Active cover plate

A cover plate for an electrical receptacle, the cover plate comprising:

• a first flexible conducting strip, wherein the first conducting strip:
• protrudes rearward from the cover plate;
• and
• is configured to contact a first terminal of a receptacle, wherein the first terminal connects the receptacle to a power source, wherein the first conducting strip bends outward as it contacts the first terminal;
• a first insulator, wherein the first insulator prevents the first conducting strip from contacting conducting materials other than the first terminal;
• a second flexible conducting strip, wherein the second conducting strip:
• protrudes rearward from the cover plate;
• and
• is configured to contact a second terminal of the receptacle, wherein the second conducting strip bends outward as it contacts the second terminal, wherein the second terminal completes the connection of the receptacle to the power source;
• a second insulator, wherein the second insulator prevents the second conducting strip from contacting conducting materials other than the second terminal;
• an electrical load in the cover plate;
• and
• wiring embedded within the cover plate, wherein the wiring connects:
• the first conducting strip to the load;
• and
• the second conducting strip to the load.

A cover plate for an electrical receptacle, the cover plate comprising:

• a faceplate, wherein the faceplate:
• is configured to cover an opening of an electrical box;
• and
• includes an aperture, wherein the aperture is configured to provide access to the receptacle within the electrical box;
• a first flexible conducting strip, wherein the first conducting strip:
• protrudes rearward from the faceplate;
• and
• is configured to contact a first terminal of the receptacle, wherein the first terminal connects the receptacle to a power source, wherein the first conducting strip bends outward as it contacts the first terminal;
• a second flexible conducting strip, wherein the second conducting strip:
• protrudes rearward from the faceplate;
• and
• is configured to contact a second terminal of the receptacle, wherein the second conducting strip bends outward as it contacts the second terminal, wherein the second terminal completes the connection of the receptacle to the power source;
• a light source in the faceplate, wherein the light source is configured to:
• convert electrical power to light;
• and
• project the light from the faceplate;
• a user controlled switch to dim the light source;
• and
• wiring embedded within the faceplate, wherein the wiring connects:
• the first conducting strip to the light source;
• and
• the second conducting strip to the light source.