US4508933A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electric outlet cover
Assignee: Merrill Lynch Capital Corp
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Filing: 1983-03-01
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Granted: 1985-04-02
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Expires: 2003-03-01
Abstract
Abstract An electric outlet cover comprises a base plate having at least one opening and locking means, a cover plate hingedly connected to the base plate for covering an electric outlet when the outlet is not used, and at least one supporting means connected to the cover plate. The base plate is adapted to be disposed adjacent to the electric outlet so that the outlet registers with the opening for insertion of an electric plug into the outlet through the opening. The cover plate includes a closure element adapted to engage the locking means when the cover plate is placed over the base plate. The supporting means is adapted to support an insulated electric conductor when the electric plug connected to the conductor is received in the outlet so that the plug is retained in the outlet despite unintended movement of the wire.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Carvel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:26
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K5/00; H05K5/02; H05K5/03
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An electric outlet cover comprising, a base plate having at least one opening and locking means, said base plate being adapted to be disposed adjacent to an electric outlet so that the outlet registers with said opening for insertion of an electric plug into the outlet through the opening, a cover plate hingedly connected to said base plate for covering the outlet when the outlet is not used, said cover plate having a closure element adapted to engage said locking means when said cover plate is placed over the base plate, and at least one supporting means connected to said cover plate and adapted to support an insulated electric conductor when the electric plug connected to the conductor is received in the outlet so that the plug is retained in the outlet despite unintended movement of the wire, said supporting means including an arm, a supporting post connected to an end of the arm, said supporting post being rotationally attached to said cover plate, and a supporting member connected to the opposite end of the arm relative to the supporting post, so that when the cover plate is closed, the arm can be folded inside the cover plate and the arm can be extended relative to the base plate for supporting of the conductor by the supporting member when the plug is inserted into the outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An electric outlet cover comprising, a base plate having at least one opening and locking means, said base plate being adapted to be disposed adjacent to an electric outlet so that the outlet registers with said opening for insertion of an electric plug into the outlet through the opening, a cover plate hingedly connected to said base plate for covering the outlet when the outlet is not used, said cover plate having a closure element adapted to engage said locking means when said cover plate is placed over the base plate, and at least one supporting means connected to said cover plate and adapted to support an insulated electric conductor when the electric plug connected to the conductor is received in the outlet so that the plug is retained in the outlet despite unintended movement of the wire, said supporting means including an arm, a supporting post connected to an end of the arm, said supporting post being rotationally attached to said cover plate, and a supporting member connected to the opposite end of the arm relative to the supporting post, so that when the cover plate is closed, the arm can be folded inside the cover plate and the arm can be extended relative to the base plate for supporting of the conductor by the supporting member when the plug is inserted into the outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
An electric outlet cover according to claim 1, in which said supporting means further includes a spring to urge the arm downwardly and a projection adjacent to a bottom end of the supporting post, and said cover plate further includes at least one block for holding the supporting post, said block having therein at least one notch for receiving the projection of the supporting means to thereby immovably hold the supporting means relative to the cover plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An electric outlet cover according to claim 2, in which said supporting means further includes a holding member adjacent to the supporting member to immovably hold the conductor onto the supporting member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
An electric outlet cover according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means connected between the base plate and the cover plate so that the cover plate can be immovably held at least in one predetermined position relative to the base plate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
107 words
A supporting device for an electric outlet, comprising a base plate adapted to be situated adjacent to the electric outlet, a cover plate connected to said base plate, and an arm connected to said cover plate and having a supporting member connected to an end of said arm, said supporting member being adapted to support an insulated electric conductor connected to an electric plug when the plug is inserted into an outlet so that the plug is more securely retained in the outlet, said arm, when the arm is not in used, being held inside the cover plate, which can then be folded over the base plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
107 words
A supporting device for an electric outlet, comprising a base plate adapted to be situated adjacent to the electric outlet, a cover plate connected to said base plate, and an arm connected to said cover plate and having a supporting member connected to an end of said arm, said supporting member being adapted to support an insulated electric conductor connected to an electric plug when the plug is inserted into an outlet so that the plug is more securely retained in the outlet, said arm, when the arm is not in used, being held inside the cover plate, which can then be folded over the base plate.
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) | 1988-04-01 | 1988-10-01 | 1989-04-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-04-01 | 1992-10-01 | 1993-04-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-04-01 | 1996-10-01 | 1997-04-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |