Outlet cover

An outlet cover for covering a wall-mounted electrical outlet of the type including a socket for receiving a plug having a plurality of spaced apart prongs extending therefrom, said outlet cover comprising:

• a plate member including a forward surface and a peripheral surface, said plate member receivable in overlaying mounted engagement with said electrical outlet, a distance between the wall in which the outlet is mounted and said forward surface defining a mounted plate profile;
• said plate member having an aperture in said forward surface, said aperture being functionally aligned with the socket when said plate member is mounted to the electrical outlet and sufficiently sized to permit reception of the plug in the socket while said plate member is so mounted;
• a door, hingeably connected with said plate member, and movable between a first position in which said door blocks access to the socket, and a second position in which said door is hinged outwardly of said plate member and plug access to the socket is permitted;
• latch means for latching said door in said first position;
• release means disposed between the outlet and said forward surface of said plate member for selectively disengaging said latch means and thereby enabling movement of said door to said second position;
• said plate member having a passageway with an opening in said peripheral surface for providing outside access to said release means, structure defining said passageway including a forwardly disposed inner surface, said forwardly disposed inner surface being spaced a sufficient distance from the wall to permit clearance between the wall and the plug when a one of said plurality of spaced apart prongs is inserted into said passageway, said mounted plate profile being sufficiently small to permit a remainder of said plurality of spaced apart prongs to forwardly clear said forward surface of said plate member, said release means being operable by insertion of said one of said plurality of prongs into said passageway.