Expandable in-use outlet cover
AssigneeTayMac Corporation
InventorsMarcus J. Shotey, Edgar W. Maltby, Jeffrey P. Baldwin, Lincoln Jolley, Kenneth C. Booth
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A telescoping in-use cover plate that includes at least two inter-fitting members that enable the cover to be retracted to the wall when not in use and expanded to increase the depth of the outlet cover and allow a plug to be plugged into the outlet when the cover is closed. Specific implementations allow for vertical and horizontal mounting and installation, knockouts and/or adapter plates for conversion to alternate electrical configurations.
Claims20
An expandable electrical device cover assembly comprising:
- a base configured for attachment to an electric box;
- and
- a cover operably coupled to the base;
- a plurality of interfitting, telescoping members between the base and cover;
- wherein the electrical device cover assembly expands from a first depth to a second depth at least two times the first depth;
- wherein the first telescoping member includes an inner curled portion curled beyond a 90 degree angle from a wall of the first telescoping member and the second telescoping member includes an outer curled portion curled beyond a 90 degree angle from a wall of the second telescoping member.
An expandable electrical device cover assembly comprising:
- a base configured for attachment to an electric box;
- and
- a cover operably coupled to the base,
- a plurality of interfitting telescoping members operably coupled between the base and the cover and comprising a first telescoping member having an angled sidewall, an inner groove and a stopper portion, and a second telescoping member;
- wherein the electrical device cover assembly is expandable from a first depth to a second depth;
- wherein a depth of the cover assembly is equal to the first depth when the electrical device is not in use;
- and
- wherein the second telescoping member includes an outer curled portion that sits in the inner groove and contacts the stopper portion when the cover assembly is collapsed to the first depth.
An expandable electrical device cover assembly comprising:
- a base configured for attachment to an electric box;
- and
- a cover operably coupled to the base,
- a plurality of interfitting telescoping members operably coupled between the base and the cover and comprising a first telescoping member having an angled sidewall, an inner groove and a stopper portion, and a second telescoping member;
- wherein the electrical device cover assembly is expandable from a first depth to a second depth;
- wherein a depth of the cover assembly is equal to the first depth when the electrical device is not in use;
- and
- wherein the cover assembly is maintained at the first depth using a clip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.