Active Receptacle Cover
Patent No. US11632844 (titled "Active Receptacle Cover") was filed by American Tack & Hardware Co Inc on Jun 15, 2020.
What is this patent about?
’844 is related to the field of electrical receptacles and switches, specifically addressing the need for improved safety and convenience in residential and commercial settings. The background highlights the significant problem of home injuries related to poor lighting and electrical hazards, emphasizing the limitations of existing nightlights and the importance of easy-to-install safety devices.
The underlying idea behind ’844 is to integrate a low-power device, such as a light source or a USB port, directly into a receptacle or switch cover. This is achieved by using transmission tabs that make electrical contact with the existing receptacle's terminals, drawing power to operate the integrated device without requiring additional wiring or bulky adapters. The key insight is to leverage the existing electrical infrastructure to provide added functionality in a compact and easily installed form factor.
The claims of ’844 focus on a faceplate for covering an electrical receptacle or switch, featuring at least one power transmission tab for electrical connection, an opening for accessing the receptacle or switch, and a port member that provides additional receptacles or data access points. The claims emphasize that the power drawn through the transmission tab electrifies both the receptacle/switch and any electronic device connected to the port member.
In practice, the invention involves replacing a standard receptacle cover with the new faceplate. The transmission tabs are designed to contact the screws or terminals of the existing receptacle, establishing an electrical connection. This connection powers the integrated device, such as an LED nightlight or a USB charging port, offering a convenient and space-saving solution.
The invention differentiates itself from prior approaches by integrating the functionality directly into the receptacle cover, eliminating the need for separate nightlights or bulky adapters. The use of transmission tabs allows for a simple and secure electrical connection without requiring any modifications to the existing wiring. This plug-and-play design makes it easy for consumers to upgrade their electrical outlets with added features while improving safety and convenience.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the early 2010s when ’844 was filed, electrical wiring and outlets were ubiquitous in residential and commercial buildings, at a time when providing additional functionality to existing electrical outlets was typically implemented using separate plug-in devices. At that time, integrating additional features directly into the outlet cover itself, while maintaining safety and ease of installation, was non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The examiner allowed the claims because the prior art did not teach or fairly suggest a faceplate for covering a receptacle box that contains an electrical receptacle or switch, where the faceplate has openings to access the electrical receptacle or switch, and also has a port member that is a volumetric enclosure extending outward from the faceplate's outer surface and includes a receptacle or access point. The faceplate also has a power transmission tab that conveys electrical power from a power terminal on the electrical receptacle or switch to the port member, in combination with all other claim limitations. The examiner also stated that the prior art did not teach or fairly suggest a faceplate for covering a receptacle box containing an electrical receptacle or switch, where the faceplate has a substantially rectangular portion that covers the receptacle box and a port member that extends beyond the substantially rectangular portion. The substantially rectangular portion has openings to provide operative access to the electrical receptacle or switch, and the port member has at least one power and data receptacle such that electrical power flows from at least one electrical power terminal on the electrical receptacle or switch through at least one power transmission tab on the faceplate to the port member so as to electrify the at least one power and data receptacle, in conjunction with all other claim limitations.
Claims
This patent contains 19 claims, with claims 1 and 11 being independent. The independent claims are directed to a faceplate for covering an electrical receptacle or switch, incorporating power transmission tabs and a port member for data or electrical connections. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific features, configurations, and functionalities of the faceplate and its components, such as the type of receptacle, the inclusion of light emitting devices, power configurations, and the nature of devices connected to the port member.
Key Claim Terms New
Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.
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Date
Description
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US11632844
- Application Number
- US16873724
- Filing Date
- Jun 15, 2020
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Sep 15, 2031
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents