IP Verse

Configurable Electrical Outlet Cover Enclosure

Patent No. US11799276 (titled "Configurable Electrical Outlet Cover Enclosure") was filed by Titan3 Technology Llc on Oct 24, 2022.

What is this patent about?

’276 is related to the field of electrical outlet covers, specifically addressing the need for a low-profile cover that can also accommodate plugs and cords when in use. Traditional weatherproof outlet covers are often bulky, even when no plug is connected. This patent aims to provide a more compact solution that can expand when needed and retract when not, while still offering protection from the elements.

The underlying idea behind ’276 is to use a telescoping enclosure within a hinged lid to create a configurable depth for an electrical outlet cover. This allows the cover to maintain a slim profile when the outlet is not in use, and then extend outwards to provide sufficient space for a plug and cord when needed. The enclosure slides within the lid frame, providing a variable-depth protective barrier.

The claims of ’276 focus on a cover for an electrical outlet that includes a base, a hinged lid, a frame with a central aperture, and an enclosure that is coupled to the frame and extends through the central aperture. The enclosure has a side wall and a front wall, defining an internal space. The enclosure is movable between a collapsed position and an extended position, with the side wall remaining in contact with the frame during movement. A ledge on the enclosure side wall abuts the base when in the collapsed position. The claims also include a base locking aperture and a lid locking aperture that align when the lid is closed, allowing for a locking mechanism.

In practice, the user can slide the enclosure outwards to accommodate a plug, and then close the lid to provide weatherproof protection. When the plug is removed, the enclosure can be pushed back into the collapsed position, reducing the overall size of the outlet cover. The ledge on the enclosure ensures that it doesn't slide out completely, while also providing a sealing surface against the frame or a gasket to prevent water ingress.

This design differentiates itself from fixed-depth outlet covers by offering a variable depth that adapts to the user's needs. Unlike simple hinged covers, the telescoping enclosure provides a more complete barrier against the elements, even when a cord is plugged in. The locking apertures also add a security feature, preventing unauthorized access to the outlet. The optional window allows visual confirmation of the outlet's status without opening the cover.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the mid-2010s when ’276 was filed, electrical systems commonly relied on standardized outlet configurations and wiring practices. At a time when outdoor electrical enclosures were typically implemented using fixed-size, boxy designs, hardware constraints made it non-trivial to create enclosures that could adapt to different plug sizes or collapse when not in use.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner allowed the claims after an examiner's amendment. The amendment replaced the term "enclosure wall" with "enclosure side wall" in claims 1, 5, 7, 12, and 17. Additionally, in claim 1, "the enclosure" was replaced with "an enclosure space" and "the enclosure" was replaced with "the enclosure space". Claim 13 was also amended to clarify the contact between the enclosure side wall and the frame.

