# US 12,215,833 B2 · Enhanced contrast face plate system, kit, and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,215,833 B2 - Document ID: US12215833B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/355,457 - Filed: 2023-07-20 - Published: 2024-01-25 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-07-20 - Applicants: Natalie Wallace; Bret Tollgaard - Inventors: Natalie Wallace; Bret Tollgaard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12215833B2 ## CPC - F21K 9/275: Details of bases or housings, i.e. the parts between the light-generating element and the end caps; Arrangement of components within bases or housings (F21K9/278 takes precedence) - H02G 3/14: Fastening of cover or lid to box - H01H 9/18: Distinguishing marks on switches, e.g. for indicating switch location in the dark; Adaptation of switches to receive distinguishing marks - H01R 13/514: composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them - H01R 13/717: with built-in light source - H02G 3/081: {Bases, casings or covers} - F21Y 2105/18: annular; polygonal other than square or rectangular, e.g. for spotlights or for generating an axially symmetrical light beam - F21K: NON-ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES USING LUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE; LIGHT SOURCES USING CHARGES OF COMBUSTIBLE MATERIAL; LIGHT SOURCES USING SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AS LIGHT-GENERATING ELEMENTS; LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - H02G: INSTALLATION OF ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES, OR OF COMBINED OPTICAL AND ELECTRIC CABLES OR LINES - H01H: ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES (contact cables H01B7/10; electrolytic self-interrupters H01G9/18; emergency protective circuit arrangements H02H; switching by electronic means without contact-making H03K17/00) - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - F21Y: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED ## Abstract The present disclosure provides a face plate for securing onto an electrical receptacle box, an electrical device recognition safety system, and a method of making a wall mounted electrical device safer and more easily identified. The face plate can include a plate body having an opening and a plurality of zones. The plurality of zone can surround the opening. The plurality of zones can include a first zone and the second zone. The first zone can have a visual contrast with the second zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A face plate for securing over an electrical device disposed within an electrical receptacle box, comprising: a plate body having an opening and a plurality of zones surrounding the opening, the opening configured to provide access to a portion of the electrical device, the plurality of zones including a first zone and a second zone, the first zone having a first color and a first aperture through which a first light is emitted, the first color, the first aperture, and the first light together providing first visual appearance, the second zone having a second color and a second aperture through which a second light is emitted, the second color, the second aperture, and the second light together providing a second visual appearance, a first visual contrast created by a difference in the first visual appearance of the first zone and the second visual appearance of the second zone, and wherein the first visual contrast includes a first color contrast between the first visual appearance and the second visual appearance, the first color contrast having a color contrast ratio of at least 4:1, wherein the first visual contrast includes a first lighting intensity contrast between the first light emitted through the first aperture and the second light emitted through the second aperture, the first lighting intensity contrast having a lighting intensity contrast ratio of at least 2:1, wherein the first light and the second light are a same color, and wherein the first aperture is confined entirely within a first perimeter of the first zone and the second aperture is confined entirely within a second perimeter of the second zone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The face plate of claim 1, wherein the plate body is formed from a translucent material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The face plate of claim 1, further comprising a luminescent material disposed on the plate body. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The face plate of claim 1, wherein the lighting intensity is supplied by emanating light sources disposed adjacent the plate body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The face plate of claim 1, wherein the plurality of zones includes a third zone having a second visual contrast with the second zone. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The face plate of claim 5, wherein the second visual contrast is created by a difference in color. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The face plate of claim 5, wherein the second visual contrast is created by a difference in lighting intensity. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The face plate of claim 1, wherein an inner perimeter of the first zone and an outer perimeter of the second zone are the same shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 5) The face plate of claim 5, wherein the second visual contrast is created by a difference in both color and lighting intensity, the third zone has a third color and a third aperture through which a third light is emitted, the third color, the third aperture, and the third light together providing a third visual appearance that is different from the second visual appearance. ### Claim 10 An electrical device recognition safety system, comprising: an electrical device; and a face plate including a plate body having an opening and a plurality of zones surrounding the opening, the opening configured to provide access to a portion of the electrical device, the plurality of zones including a first zone and a second zone, the first zone having a first color and a first aperture through which a first light is emitted, the first color, the first aperture, and the first light together providing first visual appearance, the second zone having a second color and a second aperture through which a second light is emitted, the second color, the second aperture, and the second light together providing a second visual appearance, a first visual contrast created by a difference in the first visual appearance of the first zone and the second visual appearance of the second zone, and wherein the first visual contrast includes a first color contrast between the first visual appearance and the second visual appearance, the first color contrast having a color contrast ratio of at least 4:1, wherein the first visual contrast includes a first lighting intensity contrast between the first light emitted through the first aperture and the second light emitted through the second aperture, the first lighting intensity contrast having a lighting intensity contrast ratio of at least 2:1, wherein the first light and the second light are a same color, and wherein the first aperture is confined entirely within a first perimeter of the first zone and the second aperture is confined entirely within a second perimeter of the second zone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The electrical device recognition safety system of claim 10, wherein the electrical device is a light switch. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The electrical device recognition safety system of claim 10, wherein the electrical device is an electrical outlet. ### Claim 13 A method of making an electrical device disposed within an electrical receptacle box safer and more easily identified, the method comprising steps of: coupling a face plate to the electrical device, the face plate including a plate body having an opening and a plurality of zones surrounding the opening, the opening configured to provide access to a portion of the electrical device, the plurality of zones including a first zone and a second zone, the first zone having a first color and a first aperture through which a first light is emitted, the first color, the first aperture, and the first light together providing first visual appearance, the second zone having a second color and a second aperture through which a second light is emitted, the second color, the second aperture, and the second light together providing a second visual appearance, a first visual contrast created by a difference in the first visual appearance of the first zone and the second visual appearance of the second zone, and wherein the first visual contrast includes a first color contrast between the first visual appearance and the second visual appearance, the first color contrast having a color contrast ratio of at least 4:1, wherein the first visual contrast includes a first lighting intensity contrast between the first light emitted through the first aperture and the second light emitted through the second aperture, the first lighting intensity contrast having a lighting intensity contrast ratio of at least 2:1, wherein the first light and the second light are a same color, and wherein the first aperture is confined entirely within a first perimeter of the first zone and the second aperture is confined entirely within a second perimeter of the second zone. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the electrical device is a light switch. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein the electrical device is an electrical outlet.