Collapsible in-use cover
View Patent ↗An electrical device cover assembly configured for mounting over an electrical device is described. The electrical device cover assembly comprises a base comprising an opening large enough to receive an electrical device. A lid comprising a lid face, a lid ring, and an expansion section between the lid face and the lid ring, the lid coupled to the base and comprising an inside surface and an expansion section, the expansion section expandable from a first depth to a second depth at least twice as deep as the first depth is provided. An expansion arm moveable between a first collapsed position when the expansion section is at its first depth and an second expanded position when the expansion section is at its second depth, wherein in the second position the expansion arm is in contact with and supports the lid at its second depth is also provided.
1. An electrical device cover assembly configured for mounting over an electrical device, the electrical device cover assembly comprising:
a base comprising an opening large enough to receive an electrical device;
a lid comprising a lid face, a lid ring, and an expansion section between the lid face and the lid ring, the lid coupled to the base and comprising an inside surface and an expansion section, the expansion section expandable from a first depth to a second depth at least twice as deep as the first depth; and
an expansion arm moveable between a first collapsed position when the expansion section is at its first depth and an second expanded position when the expansion section is at its second depth, wherein in the second position the expansion arm is in contact with and supports the lid at its second depth.
2. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion arm pivots between the first position and the second position.
3. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion arm is movably coupled to the lid ring.
4. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 3 , wherein the expansion arm extends from the lid ring to the lid face when the expansion arm is in its second position.
5. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 4 , wherein the expansion arm pivots between the first position and the second position to extend from the lid ring to the lid face.
6. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 5 , wherein the expansion arm pivots between the first position and the second position to extend from the lid face to the lid ring.
7. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion arm is movably coupled to the lid face.
8. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion arm is movably coupled to the base.
9. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the expansion arm extends from the base to the lid face when the expansion arm is in its second position.
10. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 9 , wherein the expansion arm pivots between a first position and a second position to extend from the base to the lid.
11. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion arm comprises a levered pin.
12. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion section comprises a pleated expandable boot.
13. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion section comprises one or more telescoping sections.
14. The electrical device cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the expansion arm comprises a bias mechanism biasing the expansion arm into the second position.