GB2601565A - An electrical outlet cover device - Google Patents

Abstract

An electrical outlet cover device, comprising: an outlet attachment means; a top surface 1 that extends over a top face of the outlet; a front surface 2 connected to the top via a hinge so that it moves between covering the outlet and allowing access to the outlet. The front surface has a shelf 4, preferably with a front lip for supporting an electronic item, and may have a returning edge 10. The shelf has at least one passage for a cable 14, which may be formed by a perforation in the bottom of the shelf. The top may have a perimetric lip. The attachment means may comprise adhesive and/or returning edges extending from the top and/or sides 3.

Description

AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET COVER DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical outlet cover device, in particular for plug socket or similar fasciae.

Background

Increasing electrification is a factor in many societies.

This means that more properties have electrical outlets, and at the same time many more users have electronic equipment.

Often such equipment is personal and pocket sized. In this way the equipment will often rely on battery power, which in turn means recharging relatively frequently However it can be difficult to attractively or conveniently provide charging facilities to such electronic equipment at the outlet, particularly as wiring or cables are typically needed to connect the equipment and outlet.

Prior Art

GB 9 310 147 (MARZETTI et al) discloses a device for shielding an electrical plug which is inserted into an electrical socket comprises a support for locating on the front face of the socket and a removable cover for obstructing access to the plug. The cover is removably attached to the support by interengageable interference fit parts which comprise flexible arms on the cover arranged to engage between projections on the support and an upper shelf on the support arranged to engage with an upper edge of the cover. The plug pins may be inserted into the socket through an aperture in the support or a central portion of the support may be removable to enable insertion of the pins. An adhesive or adhesive tape may be used to secure the support to the front face of the socket GB 9 123 736 (HALL et al) discloses a cover for shielding at least one electrical plug engaged in a socket, comprises a back plate for retention between the engaged plug head and the socket face such that in use interengagement of the plug and socket is effective to secure the plate in a position. A shield part is engageable with the back plate by sliding, hingeing or snap fit, or may be integral with the plate. The back plate is apertured to allow plug pins to pass through before engagement with the socket, or the plate is applied after plug engagement with the socket.

GB 8 822 298 (PEACE) discloses a safety device comprises a back plate which fits behind an existing electrical socket and a cover which fits by hinged means onto the back plate and forms a cover over the socket outlet. The cover can be locked into place by screws or a lock. The cover can prevent access to the socket outlet or retain a plug in the outlet. A recess provides access for a cable attached to the plug.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an electrical outlet cover device comprising a top with an outlet attachment means and a front, wherein the top is arranged to extend over a top face of the outlet and the front is arranged to hinge on the top from a first position covering the outlet to a second position allowing access to the outlet; characterised in that the front comprises a shelf for an electronic item, which shelf has a passage for a cable.

In some embodiments the device comprises one or more side panels.

In some embodiments the attachment means is provided by the one or more side panels.

In some embodiments the attachment means is provided by an adhesive attachment. In other embodiments the attachment means is achieved by insertion of part of the device behind the outlet fascia, or between a part of the outlet and the wall or surface in which the outlet is located.

In some embodiments the front comprises an inclined surface in the first position, such that the item or items of electronic equipment are held available to use, and not liable to fall from the device.

Additionally or alternatively this inclined face provides a large space at the lower end of the outlet, where it may be envisaged there is need, so as to accommodate plugs or leads leading to connection at the outlet.

In some embodiments the side or sides may provide flexible, retractable or telescopic 10 panels, for example so as to allow for the inclination angle of the front to be adjusted or adaptable in use.

In some embodiments the front may comprise windows or perforations, which may be arranged to allow a user to view the position of a switch, outlet or plug under the front 15 when it is in the first position. In some embodiments the windows may comprise displaceable lids or covers.

In some embodiments the shelf may provide a plurality of passages for cables or leads.

