US4505403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weatherproof electrical receptacle cover
Assignee: Slater Electric Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-29
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Granted: 1985-03-19
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Expires: 2004-05-29
Abstract
Abstract In a weatherproof cover for an electrical receptacle, a plurality of lids are rotatably mounted in a generally rectangular base plate having three surrounding walls. A butterfly shaped biasing member is disposed between the lids and the base plate and applies a force to the lids to hold them in close proximity to the base plate in order to form a weatherproof seal. The lids cover receptacle access apertures which extend through the base plate and a stiffening plate disposed behind the base plate.
Inventors
- 👤 Wade R. Bowden, Jr.
- 👤 David Herzfeld
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:57
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/14; H02B; H02B1/00; H02B1/015; H02B1/06; H02B1/066; H02G3/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
A weatherproof cover for attachment to the face of an electrical outlet box which comprises; a generally rectangular base plate having three side walls surrounding and substantially perpendicular to said base plate, wherein one of said walls adjoins the remaining two walls and a plurality of apertures in said base plate for providing access to an electrical device; a butterfly biasing member having a flat surface disposed at each distal end and engaged with the base plate at the midpoint of the spring; a plurality of lids with bosses protruding from each side, the bosses of said lids engaging slots formed at the two corners formed between the adjoining wall and the other side walls and at a slot formed at the midpoint of the adjoining wall, said lids further including cams for cooperating with the flat surfaces disposed at the distal ends of the butterfly biasing member to exert a force on said lids such that the lids are held in close proximity to said base plate to form a weatherproof seal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
A weatherproof cover for attachment to the face of an electrical outlet box which comprises; a generally rectangular base plate having three side walls surrounding and substantially perpendicular to said base plate, wherein one of said walls adjoins the remaining two walls and a plurality of apertures in said base plate for providing access to an electrical device; a butterfly biasing member having a flat surface disposed at each distal end and engaged with the base plate at the midpoint of the spring; a plurality of lids with bosses protruding from each side, the bosses of said lids engaging slots formed at the two corners formed between the adjoining wall and the other side walls and at a slot formed at the midpoint of the adjoining wall, said lids further including cams for cooperating with the flat surfaces disposed at the distal ends of the butterfly biasing member to exert a force on said lids such that the lids are held in close proximity to said base plate to form a weatherproof seal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 1 which further includes a stiffening plate for said base plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 2 wherein said cams have a substantially arcuate surface which causes the lids to close when the opening force is removed from the lids.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 2 wherein said cams have a substantially flat surface which causes the lids to remain open when the opening force is removed from the lids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 3 wherein said lids include a cylindrical portion disposed between said bosses, a sloping exterior surface extending from said cylindrical portion and a transition surface having a plurality of straight ridges disposed between said cylindrical portion and said sloping surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 4 wherein said lids include a cylindrical portion disposed between said bosses, a sloping exterior surface extending from said cylindrical portion and a transition surface having a plurality of straight ridges disposed between said cylindrical portion and said sloping surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 3 wherein the slots of said base plate retaining the bosses of said lids are j-shaped.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 4 wherein the slots of said base plate retaining the bosses of said lids are j-shaped.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 7 wherein said base plate includes a plurality of grooves for cooperating with the edges of said lids.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 8 wherein said base plate includes a plurality of grooves for cooperating with said lids.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 3 wherein said base plate and said stiffening plate include a hole at their midpoints for attaching said weatherproof cover to an electrical receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 4 wherein said base plate and said stiffening plate include a hole at their midpoints for attaching said weatherproof cover to an electrical receptacle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
39 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 3 wherein said base plate and said stiffening plate include a hole between each access aperture and each nonadjoining wall for attaching said weatherproof cover to an electrical receptacle and its outlet box.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
A weatherproof cover according to claim 4 wherein said base plate and said stiffening plate include a hole between each access aperture and each nonadjoining wall for attaching said weatherproof cover to an electrical receptacle and its outlet box.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4134516A
Cited
US4381063A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-03-18 | 1988-09-17 | 1989-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-03-18 | 1992-09-17 | 1993-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-03-18 | 1996-09-17 | 1997-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |