Patent ID: 9711957
Date: 2017-07-18
CPC Classifications: H02G

Claim:
1. A cover plate assembly for at least one electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, contained in a receptacle box, the cover plate assembly comprising: (a) a cover plate sub-assembly that is attachable to at least one electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, via at least one mounting connector; the cover plate sub-assembly comprising: (i) a cover plate comprising outer edge portions circumscribing a generally planar body portion that lies between the outer edge portions in a first plane and that has a generally planar back surface disposed parallel to the first plane: (ii) at least one opening in the cover plate that is aligned and sized to allow access to the electrical outlet or switch; and (iii) one or more retention members disposed adjacent to and fixed to the back surface of the cover plate within the at least one opening in the cover plate that are aligned and sized to allow access to the electrical outlet or switch, wherein the retention members extend from the cover plate in a second plane substantially perpendicular to the first plane, wherein: (A) the one or more retention members selectively engage and substantially conform to at least a portion of an outer surface of an outer edge of the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, to releasably secure the cover plate sub-assembly thereto, wherein the outer surface of the outer edge is perpendicular to the first plane of the cover plate and the outer surface of the outer edge is adjacent to the cover plate retention members within the at least one opening of the cover plate; (B) the body portion of the cover plate, when releasably secured to the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, covers the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector, except for the at least one opening in the cover plate that is aligned and sized to allow access to the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector; or insertion of an external electrical, audio, video, or data plug, cable, or connector into the electrical outlet or switch, or audio, data, or video plug, cable, or connector.