Cover Plate

This invention relates to escutcheon plates for covering electrical receptacles.

In the past many children have been injured by inserting objects into electrical receptacles and it has been recognized that it is important to block this dangerous situation with the result that numerous patents have been issued for devices which have this as a purpose. Representative prior art is found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,744,243; 3,386,071; 3,521,216; 3,598,900; and 3,868,160.

It is, generally speaking, an object of this invention to provide an improved escutcheon cover plate which includes a pivotally connected cover cap on the plate which is adapted to be pivotally moved into and out of covering relation of an energized receptacle and a keeper means comprising a ferrous keeper member of metal normally in blocking relation of pivotal movement of the cap and which keeper is adapted to be moved by a magnet in a slot out of blocking relation so that the cap can be opened and which provides a magnetic key; and it is generally an object of this invention to provide a device of the type described which is simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture and which is readily operated and which is useful for safety purposes.

In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a wall socket provided with the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view partially broken away and illustrating the cover plate of the instant invention;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrating the device in a different attitude in use, as is described more full hereinafter;

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section taken on the plane indicated by the line 4--4 of FIG. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken on the plane indicated by the line 5--5 of FIG. 3 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a section of a wall and the plate is generally designated by the arrowed line 12. It comprises a main zone 18 which is screwed to a wall receptacle as by the bolt 16 in a conventional manner over a pair of energized sockets and, as shown, there is provided a side portion 14 having an upper edge 20 as is described more fully hereinafter. Within the main portion 18 of the plate, there is, preferably, a recess, such as 22 and another recess 24. The recesses each form a shelf about an opening, such as the upper opening 26. Pivotally connected caps or lids 28 and 30 are provided for covering each of the openings, each lid, 28 and 30, being sized to nest on the shelf within the recess as indicated at 24 in FIGS. 4 and 5, where the same are shown in cross section. It will be seen that each lid is pivotally connected to the side portion 14 by means of pivot pins such as that designated by the numeral 42 and that the edge 40 of each cap has a hole through which the pivot pin extends. There is cut-out portion 46 defining a shoulder which extends into a slotted space above the floor 48. Into and out of this space a magnetized member 49, captivated by the structure shown, is adapted to move in sliding relation on the surface 48 and over the corner 50 when the magnet 56 is positioned adjacent the side of the cover plate. For example, when the magnet is not located adjacent the side of the plate, the member 49 will be in the recess which is sized to mate with it in the position shown in FIG. 2. That is, with a portion 52 in blocking relation of the rotation of the plate 30. Similar structure is provided with respect to the cover lid cap 28. At any rate, when the magnet is moved to the position shown in FIG. 3, the member 49 will be moved outwardly by the forces of attraction so that the surface 46 clears the member 49 as the member 49 slides outwardly on the surface 48 under the magnetic influence 56 and, thereafter, the cover 30 may be rotated pivotally as shown by the chain dot line out of covering relation of the electrically energized socket beneath it.

It will be seen that the corner 50 comprises a guide corner or slide corner 50 so that the movement of the keeper member under the influence of the magnet is upwardly and, hence, when the magnet is removed, the forces of gravity will cause the keeper member to slide down into a normal position of blocking relation of pivotal movement.