IP Library Granted Patent US 10,687,432
Granted Patent B2
US 10,687,432 · App. 16/193,645 · Granted Jun 16, 2020

Receptacle cover

Inventor: Cordell Eldred Ebeling (Isanti, MN)
H05K5/03F21V21/00H01R13/5213H01R13/6641H01R13/6683H01R13/717H01R25/006H02G3/14H05B47/10H01R2103/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,687,432
App. No.
16/193,645
Granted
Jun 16, 2020
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 or switch, the cover comprising:

a faceplate; and

at least one transmission tab configured to be electrically connected to a power line of the electrical receptacle;

wherein the transmission tab is configured as an elongated, rigid, or semi-flexible tab extending from a back side of the faceplate and including one or more conductive surface structures configured to face a conductive portion of the electrical receptacle or switch.

2. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising a safety cover coupled to the faceplate, wherein the safety cover is positioned over a screw attached to the faceplate.

3. The cover of claim 2 , wherein the safety cover is configured to snap onto the faceplate after the screw is attached to the faceplate.

4. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is coupled to the electrical receptacle or switch via an adhesive.

5. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate further comprises an on/off switch.

6. The cover of claim 5 , wherein the cover further includes a circuital driven device in communication with the transmission tab.

7. The cover of claim 6 , wherein the cover further includes a sensor in communication with the device, the sensor configured to activate the device in response to detected motion or light.

8. The cover of claim 7 , wherein the on/off switch is configured to override the sensor.

9. The cover of claim 6 , wherein the circuital driven device includes a light source.

10. The cover of claim 9 , wherein the light source is a light bar or a light diffuser.

11. The cover of claim 9 , wherein the light source is configured to be exposed around one or more sides of the faceplate such that the faceplate is backlit.

12. The cover of claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is formed of a self-illuminating plastic material, a plastic material configured to illuminate upon application of a voltage, an LED plastic sheet, a translucent/electroluminescent material, or is coated with an illuminating material.

13. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising a port member coupled with the faceplate, the port member including at least one port configured to provide power to an appliance.

14. The cover of claim 13 , wherein the port member is configured to provide power to radio frequency cables and/or to radio frequency devices, such devices comprising radio broadcasting data lines, radio frequency distribution, security system sensing modules for a radio frequency device, or a microcamera.

15. The cover of claim 1 , further comprising a circuitry in communication with the transmission tab.

16. The cover of claim 15 , wherein the circuitry comprises a semiconductor active hybrid integrated circuit or electrical components operably connected on a flexible-circuit board, the circuitry configured to covert an AC voltage to a DC voltage and provide power to one or more appliances, the one or more appliances integral to the cover or wherein the cover comprises the one or more appliances.

17. The cover of claim 15 , wherein the circuitry includes a battery, the battery configured to provide a backup power source for an appliance communicatively coupled with the at least one transmission tab.

18. A cover for an electrical receptacle or switch, the cover comprising:

a faceplate, the faceplate comprising a flush-mounted device configured to snap onto the electrical receptacle or switch;

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

an electrically driven appliance in communication with the at least one transmission tab,

wherein the transmission tab is configured as an elongated, rigid, or semi-flexible tab extending from a back side of the faceplate and including one or more conductive surface structures configured to face a conductive portion of the electrical receptacle or switch.

19. The cover of claim 18 , further comprising a photodetector or a photosensor in communication with the transmission tab.

20. The cover of claim 18 , further comprising a clip module coupled to the faceplate, the clip module comprising an integrated voltage reduction and conversion circuitry.

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 (5)
Continuation 15275641 · Sep 26, 2016
Continuation 14158322 · Jan 17, 2014
Continuation 13233252 · Sep 15, 2011
Provisional Application 61383457 · Sep 16, 2010
Related Publication 20190090372A1 · Mar 21, 2019
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