fault circuit interrupter, or GFCI, the faceplate cover can be imprinted with “GFCI PROTECTED”. However, these are costly specialty items that need to be ordered ahead of time, and real-time changes to wiring plans during the buildout of a space can lead to the need for faceplates having different pre-marked indicia.
With the increase in the number of wired outlets in the home and office, for example, phone/data lines for computers, etc., it is becoming increasingly important to properly label and identify the nature of the receptacle or access port. Many of the wires are labeled with attached tags, or labels placed directly on the receptacle, jack, port, or the like, which are hidden behind faceplate covers.
Examples of prior art receptacles and faceplates are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,206 to Klas et al., 5,212,899 to Fandreyer, 5,180,886 to Dierenbach et al., 4,479,317 to Hanna, 2,625,759 to Koepke, and 1,930,610 to Despard.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a faceplate cover that will allow rapid identification of a receptacle, jack, port and the like following installation of the faceplate cover. Additionally, there exists a need for rapid identification of the circuitry behind a faceplate cover. This invention addresses these needs as well as other needs, which will become apparent from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention to provide a faceplate cover that allows for the identification of the circuit behind the cover without removal of the cover.
Another object of the invention is to provide a faceplate cover that has a transparent window, allowing a user to visually observe markings situated on or attached to a device behind the cover.
Another object of the invention is to provide a faceplate cover having a cover plate fabricated with an aperture and a transparent window fastened to the cover plate and occupying the aperture.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a covering plate comprising a main portion having a first surface and a second surface, the first and second surfaces being opposite to each other wherein the first surface faces in a first direction and the second faces in a second direction opposite to the first direction; a mounting member to mount the main portion to an object; an aperture extending completely through the main portion, the aperture allowing the object to be visible through the main portion; and a transparent member having a first and second attaching ends connecting the transparent member to the main portion within the aperture, the aperture extending the entire distance between the first and second attaching ends.
The objects are further attained by providing a cover plate assembly comprising an apparatus to be covered having indicia; a covering plate coupled to the apparatus and having a main portion with first and second surfaces, the first and second surfaces opposite each other, wherein the first surface faces in a first direction and the second surface faces in a second direction, the covering also having an aperture and a transparent member, the aperture having walls extending completely through the main portion from the first surface to the second surface and the transparent member being positioned within the aperture, the transparent member being aligned with the indicia and positioned over the indicia so that the indicia can be viewed through the covering plate.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1930610 (1933-10-01), Despard
patent: 1975690 (1934-10-01), Harrington et al.
patent: 2515820 (1950-07-01), Clark
patent: 2625759 (1953-01-01), Koepke
patent: 2630477 (1953-03-01), Rypinski
patent: 3432611 (1969-03-01), Gaines et al.
patent: 4479317 (1984-10-01), Hanna
patent: 4707564 (1987-11-01), Gonzales
patent: 5180886 (1993-01-01), Dierenbach et al.
patent: 5212899 (1993-05-01), Fandreyer
patent: 5594206 (1997-01-01), Klas et al.
patent: 6026605 (2000-02-01), Tippett
Hubbell Premise Wiring, Inc., Full Line Catalog # 1100 R, No Date.
Hubbell Wiring Devices&Systems KELLEMS® Wire Management Marine Wiring Products, Catalog 2000, 1995, pp. G20, G56-G-57. No Date.
'Hubbell Incorporated
Goodman Alfred N.
Howell Jeffrey J.
Patel Dhiru R
Reichard Dean A.
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