Active cover plates
AssigneeSnapRays LLC DBA SnapPower
InventorJeremy C. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A variety of active cover plate configurations with prongs configured to contact side screw terminals of electrical receptacles are described. In one illustrative embodiment, an active cover plate includes a multi-gang face plate configured to be installed over a multi-gang light switch installation, the multi-gang faceplate including at least two apertures sized to accept a manually manipulatable element of switches in the multi-gang light switch installation. Prongs extend rearward from the multi-gang faceplate around at least one of the apertures.
Claims42
1-19. (canceled)
An active cover plate comprising:
- a faceplate;
- and
- at least one prong extending from the faceplate, the prong comprising an electrical conductor, front insulation and rear insulation;
- wherein (1) the front insulation and the rear insulation are joined with the electrical conductor between them and (2) the at least one prong is configured to electrically contact a side screw terminal of an electrical receptacle.
An active cover plate comprising:
- a faceplate;
- prongs extending rearward from the faceplate;
- a circuit board electrically connected to the prongs;
- and
- a light pipe adjoining an edge of the circuit board;
- wherein (1) the circuit board comprises a light sensor and light emitting diodes and (2) the light emitting diodes are configured to project light into the light pipe.
An active cover plate comprising an exit indicator configured to illuminate when an emergency situation is detected, wherein detection of the emergency situation comprises a sensor sensing smoke or detecting activation of a fire alarm.
An active cover plate comprising:
- a faceplate and a backplate;
- at least one prong having an electrical conductor extending from the backplate;
- a sensor for detecting at least one environmental condition;
- a light source comprising at least one exit indication;
- a control circuit having at least two operational modes and coupled to the light source;
- a switch coupled to the control circuit for shifting between the at least two operational modes, wherein the at least two operational modes comprise a nightlight off mode and a nightlight mode with battery backup lighting;
- and
- a controller having a wireless module, wherein the wireless module is capable of sending and receiving wireless signals.
An active cover plate system comprising:
- at least one prong for receiving a voltage from an electrical receptacle;
- a voltage regulation circuit to regulate the voltage from an incoming voltage source and generate a regulated voltage;
- a battery for storing energy from the regulated voltage;
- a control circuit;
- a light source connected by the control circuit to the battery and the regulated voltage, wherein the light source further comprises at least one exit indication;
- at least one sensor coupled to the control circuit for detecting environmental conditions;
- a switch connected to the control circuit for controlling a connection between the light source and the regulated voltage;
- and
- a wireless module to transmit and receive wireless signals.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.