Electricity: conductors and insulators – Covers or face plates
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-10-02
Reichard, Dean A. (Department: 2831)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Covers or face plates
C174S067000, C174S0450TD, C439S536000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297450
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to a replaceable wall plate. More in particular, the present invention relates to a receptacle wall plate including a replaceable portion removably attached to a wall plate portion. This replaceable portion contains built-in electronics such as surge protection circuitry that could be replaced in the case of electronics failure after current spikes or voltage surges.
BACKGROUND ART
It is well known that a variety of electrical surge protection devices have long been used for the protection of electrical equipment from electrical spikes that occur from time to time in power lines. Each surge protection device typically serves one or more electrical devices that are deemed to be particularly important to protect, usually because of the expense or the severe problems that can result from the equipment being taken out of service.
One typical implementation discloses a surge protection device being embodied inside a power strip whereby protecting the receptacles of that power strip. Accordingly, this protection device is not readily removable and therefore, once the surge protection device is triggered and used, the replacement cost for the device would uneconomically include the cost of another power strip.
Another implementation discloses a surge protection device being “sandwiched” by an electrical outlet (e.g., a wall outlet, a power strip) and the plug of an appliance being protected. More specifically, an electrical appliance for which surge protection is sought is plugged into a receptacle provided on the backside of the surge protection device. Prongs on the front side of the surge protection device are then plugged into an electrical outlet to electrically connect the electrical appliance to the power line. The surge protection elements of the device protect the electrical appliance from transient voltage surges on the power line. Disadvantageously, the size of the combination resulting from coupling the appliance with the surge protection device often is too bulky. Therefore, it does not provide sufficient room for other electrical appliances to be plugged into the receptacles of the electrical outlet that are immediately adjacent to the receptacle where the combination is connected.
Yet another surge protection device includes prongs for mating with a receptacle of an electrical outlet such as a wall outlet or a power strip. The device further includes a housing that contains surge protection electronics for protecting all of the receptacles of that electrical outlet. Unfortunately, the surge protection device itself takes up a receptacle.
A need therefore exists for providing a surge protection device that is readily accessible for removal ease and replacement convenience. Such a device should also be easily replaced with as economical a cost as possible. Furthermore, it is desired that the operation of the device does not require the use of an electrical receptacle.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
Accordingly, It would be desirable and therefore an object for the present invention to provide a surge protection device that is readily accessible for removal ease and replacement convenience. It is another object for the present invention to be easily replaceable with as economical a cost as possible. It is yet another object for the present invention not to take up any electrical receptacle during operation. Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part, will be obvious from the description or may be learned by practice of the invention.
Briefly, a replaceable wall plate is provided to include a replaceable portion and a wall plate portion. The wall plate portion is typically screwed to a wall to form the cover of a wall outlet whereas the replaceable portion is removably attached to the wall plate portion. The removable attachment scheme is preferably accomplished for the two portions using the methods or prong insertion, button coupling or channel sliding. The replaceable portion further contains built-in electronics such as a surge protection device. It is configured in the replaceable portion for protecting electrical devices plugged or connected to the receptacles of this wall outlet. Accordingly, the replaceable portion along with its built-in surge protection device could be replaced such as in the case of electronics failure after an abnormal electrical event, for example, a voltage spike. In addition, in order to lengthen operation life, the replaceable portion is configured such that the surge protection device receives electricity only when a plug is inserted through the receptacle.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 342055 (1993-12-01), Wakefield
patent: D. 369784 (1996-05-01), Pogue et al.
patent: 5384428 (1995-01-01), Luu
patent: 5418328 (1995-05-01), Nadeau
patent: 5700978 (1997-12-01), Huff
patent: 5788521 (1998-08-01), Milan
patent: 5969932 (1999-12-01), Ryan et al.
patent: 6005189 (1999-12-01), Anker
patent: 6045399 (2000-04-01), Yu
patent: 6046904 (2000-04-01), Kubat
Estrada Angel R.
Reichard Dean A.
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