Patent US4109095A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4109095A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Weatherproof electrical outlet box cover
Assignee: Mulberry Metal Products Inc
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Filing: 1976-10-28
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Granted: 1978-08-22
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Expires: 1996-10-28
Abstract
Abstract The weatherproof box cover has a pair of lids which are biased towards each other so as to be self-closing. Each lid has a gear-like portion which meshes on the other so as to synchronize movement of the lids to each other. In addition, each lid has a recess along the outer edge in which a resilient sealing strip seats. When closed over a cord of an electrical appliance, the sealing strips conform to the shape of the cord while the lids are brought into seal-tight relationship. In this way, a water spray and the like is prevented from entering into the cover from any direction.
Inventors
- 👤 David A. Kling
- 👤 Charles W. Bell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 19:17
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/14; H02G3/088; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/44; H01R13/447
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover comprising a housing having side walls, defining an opening and a back wall for receiving at least one electrical outlet, said back wall being disposed in alignment with said opening; a pair of lids pivotally mounted on said housing to close over said opening, each said lid having a recess at an edge thereof facing a recess in said other cover; means for moving said lids between a closed position over said opening to an opened position to provide access to the interior of said housing and an electrical outlet therein; and a pair of resilient sealing strips, each said sealing strip being disposed in a respective recess for abutting against the other of said sealing strips and for sealingly engaging about a cord of an electrical appliance plugged into the electrical outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover comprising a housing having side walls, defining an opening and a back wall for receiving at least one electrical outlet, said back wall being disposed in alignment with said opening; a pair of lids pivotally mounted on said housing to close over said opening, each said lid having a recess at an edge thereof facing a recess in said other cover; means for moving said lids between a closed position over said opening to an opened position to provide access to the interior of said housing and an electrical outlet therein; and a pair of resilient sealing strips, each said sealing strip being disposed in a respective recess for abutting against the other of said sealing strips and for sealingly engaging about a cord of an electrical appliance plugged into the electrical outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said means includes a spring, secured at opposite ends to a respective one of said lids to bias said covers together into said closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A cover as set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said lids has a gear-like portion thereon meshing with the gear-like portion of the other of said lids to synchronize the movement of said lids to each other.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cover as set forth in claim 3 wherein one of said lids has a gripping portion extending from a central region thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cover as set forth in claim 3 which further includes a pair of seals, each seal being disposed in sealing relation between one of said lids and a side wall of said housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lids are made of transparent plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
123 words
A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover comprising a housing for covering over an electrical outlet, said housing having an opening on one side; a pair of lids mounted on said housing to close over said opening; means for moving said covers between closed position over said opening to an opened position to provide access to the interior of said housing and an electrical outlet therein; a pair of resilient sealing strips, each said strip being disposed at an edge of a respective lid in facing relation to the other of said strips for sealingly engaging about a cord of an electrical appliance extending into said housing to the electrical outlet; and means for biasing said lids into a closed position on each other.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
123 words
A weatherproof electrical outlet box cover comprising a housing for covering over an electrical outlet, said housing having an opening on one side; a pair of lids mounted on said housing to close over said opening; means for moving said covers between closed position over said opening to an opened position to provide access to the interior of said housing and an electrical outlet therein; a pair of resilient sealing strips, each said strip being disposed at an edge of a respective lid in facing relation to the other of said strips for sealingly engaging about a cord of an electrical appliance extending into said housing to the electrical outlet; and means for biasing said lids into a closed position on each other.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A cover as set forth in claim 7 wherein each of said lids has a gear-like portion thereon meshing with the gear-like portion of the other of said lids to synchronize the movement of said lids to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
A cover as set forth in claim 8 wherein said biasing means includes a pair of springs, each spring being secured at opposite ends to a respective one of said lids to bias said lids together.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cover as set forth in claim 9 wherein each said lid is pivotally mounted about an axis located between said springs and said gear-like portions when said lid is in said closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-08-21 | 1982-02-20 | 1982-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-21 | 1986-02-20 | 1986-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-21 | 1990-02-20 | 1990-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |