IP Library Granted Patent US 10,136,534
Granted Patent B2
US 10,136,534 · App. 15/275,641 · Granted Nov 20, 2018

Receptacle cover

Inventor: Cordell Eldred Ebeling (Isanti, MN)
H05K5/03F21V21/00H01R13/5213H01R13/6641H01R13/6683H01R13/717H01R25/006H02G3/14H05B37/02H01R2103/00
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,136,534
App. No.
15/275,641
Granted
Nov 20, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A cover for an electrical receptacle including a faceplate. The cover also includes a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle and a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle. Additionally, the cover includes a device (such as a light source, circuit, port, or sensor) in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab.

Claims (27)

1. A cover for an electrical receptacle comprising:

a faceplate;

a first transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a first power line of the electrical receptacle;

a second transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a second power line of the electrical receptacle; and

a circuitry in communication with the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab;

wherein at least one of the first and the second transmission tabs is configured as an elongated, rigid or semi-flexible tab extending from a back side of the faceplate.

2. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the first transmission tab and the second transmission tab extend from a same side of the back side of the faceplate.

3. The cover of claim 2 , wherein the first transmission tab is positioned vertically above the second transmission tab.

4. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising:

a third transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a third power line of the electrical receptacle;

a fourth transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a fourth power line of the electrical receptacle.

5. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising one or more tabs configured to balance a connecting pressure and align the cover with the electrical receptacle.

6. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising one or more tabs configured to connect the cover to a switch receptacle.

7. The cover of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the transmission tabs is removable from the faceplate.

8. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises a battery or alternative power source, such that the cover may remain in an operable state during a power loss.

9. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the at least one transmission tab comprises one or more conductive surface structures configured to face a conductive portion of the electrical receptacle.

10. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the electrical receptacle is a ground fault interrupter receptacle.

11. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a power amount to accommodate one or more different electrical receptacles.

12. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry is configured to reduce a voltage from the at least one of the first and the second transmission tabs.

13. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry or the at least one transmission tab is in communication with a device.

14. The cover of claim 13 , wherein the device is a light source, a universal serial bus port, an air freshener, or other electrical appliance.

15. The cover of claim 14 , wherein the cover defines an aperture or a slot configured to expose at least a portion of the light source.

16. The cover of claim 14 , wherein the light source is configured to be exposed around one or more sides of the faceplate, such that the cover is backlit by the light source.

17. The cover of claim 14 , wherein the circuitry is configured to adjust a power amount to accommodate one or more different devices.

18. The cover of claim 14 , wherein the device is in communication with a sensor.

19. The cover of claim 18 , wherein the sensor comprises a motion detector configured to activate the device when there is movement near the cover.

20. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises a semiconductor active hybrid integrated circuit or one or more electrical components operably connected on a circuit board.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 5, 2025
From: LIGHTING DEFENSE GROUP, LLC
To: AMERICAN TACK & HARDWARE CO., INC.
Reel/Frame 071020/0986 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 29, 2021
From: EBELING, CORDELL ELDRED
To: LIGHTING DEFENSE GROUP, LLC
Reel/Frame 058502/0718 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation 14158322 · Jan 17, 2014
Continuation 13233252 · Sep 15, 2011
Provisional Application 61383457 · Sep 16, 2010
Related Publication 20170013736A1 · Jan 12, 2017
Cited By (6)
US 12,230,909 US 12,308,581 US 12,327,956 US 12,335,593 US 12,418,711 US 12,614,882