Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A safety enclosure comprising a hollow semi-sphere having a lateral chordal fastening surface affixed parallel and adjacent to a free edge thereof, said lateral chordal surface being fastened to a cover plate of an electrical utility outlet, said semi-sphere in combination with two access panels each having biasing means tending to force said panels into closed position providing minimal access to the interior of said hollow semi-sphere, said access panels having surfaces which rotate about a line into an open position confining said access panels within a portion of said hollow semi-sphere which is stationary and affixed to said cover plate when manual opposing forces in opposition to the force established by said biasing means are exerted upon said access panels, said line normal to a first plane formed by the exterior lateral surface of said cover plate passing through the center of said utility outlet and through the apex of said hollow semi-sphere, said access panels adapted to engage each other having their engaging edges lying in a second plane normal to said first plane, said line lying in said second plane, an open ended slot formed in the portion of said semi-sphere which is fastened to said cover plate, said slot centered about said line, said access panels having parallel edges to said first plane, said parallel edges free of touching engagement with said first plane.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A safety enclosure comprising a hollow semi-sphere having a lateral chordal fastening surface affixed parallel and adjacent to a free edge thereof, said lateral chordal surface being fastened to a cover plate of an electrical utility outlet, said semi-sphere in combination with two access panels each having biasing means tending to force said panels into closed position providing minimal access to the interior of said hollow semi-sphere, said access panels having surfaces which rotate about a line into an open position confining said access panels within a portion of said hollow semi-sphere which is stationary and affixed to said cover plate when manual opposing forces in opposition to the force established by said biasing means are exerted upon said access panels, said line normal to a first plane formed by the exterior lateral surface of said cover plate passing through the center of said utility outlet and through the apex of said hollow semi-sphere, said access panels adapted to engage each other having their engaging edges lying in a second plane normal to said first plane, said line lying in said second plane, an open ended slot formed in the portion of said semi-sphere which is fastened to said cover plate, said slot centered about said line, said access panels having parallel edges to said first plane, said parallel edges free of touching engagement with said first plane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The safety enclosure of claim 1 further comprising an external lateral tab projecting radially outwardly from said fastened portion of said semi-sphere, said tab having a fastening surface coextensive with said laterial surface, a hole formed through said external lateral tab adapted to accept a fastening screw for said cover plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The safety enclosure of claim 2 further comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive layer on said coextensive surface of said tab and on said chordal fastening surface formed within said fastened portion of said semisphere lying in said first plane, said adhesive layer adapted for fastening said fastened portion of said semisphere and said tab to the surface of said cover plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The safety enclosure of claim 1 further comprising manipulative tabs extending radially outwardly on each of said access panels adjacent the edge that lies in said second plane when said access panels are in said closed position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
76 words
The safety enclosure of claim 3 further comprising an additional pressure sensitive adhesive layer on the remaining portions of the edges lying in said first plane coextensive with and otherwise adapted with said adhesive layer on said fastening chordal surface and said external lateral tab of said semi-sphere, said additional layer of adhesive and said adhesive layer fastened to said external tab and said adhesive layer fastened to said fastening surface lying in said first plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The safety enclosure of claim 1 wherein said biasing means comprises two semi-circular springs, one end of one of said springs fastened to said stationary portion of said semi-sphere, the other end of said spring adapted to fasten to one of said access panels, one end of the other spring fastened to said stationary portion of said semi-sphere, the other end of said other spring adapted to fasten to the other said access panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
107 words
The safety enclosure of claim 1 further comprising means to securely clampingly engage a portion of the line chord of an electrical appliance, said portion securely clamped by said slot when said access panels are in said closed position, said line cord having a confined portion within said safety enclosure adapted with an electrical utility plug at the end thereof, said plug confined within said enclosure, means to electrically engage and disengage said plug with said utility outlet receptacle, means to remove said plug and said confined portion of said line cord and said clamped portion of said line cord from said confinement within said safety enclosure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The safety enclosure of claim 1 wherein said semi-spherical enclosure is transparent.