Active cover plate for an electrical outlet

An active cover plate means for an electrical device including a receptacle and a cover plate therefor, said receptacle having a body with at least a pair of terminals for connection to a source of electrical current, said active cover plate means comprising,

• biasing contact means protruding rearward from said cover plate means and adapted to contact said terminals exteriorly of said body without removal of said electrical device after it is installed;
• each said biasing contact means being in electrical contact with said pair of terminals of an active load including a radio receiver secured to said cover plate means, wherein said load is directly supplied with electrical power through said plate which consumes power, in a manner so as to preclude human contact with a component of said circuit capable of inflicting a shock, said contact means connecting said load to a source of potential without said biasing means being plugged into said body.

An active cover plate means for an electrical device having predetermined specifications including a receptacle and a cover plate therefor, said receptacle having a body with at least a pair of terminals for connection to a source of electrical current, said active cover plate means comprising,

• biasing contact means protruding rearward from said cover plate means and adapted to contact said terminals exteriorly of said body without interfering with the wiring of said standard electrical device after it is installed;
• each said biasing contact means being in electrical contact with said pair of terminals of an ultrasonic generator and ultrasonic receiver secured to said cover plate means in a manner so as to preclude human contact with a component of a circuit capable of inflicting a shock, said contact means connecting said load to a source of potential without said biasing means being plugged into said body.

An active cover plate means for an electrical device having predetermined specifications including a receptacle and a cover plate therefor, said receptacle having a body with at least a pair of terminals for connection to a source of electrical current, said active cover plate means comprising,

• biasing contact means protruding rearward from said cover plate means and adapted to contact said terminals exteriorly of said body without interfering with the wiring of said standard electrical device after it is installed;
• each said biasing contact means being in electrical contact with said pair of terminals of a light source and a photoelectric sensor secured to said cover plate means in a manner so as to preclude human contact with a component of a circuit capable of inflicting a shock, said contact means connecting said load to a source of potential without said biasing means being plugged into said body.

A method of producing an active cover plate means including a receptacle and a cover plate therefor, for use with an electrical device having predetermined specifications including a unit-molded body and terminals, comprising,

• embedding connecting wires and components of a circuit including an active load within said cover plate so that the load is directly supplied with electrical power through said plate which consumes power;
• and,
• securing a pair of oppositely disposed biasing means in electrical contact with said cover plate, said biasing means protruding rearward from said cover plate, said biasing means being adapted to contact said terminals exteriorly of said body without removal of said electrical device after it is installed.