Patent US6005190A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6005190A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cover for ceiling-mounted electrical outlet
Assignee: Arlington Industries Inc
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Filing: 1998-11-20
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Granted: 1999-12-21
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Expires: 2018-11-20
Abstract
Abstract A cover and bracket are provided for covering ceiling junction box openings in which there are no visible connecting devices on the face or outer surface of the cover. The cover has an inner surface and an outer surface. A peg, which can be notched is connected to the inner surface of the cover. The bracket is connected to the junction box with connectors such as bolts or screws, and has a central engagement opening which is sized and shaped to selectively receive and frictionally engage the peg such that the cover holds fast to the junction box and covers the junction box opening. In a preferred embodiment, the central engagement opening contains spring engagement tabs which provide frictional holding of the peg. According to a further preferred embodiment, the central engagement opening is elongated to permit inversion of the bracket for installation over junction boxes that are recessed into the ceiling.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S. Stark
- 👤 Thomas J. Gretz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:07
CPC Classifications
H; H02; H02G; H02G3/00; H02G3/02; H02G3/08; H02G3/18; H02G3/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A cover for covering a ceiling opening of an electrical junction box, said cover comprising: a shaped cover defining an inner and an outer surface; a peg connected to said inner surface and extending from said inner surface; a bracket, sized and shaped to be secured to said junction box, said bracket including an engagement opening, said engagement opening being sized and shaped to selectively receive and frictionally engage said peg so that said cover holds fast to said bracket and covers said junction box opening; and said bracket having two ends and having two pairs of edge notches with each pair of edge notches spaced different distances from said two ends with said edge notches being configured to receive securing bolts and one pair of said edge notches spaced to be placed over bolt openings in said junction box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A cover for covering a ceiling opening of an electrical junction box, said cover comprising: a shaped cover defining an inner and an outer surface; a peg connected to said inner surface and extending from said inner surface; a bracket, sized and shaped to be secured to said junction box, said bracket including an engagement opening, said engagement opening being sized and shaped to selectively receive and frictionally engage said peg so that said cover holds fast to said bracket and covers said junction box opening; and said bracket having two ends and having two pairs of edge notches with each pair of edge notches spaced different distances from said two ends with said edge notches being configured to receive securing bolts and one pair of said edge notches spaced to be placed over bolt openings in said junction box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said cover is a flat plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover of claim 2 wherein said cover is saucer shaped in a cross-sectional view and circular in a top view.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said peg has at least one notch on its surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The cover of claim 4 wherein said peg has a raised strip along a portion of its length.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said engagement opening contains at least one spring tab, to selectively receive and frictionally engage said peg.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The cover of claim 6 wherein said engagement opening contains four spring tabs to selectively receive and frictionally engage said peg.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
The cover of claim 1 wherein said engagement opening comprises a tube extending at a right angle from one surface of said bracket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The cover of claim 8 wherein said tube has a first end proximate said surface of said bracket and a second end remote from said surface of said bracket, and of said at least one spring tab is located closer to said second end than to said first end.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The cover of claim 9 wherein said bracket can be inverted to vary the distance between said bracket and said shaped cover when said electrical junction box is recessed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
154 words
A thermoplastic ceiling cover plate for covering an opening of an electrical junction box, said cover plate comprising: a flat plate defining an inner and an outer surface; a notched peg connected to said inner surface and extending a length from said inner surface; said outer surface being finely textured; a bracket, sized and shaped to be secured to said junction box, said bracket including an engagment opening, containing four spring tabs being sized and shaped to selectively receive and engage said notched peg, so that said flat plate holds fast to said junction box and covers said junction box; and said bracket having two ends and having two pairs of edge notches with each pair of edge notches spaced different distances from said two ends with said edge notches being configured to receive securing bolts and one pair of said edge notches spaced to be placed over bolt openings in said junction box.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
154 words
A thermoplastic ceiling cover plate for covering an opening of an electrical junction box, said cover plate comprising: a flat plate defining an inner and an outer surface; a notched peg connected to said inner surface and extending a length from said inner surface; said outer surface being finely textured; a bracket, sized and shaped to be secured to said junction box, said bracket including an engagment opening, containing four spring tabs being sized and shaped to selectively receive and engage said notched peg, so that said flat plate holds fast to said junction box and covers said junction box; and said bracket having two ends and having two pairs of edge notches with each pair of edge notches spaced different distances from said two ends with said edge notches being configured to receive securing bolts and one pair of said edge notches spaced to be placed over bolt openings in said junction box.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-20 | 2003-06-21 | 2003-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-20 | 2007-06-21 | 2007-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-20 | 2011-06-21 | 2011-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |