US4873396A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wall electrical cover plate
Assignee: TEXIM INTERNATIONAL
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Filing: 1988-04-21
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Granted: 1989-10-10
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Expires: 2008-04-21
Abstract
Abstract A cover plate having a back surface defining a covered M groove is presented. The cover plate M groove is hooked over one screw of an electrical wiring device. The second screw then screws into the cover plate and sits deep in the cover plate screw groove. A decorative cover or plug then covers the second screw, so that no screw shows on the front surface farthest from the wall after installation and the cover plate is securely coupled to the wall by the installation of only one mounting screws, rather than two as required by prior art cover plates.
Inventors
- 👤 Hossein F. Guity-Mehr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:11
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A wall cover plate for covering prior art electrical wiring devices and the like, said cover plate comprising: a front surface farthest from the wall after installation; a back surface opposite the front surface, part of which back surface defines an M-groove near the center bottom of said back surface, said M-groove capable of mating with a protruding screw coupled to an electrical wiring device installed on the wall; an interior surface communicating between front and back surfaces and defining only one screw groove oriented such that coupling the M-groove to one of the two screws protruding from a prior art installed electrical wiring device such as a switch permits the second of said two electrical wiring device screws to pass through the center of the screw groove, which screw groove has a diameter just slightly greater than the diameter of the electrical wiring device screw; and a screw groove cover removably coupling to said screw groove to cover the head of the screw therethrough after installation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A wall cover plate for covering prior art electrical wiring devices and the like, said cover plate comprising: a front surface farthest from the wall after installation; a back surface opposite the front surface, part of which back surface defines an M-groove near the center bottom of said back surface, said M-groove capable of mating with a protruding screw coupled to an electrical wiring device installed on the wall; an interior surface communicating between front and back surfaces and defining only one screw groove oriented such that coupling the M-groove to one of the two screws protruding from a prior art installed electrical wiring device such as a switch permits the second of said two electrical wiring device screws to pass through the center of the screw groove, which screw groove has a diameter just slightly greater than the diameter of the electrical wiring device screw; and a screw groove cover removably coupling to said screw groove to cover the head of the screw therethrough after installation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The invention of claim 1, further including: a screw groove cover notch defined by the surface of the screw groove cover, said notch capable of receiving force and transmitting said force to the screw groove cover to remove the screw groove cover from the cover plate; and at least two screw groove cover hooks capable of removably mating with interior surfaces of the cover plate to removably couple the screw groove cover to the cover 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) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |