US4707564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Message cover for electrical wall switches
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1986-03-27
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Granted: 1987-11-17
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Expires: 2006-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A message bearing cover for attachment to electrical wall switches comprises a cavitated cover adapted to be releasably attached to an existing electrical wall switch installation and movable from a closed position enclosing the wall switch lever to an open position allowing access to the wall switch lever. The front surface of the cover is adapted to receive and visually display selective messages printed on message tabs. The message tabs are visible when the cover is in the closed position. In one embodiment, the attachment portion of the cover is captured between the wall switch cover plate and the wall surface, and in another embodiment the attachment portion serves as a cover plate which may is mounted to the underlying switch.
Inventors
- 👤 Arturo E. F. Gonzales
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:16
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A message bearing cover for attachment to interior electrical wall switches comprising; a cavitated cover adapted to be releasably attached to an existing interior electrical wall switch installation at a convenient location for visibility within a dwelling and movable from a closed position enclosing the wall switch lever to an open position allowing access to the wall switch lever, and the outer surface of said cavitated cover configured to removably receive and visually display selective printed messages when said cover is in the closed position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
A message bearing cover for attachment to interior electrical wall switches comprising; a cavitated cover adapted to be releasably attached to an existing interior electrical wall switch installation at a convenient location for visibility within a dwelling and movable from a closed position enclosing the wall switch lever to an open position allowing access to the wall switch lever, and the outer surface of said cavitated cover configured to removably receive and visually display selective printed messages when said cover is in the closed position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 1 in which said cover is integrally and flexibly connected to a cover plate fitting said switch installation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 1 in which said cover is integrally and pivotally connected to a cover plate fitting said switch installation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 1 including lifting means integral with said cover for manually moving said cover between the closed position and the open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 4 in which said lifting means comprises a rectangular tab extending outwardly from the front surface of said cover.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 1 including message means adapted to be received on the outer surface of said cover to be visually displayed when said cover is in the closed position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 6 in which said message means comprises a plurality of flat planar tabs, and the outer surface of said cavitated cover provided with a series of longitudinally spaced slots of the front surface of said cover of size and shape to slidably receive said flat planar tabs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 6 in which said message means comprises a plurality of flat planar tabs, some of which having selected messages printed thereon and some of which are blank to receive messages printed thereon by the user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
75 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 1 in which said cover comprising a generally box-like molded member having a front panel and contiguous rearwardly extending top, bottom, and side walls, an attachment portion integrally hinged thereto and extending therefrom for pivotal movement relative thereto, said front panel and top, bottom, side walls, and said attachment portion forming an integral unit, and said attachment portion adapted to be removably secured to the interior switch installation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 9 in which the outer surface of said cavitated cover provided with a series of longitudinally spaced protuberances extending transversely across said front panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 9 in which said attachment portion comprises a generally rectangular extension of said top wall of size and shape to be slidably received and captured between the back the existing cover plate of the wall switch installation and the wall surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
A message bearing cover according to claim 9 in which said attachment portion comprises a generally rectangular extension of said top wall having at least one aperture through which the existing switch lever extends and at least one pair of holes through which mounting screws extend to be threadedly received in the underlying switch.
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) | 1990-11-16 | 1991-05-18 | 1991-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-16 | 1995-05-18 | 1995-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-16 | 1999-05-18 | 1999-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |