Universal water-resistant cover assembly for an electrical outlet box

A kit for enclosing an electrical outlet box having an open side, the kit comprising:

• a universal gasket sized to substantially cover the open side of the electrical outlet box;
• a first adapter plate having an outer peripheral edge region and two receptacle openings sized and shaped to receive outlets of a duplex receptacle therein, said first adapter plate further including a projection extending from a back face thereof, said projection having a size adapted to pierce through said gasket to be frictionally held thereto and be received in an aperture of the duplex receptacle for aligning said adapter plate thereto;
• a second adapter plate having an outer peripheral edge region and an opening sized and shaped to receive a portion of at least one of a toggle switch and a round receptacle therein, said second adapter plate further including at least one projection extending from a back face thereof, said projection having a size adapted to pierce through said gasket to be frictionally held thereto and be received in an aperture of one of the toggle switch and round receptacle for aligning said adapter plate thereto;
• and
• a cover sized to substantially surround the electrical fixture mounted to the outlet box, said cover having an opening defined by an inner peripheral edge surface, said inner peripheral edge surface of said cover being adapted to abut the outer peripheral edge region of a selected one of said first and second adapter plates to sandwich said selected adapter plate against one of the duplex receptacle, the toggle switch or the round receptacle contained within the electrical outlet box.

A water-resistant electrical outlet box assembly comprising:

• an electrical outlet box having an open side;
• an electrical fixture contained within said electrical outlet box, said electrical fixture including an aperture and a mounting screw for attaching said fixture to said outlet box;
• a universal gasket substantially covering said open side of said electrical outlet box;
• an adapter plate having an opening, said opening receiving a portion of said electrical fixture therein, said adaptor plate further including a projection extending from a back face thereof, said projection piercing through said gasket to be frictionally held thereto and being received in said aperture of said electrical fixture for aligning said adapter plate and said gasket thereto;
• and
• a cover mounted to said electrical outlet box, said cover engaging said mounting screw of said electrical fixture and having an opening for providing access to said electrical fixture, wherein said cover sandwiches said adapter plate and said gasket against said electrical fixture.

A method for covering an electrical fixture within an electrical outlet box having the electrical fixture contained therein, the method comprising the steps of:

• inserting a projection formed on a back face of an adaptor plate through a gasket whereby said adaptor plate is frictionally held to said gasket, said adapter plate having an opening adapted to receive a portion of the electrical fixture therethrough;
• aligning said adaptor plate and said gasket to the electrical fixture by inserting said projection in an aperture provided in the electrical fixture;
• and
• mounting a cover to the outlet box, said cover having an opening defined by an inner peripheral edge surface, said inner peripheral edge surface engaging an outer peripheral edge of said adapter plate, wherein said adaptor plate and said gasket are sandwiched between said cover and the electrical fixture.