US5527993A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Weatherproof electrical outlet apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1993-11-22
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2013-11-22
Abstract
Abstract Weatherproof electrical enclosure apparatus includes an electrical outlet and a cover pivotally secured to the outlet for sealingly engaging outlet elements to prevent moisture and foreign material from contacting electrical elements of the outlet. Secondary sealing elements are included to insure that moisture and foreign elements are prevented from entering into and contacting the electrical elements. The cover is pivotally secured with a releasable hinge to the outlet, and the cover includes an aperture or opening through which a cord extends. Secondary seal elements help to insure that the opening in the cover is sealed about the electrical cords. A primary embodiment includes a boot disposed around the outlet itself, and cords connected to the outlet contact the boot and are sealed by the boot.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Shotey
- 👤 Michael P. McConnaughy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 09:33
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/088
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
Weatherproof cover apparatus for an electrical outlet and for at least a single electrical cord having a plug connected to the outlet, comprising in combination: base means to be secured to the electrical outlet, cover means pivotally secured to the base means and defining a chamber for receiving and enclosing a portion of the electric cord and the plug to be connected to the electrical outlet; slot means in the cover means through which the electrical cord will extend; first seal means for sealing the base means and the cover means to initially prevent moisture and foreign material from contacting the electrical outlet and plug and comprising a primary seal; and second seal means within the chamber for providing a secondary seal to further prevent moisture and foreign material through the slot means from contacting the electrical outlet and plug, including a first flexible boot secured to the base means and a second flexible boot secured to the cover means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
160 words
Weatherproof cover apparatus for an electrical outlet and for at least a single electrical cord having a plug connected to the outlet, comprising in combination: base means to be secured to the electrical outlet, cover means pivotally secured to the base means and defining a chamber for receiving and enclosing a portion of the electric cord and the plug to be connected to the electrical outlet; slot means in the cover means through which the electrical cord will extend; first seal means for sealing the base means and the cover means to initially prevent moisture and foreign material from contacting the electrical outlet and plug and comprising a primary seal; and second seal means within the chamber for providing a secondary seal to further prevent moisture and foreign material through the slot means from contacting the electrical outlet and plug, including a first flexible boot secured to the base means and a second flexible boot secured to the cover means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the base means further includes a rim disposed about the electrical outlet, and the fast flexible boot is secured to the rim.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the cover means includes: a front wall; a top wall connected to the front wall and to the base means; first and second side walls connected to the front wall and the top wall; and a bottom wall connected to the front wall and the side walls, and the slot means extends through the bottom wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the base means and cover means include hinge means for releasably securing the cover means to the base means and for pivotally securing the cover means to the base means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 4 in which the hinge means includes ear means secured to the base means and to the cover means, including first ears having aligned bores, and second ears having aligned pins extending into the bores, and the cover means pivots on the pins.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which the aligned pins include a pin extending through one ear of the first ears and lock means on the pin for locking the pin to the one ear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
160 words
Weatherproof cover apparatus for an electrical outlet and for at least a single electrical cord having a plug connected to the outlet, comprising, in combination: base means to be secured to the electrical outlet, cover means pivotally secured to the base means and defining a chamber for receiving and enclosing a portion of the electric cord and the plug to be connected to the electrical outlet; slot means in the cover means through which the electrical cord will extend; first seal means for sealing the base means and the cover means to initially prevent moisture and foreign material from contacting the electrical outlet and plug and comprising a primary seal; and second seal means within the chamber for providing a secondary seal to further prevent moisture and foreign material through the slot means from contacting the electrical outlet and plug, including a first seal panel secured to the base means and a second seal panel secured to the cover means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
160 words
Weatherproof cover apparatus for an electrical outlet and for at least a single electrical cord having a plug connected to the outlet, comprising, in combination: base means to be secured to the electrical outlet, cover means pivotally secured to the base means and defining a chamber for receiving and enclosing a portion of the electric cord and the plug to be connected to the electrical outlet; slot means in the cover means through which the electrical cord will extend; first seal means for sealing the base means and the cover means to initially prevent moisture and foreign material from contacting the electrical outlet and plug and comprising a primary seal; and second seal means within the chamber for providing a secondary seal to further prevent moisture and foreign material through the slot means from contacting the electrical outlet and plug, including a first seal panel secured to the base means and a second seal panel secured to the cover means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the cover means includes: a front wall; a top wall connected to the front wall and to the base means; first and second side walls connected to the front wall and the top wall; and a bottom wall connected to the front wall and the side walls, and the slot means extends through the bottom wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8 in which the first panel is secured to the base means and extends over the slot means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which the second seal panel is secured to the front wall and extends over the slot means and is disposed against the first seal panel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the base means and cover means include hinge means for releasably securing the cover means to the base means and for pivotally securing the cover means to the base means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which the hinge means includes ear means secured to the base means and to the cover means, including first ears having aligned bores, and second ears having aligned pins extending into the bores, and the cover means pivots on the pins.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 12 in which the aligned pins include a pin extending through one ear of the first ears and lock means on the pin for locking the pin to the one ear.
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) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |