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US4800239A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Decorative switch plate and receptacle wall plate

Assignee: Vanguard Hill Inc
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Filing: 1987-05-04
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Granted: 1989-01-24
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Expires: 2007-05-04
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Abstract

Abstract An easily decorative/redecorative switch and receptacle wallplate comprising a baseplate with retaining lip to be attached to the switch/receptacle by screws, a decor plate, decor, transparent shield and outer frame all of which are attached to the baseplate with a trim frame around the perimeter of the entire assembly with a lip on either side enclosing the baseplate lip and the edges of the decor plate, decor, transparent shield and over frame. The trim frame is easily removable for the changing of the decor.

Inventors

  • 👤 D. James Hill

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 22:47
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/14

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 113 words
A wallpaper assembly for mounting on electrical switch assemblies and receptacle assemblies comprising a baseplate with means for attachment to an electric switch assembly or receptacle assembly, said baseplate having a continuous recess around its rear surface perimeter forming a lip or flange at its front surface perimeter with openings for electrical switch lever or levers and/or outlet or outlets, decorated decor plate and transparent shield of the same size and shape as the baseplate but with no visible means for direct attachment to the electrical switch or receptacle, and a decorative trim frame with means operative to enclose and surround the baseplate flange and perimeter edges of the decorative and protective plates.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 113 words
A wallpaper assembly for mounting on electrical switch assemblies and receptacle assemblies comprising a baseplate with means for attachment to an electric switch assembly or receptacle assembly, said baseplate having a continuous recess around its rear surface perimeter forming a lip or flange at its front surface perimeter with openings for electrical switch lever or levers and/or outlet or outlets, decorated decor plate and transparent shield of the same size and shape as the baseplate but with no visible means for direct attachment to the electrical switch or receptacle, and a decorative trim frame with means operative to enclose and surround the baseplate flange and perimeter edges of the decorative and protective plates.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 83 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a trim frame having a continuous recess around its outer rear surface perimter forming a lip or flange at its outer front surface perimeter and additionally comprising a decorative overframe with a opening of the same shape as the rear perimeter of the trim frame formed by the continuous recess but of a size which is larger than the trim frame near perimeter but smaller than the trim frame front perimeter formed by the trim frame flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a trim frane having a continuous recess around its outer rear surface perimeter forming a lip or flange at its outer front surface perimeter and additionally comprising a decorative overframe wherein the trim frame flange is disposed about the inner front surface of the decorative overframe.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 233 words
A wallplate assembly for mounting on electrical switch assemblies and receptacle assemblies comprising a baseplate with means for attachment to an electric switch assembly or receptacle assembly, said baseplate having a continuous recess around its rear surface perimeter forming a beveled edged lip or flange at its front surface perimeter with openings for electrical switch lever or levers and/or outlet or outlets, decorated decor plate, and transparent shield of the same shape and size as the baseplate but with no visible means for direct attachment to the electrical switch or receptacle, and a decorative trim frame having a rear or wallside opening of the same shape as but larger size than the baseplate with pairs of projections or retainer buttons located at multiple points on the inner edges of the rear opening of the trim frame such that the distance between the ends of the projections or retainer buttons on the sides and ends of the trim frame across the rear side of the trim frame is less than the width and length respectively of the baseplate, and a front side opening of the same shape but smaller size than the baseplate, said front side trim frame opening and rear side trim frame projections or retainer buttons enclosing the baseplate flange and the perimeter surface of the decor and shield plates to hold the decor and shield plates in position on the baseplate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 233 words
A wallplate assembly for mounting on electrical switch assemblies and receptacle assemblies comprising a baseplate with means for attachment to an electric switch assembly or receptacle assembly, said baseplate having a continuous recess around its rear surface perimeter forming a beveled edged lip or flange at its front surface perimeter with openings for electrical switch lever or levers and/or outlet or outlets, decorated decor plate, and transparent shield of the same shape and size as the baseplate but with no visible means for direct attachment to the electrical switch or receptacle, and a decorative trim frame having a rear or wallside opening of the same shape as but larger size than the baseplate with pairs of projections or retainer buttons located at multiple points on the inner edges of the rear opening of the trim frame such that the distance between the ends of the projections or retainer buttons on the sides and ends of the trim frame across the rear side of the trim frame is less than the width and length respectively of the baseplate, and a front side opening of the same shape but smaller size than the baseplate, said front side trim frame opening and rear side trim frame projections or retainer buttons enclosing the baseplate flange and the perimeter surface of the decor and shield plates to hold the decor and shield plates in position on the baseplate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 79 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 comprising a trim frame having a continuous recess around its outer rear surface perimeter forming a lip or flange at its outer front surface perimeter and additionally comprising a decorative overframe with an opening of the same shape as the rear perimeter of the trim frame formed by the continuous recess but of a size larger than the trim frame rear perimeter but smaller than the perimeter formed by the trim frame flange.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 53 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 comprising a trim frame having a continuous recess around its outer rear surface perimeter forming a lip or flange at its outer front surface perimeter and additionally comprising a decorative overframe wherein the trim frame flange is disposed about the inner front surface of the decorative overframe.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 135 words
A wall switch cover plate assembly or electrical receptacle cover plate assembly comprising a baseplate having a continuous recess around its rear surface perimeter forming a beveled edged lip or flange at its front surface perimeter, with openings for electrical switch lever or levers and/or outlet or outlets, and connecting screws, a decorated decor plate and a transparent shield, of the same shape and size as the baseplate but without connecting screw openings, and a trim frame having a modified U-shape cross-section forming a continuous flexible channel such that the opening formed by the sides of the channel is of the same shape but of a smaller size than the baseplate thereby enclosing the flange of the baseplate and the perimeter of the decor and shield plates and holding them in position on the baseplate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 135 words
A wall switch cover plate assembly or electrical receptacle cover plate assembly comprising a baseplate having a continuous recess around its rear surface perimeter forming a beveled edged lip or flange at its front surface perimeter, with openings for electrical switch lever or levers and/or outlet or outlets, and connecting screws, a decorated decor plate and a transparent shield, of the same shape and size as the baseplate but without connecting screw openings, and a trim frame having a modified U-shape cross-section forming a continuous flexible channel such that the opening formed by the sides of the channel is of the same shape but of a smaller size than the baseplate thereby enclosing the flange of the baseplate and the perimeter of the decor and shield plates and holding them in position on the baseplate.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2289198A Cited
US2515820A Cited
US2980283A Cited
US4009797A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1992-01-24 1992-07-25 1993-01-24 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1996-01-24 1996-07-25 1997-01-24 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2000-01-24 2000-07-25 2001-01-24 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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