In some embodiments the passages may comprise holes. In other embodiments the passages may comprise indentations in a front edge of the shelf.

The front may have a single lateral shelf In other embodiments the front may have a plurality of shelves, which may be all lateral, at different heights.

In some embodiments the shelf includes a front lip, which lip may be envisaged to provide a stop for an item of electronic equipment held on the shelf in use.

In some embodiments the front may include a plurality of indentations or contours 30 arranged to provide substantially vertical dividing means to enable better holding of items.

The attachment means may comprise a screw thread means. For example the attachment means may enable the device to be screwed into or onto or through screw 35 holes of the outlet.

In some embodiments the device may comprise a top which is arranged to provide a surface for further items, for example a flat face or contoured face, for receipt of ornaments or similar.

For example in some embodiments contouring may provide one or more defined location for a defined object, for example an indentation capable of receiving a coiled or wound cable, or adapter.

In some embodiments the top's face may comprise a lipped face, for example with a 10 perimetric raised lip, which raised lip is arranged to prevent exit of items from the face in use.

In some embodiments the front may comprise a substantially flat surface, with the shelf located near its bottom edge, or at an intermediate point between the top and bottom 15 edges.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the present invention, in a first position; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1, 30 in the second position; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in the second position; Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 6 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device generally comprising an electrical outlet cover device 99 comprising a top 1 with an outlet attachment means 13 and a front 2, wherein the top 1 is arranged to extend over the outlet's top face and the front 2 is arranged to hinge on the top from a first position covering the outlet to a second position allowing access to the outlet; characterised in that the front comprises a shelf 4 for an electronic item, which shelf has a plurality of passages 14 for a cable In particular reference to the embodiment pictured in Figure 1 the embodiment further comprises two parallel sides 3 extending vertically down from a narrow horizontal top 1, which has a hinge along its front edge.

The sides are wider at their bottom edge, so as to provide an inclined support to a front 2 which is in contact with the front edges of the sides 3, when the front 2 is in the first position.

The top 1 has a lipped perimetric edge, so as to better maintain items on the top of the 25 embodiment in use.

The front has a shelf 4 proximate its bottom edge.

The front's bottom edge comprises a returning lip 10, which extends coplanar the top in the first position.

This lip may be envisaged to push against any cables extending downwards from the outlet in use, holding such cables back and providing neatness.

In some embodiments such lip may comprise indentations for the cables leading to the outlet, so as to maintain them in a preferred position.

In some embodiments the front, or more particularly the hinge, may be spring biased so as to push the cables back.

The shelf comprises a front lip, and a bottom with three passages 14 provided by oblong holes, so as to allow passage of cable ends for chargers or similar for the electronic items placed on the shelf The embodiment is formed in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyethylene plastics A rear returning edge of the sides, and the top, provide the attachment means 13, which is provided more particularly by a narrow edging extending intemally along a plane that is coplanar the wall and/or the outlet in use.

In this way the edging may be envisaged to be easily adhered to the wall or outlet using self-adhesive tape.

Additionally or alternatively the edging may be inserted behind the fascia in use.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims (11)

1. Claims 1 An electrical outlet cover device comprising a top with an outlet attachment means and a front, wherein the top is arranged to extend over a top face of the outlet and the front is arranged to hinge on the top from a first position covering the outlet to a second position allowing access to the outlet; characterised in that the front comprises a shelf for an electronic item, which shelf has a passage for a cable.
2. 2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the shelf extends laterally on the front.
3. 3. A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the shelf comprises a plurality of passages 15
4. 4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the passage is provided by a perforation in the shelf bottom.
5. 5. A device according to any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the shelf has a front lip.
6. 6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the top has a perimetric lip.
7. 7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the front is inclined in the first position with respect to the outlet. 25
8. 8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the front has a returning edge.
9. 9. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises an adhesive.
10. 10. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a rear returning edge to the sides.
11. 11. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the attachment means comprises a rear returning edge to the top.