US4293173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical outlet insulation system
Assignee: Armstrong World Industries Inc
•
Filing: 1979-01-08
•
Granted: 1981-10-06
•
Expires: 1999-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A thermal insulation system for electrical outlets installed against the outside walls of buildings. A large plate of special thermal insulation is secured behind the faceplate of the outlet. Other smaller plates of thermal insulation are placed over the receptacles of the electrical outlets. Dummy plugs are used to seal the slots of the receptacles and hold the small insulation plates in position.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond A. Tricca
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 04:48
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/44; H01R13/443
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
329 words
In an electrical wall outlet of the type wherein there is at least one electrical receptacle having a raised socket with slots therein adapted for receiving the blades of an appliance plug, a faceplate secured to the electrical receptacle and said raised socket extends through said faceplate, and said electrical receptacle and faceplate are mounted on an electrical box which is positioned within a wall, the improvement comprising: (a) a first large plate of thermal insulation having a compressible and resilient character secured behind said faceplate, between said faceplate and said wall, said large plate of thermal insulation extending to the exterior edges of said faceplate and having at least one aperture therein which has the edges thereof engaging the sides of the raised socket of the electrical receptacle, said outer edges of said faceplate forming a seal around the outer edges of said faceplate between said faceplate and said wall, said edges of said aperture snugly fit around the raised socket whereby said large plate of thermal insulation functions to reduce heat conduction and reduce air infiltration through said outlet around the exterior edges of the faceplate and around the edges of the faceplate through which the socket passes; (b) at least one non-electrically conductive dummy plug having a backing with blades adapted to fit into said receptacle slots, said dummy plug functions to prevent air infiltration through said slots, said dummy plug having a raised ridge around the edge of its backing to provide a recess in backing on the side of the backing containing the blades; (c) at least one second small plate of thermal insulation adapted to fit removably over the front face of said receptacle socket, said small plate having slots through which the blades of said dummy plug may extend, said small plate of thermal insulation being sized to fit in and being positioned in said plug recess, said second plate also functions to reduce heat conduction and air infiltration through said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
329 words
In an electrical wall outlet of the type wherein there is at least one electrical receptacle having a raised socket with slots therein adapted for receiving the blades of an appliance plug, a faceplate secured to the electrical receptacle and said raised socket extends through said faceplate, and said electrical receptacle and faceplate are mounted on an electrical box which is positioned within a wall, the improvement comprising: (a) a first large plate of thermal insulation having a compressible and resilient character secured behind said faceplate, between said faceplate and said wall, said large plate of thermal insulation extending to the exterior edges of said faceplate and having at least one aperture therein which has the edges thereof engaging the sides of the raised socket of the electrical receptacle, said outer edges of said faceplate forming a seal around the outer edges of said faceplate between said faceplate and said wall, said edges of said aperture snugly fit around the raised socket whereby said large plate of thermal insulation functions to reduce heat conduction and reduce air infiltration through said outlet around the exterior edges of the faceplate and around the edges of the faceplate through which the socket passes; (b) at least one non-electrically conductive dummy plug having a backing with blades adapted to fit into said receptacle slots, said dummy plug functions to prevent air infiltration through said slots, said dummy plug having a raised ridge around the edge of its backing to provide a recess in backing on the side of the backing containing the blades; (c) at least one second small plate of thermal insulation adapted to fit removably over the front face of said receptacle socket, said small plate having slots through which the blades of said dummy plug may extend, said small plate of thermal insulation being sized to fit in and being positioned in said plug recess, said second plate also functions to reduce heat conduction and air infiltration through said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The outlet of claim 1, wherein said plates are comprised of a closed cell foam material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The outlet of claim 2, wherein said closed cell foam has a low moisture vapor permeability, whereby moisture permeation through said outlet is also reduced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US794140A
Cited
US1713101A
Cited
US2619515A
Cited
US2641627A
Cited
US2710382A
Cited
US2997520A
Cited
US3041574A
Cited
GB935829A
Cited
US3028467A
Cited
US3140344A
Cited
US3201740A
Cited
US3392228A
Cited
US3678441A
Cited
US3845234A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-10-05 | 1985-04-06 | 1985-10-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-10-05 | 1989-04-06 | 1989-10-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-10-05 | 1993-04-06 | 1993-10-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |