IP Library Granted Patent US 7,968,794
Granted Patent B1
US 7,968,794 · App. 12/211,066 · Granted Jun 28, 2011

Two lid horizontal and vertical mountable electrical device cover

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,968,794
App. No.
12/211,066
Granted
Jun 28, 2011
Kind
B1
Abstract

Particular implementations of electrical outlet cover comprise a base comprising a first opening allowing access to the electrical outlet, a first cover comprising a second opening allowing access to the electrical outlet, and a second cover covering the second opening. In particular implementations, the first cover and second cover have opening axes substantially perpendicular to each other. The second cover may be a flat cover or a while in use cover, and in particular implementations the first and second covers may be biased closed.

Claims (33)

1. An electrical outlet cover, comprising:

a base comprising a first opening in a substantially planar front surface of the base, the first opening being large enough to receive a face of an electrical outlet through the opening;

a first cover hingedly coupled to the base along a first axis and biased from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the closed position the first cover closes against the base, the first cover comprising:

an substantially planar outer surface parallel to the substantially planar front surface of the base and facing away from the electrical outlet when the first cover is in its closed position; and

a second cover hingedly coupled to the outer surface of the first cover along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis and biased from an open position to a closed position, wherein in the closed position the second cover closes against the outer surface of the first cover.

2. The electrical outlet cover of claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a long edge and a short edge and the first axis is substantially parallel to the long edge.

3. The electrical outlet cover of claim 1 , wherein a largest diameter of the second cover in its closed position is smaller than a largest diameter of the first cover in its closed position.

4. The electrical outlet cover of claim 1 , further comprising a first cord port between the base and the first cover and a second cord port between the first cover and the second cover.

5. The electrical outlet cover of claim 4 , wherein the second cover is a while-in-use cover comprising a volume large enough for the second cover to be closed when an electrical outlet cord is plugged into the electrical outlet.

6. An electrical outlet cover, comprising:

a base comprising a first opening in a substantially planar front surface of the base, the first opening being large enough to receive a face of an electrical outlet through the opening;

a first cover hingedly coupled to the base on the front surface of the base along a first axis, wherein the first cover is moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the first cover closes against the base, the first cover comprising:

an outer surface substantially parallel to the front surface of the base and facing away from the electrical outlet when the first cover is in its closed position; and

a second opening through the first cover at least as large as and at least partially aligned with the first opening; and

a second cover hingedly coupled to the first cover on the outer surface of the first cover along a second axis different from the first axis, wherein the second cover is moveable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the closed position the second cover closes against the outer surface of the first cover.

7. The electrical outlet cover of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first cover and the second cover is biased to its respective closed position by a biasing mechanism.

8. The electrical outlet cover of claim 6 , wherein the base further comprises a long edge and a short edge and the first axis is substantially parallel to the long edge.

9. The electrical outlet cover of claim 6 , wherein a largest diameter of the second cover in its closed position is smaller than a largest diameter of the first cover in its closed position.

10. The electrical outlet cover of claim 6 , further comprising a first cord port between the base and the first cover and a second cord port between the first cover and the second cover.

11. The electrical outlet cover of claim 10 , wherein the second cover is a while-in-use cover comprising a volume large enough for the second cover to be closed when an electrical outlet cord is plugged into the electrical outlet.

12. An electrical outlet cover, comprising:

a substantially planar base comprising at least one box mounting screw aperture extending through the base and at least one electrical outlet opening large enough to receive a face of an electrical outlet through the opening;

a first cover hingedly mounted to a front surface of the base along a first axis; and

a second cover hingedly mounted to a front surface of the first cover along a second axis substantially perpendicular to the first axis;

wherein pivotal movement of the first cover about the first axis pivots both the first cover and the second cover and pivotal movement of the second cover about the second axis pivots the second cover but not the first cover.

13. The electrical outlet cover of claim 12 , wherein the first cover and the second cover are each biased to their respective closed positions by respective first and second biasing mechanisms.

14. The electrical outlet cover of claim 12 , wherein the base further comprises a long edge and a short edge and the first axis is substantially parallel to the long edge.

15. The electrical outlet cover of claim 12 , wherein a largest diameter of the second cover in its closed position is smaller than a largest diameter of the first cover in its closed position.

16. The electrical outlet cover of claim 12 , further comprising a first cord port between the base and the first cover and a second cord port between the first cover and the second cover.

17. The electrical outlet cover of claim 16 , wherein the first cord port is on the first cover and the second cord port is on the second cover.

18. The electrical outlet cover of claim 16 , wherein the second cover is a while-in-use cover comprising a volume large enough for the second cover to be closed when an electrical outlet cord is plugged into the electrical outlet.

19. The electrical outlet cover of claim 12 , wherein the first cover comprises an opening therethrough and at least partially aligned with the first opening.

20. The electrical outlet cover of claim 19 , wherein the opening through the first cover is configured large enough to expose the face of the electrical outlet received through the opening of the base.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2012
From: TAYMAC CORPORATION
To: HUBBELL INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 028136/0396 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 26, 2008
From: BALDWIN, JEFFREY P.
To: TAYMAC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 021894/0380 →