Claims

This patent contains 20 claims, with independent claims 1, 5, and 12. The independent claims are directed to a cover for an electrical outlet, including a base and a lid with a movable enclosure. The dependent claims generally add further details and limitations to the features described in the independent claims.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Central aperture
(Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 12)		“Aspects of this document relate to a cover for an electrical outlet that may comprise a base comprising at least one electrical box mounting screw aperture extending through a portion of the base, and an electrical device aperture extending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of an electrical device therethrough, a lid frame hingedly coupled to the base along a first side of the lid frame and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid frame comprising a central aperture, and a gasket surrounding the central aperture on a surface of the lid frame, and an enclosure slidably coupled to the lid frame within the central aperture and movable within the lid frame between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-use position, the enclosure comprising a continuous enclosure side wall comprising a ledge extending outward from the enclosure side wall adjacent a back edge of the enclosure side wall, the ledge in contact with the lid frame gasket when the enclosure is in its extended, in-use position, and the ledge adjacent the base when in its collapsed, not-in-use position, the enclosure side wall further comprising a leading edge distal to the back edge, and an enclosure front wall coupled to the enclosure side wall, the enclosure front wall comprising a convex front surface.”An opening in the frame of the lid, through which the enclosure extends.
Collapsed, not-in-use position
(Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 12)		“Aspects of this document relate to a cover for an electrical outlet that may comprise a base comprising at least one electrical box mounting screw aperture extending through a portion of the base, and an electrical device aperture extending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of an electrical device therethrough, a lid frame hingedly coupled to the base along a first side of the lid frame and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid frame comprising a central aperture, and a gasket surrounding the central aperture on a surface of the lid frame, and an enclosure slidably coupled to the lid frame within the central aperture and movable within the lid frame between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-use position, the enclosure comprising a continuous enclosure side wall comprising a ledge extending outward from the enclosure side wall adjacent a back edge of the enclosure side wall, the ledge in contact with the lid frame gasket when the enclosure is in its extended, in-use position, and the ledge adjacent the base when in its collapsed, not-in-use position, the enclosure side wall further comprising a leading edge distal to the back edge, and an enclosure front wall coupled to the enclosure side wall, the enclosure front wall comprising a convex front surface.”A position of the enclosure where it is retracted, and the enclosure abuts the base.
Enclosure front wall
(Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 12)		“Aspects of this document relate to a cover for an electrical outlet that may comprise a base comprising at least one electrical box mounting screw aperture extending through a portion of the base, and an electrical device aperture extending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of an electrical device therethrough, a lid frame hingedly coupled to the base along a first side of the lid frame and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid frame comprising a central aperture, and a gasket surrounding the central aperture on a surface of the lid frame, and an enclosure slidably coupled to the lid frame within the central aperture and movable within the lid frame between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-use position, the enclosure comprising a continuous enclosure side wall comprising a ledge extending outward from the enclosure side wall adjacent a back edge of the enclosure side wall, the ledge in contact with the lid frame gasket when the enclosure is in its extended, in-use position, and the ledge adjacent the base when in its collapsed, not-in-use position, the enclosure side wall further comprising a leading edge distal to the back edge, and an enclosure front wall coupled to the enclosure side wall, the enclosure front wall comprising a convex front surface.”A wall enclosing a front side of the enclosure space.
Enclosure side wall
(Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 12)		“Aspects of this document relate to a cover for an electrical outlet that may comprise a base comprising at least one electrical box mounting screw aperture extending through a portion of the base, and an electrical device aperture extending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of an electrical device therethrough, a lid frame hingedly coupled to the base along a first side of the lid frame and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid frame comprising a central aperture, and a gasket surrounding the central aperture on a surface of the lid frame, and an enclosure slidably coupled to the lid frame within the central aperture and movable within the lid frame between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-use position, the enclosure comprising a continuous enclosure side wall comprising a ledge extending outward from the enclosure side wall adjacent a back edge of the enclosure side wall, the ledge in contact with the lid frame gasket when the enclosure is in its extended, in-use position, and the ledge adjacent the base when in its collapsed, not-in-use position, the enclosure side wall further comprising a leading edge distal to the back edge, and an enclosure front wall coupled to the enclosure side wall, the enclosure front wall comprising a convex front surface.”A wall surrounding an enclosure space, part of the enclosure that moves relative to the frame, and is in contact with the frame throughout its movement.
Extended, in-use position
(Claim 1, Claim 5, Claim 12)		“Aspects of this document relate to a cover for an electrical outlet that may comprise a base comprising at least one electrical box mounting screw aperture extending through a portion of the base, and an electrical device aperture extending through the base sized large enough to receive a portion of an electrical device therethrough, a lid frame hingedly coupled to the base along a first side of the lid frame and pivotable between an open position and a closed position, the lid frame comprising a central aperture, and a gasket surrounding the central aperture on a surface of the lid frame, and an enclosure slidably coupled to the lid frame within the central aperture and movable within the lid frame between a collapsed, not-in-use position and an extended, in-use position, the enclosure comprising a continuous enclosure side wall comprising a ledge extending outward from the enclosure side wall adjacent a back edge of the enclosure side wall, the ledge in contact with the lid frame gasket when the enclosure is in its extended, in-use position, and the ledge adjacent the base when in its collapsed, not-in-use position, the enclosure side wall further comprising a leading edge distal to the back edge, and an enclosure front wall coupled to the enclosure side wall, the enclosure front wall comprising a convex front surface.”A position of the enclosure where it is extended for use.

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US11799276

TITAN3 TECHNOLOGY LLC
Application Number
US17972503
Filing Date
Oct 24, 2022
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Sep 14, 2036
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents